Community News Update, June 14, 2024

JILL IN COMMUNITY!

Portugal Day

On Saturday, I celebrated Portugal Day with hundreds of community members for Do West Fest! I was joined by Mayor Olivia Chow and Marit Stiles to recognize our city's vibrant Portuguese community.

Luminato Festival 

Thrilled to get the opportunity to take in a #relaxedperformance of #AfrikanParty #SupaRichKids by Oulouy with co-direction by @yemiosokoya last week playing at Bluma Appel Theatre, @stlawrencectrto ! It was SENSATIONAL! Such an interactive show! Us audience members were clapping along and even dancing too!
High energy and the choreography?! WOW! Hats off to CEO Celia Smith and the entire @luminatofestival team! Check out Luminato running till June 16!

Eglinton Junior Public School Fun Fair

On Saturday morning, I had an incredible time at the Eglinton Junior Public School Fun Fair! It was great to visit with so many teachers, parents, and students and take in ALL the fun. I was a huge fan of "Codezilla" with Codezilla Kids who was also walking through the crowd.

Thank you to Kelly and the team caring adults who made this event possible for the kids!

Ellsworth Avenue Street Party

Next up on Saturday, I zipped across the community to see new and old friends at the Ellsworth Street Party! I am so grateful to our community for being filled with such heartful neighbours ready to organize to bring family and friends together!

I swear it doesn't get any better than good conversations (including a wonderful convo on how we reimagine housing in response to not only the housing crisis, intergenerational families, and the affordability crisis but also the loneliness crisis AND the Drake and Kendrick Lamar saga), live music and FOOD! 😀

And I've gotta say 9Round Fitness has new programs for the kiddos AND they did a demo at the street party! You gotta check them out. I've been before and while I dropped the ball a bit I'm SOOOOOO looking forward to getting back once my hamstring is 💯😀

Recognizing Rosemary Sadlier

What an incredible honour it was to join acclaimed author, historian, educator, and social justice advocate Dr. Rosemary Sadlier , her beloved family and friends this week to witness Rosemary receive her second Honorary Doctorate, Doctors of Law, honoris causa, from UofT!

Rosemary served as the president of Ontario Black History Society for over 20yrs and led the campaign to declare February as Black History Month across Canada with the invaluable help of the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine who took that advocacy all the way to the House of Commons and had her bill declaring February BHM passed unanimously!

And that’s just one of her MANY contributions that have directly impacted and uplifted our community and beyond!
In fact, right now you can also grab her book (one of many:) The Kids Book of Black History in Canada. It’s an exceptional read and should be required reading for all our little ones and the caring adults who support them:)

Thank you Rosemary for inviting me and for having been a friend and an inspiration to so many of us for so long. You have NO clue what it meant to be small part of this honorary doctorate process and to be there in the room to see you celebrated! Congratulations on this outstanding honour! Your flowers remain overflowing!

Fairbank Fun Fair

On Tuesday I had a wonderful time at the Fairbank Public School Fun Fair & Concert last night! The students showcased incredible talent & I had so much fun watching them! A huge thank you to music teacher Ms. Cynthia Kaarto Knight, Principal Amira Kamel-Zia, and all the dedicated teachers, staff, and caring adults for all you do for these kids. Your hard work truly shines!

Philippines Independence Day

On June 12 I joined the Federation of Filipino-Canadians and community members, like Cathy of Graze Oasis and Mic from George Brown College, to celebrate Philippines Independence Day at Queen's Park. The Filipino community in Toronto—St. Paul's is one of our most important and vibrant, and just one part of the Philippine-Canadian community in Ontario!

Happy Pride McMurrich!

On Thursday I joined McMurrich Jr Public School for their annual Pride celebration. Thank you, thank you thank you to the adults who made this event happen. It is SO important for children to be seen, loved, and accepted for their authentic selves. Thank you to the The Queer Songbook Orchestra for the wonderful performance.

Pride celebrations like like these aren't always possible in every school, community, or even household. To witness and take part in this event, brought me so much joy. I was honoured to present the school community with a scroll in recognition of their efforts.

To all the 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, I see you and I won't stop fighting for you.

Centiennial Infant and Child Centre

Yesterday I also joined Shemina and some very special children, teachers, staff and family members at Centennial Infant and Child Centre Foundation to celebrate the preschool graduation of this year's class. The work that CICC does to prepare children for a fulfilling life is essential, and getting to be a small part of it is one of the best parts of serving as an MPP.

Community Safety Award

I joined Mayor Olivia Chow and other dignitaries at City Hall last night to celebrate the Mayor's Community Safety Award conferred on my constituents in the Oakwood-Vaughan Oasis for Healthy Aging. This group is a great example of older members of our community working together to improve their own lives and give back to the community. I am proud to have them as neighbours.

Hillcrest Community Food Bank

Today I joined the students of Hillcrest Community School to recognize their hard work volunteering at the Hillcrest Community Food Bank. Seeing so many young people take the time to help those who need it was truly inspirational. Thanks to all these kids as well as their teacher Mr. Tilly and Ms. Klug, and the all the other adults participating.

St. Paul's Small Business Spotlight 🔦

After an all too LONG hiatus, I’ve returned to one of our best spots in the riding. DRUM ROLLLLLL Menchies! (St. Clair W & Bathurst) Menchie's Canada

Vanilla soft ice cream frozen yogurt and chunky Oreo cookie pieces. Nothing hits the spot quite like that!
And for those of you who know you’ll remember their wonderful Karaoke nights on FRIDAYS 7-11pm.
Come on out and hit a high note with me one of these Fridays 

ANNNNNND check out their cool 'wall of fame' to see some familiar faces including yours truly

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD 📌

Pink Banana Sparkles Anxious Shark Kickstarter Campaign

🌟 Introducing Anxious Shark by Pink Banana Sparkles! 🌟

Shannon is the founder of Pink Banana Sparkles, an art-based business in our community. Shannon has designed a plushie with a character she created, named Anxious Shark, and is currently crowdfunding to be able to get the plushie manufacturered/into production for regular sales. 

Click here to read more about Anxious Shark and support Shannon's Kickstarter Campaign!

Eglinton Way BIA Walking Tour

The Eglinton Way BIA tis hosting a special guided walking tour of The Eglinton Way as part of Toronto Public Markets Week! 
 
They will be taking guests through the charming midtown neighbourhood's Farmers' Market and surrounding area to share  history, heritage buildings, businesses and artworks with gourmet taste samplings from local cafes and bakeries.

Date: Sunday, June 16th
Time: 10:30 am - 12 pm
Meeting Spot: 125 Burnaby Blvd.
Reservation charge: $5 ($85 value)
Spots available: 25
Attire: Comfortable shoes & weather-appropriate clothing
Dietary: Please inform us of allergies ahead of time

REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/eglinton-way-farmers-market-neighbourhood-walking-tour-tickets-917019870117?

This tour is held in partnership with MarketCityTO for #ILoveTorontoMarkets campaign funded by the Main Street Innovation Fund through FedDev Ontario.

Rathnelly Day

RATHNELLY DAY 2024 is set for SATURDAY, JUNE 15 and the theme this year is PUMP IT UP - ‘80’s style!

The community is looking forward to being able to come together as friends and neighbours and celebrate this unique and very special community.

Click here for more info. 

Vendor Applications for MYBIA Summer Fest

📣 ATTENTION SMALL BUSINESSES 📣

Get ready for the biggest event Midtown has ever seen on July 20th! 🎉 The BIA is now calling for vendors offering food, crafts, clothing, accessories, services and more! Applications are now open. The Midtown Yonge BIA team will reach out to coordinate next steps. Click here to apply. 

Eglinton Way BIA Farmers' Market

Join the Eglinton Way BIA every Sunday from June to October at the Eglinton Way BIA Farmers’ Market! Located at 125 Burnaby Blvd, come by between 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM for fresh produce, local vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and vibrant energy.

Learn to Prevent an Overdose!

Each year across Ontario, thousands of lives are lost to overdoses. We need every level of government to prioritize implementing harm reduction strategies to combat these senseless deaths, and you can help.

As many of you know, Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, and these kits are FREE with training at participating pharmacies across the city. Together, we can prevent unnecessary deaths and work toward a more compassionate society that is safe safe for everyone.

Find a pharmacy with Naloxone kits near you, and make sure you can recognize the signs of an overdose.

In Solidarity, 

Dr. Jill Andrew, Ph.D
MPP Toronto-St. Paul's