March 5th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Bagel Time faces pandemic’s challenges with high hopes (Feb. 2021)
Bagel Time is now open at 551 Bloor St. W. COURTESY BAGEL TIME
The past year has hit restaurants particularly hard, but some eateries are managing not only to survive, but thrive despite the pandemic. Bagel Time, a family-owned chain specializing in fresh, Montreal-style bagels is one such business, having opened its third Toronto location just east of Bathurst Street in December. Read more
Former ARA Chair, Metro and City Councillor Ila Bossons passes at 83
By Nicole Stoffman
When big decisions hang in the balance at city hall, councillors often form predictable coalitions along the political spectrum. Ila Bossons was one councillor who bucked that trend. “The middle way is the best way,” the independent candidate declared in 1988, during her successful campaign to become Metro Councillor for the new ward of Midtown, which included the Annex. Read more
January 27th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Carrying on a legacy (Jan. 2021)
Bringing chess to life after Chess Institute of Canada founder’s passing
Every June, when the Bloor Annex BIA closed the street for a festival, the Chess Institute would set-up their giant chess board with life-sized pieces. It was a very popular feature for attendees. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
New building plan clears hurdles at Committee of Adjustment
View, looking East from Madison Avenue, of the soon to be constructed Estonian Cultural Centre. The proposal has widespread support from the residents’ association and the city alike. COURTESY ALAR KONGATS
Residents and shoppers alike were surprised to see the Green P parking lot on Madison Avenue close in early January. The city had been leasing the space for Green P but that lease was not renewed by the property owners who also own the adjacent 11 Madison Ave. The owners plan to begin construction soon on the International Estonian Centre, a cultural and community space. In July of 2016, the Gleaner did a feature on that pending development. We include it again here as a reminder.Read more
January 27th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: A new green space within the Annex (Jan. 2021)
As part of the 5-km long Green Line project, a new park is propose at Dupont Street and Davenport Avenue. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
A new park is coming to Macpherson Avenue as a part of the city’s Green Line project. Macpherson Avenue Park will be located at Macpherson Avenue and Davenport Road, down the street from Jay Macpherson Parkette. This park is a part of a bigger project proposed by the city called the Green Line project which, according to the city, would “transform a currently in-use electric transmission corridor into a five km-long connected park and open space.” This new park will be the first of three new parks to be initiated for their Green Line project. Read more
January 27th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Huron St. Playground going leash-free (Jan. 2021)
300 square metres of off-leash freedom is being implemented on the West side of the park. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
The Annex has just three designated off-leash dog park areas: Bickford Park, Ramsden Park, and Vermont Square Park. A 2018 motion to add a fourth off-leash area (OLA) in the neighbourhood is now underway at Huron Street Playground. Located just northwest of Bloor Street West and St. George Street, the park currently has a few playground structures including a rope climber, a sandbox, a swing set, and a small rock-climbing structure. Read more
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
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. 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
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
December 4th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Park set for improvements (Nov. 2020)
Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park named after dinosaur hunter
A plaque memorializes the long time Walmer Road resident. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Tanya Ielyseieva
A plan to redo Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park (Dalton Road and Bloor St. West) is set to be completed by the end of next year, with construction scheduled to begin next summer. Read more
