Forest Hill Daily Updates
Matlow up and down in the polls
In the race for mayor, local councillor Josh Matlow is either gaining ground (slightly) or fading into also-ran status — depending on which poll you follow.
Yesterday’s Liaison Strategies survey puts Matlow in third place with 12 per cent of decided voters. That’s up by one point over the previous week’s results from Liaison but still behind leader Olivia Chow with 34 per cent and Mark Saunders in second place with 15 per cent.
On the other hand, the latest Mainstreet Research poll, released today, has Matlow’s support dropping to six per cent among decided voters, far behind Chow at 33 per cent, second-place Ana Bailao (at 17 percent) and third-place Saunders (14 per cent). And, in a new development, by this poll he also trails Anthony Furey (9 per cent) and Mitzie Hunter (8 per cent) now.
Pickleball taking over our surfaces
City staff are scrambling to set up courts for pickleball — Toronto’s fastest growing sport and social activity.
Unused 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.
Lots of choices in midtown for fixed-price food fest
Summerlicious is back on July 7 to 23, the city has announced, but you’ll have to wait until June 29 to make reservations for the prix fixe lunch and dinner event.
In midtown Toronto, about a dozen and a half eateries are registered for the event, according to our reading of the sometimes confusing map on the Summerlicious webpage.
More than 200 restaurants across Toronto are taking part this year, offering three-course lunch menus from $20 to $55, and dinners from $25 to $75, the city says.
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.
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.
Streeter news:Eglinton Way launches its farmers’ market season
The Eglinton Way Farmers’ Market opened its season today in the Green P parking lot at 125 Burnaby Blvd., near Castle Knock and Eglinton — presented by the Eglinton Way BIA.
About 35 vendors offered fruit and vegetables, bread, barbecued chicken, treats, crafts and more. Live music from local performers played.
The markets runs every Sunday from June 4 to Oct. 29.
See the Streeter story for more information and pictures.
Female pedestrian struck by pickup truck
A female was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries yesterday evening after being hit by a truck while she was crossing Holland Park Avenue.
At about 9 p.m. a pedestrian walking northbound on the east side of Oakwood Avenue was crossing Holland Park in the crosswalk when a Ford 350 pickup truck made a left turn from Oakwood onto Holland Park, striking her, police said in a news release.
Traffic Services is investigating.
Matlow gaining ground, but still in third
Since we last looked at the polling for the mayor’s race (see May 8 below), Toronto-Danforth councillor Josh Matlow’s support has dipped somewhat but made a recovery. He now stands at 14 per cent, up four per cent from last week, according to the latest Mainstreet Research surveys.
That places him in third place among the 102 (!) candidates for mayor — behind an also surging Ana Bailao at 21 per cent and a steady Olivia Chow at 30 per cent.
See the full Streeter story on the latest twists in the election.
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.
Basement fire reported in Oakwood area
Toronto Fire Services was on the scene near Northcliffe Boulevard and Genessee Avenue today for what was categorized as a two-alarm fire.
The fire was reported in a basement about 11 a.m. and quickly brought under control, according to a police Twitter post.
One man was assessed by paramedics for non-life threatening injuries, police said.
City 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.
Matlow falling behind Chow in mayor’s race
The latest polls show support for Olivia Chow surging, as the former MP and councillor pulls well 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.
Matlow is in second or third place in two recent surveys. See the full story in Streeter news.
Tunnel begins basement flooding prevention project
A tunnel-boring machine has been set to work in Fairbank Memorial Park as part of a project to help reduce basement flooding, according to a city news release.
It’s the first step in building a three-kilometre storm sewer across Toronto-St. Paul’s, Eglinton-Lawrence, Davenport and York South-Weston wards. The sewer is to collect stormwater from the Fairbank-Silverthorn area and divert it to Black Creek.
The city calls the work its “largest basement flooding prevention project to date.”
Subway line down next Saturday
There will be no subway service on Line 1 between Bloor-Yonge and York Mills stations on May 13, the TTC says. The shutdown is attributed to work on the automatic train control signal system.
All stations, except Summerhill, are to stay open for loading PRESTO cards, buying PRESTO tickets, and connecting to surface routes.
Shuttle buses are scheduled to operate along the route. See the TTC advisory for more information.
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.
Streeter news:Eglinton apartment charred in fire
A two-alarm fire burned slowly through an apartment over Packham Cleaners at 1110 Eglinton Avenue West just before midnight last night.
No in juries were reported as the unit was thought to be unoccupied.
See the story in Streeter news.
Man and van sought after sexual assault on woman walking baby
Police are looking for a suspect and a van after a man allegedly committed an indecent act upon a woman near Ava and Chiltern Hill roads in Cedarvale today.
The woman was walking her baby in a stroller at about noon when a man reportedly approached her, committed the act and left in a white van.
For more information, suspect description and images, see the police news release.
Stabbing victim reported to be St. Mike’s student
The Toronto Star is reporting an 18-year-old male who was stabbed April 19 is a St. Michael’s College School student, according to the school’s principal.
A police tweet on Wednesday placed the stabbing near St. Clair Avenue West and Tweedsmuir Avenue at about 11:30 a.m.
A 32 year-old man was arrested, police said.
STABBING: UPDATE
St Clair Ave W & Tweedsmuir Ave
– 18-year-old male was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injury
– A 32-year-old man has been arrested
– Anyone w/info, contact @TPS13Div 416-808-1300
^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) April 19, 2023
14-year-old charged after threat made to school
Responding to reports of a threat made to Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School on Dunloe Road yesterday, officers arrested a 14-year-old-child.
The child has been charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and is to attend court today.
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.
Matlow takes the lead in race for mayor
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.
However, the field is very crowded and Matlow is able to take the top spot in the survey with fewer than 15 per cent of voters leaning his way.
And some other dangers for Matlow’s candidacy are revealed in the poll. See the full Streeter news story.
Family fun on stage at Wychwood
The Princess and the Pea, opens at Wychwood Theatre on April 21 and runs to May 14. This is an interactive, musical and comic stage presentation of the famous fairy tale, suitable for the whole family, ages 5 and up.
You can start ordering your tickets now. See the Streeter Things To Do listing for more information.
Subway line down on weekend
If you’re planning to get around by transit this weekend, be aware subway service will not be available between St. Clair West and St. Andrew stations. That stretch of subway on Line 1 will be closed April 15 and 16 for track work, the TTC says.
All stations are to remain open for loading PRESTO cards, purchasing PRESTO tickets and connecting to surface routes. Shuttle buses will also be operating.
See the TTC announcement for more details.
Double the tickets: more speed cameras coming
The number of automated speed enforcement cameras in Toronto-St. Paul’s 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.
Matlow reprimanded, has pay docked by council
City council voted nearly unanimously today to reprimand and penalize Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow for having criticized two city staff members on social media.
Matlow and Humber River-Black Creek councillor Anthony Peruzza were the only dissenting votes.
York Centre councillor James Pasternak presented an amendment to delete the part of the motion calling for Matlow’s pay to be suspended by 10 days, but he withdrew the amendment and the motion passed 22–2.
Matlow explained to council the context of his contentious comments, and he acknowledged he should have used different wording when he posted that one staff member had lied to council about the opening of public washrooms.
However, he did not apologize for that remark, nor for his statement that a senior staff member was unsuitable for the position.
“I believe that the vast majority of the senior staff who sit here each council meeting are objective and independent and always tell us the truth,” Matlow told council.
“But that doesn’t always happen and not everyone lives up to those standards,” he said. “And we have to reconcile that.”
Beaches-East York’s Brad Bradford who is running for mayor against Matlow, spoke in support of the integrity commissioner’s report calling for the reprimand and suspension of pay. As did most other speakers.
The report said Matlow had failed to heed council’s admonition of similar past behaviour impugning the reputations of city staff.
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.
Streeter news: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.
Preview of Crosstown stations shown on Instagram
Joanna Kervin, vice-president of Crosslinx Transit Solutions, has posted on her Instagram page images taken in unfinished stations of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. They include inside views of Cedarvale (featuring “Super Signals” artwork by Douglas Coupland), Avenue, and Forest Hill stations.
View this post on Instagram
Water shut-off scheduled for Eglinton-Oriole Parkway
Water is to be shut off for some homes tomorrow night to facilitate work on fire hydrants at Avenue Station, Metrolinx has warned.
Properties expected to be affected are 191–263 Eglinton Ave. W. (odd numbers only), 162–166 Eastbourne Ave. (even numbers only), and 500 Oriole Pkwy
The shut-off is to start at 9 p.m. and last eight ours, although this may change due to unforeseen circumstances, Metrolinx says.
New kind of thrift store aims to create happiness
You can feel good about regifting — or being regifted — when the gift is from The Friendly Company, a thrift home goods store that opened recently on Eglinton Avenue West. The store is full of beautiful items donated from Forest Hill homes and all proceeds go to charity.
Local resident Shayna Mandel says that after a tragedy in her own life she opened the business as a “happiness project” to put smiles on people’s faces. Read Andrea Martin’s story in Streeter.
Matlow reprimanded by integrity commissioner, remains unbowed
Just days after announcing he was running for mayor, Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow has been censured by the city’s integrity commissioner for twice breaking city council’s code of ethics.
Complaints had been made against Matlow for tweeting a city staff member lied about the opening of public washrooms in spring 2022 and for calling interim city manager Tracey Cook “the very wrong person” for the job.
The integrity commissioner recommended Matlow’s pay be suspended for 10 days. Several Toronto media, including CTV News and the Star, broke the story this morning.
Matlow appears unrepentant, recapping online the two charges from his point of view and repeating he had acted in the interests of the residents who elected him.
Elected representatives have a responsibility to put residents we serve first. That includes taking a stand against violent encampment clearings, advocating for functioning park bathrooms & demanding that billion-dollar projects are never approved based on misleading figures…
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) March 24, 2023
Streeter news:Matlow going for the top job
Promising to “fix our city,” Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow announced today he is running for mayor.
If elected, his first act would be to raise property taxes by an average of $67 to create a fund to make the city work better, Matlow said in a statement today. See the story and the full announcement in Streeter news.
Public meeting to be held on Roselawn development
You can register now to take part in the community consultation March 28 on a highrise development about where the North Fairbank neighbourhood meets Forest Hill North.
A 35-storey building is proposed for the block including 836 Roselawn Ave., 838 Roselawn and 131 Lyon Ct., currently occupied by two low-rise apartment buildings and a convenience store.
For more information about the development and registration for the virtual meeting, see the Streeter Things To Do listing.
Weekend subway closure postponed to April
The subway is now scheduled to be shut down between Bloor-Yonge and York Mills stations on April 1 and 2, rather than for this coming weekend as originally reported, the Toronto Transit Commission has announced.
The closure is for work on the signal system on Line 1.
Shuttle buses are planned to operate along the route on those days and stations are also to remain open, the TTC says.
Tenants’ rights town hall organized
Toronto-St. Paul’s MPP Jill Andrew is joining with Parkdale-High Park’s Bhutila Karpoche for an online town hall on March 24 for the rent control act proposed by the Ontario NDP.
The act is being proposed after the provincial government ended rent control for all new units first occupied after Nov. 15, 2018, meaning rents could now increase by any amount every year, the NDP says. Their Rent Control for All Tenants Act is intended to reinstate rent control for new units, bringing all rental units back under the protection of rent control without exception.
You can find more information and RSVP for the Zoom meeting on Andrew’s website.
Construction may cause noise and vibrations
Residents near the new Cedarvale Station at Eglinton Avenue West and Allen Road may notice periodic noise and vibrations over the next two weeks, Metrolinx warns. Starting as early as March 17, crews are constructing a parking lot north of the station’s secondary entrance.
The work, related to building the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, is expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for about two weeks.
Tattoo removal brought to midtown
Regret that “True Love Forever” tattoo you got for your ex? Or the facial tat that makes it look like you’re always crying? Or that scary design on your arm you’ve been hiding under long sleeves even in summer?
Now there’s a place in midtown where you can get rid of or fade your unwanted tattoos.
Removery tattoo removal studio recently opened at Yonge and Eglinton. Read all about it on Streeter.
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.
Subway line to be shut down for one day
If you’re planning travel about the city on the weekend, be aware the TTC is advising Line 1 of the subway will be closed between Bloor-Yonge and York Mills stations on Saturday, March 18. The closure is for scheduled work on the automatic train control signal system.
Summerhill Station will also be closed, but all other stations are to stay open for loading PRESTO cards, buying PRESTO tickets and connecting to surface routes.
Shuttle buses will operate on the route. For more details see the TTC service advisory.
Gunfire heard in attempted robbery
Police reported a firearm was discharged and robbery attempted this afternoon near Eglinton Avenue West and Avenue Road.
A police tweet first reported they were investigating reports of shots fired at 1:20 p.m. A followup post confirmed the shooting and added attempted robbery.
No injuries were reported. Police say they are still investigating.
City called negligent after man falls on uncleared snow, breaks ankle
Casa Loma resident Alvin Rebick slipped on a snowbank yesterday near Tweedsmuir Avenue and Heath Street South and broke his ankle, according to media reports today.
To make it worse, an ambulance that came to Rebick’s aid got stuck on an unplowed street, his family posted on social media.
@cityoftoronto @JoshMatlow @judyrebick @CityNewsTO My dad fell and badly fractured his ankle yesterday trying to get over an uncleared snowbank. The ambulance got stuck on the unplowed street and could barely get to him with the stretcher. Unacceptable! pic.twitter.com/Uddx2xMDRA
— kael rebick (@punkodelish) March 6, 2023
The incident has led his family and at least one city councillor to criticize the city for its lack of snow-clearing two days after the recent storm.
Munsch stage performance is back — and selling out
Fireside Munsch is returning to the Wychwood Theatre for a run from March 11 to 17.
The high-energy performance of four favourite Robert Munsch stories all in one play, starring actor M. John Kennedy, has thrilled family audiences.
But you’d better hurry to get your tickets as shows are already selling out.
See the Streeter Things To Do listing for more details.
Soup meals to be delivered or picked up
The For Youth Initiative is collaborating with Toronto Soup Co. to offer weekly soup meals to anyone around the Oakwood and Vaughan community in need of a fresh warm meal.
Soup “served by the community for the community” is to be delivered by volunteers or made available for pickup at 504 Oakwood Ave. between 3 and 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday.
For more information, email Natalia@foryouth.ca.
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.
Hot wings coming to St. Clair
Just opening is Spicy 6ix Wings, a new eatery at 813 St. Clair Ave. E. where thee Korean restaurant Sushi Kizoku once operated.
The new place promises to give you a choice of more than 125 flavours of wings for dining in, takeout and delivery. In addition to the “best wings in town” also offers wraps, quesadillas, salads and loaded fries.
Walkers brave the winter cold to help the homeless
Trees to be replaced for Crosstown LRT today
Two trees are scheduled to removed today from Eglinton Avenue West, east of Highbourne Road, to make way for a new streetscape and cycle track, according to a construction update for the Crosstown LRT.
New trees are to be planted to replace the removed trees, Metrolinx says.
Local home prices dropping, real estate board says
Home prices are down by eight 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 “E03” area, including Forest Hill South, Humewood-Cedarvale, Oakwood-Vaughan, and Yonge-Eglinton.
As of January, the average home here is now about $1.6 million, TRREB reports. Single-family, attached houses have taken the biggest hit, dropping about 11 per cent to $1.2 million.
Group helping the homeless prepares for the Coldest Night of the Year
The Jewish non-profit group Ve’ahavta is dedicated to helping the homeless in many ways — one of which is its participation in the Canada-wide fundraising event, the Coldest Night of the Year walk. This year it is hosting the local walk to take place Feb. 25, starting at 7 p.m. at Beth Tzedec, 1700 Bathurst St.
For more about Ve’havta and its work, read the full Streeter story.
To donate to, volunteer for or register with Ve’ahavta, see the group’s Coldest Night website.
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.
Family Day fun planned at Spadina Museum
Spadina Museum at 285 Spadina Rd., is one of seven Toronto History Museums planning Family Day activities on Feb. 20.
For information about the Family Day programming at history museums across Toronto, see 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 Forest Hill-area 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.
Toronto-St. Paul’s 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 Toronto-St. Paul’s is on Davisville Avenue east of Yonge Street.
The new camera will join two existing speed cameras in the ward.
See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.
Start making reservations for Winterlicious
Winterlicious is back, set to offer prix fixe lunches and dinners from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9 including several restaurants in the Forest Hill and North Toronto area.
You 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.
For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.
Letter to Ford opposes ‘strong mayor’ bill
Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow is among 15 city councillors sending a letter today to Premier Doug Ford opposing the province’s Bill 39, the so-called Better Municipal Governance Act.
The act would, under certain conditions, let the mayor of Toronto propose and pass bylaws with support of only one-third of city council, a move that critics have called undemocratic.