Dear Neighbour ! Happy Groundhog Day! Depending which celebrity groundhog you follow, we are either getting six more weeks of winter or an early spring. I vote for early spring! Either way, I've loved seeing so many of you join us outdoors at Mel Lastman Square for community skating parties. Thanks to all who joined us this past weekend for the Willowdale Lunar New Year Celebration co-hosted by NeighbourLink North York! What a beautiful celebration filled with so many familiar faces, including our Mayor John Tory who mastered an origami rabbit! February kicks off Black History Month in Canada, as we pay tribute to the countless contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. From their role in shaping our nation's history to their ongoing efforts to promote social justice and equality, Black Canadians have left an indelible mark on our society. As a City Councillor, I am dedicated to advancing inclusivity and equity for all, and I'm proud to stand with the Black community. I'm also thrilled to be serving alongside 4 Black City Councillors - Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Chris Moise, and Michael Thompson.
One of our greatest strengths in Willowdale is our diversity, and I'm honoured to represent so many different voices. This week at our Executive Committee, I passed a motion to include young people and elders in the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee and 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee similar to what is already required on our Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee. It takes effort to engage a wide range of voices, but this is how we can make better informed decisions that are inclusive and equitable. If you have an idea to help create a more inclusive and equitable city, send me an email at Councillor_Cheng@toronto.ca. Upcoming Events: Fri, Jan 27, 2023 - Thu, Feb 9, 2023 @ MeNami Restaurant, Union Social Eatery North York, and Wood House BBQ - Winterlicious. Thu, Feb 9, 12 - 1:30pm (Online) & Sat, Feb 18, 1:30pm - 3pm @ North York Central Library - Crossroads Mural at Finch TTC Station: Share Your Ideas! Sat, Feb 11, 3pm - 5:30pm @ John McKenzie Historic House - Neighbourhood Networking Event. Hosted by Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association (WCRA). Mon, Feb 27, 7pm @ Willowdale Pentecostal Church / Zoom - Willowdale Community Safety Townhall. Hosted by Councillor Lily Cheng. Sun, Mar 26, 3pm @ Meridian Arts Centre - Gimeno Conducts Beethoven 5. Performed by Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
SAVE THE DATE - Future Consultations: Mon, Feb 6, 6:30 - 8:30pm regarding 16-28 Centre Ave. & 6125 Yonge St. (see below for details) Wed, Feb 15, 6:30 - 8pm regarding 19 Poyntz Ave. Wed, Feb 22, 6:30 - 8:30pm regarding 5919-5799 Yonge St. Tue, Feb 28, 6:30 - 8:30pm regarding 5576 Yonge St.
Stay Tuned: A Community Liaison Committee for the shelter at 5800 Yonge Street will be announced at the upcoming Safety Town Hall. Roadwork on Hendon Ave. just west of Yonge Street relating to preparations for the future extension of the subway will begin in the coming weeks. We will share updates as we receive them.
Warmest regards, Lily Cheng Toronto City Councillor Ward 18 Willowdale Councillor_Cheng@toronto.ca 416-392-0210 |
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Thank you NeighbourLink North York for hosting the first Willowdale Lunar New Year celebration this past weekend at Mel Lastman Square! (Photo credit: Bruce Greenway) |
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WINTER WEATHER For all of your Winter Weather related information including snow removal, sidewalk clearing, power outages and helping those in need, please visit: https://www.lilycheng.ca/post/winter You can also track real-time locations of plows, sidewalk plows and salt trucks on PlowTO. This can identify which roads have been serviced by winter snow clearing vehicles and crews within the last 12 hours. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/3DjsONr |
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VACANT HOME TAX DECLARATION REMINDER TODAY (Feb 2) is the last day for Toronto residential property owners to submit a declaration of their property’s 2022 occupancy status without a late fee. The online declaration portal will accept late declarations even after the deadline. CLICK HERE to submit your Vacant Home Tax Declaration of Occupancy Status. Homeowners are encouraged to make a declaration of their property’s occupancy status as soon as possible to avoid any penalties. Reminder notices will be mailed out the week of February 13 to property owners who have not yet submitted a declaration. If you require extra help to submit your declaration, please contact us (Councillor_Cheng@toronto.ca / 416-392-0210). |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY TOWN HALL Location: Willowdale Pentecostal Church / Zoom Mon, Feb 27, 2023 - 7pm - 9:30pm Many community members have approached our office with safety concerns. This is why we are convening this meeting. 32 Division police will be attending as well as staff from the Willowdale Welcome Centre (5800 Yonge St.) to address community concerns as well as hear suggestions from 32 Division on how we can improve community safety. We will also be sharing details on the establishment of a Community Liaison Committee for the shelter at 5800 Yonge St.
RSVP Here: https://willowdalesafety.eventbrite.ca
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COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS Mon, Feb 6, 2023 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
6125 YONGE ST and 10 CENTRE AVENUE & 16-28 CENTRE AVENUE
From 6:30pm - 7:30pm Michael Romero, City Planner, will discuss 6125 Yonge Street & 10 Centre Avenue. This is an application for Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to permit a 26-storey (plus mechanical penthouse) mixed-use building with a 5-storey podium and three levels of underground parking. The project proposes 391 residential units, 29,014 square metres of residential gross floor area, and 3,199 square metres of non-residential gross floor area. A total number of 176 vehicular parking spaces and 410 bicycle parking spaces are proposed.
From 7:30pm to 8:30pm Heather Au, City Planner, will discuss 16-28 Centre Avenue. This is an application for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to permit a 10-storey (plus mechanical) residential building with ground floor townhouse units and two levels of underground parking. The project proposes 453 residential units, 33,476 square metres of residential gross floor area, 394 parking spaces and 454 bicycle parking spaces. RSVP Here: http://bit.ly/3RsEGT5 |
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Toronto Hydro Overhead Civil & Electrical Upgrade: Finch - Grantbrook Toronto Hydro is upgrading the electrical distribution system in Willowdale to improve the reliability of our electrical service. This includes upgrading overhead electrical cables and replacing hydro poles on city-owned property near our lot. Expected Timeline: Mar 2023 – Jun 2023 Project Area: The project area includes sections of Finch Avenue West and Ancona Street. For more information, please visit www.lilycheng.ca/post/toronto-hydro-overhead-civil-electrical-upgrade-finch-grantbrook. |
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Crossroads Mural at Finch TTC Station - Share Your Ideas! Thu, Feb 9, 12pm - 1:30 pm, Online RSVP Here: http://bit.ly/3JkX1PW Sat, Feb 18, 1:30pm - 3pm @ North York Central Library RSVP Here: http://bit.ly/3WOeCTw
Share your ideas and co-create Crossroads - an exciting legacy mural project to animate Finch TTC Station in North York’s Willowdale Community!
Crossroads is a site-specific community-engaged mural project led by Artist Kseniya Tsoy in partnership with STEPS, exploring the unique cultural tapestry of Willowdale as a meeting place of global perspectives and cultural lineages while honouring the Indigenous lands we gather on today.
For more details, please visit http://bit.ly/3HdwfGG |
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MITCHELL FIELD UPDATE - Warming Centre & Programming Mitchell Field Community Centre will continue to be used as a warming centre during extreme cold weather events to ensure our neighbours experiencing homelessness have a warm place to go.
When the warming centre is not operational, Mitchell Field Community Centre is open Monday to Friday, 8am - 9pm and 8am - 8pm on weekends. The indoor track is free and the weight room is open to those who purchase a membership. The Winter 2023 programming includes: basketball, badminton, volleyball, soccer, floor hockey, pickleball, and open gym with caregiver drop-in programs.
For more information about programming and the centre, please call the front desk at 416-395-0265 or visit Mitchell Field Community Centre for up-to-date alerts and schedules. Brochures are available at the front desk with program dates and times. They encourage our neighbourhood to visit the website or call ahead before attending programs in case of a schedule change to avoid disappointment. They are offering CampTO programming during March Break and Summer. March Break Camp registration is open and Summer Camp Registration is on Feb 11, 2023. They are continuing to expand their programming for Spring 2023.
The City of Toronto also offers a recreation fee subsidy to help residents access recreation programs. More information and applications can be found here: Welcome Policy Application. Paper applications are also available at the centre.
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COMMUNITY CULTURAL GROUP CHATS Our office launches neighbourhood networks on WeChat and KakaoTalk for our Chinese and Korean communities. Join us and connect with your neighbours!
Stay tuned, our Telegram network is coming soon! |
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COMMUNITY ROUND TABLE OPPORTUNITIES I’m creating a Poverty Alleviation Roundtable and Climate Change Roundtable. If you would like to take part and share in the shaping of these initiatives in Willowdale, please sign up on my website www.lilycheng.ca. These roundtables will commence in the next month or two and we’ll have more details soon. |
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COMMUNITY EVENTS ACROSS WILLOWDALE |
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Winterlicious Jan 27, 2023 - Feb 9, 2023 From Jan 27 to Feb 9, 2023, enjoy three-course prix fixe menus at different price points for lunch or dinner at the three participating restaurants in Willowdale MeNami Restaurant, Union Social Eatery North York, and Wood House BBQ! Reservations are accepted beginning Jan 12 for seatings between Jan 27 and Feb 9. Contact the restaurants directly to reserve now! |
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The Burn Location: Gibson House Museum Feb 9 to 15 Wed to Sun, 11 am to 4 pm Heal and cleanse through the restorative power of rising heat, ash, smoke and water of The Burn, an interactive installation inspired by the universally sacred elements of fire and water. Installation available in the front parlour room of Gibson House Museum. Accessible from Park Home Avenue. |
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Thursdays Yoga Workshops Location: Gibson House Museum Thursdays, 11am - 12pm from Jan 19, 2023 to Mar 30, 2023 Swing by Gibson House Museum on Thursdays to experience the healing powers of yoga. Letting Go & Flow Yoga takes place Thursdays at 11am from Jan 19, 2023 to Mar 30, 2023 (excluding Mar 16, 2023). Led by Jigna Fadia of Earth Seedings Yoga. No registration required – this is a free, drop-in program part of The Burn. For more details, please visit Exhibits & Events – City of Toronto. |
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Neighbourhood Networking Event Hosted by: Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association (WCRA) Location: John McKenzie Historic House Sat, Feb 11, 2023 - 3pm - 5:30pm The WCRA recognizes that the pandemic has taken a toll on us, and the need for community support has never been greater. We are keenly aware of the challenges that community groups face in terms of volunteer support and the current state of apathy across the city. Members of the WCRA have made a choice, we choose to "do good for our community." We have seen the power in acts of kindness, and the mental health benefits that come from volunteering. We have also seen the good that comes from constructive discussion and engagement with others. Join us and your neighbours for this community networking event. You and/or members of your association/community group are invited to attend. RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbourhood-networking-event-tickets-514117217437 |
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Gimeno Conducts Beethoven 5 Performed by Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) Location: George Weston Recital Hall at Meridian Arts Centre Sun, Mar 26, 2023 - 3pm Experience the most famous four notes in music when your Toronto Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven’s timeless and immortal Fifth Symphony, plus intrepid Canadian cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras reveals the brooding, introspective beauty of Schumann’s concerto in his debut with the TSO. It’s wonderful to have the TSO coming to our neighbourhood to perform! Buy Tickets Here: https://my.tso.ca/2784/2785 |
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If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to sign up for future newsletters, you can do so at www.lilycheng.ca |
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Building a Connected Community in Willowdale. |
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