Beach Metro Community News – The Beach's source for news since 1972

Heath and safety is top priority as postponement of 2020 Olympics impacts Balmy Beach Club athletes

March 30, 2020

By MARY BETH DENOMY The decision to move the 2020 Olympics to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic has had a direct effect on a number of elite Balmy Beach Club (BBC) Olympic and Paralympic contenders. Last fall, two paddlers qualified their boats for Tokyo, including Nick Matveev a member of the men’s Canadian K4 […]

Obituary: Vivien Young remembered for her dedication to the Beach community

March 29, 2020

Vivien Young, long-time resident of the Beach community and wife of former area MP Neil Young, died on March 22 at the age of 78. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in August of last year, and had undergone brain surgery and had a pacemaker installed in September, the family said. Born on […]

In My Opinion: Beaches-East York MP outlines federal help for individuals and businesses during COVID-19 pandemic

March 29, 2020

By NATHANIEL ERSKINE-SMITH The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, and we need to work together to stop the spread of the virus and to address its serious and negative economic impact. As individuals, we need to listen to the advice of public health experts. That means staying home, keeping our physical distance, and […]

Garden Views: Some suggestions to support garden centres as they deal with COVID-19 crisis

March 29, 2020

By Mary FRAN McQUADE Usually, right around now, gardeners would be thinking about what we want to grow this year. But nothing’s usual about this March and April of 2020. Garden centres and nurseries are closed for in-person visits. They aren’t included on the list of essential businesses the province released on March 24. But […]

Letters to the Editor: Remembering a suit and overcoat from Mealing’s tailors on Queen Street East

March 28, 2020

Re: Memories on the history of Queen Street East sought, Beach Memories, March 17. Soon after we married in the late 1960s, we decided to invest in a good suit for my husband as I was not happy with the cheap ill-fitting off-the-rack outfit from Kingston Road that he wore to our wedding. It would […]

Michael Garron Hospital puts out call for residents to help sew fabric masks

March 28, 2020

By CHESKA LIM Michael Garron Hospital recently launched The PPE Drive asking the public to donate unopened, not expired, personal protective equipment to their facility in response to COVID-19. Created by medical leaders within the hospital community, the website states that the purpose of the campaign is to “support anticipated shortages of personal protective equipment […]

Police seek help finding missing man last seen in February near Coxwell and Danforth

March 28, 2020

Toronto police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man who was last seen in February. In Tweet released on the morning of March 28, police said Robert Hull, 55, was last seen on the evening of Feb. 19 at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the Danforth and Coxwell avenues area. He is […]

The Main Menu: Baking can be a comfort as preparations for a different kind of Easter begin

March 28, 2020

By JAN MAIN This Easter will have a different flavour from all others. A celebration with distance – how does that work? Indeed, we need a celebration more than ever. Something to distract us from the nightmare of this virus and the horrible isolation. However, this Easter will not be the usual large family around […]

Man, 43, charged with fraud in connection with shipping of COVID-19 testing kits

March 27, 2020

Toronto police have arrested a man in connection with an alleged fraud involving COVID-19 testing kits after a search warrant was executed in the Pape and Cosburn avenues area on Thursday, March 26. According to a police press release, the Toronto Police Service’s Financial Crimes Unit was notified on March 25 by the United States […]

Environment Views: East End groups continue to make protecting the environment a priority

March 27, 2020

By KATIE FULLERTON This is the third of a series of articles on Green Groups in the East End that I began writing earlier this year. There is a growing understanding by local residents that minimizing the potentially dire effects of Climate Change will require action on all fronts. Many have been frustrated by the […]

Two men arrested shortly after financial institution robbed in Leslieville

March 26, 2020

Two men have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a financial institution in Leslieville early on the afternoon of Thursday, March 26. Police were called to the intersection of Carlaw Avenue and Queen Street East just before 1 p.m. for the reported robbery of a financial institution. Two men armed with handguns […]

On The Wild Side: Now that many of us are having to stay home, it’s a chance to see what animals visit your yard

March 26, 2020

By ANN BROKELMAN This winter, and now continuing into the spring, I have discovered the joy of using trail and inside cameras. For the longest time, our dog, Rory, would be sitting on his ottoman by the front windows and would tell us, better described as ‘losing his mind while howling’, whenever we had a […]