The South Bayview Bulldog

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

Greg Dobson (centre), consignment operator, Spirit Halloween, surrounded by Spirit Halloween staff, poses for a photo with a cake celebrating the $1 million fundraised in support of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. /Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Inpatient client and their parent pose for a photo at the Halloween party co-hosted by Spirit Halloween at Holland Bloorview. /Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

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.

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.

Photo: @pizzeriazzavia/Instagram

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.