By Susan Oppenheim I met Jane Beecroft in 2008, when she brought flyers into my shop for the opening of a nearby historical restoration. At the time I knew nothing of heritage work, the Community History Project (the group she founded), or the Tollkeeper’s Cottage, and I had little interest in the undertakings at the corner of Davenport […]

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By Perry King Investigations on three of four recent shooting incidents in the Annex area are still open, according to updates from 14 Division. At a meeting on Oct. 26, over 50 people packed into the Bickford Centre cafeteria (777 Bloor St. W.) to hear Inspector David Vickers and Detective Sergeant Brian Kelly announce that investigations for shootings […]

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By Liivi Sandy Every environment is a new palate to explore for artist Erica Brisson. The 27-year-old grew up in the Annex with the neighbourhood driving her creativity. Erica has been on the road for eight years, studying art history and studio art at Concordia University in Montreal, and then working at the Banff Centre for the […]

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By Eddie Mumford ‘Majestic’ would be a word to describe the house at 145 Madison Ave. With its uniformity of smooth brick and irregular shape, the massive, detached home stands out amongst the neighbouring houses. But the house, declared a historical site (under the Heritage Act) in 1974, has recently become a source of anxiety for its owner. […]

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By Perry King Artist Miklos Legrady wants to paint candy stripes on Toronto Western Hospital’s smokestack, at the cost of $675,000. Courtesy Miklos Legrady After years of being a sticking point for local residents, the Toronto Western hospital smokestack (399 Bathurst St.) may get a facelift, if a local artist has his way. Inspired by […]

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By Beth Macdonell In 1987, Al Runt was working behind the bar at Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St. W.). He was let go for drinking on the job, but the owner, “Mr. Lee,” noticed Runt was a talented painter. According to Runt, Mr. Lee was looking to attract cool eyeballs from Queen to Bloor. Mr. Lee noticed that […]

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By Karen Bliss The lattes at Sam James Coffee Bar (297 Harbord St.) are a work of art and it has little to do with the carefully poured rosetta design that decorates each cup. The staff that make the coffee are trained on the bean, the temperature, and the method, making each sip something to be savoured, […]

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Every holiday edition, the Gleaner features community and holiday-themed artwork on our cover.  We are also continuing a new tradition that we started last year, where we are soliciting holiday wishes from the community, for the community. Here are the stipulations: For artwork: -We are looking for two pieces of artwork to feature on our […]

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By Eddie Mumford It’s a cabaret! Or at least it will be, as locals and fans from afar purchase their tickets for the new vaudevillian show Swing into the Night. The premiere at Revival Bar, will take place over the last three Sundays of November, featuring headlining swing bands like Danny & the D’ Notes. […]

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