By Jo-Ann Davis
Elections have consequences. On June 7, voters in Ontario will make a choice that will have a profound impact on the welfare of students, seniors, families in our community, the economy, and environment.
By Tim Grant
I have lived all my life in our new riding of University-Rosedale. My involvement as a teenager in the fight against the Spadina Expressway propelled me into a lifetime focus on local and provincial issues. For the past 15 years, I have served on the board of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association, one of the most active residents’ associations in the city, chairing the organization for the last seven years.
At the risk of sounding like a single-issue voter, it will be no surprise to anyone who has read any of my columns that the environment ranks high. There are lots of other issues, such as healthcare, debt, economic growth, but all that is moot as we stare mass extinction in the face. If you think I’m being hyperbolic, you aren’t paying attention. Before his death, Stephen Hawking gave humanity another two centuries before we’re toast. To me, the long-term survival of our species trumps any short-term issue we are facing at the moment, no matter how pressing it might seem.
R.S. Konjek/Gleaner News File Photo
The bats are back. The Maple Leafs are swinging once more in Dominico Field at Christie Pits, and marked the 100th anniversary of the Intercounty Baseball League with a home opening 10-6 win over the London Majors on May 6. The Leafs, which have won five games to two this season, play every Sunday and most Wednesdays. Games are free.
Slanted Door (422 Bloor St. W.), a new gallery café opened on Bloor Street West late last month. It’s owned by Patrick Jabbaz, who wants to promote work by emerging artists from Toronto. GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS
By Geremy Bordonaro
Hybrid Spaces, Partly Natural and Partly Engineered (2015) by Dan Berman, from Accidental Parkland, a documentary project that showcases the city’s changing environment. Curated by Berman, this collaboration with U of T’s New College and Daniels School of Architecture, Landscape and Design is on from May 10 to 20 and includes visual exhibitions, talks, documentaries, screenings, and Beadwork by students at the First Nations School of Toronto. Accidental Parkland is part of the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival, running this month at locations throughout Toronto. COURTESY SCOTIABANK CONTACT PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL
By Geremy Bordonaro
A temporary drop-in homeless shelter at 348 Davenport Rd. is once again home to controversy. Some local residents say that there’s been a noticeable increase in violence and drugs in the area since the shelter — publicly supported by Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) and the Annex Residents’ Association — opened in January.
Designated a heritage property by the City of Toronto, crumbling and neglected 6 Walmer Rd. is causing problems for its neighbours. AHMED-ZAKI HAGAR/GLEANER NEWS
By Ahmed-Zaki Hagar
The new rooftop playground at the Miles Nadal JCC will feature natural elements, equipment that encourages learning through play, and be accessible to children in wheelchairs.
By Geremy Bordonaro
All seven of the registered candidates running for election in University-Rosedale have been invited to participate in an all candidates meeting at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church (427 Bloor St. W.) on May 23 at 6:30 p.m.
The local residents’ associations and BIAs are sponsoring the event, which will include an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.
The buzzer sounded for the last time until the leaves fall at William H. (Bill) Bolton Arena (40 Rossmore Rd.), near Bathurst and Dupont streets. The arena has been closed for mechanical upgrades, and all of its skating programs are cancelled until October. Some other options for skating and hockey while the arena is closed are Moss Park, McCormick, Forest Hill, and North Toronto Memorial arenas.
Councillor Mike Layton’s (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina) eighth annual kick off to Bike Month returns May 27 from 12 to 5 p.m. at Christie Pits Park.
Bike with Mike is a free, family-friendly community cycling event open to anyone who wants to participate. It will feature a free barbecue and many children’s events like bike decorating, bicycle-themed story telling, and tricycle races. There will also be free bike safety checks, tune-ups, and community cycling information.
There Goes the Bride opens at the Tranzac stage on April 26 and runs until May 5.
Directed by Martin Edmonds, the play follows Timothy Westerbury in 1970s England, an overworked advertising executive whose daughter is about to be married. Laugh along as the family navigates the stress of a wedding and Westerbury’s controversial marketing ideas. There Goes the Bride is written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, and the show is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.