While I’ve written stories about Monarch butterflies before, and I’m sure you’ve read or watched something about their amazing migration to Mexico, this story will touch on a much darker aspect of their lives: their uncontrollable aggression. As I lounged on my friend Dianne’s front yard watching the beautiful Monarch butterflies flying around, their orange […]
Tag: City of Toronto
More than 100 performers over the Labour Day weekend at BuskerFest at Woodbine Park
The Toronto International BuskerFest is back in the Beach at Woodbine Park for the Labour Day weekend, and appears to be settling in as a local fixture that neatly bookends the summer with the Jazz Festival. The open-air event, which brings in street performers from around the world, is by far the largest of its type […]
Residents say ‘secret beach’ is a not-so-secret mess
Amanda Jones used to visit “secret beach” when she was in high school. It was a secluded sandy place near the water where she could take time to relax. Today, Jones still likes to visit the beach except now she takes multiple trash bags with her to clean up before she can enjoy it. This […]
Beaches International Jazz Festival marks 30 years of fun
The Beach community came alive to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Beaches International Jazz Festival—one of the few remaining free jazz festivals in the world—with close to one million attendees this year. “The first year in Kew Gardens we had 5,000 people,” said Lido Chilelli, the founder of the festival. “Each decade, hundreds of thousands […]
When one shop closes, another one opens on this strip of Kingston Road
Several business owners that have been staples on the Kingston Road strip for decades closed their shops earlier this month, leaving loyal customers and neighbours wondering what this part of the street will look like in the years ahead. Some shop owners, many of whom live in the neighbourhood, have seen first-hand the significant changes […]
Jonathan Barker’s unique career forged his family’s love of water
Beach resident and founder of SK Films, Jonathan Barker passed away on July 5 from cancer, surrounded by his wife Wendy and children Scott, Tyler, Georgia, Alex and Caleigh. Leaving behind a legacy of award-winning theatrical IMAX, television and digital media productions that specialized in natural history and science related stories, Jonathan was a long-time, […]
Councillor McMahon recounts her successes and surprises
When Mary-Margaret McMahon steps down as Beaches—East York city councillor for Ward 32 at the end of November, it’s no exaggeration to say that it is a more community-driven and culturally rich area than it was at the start of her time in office. To celebrate and honour Councillor McMahon’s eight years as our city […]
Annual ‘Rising Star’ competition at the CNE features lots of local talent
This year at the Canadian National Exhibition, also known as the CNE, there will be four residents from the Beach and Leslieville community that are preparing for the spotlight at the annual Rising Star talent competition. Young contestants between the ages of six to 21 are set to compete on a stage that has showcased […]
A significant summer full of sadness and outrage
Hello neighbours! To begin with, thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me to represent you at Queen’s Park. It’s an enormous honour and privilege to have been elected MPP for this community which has been my home for 25 years and that I love wholeheartedly. I am grateful to each and every one […]
Malvern Red and Black Society update
Evan J. Butchers, who attended Malvern in the late 50s and early 60s, was elected as the new president of the Malvern Red and Black Society, and Sandra Burk from the Class of 1975 was voted in as its new vice president—both have had a long association with the Beach community. We wanted to welcome […]