[PHOTO] Our Mother Mary in blue, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church (1515 Queen Street West)

Mar. 29th, 2020 10:22 am
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I was walking last weekend west past Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church, in the west of the neighbourhood of Parkdale, when I saw this statue of the Virgin Mary. I had wanted to take a photo of the tatue, framed so nicely by the window behind it and with a coat painted in an earnest sky blue, for aesthetic reasons. I also recalled the old tradition of asking the Virgin Mary to intercede with Christ for mercy in--for instance--times of plague.

This image has turned out to become one of my most popular photos on Instagram, largely because of apparently Lebanese users finding the image via hashtags.

Our Mother Mary in blue #toronto #parkdale #queenstreetwest #ourladyoflebanon #virginmary #blue #statue #maronite #maronitecatholic
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[URBAN NOTE] Six Toronto links

Nov. 28th, 2019 02:57 pm
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  • Google has apologized for the negative shade its image search cast on Scarborough with a Twitter thread. Global News reports.

  • The National Post looks at the story of the architecturally remarkable Integral House, on sale for $C 21.5 million.

  • South Indian Dosa Mahal, a beloved Bloordale restaurant apparently displaced by landlords, has found a new home. blogTO reports.

  • The infamous Parkdale McDonald, at King and Dufferin, has officially been closed down, relocated. blogTO reports.

  • The Ontario Cannabis Store is experimenting with a same-day delivery program. NOW Toronto reports.

  • Lia Grainger writes at NOW Toronto about how poor city planning has resulted in multiple dangerous intersections. (I know of two in my broader neighbourhood.)

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: buses, 592 Sherbourne, Parkdale, planning, Doug Ford

Jun. 6th, 2019 05:36 pm
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  • Transit Toronto reports on the first electric bus in the TTC, now running the 35 Jane route.

  • Toronto Life takes a look at the history of 592 Sherbourne Street, now the restaurant Maison Selby.

  • NOW Toronto interviews people in Parkdale protesting against the cuts of Doug Ford.

  • John Lorinc at Spacing looks at the many problems with the Doug Ford alteration of city and provincial planning.

  • blogTO observes that this year's iteration of Ford Fest is going, inevitably, to be very political.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: food, McDonald's, cell phones, cricket, renoviction

May. 29th, 2019 02:34 pm
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  • NOW Toronto notes that poor and racialized people in Toronto find it difficult to access healthy food.

  • blogTO observes that the McDonald's at King and Dufferin has installed blue lights in washrooms to try to discourage the shooting up there of heroin.

  • The TTC is set to offer cell phone service in some downtown tunnels. blogTO reports.

  • Perry King at Spacing reports on how Toronto needs to expand its facilities for the growing number of players of cricket.

  • Samantha Edwards at NOW Toronto reports that the owner of 795 College has been fined $C 135 000 for the renoviction of prior tenants.

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[PHOTO] Six photos of moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north

May. 17th, 2019 12:18 pm
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Last night at 11 o'clock, I found myself on Dufferin at Queen, waiting for the northbound 29 Dufferin to come. The quiet perfect of the intersection at night, marked only by the occasional car, spoke to me.

Moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north (1) #toronto #parkdale #dufferinstreet #queenstreetwest #intersection #night #traffic


Moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north (2) #toronto #parkdale #dufferinstreet #queenstreetwest #intersection #night #traffic


Moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north (3) #toronto #parkdale #dufferinstreet #queenstreetwest #intersection #night #traffic


Moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north (4) #toronto #parkdale #dufferinstreet #queenstreetwest #intersection #night #traffic


Moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north (5) #toronto #parkdale #dufferinstreet #queenstreetwest #intersection #night #traffic


Moments at Dufferin on Queen, looking north (6) #toronto #parkdale #dufferinstreet #queenstreetwest #intersection #night #traffic
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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: Scotiabank, Parkdale, Integral House, Queen Video, #TinyTown

May. 2nd, 2019 03:29 pm
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  • blogTO shared the remarkable news that the Scotiabank Theatre, on John south of Queen, is set to be replaced by a condo development.

  • Emily Mathieu at the Toronto Star reports on how a trust in Parkdale bought a rooming house for the benefit of tenants there.

  • The world-famous Integral House in Rosedale is on sale for more than $C 20 million. blogTO reports.

  • Norm Wilner at NOW Toronto notes how the Criterion Channel is in no position to immediately replace the broad selections of now-departed Queen Video.

  • Francine Kopun reports at the Toronto Star about the sad state of the Tiny Town, the miniature scale model in the atrium of Toronto City Hall.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: interstitial buildings, Neon, Drake, Pizza Pizza, Yayoi Kusama

Apr. 15th, 2019 12:25 pm
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  • The Toronto Star looks at how buildings destined for demolition for condos are, in the interim, enjoying some innovative alternative uses.

  • CBC Toronto takes a look at the efforts of photographer Jon Simo, owner of Neon Demon Studios, to preserve and promote neon signs. (I went to the pop-up museum this weekend; photos to come.)

  • Toronto Life shares old photos of the Drake Hotel predating its transformation into a west-end hub.

  • blogTO lists the best, and the worst, Pizza Pizza locations in Toronto.

  • blogTO shares photos of Let's Survive Together, the Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror room bought by the AGO for its permanent collection.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: TTC, Cumbrae's, Vegandale, environment, Peter Harris

Apr. 1st, 2019 09:42 am
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  • Edward Keenan notes at the Toronto Star, drawing from an analysis of TTC budgets by Steve Munro, that things are not likely to get better for riders on the Bloor-Danforth line for at least another decade.

  • blogTO notes a protest of vegans outside of Queen Street West butcher shop Cumbrae's, the protesters pretending to sell dog meat.

  • Gilbert Ngabo writes at the Toronto Star about the mystery regarding the ownership of two Parkdale restaurants which loudly claim not to be part of the unpopular Vegandale.

  • Priyanka Vittal writes at NOW Toronto about how it might make sense for Toronto to sue oil companies for the costs of global warming-related environmental disasters.

  • Toronto Life notes the hyperrealistic city scenes of oil painter Peter Harris.

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[URBAN NOTE] Seven Toronto links: floods, Vegandale, Seduction, marijuana, TTC, Coffin Factory

Mar. 28th, 2019 02:36 pm
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  • CBC notes that the federal government has given the Greater Toronto Area $C 150 million for flood mitigation measures.

  • blogTO notes that the Vegandale controversy in Parkdale is continuing, with allegations new restaurants in the area have hidden links to unpopular Vegandale business proprietors.

  • The nigh-iconic main location of sex shop Seduction on Yonge Street is closing down. blogTO reports.

  • Why are all of the legal marijuana shops in Toronto concentrated in the downtown? The Toronto Star reports.

  • Global News reports on the different problems with recycling material in Toronto.

  • What would the Downtown Relief Line look like if the TTC was brought thoroughly under provincial control? The Toronto Star reports.

  • Samantha Edwards at NOW Toronto writes about the end of the Coffin Factory as a haven for artists, victim to the forces of gentrification undermining much of the physical base of the artistic culture of the city.

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[PHOTO] Fifteen photos from Discounted History, Myseum of Toronto (#myseumoftoronto)

Dec. 8th, 2018 01:14 pm
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In the month of November, the Toronto Media Arts Centre hosted the Myseum of Toronto exhibit Discounted Histories, looking at the retail past of the Toronto area. Artifacts from First Nations trade routes were displayed alongside contemporary cartoons of the 1990s retail wars and early 20th century department store offerings.

Discounted Histories #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #history #latergram


"Movements of Commodities Across Turtle Island" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #turtleisland #history #latergram


"Movements of Commodities Across Turtle Island" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #map #turtleisland #history #latergram

Wampum and chalcedony and trade goods #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #map #turtleisland #wampum #chalcedony #history #latergram


Beads and other trade goods #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #map #turtleisland #beads #history #latergram


HBC trade goods #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #map #turtleisland #hudsonsbaycompany #history #latergram


Abalone shell #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #map #turtleisland #shell #abalone #abaloneshell #history #latergram

Gleneaton Gossip Satin Pumps #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #gleneaton #shoes #history #latergram


Assorted goods #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #history #latergram


Assorted goods (2) #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #history #latergram


"Commodities of Trade" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #history #latergram


"Commodities of Trade" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #turtleisland #history #latergram


"Store Wars" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #storewars #andydonato #cartoon #history #latergram


"The Emporium Strikes Back" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #storewars #andydonato #cartoon #history #latergram


"Store Wars" #toronto #myseumoftoronto #discountedhistories #torontomediaartscentre #storewars #andydonato #cartoon #history #latergram
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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: 1 Yorkville. Parkdale antiques, 501 Queen, Zoo maglev, York Pillars

Nov. 27th, 2018 02:36 pm
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  • Urban Toronto shares a photo of the rising 1 Yorkville tower.

  • Tanya Mok at blogTO takes a look at the fast-disappearing cluster of antique shops on westernmost Queen Street West in Parkdale, near Roncesvalles.

  • Steve Munro takes a look at the effect of the King Street pilot project on 501 Queen transit times.

  • Might the Toronto Zoo have its own maglev train? blogTO reports.

  • A petition has been launched to save the York Pillars from demolition. I, for one, will sign it. Can you, too? Global News reports.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: Metropass, Dial-a-Story, Brickworks, South Etobicoke, NEWFOUNDLAND

Nov. 7th, 2018 12:14 pm
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  • Transit Toronto notes that, sadly, at the end of 2018, the TTC's venerable Metropass will be no more, subsumed into Presto. I bid this card a dear farewell: I will miss it!

  • Emerald Bensadoun at the Toronto Star writes about how the Toronto Public Library's Dial-a-Story program has been helping children learn English for decades.

  • Christopher Hume at the Toronto Star writes about the renovation of the Evergreen Brickworks' kiln building. I'm excited to see this place again.

  • This paid advertisement highlighting the attractions of South Etobicoke actually does seem to do a decent job of explaining the attractions of this part of Toronto. I'd buy a condo by the Humber.

  • blogTO notes that 1537 Queen Street West, in Parkdale, is set to host a new store, NEWFOUNDLAND, catering to Newfoundlander expats.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: Stackd, Parkdale, paradise Theatre, Bloor/Symington, Hadrian

Oct. 26th, 2018 04:37 pm
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  • Urban Toronto notes that Stackd, a container-based community market, is taking form near Fort York.

  • A Parkdale community group is seeking assurances of affordable housing from local developers. The Toronto Star reports.
    • The restoration of the Paradise Theatre on Bloor, in Bloorcourt, is proceeding apace. blogTO reports.
  • The intersection of Bloor and Symington is getting better. (I imagine that the growth of Sterling Road is one trigger.) blogTO reports.

  • This NOW Toronto review of the Rufus Wainwright opera Hadrian suggests promise. Perhaps a remount?

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: Jennifer Keesmaat, rent, Parkdale, TTC, public art

Oct. 22nd, 2018 12:14 pm
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  • Chris Selley at the National Post writes about the transformation of Jennifer Keesmaat from city planner to politician. (Vote for her today!)

  • blogTO notes that Toronto is now the most expensive city in Canada for renters.

  • Liam Barrington-Bush at NOW Toronto notes how, in the absence of any effective city leadership, people in Parkdale are taking it upon themselves to keep their neighbourhood affordable despite gentrification pressures.

  • Steve Munro explores the question of why TTC ridership has stagnated, if not fallen, in the past few years.

  • Sarah Ratzlaff has posted a stirring manifesto at Spacing calling for more public art in the City of Toronto.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: Little Tibet, #650Parliament, Downsview Park, #topoli

Oct. 1st, 2018 01:53 pm
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  • blogTO took a look at the history of Little Tibet, the stretch of Parkdale home to one of the biggest Tibetan communities outside of Asia.

  • Extensive electrical issues with 650 Parliament, the property manager claims, will keep that huge tower's inhabitants from their homes for months. Global News reports.

  • Urban Toronto notes how the new Downsview Park will make its densifying neighbourhood that much more attractive.

  • John Lorinc at Spacing considers the contributions, and possible threats, posed by fringe candidates in this year's mayoral election in Toronto.

  • Samantha Beattie at the Toronto Star reports on what some of the candidates who have dropped out of the race following the halving in the number of Toronto's wards are doing now.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: #650Parliament, St. James' Town, Parkdale, housing, Three Torontos

Sep. 28th, 2018 12:39 pm
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  • That residents of 650 Parliament Street will homeless for months in the aftermath of the fire that devastated their St. James Town tower is shocking. Global News reports.

  • The class-action lawsuit filed by residents of 650 Parliament against, among others, their landlords and Toronto Hydro for allowing this fire to take place sounds quite justified to me. CBC reports.

  • This story about Parkdale tenants facing eviction from their long-time home is very sad. The Toronto Star reports.

  • Torontonians may want more housing, polling reveals, but they don't want more housing built near their current homes. The Toronto Star reports.

  • May Warren at the Toronto Star suggests that this city is becoming like the world of Downtown Abbey, with service workers being pushed to the periphery of their metropolis. The article is here.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: Changing neighbourhoods, King West, Parkdale/Vegandale, Faith Goldy

Aug. 22nd, 2018 06:14 pm
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  • Contrary to some stereotypes, the downtown is becoming less diverse in population while the inner suburbs are becoming more so. The Torotno Star reports.

  • blogTO shares some pictures of what King West, now a glittering condo district, looked like back in the 1980s.

  • Parkdale now has a new, if unsanctioned, safe injection site. CBC reports.

  • The people behind the controversial Vegandale branding are now offering a hundred thousand dollars in funding to the community of Parkdale. The Toronto Star reports.

  • Justin Ling warns at The Walrus that Torontonians should be prepared for a strong showing by alt-right propagandist Faith Goldy in the upcoming mayoral race.

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[URBAN NOTE] Six Toronto links: violence, mass media, Vegandale, fentanyl, Twitter, Silver Dollar

Aug. 17th, 2018 05:37 pm
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  • This story about the assault of a photographer for the Toronto Sun by protesters highlights something alarming. The Toronto Star reports.

  • NOW Toronto highlights the role played by the Toronto Sun in putting forth an alt-right-tinged view of the Danforth shooting.

  • Natalia Manzucco at NOW Toronto looks at the continuing issues, economic and otherwise, surrounding "Vegandale".

  • Fentanyl is killing people in Toronto, including teenagers. Toronto Life reports.

  • The Toronto Public Library is inviting people on Twitter to collaborate in writing a book. Global News reports.

  • Will the Silver Dollar Room return, in any form? The Toronto Star reports.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five Toronto links: democracy, developers, Unilever, Vegandale vs Parkdale, Scarborough

Aug. 8th, 2018 05:17 pm
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  • Shawn Micallef is quite right to note that the fight for local democracy is not just worth it, but that it can be won. The Toronto Star has it.

  • Christopher Hume notes the leading role now played by developers in creating new neighbourhoods in Toronto, over at the Toronto Star.

  • Dylan Reid at Spacing takes a look at the question of how the Unilever lands, the Unilever Precinct, need to be developed.

  • Vice reports on the very recent meeting between Vegandale proponents and Parkdale residents. I have to say that many of the Vegandale types come off incredibly badly.

  • Author Catherine Hernandez writes about CBC Arts about her Scarborough, a collection of restaurants and performance spaces and more.

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[URBAN NOTE] Five #Parkdale links: Kalsang Dolmo, Designer Fabrics, #Vegandale

Aug. 7th, 2018 03:40 pm
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  • Despite profound uncertainty as to the fate of the election, Kalsang Dolma is continuing to run for her Parkdale ward. The Toronto Star reports.

  • Designer Fabrics, a costumer catering to theatre and film for 64 years, is set to close in Parkdale after 64 years. The Toronto Star reports.

  • "Vegandale", a district dense in vegan retail and restaurants on Queen west of Dufferin, has created a lot of controversy among people in Parkdale. The Toronto Star reports.

  • A community forum has been called to deal with the "Vegandale" marketing. NOW Toronto has more.

  • Global News reports on the dispute between the long-settled residents of Parkdale and the newer incomers, brought out by "Vegandale".

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