This year’s December cover is Beacon by Brian Harvey (Oil on Panel, 36” x 48” x 1.5”).  From the artist: “Beacon is a painting that came about in the aftermath of a heavy snowstorm.  As the weather let up and the sky began to clear I headed out to explore the quiet of nearby alleys […]

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A Japanese forger demonstrates a craft with a rich history By Rose Haberer Sparks flew on Oct. 4, when master blacksmith Masashi Yamamoto, one of Japan’s premier knifemakers, performed a live forging demonstration in Toronto’s Annex at Knifewear (517 Bloor St. W.). Knife enthusiasts and curious passersby gathered to witness the spectacle.  Japanese knifemaking carries […]

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The city is considering applying the HCD designation to the West Annex as part of its Phase II Heritage Conservation District Study. By Damola Omole On Oct. 21, 2025, City of Toronto planning staff hosted an open house at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), where individuals from the Annex neighbourhood provided feedback on […]

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In May, the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area (BIA) was approached by Councillor Dianne Saxe and the Annex Residents’ Association to take over the maintenance of Seaton Park at 14 Albany Ave., a long-neglected green space behind Hot Docs’ Cinema, currently operated by city parks.  Since then, the Bloor Annex BIA has been monitoring and […]

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Doug Ford never met a car he didn’t love. That’s easy to see from the just-passed Bill 60, particularly its transportation sections. This love affair with the car isn’t new—at least for anyone who remembers the late Rob Ford’s chaotic reign as mayor. Back then, with brother Doug as a city councillor, the Fords attacked […]

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New neighbourhood stores and the need for more electric buses By Dianne Saxe Season’s greetings to one and all! It’s been a busy time of year as we work towards the holidays. Here’s a list of the top things affecting our ward heading into 2026: 1. To give more people places to shop, play, learn, […]

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PCs are centralizing power By Jessica Bell We are witnessing the terrifying rise of fascism in the United States, where President Trump defies Congressional votes, ignores court rulings, and directs law enforcement against citizens. Ontario is not the United States; that said, under the Ford Conservative government, we are also witnessing the dismantling of our […]

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Many prominent families lived at 14 Madison Ave. By Michael Mastromatteo Nearly 100 years after they were first constructed, three old mansions at 14-18 Madison Ave.  gained a new lease on life. In 1983, after surviving the “rooming house malaise” of the 1960s, the houses evolved into the Madison Pub, a popular fixture in the […]

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Publisher held their annual wayzgoose on Sept. 4 By Drew Glennie Located on bpNichol Lane, a hidden road nestled between Huron and St. George streets, Coach House Books has been printing and publishing books since it was founded by Stan Bevington in 1965.  According to publicist James Lindsay, their wayzgoose has been held annually for […]

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Relocation, Common Sort, and Value Village each worth a visit  By Howard Pressburger If you have recognized me outside of work, you know I’m a pretty sartorial guy. As my Instagram says: “I was born in the ’60s, so were most of my clothes.”  The Annex is not quite Carnaby Street, but we do have […]

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The illegal mushroom dispensary, Shroomyz, located at 475 Bloor St. W. has twice had trucks drive through the front wall, has been fire-bombed four times, and raided by police at least twice, since July. —Gleaner News Staff

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