Notorious bar on month-to-month lease

The Brunny’s lease expires at the end of December. Corrina King, Gleaner News

By Annemarie Brissenden

Larry Sdao’s late November confirmation that he would not renew The Brunswick House’s lease has galvanized the community into a discussion about the future of the notorious landmark. It’s also become a catalyst for a broader discussion about the future of the neighbourhood, and revealed disconnects between residents, business-owners, and the city itself.  Read more

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Trap-Neuter-Return reduces feral feline population

Some feral cats can be domesticated, like Ossington Avenue resident James Beaton’s cat Boo. Courtesy Barbara Isherwood

By Summer Reid  Read more

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Laneways untapped realm of urban design

In April 2014, then federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau visited Scadding Court Community Centre’s innovative street food and retail market, housed in retrofitted shipping containers. Market 707 is one of the models consultants are studying as part of their research to develop a business plan for Westbank’s Honest Ed’s Alley.
Brian Burchell, Gleaner News  Read more

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“Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory,” said Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidential inaugural address in 1933.  Read more

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A Ward 20 year in review

By Joe Cressy

In Ward 20, we’ve had a busy year! We’ve worked hard on the dozens of development files that populate downtown, improving our green spaces, and building liveable communities — and we have a lot to be proud of.  Read more

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Grassroots activism marks annual review

In May, David Suzuki Foundation Neighbourhood Park Ranger Aidan Nolan (above left) guided volunteers as they transformed a canoe into a garden in front of Tollkeeper’s Cottage at Bathurst Street and Davenport Road. Neiland Brissenden, Gleaner News

By Annemarie Brissenden

DEVELOPMENT DRIVES DENSITY DOWNTOWN  Read more

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Proposed hookah lounge category voted down

Bampot Bohemian House of Tea & Board Games on Harbord Street will remove shisha from its menu after a city-wide ban takes effect in April 2016. Corrina King, Gleaner News

By Dilara Kurtaran  Read more

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Organizations working with Lifeline Syria, Canadian Druze Society

St. Thomas’s Anglican Church parishioner Tina J. Park (right) and friend Sowon Kim serve three flavours of fruit punch during a parish hall reception following the church’s Voices of Refuge fundraising concert. Photo courtesy Julia Armstrong

By Summer Reid  Read more

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Policy favours car ownership over public transit

By Terri Chu

To say that another Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) fare hike is disappointing is a mild understatement. When the Yonge line opened in 1954 with its first 12 stations, fares cost 15¢ ($1.34 in today’s dollars). The recent fare hike puts the increase at about 2.5 times above and beyond inflationary rates.  Read more

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Campaign marked by strong candidates

By Annemarie Brissenden

Take a moment and indulge in a thought experiment.

Imagine a room filled with people engaged in the business of politics. It could be in Parliament during question period, a human rights hearing at the United Nations, or a G8 meeting. Do you have the image? Now, take away the men.  Read more

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Project Hope hits home for Bathurst Street parish

St. Peter’s Church (shown above) parishioners have to date raised $10,000 towards sponsoring a refugee family to come to Canada. Summer Reid, Gleaner News

By Summer Reid  Read more

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The community had its first formal opportunity to review Westbank Corp.’s plans for Mirvish Village at a public consultation at the Bickford Centre Cafeteria hosted by the City of Toronto on Oct. 7. The area includes Markham Street, Honest Ed’s, and the adjacent properties on Bathurst Street. Many of those in attendance expressed concerns about adding density to the neighbourhood, and the project’s lack of green space.  Read more

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