Dear Neighbour ! The past week has been shocking for commuters and residents across Toronto as a rash of violent and seemingly random incidents have happened. The solution for this is neither quick nor easy. The rising cost of living paired with lack of affordable housing and a meaningful provincial plan for homelessness, mental health and addiction is not something we can simply snap our fingers and reverse. Countries around the world are grappling with these same issues where the pandemic has been a tipping point.
It is easy for us to feel powerless as we read the headlines and feel an increase in anxiety about the state of the world. One thing we can commit to, is to do what we can to help those around us. My team and I are on a significant learning journey and look forward to the start of our poverty alleviation roundtable where we hope to establish some community-based solutions. I believe in the power of community and its importance as a key ingredient towards transformation and healing. If you haven’t already, please do sign up to join us and you will receive an email when the first meeting is set: www.lilycheng.ca
In the meantime, I am so grateful for the Bayview Cummer Neighbourhood Association. While the city hunkered down for massive snowfall last night, the association held a special Lunar New Year dinner with a cooking class and nutritionist for over 100 seniors at 175 Cummer. They were so grateful for the opportunity to gather. Neighbours caring for neighbours is how we build a better future for everyone and last night’s event exemplified this. Please see below for other opportunities to gather with neighbours - including our first annual Willowdale Lunar New Year Celebration this Sunday (bring your skates!) and Willowdale Community Safety Town Hall on February 27.
I hope you will join us! Upcoming Events: SAVE THE DATE - Future Consultations Monday, February 6, 6:30-8:30pm regarding 16-24 Centre Ave. & 6125 Yonge St. (see below for details) Wednesday, February 15, 6:30-8pm regarding 19 Poyntz Ave. Wednesday, February 22, 6:30-8:30pm regarding 5919-5799 Yonge St. Tuesday, February 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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The weather was blustery last night but hearts were warm at 175 Cummer last night as seniors gathered to celebrate the lunar new year. Thank you to the Bayview Cummer Neighbourhood Association for hosting a wonderful evening! |
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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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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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Willowdale Celebrates Lunar New Year Mel Lastman Square / North York Centre Food Court - 3 - 5pm Sunday, Jan 29, 2023 A group of neighbourhood organizations have partnered to bring us this fantastic event including: NeighbourLink North York, Korean Canadian Business Association, The Cross-Cultural Community Services Association, GWL Realty Advisors, Toronto Asian Parents Association and Panda Mandarin Ring in the Lunar New Year with neighbours! Join special guests MPP Stan Cho, Mayor John Tory, Councillor Lily Cheng, and TDSB Trustee Dr. Weidong Pei for a Willowdale Lunar New Year Celebration complete with a lion dance that is sure to be lucky. In partnership with several organizations featuring varying performances, a variety of craft activities, storytime and treats. Both an indoor and outdoor event, come out and celebrate all that the celebration has to offer! We will also be playing lunar new year music for everyone to skate to! Lion Dance begins at 4:30pm at Mel Lastman Square stage.
RSVP Here: https://willowdalelunarnewyear.eventbrite.ca
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COMMUNITY SAFETY TOWN HALL Location: Willowdale Pentecostal Church / Zoom Monday, 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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OLT APPEAL HEARING Yonge Street North Appeal Info Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 - 10am The first Case Management Conference for the Yonge Street North Secondary Plan appeal is on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 10am.
The plan establishes a framework for the development of a complete community around the future subway station at Steeles Avenue and provides a framework for differing levels of intensification surrounding Cummer and Drewry Avenues. The group of Developers that are appealing the plan have disagreements about what is considered “appropriate intensification” for these areas.
If you would like more background information about the appeal then click here: https://www.lilycheng.ca/post/ontario-land-tribunal-appeal-to-yonge-street-north-secondary-plan If you would like to watch the first CMC hearing click this link on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 10am: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/719383509 Access code: 719-383-509. If you experience technical difficulties accessing the GoToMeeting link or if you wish to just listen to the event then you can connect to the CMC hearing by calling into an audio-only telephone line: Canada (Toll Free): 1 888 299-1889 or Canada: +1 (647) 497-9373. The access code is: 719-383-509. |
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On Mon Feb 6th City Planning will host a community consultation to discuss 6125 Yonge Street & 10 Centre Avenue and 16-28 Centre Avenue. From 6:30pm to 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.
Click here to sign up: YongeandCentreConsult.eventbrite.ca
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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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VACANT HOME TAX DECLARATION REMINDER A reminder that all Toronto residential property owners must submit a declaration of their property’s 2022 occupancy status by February 2, 2023. The online declaration portal is now open here.
For more information on the Vacant Home Tax including how to file in-person or by mail visit: https://www.lilycheng.ca/post/vacanthometax
If you require extra help to submit your declaration, our team will be available at North York Civic Centre on Friday, January 27 to assist. Please contact us to schedule an appointment if you require an alternative day/time (Councillor_Cheng@toronto.ca / 416-392-0210). |
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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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Navigating Ageism in Economic Uncertainty Location: Zoom Monday, Jan 30, 2023 - 6 - 7pm Bayview Cummer Neighbourhood Association (BCNA) will host multi-day online seminars and an in-person workshop. In the coming week, you are invited to learn how to shift a second career or career redirection with Dr. Suzanne Cook. RSVP Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArd-urrTktHtz-fTuAVKy1ofEdLtwPfka_ |
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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 Saturday, Feb 11, 2023 - 3 - 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 Sunday, 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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