December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: “No pandemic doesn’t have an ending” (Dec. 2020)
Based on the “Cowan’s Cocoa” sign, the Gleaner muses that this photo, dating from between 1908 and 1912, was taken just west of the Annex off Sterling Rd.
These intrepid tobogganers embody the winter spirit that will carry us through this holiday season. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Holiday giving adapts to COVID-19
Due to the current public health safety restrictions, Westbank Corp., the developer of the Mirvish Village project, was unable to host its annual turkey giveaway this year. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Area long-term care homes and COVID (Dec. 2020)
There have been many outbreaks in long-term care homes across Ontario, including ones within the Gleaner’s distribution area. According to the province, Vermont Square, Kensington Gardens, O’Neill Centre and St. George Care Community have all experienced coronavirus outbreaks but have recovered since. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Former City Councillor Ila Bossons, dead at 83 (Dec. 2020)
Ila Bossons, former Chair of the Annex Resident’s Association, died December 7 at the age of 83. Bossons served as a Metro and Toronto city councillor from 1988-2000, serving four terms through the turbulent period of Toronto’s amalgamation. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford attacks watershed protectors (Dec. 2020)
As the federal government adopts a bold plan to surpass its 2030 climate plan targets by dramatically hiking carbon taxes, spending billions to help Canadians retrofit homes, and provide massive incentives to carbon heavy industries to change their ways, the Ontario premier appears to be headed in the opposite direction. According to the auditor general’s recent update, this province is not even going to meet its miserly 2030 goal of reducing carbon emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on FORUM: Ford’s fall agenda deeply flawed (Dec. 2020)
Environment, evictions, schools dominate final days of Queen’s Park 2020 Session
By Jessica Bell
Queen’s Park closed for the year on December 8. Here are the legislative highlights from the final few weeks:
The Ford government continued trampling on Ontario’s natural environment. Government Bill 229 stripped the power of local conservation authorities to protect water quality and floodplains from development. Read more
Your support may prevent “ghost” towns on main streets
By Mike Layton
One of the most challenging years in recent memory is almost at an end, and I want to take this time to express my gratitude for the work of so many who saw us through. From our Medical Officer of Health and city staff, to local businesses, community groups and residents, it is clear that the majority of us want to work to overcome this pandemic, together. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Ring Music shuttered (Dec. 2020)
A deeper look reveals a storied past
By Nicole Stoffman
Ring Music, the guitar shop at 90 Harbord St., whose customers included Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, and Lenny Breau, has closed after 51 years in business. Read more
December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Pivoting from the pulpit with new technology (Dec. 2020)
Churches and synagogues ready for on-line services
By Mary An
Nine months into the global pandemic, religious communities have shifted their pulpits onto digital platforms. With Christmas coming, churches seem to be taking the social isolation mandates that limit their ability to connect physically with congregants in stride, while enjoying expanded audiences and in some cases, even surprisingly intimate connections. Read more
Welcome to December, month ten (give or take, depending on what date you track back to) of life in a global pandemic. Understandably, you might be struggling to conjure holiday feelings this month. Let’s remember, however, that it is “always darkest before the dawn,” and that on December 22, the days start getting longer. So let’s find out what the institutions associated with the Bloor St. Culture Corridor have in store. Read more