News in Brief (June 26)

We’ve officially crossed the threshold into the summer season and that means sun, sunscreen, and swimming. Local pools are open and beckoning to anyone who wants to cool off in the hot sun. On Friday, June 29, Blantyre Park, Monarch Park and Donald D. Summerville pool will be open regular hours until Sunday, Sept. 2. Check with individual pools for schedules.
The splash pads at Ashbridges Bay Park, Cassels Avenue Playground and Woodbine Park will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sunday, Sept. 23.
Supervised wading pools will open Friday, June 29 at East Lynn Park, East Toronto Athletic Field, Fairmount Park, Jonathan Ashbridge Park, Kew Gardens, Norwood Park, Oakcrest Park and Stephenson Park. They will operate on individual schedules until Sept. 2, weather permitting.
For more information, visit toronto.ca/parks/prd/swimming/index.htm
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If the beach is more to your liking, Kew-Balmy Beach and Woodbine Beach have both received Blue Flag designations, meaning they meet the highest water quality standards. Water will be tested daily throughout the summer. Call the Beaches Hot Line at 416-392-7161 or check the website at toronto.ca/beach for more information.
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If swimming isn’t your cup of tea, how about joining the East End Community Health Centre’s Walking Group? Tie up those sneakers and set out on a stroll around the Queen Street East and Coxwell Avenue community every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. The event includes some light stretching afterward. Meet at the Centre, located at 1619 Queen St. E. To participate, call Zari at 416-778-5805 ext. 222. For more information check out their event calendar at eastendchc.on.ca.
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The Children’s Peace Theatre is holding a free event on Friday, June 29. River Through Time: A Youth Community Festival features workshops in music, theatre, art and sushi- and crepe-making. There will also be performances by the Youth Leaders Theatre Project (YLTP), an art exhibition from ArtZone, a silent auction for the artwork, food, and much more. There will be open stage time for members of the community to perform.
River Through Time is a forum for young people aged 14 to 24 to connect with other members of the community through artistc representations of peace. This event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Children’s Peace Theatre is located at 305 Dawes Rd. For more information visit childrenspeacetheatre.org
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The founder of a new French Immersion club will hold an Open House on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 from noon to 10 p.m. at 1437 Kingston Rd. Helene Nicole Richard created Gotta Love That French…Activity Club! after noticing that many who went through French Immersion in school ended up forgetting their French if they did not have opportunities to speak it. The program will be available to adults and children and offers a day camp in the summer, Scrabble competitions, karaoke, conversation nights, potluck dinners, movie nights, live music nights and more. For more information call 416-759-7397 or visit gottalovethatfrench.com/ activityclub
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Zellers pharmacy at Shopper’s World has turned its prescription files over to Loblaws on Musgrave Street (at Victoria Park Avenue between Danforth and Gerrard). The supermarket chain bought the prescription files when Zellers was sold to U.S. retailer Target. Loblaw Pharmacist Colin Durnford assures customers that they will receive a continued high level of care. In addition, customers will receive free convenience packaging and free blood pressure monitoring. If you have any questions for the pharmacist, call 416-694-6263.
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Beach Metro News ‘Pet of the Month’ columnist Marna Gale has been selected as a recipient of Global Pet Food’s first Heroic Heart Award. Gale was chosen for her outstanding care and compassion to homeless pets. She is the founder of Big on Beagles Rescue, where she has found homes for 111 beagles since 2000. Gale, who won for the Ontario region, is one of four winners across Canada. She is donating her prizes — a year’s worth of pet food and a $250 spa certificate — to Big on Beagles. The food will go to beagle foster homes, while the certificate will be auctioned off to raise more funds for the organization.
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Continuing on from a program launched last year, the Danforth Village Business Improvement Area (DVBIA) is once again donating funds to three youth sports organizations in the Upper Beach and East York area. The goal of the program is to ease the financial burden for parents and the clubs, to help make soccer, baseball and hockey more accessible to more children. The DVBIA donations included $5,000 each to the Ted Reeve Arena Skating and Hockey School, East York Soccer Club and East York Baseball Association.

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