May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Geary goes green (Apr. 2021)
Construction on first Green Line initiative set for 2022
Widening sidewalks for better accessibility and pedestrian safety surrounding Geary Avenue Parkette is being discussed. COURTESY DTAH
By Mary An
One of the first initiatives within the Green Line is underway. As chronicled in the Annex Gleaner’s February edition, the Green Line will be a five kilometre-long park running along the hydro-electric corridor north of Dupont Street. Read more
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Light sculptures appear on Bloor (Apr. 2021)
BIA pays homage to its many food establishments during COVID
The colourful strainers and colanders catch the eye during the day and vibrate unique mandela effects during the night. This cylinder artwork can be found lighting up the new parkette on Brunswick Avenue at Bloor Street West MARY AN/GLEANER NEWS
May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: The pivot to the mask trade (Apr. 2021)
Stores like David Dunkley Fine Millinery at 974 Bathurst St. have successfully re-tooled to make protective masks for their customers. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
Rainbows, sparkles and onesies, it turns out, are no match for a global pandemic. That’s what Lien Nguyen and her business partner found out after COVID-19 forced numerous strategic pivots just to stay alive. Their enterprise, the Unicorn Café, opened up in January of 2020 at 561 Bloor Street W., and attempted to continue running via Uber Eats. Like many businesses, the Unicorn Café entered the mask trade and in that, found some hope. Read more
March 26th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Community input changes Bloor/Spadina build (Mar. 2021)
Developer returns to the table with a 35-storey plan for corner
A mix of commercial and residential development is proposed for the northwest corner of Bloor and Spadina. The plan includes a commercial podium. COURTESY IBI GROUP
March 26th, 2021 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Revitalization of Robert St. Field (Mar. 2021)
Long-awaited renewal of U of T park space for community use
Emerging from its confusing past, Robert Street Field has upgraded the playground and the field is now the largest geothermal project in Canada. COURTESY STUDIO tla OBTAINED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
March 5th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: First Black woman appointed superintendent (Feb. 2021)
Supt. Stacy Clarke has become the first Black woman to be appointed Superintendent at Toronto Police Service. COURTESY RONALD FANFAIR/TORONTO POLICE SERVICE
Stacy Clarke, the second-in-command at Toronto Police Service (TPS) 14 Division has been appointed superintendent, a rank never before held at TPS by a Black female officer. 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
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 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Pivoting from the pulpit with new technology (Dec. 2020)
Churches and synagogues ready for on-line services
By Mary An
Nine months into the global pandemic, religious communities have shifted their pulpits onto digital platforms. With Christmas coming, churches seem to be taking the social isolation mandates that limit their ability to connect physically with congregants in stride, while enjoying expanded audiences and in some cases, even surprisingly intimate connections. Read more
December 4th, 2020 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Community groups push pedestrian safety on Avenue Road (Nov. 2020)
Narrow sidewalks plague pedestrians on Avenue Road. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
According to the City of Toronto, over 60,000 cars, on average, are caught driving over the speed limit on Avenue Road every week. The sidewalks between Bloor Street West to St. Clair Avenue West do not meet the accessibility standards requiring a minimum width of 152.5 cm, and local groups want improvements to start immediately. With the support of councillors Mike Layton and Josh Matlow, they have requested the launch of a Pedestrian Safety Improvement Pilot Project that would replace a lane on both sides of the road with a temporary barrier. Read more
December 4th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Fairy doors “magically appear” (Nov. 2020)
Though their origin is a mystery, they are being mapped
Martha Davis and Daniel Levine created fairies to go along with the doors as a way to help contribute and keep the community spirit up in Seaton Village. Who built the doors remains a mystery. MARY AN/GLEANER NEWS
