New red lights cameras coming to Ward 13

Insidetoronto.com is reporting a conversation with Councillor Bill Saundercook.

New red lights cameras coming to the intersections of  Bloor and Jane streets and Bloor and Keele streets

...cameras are expected to be installed in early 2009 at the intersections of Bloor and Jane streets and Bloor and Keele streets, he said. With all the new development proposed for Bloor Street West at Jane, the cameras are a welcome addition as far as the councillor is concerned.

Canadian Holiday Train comes to the Junction for the second year in a row.

Councillor Bill Saundercook hosted the CPR Railroad and local police in his office today making preparations for the evening  the train visits the Junction. Mr Saundercook spearheaded getting trains here last year moving it here from its downtown stopping place, which took him a number of years. The blog knows he does it for the community but we also think he like the people who attended last year that the  entertainment is great and that the trains are neat too.

about the train...

At each event, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talent and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community.

This is the 11th year that the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train has been raising food, money and awareness for food banks in communities across Canada and the U.S. To date, we've helped raise $4 million and 2 million pounds of food with our Holiday Train program.

From the initial partnership with the National Food sharing program this was a new idea formed in 1999.That December, CP began running a freight train decorated with thousands of Christmas lights across Canada, to raise awareness of the issue of hunger prevalent in all communities. In 2001, CP launched a second Holiday Train in the United States.

The Canadian Holiday Train will be in the Junction as part of it's US and | Canadian tour Toronto – December 1st - 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., 87 Ethel Avenue, adjacent to RONA



Entertainers on the Canadian train include the Odds, an alternative rock bank, bringing their energy and full voiced harmonies to the Holiday Train stage for the first time. They will be joined by Shaun Verrault of the Canadian blues-rock trio Wide Mouth Mason.

CPR Holiday Train Photo Essay of last years visit (opens in new tab)

Parking meter removed today in relation to new High Park traffic lights

Park link employees remove the  Parking meter today in front of the chocolate shop. Speaking to a few business  owners near the intersection, it is clear they like the lights.

The only change some would like is the placement back in use of a couple of the parking spots on the north side  to slow traffic - some of which uses the most north lane as a passing lane when exiting the lights.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dundas High Park Ave traffic lights

[caption id="attachment_5390" align="aligncenter" width="473" caption="Pascal Abboud chair of the Junction BIA with Councillor Bill Saundercook and Martin Lennox of the JRA cutting the ribbon"][/caption]

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new traffic lights at was held today at lights with Councillor Bill Saundercook and Martin Lennox of the Junction Residents Association along with Pascal Abboud chair of the Junction BIA cutting the ribbon.

Of note in the new lights enlivened intersection our the are the zebra strips painted on the roadway in the pedestrian crossing area. When speaking to one the City of Toronto raffic light designers at the ceremony the blog was told that one of the occurring issues at "T" intersections is the need for left turning cars drivers to be aware of   pedestrians crossing the roadway.

Take a cross at the intersection now and get a feel of how the lights have knitted the intersection further into the Dundas st west streetscape.

While the blog has been promoting   this event for a while now, everyone should know that Bea Mozdzanowski Constituency Assistant to Mr  Saundercook, has kept the blog and  this author up to date on the city timeline for the lights arranging a multiple of necessary items for the event to happen.

The Dundas St W and High Park Ave intersection are working - turned on about 11:15am

[caption id="attachment_5366" align="aligncenter" width="473" caption="The lights in the final testing stage minutes before being turned on"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5367" align="aligncenter" width="473" caption="The 1st cars enter the now working intersection"][/caption]

The lights are working now  and right away people have started to use them to cross Dundas St West, and by standing around It could see that they were using them to move between the retail stores on the north and south sides of Dundas St West with much greater ease.

Before the traffic lights were working -  to cross safely people had to cross at Pacific Ave. or Clendenan Avenue Ave., 1 block to the east and two blocks to the west.  An action that reduced the flow  of pedestrian traffic acrros  Dundas St. and probably reduced the sales for many merchants.

While these lights were motioned and brought into reality at city council by the local Councillor, they are also the result of many requests and a need expressed by business and members of the community, so come and make some requests to Councillor Bill Saundercook.

Why should you come to the ceremony? The lights are an new important element to the street scape and usability of the Junction retail strip. Part of the function of your attending the opening will communicate to the Councillor and the city transportation services that not only do you appreciate their efforts - but that the Junction community wants more efforts expended by the city on the The Junction.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony, in celebration of the installation of the traffic lights, to be held on Oct 14th ‘09 at 8:30 am at the corner of Dundas St W and High Park Ave.:

CPR's Holiday Train recap

""Beautiful!" "Cool!"and "Brilliant!" were just some of the comments from the hundred and hundreds of spectators as the CPR's Holiday Train

rolled into the old iron yard at 87 Ethel ave last night.  This is the tenth anniversary for the spectacularly lit train which is making its way through six of our provinces.  The goal is to raise food and money, as well as awareness for local food banks.  It is important to note that all donations collected in a community remain in that community for local distribution.

 

There was a collective "ahhhh" as the steel side of the middle car lowered to reveal none other than Old St.Nick crooning his heart out.  Move over Brian Johnson...Santa Clause has come to town!  Holiday spirit was high as Tracey Brown, Randall Prescott as well as other very talented musicians took to the stage and rocked the yard.  Toes were tapping, people danced and sang, children bobbed on adult shoulders, councillors handed out donuts (which were generously donated by Tim Hortons).

In short, a good time was had by all!  It was the perfect way to start the holiday season.

Thank you CP Rail for spreading the good cheer.  And thank you, councillor Saundercook.  It is my understanding that you were instrumental in bringing the train to the Junction.  Hopefully word of mouth will spread about this captivating show and we'll see the crowd grow next year.

I  hope that it becomes an annual event for our neighborhood. And how appropriate, given our history!!

Posted by Linda Clements

Co-Chair

Junction Residents Association

CPR Canadian Holiday Train Visits Junction

Tomorrow Today December 2  2008

The train which is traveling across the country will to raise food, money and awareness for local food banks. Bring your cash and food donations and support your local food bank.



Just remember these are very short stops being 30 minutes only

Tuesday, December 2

• 
  

  Junction stop Toronto – 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. – 87 Ethel Avenue, adjacent to RONA

  
  and if you cannot make that the closest next stop is
  
  Vaughan – 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. – Northwest corner of CP Vaughan Intermodal Yard andNashville Road

CPR Holiday Train comes to the Junction

From what we have gathered this is the ONLY City of Toronto Stop.

In addition it's an all Junction event, just think... stand next to a train.. what else is the Junction lore about?

Posted by Robert

Picture credit junctionartsfest blogspot and

with informaton provided by Councillor Bill Saundercook's office