Leslieville Daily Updates
The latest news, views and things to do in Leslieville neighbourhoods
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.
Free tax clinic at community centre
The Ralph Thornton Community Centre, 765 Queen St. E., is currently running its income tax clinic to file 2022 returns for eligible residents. Consultations are by phone appointments, virtually by Zoom, or by a limited number of in-person consultations.
Coming in-person dates are Saturdays on March 25, April 22 and April 29.
To book an appointment call 416-392-6810 or send an email.
Workshop on self-defence on TTC sells out, second one added
A Leslieville gym plans a self-defence workshop for transit riders to be held on April 2.
FIIT Co at 1047 Gerrard St. E. is hosting the workshop, run by the Toronto Krav Maga Academy and Kombat Arts Training Academy.
But, according to the website, the April 2 class is full. Another session is now scheduled for April 23.
The cost is $55 for one person, $99 for two people.
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 sought in robbery investigation
Police have released images to identify a man being sought after a robbery near Queen Street East and Carlaw Avenue late on March 2.
It was reported a business owner was closing up near midnight when a man entered and took items off the shelf without paying for them.
When asked to pay, the man punched the face of the business owner who fell, police said.
Police received the call shortly after midnight, but the suspect had fled before their arrival.
See the police news release for more details.
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 announced today.
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.
Councillors pressing Metrolinx about Ontario Line plans
Toronto-Danforth’s Paula Fletcher is among three city councillors pressing for answers from Metrolinx, which they say has been too secretive about building the Ontario Line.
Along with Spadina–Fort York’s Ausma Malik and Toronto Centre’s Chris Moise and Paula Fletcher won the support of Toronto and East York Community Council to create a sub-committee to press Metrolinx for information.
See the CBC story on the issue.
One-star reviews for local eateries called fake
Two east-end restaurants are trying to remove one-star online reviews (the lowest possible reviews allowed by Google) that they say were not posted by customers, according to a story in blogTO.
TuckShop Kitchen Leslieville on Queen Street East and Papyrus on Danforth Avenue were each bombed with multiple one-star reviews thought to be the work of a disgruntled delivery driver, the article says.
Flames from fourth-floor apartment
A fire broke out yesterday evening in an apartment building near Pape Avenue and Queen Street East. Police tweeted at about 6:30 p.m. flames could be seen on the fourth floor.
Toronto Fire attended the scene and the blaze was quickly put out, police said.
Identities sought after mechanic shop break-in
Police are trying to identify four people wanted in the investigation of an early morning break and enter on Jan. 6.
A mechanic shop near Eastern Avenue and Leslie Street was reportedly broken into and items were stolen.
Descriptions and security camera images of four males and a dark Jeep Liberty, in which they allegedly fled, are posted in a police news release.
Leslieville market outside
The first Hub Community Market, billed as being the Leslieville Farmers’ Market moved indoors, was unexpectedly opened outdoors today.
Fruit and vegetable vendors set up around Glen Rhodes United Church at Gerrard Street East and Rhodes Avenue.
Organizers said they decided to move the market outside as it was starting small and, besides, the weather was nicer than usual for mid-winter.
The market will be back next week as it continues— in or out of doors — every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Get ready to walk on the Coldest Night of the Year
The Coldest Night of the Year charity walks to serve the hurt, the hungry and the homeless take place on Feb. 25, with the Toronto Leslieville edition hosted by the Red Door Family Shelter.
The local walk starts at 791 Queen St. E., Mustard Seed–Fontbonne Ministries.
To sign up for the walk, to donate or just to find out more, see Toronto Leslieville’s Coldest Night of the Year page.
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.
Community consultation to be held on Queen-Leslie development
You can hear about the latest plans and have your say on a nine-storey rental building proposed for the southeast corner of Queen Street East and Leslie Street. The community consultation meeting is to held online on Feb. 21.
For more details about the project and attending the meeting, see the Streeter Things To Do listing.
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.
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 Leslieville 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.
Local kebab takeout spot touted as ‘hidden gem’
A CBC.ca story, based on a Metro Morning program, calls Rose’s Kebab, a tiny Persian eatery tucked away in the food court of the Diamond at Don Mills plaza, 16 Mallard Rd., as a “hidden gem”.
Reporter Suresh Doss relates on the program his interview with the owner who goes by the name Rose N.G. and takes listeners through her amazing traditional dishes, like kebabs and shwarma plates, but also North American fare, such as burgers, with a Persian flare.
Two seriously injured in apartment building fire
Two men are in hospital with serious injuries after an early-morning fire in a low-rise apartment building on Eastern Avenue near Logan Avenue.
CP24 has the story and pictures.
Local romances
Many restaurants across town are offering special Valentine’s Day menus and romantic atmosphere for Feb. 14, including Leslieville’s La Paella at 1146 Queen St. E., Gardel at 1020 Gerrard St. E., and Chula Taberna Mexicana at 1058 Gerrard St. E.
But spaces are filling up everywhere, so get your reservations in as soon as possible.
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.
Toronto-Danforth 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-Danforth is on Logan Avenue north of Wolfrey Avenue.
The new camera will join two existing cameras in the ward, currently located on Dundas Street East, west of Boulton Avenue, and on Carlaw Avenue, south of Queen St. E..
See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.
Councillor seeking rethink on CafeTO charges
Toronto-Danforth councillor Paula Fletcher says the proposed changes to the CafeTO program, which created curbside patios on streets like Danforth Avenue and Queen Street East, are “too big and too fast” for many businesses that are still reeling from the impact of the pandemic.
She has sent a letter to city council’s executive committee asking that the proposed re-introduction of charges for the program be replaced by a more modest participation fee.
Restaurants Canada representatives have also told Mayor John Tory and the executive committee that 60 per cent of restaurants would be unable to participate at the higher rate. The plan goes to city council on Feb. 7.
Man sought after woman punched in face
Police are looking for a 40-year-old man after a woman was allegedly punched in the face early afternoon Friday near Queen Street East and Booth Avenue.
See the police news release for more information and an image of the suspect.
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.
Stabbing found to be self-inflicted, police say
This afternoon police investigators say a stabbing first reported shortly after midnight this morning was self-inflicted.
According to a police tweet at 12:31 a.m., a man in his 60s was stabbed near Eastern and Logan avenues and the suspects were two black males in black hoodies who had supposedly fled the scene.
The victim, stabbed in the chest, was taken to hospital by emergency run, police said.
But at 4:14 p.m. police tweeted: “Further investigation has revealed that the injury was self-inflicted and not the result of a criminal act.”
Man sought for alleged assault in Greenwood area
Toronto police are looking for a man after an alleged assault in near Greenwood and Walpole avenues on Jan. 2.
The incident began with an altercation between the man and the alleged victim and included threats against the alleged victim’s family member, police say.
Robert Dickie, 43, is wanted for assault and uttering threats.
An image of the man and more information are given in a the police news release.
Start making reservations for Winterlicious
Winterlicious is back, set to offer prix fixe lunches and dinners from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9.
Leslieville-area restaurants participating in Winterlicious Toronto include Gare de l’Est Brasserie on Dundas Street East, The Real Jerk on Gerrard Street East, Maple Leaf Tavern on Gerrard St East, Brickworks Ciderhouse on Queen Street East and The Civic on Broadview Avenue.
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 Leslieville area include:
- Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, 870 Queen St. E.
- Main Square Community Centre, 245 Main St.
- S.H. Armstrong Community Centre: 56 Woodfield Rd.
- Withrow Park and Clubhouse, 725 Logan Ave.
For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.
Pizza shops’ original location moved from area
Queen Margherita Pizza, specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza, closed its doors at 1402 Queen St. E. as of Dec. 31. Its original location was opened in 2010 and additional shops were opened elsewhere in Toronto.
View this post on Instagram
The company said it is opening at another site in the east end, but so far we see only one west-end location listed on Queen Margherita Pizza’s website as being open.
Letter to Ford opposes ‘strong mayor’ bill
Toronto-Danforth councillor Paul Fletcher 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.
See full text of letter at Progress Toronto.
Beerfest to take over Dundas on Aug. 27
The Leslieville Beerfest has announced it’s returning to Dundas Street East for its “street party” on Aug. 27.
Dundas will be shut down between Logan and Carlaw avenues for the celebration with breweries, food venues and artisans selling their wares.
Tickets can be bought online for $40 and include a commemorative mug and three beer samples. See the Leslieville Beerfest site for more information.
Riverdale art show back for 32nd year
Hundreds of new and original works by local artists will be on display at the Riverdale Art Show and Sale over two days next week. It’s the 32nd year for the show at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 361 Danforth Ave.
Hours are Aug. 5, 6–9 p.m., and Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information online.
Second arrest in east-end homicide case
A woman, 29, has been arrested in the homicide investigation after the shooting death of Megan Elizabeth Crant, 32 in the east end on July 7, police report.
Chelsey Mais, 29, of Toronto is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.
Her arrest comes one week after a man being charged with first-degree murder. See the latest police news release on the case.
Coxwell/Danforth search yields luring and sexual exploitation charges
A 55-year-old man faces charges, including multiple counts of luring a child under 18, since police searched a house near Coxwell and Danforth avenues on April 20.
Police reported child sexual abuse material was found and seized during the search.
Richard Burdett, 55, appeared in court today on 16 charges, including sexual exploitation and making child pornography, police report. See the police news release.
Images of break-in suspect released
Yesterday evening police released images of a male they say is wanted in several break and enter investigations in the east end.
The break-ins reportedly took place between July 9 and July 15 at commercial establishments near O’Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue East, as well as in the area of Woodbine and Danforth avenues.
The male is described as white, 6-feet tall, having an average build and medium length to long hair worn in a ponytail or bun.
See the news release and images.
Farmers’ market continues in Greenwood Park
In case you’ve forgotten, the Leslieville Farmers’ Market carries on in Greenwood Park every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, see the market’s website.
Arrest in Gerrard Street homicide investigation
A man has been arrested in the alleged homicide on July 7 on Gerrard Street East, police reported today.
Nicholas Hirsch, 26, of Toronto faces a first-degree murder charge and is to appear in court today.
See the police update.
Woman shot, two sought in alleged east-end murder
Two people are being sought in a homicide investigation after a woman was shot in the parking lot behind the Naval Club of Toronto at 1910 Gerrard St. E. on Thursday, police reported today.
The victim has been identified as Megan Elizabeth Crant, 32.
Nicholas Hirsch, 25, is wanted for first degree murder and Chelsey Mais, 29, is sought as an accessory after the fact to murder.
Both are considered armed and dangerous, police say. See the police news release.
Assault alleged after dog-leashing argument
An altercation over an unleashed dog on school property led to an assault on June 27, police say today.
They are looking for a man and a woman described as being in their early 20s.
The couple were walking a large dog off-leash on school property at about 5 p.m. when a school custodian asked them to leash the animal as there were children in the yard, police report. A verbal altercation reportedly escalated into the couple assaulting the custodian and fleeing with their dog.
See the police news release for more information and photos of the two being sought.
Woman sought for alleged assault, robbery May 27
Police released today a picture of a woman they say is wanted for aggravated assault and robbery with an offensive weapon.
On May 27 a woman allegedly attacked a 37-year-old man with an expandable baton before stealing his property near Donlands and Danforth avenue. The man sustained non-life threatening injuries, police say
See the police news release, including the identity and an image of the suspect.
Leslieville market continues in Greenwood Park
Don’t forget the Leslieville Farmers’ Market is on every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Greenwood Park.
Vendors include local farmers, producers of prepared foods, wineries and brewers. The market runs weekly into October.
For more information, see the market’s website.
Farmers’ market back in Greenwood Park
Starting today the Leslieville Farmers’ Market is back on every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Greenwood Park.
Vendors include local farmers, producers of prepared foods, wineries and brewers. The market runs weekly into October.
For more information, see the market’s website.
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