The Liberal and New Democratic Party (NDP) candidates for Spadina-Fort York (the southern half of what was formerly Trinity-Spadina) have come out strongly against any plan to expand the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Sitting member of Parliament (MP) Adam Vaughan, and former MP Olivia Chow, who are running in Spadina-Fort York, have both said […]

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Although gun crime is high in the entertainment district, neighbourhood crime and crime incidents related to gang activity is down, reported Staff Superintendent Francis Bergen of the Toronto Police Service at a 14 Division Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) meeting on Sept. 14. Bergen said that gun crime has been “off the charts in the […]

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A jumble of stories about an area lost to time By Annemarie Brissenden Before there was Ed Mirvish and his free turkey giveaways, there was Merle Foster and her annual Christmas trees; parties the sculptor would throw in St. John’s Ward for children who would have little other pleasure during the holiday season. Foster’s story […]

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I read the September Gleaner article “A haven for children’s literature”, on the 20th anniversary of the Lillian H. Smith library, and I was instantly brought home to my old neighbourhood in Toronto. I remember fondly afternoons spent reading a book in the garden behind the library. Or wintry afternoons spent roaming through the stacks, […]

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Thank you for your article in the August 2015 edition “Breaking bread with friends, Harbord Bakery marks 70 years”. It was a joy to be reminded of the rich history of the Harbord Bakery and how intertwined it is with the neighbourhood. Raffi Kosower, Roslyn Katz, Susan Wisnewski, their families, and the incredibly friendly bakery […]

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I lived above the Harbord Bakery (“Breaking bread with friends”, August 2015) in the early ‘60s. A newcomer to Toronto, I initially saw only space (furnished one-bedroom) and location (close to the U of T) that were right for me; however, I was soon to learn what a legendary roof I had found. The Kosowers […]

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Greenspace, heritage, and integration at top of list as Westbank opens Markham House Westbank opened its Markham House Citybuilding Lab to great fanfare during the Mirvish Village Sidewalk Sale on Sept. 19. Featuring a model of its proposed redevelopment for the site including Honest Ed’s and Mirvish Village, Markham House (610 Markham St.) will be […]

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Let’s lead so they will follow By Terri Chu, The federal election has been lack lustre on the environmental front to put it mildly. In fact, finding an environmental platform from the three major parties to write about for this final piece before election day is akin to searching through Kim Kardashian’s twitter feed for […]

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College and Russell streets facilities at risk By Brian Burchell The College Street branch of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is facing a whopping 333 per cent rent increase when its lease is renewed for another 20-year term in 2018. The landlord, a numbered company owned by Brookfield Asset Management, says raising […]

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Lillian H. Smith library branch celebrates 20 years By Annemarie Brissenden Can you remember the first book you ever read? Picture cracking open its spine and tracing the letters with your finger, as you try to make sense of the words. Remember your delight at the illustrations, giggling as the brilliant colours leapt off the […]

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Dupont Station will soon be fully accessible to all riders, regardless of mobility. It’s currently undergoing an upgrade under the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Easier Access Program, which aims to increase the accessibility of subway stations across the city. The station improvements – slated for completion in 2019 – include adding three elevators that will […]

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Hidden treasures, baked goods, food, crafts, books, CDs, and more all return to the fall fair this Oct. 3 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and 4 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at St. Peter’s Church (659 Markham St.). This annual two-day event – part flea market and part culinary festival – attracts crowds who enjoy […]

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