July 18th, 2022 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Wiener’s Home Hardware 100th anniversary a day to remember (July 2022)
On June 18, Wiener’s Home Hardware celebrated their 100th anniversary with a block party hosted by the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area, Annex Residents’ Association, and the Harbord Village Residents’ Association. The community enjoyed live music, food, and got a chance to learn about the history of the family-run store (pictured top-right). The block party gathered four generations of the Wiener family to celebrate (pictured above). Marty Wiener also accepted a plaque from Mayor John Tory, presented by Councillor Mike Layton, on behalf of the Wiener family commemorating the store’s contribution to the community over the past 100 years (pictured right). This celebration will surely be a day Annex residents will remember. —Fox Oliver/Gleaner News.Read more
April 11th, 2022 · Comments Off on DEVELOPINGS: Developments on your doorstep (Spring 2022)
New and continuing developments in the Annex
By MADELINE SMART with files from HENRY WIERCINSKI, Annex Residents’ Association Photos by BRIAN BURCHELL, renderings from developers’ and city’s websitesRead more
New building plan clears hurdles at Committee of Adjustment
View, looking East from Madison Avenue, of the soon to be constructed Estonian Cultural Centre. The proposal has widespread support from the residents’ association and the city alike. COURTESY ALAR KONGATS
Residents and shoppers alike were surprised to see the Green P parking lot on Madison Avenue close in early January. The city had been leasing the space for Green P but that lease was not renewed by the property owners who also own the adjacent 11 Madison Ave. The owners plan to begin construction soon on the International Estonian Centre, a cultural and community space. In July of 2016, the Gleaner did a feature on that pending development. We include it again here as a reminder.Read more
December 4th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Park set for improvements (Nov. 2020)
Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park named after dinosaur hunter
A plaque memorializes the long time Walmer Road resident. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Tanya Ielyseieva
A plan to redo Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park (Dalton Road and Bloor St. West) is set to be completed by the end of next year, with construction scheduled to begin next summer. Read more
A team of Indigenous workers are bringing Paul Martel Park back to life
Paul Richard (left) and Joseph Sagaj, part of a team of Indigenous gardeners, have been working tirelessly to bring Paul Martel Park (located on Madison Avenue, north of Bloor Street) back to its original vision. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
October 8th, 2019 · Comments Off on NEWS: City fails to maintain park (Sept. 2019)
Staff unresponsive to concerns about Paul Martel Park
A graffiti-stained map depicts what once was of the Paul Martel Park. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Juan Romero
If you are on Madison Avenue, just north of Bloor Street West, you will see on the west side of the street a place with benches and grass right behind the Spadina bus station; that place is Paul Martel Park, a spot that the city has apparently forgotten about. Read more
October 8th, 2019 · Comments Off on CHATTER: ARA Cornfest Delights (Sept. 2019)
The Annual Annex Residents’ Association Cornfest took place at Jean Sibelius Park on Sept. 15. Joey, pictured above, enjoyed a free sweet cob! TERRI CHU/GLEANER NEWS
September 2nd, 2019 · Comments Off on NEWS: Plans for a “slender” building (August 2019)
Compromise found for new build on 300 Bloor St. W. church site
By Ahmed Hagar
A redesigned and more “slender” 29-storey tower looks to be the future for 300 Bloor Street, after a lengthy public process and, finally, an agreement between developers, city councilors, and residents. Read more
Aerial view of the proposed 3-storey Estonian Cultural Centre and the set to be built at 9 and 11 Madison Ave. in Toronto. The building will have an eye-catching rooftop garden for visitors to enjoy. COURTESY ALAR KONGATS
New building plan clears hurdles at Committee of Adjustment
April 23rd, 2019 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Meet’n’Eat in the Annex (Spring 2019)
Annex residents are meeting and eating their way through the neighbourhood. In an initiative launched early this year, the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) is inviting neighbours to gather at a different local restaurant every month to enjoy some food, support local businesses, and get to know people. Read more
December 30th, 2018 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Cash for corn helps displaced residents (Dec. 2018)
The Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) raised over $3,000 after turning its annual Annex Corn Fest into a silent auction.
“It was a great day. We had a lot of people, because we promoted the event quite well. We had a great participation from businesses around the neighbourhood and members of the community,” said David Harrison, president of the ARA. Read more
It’s a bit ironic that municipal elections attract the lowest voter turnouts. Ironic because decisions made at City Hall have a greater impact on your day-to-day life than those made in the legislature or in parliament. On any given day, Toronto City Council will consider garbage, snow removal, transit, zoning, parks…the list is endless. Yet it can be difficult for councillor candidates to attract attention, much less your vote.Read more
