Simple thought on why the community needs the old 11 division lot

Has anyone else noticed, the amount of community happenings at the 3030 restaurant on Dundas St.W. at High Park Ave. what 2 in past week?

Which is great, but it tweaked the blog again on how much this area needs the old police lot in the Junction as a community place.

Conversion of the current building or demo and build of a new building - which is probably the least costly choice.

CPR Canadian Holiday Train will be in the Junction Saturday, December 01, 2012

 



 

The Canadian Holiday Train will be in the Junction

Saturday, December 01, 2012

5:30 p.m., 750 Runnymede Rd,

in front of CP Lambton yard office,

Entertainers on the Canadian train include Doc Walker, Miss Emily, and theBrothers Dube.

 

 

Dream Bakery for the Junction

here goes...

While we have a Vegan bakery- Bunners for which the community is so lucky, and which many people consider a luxury, there are many of us that are not so inclined to vegetarianism nor always super healthy treats or breads.   We have lots of emtpy store fronts in the Junction even whole  buildings, many of which would be great spaces for producing   beautiful, naturally leavened whole-grain bread, delectable seasonal preserves, and granola for all of us (ok not this author) crunchy-granola types! say one with a milling room where we can purchase fresh milled flour own flour from local grower farms. Plus, a wood-fired brick oven that can also be fired with biomass briquettes manufactured from spent grain from one of the local micro brewery's that are opening in the area, such as the Indie Ale House.

Operationally for success this would probably have to be a licensed  commercial kitchen  so the operator will be sell at farmers markets, wholesale to restaurants and grocery stores.

Please do come!

Here are some facebook links to the type of foodie establishments that would be great , these are example from the Chicago area

• Chicago Amateur Bread Bakers
  


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  Three Sisters Garden
  

  
  

  
  


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  Kings Hill Farm CSA and Market Garden
  

  
  

  
  


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  Snookelfritz Ice Cream Artistry
  

  
  

  
  

 

High Park Residents' Association next meeting Feb. 9 at Coffee & All That Jazz, 72 Howard Park Ave

 

Please keep me in the Junction dear CPR railway

Recently the yellow caboose that stood regularly just behind George Bell Arena, has been traversing the rail tracks around the Junction.

Worryingly does this indicate that the CPR cannot retain a place to store it, hopefully not it would surely be missed.

Or is the dreamy reality that the railroad men and women just love having a roar moving it around remembering the days when trains had cabooses.

The caboose was visible at the back of Vine parkette Thursday.

Budget with Councillors Perks and Doucette Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School (1515 Bloor Street West)

 

Councillors Perks and Doucette (Ward 1) are holding roundtable meetings hosting on the upcoming City of Toronto Budget.

The Councillors are saying the meeting is a workshop with residents and community leaders about how to protect and build the essential services which make Toronto great. Topics to include city services and delivering and funding same.

Date: Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Place: Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School (1515 Bloor Street West), in the 3rd floor staff room.

They want people register though Councillor Perks' Office. by e-mailing councillor_perks@toronto.ca or calling 416-392-7919.

Shocking activity by city council members and staff

 

The blog wanted to highlight a particularity worrisome point brought out publicly by the  Toronto Public Space  (TPSI) group in their report on unprecedented policies that will allow the city to sell off the names of public spaces and bring in aggressive advertising into them, including parks and playgrounds. (see this post - its below this one)

Yet they are bringing local business Improvement associations (BIA's) into the decision-making and planning activities about these changes. That is right, the local retail store owners across the city are being consulted and allowed into the fold to decide how local parks are named and what advertising will go into them, Yes, big advertisers are involved too and their ads in parks and parkettes are probably not welcome also. But residents and community groups such as residents associations are not part of the consultation process.

"the inclusion of BIAs in a consultation process to the exclusion of all other stakeholders" [1. Toronto Public Space  (TPSI)]

Simply,  1st importance of the what the parks are to the community of people who use them is being removed from the people.

Hopefully the ethical BIA's in Toronto with see the folly of of being associated with this. BIA's are structured and created to improve retail streets and businesses within their areas.

 

Architect Richard Rogers states city development was the best way to build new homes today

 

With 4 condo development sites, and currently building retail site and one  more large possible large retail site available in the greater Junction area (GJA) for development, is it not time for the community to start gaining better traction to work out a model from for this development.

The report below provides a very interesting overview of the re-urbanization of inner city areas.

Lord Rogers has authored a report that states that city development was the best way to build new homes because of their jobs, infrastructure and public transport systems with garden cities and new towns far more car-based.

“Cities are the most efficient thing,” he said

From the introduction...

The vision of the Urban Task Force remains an integrated

and multifaceted one founded on the creation of urban

communities that:

• are well designed, compact and connected

• support a diverse range of uses in a sustainable

urban environment

• are well-integrated with public transport

• are adaptable to change.

True to that vision, and in keeping with the original mission

of the Urban Task Force, we make recommendations in this

report based on the principles of:

• design excellence

• social wellbeing, and

• environmental responsibility

set within a viable and sustainable economic, legislative

and delivery framework.

Full report

 

Arts in eating shops... aka restaurants, cafes, coffee jails etc

[caption id="attachment_8782" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Artist BenSlow (uk)"][/caption]

Many restaurants in the GJA and in the of city of  Toronto serve up works of art - usually surface pieces - paintings, and some collage, along with their food fare. Often the works are for sale.

The works often offer some degree of collective beauty and the restaurant proprietor often works to imbue some esthetics into the choices of what art to display.

Unforgettably it all comes down to a assemblage of commercial needs of the restaurant and the artist, mingled together in an mix that just does not work, creating  all to often a situation that does neither any real good.

The restaurant is allowed to not address the real aesthetic design needs required to address their own clients and offerings. The artist who may sell a few works, struggles with a secondary viewing experience for the work, and often reduces the efforts of other methods of showing and sales.

All this is not to say art in eating shops in not a good idea, it just isn't in the way its being done here. To make it work the artist must be allowed to view the restaurant as a canvas. This would of course need the normal discussions between artist and  businesses owner  who must also search for a body of work that attests with their own vision. Looking at the images posted with this post need I write more to give proof of the success of the method.

 

[caption id="attachment_8783" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="same guy as above, not named in this caption to assist is creating a memonic."][/caption]

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 

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 

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]

 







 

Sadly Hilary Bell, Community Leader, Passes

Reposted from Junction Triangle Community site

Sadly Hilary Bell died a few days ago due to cancer. Hilary was known in many circles for her tireless community work and advocacy for improving communities. She was involved in creating Railpath, the natural garden along Dundas, the murals under the Wallace Bridge to name but a few. She was a fair but formidable foe to developers, Metrolinx, and politicians when she needed to be but never lost her sense of humour and the desire for a hearty bike ride. This obit is provided by the family and there will be more news to follow. I note that the wonderful picture of Hilary was taken at the official opening of Railpath.

Hilary Bell was a long time member of the TWBCA Steering Committee

 

Further text at the Junction Triangle Community site (direct link to text about this tireless and trans-formative person.

The last crane on the 1st Junction Condo?

Henitzman Place crane activity Tuesday the 19th of July 2011.

Design Workshop for the “Sorauren Square” Wednesday, June 29, starting at 6:30 p.m.

 

Help take Sorauren Park to the “next level”...

Design Workshop for the “Sorauren Square”

Wednesday, June 29, starting at 6:30 p.m.


Food and drinks provided


Help plan — and name — the new “Sorauren Square” proposed for the “dead zone” of derelict land between the Sorauren Fieldhouse and the old linseed oil factory.

At this public design workshop, we’ll look at town squares in other cities and countries, review the existing Sorauren Master Plan concepts, and get drawing!

Sorauren Square is envisioned as a place for markets, festivals, concerts, shows, events and meeting neighbours on warm summer evenings.

If you like to draw and dream, or have ideas for this new public space, please come to our Design Workshop. RSVP to dbennet@sympatico.ca so we can plan our numbers.

“Sorauren Square” Design Workshop

Wednesday, June 29

6:30 p.m. at the Sorauren Fieldhouse


50 Wabash Avenue


Light dinner and refreshments provided

Sponsored by the Wabash Building Society

http://www.soraurenpark.com

 

TOTSTOCK Sunday June 19th, from 2-5pm, Sorauren Park YEA!

 

On Sunday June 19th, from 2-5pm, Sorauren Park, will be filled with the sounds, stories, food, games, and community-minded revelry of the third annual Totstock!

Last year’s Totstock! drew a crowd of about 3000 people. Given the high profile acts on this year’s bill, we expect an even larger audience this time around.

Sounds

Brent Bambury of CBC Radio will host a lineup on the Little Paper Main Stage that celebrates the variety of our city’s music scene: from indie-pop darlings, Hooded Fang, 11 year old Russell Rae Wellner, zany jazzers,Rambunctious, and under-aged rockers Eleven Toes, to the velvet tones ofOldies 990 and old-time-twang-with-a-modern-twist of Bellwoods Trinityand Hotcha!

Stories

Small Print Toronto will host a diverse array of local kids-lit heroes at theStory Tent. Don’t miss the creators of such wildly popular series asFranklin The Turtle (Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark) and Ninja Cowboy Bear (David Bruins and Hilary Leung), authors and performers Njacko Backo, Martha Jocelyn, Monica Kulling, Rina Singh, Heather Hartt-Sussman, Frank Viva and Nicola Winstanley, singer-songwriter Daddy Long Legs and a special appearance by Winnie-the-Pooh.

Super Cool Stuff

Want to create your own a kite? Dress up in a dragon costume? Build a grafitti city? Like to play games? Win prizes? You can do all this and more, thanks to the steadily growing number of local businesses and groups helping us out this year.

Proceeds from this year’s festival will be donated to the West End Food Coop.

 

Art in the Junction:Capitalism and Culture in the Junction

With the recent economic “crash” the system of capitalism has come under increasing questioning by citizens.

Artists and community members respond to life within capitalism: the contradictions and ethical problems it presents,

it’s impact on us as individuals and groups, as well as what we think about it. As individuals who survive capitalism

we generate knowledge about and against it, which is conveyed through a space we have created to explore the language of art.



Multi media works are presented as in dialogue, to open up a public conversation about capitalism in the Junction where we share space.



The works span the mediums from photography, painting, sculpture, video, audio, installation, knitting and performance and embrace

themes of ecology, class, history, war, homelessness, hope, nurturing, friendship, recognition, language, humor...and so much more.

Local resident has great and even more great urban farmer idea

Dear High Park/Junction Land-owner,

Do you have a portion of your property (25 ft x 25 ft or larger would be ideal, but I will consider any plot) that you would like to see revitalized by organic vegetable production?



Would you welcome regular visits by a respectful urban farmer throughout the season to sustain beautiful, healthy and productive vegetable beds?



Would you like to see more of your food grown locally using sustainable, organic methods?



If yes, I would love to hear from you!

I need to start preparing the beds for next spring, so please call soon.

download full pdf description

Erica - 416-320-5279

lemieux.erica@gmail.com

UPDATE ON HAND WELLS! …electricial manhole shocks from last year

Right now along Dundas St West Toronto Hydro is replacing the electric hand wells with new fiberglass non conductive hand wells in respond to last years electrified sidewalk  plates

Within the span of three months in early 2009 two dogs where electrocuted when they stepped on metal plates at the base of hydro poles in the Junction.

Both events took place on Keele street close to Annette. Apparently water seeps into the hole covered by the metal plate and if the sheathing that normally covers the wires has separated (due to our ageing infrastructure,amoung other factors) it can complete a circuit between the subterranean devices and the metal plate above.

West End Food Co-op Community Cannery June Workshops

Community Cannery June Workshops



their invite....

You are cordially invited to the June workshops from the Preserving Parkdale Project, a joint community cannery project of the West End Food Co-op and the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre. The first two workshops are:

Preserving Fruit: Friday, June 18th, 5 pm to 8 pm

Preserving and Pickling: Friday, June 25th, 5 pm to 8 pm

The workshops will be held at the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre at 1499 Queen Street West. Please pre-register at www.westendfood.coop or at the WEFC booth at the Sorauren Farmers Market, Monday 3-7.

Registration is $25 for WEFC members, or $30 for non-members. For inquiries, please contact info@westendfood.coop.

Come join us to preserve!

Sally Miller/ WEFC Coordinator

from their site....

The West End Food Co-operative (WEFC) is a nonprofit multi-stakeholder co-operative – with consumer, employee, and producer/supplier members. WEFC is committed to the development of community food culture in Toronto’s West End, and acts as a catalyst for local food security. This is accomplished through coordinating community driven food initiatives, such as the ongoing Sorauren Farmers’ Market, Parkdale community food mapping, and the new Parkdale Processing Project.