The Beach Village BIA is hosting free outdoor movie nights at various locations along Queen Street East this summer. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and settle in under the stars for a star-studded selection of films. Tonight (Tuesday, June 24), watch Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure in Kew Gardens. On Thursday, July 10, Frozen will screen in Ivan Forrest Gardens. Watch Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone in Kew Gardens on Thursday, July 31, and on Thursday, Aug. 21, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters will be showing back in Ivan Forrest Gardens. For more information visit thebeachvillage.com or call 416-693-2242.
●
Ward 32 Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon is hosting movie nights in neighbourhood parks again this summer. Fantastic Mr. Fox will be showing in Fairmount Park, 1725 Gerrard St. E., on Saturday, July 5. On Saturday, July 12, watch The LEGO Movie in Lawlor Parkette, located behind Lawlor Avenue, Swanwick Avenue and Pickering Street. Rio 2 will be screened in Moncur Park, 10 Gainsborough Rd., on Tuesday, July 15. Indiana Jones – Raiders of the Lost Ark is playing in East Lynn Park, 1949 Danforth Ave., on Thursday, July 17. The LEGO Movie rounds out the summer event, playing on Tuesday, July 22, in Cassels Park, 69 Cassels Ave., and on Sunday, July 27 in Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 20 Woodward Ave. For more information call the councillor’s office at 416-392-1376.
●
Local historian and Beach Metro News history columnist Gene Domagala is leading another of his popular historical walks on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1. Meet on Queen Street at the Cenotaph in Kew Gardens at 1 p.m. then head down Lee Avenue to the boardwalk for a stroll along the popular and historic promenade where the long-gone Scarborough Beach Amusement Park once attracted thousands of visitors. The walk will wind up at the Balmy Beach Club. The walk takes about one and a half to two hours, and is wheelchair accessible.
●
The Vicar of Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd., along with the coordinator of the Churches By the Bluffs Food Bank are putting their heads, or rather their hair, on the chopping block to raise money for the church. Vicar Cynthia Stretton has offered to have her head sheared if the church can raise $5,000 by Sunday, July 6, and Gail Barkic will go under the scissors if $5,001 is raised. The event takes place shortly after noon on Sunday, July 6, and includes a potluck lunch. Hairstylists Mae Cromwell of the Beauty Supply Outlet and Gordanna of La Fair Hair Salon are donating their time and talents. Donations can be made online at birchcliffbluffsuc.org using the Canada Helps “Donate Now” link and choosing the “Shear the Vicar” fund. Cheques may be made out to Birchliff Bluffs United Church.
●
The Graffiti Removal & Information Program will soon be up and running for the summer. The program, operated by Community Centre 55, offers graffiti removal services to residents and business owners for a small fee. The group also offers mural painting to transform more heavily-tagged surfaces into beautiful works of art. Products used are environmentally friendly. The program runs from July 7 to August 22 and is sponsored by StreetARToronto. For more information call Evonne Hossack, CC55 Program Director, at 416-691-1113 or email evonne@centre55.com.
●
The Queen Street East and Leslie Street intersection was scheduled to reopen on Sunday after the TTC finished some of the track work needed for the new Leslie Barns. But on Monday, Queen streetcars will again be diverted or replaced by buses as the Queen and Broadview Avenue intersection will be closed until July 25 for more track work.
●
Kingston Road will narrow to a single westbound lane for a 40-metre stretch east of Lee Avenue from July 9 to June of 2015 so construction crews can build a new condo at 580 Kingston. Pedestrians will find the north sidewalk closed, but there will be a bypass on part of the closed driving lane.
●
Once reserved for a highway, a treed area stretching four blocks along Danforth Avenue just east of Birchmount Road has become Toronto’s latest official park, Birchcliff Woods. Urban foresters with the City of Toronto have already worked to restore the land, which contains part of a ravine and an intermittent creek.
●
Local city councillors voted to strengthen a set of 2012 building design guidelines for Queen Street East last week, following the city’s loss this winter of two Ontario Municipal Board appeals concerning condos proposed on either side of Woodbine Avenue at Queen. Councillors voted to add the Beach Urban Design Guidelines, which cover Queen from Coxwell to Nursewood, into Toronto’s Official Plan.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter today! For 50 years, we have worked hard to be the eyes and ears in your community, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know what and who is making a difference. We cover the big stories as well as the little things that often matter the most. CLICK HERE to support your Beach Metro Community News!
