Upper Beaches Daily Updates

Some pools opening early, some not

The city is opening 10 outdoor pools tomorrow for weekends and evenings, well ahead of its usual full-schedule start on June 30. Among them are several east-end pools, including Kiwanis Outdoor Pool at 375 Cedarvale Ave. and Monarch Park at 117 Felstead Ave.

The rest should open next weekend, the city says But not one of the east end’s favourite swimming facilities.

The city has decided to keep Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools at 1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E. (Ashbridges Bay) closed for the entire season for critical repairs.

You can check each hours of operation for swimming pools and wading pools on the city’s Drop-in Swimming and Water Play page.

Bradford support spirals further, according to polls

It’s hard to know what to make of local councillor Brad Bradford’s standing in the race for Toronto mayor. His campaign seems to be geared to appeal to both centre-left and centre-right voters, but his poll results indicate he’s not drawing support from any constituency.

Yesterday’s Liaison Strategies survey has Bradford settled in seventh place with six per cent of decided voters, down one point from the previous week’s results and far behind leader Olivia Chow’s 34 per cent.

The latest Mainstreet Research poll, released today, has him dropping even further. Bradford scores a meagre three per cent in that survey. Mainstreet shows Chow with a comfortable lead over the rest of the field at 33 per cent.

Fire fought in Little India

Gerrard Street East between Hiawatha and Highfield roads was closed yesterday afternoon as police and fire services dealt with a fire in the Little India district.

Emergency crews were called at 3:18 p.m. for a “commercial/industrial” fire at Woodfield Road and Gerrard, according to a Toronto Fire tweet.

No other information is available yet.

Pickleball taking over our surfaces

City staff are scrambling to set up courts for pickleball — Toronto’s fastest growing sport and social activity.

Parking lots, ice rinks, tennis courts and other flat surfaces are all fair game for being converted to accommodate the growing numbers of pickleball players across Toronto.

Get the full story in Streeter news.

Jump in raccoon sickness, bites and scratches

A “significant increase” in reports of sick or injured raccoons and the number of people bitten or scratched has led Toronto Public Health to issue warnings against contact with wild animals in the city.

Eighty per cent of those people suffering bites and scratches have had to suffer further through the uncomfortable anti-rabies treatment, involving multiple vaccine doses, to fend off the potentially fatal infection.

See the full Streeter story, including tips on avoiding raccoon attacks.

Two sought after break-in at Queen-Coxwell store

Two males are being sought by Toronto police after a break and enter at a store near Queen Street East and Coxwell avenue on May 22.

It was reported that about 1:47 a.m. two men broke into the business and stole items before exiting from the back door.

Four images of masked men inside the store have been released by police. For more information and images, see the police news release.

Man arrested after daycares reported threats

Police responded yesterday to two allegedly threatening calls to daycare centres near Queen Street East and Coxwell Avenue.

A 46-year-old man of no fixed address has been arrested and charged with two counts of uttering threats, police reported this morning.

Registration for summer programs begins June 6

Registration for the city’s summer recreation programs in this area begins tomorrow at 7 a.m.

Summer programs run from July 4 to Sept. 1.

You can register in three ways:

• By phone by calling 416-396-7378 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• In person at one of five community centre locations (none in this area) on June 6 and 7 from 7 a.m. to noon.
• Online through e-Fun (the easiest way).

Find more information on the city’s summer recreation programs page.

Broadview-Woodbine subway line closed for weekend

Subway service on Line 2 between Broadview and Woodbine stations is shutting down early for the rest of this week and then cut entirely for the weekend.

From June 6 to 9 the Danforth line will close nightly at 11 p.m. “due to track work,” the TTC advises.

On June 10 and 11 there will be no subway service on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth between Broadview and Woodbine stations for the same reasons, the TTC says.

Shuttle buses are to operate along Danforth during the closures. See the TTC advisories for more information.

Subway east of Victoria Park closed for weekend

Subway service on Line 2 between Victoria Park and Kennedy stations is shut down on June 2 and 3 due to signal upgrades, the TTC has advised.

Shuttle buses will operate, stopping at all subway stations, and all stations will stay open for loading PRESTO cards, buying PRESTO tickets and connecting to surface routes.

Two arrested, guns and drugs seized

Guns and drugs were seized when police searched a residence in the Main Street and Danforth Avenue area on May 26.

Police arrested two men and laid a combined 28 charges against them after a firearms and drug trafficking investigation, police reported.

See the story in Streeter news.

Bowmore 100th anniversary fest postponed

The celebration of Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School’s centenary — originally planned for June 10 — has been postponed to the fall, according to an announcement by the school.

The aftermath of a fire at the school (see May 4 item below) “has made it extremely difficult to proceed with our events planning,” the school says.

The school at 80 Bowmore Rd.  in Beach Hill still plans to mark the end of the academic year with a smaller community celebration later in June.

See more information on the school’s website.

Driver sought after ‘suspicious incident’ with girl

Police are looking for the driver of a black Dodge Charger after a 16-year-old girl was approached near Kingston Road and Main Street yesterday.

In what police are calling a “suspicious incident,” a car reportedly approached the girl and the driver asked for her phone number and Instagram account. He then continued to follow her, police said.

See the police news release for more information including descriptions of car and driver.

Bradford fading in mayor byelection polls

Since we last looked at the polling for the mayor’s race (see May 8 below), Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford’s support has fallen even further than previously noted. He now stands at a mere four per cent, down several points, according to the latest Mainstreet Research surveys.

That places him in seventh place among the 102 (!) candidates for mayor — far behind leaders Olivia Chow at 30 per cent, Ana Bailao at 21 per cent and Josh Matlow at 14 per cent.

See the full Streeter story on the poll and other election twists.

Ticketing rules relaxed for holiday

Parking enforcement officers will not be enforcing all on-street parking bylaws on Victoria Day, police say.

In particular they’ll be turning a blind eye on Monday to parking on rush-hour routes and in areas with Monday-to-Friday regulations.

Man arrested for arson with disregard for human life

What was reported yesterday as a deck fire in an alley near Main Street and Danforth Avenue has become a little more complex with an arrest today.

A 42-year-old man has been charged with eight counts of Arson – Disregard for Human Life in the investigation of what police are calling “multiple fires” that started in a dumpster and spread to businesses and residential apartments.

See the story in Streeter news.

Enjoy the fireworks on Victoria Day

The city is presenting its annual Victoria Day fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 22. Beautiful fireworks and a spectacular finale are promised.

You’re encouraged to walk or take public transit to Ashbridges and leave your vehicles at home, as the area will become quite congested with visitors here for the show.

Deck burns behind stores at Main and Danforth

Firefighters put out a fire in an alley off Main Street just south of Danforth Avenue this morning.

The blaze burned a two-level wooden deck behind Danforth stores but was put out before spreading into the buildings.

See the story in Streeter news.

Pothole-fixing blitz on tomorrow

If you’re out driving Saturday, watch for crews working on the roads. The city says it is launching a blitz to repair as many potholes as possible between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

It’s probably too late to get your favourite local pothole on the list for repair tomorrow, but call 311 or go to www.toronto.ca/311 to report it for future filling.

Man shot dead by police behind Shoppers World

A man, 40, died after an encounter with a police officer in the rear parking lot of Shoppers World at Danforth and Victoria Park avenues shortly after noon today.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the fatal shooting.

See the full story in Streeter News.

McMahon backing Erskine-Smith’s run for Liberal leader

In the race to become Ontario Liberal leader, Beaches-East York’s federal rep Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has got early support from his provincial counterpart.

Erskine-Smith’s campaign literature quotes MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon as praising his integrity and “no-nonsense approach” to the issues.

“Nate represents our riding with clear-headed leadership and passion that will translate seamlessly to his role as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party,” McMahon says.

Erskine-Smith gets jump on leadership race

Election-related news for another Beaches-East York rep: MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has announced he is running for the Ontario Liberal leadership.

So far he’s the only candidate to declare, as nominations don’t close until September and the leadership vote isn’t until late November.

See the Streeter news story.

Bradford falling behind leaders in mayor’s race

The latest polls show support for Olivia Chow surging, as the former MP and councillor pulls ahead of Toronto–St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow, former councillor Ana Bailao, and former police chief Mark Saunders, in the race to become Toronto’s next mayor.

You’ll notice one prominent name missing from that summary. Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford, once considered a top contender, has fallen to sixth place in two recent polls.

While poll leader Chow is scoring support percentages in the 30s, Bradford is stuck at about seven per cent. See the full story in Streeter news.

Arrests in area for drug trafficking and firearms

Two men were arrested yesterday near Kingston Road and Main street in a drug trafficking and firearms investigation.

One of the arrested men was found with a firearm and ammunition, police said in a news release today.

Another firearm was seized during a search in the Bayview Avenue and Front Street area, police said.

The men face a total of 19 charges, including carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.

See the police news release for more details.

Parks washrooms opened—splash pads, fountains and pools next

The city has finished opening park washrooms today, its earliest date ever, the city has announced. Only six seasonal washrooms are still closed for repairs or construction.

Splash and spray pads are due to open by May 20, followed by fountains and bottle-filling stations by May 26.

Ten city-run outdoor pools are to open on partial schedules by June 17 with the rest of them by June 24. All outdoor pools and  wading pools are to be open on a full schedule by June 30.

School evacuated after classroom fire

A fire was reported in a classroom at Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School in the Beach Hill area shortly before 11 a.m. today.

The school was evacuated and students sent to nearby schools, as the fire was put out by firefighters, police said on social media.

No injuries were reported. Toronto Fire Services is investigating.

Serious shooting injury called self-inflicted

Police were called to Gerrard Street East and Coxwell Avenue after reports of shooting at about 7:50 p.m. yesterday.

A man found in the building with a gunshot wound was taken to hospital with “serious but non-life threatening injuries,” according to police on social media.

Later, police reported the injury was believed to be self-inflicted. The man was arrested on firearms-related offences

Boys fled masked, hooded males on Scarborough Road

The boys were walking near Queen Street East and Scarborough Road on Monday evening when they were approached by two males wearing hoodies and black ski masks, police say.

The boys reportedly fled and called police, who call it a “suspicious incident.”

Video released by police show the hooded males getting out of a vehicle on Scarborough Road and starting to run after another figure.

Here’s the video and the story as we know it so far.

Suspect identified in attempted break-in last month

A man, 24, is sought by police in the investigation of an attempted break and enter investigation near Danforth and Woodbine avenues a month ago.

It was reported on March 25 a man rang the doorbell of a residence, looked through the front window where the homeowners were sitting and tried to open the front door. Finding the front door locked and confronted by the homeowner, he allegedly walked to the back of the residence where he was asked to leave.

Police have released the identity and image of the suspect. For more details, see the police news release.

Have you seen this (stolen) jewellery?

Toronto police today released images of jewellery taken during last month’s break-and-enter of a residence near Ted Reeve Drive and Gerrard Street East. (See April 2 report below.)

If you know of anyone selling jewellery like this, you are asked to contact police.

Police are still trying to identify two males allegedly involved in the break-in.

Washrooms are opening early in our parks

With this warmer-than-average spring, city staff are opening public washrooms earlier than usual. A quarter of Toronto’s seasonal washrooms have been opened already by mid-April, though most were originally scheduled for May.

If you’re planning an outing, you can look up the status of washrooms and drinking fountains in the park on a new interactive map from the city.

See the full story in Streeter news.

Two arrests made in Oshawa for Beach Hill home invasion

Two of three people suspected to be involved in the alleged home invasion near Norway and Elmer avenues a month ago have been arrested — leaving one suspect still at large, according to Toronto Police.

But it was Durham Region police who caught the two. On April 16 officers stopped a vehicle in Oshawa and arrested a male and a female wanted in Toronto.

They also seized a loaded firearm and drugs in the vehicle, which means the two now face charges in both Toronto and Durham Region.

Get the whole story in Streeter news.

Kingston Road apartment scorched

A two-alarm fire brought firefighters to a low-rise apartment building at Kingston and Courcelette roads this morning.

Fire crews followed the alarms and heavy smoke in the hallway to find the fire in a ground-floor unit and deal with it quickly, Toronto Fire Services said.

See the story in Streeter.

Big Carrot cited as leader in sustainability

The Big Carrot food store, with locations both in Greektown and Upper Beaches, is among “10 food businesses in Toronto that make it easier to practise sustainability,” according to BlogTO today. The employee-owned store is noted for its organic and non-GMO products, the article says.

See the full story, including all 10 places specializing in “ethical eats,” on BlogTO.

Bradford behind in race for mayor, poll says

A new Mainstreet Research poll has Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow leading the field in the race to succeed John Tory as Toronto mayor. But the most surprising news delivered by the survey may be that Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford has fallen behind.

Bradford sits in fifth place with less than six per cent of the vote, behind the top four who each scored between 10 and 15 per cent in the survey.

See the full Streeter news story.

Beaches Easter Parade

We could be wrong but it seemed this year’s Beaches East Parade yesterday was a little lighter than usual, especially compared to the extravaganzas of the pre-pandemic era.

But one thing cannot be debated, the parade was greeted by a huge, enthusiastic crowd as it proceeded along Queen Street East on Sunday, April 9, starting at 2 p.m.

And parade-goers by the hundreds — many local east-enders, of course, but also from across Toronto — hung around afterwards to enjoy a beautiful spring day in the Beach.

We’ll have many (many!) more pictures to come.

Dentonia Park golf course opens tomorrow

The Dentonia Golf Course opens for the new season tomorrow, along with other city-operated courses. Tee-times for the 18-hole, par-three course, next to the station on Victoria Park Avenue, can be booked up to five days in advance, with reservations starting at 8 a.m.

Fees are about $31–34 for all 18 holes, less for nine holes, and discounted for senior and junior golfers. You can get more information and book online.

Also available at the course is fling golf, which combines elements of golf and lacrosse and is played with a fling stick that can be rented on site, according to a city news release today.

Double the tickets: more speed cameras coming

The number of automated speed enforcement cameras in Beaches-East York neighbourhoods is to be doubled from three to six, after city council’s recent approval of the installations.

Council unanimously passed a motion to have city staff look into increasing the ASE devices from the current 75 to 150, shared evenly by each of Toronto’s 25 wards.

This comes just months after a previous increase from 50 across the city.

Get the full story in Streeter news.

Two sought for break-in while homeowner at home

Police have released images and descriptions of two people sought in the investigation of an afternoon break-in on March 15.

Two males were reported to have broken into a house near Gerrard Street East and Ted Reeve Drive while the homeowner was home. One apparently stood by the front door as the other entered the house from the rear.

A number of items were taken before the suspects fled the scene on foot, police said. The homeowner was unhurt.

For more details and additional images, see the police news release.

Beautiful spring day for a sprint in the Beaches

You couldn’t have asked for better weather for the return of the Beaches Spring Sprint. With the sun beaming down and temperatures hovering well above zero, hundreds of runners burst from the starting gate on the boardwalk, beginning with the first races at 9:30 a.m.

It took only 15 minutes and 25 seconds for the fastest of them, Saed Griffith of Oshawa, to finish the five-kilometre loop and cross the finish line — far ahead of all other contenders.

Other walks and runs, including two-kilometre routes for seniors and children, started at 9:35 and 10:30 a.m.

The annual run is hosted by the Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Council to raise funds for community programs and activities at the centre.

Clean up our communities together, city urges

Toronto is asking communities to register local litter cleanups to take part in the city’s annual spring cleanup from April 21 to April 23.

We can register three kinds of cleanups:

• The 20-Minute Makeover on April 21 is for local businesses (BIAs, are you listening?) to clean up public spaces, like parks, sidewalks, ravines or beaches (though local residents can take part too).
• Also on April 21, students and staff of schools, colleges and universities can spend 20 minutes cleaning up their schoolyards or neighbourhood parks.
• On April 22 and 23, community groups, families and individuals are encouraged to visit local parks or other public spaces to help pick up litter.

Get more information and register for whichever cleanup works for you on the city’s Clean Toronto Together page.

Bradford finally announces: he’s in the race for mayor

Beaches-East York councillor has ended weeks of speculation, declaring himself a candidate to succeed John Tory as mayor of Toronto.

He’s running to be a “strong mayor of action” to make the city safer, more affordable, and easier to get around, Bradford said in Twitter and Instagrams posts this morning.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brad Bradford (@bradfordgrams)

Feeding any wildlife, anywhere in city to be banned

On April 1 a new city bylaw comes into effect prohibiting the feeding of wildlife anywhere in Toronto.

And for good reason, according to wildlife experts. You may think you’re helping the animals but you’re not.

Even the traditional practice of throwing bread crumbs to birds is not helpful, the experts say.

Read Dennis Hanagan’s full story in Streeter news about the bylaw and the dangers of feeding the animals.

Homes evacuated after shed caught fire

Police reported on Twitter a shed was discovered on fire near Oakcrest and Beck avenues yesterday evening. Nearby homes were evacuated and the blaze was brought under control.

FIRE:
Oakcrest Ave & Beck Ave
– reports of a shed on fire
– police o/s
– officers evacuating people from homes for safety
– @Toronto_Fire o/s – advised fire is under control
– road closures in the immediate area
– no reported injuries#GO670068
^al

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 27, 2023

Three girls subjected to indecent exposure, police report

Police have released images and video of a man they suspect followed three girls, age 13 to 14, to their home and looked through their window while committing an indecent act.

The girls, age 13 to 14, were walking home for lunch near Dundas Street East and Woodfield Road at 11:07 when they were followed, police said.

Investigators are asking for public help identifying the man. For more information, including images and video, see the police news release.

Armed suspects sought in Beach Hill home invasion

Two armed males and a female are sought by police after a home invasion near Norway and Elmer avenues early on March 20, police reported yesterday.

The incident began with a female befriending a man and going to his apartment. When two other men showed up, armed with a machete and firearm, the victim “left his apartment in fear,” police reported.

Police have released several images of the suspects.

For more details and images, read the story in Streeter News.

Knife-wielding man at Victoria Park station

A man was reported chasing TTC patrons with a knife on the westbound subway platform yesterday evening.

Police found the man and no injuries were reported, they said on Twitter.

PERSON WITH A KNIFE: UPDATE
Victoria Park Subway
– No reports of injuries
– Officers have located the man involved
– Thank-you for your patience while we investigated this matter
^lb

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 22, 2023

Registration starts for Spring Sprint

The Spring Sprint is back with registration starting today and March 22, 29 and 30.

The run itself takes place April 1 to raise money for supplies and activities at the Beaches Recreation Centre. For more information see the Streeter Things To Do listing.

Malvern Juniors take city championship

The Junior Black Knights team at Malvern Collegiate Institute hockey won the TDSSAA city championship on March 8, Beach Metro is reporting today.

This came just six days after the Varsity Malvern girls took home gold, the paper is reporting.

See Beach Metro Community News for the full report.

Outdoor skating continues to Sunday — if the ice holds up

The city is encouraging skaters to enjoy the last few days of the official outdoor skating season at our local rinks. However, the weather seems poised to end the season earlier than the scheduled March 19 deadline.

Sunday evening is when the city starts to close its outdoor artificial ice rinks, natural ice rinks and skating trails and begin its annual conversion of spaces into skateboarding parks, tennis courts and pickleball spaces.

Meanwhile the forecast for the next four days calls for rainy and overcast days with temperatures mainly above zero.

Identity of man sought after sexual assault

An image has been released by police seeking the identity of a man wanted in a sexual assault investigation.

The alleged assault occurred March 11 before 8:45 p.m. near Danforth and Victoria Park avenues, police said.

A man reportedly offered to help a woman who was shopping in the area but ended up attacking her, before fleeing the area in a silver SUV.

For more details and suspect description, see the police news release.

Local veggie burger hailed among the best

It may have made its name for its love of meat, but a local eatery also offers one of the city’s top vegan burgers — made with Beyond Meat served on an Ace Bakery bun. So says BlogTO in s story today.

The site placed Fearless Meat, 884 Kingston Rd., at number 3 in its rundown of the best veggie burgers in Toronto.

Arrest for crosstown bank robberies 20 minutes apart

A man was arrested yesterday after a bank robbery near Danforth and Coxwell avenues, police reported today.

It was the second such bank robbery of the day, they said. Twenty minutes before the East Danforth holdup, officers had responded to a holdup call near Bloor and Bathurst streets.

In both cases a man is alleged to have worn a mask and gloves while handing a teller a note saying he had a firearm and demanding cash. The man then fled the areas with the money, police said.

A 24-year-old Toronto man faces six charges, including two counts each of robbery and disguise with intent.

Developments to change the face of Danforth

The full scale of the transformation being wrought on East Danforth by multiple highrise developments was brought home at the community consultation yesterday.

The virtual meeting heard from three development teams on the eight buildings, ranging from 15 to 55 storeys, they propose to add to the existing buildings and to eight other towers already approved for the stretch of Danforth Avenue from Main Street to Dawes Road.

Little time was left at the meeting, however, for community feedback.

See Streeter’s full report on the event.

Registration on for Easter parade

With one month to go before the 57th Beaches Easter Parade, registration is on for local groups and businesses to take part in the parade.

Community groups can register for $250 while businesses pay $450. They have until March 31 to sign up on the float registration site.

The parade takes place on Queen Street East on April 9.

Man sought for spraying subway rider with noxious substance

A subway passenger was repeatedly sprayed with an unknown, pepper-like substance on the Bloor-Danforth line between Donlands and Greenwood stations on the evening of Feb. 28, police report.

Two men, unknown to each other, were travelling eastbound when, without provocation, one man sprayed the other man in the face, police said in a new release today. Each time the victim stepped away from the attack, he was sprayed again.

A man is wanted on three counts of administering a noxious substance. For more details, see the police news release.

Public consultation to be held on three massive Danforth developments

Thousands of residential units with several thousand more residences could be added if three planned developments on Danforth Avenue, between Main street and Dawes road, are approved.

A virtual community consultation on all three projects is being held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. City planners and Beaches East York councillor Brad Bradford are scheduled to take part.

A total of eight new buildings, ranging from 15 to 55 storeys are being proposed.

For more on the projects and the online community meeting, see Streeter’s Thing To do listing.

Posters oppose Bradford’s mayoral run

Flyers have appeared on streets in Beaches-East York calling councillor Brad Bradford two-faced, headed “Deceive in the East” — a takeoff on “Believe in the East,” his slogan in the 2022 council race.

They have also popped up on social media, including on Twitter.

The posters are apparently intended to oppose Bradford’s expected campaign for mayor.

They purport to show his record of voting runs counter to the image he presents as a progressive politician.

CityNews covers the story.

Summerlicious applications open

Winterlicious seems barely over and it’s already time for local restaurants to sign up for the summer edition of the fixed-price dining festival.

Applications to participate in the Summerlicious program will be accepted from today to March 22, the city has announced.

This year’s Summerlicious runs from July 7 to 23 and there’s good news for participating restaurants: the fees have been cut to less than half the pre-pandemic rates. The new fee is $550. The city says this reduction should “make it easy and affordable for restaurants to participate and will encourage more Toronto residents to dine out and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene.”

Restaurants can find more information on the City’s Summerlicious 2023 Restaurant Participation webpage.

Fundraiser for Turkey at St. John the Baptist Norway

A fundraising event is planned for St. John the Baptist Norway church on March 4, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Baked goods and other items will be sold to support earthquake relief in Turkey. See the Streeter Things To Do listing for more information.

Federal rep ponders what he could do as provincial leader

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith appears closer to declaring himself a candidate for the Ontario Liberal leadership, though he won’t make his final decision until next month when the party sets the rules for the race.

That’s what may be gleaned from a CBC story today in which the Beaches-East York MP, who has been touring the province for a possible run, touted his experience as an outspoken backbencher in Ottawa as showing he could bring democratic renewal to the Ontario political scene.

Soup-tasting competition to return to Centre 55

Some talented soup chef is going to win a Silver Ladle (and some cash) for making the best soup in town — and the rest of us get to taste all the entries on March 2.

That’s when Community Centre 55 holds its annual soup-tasting competition. Becoming a judge (a taster) costs just $5, with the money going to support the centre’s programs.

More about the competition in Streeter’s Things To Do listing.

Local home prices dropping, real estate board says

Home prices are down by 12 per cent from last year in this area, according to figures recently released by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. The report indicates the year-over-year decrease for the real estate “E02” area, including Beaches, East End-Danforth and Woodbine Corridor.

As of January, the average home here is now about $1.3 million, TRREB reports. Single, detached houses have taken the biggest hit, dropping 13.8 per cent to about $1.6 million.

Charges in ‘hate-motivated assault’ of child on local bus

A man has been arrested for an alleged assault near Danforth Avenue and Main Street, an incident that police are calling a hate-motivated offence.

It is alleged on Feb. 8 a man threatened several passengers on a bus near the Main Street Station, made racial slurs, and assaulted a 12-year-old. He reportedly left the bus and fled before police arrived. The child suffered suffered minor injuries, police said.

On Feb. 20 a Toronto man, 32, was arrested and faces three charges.

After consulting with their hate crime unit, police said the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence. See the police news release for more details.

Parking restrictions eased for Family Day

Police have announced they will not be ticketing vehicles parked on the street on Feb. 20 on rush-hour routes and in areas with posted Monday–Friday regulations.

Bradford touted for mayoralty run

Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford says he’s received calls asking him to run for mayor, since John Tory’s sudden resignation, according to a Toronto Star article about possible candidates yesterday.

Bradford, who was supported by Tory when first elected to council in 2018, reportedly told the Star he hasn’t decided yet whether to run for mayor.

Leslieville market moves indoors

The Leslieville Farmers’ Market has partnered with the Neighbourhood Food Hub to launch the indoor Hub Community Market — bringing us farm produce and more every Sunday, starting Feb. 19, in an indoor setting.

More information on the Streeter Things To Do listing.

Skate Day is back at Ted Reeve

Beaches-East York’s city councillor, MPP and MP are joining together to host their annual Skate Day at Ted Reeve Arena.

It takes place on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See more information on this event at the Streeter Things To Do listing.

Report our potholes to be fixed

You may see repair crews out on the roads today as the city launches its first pothole-fixing blitz of the year.

Chances are, though, plenty of Beach potholes will remain unless they are reported. To get those car-wrecking eyesores filled, report them via the 311 Toronto mobile app, online at Toronto.ca/311 or by calling 311.

The city says most repairs are carried out within four days of potholes being reported.

‘Hate-motivated’ assault reported on bus near Main

And the reports of violence on the TTC keep coming. On Feb. 8 police were called to Main Street Station after a girl was reportedly assaulted on a bus near Main Street Station.

Police are calling it a hate-motivated crime because a racial slur was allegedly made.

See the police news release for details and images.

Winter Stations rising on the beach

This year’s winners of the Winter Stations art installation contest have been chosen and you can watch six of their works being built on Woodbine Beach.

Three university teams are involved in this year’s Winter Stations. See the Toronto Observer story for more about this prestigious event.

This ward soon to have three cameras to catch speeders

The city is adding 25 automated speed enforcement cameras, one for each ward in Toronto. The most recent ASE site in Beaches-East York is on Main Street south of Swanwick Avenue.

It joins two other such cameras in the ward, currently located on Wolverleigh Boulevard, west of Glebemount Avenue, and on Gerrard Street East, east of Beaton Avenue.

See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.

Two arrested in alleged home invasion

Three days after a reported home invasion near Woodbine and Norway avenues (see Jan. 29 item below), the man and woman suspects have been arrested, police say.

Police received information from the public that led to finding the two in the area of Danforth and Cedarvale avenues, according to a news release.

Arrested on Jan. 31 at about 7:30 p.m., the Toronto man, 38, and Toronto woman, 3o, face a total of 14 charges, including breaking and entering, robbery with an offensive weapon and assault with a weapon.

For more details, see the police news release.

Have you spotted the orange pigeon?

Social media is reporting an unusually orange pigeon hanging around with other normally hued birds in the east end — notably outside Shopper’s World on Danforth Avenue at Victoria Park.

If you see it, tell us. The world wants to know.

Man and woman sought in home invasion investigation

Investigators are looking for a 38-year-old man and 30-year-old woman after an alleged home invasion, police said yesterday evening.

In the early hours of Jan. 28, two people armed with knives allegedly broke into a residence near Woodbine and Norway avenues and attacked a tenant. The tenant suffered serious injury, police said.

More information and images of the suspects are available in the police news release.

Town hall budget meeting for east-end residents

Have your say at the town hall meeting on the city’s 2023 budget, co-hosted by Toronto-Danforth and Beaches East York councillors. The meeting’s on Feb. 3. See more about it in Streeter’s Things To Do listing.

JAN. 27 REMINDER: Winterlicious starts today at restaurants across Toronto and in Leslieville. See Jan. 20 item below.

New CafeTO fees to hurt local eateries: Fragedakis

Local restaurants may be hit hard by the changes to the city’s CafeTO program this year, says Mary Fragedakis, executive director of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA. She was talking to John Moore on Newstalk 1010’s Moore in the Morning program today.

City council is considering a staff report that proposes charging new fees for restaurants participating in CafeTO.

“Many small businesses are struggling terribly right now … and this is another stressor,” Fragedakis said. She predicted the new fees would put CafeTO out of reach for many of them.

Hear the interview on iHeart radio, including Mayor John Tory’s defence of the fees.

Identity sought in assault investigation

Police are looking for a man shown on security cameras after an alleged assault near Danforth and Jones avenues at about 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 24.

The victim fell to the ground and sustained serious injuries, police say.

The police news release provides an image and more information.

Start making reservations now for Winterlicious dining festival

Winterlicious is back, set to offer prix fixe lunches and dinners from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9.

Upper Beaches-area restaurants participating in Winterlicious Toronto include The Beech Tree and Bowl of Karma on Kingston Road.

You can find the entire Toronto list on the city’s Winterlicious page.

CampTO registration set to open

It’s time to start planning the kids’ summer camp activities at local parks and centres this summer. The city has announced its CampTO programs are online for your consideration, ready for registration beginning Feb. 11.

Some new programs have been added to the CampTO lineup for the programs that run from July 4 to Sept. 1.

Camp locations in and around the Upper Beaches area include:

• Adam Beck Community Centre, 79 Lawlor Ave.
• Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount Rd.
• Main Square Community Centre, 245 Main St.

For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.