Junction Earth Hour Walk Draws 70 to 200. Reports vary.

[caption id="attachment_3207" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Lantern Making"][/caption]

Spirits were high at the BMO parking lot last night from 6pm until 8:30pm when the Earth Hour walk began, ending at around 9:15pm.  Thanks to residents who brought their own cans, we were only about 5 short for people who actually wanted to make one.  Thanks to Agora Cafe who showed up with Fair Trade Organic Hot Chocolate and baked goodies.  Sorry to the gentleman who cut his finger and didn't know how. 

Kids, adults and the elderly formed a line that at one point stretched from Big Daddy's DVD Shop to Pacific Avenue, with few gaps in between.  The route took us East on the south side of Dundas to Indian Road, across the crosswalk and West again on the North side of Dundas, crossing at the St. John's intersection for a regroup in front of a dark Councillor Saundercook's office (he was later spotted walking and running in the Bloor West walk).  Then, we walked down St. John's to Runnymede, south to the crosswalk south of Annette where we

[caption id="attachment_3208" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Janet Speaks to Crowd"][/caption]

regrouped again to enter the Runnymede United Church en masse.  It was a pleasure to see the people in Curry Twist and the Friendly Thai and Axis eating and listening to live music  by candlelight, and seeing all the dark houses along St. John's and Runnymede.  Shame on Shox for keeping its lights on, though it was good to watch some of the game on one of its 20 TVs as we walked by, and sorry to the businesses that turned out their lights that I haven't mentioned.

[caption id="attachment_3209" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Reception"][/caption]

Cheri DiNovo Canvas bags, some food I didn't eat and can't comment on, and delicious chocolates from Delight were handed out at the church where the three walks converged.  Chris Holcroft of Green 13 should be commended for taking the lead in organizing the walks, and I'm sure he has many people to thank himself - maybe on Green 13's Blog.  Janet McKay, Green committe for the JRA, and Rita Bijons of Green 13, spear-headed the Junction walk and the BIA was there unnofficially since it's not allowed to participate in political events, which Cheri DiNovo's and Gerard Kennedy's presence at the reception caused it to be.

The Junction should darn well be proud of its turn-out.  I thought, m'self, that it were's about 70 - 100 people, while others swear it were upwards of 200.  I'm a poor judge of crowd numberin', so I'll err on the high side. 

P.S. Please provide your opinion on the vernacular in the last paragraph and whether it should be a Junctioneer standard.

Calling All Noise-Makers

   



 

 

 

 

 

As part of the Earth Hour events organized by Green 13 and co-sponsored by the Junction Residents Association, Bloor West BIA, the Inorganic Market, Swansea Area Ratepayers Association and the High Park Nature Centre, the Junction Communities in Bloom Committee will be holding a lantern-making session in the BMO parking lot at Keele and Dundas on March 28th from 6pm until the start of the Junction Earth Hour walk  at 8:30.  You are encouraged to come with your drums, kazoos, squeeze boxes, tambourines or other instruments of choice to add to the festive lantern-making mood, and to enhance the parade through the Junction streets to the community reception at Runnymede United Church.

In addition to the Inorganic Markets held over this past weekend, many more events listed below are scheduled as a lead-up to Earth Hour:

Calendar of events:

Monday March 23rd – A lantern making class at the High Park Nature Centre, 430 Parkside Drive (6:30 pm) 416-392-1748 ext. 6

Tuesday March 24th – Toronto Debating Society tackles climate change at Swansea Town Hall (7:30 pm)

Wednesday March 25th – A lantern making class with the High Park Nature Centre, 430 Parkside Drive (6:30 pm) 416-392-1748 ext. 6

Thursday March 26th – Swansea Town Hall Meeting on Nuclear Energy (7:30 pm) Sponsored by the Swansea Area Ratepayers Association

Friday, March 27th –
- Local schools hold Earth Hour events
- Critical Mass bike ride (starting at Keele Street and Dundas Street West at 6 pm)
- Free public screening of “Tales of a Yellow Bike” at the Revue Cinema, sponsored by MPP Cheri DiNovo. Director Tina Hahn will be in attendance. (7 pm)

Saturday March 28th –
- Power down and join your neighbours on one of three candlelight walks through Bloor West Village , the Junction or High Park . The Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area will also be participating.
- Following the walks at 9:30, a community reception will be held at Runnymede United Church sponsored by MPP Cheri DiNovo.

Please email if you are able to come with an instrument on the 28th!

junctionra@gmail.com