Wanna adopt a rat? Some people do, as well as the more usual guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and cats. And a lot in Leaside are sourced at the local Pawsitively Pets, sometimes as many as 50 animals a year. The owner, Jennifer Ego, thinks she can increase that number if more people know about the service. “We partner through reputable rescues and shelters such as Toronto Animal Services, Beaches Animal Hospital and Animal Alliance,” says Ego. She says most of the animals are adopted by families of campers at her local Pawsitively Pets Kids Camp.
Those around the neighbourhood on Friday, Aug. 3 may have noticed damage to the window of Pharma Plus at Sunnybrook Plaza. A car accidently went through the window, but fortunately, only minor injuries were reported. During the police investigation that afternoon, conscientious pharmacy staff set up a temporary post outside the store so that those picking up prescriptions could still do so without entering the building.
You may have spotted the “lady with her buckets” on the east side of Bayview. A few years ago, Helen Godfrey started watering the flowers and trees in the planters as part of her Bayview Buckets initiative. This year the rain has been a big help to Godfrey, but thank you, Helen, for your commitment to the city’s greenery, and making sure that no plant in the four blocks north of Davisville goes thirsty.
A big shout out to residents and staff at 921 Millwood Rd. who supported the Cooking for a Cause fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto this past July. With a BBQ lunch and prizes donated by local merchants, the event was a big success.
Congratulations to the Leaside Garden Society, winner of three first prizes for their program, annual membership brochure and bookmark at the Provincial OHA (Ontario Horticultural Association) competition. The OHA includes 270 societies across Ontario in 19 districts. Local Leasiders and club volunteers, Eileen Fitzpatrick and Shelia Whiteley, directed the design and production of these materials.
The opening of SportsClips at 1538 Bayview brings a new concept to the neighbourhood in men’s and boys’ haircuts. The entire shop is designed around sports, with flat screen televisions playing sports events and customers waiting in “stadium seating”. Leaside is SportsClips’ first Toronto location, managed by local Torontonian and marketing professional Laurie Laykish, who’s enthusiasm for the sport-theme idea is infectious. “We were looking for a tight-knit, sports-minded community to open up the first Toronto store,” says Laykish. “Leaside is the perfect fit!”
If your garden is lacking some bloom, you might want to check the Annual Flower Show on Saturday, Sept. 14, held by the Leaside Garden Society at the library. It is a breathtaking array of fall’s finest display, with various categories for cut flowers, plants as well as floral designs. Entries come from the club’s over 100 members, with professional judges brought in to give awards. The public is warmly welcomed.