Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

ON THE COVER: “No pandemic doesn’t have an ending” (Dec. 2020)

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. 

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Seven storeys proposed for Davenport/Dupont (Dec. 2020)

December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Seven storeys proposed for Davenport/Dupont (Dec. 2020)

Plans for a futuristic condo at 361 Davenport unsettled

The trapezoidal-shaped lot here on Davenport is a challenge to
squeeze density into. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

A unique 7-storey mixed-used building from the developer Bianca Pollak is set to rise for 361 Davenport Rd., near Dupont. 


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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Holiday giving adapts to COVID-19

December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Holiday giving adapts to COVID-19

Westbank Corp. donated $5,000 to the Winter Table program at St. Peter’s Church on December 19. The developer was unable to host the neighbourhood turkey giveaway this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Shown are (left to right) Richard Tone (Winter Welcome Table, St Peter’s Church), Father Michael McGourty (St Peter’s church), John Lee (Westbank), Councillor Mike Layton, Mario Catarino (Winter Welcome Table, St Peter’s Church), Ian MacLeod (Westbank), Michelle Naray (Westbank), and Carla Cameira (Winter Welcome Table). COURTESY WESTBANK CORP.

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.

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Area long-term care homes and COVID (Dec. 2020)

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.

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Former City Councillor Ila Bossons, dead at 83 (Dec. 2020)

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.

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Tags: Annex · News

EDITORIAL: Ford attacks watershed protectors (Dec. 2020)

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. 

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Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion

FORUM: Ford’s fall agenda deeply flawed (Dec. 2020)

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. 

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

FORUM: Find ways to support local businesses (Dec. 2020)

December 21st, 2020 · 1 Comment

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.

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

FOCUS: Ring Music shuttered (Dec. 2020)

December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Ring Music shuttered (Dec. 2020)

A deeper look reveals a storied past

Bruce Dowd (L) and Bill Wager (R), 1974 or 1975. COURTESY MICHAEL MCLUHAN/RING MUSIC

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.

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Tags: Annex · Arts · Life

NEW IN BUSINESS: Get your fix of dumplings and wontons (Dec. 2020)

December 21st, 2020 · 1 Comment

Brave entrepreneurs open a restaurant during COVID

Serine Shi amd Nigel Schwartz, seen here in front of their College Street location, have opened a new spot on Bloor Street just west of Spadina Road. The couple have enjoyed much success despite COVID-19 restrictions. MARY AN/GLEANER NEWS

By Mary An

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Tags: Annex · News · Life

FOCUS: Pivoting from the pulpit with new technology (Dec. 2020)

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.

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Tags: Annex · Life

ARTS: Keep. Craving. Culture. (Dec. 2020)

December 21st, 2020 · 3 Comments

Many ways to engage 

By Meribeth Deen

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.

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Tags: Annex · Arts