Mirvish Villagers stress link between affordability and character By Annemarie Brissenden Mirvish Villagers accustomed to battling real estate developers greeted an unexpected overture from Westbank Projects Corp. on April 30 at the Randolph Academy with polite skepticism. It was one of a series of introductory meetings hosted by the company, which last fall purchased a 3.47-acre […]

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    By Annemarie Brissenden Thomas Mulcair leaves his hockey hoodie at home in Montreal when he visits Toronto. “When I went for my run this morning, I had on a great big Habs hoodie, and I thought…maybe I should bring this to Toronto, and then I thought…nah,” joked the official opposition and New Democratic […]

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Community dismayed by lack of dialogue By: Annemarie Brissenden A packed standing-room only January 9 meeting on the future of Central Technical School’s (CTS) field laid bare the challenge of balancing student needs and community concerns. Local residents fear the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) plan to install a championship field and seasonal dome at […]

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College. Spadina, and Sussex potentially home to three new student residences By Annemarie Brissenden, Brian Burchell, and Neiland Brissenden In about 500 B.C., the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus (near modern-day Kusadasi, Turkey) propounded a distinctive theory of universal flux. It is an oversimplification of his views, but he is frequently attributed with the quote […]

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By: Beth McKay Often it is the small touches which make the Annex the welcoming and exceptional neighbourhood that it is today; and neighbours Taya and Jamie Cook of Grace Street certainly understand the importance of inclusivity and sharing. The Cooks have recently installed a little free library in front of their home with the […]

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Stats Confirm slide in crime reports By: Brian Burchell Feeling that your neighbourhood is a little safer these days? There is empirical evidence to support that view. At a recent meeting of the Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) for 14 Division, a consultative body the police use to keep connected with local stakeholder groups such […]

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By: Brian Burchell Two hundred and thirteen lost cats were rescued by the Annex Cat Rescue from the streets and back alleys in 2012 and adopted into loving local homes (statistics for 2013 are yet to be published). That’s a record year for the entirely volunteer-run organization. Continuing this year, with the support of Global […]

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Keeping tabs on the urban landscape By: Beth McKay Bobbie Rosenfeld Park and Salmon Run Fountain Between the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre Time: 1:15 pm Grade: B (Last year: B+) Reason: Nestled in between the CN tower and the Rogers Centre, this park pays tribute to Toronto’s waterfront through artist Susan Schelle’s salmon […]

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Consensus emerges for a better Ontario Police Complaints System By: Brian Burchell “More transparency, timeliness, independence, and accountability are what’s needed,” says Dr. Alok Mukherjee, chair of the Toronto Police Services Board; these are just some of the recommendations that have emerged from a report on the Future Directions for the Ontario Police Complaints System. […]

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Long-term predictable funding is what transit needs By: Olivia Chow and Joe Cressy  Those of us who live in the city all know the aggravation that can come with unreliable public transit and gridlock.  Being squeezed into an overflowing subway. Watching packed streetcars pass you by as you wait in the cold, already late for […]

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  Photo By Brian Burchell/Gleaner News, Files courtesy of Gus “Rory” Sinclair  Bloor Borden Market vendor Amanda Van Hart sells her produce at the end of a long growing season. The Van Hart family farm, located in the Holland marsh was started just after the Second World War by the Van Hart’s who emigrated from Holland. […]

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Photo By Brian Burchell/Gleaner News An estimated seven-hundred and fifty carved and lit pumpkins lined Harbord street just after dusk on November 1. The 6th Annual Harbord Street Pumpkin Festival saw local residents bring their Halloween craftsmanship to display for all to see on tables provided by the Harbord Street BusinessImprovement are, a key sponsor of the event which […]

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