Archive for August, 2009

…see the green – say goodbye

aug 27th 2009 132

St Clair Ave West. Is about to lose the large green verge along side the north side of Home Depot. This green area is a pleasant addition to the avenue that will be missed. Placed there at the time of the stock yards conversion to big box retail now the poles have been cut and new poles moved back towards the Home Depot store.

A look at the new planned streetscape drawing indicates there will be no large volume of grass area.

The loss of the green space can be used to highlight a the rapid and massive changes taking place one again the north Junction area   àASIDE: is their a name the local community puts to the area around St Clair Ave West and Weston rd, if anyone knows would they please let the blog know.

McBride building site open house Sept 16th 2009

From The Ruins by x3nomik Site of the former McBride Cycle... now a vacant lot filled with broken masonry

From The Ruins by x3nomik Site of the former McBride Cycle... now a vacant lot filled with broken masonry

Photo credit – x3nomik Site

A meeting with Gord Perks and a  city planner at Indian Road Public School on 9/16/2009 @ 7.00.

A COMMUNITY MEETING TO
DISCUSS
the Proposed Car Wash @
2803 Dundas Street West
(at the old McBride site)
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
7 – 9 pm
Indian Road Crescent Public School
285 Indian Road Crescent (at Humberside)
Should you have any questions, please contact Meri Newton at 416-338-5178, by email at
mnewton@toronto.ca
HOSTED BY
THE WEST BEND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
E-mail: info@thewestbend.ca Website: www.thewestbend.com
Come out and
• Hear from the developer and the architect
• Talk with City Planner Chris Dunn about this
proposal
• Share your thoughts on this development.

…post submitted by Jay and Martin L

A COMMUNITY MEETING TO DISCUSS the Proposed Car Wash

2803 Dundas Street West (at the old McBride site)

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009   7 – 9 pm

WHERE                                                                   Mr Perks, Poster Link

Indian Road Crescent Public School 285 Indian Road Crescent (at Humberside)

Should you have any questions, please contact Meri Newton at 416-338-5178, by email at mnewton@toronto.ca

HOSTED BY THE WEST BEND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

E-mail: info@thewestbend.ca Website: www.thewestbend.com

Come out and • Hear from the developer and the architect • Talk with City Planner Chris Dunn about this proposal

• Share your thoughts on this development.

post submitted by Jay and Martin L

Between Roncesvalles and Landsdowne, a neighbourhood in search of a name

National  post article on the Fuzzy Boundaries group

…area west of the Junction, from Davenport Street to Bloor Street and between Dundas Street and Lansdowne Avenue, has somehow remained nameless [link]

and a link to their upcoming meeting

Mimicofest Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 3pm to 8pm

mimicofest 2009

Theatre of Change will present its second annual presentation of Mimicofest, a community event showcasing local artists. Conceived by Artistic Director, Arturo Fresolone, Mimicofest not only offers food for the soul like, musical bands, dance troupes, theatre and children’s activities, but also a farmers market. Food and refreshments will also be available to take care of the body . Admission to the event is free and all are welcome. Please find attached a poster for the event and a press release for the event.

The event takes places this Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 3pm to 8pm at Amos Waites Park at the foot of Mimico Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd. W.

If you could please post this information online, that would be great!

For additional information, please contact Theatre of Change at: 416-503-4129 ortheatreofchange@hotmail.com.

Junction BIA input on the High Park Ave and Dundas St West traffic lights

aug 27th 2009 137

We asked the Local  BIA about their opinion on the new lights , they have provided their view which details  an astute view of the intersection that was missed in the original post – that of safety.

their comments…unedited

Safety First!


I am so very glad to see that stop lights are going up at the very
dangerous intesection of Dundas Street West and High Park Ave. It is a
horrific sound and sad event when I hear from my office the sound of
metal crashing together and then rushing to see if my assistance is
needed. Anyone who has driven north on High Park and turned west onto
Dundas St.knows that it is often very difficult to see oncoming
traffic and this seems to be when most accidents occur. Too many
accidents have happened and the lights will certainly make this a much
safer intersection for cars, pedestrians and of course dogs being
taken on walks! A safe Junction is a great Junction.


Anna-Louise Richardson
Executive Director
The Junction BIA

Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale August 28 – 30, 2009

sitebanner

Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale
August 28 – 30, 2009

Friday from 6 p.m. Opening Reception

Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Show & Sale | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Art Soirée;
free admission
Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Show & Sale Continue; free admission
@ Sunnyside Pavilion
1755 Lake Shore Blvd., Toronto
The inaugural Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale is a three-day
fine art event that takes place in the historic Sunnyside Pavilion on
Toronto*s waterfront from August 28-30, 2009. It provides a showcase
for approximately 70 dynamic emerging and established artists, and
features painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, fashion, and
jewelry, alongside live music and art performances. So, join us! Meet
the artists, support their practice, and purchase high-quality juried
works, all at the spectacular Sunnyside Pavilion. Free admission. Rain
or shine.

Opening Reception
Don*t miss our Opening Reception which kicks off the event on Friday,
August 28, from 6 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person, and include:
– A preview of the artworks and selection of award winners: First Place
Award for Outstanding Artist and Second Place Spotlight Award,
generously sponsored by South Beach Condos + Lofts, as well as the
Grazyna and Martin Kabat Award.
– The prize winners selection jury includes: David Angelo * Art
Collector, Member of the Advisory Board for the Museum of Contemporary
Canadian Art in Toronto, Betty Chee – Art Collector, Architect, Kelly
McCray – Artist, Art Collector, Curator for Edward Day Gallery, Krystyna
Mularczyk – Artist, Community Liaison, and Camilla Singh – Artist,
Independent Art Curator
– A live music performance by jazz singer Mars Horodyski
– Enjoy a martini bar, delicious drinks, fabulous hors d*oeuvres, and
fantastic conversation in the stunning grounds of the Sunnyside
Pavilion.

Please RSVP by August 26 2009
Monies collected will go towards supporting the Art Show.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please get in touch with
us.
EMAIL
sunnysideartshow@gmail.com
PHONE
416.622.7077
416.522.4291
WEB
www.artinitiatives.ca

500 and 530 Keele St ramps and raised roadbed to be resurfaced

aug 27th 2009 133

The ramps (at rear, not visible from Keele St) and raised roadways are to be resurfaced this year according to the site staff of the industrial unit rental site.

This is a much welcomed contribution to the upkeep of the only “modern” built industrial building in the Junction. The building was planned and  built by the CPR Railroad to bridge the gap between rail and road haulage. It  was perfectly maintained during their ownership. In the past few years maintenance levels have declined. This may have to do with the new owners having to run the property at a much lower rental rate than the rail road.

Fuzzy Boundaries discussion about neighbourhood identities

noname

This image features the many faces of our community past and present.

Where?
While those in the pictures may know each other by name, many aren’t sure what to call the neighbourhood.

A residents’ group called Fuzzy Boundaries has initiated a naming process for the area. You are invited to our second lively discussion about neighbourhood identities on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church (110 Franklin Avenue). Urban affairs specialist, CBC broadcaster and National Director of the annual Jane Jacobs Walk, Jane Farrow will discuss the naming experience of the West Queen West community group Active 18. Fuzzy Boundaries member Chris Kwaczek will also speak about neighbourhood demographics.

A Q & A will follow. All are welcome to attend this free event.

For details call Kevin at 416-537-1128 or visit fuzzyboundaries.ca where discussions about our great neighbourhood take place online.

[email_link]

fuzzyboundaries.ca
Colour photo by Vic Gedris, black & white photo City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Subseries 52, Item 665

Many thanks to our generous sponsors – realtors who are investing in the community where they work:
Chander Chaddah, Joseph (Joe) Russo and Grace Soares, Anita Merlo

Fenwick Automotive Product a big part of their site is for lease

Aug 16th 2009 002In 2008 top employers of Toronto  Fenco Products was listed in the group of 1,000-2,499 people employed business at their plant located at 1100 Caledonia Rd. deeper classification identified them as  a Mfr-mtr vehicle parts 3363 All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing.

Now much of their manufacturing plant sits empty awaiting a renter. It appears the company still has a head office at this location and manufacturing plants elsewhere.

Hoipefully this large industrial tract will remain industrial.

Sweet Celebrations

One of the few things that the Junction is missing is a really decadent bakeshop. 

Just a short jaunt west on Dundas past the Humber River @ 4158 Dundas, is a new cupcake shop called Swirls.  The original location is in Streetsville and they hope to be open their Dundas location very soon, the opening has been delayed due to the recent City strike and their permits were delayed.  Their Grand Opening is scheduled for September 12th.  http://www.swirlscupcakes.ca/index.php

Apparently the owner of Swirls looked at the Junction for a location but found better rent a little West.  A wise thing that the owners did was have two retailers combine in the the same space, the cupcake business is beautifully complemented by a coffee shop.  They also have lots of parking at the back of their store.  cupcake 001           cupcake 002

High Park Ave and Dundas St West traffic lights ribbon cutting ceremony

The lights at the intersection of High Park Ave and Dundas St West are going in right now to the joy of many, to cerebrate the community building benefits these lights will bring to the Junction, a ribbon cutting ceremony is planned at the completion of the installation of the traffic control lights.
Improved walk ability, easier back and forth flow when moving across Dundas St West., easier left hand turns, much easier for families push strollers around, are all great benefits of this installation.
Having a ribbon cutting ceremony will give the community a chance to let the city staff, local councillor, planning department, and the police department all know we want the Junction to a high priority and let  them know we appreciate there efforts.
The ceremony will receive official City of Toronto ribbon for this event.
Right now we getting in touch with the transportation and planning departments as the construction company doing the work to find out the completion date for the lights so we can post a date.
Bea Mozdzanowski of the councillors office will help pin down the completion date of the installation, she also helped get the ribbon.
If you have any ideas about the ceremony or want to help please email the blog at thejunctioneer@gmail.com.The lights at the intersection of High Park Ave and Dundas St West are going in right now to the joy of many, to cerebrate the community building benefits these lights will bring to the Junction, a ribbon cutting ceremony is planned at the completion of the installation of the traffic control lights.
Improved walk ability, easier back and forth flow when moving across Dundas St West., easier left hand turns, much easier for families push strollers around, are all great benefits of this installation.
Having a ribbon cutting ceremony will give the community a chance to let the city staff, local councillor, planning department, and the police department all know we want the Junction to a high priority and let  them know we appreciate there efforts.
The ceremony will receive official City of Toronto ribbon for this event.
Right now we getting in touch with the transportation and planning departments as the construction company doing the work to find out the completion date for the lights so we can post a date.
Bea Mozdzanowski of the councillors office will help pin down the completion date of the installation, she also helped get the ribbon.

The lights at the intersection of High Park Ave and Dundas St West are going in right now to the joy of many, to celebrate the community building benefits these lights will bring to the Junction, a ribbon cutting ceremony is planned at the completion of the installation of the traffic control lights.

Improved walk ability, easier back and forth flow when moving across Dundas St West., easier left hand turns, much easier for families push strollers around, are all great benefits of this installation.

Having a ribbon cutting ceremony will give the community a chance to let the city staff, local councillor, planning department, and the police department all know we want the Junction to a high priority and let  them know we appreciate their efforts.

The ceremony will receive official City of Toronto ribbon for this event.

Right now we getting in touch with the transportation and planning departments and the construction company doing the work to find out the completion date for the lights so we can post a date.

Bea Mozdzanowski of the councillors office will help pin down the completion date of the installation, she also helped get the ribbon.

If you have any ideas about the ceremony or want to help please email the blog at thejunctioneer@gmail.com.

Gerard Kennedy Seeks Director of Community Outreach

its-your-junction-with-jra-portal

The office of MP Gerard Kennedy has posted this call for a Director of Community Outreach:

Position Title: Director of Community Outreach

Location: Toronto
Function: Political/Community/Administrative
New/Replacement: New
GENERAL
Reporting to Gerard Kennedy, MP, the Director of Community Outreach is responsible for engaging Parkdale-High Park community organizations and the public-at-large by acting as a liaison, organizing meetings, events and advocacy campaigns, and creating a variety of different types of communications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Work with groups (local, business, resident/tenants, ethnic, religious, service, arts, issue oriented, etc.) in the community on federal issues; supervise and support a diverse volunteer team to: organize meetings, special events, and campaigns on specific issues; manage correspondence and appointments in the community; represent the MP at community functions that he cannot attend; create content for newsletters, websites and bulletins; achieve publicity in local and regional media.
SKILLS REQUIRED

High Park and Dundas St West traffic lights going in now

…has started today in earnest with Beacon contracting on site cutting the concrete for installation of the poles and the laying of the wire.  YEA this is going to be great – you will be able to cross at High Park and Dundas St West with safety and ease.

high park lights 1 003

removing sidewalk segments for wires and poles (which will be replaced)

BACKGROUND information from city staff reports
At the request of Councillor Bill Saundercook, Ward 13, Parkdale–High Park, on behalf of area residents, Transportation Services staff investigated the feasibility of installing traffic control signals at this intersection.
…city staff COMMENTS
Dundas Street West is classified as a major arterial roadway with a speed limit of
50 km/h. High Park Avenue is a local roadway operating northbound and southbound with a speed limit of 40 km/h. The TTC operates transit service on both Dundas Street West and High Park Avenue.

high park lights 1 002

COMMUNITY MEETING – THE NEW 11 DIVISION

send in by blog reader Kevin, thanks Kevin

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

COMMUNITY MEETING – THE NEW 11 DIVISION
On Tuesday the 25th of August 2009, a community meeting will be held at
the Davenport – Perth Neighbourhood Centre.  This centre is located at
1900 Davenport Road.  The meeting will take place from 7:00PM –
8:30PM in Perth Hall at the centre.  The purpose of this meeting is to
present the draft designs for our new police station to the community,
and to answer any questions that may arise.  Present at this meeting will
be representatives from the Toronto Police Service, Stantec Architecture
Ltd, the design committee and the advisory committee.

This project is on schedule and actual on site work will begin in the
near future.
Our anticipated occupancy of the completed building is in November 2011.

Source: 11 Division Community Bulletin, August 2009
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/d11/20090817-d11_community_bulletin.pdf

last nights storms bring tree and tree branches down in the Junction

aug 20 2009 storm 001

The storm last night bought a tree down onto a house in the Junction causing some damage to a second floor deck. When the insurance agent arrived he said this is the 5 place he had visited this morning in the west end of the city.

Another tree across the street lost a large branch also.

Many streets in the Junction have large branches or sections fall off during big storms in the past few years, it seems just about very big storm causes some of this.  Could this show a need for more preventive tree maintenance?