Thursday, September 29, 2011

Councillor Sarah Doucette gets temporary lifeline for High Park zoo

....while a  motion to convene a team of experts to explore the potential of creating a conservancy model for running the local zoo.  YEA!

On Sept 27th the councillors presented  passed 23 to 22. The motion asks that the general manager of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation seek requests for expression of interest proposals for the High Park Zoo and Toronto Island Park.

JDD hardware Annette St. is renovating, good show

 

For a few days driving along Annette Srt., the brown paper covered windows of the JDD hardware indicated to this author that the store was closed  for good, gone lost to the community. But no... walking by the store a day or two ago the renovation sign was seen, they are just doing a  renovation. Great as local small independently run hardware stores are the coolest thong a community can have.

[caption id="attachment_8854" align="aligncenter" width="359" caption="516 Annette Street at Runnymede Road Toronto, Ontario M6P 1S3 (416) 767-7757"][/caption]

 

Just hope that the renovation does not mean the lost of all the great stuff in the windows.

 

Maria street sidewalk art

Located on north side about 20 meters from Runnymede Rd heading east, on the road the has a text entitling it Very Berry.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Telephone post close up just south Runnymede Rd

 

Just south on the west side of the Bell Canada co-locate building on Runnymede Rd stands this venerable hydro post, having textured itself so well with the  weather and the street traffic shakes.



 

 

Dumping of waste in the Junction

 

 

The past month or so, a greater amount of illegal dumping has occurred in the hood. A few examples.

 

[caption id="attachment_8839" align="aligncenter" width="362" caption="Today sept 28th 2011 Vine parkette"]Vine Park dumping[/caption]

 

 

[caption id="attachment_8840" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Mulock Ave dumping Sept 26th -2011 12-50PM"][/caption]

Vine Ave Parkette wood chips going in

 





Although this author liked the installation last time when the play station to the east went up when the community piled in the wood chips, see this post

Monday, September 26, 2011

Vine Parkette Jr play area looks to be ready in days

 

[caption id="attachment_8830" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="sorry about the blur the combo of my hands and fence proved difficult"][/caption]

Attempting to photograph this huge and complicated play structure it appeared to this author early this morning to somewhat funny as to the layers of seemingly fun yet an exciting and scary obstacle course in all vectors of x y and z.

The back lot green area, which is a bit difficult to get to now from the east or mid entrance of the park is being wonderfully grassed over.

[caption id="attachment_8831" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="The new grassed area - grassed over baseball diamond area - think the blog will refer to it as the back lot"][/caption]

 

What can come out of west Toronto in design...Burton Kramer

 



Granted this author can get very excited about a new art book that even has a sprinkle of content regarding situationist art theory, and quite  jumpy at a design book  usually going thought 5 new ones a day.

So when this book showed up  on a post on grain edit, knowing this firms west Toronto location and great history happy times were here.

You seen the work regularly the... CBC logo 

Burton Kramer Identities is an important and comprehensive book on the work of a leading Canadian designer, educator and painter, who practiced for over 50 years.

Kramer began his design career in the New York office of Will Burtin and went on to work at Geigy under Gottfried Honegger. In 1961, he moved to Zurich, Switzerland, as Chief Designer at the E. Halpern Agency, where he created award-winning work. In 1965, Kramer moved to Toronto to work on graphics and signage for Expo 67. In 1967, he founded Kramer Design Associates, creating identity programs for the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Educational Television and in 1974, his well-known logo and identity program for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

His logos and corporate identity work have been published in numerous books and journals worldwide. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ArtsToronto; in 2002, the Province of Ontario awarded him the Order of Ontario for his cultural contributions; and in 2003, the Ontario College of Art & Design granted him an honorary doctorate, D.Des.

Since about 2001, Kramer’s focus has shifted from design to painting. His abstract, geometry-based, lyrical, colorist paintings have been shown regularly in galleries in Europe, Mexico, Colombia, the USA and Canada.

 

a current design of their street furniture...



 

Current office of the firm is at Kramer Design Associates (KDA)
103 Dupont Street

web

 

Elsewhere another great blog with a Junction connection

 

Don't lose out by not visiting a blog enetiled bricoleurbanism, its just great, so great that I will shut up and beg u a visit there.

 

http://www.bricoleurbanism.org/


 

New Keele St Bike racks... ouch



 

Recently new bike racks have been installed on the east side of Keele St. outside the condo development Heintzman Place (formally Village by the Park), seemingly designed as short term use spots as defined by the cities guidelines, yet surely wanted to become long term uses spaces for nearby residents.

This author can only guess - with a strong possibility of correctness -- that Heintzman Place is very short of bike spaces for its residents, many condo projects are.

Always wanting greater bike and stroller mob parking in the Junction, these spots are welcome in principal. But at what cost to the poor bikes and the people parking the bikes?

This area of sidewalk is well know for treacherous speeding cars that regularly grind against the curb. Splash floods of dirty oil and grit soaked water in the spring and summer while in the winter snow and ice pile onto the sidewalk packing to strength of a wall.

As usual in new condo spots the new management board adds addition spots on site and that will probably happen at Heintzman Place.

If you decide to use these spots be very careful, and do not step off the curb to set off north, because at this very spot a biker was killed a few years back. Of course riding under the CPA subway is just out, the road at the curb humps and rises and cars wiggle into the wall.

 

Kitchen Nano Garden garden perfect Junction farming entry

 



 

The Kitchen Nano Garden is real and has wonderful benefits. Because it uses hydroponics to grow your garden, there is no need for dirt, harmful fertilizers or pesticides. The unit is a natural air purifier -- a fragrant bonus and always a welcome addition to a kitchen or small space.

Its stacked, vertical design allows more growing space per square foot of floor space. The glass-walled refrigeratorlike appliance has movable shelves and hooks up to your plumbing. Recycling the used water and leftovers from your sink provide water and nutrients to the hydroponics. The LED lighting promotes plant growth.

"Light, water and nutrient supply is controllable, so users can decide the growth speed. It also lets users know when to provide water or nutrients to the plants," states the company.

A touch panel makes it convenient for today's busy lifestyles.

Hydroponic growing has been around for a long time. However, much of it comes with laborious setup and awkward equipment strewn about. When I saw this modern and convenient way to keep all the muss and fuss in one place, in the kitchen, I was excited about the possibilities. Although there is no news as to when the Kitchen Nano Garden will be made available to homeowners, I for one will be watching for opportunities to incorporate this technology into future kitchen designs.

 

Friday, September 23, 2011

Toronto Police Service Divisional boundary changes involving 11, 12, 14 and 31 Divisions, will be effective Monday, September 26, 2011, at 6 a.m.

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How awful! Rawlicious has now closed





 

We all knew it was coming but its so sad to see the restaurant gone, The author would have voted for a stimulus package or a municipal economic action plan to keep them in the Junction for the food and the bragging rights to have such an inductive food delivery businesses in the Junction.

The restaurant has two other location, one in Toronto, and one in Barrie and OUR location is moving to Bloor West Village... ugh...I should be throwing  myself on the floor about now for having to tap that out.

 

from their site...

WE HAVE MOVED!!!!

 

After a fruitful & happy three years in this location, Rawlicious has decided to make the move down to Bloor Street. We aren't moving far though, just directly South between Runnymede & High Park. We know how important transit is to our valued customers so making it easier to get to us is a priority! We have loved this space & will always have a soft spot for the Junction. 

It is an amazing community to live in and we will personally be supporters in many ways! 

The last day for Rawlicious The Junction was August 28. 

Our new address will be 2122 Bloor Street West and we will be opening late-September. 

 

NEW OPENING DATE COMING SOON!

what we get to miss......

 

Raw food can take your health, your emotional happiness, your energy & vitality to a whole

new level and be unbelievably delicious. We are a living foods cafe, featuring an organic, 

vegan and very tasty menu to sit or take away. We do not cook anything above 118F, so you get 

all of the finest enzymes, vitamins and minerals in their naturally delicious state. Our food is 

our fuel and we believe all of us should have access to clean, chemical free nutrition. We endeavour to be totally organic and raw, however a very small percentage of ingredients may not be raw eg: maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, etc. or 100% organic when an organic selection is simply unavailable. 

 

Smoothies    16oz - $6.50

Tropical Green – Spinach, Kale, Banana, Mango, Pineapple

Creamsicle - Nutmilk, Orange, Avocado, Agave, Vanilla

Raspberry Bliss – Banana, Orange, Raspberry

EggNog – Nutmilk, Banana, Vanilla, Agave, Nutmeg & Cardamom

ChocoMinty – Nutmilk, Banana, Cacao, Agave & Peppermint

Strawberry Milkshake – Nutmilk, Stawberries, Avocado, Agave, Vanilla

Extras: Hemp Protein, Maca, Spirulina, Flax Seed Oil, Goji Berries    $1ea.

 

Juices & Drinks   12oz / $7.50 or 16oz / $9.50

Veggie – Celery, Cucumber, Parsley, Carrot 

Lean Green – Celery, Cucumber, Spinach, Kale

Energizer – Orange, Apple, Grapefruit

Pure Pleasure – Orange, Apple, Pineapple

Juice Extras: Ginger, Garlic, Lemon, Apple, Spirulina $1ea 

Lea’s Lemonade – Freshly squeezed Lemons sweetened with Agave  $4

Chocolate Nut Milk – Almond Milk, Cacao, Agave, Vanilla $4

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Vine Ave Parkette nears completion.



 

 

 

 

Pull out - a post from another local blog that you can sink into

 

 

Over at the http://imaginingtoronto.com/ blog this article from April of 2011 provides an insight into that area rarely given in text about Toronto.  When visiting jump down to  A brief overview: text - a bit is re-posted here.



 



 

A brief overview:

Contemporary Yorkville, a gentrified district of expensive boutiques and luxury condominiums whose spiritual epicentre is the intersection of Bloor Street and Avenue Road, owes the bulk of its literary reputation to a brief bohemian period that lasted less than a decade but has inspired at least two generations of writers eager to pay homage to the memory of a neighbourhood once known as Toronto’s very own Haight- Ashbury.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

[Heritage Columns] City Museums Face Closure

[caption id="attachment_8747" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Click image to go to Spacing magazine article"][/caption]

 

FromHeritage Toronto

 

Thank you Gail Lord for providing this text:
This week, the City of Toronto's Executive Committee approved a report from the City Manager to close "museums with the least attendance, and revenues compared to costs." Another proposal asks the City Manager to report on further extensive cuts to culture programs.

These proposals indicate a misunderstanding of what museums are. In any city, museums are about identity, linking the past to the present. In Toronto, the world's most multicultural city, museums are even more crucial to social cohesion.

Toronto's historic museums - Montgomery's Inn, Spadina House, McKenzie House, Colborne Lodge, Market Gallery, Gibson House, Zion Schoolhouse, Scarborough Historic Museum and Fort York - are the repository of our collective heritage. Destroy them and you destroy the DNA of who we are and how we got here. Each of these sites, whether they be in downtown Toronto, Scarborough, North York or Etobicoke, reflect not only our past, but are also neighbourhood hubs for sharing and learning about our modern diverse communities.

Clearly there is room for improving the attendance and the financial performance of these museums. However, closures are not the answer. The museum closings will be before City Council on Monday September 26th. I urge you to write to the Mayor and members of City Council to raise your voice in opposition to this proposal. Click here for contact information for the Mayor and Councillors.

Also, there is a Facebook group you can join to support our City's museums

 

 

 

 

Demolition Control Applications 510 St John's Road received by city

 



from the city app...
On May 25, 2011, Toronto Building received a demolition permit application to demolish
a two storey single family dwelling at 510 St John's Rd Toronto Building has not
received a building permit application to replace the building to be demolished as of this
date.
In accordance with By-law No 1009-2006 (former City of Toronto Municipal Code,
Chapter 14, Article 1, Demolition Control), the above noted demolition permit
application is submitted to the Etobicoke York Community Council for consideration and
decision, due to the fact that a building permit has not been issued to replace the building,
and whether to refuse or grant the demolition permit application, including conditions if
any, to be attached to the permit.


background city file

Naming of New Parkette at 11 Division Police Station Located at 2054 Davenport Road, after the Late Constable Percival (Percy) Cummins, Badge 2377

 

 
Naming of New Parkette at 11 Division Police Station Located at 2054 Davenport Road, after the Late Constable Percival (Percy) Cummins, Badge 2377

Committee Decision

Etobicoke York Community Council:

1.         Requested the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to review the request to name the new parkette on the northwest corner of the new 11 Division lot at 2054 Davenport Road, at Osler Street, after the late Constable Percival (Percy) Cummins and report back to the Etobicoke York Community Council meeting of October 4, 2011.

Origin

(August 15, 2011) Letter from Councillor Cesar Palacio

Summary

On June 16, 1970, Percival (Percy) Cummins joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police.  He began and sadly ended his career at No. 11 Division in West Toronto, where he had 11 years of service to the citizens of Toronto.  P.C. Percy Cummins was 38 years old and left his wife, his 8 year old daughter and his 5 year old son.

While attached to 11 Division, P.C. Percy Cummins performed his duties both in uniform and plainclothes.

On Wednesday, September 23, 1981, at about 8:00 p.m., P.C. Cummins and his partner, P.C. Michael Jones attended an address on Symington Avenue to investigate a disturbance.  Both officers went to the third floor and tried to speak to a man, who attacked both officers, disarming them.  During the struggle, the man fatally shot P.C. Cummins in the neck and then shot P.C. Jones in the hand.

On Thursday, November 19, 1981, the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Commissioners of Police awarded the Metropolitan Toronto Police Medal of Honour posthumously to P.C. Cummins; the medal was presented to his

wife, Eurieta Cummins.

P.C. Cummins was an avid cricket player.  Each year, for the past 13 years, a Memorial Match has been held in his honour.

On September 23, 2011, 30 years will have passed since P.C. Cummins paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Background Information




Monday, September 19, 2011

Local All-Candidates Debates info at the Junction Residents Assoc Site

All the info you need for any and all local Local All-Candidates Debates is ion available at the Junction Residents association site.

 

click either of the images to go directly there,


 

 

There is also an interesting comment thread about the

Baird Park Dogs’ Off-leash Area


 

click text above to go to their post

 

 

 

 

 

Hilary Bell event at the new shed at Wallace Park on October 29

 

posted from Comment from Blog reader Sean, thanks Sean

There will be a small event at the new shed at Wallace on October 29 to dedicate the shed and thank the shed sponsor and to have some fun. This event will be led by Parks, and will involve the Councillor. Currently the idea is to have a small ceremony and bike ride during the day and a bicycle themed movie (with hot chocolate) that evening.

The family of Hilary Bell was delighted that many people had suggested naming the shed for her, but in Hilary style, they suggested the informal “Hilary’s Shed” as a casual thank you that she would have loved. It was also revealed that when she knew her time was up she insisted that the photo of her on the Railpath Opening be used for her obituary as it was one of her favourite memories. The City is working on a sign that will recognize the sponsor, Hilary, and Friends.

For some information on her contributions to your community please see this link  to the Junction Triangle site 

Play Equip Arriving now

Vine parkette manufactured play equipment arriving now 3pm Monday

 



 

The Far West Junction

The far west section of the Junction has a number of prospering businesses.  There is Marsh stoves and Penmar plumbing and Rona hardware store. Stereoking which used to be at  Pacific Ave and Dundas for decades has moved back just west of just east of Runnymede Rd on the south side of Dundas St West. The Nissan dealership with a freshly renewed facade a few years ago always looks to doing a good amount of business.

It is wonderful that this end of the Junction strip is alive with such unique businesses. At one time was Maltese village community business Association which seems to have stopped working presently.

The Eastern restaurant has finally opened along with a new tattoo shop providing another reason to visit the area.

Overall there is a pretty interesting business environment some of which  pull customers from around the city.

The Rona store is just wonderful in their use of  the sidewalk to place goods upon, this really contributes to the walkabout nature in the area.



 

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

More breakfast seats

And duty different also. Most weekends getting a seating for breakfast in the Junction can be difficult.

Yet with addition of the recently opened Locomotive cafe there are a number of addition seats. Which is great in and of itself, yet the fare is decidedly different than the other restaurants in the area.

With in house brined or cured meats being one if the great specialties if thus shop.

Brined and/or cured meats are a wonderful comeback to the Junction with the recent loss of John's meats. Also this brings back a idea of the decades gone industrial dressed meat plants that were just north tracks across from Vine Ave Parkette.

Maple leaf meats had a huge plant of St Clair Ave W. as well as a dressed meats research lab. (where the Phrama Plus store is now)

The company Canadian Dressed Meats also had an large presence and the accompanying smells just into the mid 80's.

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1:07 pm stone thrower unloads onto basketball area



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1:01pm Wednesday stone thrower truck arrives at Vine Ave Parkette

Work continues on the new foundation for the Jr playground equipment.



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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Junction Shul this weekend



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Rebas Cafe new hours



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Another hotel hope

A commenter...Raymond... Recently posted a comment about the Salvation Army building just east if Keele St. On the north side. He wrote about that building being built as a speculative hotel, built on hopes of getting a liquor license. While the history of that building is well known he also mother that the building at Gilmore Ave was also built with the same hope. Interestingly they appear to have their facades bricked of the same brick - would this indicate the same person or business attempted the same goal in both places?

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St Paul The Apostle Church entrance ways

The smaller section to the the east of this church has a tiled image featuring a cross and a symbol of Malta. Along with two flanking rolled glass windows, both features in this authors opinion quite reflect the period of the second run of church building in the west end. The period of the 60s and 70s.



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Monday, September 12, 2011

Hilary Bell gathering in the Junction, Saturday September 17, 2011 from 2 to 5 PM

Re-posted from a comment on this site, Thanks Sean for the info

 

Hilary Bell passed away  September 2011.

To celebrate her life there will be a gathering of friends and family in our neighborhood on

Saturday September 17, 2011 from 2 to 5 PM.


Hilary loved Pilates and spent many mornings and evenings at the studio. We felt it would be fitting to have the event there.

“The Loft Pilates Studio” ,
396 Pacific Avenue, suite 201, Toronto M6P 1Z2.


Snacks and drinks will be served.

Your presence would be much appreciated.

 

For some information on her contributions to your community please see this link  to the Junction Triangle site 

New owners for old mcbrides site and a new world for the biggest junction lot east of Keele St. West

A blog reader called Gordon Perks office regarding the work at the old McBrides site just east of Keele St on Dundas St west, and was told the site has a new owner.

Thus it could be a new day for the site, the equipment spotted last week is now Gone.

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Friday, September 9, 2011

Salvation Army building at 2808 DUNDAS ST W art wall

 

 



 

great idea and wonderful to look at.

Loblaws properties donates land at 96 Ricthie Ave for home

A passage lot from the Loblaws rear parking lot for the companies store at Dundas St. W. and Bloor St. W. to Richie Ave has been donated by Loblaws for the construction of a single family home for a family with a disabled son. The home will be one story in height.

[caption id="attachment_8653" align="aligncenter" width="315" caption="The lot viewed from the parking lot of the store, click image to visit Habitat site"][/caption]

 

The lot from Richie Ave.





 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Junction Eatery 2790 Dundas St. W

The Junction Eatery. 2790 Dundas St. W. has  quickly become a favorite restaurant in the Junction with great food with rather unique presentation for restaurants in the area. Outside of the regular Junction restaurants strip, which is pleasant in and of itself as its in one the more interesting parts of Dundas St W.

 

Facebook Page

 




[caption id="attachment_8644" align="alignright" width="469" caption="From the restaurant facebook pagfe"][/caption]