Draft electoral map shows riding of St. Clair – Mt. Pleasant

The good people at the South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA) have written a nice explainer about the possible new riding of “St. Clair – Mt. Pleasant“.

A New Electoral Map is Taking Shape for all of Toronto

This weekend’s ActiveTO closures on Bayview cancelled

This weekend’s planned #ActiveTO road closures on Bayview Avenue and River Street have been cancelled due to emergency road repair work.
https://twitter.com/TO_Transport/status/1563207214206050312

Oh em gee… did someone say kittens? 😻

Leaside Animal Clinic has kittens! Most are spoken for already, but they will let everyone know if any are available for adoption in the next few days. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

City supports expanding businesses into neighbourhoods

(Tim Douglas/Pexels)

Expanding opportunities for retail, services and office uses in local neighbourhoods is economically, socially and environmentally important. These amenities bring vibrancy to communities and provide opportunities closer to home, which is critical for improving access to goods and services, achieving net zero emissions by 2040, and increasing community safety. The Local Neighbourhood Retail and Services study is an important step to support the livability of our city.Mayor John Tory

(Toronto City Council News Release – July 21, 2022) Today, Toronto City Council adopted amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to provide a more supportive environment for residents, local businesses and community organizations in neighbourhoods across Toronto.

Today’s amendments are part of the City of Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods program which will include further consultation, research and actions including a Local Neighbourhood Retail and Services study to assess ways to permit more locally-serving small-scale retail, service and office uses in areas across the city currently zoned as neighborhood-designated areas. Supporting opportunities for these amenities will help to create vibrant, complete communities that offer a greater number of choices for retail, services and work within walking distance of people’s homes. Further work, including a city-wide Zoning Bylaw that expands permissions for local neighbourhood retail and service uses is anticipated to be considered by Council in 2023.

The use of local neighbourhood spaces for retail, services and offices will contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of an area by improving access to and the quality and diversity of services and goods; supporting residents with limited mobility and families with young children; providing employment and economic opportunities closer to home; and enhancing community safety through increased activity at different times of day. By reducing the need to travel longer distances by car for goods and services, this change will also support the City’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

A greater number of residents are now spending more time in their neighbourhoods as many employers have adopted hybrid and/or remote work. This has resulted in changes to shopping patterns and a heavier reliance on local shops and services. More information is available on the Local Neighbourhood Retail and Services webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/LocalRetail. The Chief Planner’s report to Council, Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods – Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study Final Report Phase One, is available on the City’s website at Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods – Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study Final Report Phase One. Read full media release here.

The Mount Pleasant Village Harvest Fair is back for 2022!

Harvest Fair (mountpleasantvillage.ca)

The Merchants of Mount Pleasant Village are thrilled to present their 11th annual Harvest Fair taking place on Saturday, September 24th, from 10am to 4pm.

The Harvest Fair will transform Mount Pleasant into an autumnal wonderland, complete with hay bales and pumpkins galore! This family-friendly event will see the return of Harvest Fair activities as well as new and exciting additions. Many businesses will be offering samples, sales, and workshops, so get ready to explore all that Mount Pleasant Village has to offer! More info can be found on the Mount Pleasant Village website.

A few days left to enjoy the Summerlicious prix fixe menus

Summerlicious, “Toronto’s Favourite Summer Foodie Event” started on August 12 and will run until August 28th. Enjoy three-course prix fixe menus at more than 200 participating restaurants at six price points for lunch or dinner.

The participating restaurants aren’t just downtown — be sure to check out a restaurant or two on Bayview, Laird, Mt. Pleasant or Yonge! There are Summerlicious offerings at Amsterdam Barrel House, Indian Street Food Co., Granite Brewery, Florentia, Smokeshow BBQ, Pai Uptown, Duke Of Kent, Diwan (Don Mills & Eglinton), Cibo Wine Bar Yonge, Oyster Mine, California Restaurant (Pape), Union Social Eatery Yonge, or Capocaccia Trattoria.

Follow this link to explore all the Summerlicious menus and locations: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/summerlicious/

Sunnybrook Veterans at Saturday’s Warriors’ Day Parade

If you were on Bayview early this morning you may have seen the procession of buses heading southbound with a generous amount of motorcycles providing a police escort. The VIP’s on board were a few dozen residents from Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, along with Sunnybrook staff and veterans’ family members. They were among the hundreds of people that attended the 100th anniversary of the Warriors’ Day Parade at The Exhibition grounds this morning. CBC

The Parade’s website says, “The Warriors’ Day Parade is a unique and spectacular event that includes the colour, sound and traditions of our Regiments and Squadrons as well as the recognition of those who served and those who serve today. Since 1921, the Parade has provided an opportunity to celebrate our military victories. For participants and spectators, it is also an opportunity to show deep appreciation for the priceless gift of freedom given to us by our Veterans and those brave women and men presently serving in the Canadian Forces.”

Crossing guards needed for back-to-school in September

Carraway signs posted at Maurice Cody Junior Public School, August 2022.

Signs posted at Maurice Cody Junior Public School are advertising the need for crossing guards for September, when kids head back to school. Visit the City of Toronto’s website for more information about the crossing guard program.

Fire at Thorncliffe Park and Overlea escalated to 3-alarms



Hudson’s Bay says they will resurrect Zellers in early 2023

Zellers at EYTC in 2012 (Goolge Maps)

Canadians are celebrating the revival of Zellers in response to Hudson’s Bay Co.’s announcement that they will be bringing back the brand in 2023. Inquiring minds all over social media want to know, will they also bring back the Zellers restaurant and Zeddy the bear?

The Bulldog reported on the closure of our local Zellers in East York Town Centre back in 2012. CBC

A bounty of produce at Leaside Park’s Community Garden

We love this tweet showing off the beautiful produce being grown in the Leaside Park Community Garden. Looks delish.

According to the Community Garden’s website, they produced over 400 pounds of food last year. “The garden is like a “community farm”, with rows of vegetables that are maintained by residents/community members (volunteers) for the benefit of the community.”

https://twitter.com/nataliebikov/status/1559639747705901058

Summer drive-in series returns to Leaside Village

First Capital and Longo’s Leaside invite you to join them on Friday, August 26th for their Summer Drive-in Series. Bring your friends and family to watch Despicable Me (2010) at Leaside Village. They are accepting non-perishable canned goods as entry fee, and all donations will go to ICNA Relief Food Bank. There is room for 70 cars, so arrive early to secure a spot. Doors open at 8:00 pm and the movie will start at 9:00 pm. More info