Gleaner Community Press

New 14 Division police building open

Admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:10:07 +0000

Community and officers welcome the modern police facility By Andrew Russell Police officers, political dignitaries and community members packed the entrance of the new home of Toronto’s 14 Division at 350 Dovercourt Road. Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino, police Chief Bill Blair and councilor Frances Nunziata representing the absent mayor Rob Ford, were among [...]

Theatre Centre gets new home

Admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:08:36 +0000

$6.2 million renovation to make Carnegie Library performing arts centre By Ryan Saundercook After 33 years of a somewhat unstable nomadic existence, the Theatre Centre has broken ground on the renovation of its first permanent home – the Carnegie Library, a 104-year-old heritage property located at 1115 Queen St. West. The $6.2 million renovation project [...]

Growing Food and Raising Farmers in the City

Admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:06:51 +0000

The Annex and Harbord Village considered for expansion By Jessica Lemieux It’s early on a Tuesday but already the hot sun is casting long shadows from the greenhouse over the field. The earlier in the day the better and the more tender the herbs will be. That way they will look and smell great to [...]

Drawing Together a Community

Admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:05:43 +0000

First Huron Artisans Fair took place on Nov. 17 By Jacqueline Schifano The event, organized by Leigh Chestnuthall and members of St. Thomas’ Anglican Church spent a beautiful Saturday appreciating and acquiring some of the great work by the artists within the Huron Street community. “I’ve been wanting to do this for years,” said Chestnuthall, [...]

ROM goes ‘BIG’ with newest exhibit

Admin — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:25:40 +0000

The Royal Ontario Museum opens new textile showcase By Katie O’Connor When the Royal Ontario Museum commissioned a haute-couture dress from fashion house Christian Dior, they had little idea how big its significance would become. One month after the deep red dramatic coat dress was revealed to the world, its Dior designer John Galliano, was [...]

Monthly Annex BIA Meeting

Admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:49:27 +0000

From Christmas installations to increasing security at the Brunswick House By: Kelly Gabel The monthly Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area (BIA) meeting took place Oct. 16 at Kilgour’s Bar Meets Grill (509 Bloor Street W.) and was led by treasurer and secretary, Brian Burchell. On the agenda was the approval of the 2013 budget plan. [...]

Nine months later: no new leads in Dupont station shooting

Admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:48:33 +0000

A look into the security measures at the TTC By Samina Esha After three Dupont station robberies between 2011 and February of this year, no arrests have been made. Security camera footage indicates that all robberies were carried out by the same masked person. On the third robbery, shots were fired at a TTC fare [...]

Toronto museum in Casa Loma proposed

Admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:48:03 +0000

MP and city councillors support proposition By Andrew Schopp A new home is needed to showcase Toronto’s history, and Casa Loma may be just the ticket. “The reason why it is a very good venue is because Casa Loma is recognized as one of the top three tourists attractions in the city of Toronto,” said [...]

Toronto After Dark Returns for 2012

Admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:46:29 +0000

Genre festival makes it way back to the Annex By Katie O’Connor The Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TADFF) is back, and this year it’s bigger than ever. The critically acclaimed genre film festival turns seven this year, and has expanded to nine nights of programming. The festival showcases feature length science fiction, cult, horror, [...]

Forage and Storage – Hello Fall

Admin — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:39:36 +0000

By Susan Oppenheim I am a freezer girl and a packrat gourmand. I love the “hunt and gather “ and I live with a 24 hours Sobeys up the lane at Shaw and Dupont, a Loblaws three blocks away at Christie and Dupont and a Fiesta Farms about 20 doors from my house.This week alone [...]

Precious, not expensive

Admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:20:40 +0000

Terri Chu Halloween is just around the corner and the day after the candy is safely stowed in kids’ underwear drawers, stores will turn their displays to Christmas. If you’re like me, I cringe on the first garbage day after Christmas to see all the waste the festive season generates. However, with a little bit [...]

Casino in Toronto? More Sound than Fury Till the New Year

Admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:12:26 +0000

Debate visits City Hall By Josh Zeliger Whether a casino is in the cards for downtown Toronto will be up in the air until next year, but that hasn’t deterred developers from posturing for public approval and pandering to City Councilors. In the first concrete plan for a casino complex downtown, Oxford Properties Group recently [...]

Your Life, Our Life; Our Lives

Admin — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:12:30 +0000

Exhibition in the Annex shows what it means to be homeless By Kristin Eliason In the heart of the Annex lives a place with a lot of the same. The Beit Zatoun House (612 Markham Street), is a space where the social justice and human rights community gather for performance and art. It holds multiple [...]

Robbery at Cash Converters

Admin — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 22:53:28 +0000

By Samori Bryan On the morning of Oct. 8, employees of the second-hand goods store Cash Converters (570 Bloor St. W.) found the glass door of their shop broken into and a quantity of electronic items stolen. Fourteen division responded to an automated alarm around midnight at the store where officers discovered that a break [...]

Bookworms unite to celebrate Toronto

Admin — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 02:46:22 +0000

Supporters gathered at the Toronto Book Awards to celebrate the city By Jacqueline Schifano Bibliophiles united at the Toronto Reference Library for the 38th annual Toronto Book Awards. On Oct. 11, Andrew J. Borkowski’s collection of short stories, Copernicus Avenue, took the top prize at the awards honouring literary works that are evocative of Toronto. “We [...]

Songs of Toronto comes back to Trinity St Paul’s

Admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:14:46 +0000

Folk musicians gather to share tales of the history of Toronto By Jacqueline Schifano Folk music is heading back to Trinity St Paul’s Church as the Grass Roots Folk Songs of Toronto concert makes its one-night stand. On Oct. 27, the sactuary of St Paul’s (427 Bloor Street W.) will be ringing with the sound [...]

Waldorf Academy celebrates 25 years

Admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:05:41 +0000

By Samori Brown On Friday Oct. 12 faculty and students at the Waldorf Academy (250 Madison Avenue) celebrated the school’s 25th anniversary. Far from the single kindergarten class of its inception in 1987, the once small home school has since grown to include three more kindergarten classes and classes from grades one to eight – [...]

Charity Jazz Concert Raises Money for St. Alban’s

Admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 02:14:47 +0000

All proceeds to support children’s arts programs By Alex Zakrzewski Move over Ron Burgundy, Glenn Tooth is this town’s newest jazz flute virtuoso. Jazz flute virtuoso Glenn Tooth charmed the ears and the keys in support of a local children’s charity. On Oct. 13, Tooth headlined A Night of Jazz at 918, an event he [...]

Budget cuts plague TDSB… Again.

Admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:43:28 +0000

Trustees uneasy as further cuts made to schools By Samina Esha The Toronto District School Board has been under constant scrutiny after an additional $46.4 million was cut from their their 2012/2013. These cuts included the closing of 32 school cafeterias and increasing fees for people that use school facilities by 41 per cent – [...]

Go ahead, yell at me (and ‘make my day’)

Admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:14:59 +0000

By Albert Koehl I’m always happy when someone angrily yells at me when I advocate for cycling improvements in Toronto. I used to have a flag on my bike calling for ‘Bike Lanes on Bloor’ – until someone tore it off. This too made me happy. What I hate most is being ignored. The philosopher [...]

Cardboard or Cloth?

Admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:59:35 +0000

Annex stores prepare for Toronto’s plastic bag ban By Alexa Huffman Council announced this month that the city’s plastic bag ban will begin in the new year, but questions are now being raised about the impact this decision will have on businesses. Making Toronto a greener place was a major factor in council voting on [...]

Alms for Bike Safety

Admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:04:05 +0000

By Hamish Wilson There was good news for cyclists at a recent public meeting initiated by the Annex Residents Association: many of the needed pieces for re-doing Bloor Street in the Annex for bike safety are finally coming together. The ARA’s Transportation Committee produced three major recommendations for public consideration: bike lanes on Bloor, a [...]

Christie Pits shocked by sexual assaults

Admin — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:44:29 +0000

Residents try to move on By Andrew Russell Residents of the Christie Pits area no longer have to look over their shoulders after police announced Monday Oct. 22 of the arrest of a 15-year-old male on 14 counts of Sexual Assault and two counts of Criminal Harassment in connection to a string of assaults that [...]

ROM cuts back

Admin — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:39:36 +0000

Plan includes $3-million cut to staffing costs By Ryan Saundercook The Royal Ontario Museum announced in a press release this past July that it would be cutting total salary and benefits costs for its employees by 10 per cent, which amounts to roughly $3 million a year. Janet Carding, the museum’s CEO and driving force [...]

Out of bounds

Admin — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:35:25 +0000

The Annex, Seaton Village could be out of Trinity-Spadina riding By Andrew Schopp The federal electoral district of Trinity-Spadina could be cut down to size, with the Annex and Seaton Village being removed from the riding and rezoned as part of the St. Paul’s riding, if the proposed changes by Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for [...]

Urban planning for students

Admin — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:25:49 +0000

UTS humanities teacher hopes to inject urban studies into Ontario curriculum Andrew Schopp The curriculum taught in public schools across Ontario covers everything from the Canadian Shield to the formation of cumulus clouds, but covers very little regarding the urban landscape in which 81 per cent of Canadians live. “It seems crazy to me that [...]

Parks after dark

Admin — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:02:10 +0000

Police and city staff aim to keep parks safe after hours By Victoria Prouse Increased complaints about after-hours disturbances in neighbourhood parks are a telltale sign of summer for Toronto Police 14 Division. To combat this situation, 14 Division’s Community Response Unit has implemented a special parks initiative, which began in April and runs until September. [...]

Drawn to draw

Admin — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:50:31 +0000

Local cartoonist releases third book Perry King In the middle of the G20 protest saga in 2010, Dave Lapp was at ground zero watching the chaos. A veteran cartoonist, teacher, and local resident, Lapp eventually took his experiences to paper, using a trusty black tip marker to draw a black-and-white two-page strip. The strip took [...]

Cop stops

Admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:30:47 +0000

Toronto Police 14 Division has worked diligently over the past few years to promote its image beyond the realm of law enforcement. Fundamental to their persona as, first and foremost, community members, is the work done by the Community Response Unit (CRU).

House concert 101

Admin — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:38:41 +0000

Tips on holding a fundraising concert in your own backyard. By Susan Oppenheim The first time that I heard the term “house concert” was about three years ago, when my musical son-in-law was heading to Kitchener-Waterloo to perform at one. A host opens their home, or in summertime their yard, to a minimum of 25 [...]

Collaborative commons

Admin — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:38:39 +0000

By Kristin Eliason This past July, a new collaborative workspace opened on Bloor. CO:WORK (703 Bloor St. W.) opened with the goal of creating an inspiring space, where productivity and networking would be possible. “I think the workforce is changing. People are empowered,” said Heidi McCulloch, founder of CO:WORK. “They can work from wherever they [...]

Sandwich stop

Admin — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:38:25 +0000

Gourmet grilled cheese shop makes headway By Ryan Saundercook & Richard Frankel Stepping through the doors of Say Cheese (337 Bloor St. W.), a new gourmet grilled cheese restaurant in the heart of the Annex, feels like walking into the future. The decor is clean and bright. The floors, tables, and chairs are spaceship white, [...]

Clean Train Coalition taking Metrolinx to court

Admin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:47:44 +0000

Lawsuit over diesel trains launched By Richard Frankel The Clean Train Coalition (CTC) has filed a lawsuit against Metrolinx, a GTA transit authority, over their decision to use diesel instead of electric trains for the Air Rail Link (ARL) between Union Station and Pearson International Airport. “Clean Train Coalition has been forced to ask the [...]

The Wongs of the Annex

Admin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:47:23 +0000

Hit SummerWorks play explores hard choices in marriage By Melania Daniel Its stage name is A Song for Tomorrow, but this Annex-based play, which enjoyed a successful debut at SummerWorks this year, could have easily been called The Story of the Wongs. For one, a trio of unrelated Wongs dominated the program credits on opening [...]

Jini Stolk wins cultural award for promoting arts in Toronto

Admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:32:52 +0000

The executive director of Creative Trust is keeping the arts alive in Toronto, one dance troupe at a time By Haley Steinberg Jini Stolk, a longtime Annex resident, was recently awarded the Toronto Arts Foundation’s William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto’s Cultural Life. The work she has done to promote and sustain the [...]

Rosario Marchese: Local produce or aggregates?

Admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:01:30 +0000

By Rosario Marchese, Member of Provincial Parliament for Trinity-Spadina Part of my job as a Member of Provincial Parliament involves participating on the committees that evaluate the effectiveness of existing laws. Earlier this year, my colleagues and I held committee hearings on the Aggregate Resources Act, the legislation that governs the operation of pits and [...]

Annex post office closure will inconvenience locals

Admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:25:35 +0000

Station P, near Bloor and Spadina, will move to the Bloor and Ossington area this fall By Victoria Prouse Annex residents will soon have to travel much farther to reach a full-service post office. Canada Post recently announced that in October, Station P will be relocated from its current site at 704 Spadina Ave., just [...]

Doug Gilmour hosts inaugural celebrity softball match

Admin — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:44:08 +0000

NHL stars come out to support the Team Up Foundation By Andrew Schopp As an NHL all-star, Doug Gilmour could score goals. But there were no home-runs from the Hall of Famer at the inaugural “Dougieball” softball match at Christie Pits Park on July 19. “Some of these guys with the power, they’ll be going [...]

Suspect sought in alleged sexual assualt in Kensington Market area

Admin — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:42:44 +0000

The attack is the fourth sexual assault in the area this summer. By Andrew Schopp A 27-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the Kensington Market area early in the morning on Sunday, August 19. A white male in his 30s was seen fleeing the scene in a taxi. This incident is the fourth separate sexual [...]

Ossington laneway gets a mural makeover

Admin — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 14:23:25 +0000

Despite the rain, roughly twenty artists came out to beautify the alley behind Ossington Avenue between Queen and Humbert streets. From Thursday Aug. 9 to Sunday Aug. 12, volunteers painted murals in the laneway, giving it a much-needed makeover. The art-in-the-alley project is one of many initiatives organized by the Well and Good creative collective. [...]

Seasons Family Centre puts on charity art show

Admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:04:25 +0000

School kids helps raise money for youth mentoring project. By Richard Frankel Local school students and youth from a local mentoring project recently participated in an art show for charity at the Seasons Family Centre (655 Davenport Rd.). The art pieces, contributed by students of the Howlett Academy (15 Madison Ave.) and a number of [...]

City rejects retail development for Bathurst Street

Admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:50:10 +0000

RioCan, a retail real estate developer, intended to demolish three buildings to construct a new 139,000 square foot, three-storey commercial building with a three-level, below ground parking garage. Potential tenants for the site remain unknown.

Project Bookmark Canada helps bring fiction to life

Admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:28:02 +0000

Inventive project showcases excerpts from fictitious works in the real locations where they occur. By Kristin Eliason There are two bookmarks in the Annex, but they are not of the paper variety. One, on St. George Street, can be found just north of Bloor Street on the west side. The other can be found at [...]

Olivia Chow: Harper’s Ominous Omnibus

Admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:54:52 +0000

This budget is not good for Canadians, nor is it good fiscal policy. By Olivia Chow, Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina Canadians have a right to expect reliable government services in return for our tax dollars. And for decades, our public priorities were clear—we built a public healthcare system that became the envy of many [...]

Night Market comes alive for charity

Admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:40:03 +0000

Fundraiser brings out chefs and designers By Richard Frankel Inspired by night markets from around the world, Honest Ed’s alley (581 Bloor Street W.) was transformed with art and all-you-can-eat food as hundreds of people from around the city came out on June 20 to raise money for The Stop Community Food Centre. “In less [...]

Kromer Radio closes after 55 successful years

Admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:06:51 +0000

Projected new plaza redevelopment may change the iconic storefront at 420 Bathurst By Richard Frankel Another historic Toronto business is closing after more than five decades of operation. Large black block letters on a yellow background read “Retirement Sale Everything Must Go.” Other signs read “Store Closing Sale” and cover the storefront windows facing Bathurst [...]

Two tasty pastry recipes with egg yolks and whites

Admin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:49:37 +0000

Making macaroons? Why not use the leftover yolks for pecan cookies? By Susan Oppenheim I love macaroons, especially in summer—no dairy, no flour, and low-calorie egg whites. Here are two recipes—one for the whites, one for the yolks. Both recipes go into the oven at 325 degrees fahrenheit, and use parchment paper to line the [...]

Greenings: Understanding the consequences of a dispensed bag fee

Admin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:17:41 +0000

What the industry doesn’t tell you is that plastic doesn’t get recycled very well. By Terri Chu An attempt by Toronto city council to dispense with the 5-cent fee on plastic bags has instead resulted in the outright ban of the bags. Whether or not this will result in environmental gain is unclear, because sudden [...]

Dollarama opens to stiff competition

Admin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:05:08 +0000

Local businesses discuss the new discount store addition to the neighbourhood By Kristin Eliason and Richard Frankel The arrival of a Dollarama in the Bathurst and Bloor area is forcing local discount stores to brace for increased competition. “Dollarama is opening 60 stores this year, and Toronto, as well as the GTA, continue to offer [...]

Charity basketball tournament dishes out fun and funds

Admin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:42:40 +0000

Basketball players have been turning out for the Gamecocks tournament for the last 22 years. By Michael Radoslav Surveying the gymnasium at Royal St. George College (120 Howland Ave.) was like walking into an ageless basketball wonderland: teenagers squared off against middle-aged men, a 70-year-old warmed up for his game on the sidelines, and a [...]

Aw shucks! Ontario Oyster Festvial celebrates its 24th year

Admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:57:38 +0000

Despite the rain, Rodney’s Oyster House drew a huge crowd of oyster aficionados for its annual festival By Khristopher Reardon Delicious seafood, smashing beer and good times were shared at this year’s Ontario Oyster Festival. People were packed in the alley beside Rodney’s Oyster House (469 King St. W.) with early lines extending all the [...]

Man apprehended in Honest Ed’s sexual assault

Admin — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:31:41 +0000

An Honest Ed’s employee and an unknown second victim were sexually assaulted inside the Honest Ed’s retail store on July 22.

Fringe Favourite: Antigone explores power, politics and personal responsibility

Admin — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:54:31 +0000

Ancient play set in modern-day Toronto leaves room to debate what happened at the G20 Summit protests By Mickal Aranha It’s been two years since the G20 Summit in Toronto, cause for Canada’s biggest security operation and the largest mass arrest in peacetime history, and almost a year since the Occupy Toronto movement began. Many [...]

Maple Leafs slug their way to victory, trounce Majors 23-13

Admin — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:32:15 +0000

The comeback victory improved the Maple Leafs’ record to 16-15 on a night of offensive indulgence: every Toronto starter collected at least two runs, and with the exception of one player, recorded multiple hits.

Fringe Favourite: Judith Thompson’s play is truly RARE

Admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:59:19 +0000

A review of the piece of documentary theatre that challenges ideas of intelligence and what makes a life worthwhile By Mickal Aranha Acclaimed Canadian playwright Judith Thompson turned once again to documentary theatre following the success of “Body and Soul” and “The Grace Project: Sick!” Thompson both wrote and directed RARE, which premiered at the [...]

Queen and Spadina construction chaos [PHOTOS]

Admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:34:24 +0000

Though construction crews hit Toronto streets as soon as the snow melts, it’s still a sight to behold when a major intersection gets ripped up beyond recognition. The TTC has shut down Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue for major repairs, closing off the crossroads from July 9 to July 23. Photographer HiMY SYeD (special [...]

From the pen of Brett Lamb—June 2012

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:45:01 +0000

Our cartoonist takes a look at the development issues around the University of Toronto.

Karma Co-op celebrates its 40th anniversary

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:30:26 +0000

By Alexa Huffman Smart shoppers can find a second home at Karma Co-op (739 Palmerston Ave.). The non-profit food co-operative is celebrating 40th anniversary and is eager to share its success. Amy Andre, the shop’s general manager, loves being one of the eight employed staff at the store. “Although I am the manager, I do [...]

Recipe: When you got lemons, make lemon bars

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:17:34 +0000

The recipe for these lemon squares is a two-step recipe. Just follow the simple instructions. By Susan Oppenheim After moving to Costa Rica—a country known internationally for its produce—I was stunned to find out one cannot buy lemons. There are enormous varieties of limes—green, orange, even yellow ones—but, oddly, no marketed lemons. After four years [...]

Observatory gets the Munk Touch

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:03:00 +0000

Munk Centre expands to Bloor-Devonshire site By James Murdoch An old but familiar building at the corner of Bloor Street and Devonshire Place is now the “new face” of the University of Toronto’s northern entrance. The building once housed the Dominion Meteorological Services but is now home to the University’s Munk Centre for Global Affairs. [...]

Adam Vaughan: Casinos are bad for cities

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:51:30 +0000

By Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) Not convinced? Then check out what’s happening in every corner of the continent. Google “No Casino” and see what comes up. Whether it’s Vancouver or Miami, Manhattan, Gettysburg or Pawtucket, city after city, town after town, everyone seems to be fighting a casino proposal. Now Google “Casino debt.” [...]

Trane Studio celebrates a near decade of jazz

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:50:45 +0000

The Bathurst music venue has seen plenty of top talent grace the stage since it opened nine years ago. By Sadie McInnes In April, the Trane Studio (964 Bathurst St.) hosted its ninth anniversary dinner and concert event. Named one of the “Top 150 Jazz Venues of the World 2011” by DownBeat Magazine, the Trane [...]

“We are not for sale”

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 03:41:18 +0000

Public housing residents voice opposition to selling off units By Rasheed Clarke Holding a microphone to his lips, Clive Williams sat up straight at the edge of his chair and posed the question, “Why do I sit on a $650 toilet?” “It’s not special. It doesn’t hook up to the ceiling or something,” Williams continued. [...]

Organic or Local?

Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 03:12:31 +0000

Both have their environmental benefits, but how do you know which too choose? By Terri Chu Organic greens have expanded from a niche, farmers’ market item into the mainstream. I consider anything found at Loblaws–where about one in three grocery dollars in Canada are spent–mainstream. Organic growers will tout their eco-friendly street cred by citing [...]

More than a Parking Lot

Admin — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 22:25:32 +0000

Bloor-Borden farmers market returns By Victoria Prouse “You shop differently in a farmers market than a supermarket,” says Gus Sinclair, former chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA) and co-founder of the Bloor-Borden Farmers’ Market. “In a farmers’ market, people pause; they stop over tomatoes and talk about how the kids are doing at [...]

Everything on top of one roof

Admin — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:51:30 +0000

The Annex is home to a new form of green roof By Innis O’Grady It is said that a roof is often a source of untapped potential. They might be large, flat spaces but remain completely unused by its residents. The City of Toronto took note of this about two years ago when they transformed [...]

Spring is here

Admin — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 20:48:40 +0000

And so are the locally-grown spring books! Book City has them. The authors have them. The publishers have them. The internet has them. Poke around online at Open Book: Toronto—a government funded unbiased guide to Ontario-based book publishers, updated daily with news of new authors, book events, readings and more. You too could be the [...]

Maple Leafs fall in extras, after wacky comeback

Admin — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:42:55 +0000

GUELPH ROYALS 11, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 8 After committing a costly error that opened the door for an improbable four-run, ninth-inning comeback by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Guelph Royals first baseman Mark Allen atoned for his miscue with a towering, three-run homerun in the tenth to lift his team to an 11–8 victory at Dominico Field Wednesday night.

Maple Leafs claim wild win over Barrie

Admin — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:19:42 +0000

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 17, BARRIE BAYCATS 13 The Toronto Maple Leafs survived a war of offensive attrition on Sunday to secure their first three-game win streak of the season, on an afternoon where three appeared to be the lucky number of the day.

Kitchener continue dominance over Maple Leafs

Admin — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:09:03 +0000

KITCHENER PANTHERS 16, MAPLE LEAFS 8 It was a third inning the Maple Leaf baseball club would sooner rather forget, surrendering 11 runs to the Kitchener Panthers en route to a 16–8 loss on Wednesday night.

Pitching, Defence Struggle as Panthers Pound Maple Leafs

Admin — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:58:31 +0000

KITCHENER PANTHERS 11, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 4 Porous defence and some ineffective relief pitching compounded a rough outing from starter Adam Garner as the Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Kitchener Panthers 11-4 at Dominico Field on Wednesday night.

James Brylowski showcases his work, to rave reviews

Admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:39:50 +0000

James Brylowski, photographer and owner of the company Solid Porcupine Inc., showcased his work for the first time this May as part of Scotiabank’s 2012 CONTACT Photography Festival.

Leafs sweep their Royal weekend with win over Guelph

Admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 02:50:30 +0000

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 5, GUELPH ROYALS 3 The Toronto Maple Leafs swept their home-and-home series with the Guelph Royals this weekend with a 5–3 win at Dominico Field on Sunday. Toronto also won 5–2 on Saturday in Guelph.

Sophia Perlman set to perform at Toronto Jazz Fest

Admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:58:40 +0000

Perlman is a young, up and coming Jazz musician who grew up in Toronto in the Kensington Area. She has performed for a number of years at the Toronto Jazz festival, and has a regular appearance on a Monday night at the Reservoir Lounge with her band, The Vipers.

U of T, community in talks over Bloor United project

Admin — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:28:20 +0000

“This neighbourhood is not the place for a 40-storey building,” said Vaughan, concerned that this building could set the standard for future Annex developments. “Once you build one, every building becomes a possibility for a 40-storey building."

Leafs suffer late collapse in loss to Red Sox

Admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:16:20 +0000

BRANTFORD RED SOX 9, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 7 A solid start was spoiled by an eighth inning collapse as the first place Brantford Red Sox swept the season series over the Maple Leafs with a 9-7 win on Sunday.

Want to watch the Euro Cup 2012? Here’s where to watch

Admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:48:50 +0000

Interested in watching the Euro Cup with your neighbours and friends? Here's a nifty map of bars that will be showing the tournament in the Annex.

Parkdale discusses Community Land Trusts

Admin — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 20:39:16 +0000

First adopted and practiced during the Civil Rights Movement in the American South during the 1960s, CLTs create a mechanism for community ownership of land, and democratic control over how that land is used.

Ottawa snaps Leafs win streak

Admin — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:33:55 +0000

OTTAWA FAT CATS 8, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 1 The Maple Leafs entered action ready to continue their climb back up the standings, playing an Ottawa team they defeated 6–4 in the season opener. However, Toronto ran into the same problems that have dogged the team the whole season—a lack of run support, and a substandard bullpen.

Sibelius Park officially opens

Admin — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:33:17 +0000

The Sibelius Square Working Group, along with hundreds of people from the community and councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina), came out on the sun-filled Sunday afternoon of June 10 to officially open the redesigned Jean Sibelius Square Park.

Harbord Village cleans up

Admin — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:28:27 +0000

The clean-up, which occurred on Apr. 21, was organized with the assistance of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA) ,and sponsored by 37 neighbourhood businesses, banks and restaurants, including Scotiabank, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Mirvish Productions, and Loire restaurant (119 Harbord St.), which hosted a catered after-party for participants.

They called it Edwin’s

Admin — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:06:32 +0000

Honest Ed's changed its named temporarily in May. The act marks a celebration of both the store’s 64th year of being in business and a recreation of a favourite of the late Ed Mirvish’s fun and affordable events.

Deska, Arias Lead Charge as Maple Leafs Drop Majors

Admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:02:16 +0000

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 6, LONDON MAJORS 5 Marek Deska threw six-plus solid innings, while Branfy Arias led the way offensively, as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the London Majors 6–5 at Dominico Field on Sunday.

Bloor-Borden farmers market returns with a little help

Admin — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:29:11 +0000

Afternoons of food, fun, and fellowship will return once again to the Annex. June 6 marks the kickoff of the weekly farmer’s market. The Green P Parking Lot at Lippincott and Borden streets will be transformed into a dynamic neighbourhood meeting place, hosting about a dozen farmers with local goods.

Coming this Sunday: the Festival on Bloor

Admin — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:32:12 +0000

The Festival on Bloor takes place this Sunday between Bathurst and Spadina. Come on out enjoy the music, food, and atmosphere. Courtesy Bloor-Annex BIA.

From the pen of Brett Lamb—May 2012

Admin — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:18:10 +0000

For Joel’s Benefit

Admin — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:06:28 +0000
The monthly laugh-fest, For My Own Benefit, kicked-off at Parts & Labour (1566 Queen St. W.) in March, and had its second showing Apr. 25 at the Comedy Bar in the Bloor and Ossington area. The New Humourists are joined for each show by a rotating cast of other comedy players that has included acts like Personals, Mark Little of Picnicface, Anders Yates, Tony Ho, and host Dan Beirne of the side-splitter sitcom The Bitter End.

Leafs get crowned by Royals

Admin — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 02:48:33 +0000
GUELPH ROYALS 4, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 2 On a rainy afternoon at Dominico Field, the Maple Leafs continued their slide down the IBL standings, posting a 4–2 loss to the visiting Guelph Royals.

Doors Open Toronto 2012 a huge success in the Annex

Admin — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:24:08 +0000
Held the last weekend of May each year, this year’s Doors Open Toronto commemorated the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812, by opening up over 135 of Toronto’s most historically significant buildings. Some sites unlocked doors normally closed to the public, while others waived entrance fees charged for access to their grounds.

TTC seeks information in Dupont Station shooting

Admin — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:03:59 +0000
This was the third robbery of the station’s collector booth since 2011. All three robberies occurred during weekend evenings over a span of four months from each other.

Early Deficit Costs Maple Leafs

Admin — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:58:57 +0000
BURLINGTON TWINS 7, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 4 The pitching woes continue for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who couldn’t overcome another rocky outing from starter Brett Lawson on Sunday as they fell to the Burlington Twins 7-4 at Dominico Field.

Bill King featured on stage at the Royal

Admin — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:46:55 +0000
On May 12, Bill King graciously celebrated his five decades as a professional musician with a performance evening at the Royal. His program of music, dance, and spoken word is based on the sounds and sensations of the old American South.

Short films, big dreams for the Massey Brothers

Admin — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:24:20 +0000
This season, a panel of judges has selected works from over 40 submissions, narrowing it down to 15 pitches, where students compete to be among the nine filmmakers featured on the show The Film Student.

Permit fees to use city sports fields waived … for now

Admin — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:08:29 +0000
Sports leagues would likely have been forced to pass on the cost of field usage to the players and their parents, according to Councillor Sarah Doucette.

Gibbons Goes Down, Brantford Bullies Toronto

Admin — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:39:59 +0000
The combination of an untimely injury to their cleanup hitter, some abysmal pitching, and an unrelenting Red Sox offense proved insurmountable for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday as they fell to Brantford 21–7 at Dominico Field.

Fuel for thought

Admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:21:33 +0000
Mackenzie Chiu and Mike Dolegowski are the new owners of the Fuel House (53 Clinton St.), a restaurant and takeout joint with an eclectic menu, and an unpretentious atmosphere tucked away behind Café Diplomatico.

Maple Leafs let it go late in ballgame

Admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:07:16 +0000
BARRIE BAYCATS 7, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 2 The top of the order for the Barrie Baycats were too much for the Toronto Maple Leaf ball club on Sunday, as Toronto was handed their second loss of the weekend at Dominico Field.

From the pen of Brett Lamb — April 2012

Admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:14:43 +0000
Our resident cartoonist, Brett Lamb, has been providing our print editions with his work for many years. For the first time, we will also be posting his political cartoons here.

Robocall roundup

Admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:59:55 +0000
At city hall in April, councillors weighed in on human trafficking in Toronto, and sport fishing on the city’s lakeshore. But, a motion for new robocall rules for future elections especially stood out.

Playing for dear friends

Admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:59:23 +0000
As part of Luminato 2012, Stewart Goodyear is set to perform all of Beethoven's masterpieces in a marathon-style concert beginning June 9 at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Smart, not smothered

Admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:43:49 +0000
For three consecutive days in March, Unit 102 (376 Dufferin St.), a tiny theatre space in Parkdale, shook from the Theatre Lab’s experiment in storytelling.

Fata Homers, Maple Leafs Lick Fat Cats in Season Opener

Admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:32:06 +0000
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 6, OTTAWA FAT CATS 4 By Jonah Birenbaum Despite failing to register a hit through the first six innings, a five-run seventh proved all the offense the Toronto Maple Leafs would need as they downed the Ottawa Fat Cats 6–4 at Dominico Field on Sunday. Keyed by a three-run homerun from shortstop [...]

Dekel on deck

Admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:29:37 +0000
Band leader of Neon Windbreaker meandered between journalism and music. Read more about this dose.ca editor.

A new side to graffiti

Admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:12:03 +0000
SPUD COUNTERS WAR ON GRAFFITI WITH GALLERY EXHIBIT By Jelena Subotic For the first time ever, SPUD, one of Toronto’s most reputable graffiti artists, opened a show of recent works focused on Mayor Rob Ford’s war on graffiti. Censored, a show of his work that appeared at the Don’t Tell Mama gallery (108 Ossington [...]

For Suritah Wignall, art conquers all

Admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:52:42 +0000
EMERGING ANNEX ARTIST IS GAINING LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION By Jelena Subotic Suritah Teresa Wignall, an emerging African-Canadian visual artist and Annex resident, is an accomplished painter who also takes time to volunteer in the community. Wignall has earned local and international recognition for her Afrocentric paintings—portrayals of women who define beauty and strength. “I [...]

Eva Salinas’ amazing innovations

Admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:46:07 +0000
LOCAL AUTHOR TO BE FEATURED AT TORONTO WOMEN’S BOOKSTORE BOOK LAUNCH By Jelena Subotic With her first book published, and a launch scheduled for the end of April, Eva Salinas is excited about the opportunities coming her way. The local resident and journalist Salinas is now an author of a children’s book, Latin Americans Thought [...]

Bylaw targets “illegal postering”

Admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:57:38 +0000
CITY WIDE POSTERING BYLAW SLAMS LOCAL BANDS AND VENUES By Jelena Subotic It looks like Mayor Rob Ford has picked another fight. A city bylaw created by Municipal Licensing and Standards is cracking down on posters taped or glued on hydro poles, bus shelters, and parking meters. This has bands, venues, and even event organizers scared [...]

Familiar stroll, unknown histories

Admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:31:08 +0000
TAKING A FIRST LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S JANE’S WALKS By Whitney French Lace up your sneakers and get ready to walk it off! Since 2007, the first weekend of May has been slated for the annual Jane’s Walk, an urban neighbourhood walking tour that honours urban advocate and author Jane Jacobs. In the spirit of [...]

Remembering Alice Heap (1925–2012)

Admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:29:06 +0000
By Lee Zaslofsky On March 24, just as the NDP was choosing its new Leader, Alice Heap passed away. I learned of it on Facebook, from a short message posted by her son, David. Alice Heap was married to Dan Heap, who represented Downtown Toronto at City Hall and then in Ottawa as the NDP [...]

Pedestrians still walking in the dark

Admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:15:38 +0000
CLAMP-ON LIGHT PROJECT HAMPERED BY DELAYS AND CONFUSION By Mike Shulman Miscommunication between the Bloor-Annex Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Toronto Hydro has resulted in delays and possibly increased costs for the second phase of the BIA’s clamp-on pedestrian lighting project. The plan was to install 15 clamp-on street lights to Toronto Hydro poles, along [...]

Paquette and Martindale featured at AGO

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:25:39 +0000
LOCAL ARTISTS CREATE COLLABORATIVE CONTEMPORARY PROJECT By Jelena Subotic Local artists Pascal Paquette and Sean Martindale have joined forces in a collaborative project just one of many featured in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Young Gallery (317 Dundas St. W.). Their project centres on a collaborative and do-it-yourself structure. Paquette and Martindale use their different [...]

Math professor channels jazz icon

Admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:49:35 +0000
THE GLEANER SITS DOWN WITH LOCAL CROONER SAM BROVERMAN By Perry King When it came time to choose a graduate program, a young Sam Broverman was at a crucial crossroads of his existence. A Winnipeg native, and singing for most his life, Broverman also came to enjoy mathematics. As a math undergrad at the University [...]

CSI Annex, residents look to solve dispute

Admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:13:24 +0000
MEETING CALLED TO MEDIATE CURRENT NOISE DISPUTE By Perry King The issues that have plagued residents of Markham Street and the Centre for Social Innovation for nearly a year has resulted in a public meeting to sort them out. On Mar. 27, this meeting—called by Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina)—will discuss significant noise and [...]

Bloor Cinema reopens to the public

Admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:32:28 +0000
HISTORIC THEATRE OFFERS EXCITING SCREENINGS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS By Alexa Huffman New chairs and a screen are the first sight seen when entering the newly renovated Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor St. W). These are not the only changes to be found. The projectors have been refurbished. There is surround sound, theatrical lighting, and [...]

The Globe and Mail’s great idea

Admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:41:43 +0000
NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING By Alexa Huffman The Globe and Mail office plans were received with applause on Jan. 30 after a community meeting unveiled the new design. The new building (444 Front St. W.), lies just west of Spadina Avenue. It will replace the Toyota dealership currently on the site. The local [...]

Liberty Village 2.0

Admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:12:44 +0000
NEIGHBOURHOOD’S NEW RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION PROVIDES COLLECTIVE VOICE By Sean Frankling It has only been in the last decade or so that Liberty Village has been a residential area, but newly-built condominiums have brought a massive influx of people. They in turn have brought their views on how their new neighbourhood should be run. The Liberty [...]

(Dis)information boards

Admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 05:21:06 +0000
CRITICS SAY InfoToGo PILLARS ARE MERELY ADS By Mike Shulman The growing presence of pillars with reduced information and more advertising have drawn the ire of public space advocates, city councillors, and local residents and businesses. Critics of the pillars, installed by Astral Media, say they give priority to advertising while neglecting safety, sidewalk access, and their [...]

Vaughan addresses BQNA

Admin — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:56:27 +0000
COUNCILLOR TALKS TUNNELS, TAXIS, AND CASINOS AT TOWN HALL MEETING By Rasheed Clarke The Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association hosted a town hall meeting with Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) on Feb. 29 to give area residents a chance to discuss the issues affecting the neighbourhood with their city hall representative. Inside the Waterview Room [...]

South of the border sin and sexuality

Admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:14:40 +0000
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA COMES TO HART HOUSE By Rasheed Clarke When winter’s frigid fingers are desperately clinging onto you this March, Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Circle) will offer up an escape down to Mexico; the sweaty setting for Tennessee Williams’ play The Night of the Iguana. The performance will [...]

Dancing on porches

Admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:35:07 +0000
LOCAL PERFORMER WRAPS UP MANGA-INSPIRED ENSEMBLE By Rebecca Payne Maxine Heppner has been involved in dance her whole life. The choreographer, performer, and teacher has been an Annex resident since the late ’70s. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the city, quite frankly.” She says the diversity of the neighbourhood is what makes [...]

Crime is down, changes abound

Admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:31:11 +0000
14 DIVISION TO OPEN NEW HEADQUARTERS THIS SEPTEMBER By Perry King Toronto police’s 14 Division may have had a great 2011, but New Year’s Day was not a time for them to rest on their laurels. The New Year’s stabbing death of Mike Pimentel in Liberty Village “was only one isolated event that raised concerns [...]

Of bats and bees

Admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:44:22 +0000
ANNEX-BASED MUSIC DUO PUT ON INTERACTIVE SHOW By Alexa Huffman Two Annex-based musicians will be busting out the cello, gong, and glockenspiel while they sing and perform in a new show. Alex McMaster and Ed Reifel will be immersing themselves in a powerful performance inEverything Under The Moon, which tells the story of a bat [...]

Rethinking Eating Disorders

Admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:56:35 +0000
NEW ANNEX-BASED CENTRE TO USE INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS By Alexa Huffman Kyla Fox is bursting with excitement at the thought of opening her very own building for the treatment of eating disorders. Fox knows first hand how hard getting healthy can be. She struggled with an eating disorder when she was younger. She feels there are [...]

Mario vs. Pac-Man: video game characters to rumble in squared circle

Admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:53:28 +0000
By Nathaniel G Moore I didn’t exactly know what WrestleCrisis was until someone tweeted to me about it because it had to do with wrestling. You see, people think I want to read about all things related to the squared circle. Perhaps it doesn’t help that I curate art shows and write about wrestling from [...]

Looks like a book, feels like a book … local literary gift picks

Admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:24:58 +0000
By Nathaniel G. Moore Grunt of the Minotaur is described by its author Robin Richardson as having “all the naked women, natural disasters, talking hogs, cannibals, and crooked cowboys you need to make your holidays bright … with just a touch of baffling.” ’Tis the season of chocolate, stuffing, and gravy stains, of holiday work-party [...]

Local designer Illyria’s dresses perfect for the holiday season

Admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:12:15 +0000
By Karen Bliss Working out of the studio in her Liberty-area home, Illyria Pestich of Illyria Design creates dresses that are classic enough to be worn year after year. “It’s strictly a dress collection,” Pestich tells the Gleaner. “It’s always very classy, but sexy with a bit of edge. It’s definitely different than your regular [...]

The Bloody Five play Lee’s Palace this Saturday

Admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:39:04 +0000
By Karen Bliss The Bloody Five frontman Kevin “KD” DeFreitas, a former Annex resident who is now a high school teacher living in suburban Toronto, is lining up a giveaway for his band’s show at Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St. W.) on Nov. 26. KD is happy to be playing in his former ’hood. “I [...]

‘Tis the season to Glean: Holiday Wishlist and Covers

Admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:30:57 +0000
Help us spread the word on a couple of things we do every December here at the Gleaner: a holiday-themed cover and an Annex-centric wishlist. Every December edition, the Gleaner features community and holiday-themed artwork on our covers for both our Annex and Liberty editions. We are currently looking for submissions reflecting this theme. In [...]

Local writer brings Macho Man-themed show to Kensington Market

Admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:15:53 +0000
By Michael Radoslav Nathaniel G. Moore vividly remembers attending a “Macho Man” Randy Savage wrestling match 20 years ago with his father. Following the death of Savage earlier this year, Moore decided to honour the man he calls an “aging hero” that always seemed to be there by his side while he grew up. When [...]

What is ‘What Is goth?’: Encyclopedia provides comprehensive guide to goth subculture

Admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:43:21 +0000
By Karen Bliss Liberty-resident Liisa Ladouceur doesn’t sleep in a coffin or only come out at night, but there are a few tip-offs that she is a goth. Her hair is jet black and straight and she fancies corsets and fishnet stockings, but there’s much more to goth culture than aesthetic. Ladouceur, a well-respected music [...]

Montessori-style alternative school expected to be approved by TDSB

Admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:25:02 +0000
By Perry King A group of Annex-area educators and parents are eagerly awaiting the TDSB’s response to a proposal they put forward two weeks ago. The working group—based at Annex Montessori school at Trinity St. Paul’s Church (427 Bloor St. W.)—formally told the board of their intent to bring a new alternative school to Ward [...]

Coach House new book launch takes on Dance Cave

Admin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:19:37 +0000
By Nathaniel G. Moore The fall is a maelstrom of literary frenzy: the International Festival of Authors, Giller and Governor General Award nominations, Word on the Street, and a flood of book launches. But where in this vast city do publishers tend to roll the dice with their new heady wares? The Gladstone Hotel, Supermarket, Garrison, [...]

Artistic asylum: local artist Deb Wiles builds international retreat

Admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:24:28 +0000
By Jonathan Lee Annex painter and art instructor Deb Wiles had been looking at photos of a lake out in rural Nova Scotia, taken by her friend Tim Young, when she drew in her breath in response to the beauty in front of her. From that moment, the Trident International Artists’ Retreat in Nova Scotia [...]

Parkdale High-Park hopefuls grilled on health care, inflation, electric trains

Admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:30:55 +0000
Compiled by Emina Gamulin, Perry King, and Rebecca Payne Check out the links below about our Q & A with candidates for the Parkdale-High Park riding. The riding The candidates Question One: The state of health care in PHP Question Two: Poverty Question Three: Clean trains Question Four: Energy inflation Question Five: the Ontario Arts [...]

Alex is on fire: Former gymnast wins award for community service

Admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:37:24 +0000
By Perry King When first notified she was receiving an award for her work with kids, Alexandra Orlando immediately thought back to her work with the Pan Am Games bid. “We did a community outreach summer, and I lead the youth portion of that,” said Orlando, the [...]

Ben Griffin: a candidate you can trust

Admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:27:43 +0000
By Emina Gamulin More than a few eyebrows must have been raised in August when Trinity-Spadina residents received a surprise copy of the Women’s Post food and wine issue in their mailboxes. An image of MPP candidate Sarah Thomson, the same image she uses in her election materials, is found on the cover of the [...]

The latest premiere: Bloor Cinema opens new era with documentary theme

Admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:51:10 +0000
By Katie O’Connor Chris Alexander had just settled in for one of his last screenings at the Bloor Cinema when he spotted something, or rather someone, who didn’t belong. Alexander, editor-in-chief of Fangoria magazine, hosts a monthly film series titled ‘Film School Confidential’ where he showcases cult, horror and sci-fi films. Invasion of the Body [...]

Polaris Prize winning band Karkwa headlines first Toronto show at Lee’s

Admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:35:33 +0000
By Karen Bliss Francophone indie rock act Karkwa had little presence outside its native Quebec when its fourth album, Les Chemins de Verre, was selected as winner of the 2010 Polaris Music Prize—a $20,000 cheque that went to the year’s Best Album, as determined by media from across the country. The award landed the band immediate attention in [...]

Top four empty spaces in the Annex (and one you may have thought was empty but isn’t)

Admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:01:47 +0000
By Julia Manoukian 287 Brunswick Ave. 287 Brunswick Ave. was once home to one of the area’s wealthiest real estate owners. Anne Racz, better known as Annie of the Annex, invested in a great deal of real estate in and around Toronto with her husband, Leslie Racz. Her entire estate, which is rumoured to be [...]

Where do they stand? Trinity-Spadina candidates answer your questions

Admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:11:52 +0000
Compiled by Emina Gamulin, Mike Radoslav, and Lindsay Tsuji Click on the links below for more information about Trinity-Spadina and our Q & A with the MPP candidates in the upcoming provincial election on Oct 6. The Riding Trin-Spa Statistics The Candidates Question 1: Helping families Question 2: Fossil fuel-based transportation Question 3: Alternative medicine [...]

Simpsons trivia night every second tuesday of the month at Gladstone Hotel

Admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:00:36 +0000
By Michael Radoslav Packing in a crowd of hundreds to standing room capacity, with virtually no advertising or promotion, Andrew Ennals and Amanda Factor must feel like the man who single-handedly built the rocket and flew to the moon. What was his name, Apollo Creed? Ennals and Factor are the creators of the insanely popular [...]

Plotting your move: Wellbeing Toronto launches

Admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:36:31 +0000
By Julia Hennessey After two years of development, Wellbeing Toronto website launched this summer and received close to 20,000 hits on its first day. The City of Toronto, along with partners that include the United Way and Toronto’s school boards, have contributed to the development of the online application that allows users to view and [...]

Kung Fu monks & barbecue beef at this year’s Chinatown Festival

Admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:37:18 +0000
By Sanam Malik The Chinatown BIA is getting ready to host the annual Chinatown Festival this weekend, and organizers said that they wanted to make sure that the celebration has mass appeal. “We like to stage a festival that is organized by Chinatown BIA, but we want to share with everyone and get everything on [...]

Original Honest Ed’s signage up on eBay: help us buy a new printer

Admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:32:26 +0000
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280735667662#ht_500wt_1093

Daycare Records brings new talent to the Toronto music scene

Admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:13:17 +0000
By Síle Cleary They may be new in town, but Daycare Records are showing just how feisty they are by utilizing the tag line “babysitting your stupid band.” The record label is the brainchild of music journalist Karen Bliss (whose work is published in numerous publications, including the Gleaner, Billboard, RollingStone.com and MSN) and musician/producer [...]

Welcome to the neighbourhood? Residents attempt community building at CityPlace

Admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:33:29 +0000
By Michael Radoslav While condo projects have dotted the Toronto skyline for years, at CityPlace some see more than just construction underway—they see the potential for a great community. “CityPlace is a great development and that’s what it was before we started here, a development,” said Dean Maher, president of the recently-formed CityPlace Residents’ Association. [...]

Legendary hangout Dooney’s returns to Annex

Admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:04:23 +0000
By Michael Radoslav Signage has begun to change over at the Annex Live. Photo by Michael Radoslav/GLEANER NEWS After a three year hiatus, a legendary Annex hangout is reborn. Dooney’s Café, a once popular destination for artists and politicians in Toronto has returned, replacing the Annex Live. However, owner Graziano Marchese (brother of Trinity-Spadina MPP [...]

Seaton Village lawyer Lucas Lung awarded for work in social justice

Admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:26:45 +0000
By Cara Waterfall Lucas Lung has an aura of unflappability: he is tall, distinguished, and speaks in a carefully modulated voice. This unruffled persona has served him well in the courtroom, where he has battled Internet hate crimes and elder abuse, among other issues. But the Seaton Village resident is unsettled by the attention he [...]

Your community needs you: ask your west-downtown MPP candidates some tough questions

Admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:32:19 +0000
It’s that time again! The Gleaner is interviewing MPP candidates for Trinity-Spadina and Parkdale-High Park in advance of the Oct. 6 provincial election. We are soliciting questions from our readers that we will compile and pose to candidates on your behalf. The major party candidates in Trinity-Spadinaare incumbent Rosario Marchese (NDP), Sarah Thomson (Liberal), Mike [...]

Weekly music meet-ups: bringing pros and newcomers together

Admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:35:07 +0000
By Karen Bliss A meeting at a local Starbucks with “Steal My Sunshine” hit maker Marc Costanzo from the pop group Len gave Barbara Sedun, EMI Music Publishing Canada’s senior vice-president, the idea to host a free weekly networking event in the Liberty area. She dubbed it “BS Fridays,” which stands for her initials and [...]

Residents divided over planning study for bar-resto concentration in Parkdale

Admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:45:13 +0000
By Rebecca Payne The stretch of Queen Street between Dufferin and Roncesvalles will be under the city’s microscope as a restaurant concentration study begins, a move that may prove to be divisive for the neighbourhood, if a recent community meeting is any indication of things to come. At a heated meeting on June 28 at [...]

Marat/Sade ambitious spin on classic Peter Weiss tale

Admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:22:44 +0000
By Síle Cleary It may only be their second production, but precocious theatre company Soup Can Theatre have taken on a mammoth challenge by reinterpreting the classic Peter Weiss play The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the [...]

Counterfeit stamps circulating in Annex

Admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:02:30 +0000
By Cara Waterfall While the Canada Post strike is over, the organization still has its share of headaches. The RCMP said the company has lost millions of dollars because of counterfeit stamp operations in the last year. The RCMP and police raided 24 retail and commercial stores and seized 40,000 counterfeit stamps and 10,000 authentic, [...]

“Dan for Mayor” star has busy summer ahead

Admin — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:16:07 +0000
By Nathaniel G. Moore Things are looking bright for Annex actor Paul Bates this summer. In addition to a highly anticipated show The Soaps—a Live Improvised Soap Opera at Toronto’s Fringe Festival this month, the entire cast of CTV’s “Dan for Mayor” are up for best ensemble for a Canadian Comedy Award, which will be [...]

Oscar Wilde classic updated in family friendly Fringe show

Admin — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:26:27 +0000
By Reem Jazar Upcoming Fringe play The Giant’s Garden, starring Annex resident Lucas Meuse, is bringing good old fashioned family fun back to the stage along with a couple musical numbers. Writers Scott White and Peter Fenton say they were aiming to write a story that the whole family can relate to. Fenton said they were [...]

Inaugural Visual Fringe debuts at this year’s festival

Admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:16:08 +0000
By Julia Hennessey For the first time ever, the Toronto Fringe Festival has officially opened its programming to include visual artists, and according to Gideon Arthurs, barring hate crimes, anything goes. “People don’t feel like [art is] accessible so they don’t understand it and they don’t interact with the visual arts,” said Arthurs, the festival’s [...]

Ballet with a beat

Admin — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:16:06 +0000
By Síle Cleary Over the past twenty years, Ballet Creole has gone from humble beginnings to carving out a reputation as being the quintessential leader of Afro-Caribbean dance in Canada under the direction of artistic director and founder Patrick Parson. “When I first arrived in Canada, I tried to seek out a dance company that [...]

Thomson eyes Trinity-Spadina

Admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:17:00 +0000
By Lindsay Tsuji Former Toronto mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson’s name will be back on the ballot, but this time she’s going provincial. Thomson officially launched her campaign as the Liberal candidate for Trinity-Spadina late last month. The Gleaner sat down with Thomson to discuss her [...]

St. Stephen’s Community House will settle your dispute – for free!

Admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:55:00 +0000
By Katie O’Connor In a city of small spaces like Toronto, loud and obtrusive neighbours can become more than just a mere annoyance. Conflicts rise as the weather heats up, which is why making nice with them has never been more important. St. Stephen’s Community House (260 Augusta Ave.) offers a free mediation program for [...]

Casa Loma under new (old) management: city regains control

Admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:53:05 +0000
By Katie O’Connor After years of power struggles, the City of Toronto took control of Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace) from the Kiwanis Club, which has managed the historic castle for almost 75 years. The city owns Casa Loma, but had contracted out management to the charity since 1937. In exchange for ending the management [...]

UTS gets the slow boot

Admin — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:06:09 +0000
By Síle Cleary The University of Toronto School (UTS, 371 Bloor St. W.) board is eager to enter into discussions with their academic partner, the University of Toronto, in order to clarify the terms of the school’s relocation plan. Last month the UTS board was formally notified by U of T that their $48 [...]

TDSB green energy program in danger

Admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:56:26 +0000
By Julia Manoukian The Toronto District School Board has jumped on the green bandwagon with a long-term solution that seemingly kills two birds with one stone, but the upcoming provincial election could bring all this to a halt. Unveiled May 19, and born at Hillcrest Community School (44 Hilton Ave.), a groundbreaking partnership between the [...]

Let’s make liquor laws an election issue

Admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:14:32 +0000
By Emina Gamulin A recent immigrant just got a job in Toronto and wants to celebrate. She walks into a convenience store and looks for some beer. Unable to find any, she asks the clerk behind the counter where she might find some. “We don’t sell beer here.” Confused, she walks out and spots a bar [...]

Festival on Bloor turns 15

Admin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:12:58 +0000
By Cara Waterfall Festival on Bloor started as a bet between local business owners and has become a summer staple for Annex residents. Credit: Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre. Festival on Bloor (FoB) originally began with a disagreement between Andrew Kilgour and former James Joyce Irish Pub (386 Bloor St. W.) owner Robert Costello. “I [...]

Locals say Kensington Market shooting outside after-hours an isolated incident

Admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:16:08 +0000
By Julia Hennessey The Kensington Market community was back to its peaceful self just two days after three men were wounded from gun shots fired in an alleyway. Just after 4:30 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, May 29, police responded to a distress call in Kensington Market. Six shots were fired in an alley [...]

They only come out at night; the feral cats of the Annex

Admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:54:53 +0000
By Beth Macdonell Look down one of the Annex’s many laneways and all may appear lifeless. But according to Janine Denney-Lightfoot, 47, a volunteer with the Annex Cat Rescue, living in and around our garages and sheds are hundreds of feral cats. These wild felines live largely independent lives with no permanent home and no [...]

Annex author’s work reissued 17 years after his death

Admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:50:07 +0000
By Staff Reporter This month, two works by the infamous late-Annex writer Daniel Jones are being reissued.Coach House’s The Brave Never Write Poetry comes with a brand new New Order record sleeve-inspired cover, while Three O’Clock Press’ remix of 1978 is slightly more sophisticated than its original release over a decade ago. Born in a working-class district of [...]

No stones thrown over Bloor-Bathurst condo talks

Admin — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:05:11 +0000
By Perry King Unlike many development disputes across the city, talks between developers and residents have been so healthy for a proposed Bloor-Bathurst condo that the project has already been scaled down considerably. “We had a couple of meetings—the councillor, some of his office staff and HVRA (Harbord Village Residents’ Association) board members—and basically I [...]

Silver Snail comic shop looks for new home in the Annex

Admin — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:46:10 +0000
New owner George Zotti describes the Silver Snail as a destination store at its current location on Queen. He is looking into moving the store to the Annex. Photo credit: Adam Carter/Gleaner News. By Adam Carter After decades of calling Queen West home, Toronto’s famed comic shop the Silver Snail is being sold along with [...]

Captain Wallace’s Alphabet Expedition adventurer born locally

Admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:18:34 +0000
By Gurpreet Ghag According to his Twitter account, Captain Wallace is an adventurer, a mustache enthusiast, a pith hat collector, and a friend to all animals. He once spent a week in the belly of a whale with only a ginger beer and a loaf of bread. You may be surprised to know then, that [...]

Rosario Marchese’s 50 years in Toronto

Admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:10:02 +0000
By Susan Oppenheim From his beginnings in Toronto 50 years ago as a 9-year-old Italian immigrant, to his position today as the NDP Caucus Chair at Queen’s Park, not much in Rosario Marchese’s approach to life seems to have changed. He has remained solidly grounded to family, community, and Canada. His career has centered on [...]

A Walmart on Dupont? RioCan purchases 1.4 acres in Dupont-Christie area

Admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:49:58 +0000
By Perry King RioCan, Canada’s largest real estate investment trust, has purchased a 1.4 acre property in the Christie-Dupont area. 740 Dupont St., currently occupied by luxury car dealership Grand Touring Automobiles, was one of four Canadian properties purchased by RioCan in late 2010. Acquired for $10.9 million, RioCan announced the purchase in January. [...]

NDP wins big downtown

Admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 18:55:50 +0000
By Lindsay Tsuji The General Election on May 2 proved to be a historic evening. From news of a Conservative majority, the Green Party winning a seat in Parliament to the naming of the NDP as the new opposition party, it was nothing less than shocking. Locally, Trinity-Spadina NDP incumbent Olivia Chow won with a [...]

A bird’s eye view: A look at the west downtown ridings

Admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:48:45 +0000
To further help with your decision to vote today, the Gleaner has compiled an interactive map with information about the ridings that we cover: Trinity-Spadina, Parkdale-High Park, Davenport, and St. Paul’s. To see complete coverage of the candidates for Trinity-Spadina and Parkdale-High Park, click here and here. For more coverage about the race in Davenport, [...]

Parkdale-High Park candidates talk families, trains, poverty, prisons, the military and mental illness

Admin — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:00:01 +0000
Compiled by Emina Gamulin, Perry King, Beth Macdonell, Rebecca Payne and Lindsay Tsuji The Candidates Question One: mental health Question Two: family reunification Question Three: the Canadian Forces Question Four: electric trains Question Five: prisons or poverty? The Riding Parkdale-High Park is one of the most diverse ridings in Canada in terms of income and [...]

Online in #TrinSpa: local candidates tap social media

Admin — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:41:54 +0000
By Beth Macdonell “I heard someone call this the Seinfeld election. The election about nothing,” says James Norrie, a social media researcher and associate dean at Ryerson University. “It seems pretty apathetic out there.” Still, Norrie believes in the power of social media. “If social media can provoke social unrest to the point that a government can fall,” [...]

Tax, transport, and pirates: Trinity-Spadina candidates are put in the hot seat

Admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 04:35:21 +0000
Compiled by Emina Gamulin, Perry King, and Beth Macdonell The Riding Trinity-Spadina neighbourhoods include Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Portugal, Kensington Market, the Annex, Seaton Village, Harbord Village, University of Toronto, Koreatown, Queen West, King West, the West Waterfront and the Toronto Islands. The riding is one of the most rapidly changing areas in the city [...]

Condo development could set height precedent in Little Portugal

Admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:47:14 +0000
By Perry King If approved, a condominium at Manning and Dundas will be the tallest building in the neighbourhood. As early as this fall, owner Maria Da Conceicao Silva and developer Andrew Dales Consulting will be breaking ground on the new development. “Everyone has their opinion on it. Some people don’t want to see any [...]

Time to ask your west-downtown Toronto federal candidates some questions

Admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:15:17 +0000
Gleaner Community Press is interviewing Federal candidates for Trinity-Spadina and Parkdale-High Park and we are seeking questions from you (besides “why are we having another election?”). After we have received all the questions we will then make a final selection based on diversity, relevance to the local community, and “goodness” (objectively and subjectively decided by [...]

Brunny patrons up in arms over “totally unchill residents”

Admin — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:30:58 +0000
By Zacchary K While the often inebriated and occasionally violent behavior of Brunswick House (481 Bloor St. W.) patrons upsets nearby residents, the bar goers say they are no strangers themselves to getting the cold shoulder from “lame-ass” locals. From police enforcement blitzes, neighbours telling them to “shut up already,” and female-residents-crossing-the-street-and-not-answering-their-questions-but-whatever,-it’s-not-like-they-were-that-hot-anyway, Brunny regulars say they feel [...]

Harbord eatery busted for possession of tasty, tasty donuts

Admin — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:30:58 +0000
By Zacchary K. Harbord has become a hotbed of both local and national attention after Pizza GiGi (189 Harbord St.) was exposed for allegedly dealing millions in narcotics. But the shocks have not ended there, as patrons of Harbord businesses become surprised yet again by a restaurant’s exposed dark side. “I can’t believe it,” said [...]

The patsies of Parkdale? Bar owners say they shoulder blame for entire neighbourhood

Admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:04:01 +0000
By Rebecca Payne The closure of Captain Jack’s and denial of a rooming house application for the Parkdale “problem spot” does not mean that some area business owners are satisfied. The West Parkdale Neighbours Group (WPNG) was formed exclusively to take action against three bars that members consider to be problematic: the now closed [...]

This year’s Junofest stacked with nominees

Admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:08:32 +0000
By Karen Bliss After moving around the country for the past nine years, the Junos will be back in Toronto on March 27th for their 40th anniversary show. As part of the week-long celebration, JunoFest will take over downtown this weekend with 120 acts—more than 50 of them Juno nominees—playing 20 venues. “I believe we [...]

Plans for Radio Parkdale to be announced at Synthesis Gala this Friday

Admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:06:03 +0000
By Emina Gamulin While the head of the local residents’ association jokingly refers to them as the “Politically Correct Development Group,” the newly-renamed PCDG says they will continue to do the work they’ve always done: encouraging economic and employment initiatives in Parkdale. “The vision is to build connections among businesses, residents, and organizations that [...]

ARA calls for bike lanes, removal of parking & 30 km/h limit on Bloor

Admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:01:55 +0000
By Lindsay Tsuji The Annex Residents’ Association has made motions to call for more bike accessibility in the Annex, but some in the city’s transportation department say the plan is unrealistic. The bike policy put forth by the ARA calls for bike lanes on Bloor Street between Bathurst Street and Avenue Road, the construction of [...]

No patio for Parts and Labour

Admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:32:53 +0000
By Beth Macdonell On March 9, The city’s Committee of Adjustment panel turned down a request by Parts and Labour (1566 Queen St. W.) to construct a roof-top patio. Eighteen opposing community members showed up at the meeting and 68 people signed a petition submitted to the committee against an outdoor space, says Josie Kruzick, [...]

TDSB-Onestop deal a no-go

Admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:36:13 +0000
The Toronto District School Board voted against a proposal to install advertising-based television screens in its high schools last night. If the proposal had passed, screens would have been installed in 66 schools, displaying advertising 30 per cent of the time for at least the next seven years. Ward 2 trustee and concerned parent Chris [...]

Annex gets taste of largest ever CMW

Admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:32:06 +0000
By Karen Bliss This year’s Canadian Music Week (CMW) is bigger then ever. “The live scene is coming back in Canada, Toronto particularly. I think that’s important. We are using close to 60 venues, so that’s reasonably healthy,” says Neill Dixon, CMW president. “The festival is very multi-national now. The majority of bands are from Canada, [...]

Graphologist Annette Poizner holds talk at OISE; Gleaner reporter a believer

Admin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:56:44 +0000
By Rebecca Payne Poizner first encountered graphology in her early twenties, when she was in Israel and had her handwriting analyzed. “It blew me away,” she said of the formative experience. She then hired a clinical graphologist and spent three hours a day in private study with him in Jerusalem. She went on to do [...]

What will “non-commercial” advertising mean at TDSB?

Admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:13:39 +0000
By Reem Jazar The Toronto District School Board is voting on March 9 about bringing video screen ads to as many as 70 Toronto secondary schools. The board is expected to vote in favour of the screens, with some restrictions to commercial advertising. The TDSB’s committee of administration, finance, and accountability met on March 2 [...]

Tecumseth Street abattoir: newer residents smell disgust, long-timers accept the whiff

Admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:30:25 +0000
By Beth Macdonell Although an abattoir on Tecumseth Street has been operating for almost a century, some residents remain perturbed by the smell of live pigs being brought into the area for slaughter. Initially run by the city, Toronto Abattoirs Limited and Quality Meat Packers Limited, irk John Sleeman, 65, a retired resident who lives [...]

Loss of public space? Bloor Annex to unveil decorative covers to combat street clutter

Admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:08:53 +0000
By Lindsay Tsuji Decorative pole covers are going up on Bloor Street in an effort to prevent postering and graffiti in the Annex, but not everyone agrees it’s a good idea. At a recent meeting at Kilgour’s Bar Meets Grill (509 Bloor St. W.), the board of representatives of the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area [...]

Rubin Hurricane Carter’s new book missing Toronto chapter

Admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:44:13 +0000
By Perry King When Gus Sinclair thinks back to his work on the Rubin Carter case, his immediate thoughts go to Lisa Peters and her love for the fallen boxer. “There are two people who I’ve met in my life who had that unshakable will, one was Rubin, and the other was the woman that [...]

Grant goes Green: Harbord Village chair jumps into provincial race

Admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:52:23 +0000
By Perry King When Tim Grant went to a Green Party policy conference two years ago to hear more about their platform, he was “prepared to be unimpressed.” “The Green Party in this riding has been very weak organizationally. This is one riding where more people spend and donate to green causes than any other [...]

TDSB-Onestop deal will sell our kids short

Admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:57:35 +0000
By Emina Gamulin If the board of trustees votes yes at their next meeting, the deal between the Toronto District School Board and Onestop Media Inc. will see as many as 74 secondary schools receive video screens in common areas with ads running 30 per cent of the time. Two schools in our coverage area, [...]

A work of heart: Michael Golland’s paintings to benefit artists with disabilities

Admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:16:23 +0000
By Tracy Chen This Valentine’s Day, people will have the chance to reach for hearts of a different variety. Michael Golland, contemporary artist and longtime Liberty Village resident, is creating a wall of 40 heart paintings. These hearts will premiere at the “A Work of Hearts” event in Liberty Village. A portion from the sale of these paintings will go towards the Laser Eagles [...]

Parkdale Giller Prize nominee’s ‘quietly apocalyptic’ stories told over dinner table

Admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:05:17 +0000
By Jeromy Lloyd Seven years ago, the short stories from This Cake Is For The Party moved with their author from Victoria to Toronto, where they found audiences in publications such as The Walrus and Geist. But it wasn’t until 2006 that the process of assembling these stories into Cake, Sarah Selecky’s first anthology, began. [...]

Local storyteller releases new children’s novel

Admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:03:09 +0000
By Eddie Mumford “Even though my neighbourhood has changed drastically, it still basically looks the same … so I thought it would be fun to think about what it was like in another time,” says storyteller group founder and writer Celia Lottridge, on why she set her new childrens’ book The Listening Tree in Seaton Village. The [...]

What lies beneath: local lab to house high-end technology

Admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:19:36 +0000
By Melissa Sundardas The new subterranean research lab on University Avenue is bringing a scale of advanced, breakthrough technologies for research that would make Willy Wonka proud. Located just beneath Toronto Rehab Institute’s University Centre (550 University Ave.), this new facility—called the Challenging Environment Assessment Lab (CEAL)—allows scientists to safely and accurately develop treatments, technologies, and products that will [...]

Death and rebirth of the Matador

Admin — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:36:05 +0000
Exclusive to the Gleaner By Beth Macdonell It has been years since the last mickey of rum was served and the last band performed, yet those who frequented the legendary booze can will never forget the Matador (466 Dovercourt Rd.). After showcasing more than 40 years of some of Canada’s greatest country and folk music, [...]

Mixed-use, mixed feelings: Proposed development largest since Loblaws

Admin — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:09:47 +0000
By Perry King The Wynn Group is moving forward with its plans of developing a 29-storey hotel and condominium on a strip of Dupont. An application to amend the Toronto Official Plan, that will change the designation of six Dupont properties from an employment to a mixed-use site, was submitted by the Wynn Group in May, but was [...]

Sweeping up Bellevue: Community lukewarm over month-long blitz

Admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:59:09 +0000
By Perry King Out of the 68 arrests that were made in a Kensington-area drug blitz, police Sergeant Jeff Zammit remembers one arrest that bothered him. “We dealt with one guy that was trafficking, and he was with a woman and a baby in a stroller—it was his girlfriend—while he was selling,” said Zammit, who [...]

Ward 18 defeated cry foul

Admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:28:37 +0000
By Rebecca Payne Multiple campaign managers of Ward 18 (Davenport) candidates claim questionable tactics were used in the race, and are pointing their fingers at newly elected Councillor Ana Bailao’s campaign. Bailao edged out Adam Giambrone’s former executive assistant Kevin Beaulieu by 1,366 votes. Beaulieu’s campaign manager, as well as fellow Ward 18 contender Kirk [...]

Who is Jane Beecroft: Dragon of City Hall or First Nations Truth Speaker?

Admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:48:10 +0000
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 [...]

Shootings shock community: Police say recent violence mostly targeted

Admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:27:48 +0000
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 [...]

Home from the Odyssey: Artist returns to her Annex roots

Admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:21:23 +0000
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 [...]

Mad House: Madison dweller alleges harassment over heritage home

Admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:10:18 +0000
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. [...]

Earning his stripes? “Social transformation” art project not supported by hospital

Admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:05:52 +0000
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 [...]

Façade facelift: Lee’s Palace iconic mural is back

Admin — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:00:10 +0000
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 [...]

Sam James makes good joe

Admin — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:11:36 +0000
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, [...]

Holiday wish list and cover art

Admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:29:27 +0000
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 [...]

She said “Meow!”: Burlesque revival at Revival Bar

Admin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:52:59 +0000
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. [...]

Election results for your ward

Admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:58:25 +0000
In Ward 20, Adam Vaughan easily won re-election with 74 per cent of the vote. Mike Yen, whose platform was very similar to Mayor-elect Rob Ford, and whose message of “Stop the War on Fun” resonated with local fraternities and bars, including the Brunswick House, came in a distant second with 3,601 votes. Dean Maher, [...]

Trustee challenger accuses TDSB of corruption

Admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:11:06 +0000
By Khristopher Reardon Ward 10 trustee candidate Michael Sims says he is shocked by the “level of corruption and opacity” at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) following an investigation of incumbent Chris Bolton. Calendars were handed to elementary students bearing incumbent Chris Bolton’s image and campaign website, which is a violation of TDSB election [...]

Toronto Election 2010: Ward 18

Admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:35:04 +0000
Ward 18 has a dozen registered candidates. Councillor Adam Giambrone is not seeking re-election. The Gleaner was not able to contact or find any information on candidates Mohammmed Muhit and Joanna Teliatnik. Ana Bailão: Ran in Ward 18 in 2003; worked for five years in MP Mario Silva’s office (Davenport). Aims to increase the level of participation [...]

Toronto Election 2010: Ward 14

Admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:32:59 +0000
There are nine contenders vying for the Ward 14 seat: Gord Perks: Incumbent, won the ward in 2006 with 30.1 per cent of the vote against 14 separate challengers. Former columnist for Eye Weekly. During his term he has worked on securing and developing affordable housing in the ward. Also focused on upgrading public space infrastructure, [...]

Asked, answered: Street merchant restrictions, garbage, and cycling big issues in Ward 20

Admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:23:03 +0000
Compiled by Perry King and Emina Gamulin The Gleaner asked you what questions you’d like the Ward 20 candidates to answer, and here’s what you came up with. Answers have been edited for space, and candidates are listed alphabetically, with the incumbent first. Roman Polochansky is also running but could not be reached for comment. [...]

Quizzing the candidates: Ward 19 takes on parks, permits, and moratoriums

Admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:22:46 +0000
Compiled by Emina Gamulin, Perry King, Rebecca Payne, and Khristopher Reardon In Ward 19, incumbent Joe Pantalone, who has been a sitting councillor since 1980, is running for mayor. There are nine candidates: Rosario Bruto worked in banking for 25 years, and currently owns a consulting firm; Ted Footman (listed as David Footman on the [...]

Frats fight back, but can they win the battle against Vaughan?

Admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:01:58 +0000
By Tim Legault Fraternity houses are voicing their concerns over the proposed changes in rooming house bylaws and licensing rules that Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina) has been championing for some time. The planned changes would require the properties to have yearly inspections that ensure the buildings are to code. Failing to fix any [...]

Welcome to Happyview: Neigbourhood dad hosts one-man show

Admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:08:52 +0000
By Bethan Evans Have you ever thought to yourself, Children’s theatre is entertaining for my kids, but I am bored to tears after the curtain opens? Michael McMurtry did and decided to do something about it. “I wanted to create something that entertains kids, but is also sophisticated and will appeal to their parents as [...]

Watch the Watchmen: ‘90s frontman works to balance music and real life

Admin — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:33:51 +0000
By Karen Bliss Danny Greaves, vocalist from the popular ‘90s rock band The Watchmen, still plays live with the band, but he’s been working on solo material, composing for film, and has ventured into the restaurant biz. The Watchmen—Greaves, guitarist Joey Serlin, bassist Ken Tizzard and drummer Sammy Kohn—broke up in 2003, but for the [...]

Boast about The Coast

Admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:00:46 +0000
By Karen Bliss Toronto indie rockers The Coast, who celebrate the release of its sophomore album, Queen Cities, on Sept. 23 at the El Mocambo, began life in the Annex. Frontman Ben Spurr and guitarist Ian Fosbery were living on St. George Street at the time and called their band The July 26th Movement. “We [...]

Caring about Caribana: Festival connects Annex resident to her roots

Admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:27:40 +0000
By Liivi Sandy Spend some time with Sherrill Sutherland and you’ll get an education. The 25-year-old Annex resident works for CBC News Network, writing about the events that make our city, country, and world tick. Spend more time with Sutherland and you’ll realize that she’s more than you bargained for. The candid young woman is [...]

Vigourfest wants to make you healthy through music

Admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:44:53 +0000
By Brendan Hair Vigour Projects, a new Toronto-based not-for-profit organization will be presenting its first health music concert called Vigourfest at Trane Studio on Sept. 3. Founder and president Dr. David Alter, a cardiologist and researcher who has been writing songs since his teens, merged his love for music and health to create the project. [...]

Toronto’s harmonized zoning bylaw now in effect

Admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:52:58 +0000
By Perry King At 9:47 p.m. on Aug. 25, Toronto city council voted 37–0 to approve the hotly debated harmonized zoning bylaw. The new bylaw, arising from an eight-year harmonization exercise, now regulates the use of land and buildings, including their height, size, bulk, and location. Written with a common terminology and set of defined [...]

Great Voices at Festival at the Fort

Admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:49:49 +0000
Written By Rick Salutin August 10 to 22 at Fort York, 100 Garrison Rd. By Beth Macdonell On now through Aug. 22, Festival at the Fort presents Great Voices, a play that tells the story of the Battle of York during the war of 1812 between America and British Canada. Written by columnist and author Rick [...]

Scott Pilgrim vs. The Annex

Admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:55:22 +0000
The popular graphic novels make use of many Annex locations. Image courtesy Oni Press. By Tim Legault As Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels, sat signing a stack of his sixth and final volume in the series (Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour) in preparation for the book’s launch party, he recalled Publishers [...]

Castle under siege?: Casa Loma management under scrutiny

Admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 03:27:33 +0000
By Jennifer Farncomb Is it time for new management at Casa Loma? Recent events have called into question the management and finances of the castle, which some say are lacking in transparency and the ability follow through on agreements made with the city in 2008. “Now what staff is identifying is that we have a problem—and it’s [...]

Oh, give me a home: Province changes definition of retirement residences

Admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:02:06 +0000
By Perry King Bill 21 is now officially law, but local retirement homes are still unsure how the new regulations will affect them. “We do not know at this point how much change there will be in terms of regulations,” said Anne Walton, vice president of operations for Diversicare, the overseeing body for Hazelton Place [...]

Letters to the editor: bike activist and Adam Vaughan hash it out [LETTER]

Admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:20:27 +0000
Hamish Wilson sends more letters to the Gleaner than anyone else (except Rudolph Manook, but that’s another story). Wilson’s letters are invariably about cycling issues. This month, it seems he went on the offensive with Councillor Adam Vaughan, who hit right back: Wilson: Thank you for your coverage on Annex biking issues. It is assuredly [...]

World-renowned pianist opens TSM Festival with a stunning all-Schumann program

Admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:46:16 +0000
By Emily Dontsos If master pianist Anton Kuerti’s spectacular opening night performance for the Toronto Summer Music Festival on July 20 is any indication of what to expect from the festival’s 12 remaining concerts, then classical music lovers are in for a treat. Held at the architecturally and acoustically astounding new Koerner Hall in The [...]

G20 Annex snippets

Admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:41:22 +0000
No justice, no grease Annex resident and former Gleaner editor Liivi Sandy called the police after she heard “violent and very unnerving” smashing at 2 a.m., on the eve of the G20. She initially thought her home was being broken into. Sandy then looked out her window and saw a person dressed in dark clothing [...]

Z’s by the C: Public napping project hits Toronto

Admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:32:03 +0000
By Brendan Hair On July 17 and 18 The Theatre Centre in partnership with Cooking Fire Theatre Festival will be presenting a public napping project called Z’s by the C. At this event residents can craft their own sleeping mask and have a sweet dream or catch up on lost sleep from the hectic work [...]

Off the chain: Toronto celebrates Mad Pride Week

Admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:15 +0000
By Min Kang Mayor David Miller has officially proclaimed July 12 to 18th Mad Pride Week. “It’s throwing the word back in the face of the general public who think mad is a horrible kind of state to be in, so we throw it back into the face of society, just like gays throw queer [...]

The Euclid-Dundas Fire [PHOTOS]

Admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:38:48 +0000
It isn’t pretty but Cafe Brasiliano & Columbia—west of Musa Restaurant at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Dundas Street West—becomes the likely victim of water and smoke damage when a fire erupted on July 4, 2010. We photographed the occasion and put it on our Flickr page. Matt James/Gleaner News

The Queen’s Park G20 protest [PHOTOS]

Admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:51:11 +0000
On June 26, the Gleaner documented the Queen’s Park protests through photography. Check out these photos on our Flickr page. Perry King/Gleaner News

It’s just two days

Admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:30:19 +0000
By Emina Gamulin Contrary to the apparent opinions of most Canadians released in a recent poll, we at the Gleaner see a lot of bad and little good coming to Toronto communities as a result of the G20 summit. Designated free speech areas, random police checks, razor-wired security fences, surveillance cameras, tear gas, sound cannons, [...]

Summer summit: Everything about the G20 you were afraid to ask

Admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:10:00 +0000
By Jacob Arnfield At a price of $1 billion dollars, with international financial leaders, media, police, and protestors all congregating downtown, the G20 will be an event unlike any other the city has ever seen. In case some of the disparate accounts have left you confused, here are some details for how the summit will alter the [...]

Choosen ones: local acts worth checking out at NXNE

Admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:47:02 +0000
By Karen Bliss More than 2,500 artists applied for a spot at the 2010 North By Northeast music festival, which takes place all over the city from June 14 to 20, so the 650 bands and solo acts that were accepted have obviously been given the thumbs up from the organizers. “We have a jury [...]

U of T, locals butt heads over 42-storey proposal

Admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:14:49 +0000
By Tim Legault A proposal to build a massive 42-storey academic residence at 245 and 253 College Street, between Spadina and University, was met with a general unease from local residents during a May 18 community meeting. “Nice building, wrong location,” said Ceta Ramahalawansingh, who has lived in the area since 1971. She added that [...]

This week in adorable local news [PHOTOS]

Admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:29:04 +0000

Party’s over: Frats may lose rooming house exemption

Admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:07:43 +0000
By Jacob Arnfield Is there a difference between a fraternity and a rooming house? Historically, municipalities with rooming house laws say yes. When Toronto’s rooming house legislation was first instituted, fraternity and sorority houses were exempted, but this is not likely to be the case for much longer. Earlier this year, Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward [...]

Park Property without power: 22-storey building suffers 30-hour outage

Admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:06:49 +0000
By Darko Milenkovic Residents of a 22-storey building in the Annex found themselves with neither electricity nor water during a weekend-long power outage last month. During a windy morning on May 8, a tree limb fell on top of a power fuse creating sparks and causing a partial power outage at 100 Spadina Rd, owned [...]

Tough cookie: Architect turned baker gets put to the test

Admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:57:42 +0000
Horii has a passion and desire to keep creating. She noted that she has dabbled in other pastries, like cupcakes and three-dimensional cookies. “When people see it, they’re just blown away. The kind of satisfaction you get from that is what keeps me going,” she said. Her passion has not gone unnoticed. “I think it’s [...]

Lascivious licensing: Toronto burlesque community says bylaw is vague

Admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 04:35:19 +0000
By Sandra Ferrari A scantily defined Toronto bylaw has raised concerns in the local burlesque community after bylaw officers were called in to investigate an event held at Revival nightclub (783 College St.) last month. Because of the vague wording, it is unclear whether the performances violated the law. Only verbal warnings were issued and [...]

National treasure: Lacrosse squad revs up for regular season

Admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 04:06:52 +0000
By Perry King When a sports team wins a league title in their inaugural season, they’re going to get some attention. But somehow, the Toronto Nationals, an expansion franchise of Major League Lacrosse (MLL)—the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) outdoor lacrosse counterpart—did the deed in the quietest way possible. “We came together at the right time. [...]

Becoming anti-Social?: Queen West hot spot operating without a license

Admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 04:06:34 +0000
By Beth Macdonell In what seems to be a response to the city issuing an increased number of fines last year, Richard Lambert, co-owner of The Social (1100 Queen St. W.), is asking the city to rezone the address to allow it to operate as a nightclub. The Social previously operated under a restaurant license, [...]

Cycling towards complete streets: Debates on biking heat up as more lanes are added

Admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 04:25:58 +0000
By Jacob Arnfield It’s no surprise that as the election year proceeds, the question of how best to improve our streetscapes is rearing its head. Recently, the Board of Trade ranked Toronto’s long commutes worst among global cities of comparable size, the TTC is under heavy scrutiny, and bike lane proposals are being met with [...]

Bitter pill to swallow: Snowdon Pharmacy afraid for future

Admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 04:23:06 +0000
By Emina Gamulin Snowdon Pharmacy (264 Bloor St. W.) has had many tough times in its 104-year history, but the changes the provincial government proposes to cut drug costs may be the biggest challenge the community institution has faced thus far. The government announced its plans that as of May 15, pharmacies will no longer [...]

When you say it fast it sounds like fifty: The Annex Gleaner celebrates 15 years

Admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:18:15 +0000
By Jacob Arnfield The brainchild of original editor Deanne Fisher, The Annex Gleaner originally had a mandate to represent and foster our local community and we’ve stuck to our guns. This month marks 15 years of the paper being published. Fisher recounted why she felt it necessary to start a local paper back in 1995. [...]

Unlucky in injury: World’s first “spleen protector” built for U of T athlete

Admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:19:48 +0000
By Perry King With U of T’s bittersweet playoff loss to against York University Feb. 24, Nick Snow capped a memorable university athletics career that almost did not happen. The last five years were a maturing experience for Snow. The basketball program gave Snow the chance to see and compete in basketball games worldwide, and [...]

Beaton the brave: Activist wins national award for protecting the planet

Admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:50:33 +0000
By Beth Macdonell “All the skills I have, I use to protect mother earth,” said Danny Beaton as the early morning sun shines across our table at Future Bakery (483 Bloor St. W.). The photographer, filmmaker, flautist, writer, and teacher has kept an office at the corner of Brunswick Avenue and Bloor Street for 20 [...]

Storming the Barnes: First novel a classically spun noir story set in 1960s Toronto

Admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:20:34 +0000
Courtesy: Lily Barnes By Emily Landau To outside eyes, Lilly Barnes may be a woman of the world, but her world ends in the Annex. “My kids tease me—they say I act as if I get a nosebleed north of Dupont,” she chuckles. Barnes has lived in the Annex for almost six decades, where she [...]

Elizabeth Smart’s time in the Annex was brief, but her impact was lasting

Admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:06:08 +0000
By Leigh Beadon Mutual friends arranged that we meet in a respectable downtown restaurant in Toronto. She wore a black, crushed velvet jump suit and a sultry pink tam over hair that was still thick and blonde nearing 70. She stole the wine glasses That’s how Roy MacGregor described Elizabeth Smart in an Ottawa Citizen [...]

A good fight deserves a plaque

Admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:38:33 +0000
By Rebecca Payne This June, the Annex Residents’ Association and the Heritage Toronto will dedicate two plaques to commemorate the grassroots community action that helped halt the construction of the planned Spadina Expressway. One is proposed for the northeast corner of Spadina Road and Bloor Street West, and the other for the Kendall Street subway [...]

Trash talking: Kensington businesses scratching their heads after city reduces garbage collection

Admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:36:31 +0000
By Beth Macdonell In the early 1990s, residents and merchants of Kensington Market successfully organized to increase garbage pickup days from two to three days a week. Now, it will be seen if the newly formed Kensington Business Improvement Area (BIA), will be able to make a similar move by reversing a decision by Toronto [...]

Progress stalls: two years later, little done for fire-ravaged Queen West strip

Admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:19:42 +0000
By Claude Saravia Chad Mutchler was watching from a friend’s roof that cold Feb. 20 when a fire ripped through the Queen West neighbourhood just before dawn. It took 150 firefighters in 30 trucks to extinguish the six- alarm inferno that destroyed a section of Queen Street West, between Bathurst Street and Portland Avenue in [...]

February Gleanings

Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:17:24 +0000
Filthy dirty homemade fun It’s probably a fair bet that St. Valentine, whosoever that borderline-apocryphal personality might be, probably didn’t think of his life’s work as culminating in an excuse for greeting card makers and confectioners to have a one-day sales bonanza. And yet, here we are. But probably even further still from his mind [...]

Bloor grand tour

Admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:05:19 +0000
Cinema has worn many hats over the century, online doc shows By Matt James The Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor St. W.), like a lot of centarians, has shrunk with age. Back in 1941 when it was known as the Midtown, it could seat 1,125 people. You could catch a flick for 35 cents, and if [...]