Queens Quay Life

Strike update from our councillor

2009-07-30T15:46:00.001-04:00

Just got Adam Vaughan's July newsletter. Here's an update from his office on the strike

Some of the things that my office has been working on during the strike include:
- working with resident associations’ and business improvement areas’ across the ward to organize & obtain permits for dumpsters to get rid of waste to prevent accumulation
- supporting residents who have been conducting community clean-ups in their neighbourhood
- worked with Scadding Court Community Centre to host a community compost site to divert some organic waste
- personally picked up and removed 22 bags of garbage that accumulated on the street and in planter boxes at College and Augusta in advance of last week’s Pedestrian Sundays event in Kensington Market
- daily bike patrols through the ward to find and report locations of illegal dumping
- regularly communicating with Toronto Public Health and connecting them with local businesses proactively working to maintain cleanliness standards
- reaching out to businesses that have been improperly storing their garbage to request clean-ups to prevent rodent problems
- meeting with representatives of Tim Horton’s and Starbucks (both head-office representatives and franchisees in Ward 20) to develop a program where these businesses help divert and collect garbage on the street. (Some of the outcomes from these meetings include a community clean-up conducted by Tim Horton's staff, and posters put up in stores that encourage people to either throw their disposable cups out in the store, hang onto them until they get home, or bring a re-usable cup. Posters developed by our office have now been put up in Tim Horton's stores across Toronto. Starbucks took a city-wide approach by mandating their staff to clean up around their storefronts and initiating a radio and print add campaign to promote incentives for customers using re-useable cups).
- We also compiled and circulated a listing of all of the organizations in Ward 20 that offer summer day programs for children in an effort to assist parents who have been affected by the strike (the list is online here: http://adamvaughan.ca/AV-newsletter/newsletters/Whatskidtodo.pdf)
As of today, the City has negotiated tentative agreements for four collective agreements with CUPE 79 and also with TCEU 416. The specific details of the settlements still need to be ratified by the memberships of the respective unions and City Council. A Special Meeting of City Council will be held this Friday July 31st (assuming that the unions ratify the offers on Thursday July 31st). More information is available on the City of Toronto’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/labour-relations/index.htm

We all look forward to a better fall, but a busy one. If you are vacationing: safe travels and see you soon.

We're back!

2009-07-28T21:07:00.003-04:00

Miss us?

No, we weren't on strike like local 416 and 79, but we were taking a breather since trying to do a post every day for six months. Fear not, nothing major has really happened, right?

The strike kinda made the neighbourhood a little quieter, and lets just say that if the agreements are notified by mid week, then the lineups will start to happen. We will say that the waterfront fared okay during the strike. Harbourfront TO guys kept their area clean and not much garbage has really made its way into the neighbourhood. And since condo refuse gets trucked out of there, we're fine!

One thing you may have noticed is that the Rees Wavedeck opened in the past few weeks, which means we have three functional wavedecks from Spadina to Simcoe. More on that later.

Anyhow, we're back in business and starting to work on some posts. As usual, email us if you have any ideas.

Leon's at the Roundhouse

2009-07-10T09:12:00.000-04:00

We were walking by the Rogers Centre a few afternoons ago, the day before they opened the Leon's at the Roundhouse. Some media coverage and and a podcast discussing it. We have yet to check it out, but below are some pictures we snapped .

See some of the construction workers playing on the mini train

Personally, we remember shopping at all the furniture stores in Toronto before moving down to the Queens Quay area. We wonder if Leon's has Toronto condo-friendly furniture: Hint: smaller spaces, a little hipper for the working and young set.

East Bayfront meeting tonight

2009-07-08T09:12:00.000-04:00

This is a note from Waterfront Toronto about the East Bayfront project, which we've written about in the past. It's Queens Quay East, starting just after the Redpath plant. We can't make it tonight but hope one of you will and report back.

East Bayfront is a 22-hectare site that extends from Jarvis Street to Parliament Street and from Lake Shore Boulevard to the water’s edge. East Bayfront is planned to be a new vibrant, waterfront community with mixed-use development, continuous access to the water's edge, public transit and a series of new parks and open spaces.

On July 8, Waterfront Toronto is holding a public meeting to present plans and discuss key features of East Bayfront including its water’s edge promenade, Parliament WaveDeck and evolving design for the innovative stormwater management system.

A presentation will be made by world renowned landscape architect Adriaan Geuze of the West 8 + DTAH design team. In addition, updates will be provided on construction activities and upcoming groundbreakings for Sherbourne Park and Sugar Beach.

Workbooks will be distributed and public feedback will be solicited. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and share ideas.

PUBLIC MEETING:
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Novotel Hotel, Champagne Ballroom
45 The Esplanade, Toronto
6:30 p.m. (Open House)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Presentation)

Summer weekends and holidays at Harbourfront Centre

2009-07-02T18:12:00.000-04:00

Here are the descriptions for the rest of the summer weekends at Harbourfront Centre. More information on their website

The Hot Spot (July 3 to July 5)
This new festival explores culturally innovative trends from around the world with hot Nigerian music and much more.

Beats, Breaks & Culture (July 10 to July 12) - Presented by NOW Magazine
The sixth edition of one of North America's top electronic music and culture festivals plugs into powerful currents of urban dance and modern musical expression.

Mexico: Beyond Your Expectations (July 17 to July 19)
In the 100 years since the Revolution, and in the 200 years of the Independence, Mexico has emerged as a fertile crossroads of North and South American culture with its own ancient and renewed identity. Mexico's artistic vitality is celebrated at this new festival with a contemporary multidisciplinary showcase of the country's numerous regions and traditions.

Canadian Voices (July 24 to July 26)
Canada has a rich history producing some of the world's best singer-songwriters. This new festival highlights emerging Folk, Hip-Hop and Rock musicians.

Island Soul (July 31 to August 3)
A kaleidoscope of Pan-Caribbean culture represented through food demonstrations, dance and music from renowned Reggae, Creole and Calypso artists.

Zaika: A South Asian Food Festival (August 7 to August 9) - Coproduced with The Weekly Voice
Experience the diversity and regional specialties in South Asian cuisine today alongside the song, dance and films that make South Asian culture a sensory delight.

Planet IndigenUs (August 14 to August 23) - Coproduced with the Woodland Cultural Centre
The planet's largest contemporary Indigenous arts festival features exhibitions and events at organizations across Toronto and Brantford all summer long - culminating with two weekends of music, film and performing arts events by international and Canadian artists at Harbourfront Centre (August 14 to 16 and August 21 to 23).

TELUS TAIWANfest: A New Journey (August 28 to August 30)
Explore the evolving Taiwanese concept of marriage through multicultural and cross-generational perspectives. Artists directly from Taiwan and Canadian artists of Taiwanese heritage are showcased in music, visual arts, culinary arts and fashion events.

Hot and Spicy Food Festival (September 4 to September 7) - Presented by NOW Magazine
The 12th edition of this festival features local and international chefs dishing up hot, sweet and spicy cuisine in demonstrations and workshops. Live music and dance enrich the smorgasbord of events which include the International Iron Chef Competition, the Red Hot Market and Toronto International Firefighter calendar chefs!

Canada Day's going to be busy down here on Queens Quay

2009-06-29T08:41:00.000-04:00

We couldn't help but notice that a whack of events are now cancelled for Canada Day in light of the city strike.

The cancelled events include:

* Ashbridges Bay Fireworks
* Canada Day Event, Earlscourt Park
* Somali-Canada Day, Earl Bales Park
* Peanut Town Festival, Oriole Park - North
* East York Toronto Canada Day, Stan Wadlow Park
* Shomoy Mela, Detonia Park
* Canada Day Celebrations, Thompson Memorial Park/ Miliken District Park
* Canada Day Celebration, St.James Park
* New Country Canada Day Jam, Woodbine Park
* 16th Annual Neighbours Together, Riverdale Park East
* Canada Day Festival, Kew Gardens
* Canada Day, Mel Lastman Square

All City-run scheduled events at Nathan Phillips Square, Metro Square, other civic squares and in parks have been cancelled due to the labour disruption. Some large special events that are not organized by the City are going ahead as scheduled.

So.. that leaves our neighbourhood as one o the places left to go to for huge public event.

Luckily, the folks at Harbourfront Centre have big plans for Wednesday. See their plans here. It includes a lot of activities and an impressive musical lineup that starts with the Regent Park Band and ends in the evening with Chad VanGaalen at 8 p.m. and the Constantines at 9:30 p.m.

Don't forget that the Festival of Fire is on at Ontario Place (on Saturday the 27th and on Canada Day). You can buy tickets here or you can find a spot on Queens Quay area to watch the fireworks.

Photo of the week: CN (Pride) Tower

2009-06-28T22:25:00.002-04:00

As this is Pride Week, capped off by the Pride parade, we snapped a photo of the CN Tower lit up with the rainbow. Enjoy

Sobeys at CityPlace open. Our first thoughts

2009-06-27T14:28:00.000-04:00

So we went grocery shopping at the new Sobeys at Spadina and Fort York. (Yes, even neighbourhood blogs need to shop for food, it's what fuels our volunteer efforts to bring you news about QQ).

There's been a lot of interest in this location since we first reported about it back in January. CityPlace is dying for a place to buy more than just what Rabba provides for. And those without cars, there aren't much choices.

Here's our first take of the shopping experience.

As we entered, we instantly were wowed by the sheer size of this one compared to our other Sobeys at York Street. The Fort York location is definately bigger. There's a wine store near the entrance (not wine rack) and we saw that they had dedicated quite a lot of space to ready-to-eat meals and sides. Maybe that's what us urban folk need: people to cook for us.

Produce: Took us awhile to navigate the area, but they have all the usuals, and in plentiful supply. Produce was in decent shape, fruit not over ripe and plenty of choice. We noticed a lot of 'exotic' fruit and veg were available, like plantain and dragonfruit. Also a large amount of space for veggies typically used in Asian cooking, not surprising considering the clientelle.

Bakery: A little more selection than in the York St. Sobeys, and a few buns and pastries not offered there. We like the mix of packaged, 'freshly baked' and loaves from places like Ace Bakery.

Prepared foods: They have a vibrant sushi making station at one of the entrances (we're interested to see how that works out.) The length of an entire aisle is dedicated to salads, entree like items (like panko crusted chicken)_and they were carving some sort of roast pork. Food looked okay and lots of people were eyeing the food.

Seafood/Meat: Impressed by the selection of beef, pork and chicken, with different cuts (from grilling steaks to formed hambuger). The seafood is a little sad in comparison, a big chest of frozen seafood but some fresh.

Aisles: Pasta aisle is quite stacked, and the others have the usual stuff, but in pretty good supply. A few sections again targetting Chinese clientele. Definately well stocked right now.

Frozen food: Yep, plenty. Nuff said.

Customer service: People are a little too friendly, and we were accosted by three wandering employees looking to sign up people to Club Sobeys. Okay, we were lured in by the promise of Aeroplan points. The cashier stations also included, at least on Saturday, baggers, so that's pretty nice.

Okay, it's a grocery store. Plain and simple. A pretty good one and if it gets the business we hope it gets, the produce and meat departmnet should showcase good quality groceries.

What did you guys think? Like it, love it?

Photo of the week: Reflections

2009-06-25T09:02:00.000-04:00

We bring you a recently snapped picture as today's post. We're gearing up for a summer coverage at QQL as things will heat up in the neighbourhood so stay tuned.

Booze shortage on Queens Quay? Nah.

2009-06-23T21:46:00.001-04:00

Update: No strike.

So.. on top of this Toronto city worker strike that has cut out public access to the Toronto Islands, hit daycares and of course, resulted in garbage mayhem. Tonight, LCBO workers are set to strike!

As you know, there are two LCBO stores on Queens Quay, one across the street from the Redpath building, and another at the Loblaws at Jarvis.

BUT, fear not, we got a few options.

1. The Beer Store! Okay, no wine or liqour but hey, it's summer and not a bad time for beer drinking (350 Queens Quay West)
2. The Vineyards Estate on Queens Quay for plenty of Niagara region wines (228 Queens Quay West)
3. The Wine Rack at the entrance of the Sobeys at the Queens Quay Terminal (207 Queens Quay West)

Got it, we're covered. Phew...

Toronto city workers on strike! What does this mean for you?

2009-06-22T00:54:00.000-04:00

We got Adam Vaughan's bulletin last week about the contingency plans in event of the strike that was just called. One thing that doesn't hit condoland as hard is garbage pickup, which continues. Other things, not so much, like the Toronto ferry service being cancelled. Here's the document

IN THE EVENT OF A LABOUR DISRUPTION

Police, Fire, TTC and Long Term Care Homes & Services (Homes for the Aged) will not be affected by a labour disruption. In the event of a labour disruption, emergency calls for ambulance/paramedic services will continue as usual. Non-emergency and low priority calls may be affected.

The City's water supply and sewage treatment systems will continue to function within established safety and quality standards.

Council and Committee Meetings

All scheduled meetings of Council, community councils, standing committees, advisory committees and task forces will be cancelled. This includes hearings conducted by the Committee of Adjustment and the Property Standards Committee and their area panels. For more information see www.toronto.ca/legdocs/schedule.htm

All City-run events scheduled on Nathan Phillips Square, Metro Square and other civic squares will be cancelled. Call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 to confirm if an event is proceeding.

All Environment Days scheduled during the labour disruption will be rescheduled. The Ward 20 Environment Day is currently scheduled for Saturday June 27 at Central Tech.

Toronto Island ferry service will be cancelled. Island residents will be advised of special transportation arrangements.

City Hall, Metro Hall and Civic Centres

Public access to City Hall, North York Civic Centre, Metro Hall, York Civic Centre and Scarborough Civic Centre will be restricted to ground floors only, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. only. The public may have to cross picket lines to enter these buildings. In a legal labour disruption, unions have a lawful right to picket. Anyone who encounters any problems in attempting to cross a picket line is encouraged to speak with a City management staff person who will be present. Access to parking at some City facilities may be delayed. Members of the public having business on other City floors will require an escort by a representative of the program area with whom they have business.

Courier deliveries will continue to be accepted in the City Hall and Metro Hall mail rooms.

Closed

The East York Civic Centre and Etobicoke Civic Centre

Continued City Hall services

. Receiving legal documents including notices, claims and appeals

. Receiving requests related to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)

Submission of Official Documents

In-person delivery of mail or documents addressed to the City Clerk, including appeals of planning matters to the Ontario Municipal Board will be accepted at the City Clerk's Office counter on the ground floor of City Hall.

City Clerk's Office service counters at Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough Civic Centres will be closed.

Cancelled services

All tours, visits, presentations and official City events
Research of past decisions and bylaws
Receiving and responding to City employment applications
Public education program and school/community group tours of City Hall

Wedding Chambers

Wedding ceremonies will continue during regular business hours from Monday to Saturday at Toronto City Hall. Only scheduled ceremonies at North York Civic Centre will take place. No new bookings will be accepted during the strike, except at Toronto City Hall.

Closed

Wedding facilities in the Scarborough, East York and York Civic Centres. Affected residents can call Registry Services at
416-392-7036.

Applications for marriage licences are available at www.serviceontario.ca.

Toronto Archives

The City of Toronto Archives located at 255 Spadina Rd. will be closed.

Garbage Collection

Cancelled

Residential and commercial curbside collection, green bin and recycling will be cancelled in areas of the city.

Residential curbside collection, green bin and recycling pick up will continue in Etobicoke.

Commercial night time (yellow bag) pick up will not be available in Etobicoke.

All yard waste, white goods (e.g. fridges and stoves), household hazardous waste, ElectroVan and HazMobile collection is cancelled, including yard waste pick up in Etobicoke.

In areas with no collection services:
Residents are encouraged to properly package and store their garbage for the first week of a strike. Do not place any items out at the curb. To minimize the amount of waste, please:

Do not attempt to store green bin materials for the duration of the labour disruption - place them with your garbage
Store recyclables (can, bottles, paper and newspapers) and yard waste at home until regular collection resumes
Place garbage in securely tied, double plastic bags
Postpone garden trimming and pruning

Residents are asked:

To help elderly and disabled people in their neighbourhood by offering to take their garbage to designated nearest drop-off locations
Not to throw garbage onto streets, into laneways or parks.
Not to leave litter or waste at litter bins. These will not be emptied during the disruption.

Continuing

Apartment collection for garbage, recycling, bulky items and Green Bin (where provided) will continue in all areas of the city. Apartment superintendents note:

Front load steel container collection only; curbside and other container collection will be discontinued.
Collect green bin organics where applicable.
Please have containers ready for collection the night before as collection times and days may vary.

Transfer Stations

Two transfer stations will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to accept both residential and commercial garbage:

Bermondsey Transfer Station
188 Bermondsey Rd
(Eglinton Ave. E. & Victoria Park Ave. area)

Ingram Transfer Station
50 Ingram Dr
(Keele St. & Eglinton Ave. W. area)

All residential waste will be accepted free of charge. All must be double-bagged.
Yellow bag customers may deliver their waste to a transfer station free of charge and without use of yellow bags. Proof of registration in the yellow bag program is required.
All commercial waste must be weighed and will be subject to a $100 per tonne tip fee. All odorous commercial waste must be double bagged.

In addition, five transfer stations will be open 12 hours a day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, to accept both residential and commercial garbage. Remember to double bag.

Disco Transfer Station
120 Disco Rd
(Dixon Rd. & Carlingview Dr area)

Dufferin Transfer Station
35 Vanley Cr
(Chesswood Dr & Sheppard Ave. W. area)

Victoria Park Transfer Station
3350 Victoria Park Ave
(Victoria Park Ave & Finch Ave. E. area)

Commissioners Street Transfer Station
400 Commissioners St
(Lake Shore Blvd. E. & Logan Ave area)

Scarborough Transfer Station
1 Transfer Pl
(Markham Rd & Sheppard Ave. E. area)

Additional residential drop-off locations will be announced should the labour disruption continue for more than five days.

Should the labour disruption continue, allowances will be made to permit residents to put out additional garbage for collection after resumption of normal services.

Deliveries of pre-ordered new and additional residential garbage and recycle bins will continue.

Existing requests for repairs or exchanges of residential bins will be postponed until the labour disruption has ended.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Parks will be open for casual use only. There will be no turf or grounds maintenance.

Cancelled

All permits in parks, tennis courts, outdoor sports fields and civic squares
Wedding photography permits. No new permits will be issued
In-person registration for recreation programs at community centres and civic centres will be cancelled. Registration through touch-tone automatic registration and the internet will continue
All recreation programming, including camps, classes, drop-ins, clubs, school visits, walking tours and presentations
All City programming in community schools.

Closed

All City community centres and fitness centres
All City-operated indoor/outdoor swimming pools, arenas and golf courses
Outdoor wading pools
Some splash pads on timers may remain operational depending on maintenance and site conditions. All others will be closed
All greenhouses and conservatories
Glen Rouge Campground
Riverdale Farm
Public washrooms located in City parks
Open arenas and community centres

The following arenas and community centres operated and staffed by Boards of Management will not be affected:

Arenas

George Bell
Larry Grossman Forest Hill Memorial Area
McCormick Playground Arena
Moss Park
North Toronto Memorial
Ted Reeve
William H. Bolton
Lakeshore Lions
Weston Lions

Boards of Management operated-community centres

519 Church
Applegrove Community Complex
Cecil Street Community Centre
Central Eglinton Community Centre
Community Centre 55
Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre
Harbourfront Community Centre
Ralph Thornton Community Centre
Scadding Court Community Centre (pool closed)
Swansea Town Hall
Urban Forestry Services

Urban Forestry Services will respond to emergencies involving City-owned trees that grow on the City road allowance and in natural areas that pose a public safety hazard. Call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338.

Toronto Water

Water supply and sewage treatment systems will continue to function within established safety and quality standards. In the event of any of the following critical situations, call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338:

Severe basement flooding
Flooded road surface
Blocked sewer connection
No water supply
Interruption in water service because of a broken water main or local construction
To report a broken or leaking water main
To report blocked storm sewers
An emergency shut-off of water supply (flooding)
To report a spill (such as oil or chemical)
For water quality issues such as rusty water
All non-essential services are suspended

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Enterprise Toronto/small business centres located at the Scarborough Civic Centre, City Hall and North York Civic Centre are closed.

The Toronto Film and Television Office is open with reduced service. The film office is located on the first floor of City Hall and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Museums, Galleries and Cultural Facilities

City-run museums, art galleries and cultural facilities will be closed and programming will be cancelled. All permits at cultural facilities and museums will also be cancelled. All directly operated facilities will be closed including museums.

Special Events

All City-run scheduled events on Nathan Phillips Square, Metro Square and other civic squares will be cancelled. Call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 to confirm if an event is proceeding.

Court Services

Continuing

All Provincial Offences Court locations within the city remain open for business as usual during the hours indicated on tickets issued and other court documents. Scheduled court appearances including trials will be conducted in accordance with notices that have been sent out.

Provincial Offences Court locations:

Toronto West Court Office
York Civic Centre
2700 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto East Court Office
1530 Markham Road
Main floor,

Toronto South Court Office
Old City Hall
60 Queen St. West

Court Administration Office
137 Edward St., 2nd floor

Transportation Services

Continued services (longer response times):

Emergency repairs to expressways, roads, sidewalks and bridges
Emergency road services including collision debris clean-up, dead animal pick-up, spill response, etc.
Replacement of damaged or missing stop signs and other safety-related traffic signs
Emergency permit requests (utility work, film, construction and temporary street occupancy)
Emergency parking permit issuance
Emergency bylaw investigations
Emergency traffic investigations

Priority will be given to protecting public safety. In these situations, call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338.

Suspended services:

Routine replacement of non-safety-related traffic signs
Routine repairs or maintenance to expressways, roads, sidewalks and bridges
Street cleaning and flushing
Routine pavement marking and bylaw investigations
Planning and development review activities
Grass cutting in some areas
Parking permits will not be issued. (If you receive a parking ticket in an area for which you have been unable to obtain a parking permit, your ticket will be cancelled when you obtain your new permit.)
Routine permit requests for utility work, film, construction and temporary street occupancy
Routine bylaw investigations and traffic investigations
Catch basin cleaning
Curb cutting
Utility cut repairs
Street lighting investigations
Traffic data collection and safety reviews

Employment and Social Services

Three offices will remain open weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to offer emergency financial assistance only. Clients may visit or contact any of the following offices during a labour disruption:

Etobicoke North - 220 Attwell Dr - 416 392-6400
Downtown - 111 Wellesley St E - 416 392-5300
Scarborough West - 1225 Kennedy Rd - 416 392-2800

Assistance for job seekers will not be available. Clients who already receive Ontario Works benefits each month by cheque or direct deposit will continue to do so without interruption. Case workers will not be available during a labour disruption.

Children's Services

All child care centres directly operated by Toronto Children's Services are closed. The closures include:

Albion, 1545 Albion Rd.
Alexandra Park, 75 Augusta Sq.
Ancaster, 45 Ancaster Rd.
Ancaster Satellite, 44 Ancaster Rd.
Bellevue, 95 Bellevue Ave.
Berner Trail, 120 Berner Trail
Birchmount, 365 Bay Mills Blvd.
Birkdale, 1229 Ellesmere Rd.
Blake Street, 84 Blake St.
Blake St Satellite, 21 Boultbee Ave.
Blevins, 26 Blevins Pl.
Brahms, 5 Brahms Ave.
Canadiana Crt, 20 Gordonridge Pl.
Capri, 7 Capri Rd.
Centenary/Seven Oaks, 9 Neilson Rd.
City Kids, 34 Bathurst St.
Coxwell, 1631 Queen St E, 2nd Flr.
Danforth, 1125 Danforth Ave.
Davenport, 1900 Davenport Rd.
Davisville, 41 Millwood Rd.
Dovercourt, 455 Dovercourt Rd.
Edgeley, 405 Driftwood Ave.
Emery, 3395 Weston Rd.
Falstaff, 10 Falstaff Ave.
Family Residence, 4222 Kingston Rd.
Firgrove, 4 Cane Grassway
Firgrove Satellite, 270 Firgrove Cres.
Flemingdon, 29 St. Dennis Dr.
Galloway, 4299 Kingston Rd.

Gilder, 31 Gilder Dr.
Gilder Sat, 47 Gilder Dr.
Glen Road, 443 Bloor St. E.
Greenholme, 10 Jamestown Cres.
Hollis, 1 Hollis St.
Hollis Resource, 71 Guestville Ave.
Jesse Ketchum, 7 Berryman St.
Kipling, 2233 Kipling Ave.
Lawrence Ave. E., 3847 Lawrence Ave. E.
Malvern, 1321 Neilson Rd.
Marguerite Butt, 3197 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Metro Hall, 55 John St.
Northminster, 255 Finch Ave W.
O'Connor, 1386 Victoria Park Ave.
O'Connor Satellite, 1665 O'Connor Dr.
Parkside, 401 Cedarvale Ave.
Rawlinson, 40 Earnscliffe Rd.
Regent Park, 600 Dundas St. E.
Robertson House, 291 Sherbourne St.
Rowntree, 2765 Islington Ave.
Shoreham Satellite, 31 Shoreham Dr.
St. Mark's, 201 Cowan Ave.
Thomas Berry, 3495 Lake Shore Blvd W.
Trimbee, 30 Denarda St.
Warden Woods, 76 Firvalley Crt.
Warden Woods Satellite, 644 Warden Ave.
Willowridge, 30 Earldown Dr.
Woodbine, 700 Milverton Blvd.

All Children's Services district offices will be closed as follows:

North District Office, 1118 Finch Ave. W.
South District Office, Metro Hall, 55 John St., 10th Floor
East District Office, 1457 McCowan Rd.
West District Office, 1243 Islington Ave., 11th Floor
York Civic Centre Application Processing and Enquiry Unit, 2700 Eglinton Ave. W., Lower Level

No new applications for child care fee subsidies or transfer to other child care centres will be processed during the labour disruption. Fee subsidy appointments will be rescheduled.

Open

Toronto Home Child Care and Child Care Centres with services contracts with Children's Services.

Long Term Care Homes and Services (Homes for the Aged)

All Long Term Care Homes and Services remain open and are not affected by the labour disruption.

Shelter, Support and Housing Administration

City-funded agencies that provide a range of services to homeless and marginally housed people, including emergency shelters, drop-ins, housing help and Rent Bank, will continue to receive funding, allowing them to maintain these services. This includes social housing providers who will be able to continue to subsidize rents for their eligible residents.

Continuing

The following nine City-operated emergency shelters will remain open:

Seaton House - main site
Seaton House - Birchmount Residence
Seaton House - Downsview Dells
Seaton House - Fort York
Women's Residents - main site
Women's Residents - Bellwoods House
Birkdale Residence
Family Residence
Robertson House

Reduced service levels

Overnight Assessment and Referral Centre
Central Family Intake
Street outreach

Emergency Shelter

Anyone who needs emergency shelter can call one of these numbers:

Assessment and Referral Centre (single adults, youth and couples) 416-338-4766/toll-free 1-877-338-3398
Central Family Intake (families) 416-397-5637.

The Assessment and Referral Centre is located at 67 Adelaide Ave. E. and is available to single adults, youth and couples by phone 24 hours, or in person for referrals to emergency shelters or respite from the street 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily.

Not Available

Streets to Homes walk-in service

Closed

Adelaide Women's Resource Centre

Social Development, Finance and Administration

Community Crisis Response services will continue.
Community Partnership Investment Program and Toronto Youth Job Corp payments managed by this division to community agencies will continue with limited service.
The Community Safety Secretariat, community development, Youth Employment Toronto, Youth Employment Partnerships are not available.

Toronto Public Health

Continued services

Investigation and response to urgent infectious disease cases and outbreaks, including suspected food poisoning
Rabies exposure investigations and vaccine provision
Responding to emergencies, such as spills and fires
Emergency dental services-call 416-392-1410
Mobile needle exchange service-call AIDS and Sexual Health Info line 416-392-2437 or 1-800-668-2437
For all other inquiries-call Toronto Health Connection 416-338-7600

Cancelled services

Routine restaurant inspections
Family health services, such as healthy pregnancy and baby appointments, home visits and nutrition counselling
Health education programs
Routine inspections of public swimming pools (city operated, school and condominium pools) and all spas and wading pools

Closed facilities

City-operated Sexual Health Clinics
The Works, drop-in needle exchange at 277 Victoria St.
Dental clinics

Beaches

Lifeguards will continue to be on duty.
Daily monitoring of water quality at beaches will be cancelled. Swim at your own risk.

Technical Services

The following services will continue on a limited scale, as feasible:

Road, sewer, water main and other public works projects that are under construction
Construction inspection
Development construction inspection

Suspended services

Issuing of utility permits, engineering, and property surveys and mapping
Development review
Mapping and legal surveys

City Planning

No planning applications, current applications for amendments to the Official Plan or zoning bylaws or Committee of Adjustment applications will be processed.
All scheduled Committee of Adjustment meetings or hearings scheduled to take place during the disruption are cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Pending Committee of Adjustment Notices of Decision required under the Planning Act will be sent out.
Adjournments are being sought for Ontario Municipal Board hearings on planning-related matters.

Toronto Building

No building permit applications will be received, processed or issued.
No preliminary project review applications will be received or processed.
No compliance, zoning use or property information letters will be processed or issued.
Only emergency building inspections will take place.

Municipal Licensing and Standards (ML&S) & Animal Services

The vehicle inspection facility at 843 Eastern Ave. will be closed. There will be no taxi or vehicle inspections. Inspections will be rescheduled.
Licences for trades, businesses and vehicles will not be issued or renewed.
All taxicab, limousine and CPR training at the ML&S Training Centre at 1530 Markham Rd. will be cancelled.
Only emergency orders will be issued and only emergency inspections of unsafe conditions will take place.
Toronto Animal Services will maintain emergency services.
Pet licences will not be issued or renewed.

Open

The following animal shelters will be open between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday:

146 The East Mall
1300 Sheppard Ave.
821 Progress Ave.

Closed

Shelter at 140 Princes' Blvd. (CNE grounds, Horse Palace)
Spay/Neuter Clinic at 2696 Eglinton Ave W. All scheduled animal surgeries will be cancelled.
Animal Services' office at 35 Spadina Rd

Parking Tag Operations

Parking tag payment deadlines will not be extended during a strike.

The touchtone telephone system 416-397-TAGS (8247) operates 24 hours a day, providing general parking tag information and allows you to inquire about your specific parking tag as well as make payments.

Payment options:

Online at www.toronto.ca/pay-toronto-tickets

Mail your payment and the yellow ticket or white notice to:

City of Toronto, Parking Tags
Box 4282, Postal Station A
Toronto ON M5W 5W5

By Visa, MasterCard, or American Express on the touchtone telephone system at
416-397-TAGS (8247). Follow the instructions given on the automated system.

Open

The First Appearance facility at 1530 Markham Rd (Markham Rd. and Milner Ave.) will be open and customers can attend to request a trial, disputing parking tags and make payments. Extended business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Long delays are expected.

Closed

First Appearance facilities at Metro Hall (55 John St.), North York Civic Centre (5100 Yonge St.), York Civic Centre (2700 Eglinton Ave. West.
Parking tag call centre.

Utility (Water and Solid Waste) and Property Tax Bill Payments

The final 2009 property tax bills have been issued and are due as per the due dates identified on your tax bill.

Payment options:

Mailing your payment to the address listed on your bill
At most chartered banks
Drop boxes located at various public library branches - see locations listed on your bill (cheques only please) Drop boxes at civic centres will not be available.
Paying at your bank machine, by telephone banking or by Internet banking

Utility bills for commercial and high volume accounts will be issued based on estimated water consumption levels for the billing period. Residential Utility bills will be issued during a strike and will also be based on estimated water meter readings using historical consumption.

Residents who are moving during the labour disruption are required to submit a final water meter reading to the City. Residents have two options: submit the reading using the automated telephone meter reading service at 416-397-READ (7323) or submit the reading online at www.toronto.ca/utilitybill.

Closed

All enquiry/cashier counters and drop boxes located in Toronto City Hall and the civic centres.
Tax and Water call centre.

Tenders, Request for Quotations, Request for Proposals and Request for Expressions of Interest

Closing dates for City-issued all tenders, Request for Quotations, Request for Proposals and Request for Expressions of Interest will be honoured and remain unchanged unless advised otherwise. Bidders should allow adequate time to cross any information/picket lines before entering City Hall. The Purchasing and Materials Management Division will advise bidders of any extension to official closing times for bid documents.

Toronto Office of Partnerships

Office will be closed during the labour disruption. Partners will be notified individually about implications of the disruption.

Affordable Housing Office

The Affordable Housing Office will continue to administer government funds for affordable housing developments already underway in support of current construction.

Toronto Public Library

Five Toronto Public Library branches located in shared facilities with City services will close for the duration of the labour dispute. They are: Armour Heights, Flemingdon Park, St. James Town, Todmorden Room and Port Union.

With the exception of the Leading to Reading program and the Settlement and Education Partnership in Toronto (SEPT) program, all programs and services normally offered at these branches will be cancelled.

The book drops at these branches will close. Fines will be waived for books due at the closed branch for the duration of the labour disruption.

Holds Pick-Up (patron reserves), Leading to Reading and SEPT programs will be relocated as noted below:

Branch Closed	Holds Pick-Up Moved to	Leading to Reading Program Moved to	SEPT Program Moved to
Armour Heights 2140 Avenue Rd	Barbara Frum 20 Covington Rd	Not applicable	Not applicable
Flemingdon Park* 29 St. Dennis Dr	Don Mills 888 Lawrence Ave E	Don Mills 888 Lawrence Avenue E	Not applicable
St. James Town 495 Sherbourne St	Parliament 269 Gerrard Street E	Parliament 269 Gerrard St E	Parliament 269 Gerrard St E
Todmorden Room 1081 ? Pape Ave	S. Walter Stewart 170 Memorial Park Ave.	Not applicable	Not applicable
Port Union 5450 Lawrence Ave. E	Morningside 4279 Lawrence Ave. E	Not applicable	Not applicable

*The Library Settlement Program at Flemingdon Park will be cancelled.

The following co-located branches will not be closed but will have adjusted hours of service:

City Hall branch at Toronto City Hall will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Urban Affairs branch at Metro Hall will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bookmobile service

The Ward's Island bookmobile stop is cancelled for the duration, and the stops at North Kipling, Oakridge Community Centre and Driftwood Community Centres will be relocated to adjacent streets.

More information: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or 416-393-7131.

Concerts at the Music Garden at Queens Quay: 10 year anniversary

2009-06-20T21:08:00.001-04:00

We got this from the Harbourfront folks about the 10th anniversary program for the Music Garden. If you haven't already you should check out the Sunday afternoon and Thursday evening free concerts that are performed at the Music Garden.

The garden was inspired by Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for Unaccompanied Cello, in a collaboration between cellist Yo-Yo Ma and landscape artist Julie Moir Messervy. See and hear Yo-Yo Ma below.

The garden was inspired "with each dance movement within the suite corresponding to a different section of the Garden: Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuett and Gigue" the Harbourfront anniversary notes says.

The garden was built 10 years ago, and was inspired by

All concerts are approximately one hour long (except where noted) and take place weather permitting. Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

Sunday, June 28, 4pm
Shauna and Friends
Renowned Canadian cellist Shauna Rolston leads six outstanding student cellists from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music in music by Elgar, Massenet, Kreisler and others, arranged for cello solo, duo, and ensemble. As a prelude, Barbara Croall (cedar flutes and First Nation drum) and Anita McAlister (trumpet and conch shell) perform Croall’s Calling from Different Directions, which was composed for the Music Garden in summer 2008. Calling from Different Directions is a short, arresting piece that invokes the four sacred directions, bringing together instruments from different cultural "directions": trumpet, conch shell, traditional cedar flutes and First Nations hand drum.

Thursday, July 2, 7pm
Samulnori!
This exuberant Toronto ensemble returns with traditional Korean drumming and dance—rooted in nature; transplanted to Canada.

Sunday, July 5, 4pm
Orfea and the Golden Harp
Theatre Cotton Robes presents their delightful adaptation of the Orfeo myth for the whole family. A little girl shoulders her golden harp and journeys to the Underworld to bring her beloved grandfather back to life; along the way we hear music from 400 years of opera, including Monteverdi, Mozart and Offenbach. Performed by baritone Lawrence Cotton, soprano Brooke Dufton and pianist Rachad Feizoullaev. (For information about Theatre Cotton Robes, visit www.theatrecottonrobes.com.)

Thursday, July 9, 7pm
Quartets with a Past
The Kirby String Quartet presents four classical works that look back to earlier composers: Beethoven’s Quartet Op. 74, Mendelssohn’s Capriccio Op. 8, Brahms’ Quartet Op. 67, third movement, and Stravinsky’s neo-classical Concertino. Aisslinn Nosky and Julia Wedman (violins), Max Mandel (viola), Carina Reeves (cello).

Thursday, July 16, 7pm
Moonlight, Mountains and Flowing Streams: Voices of Ancient China

The China Court Trio performs music from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Wen Zhao, (pipa – Chinese lute), Yongli Xue, (zheng – Chinese zither), Yu Cheng Zhang (bowled clay flute and vertical flute). (For information about Wen Zhao, visit wendyzhao.com.)

Sunday, July 19, 4pm
Does This Drum Make My Brass Sound Big?
The brass and percussion sections of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada return with a delightful, varied programme that showcases outstanding young Canadian musicians. (For information about the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, visit nyoc.org.)

Thursday, July 23, 7pm
Another knock at the door
Toronto’s Shiraz Ensemble presents a heady brew of Persian art music and original compositions. Yashar Salek (Daf/Dayereh), Nima Rahmani (Santoor), Saeed Kamjoo (Kamanche), Araz Salek (Tar), Shahin Fayaz (Rabab). A co-presentation with Small World Music.

Sunday, July 26, 4pm
Oiseaux Interurbains/Migratory Songflutes
Alison Melville performs acoustic and electronic music from the 12th to 21st centuries, for various flutes, recorders and recorded sound, including works by Bach, Telemann, Hildegard of Bingen, Jacob van Eyck, Peter Hannan, Linda C. Smith, Ben Grossman and the performer. (For information about Alison Melville, visit alisonmelville.com.)

Thursday, July 30, 7pm
Behind the Masques
The period musicians of Toronto Masque Theatre, with renowned Montreal dancer-choreographer Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, reveal different faces of baroque dance—courtly, theatrical, grotesque. Lacoursière will also perform several baroque dances reflected in the design of the Music Garden. "[Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière] has set a new standard for historical dance in Toronto."—Robert Everett-Green, reviewing Toronto Masque Theatre in the Globe and Mail, April 25, 2009. (For information about Toronto Masque Theatre, visit torontomasquetheatre.ca.)

Thursday, August 6, 7pm
Strong and Free
True North Brass returns with a programme that will delight and dazzle. Raymond Tizzard and Richard Sandals (trumpets), Joan Watson (French horn), Alastair Kay (trombone) and Scott Irvine (tuba). (For information about True North Brass, visit truenorthbrass.com.)

Sunday, August 9, 4pm
Passage to India
Singer Bageshree Vaze and tabla virtuoso Vineet Viyas perform classical North Indian ragas, along with classically-based songs from early Bollywood. (For information about Bageshree Vaze, visit bageshree.com and for information about Vineet Viyas, visit vineetvyas.com.)

Thursday, August 13, 7pm
Coming out of Hayd’n
The Cecilia String Quartet performs the Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, by the "father of the string quartet," Joseph Haydn, and the sparkling, newly discovered String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major by French composer Theodore Dubois (1837-1924). Sarah Nematallah and Min-Jeong Koh (violins), Caitlin Boyle (viola) and Rebecca Wenham (cello). (For information about the Cecilia String Quartet, visit ceciliastringquartet.com.)

Sunday, August 16, 4pm
Utopian Voices
In the early baroque, fans of the renaissance cornetto and the newly perfected violin duked it out over which instrument was closest to the human voice. Happily, we don’t have to choose when the virtuosi of FOLIA—baroque violinist Linda Melsted and cornettist Kiri Tollaksen—perform glorious music by Castello, Frescobaldi, Gabrieli and others. With Borys Medicky, harpsichord.

Thursday, August 20, 7pm
“My Unrest”: Yiddish Songs for a New Day
Grammy-nominated singer Adrienne Cooper (New York) and world-renowned pianist Marilyn Lerner (Toronto) perform music from their new CD: settings of Yiddish modernist poems on love, longing, war and migration by contemporary composers including Sarah Gordon, Frank London, Fima Chorny and the performers. (For information about Marilyn Lerner, visit marilynlerner.com.)

Sunday, August 23, 4pm
Accordions for a Weill
Four virtuoso accordionists—Ina Henning, Eugene Laskiewicz, Joseph Macerollo and Alexander Sevastien—perform a wide-ranging programme of music, from Bach to Piazzola. Mezzo-soprano Ali Garrison joins Henning in songs by Kurt Weill, and accompanies dancer-choreographer Claudia Moore in Moore’s touching dance, For Heddy, to the Brecht/Weill song, Nana’s Lied. "Heddy was my dear grandma from Germany who loved parties, was a fabulous cook and worked at the Broadway Market in Buffalo. She lived to be 97. Nana's Song makes me think of her and inspired me to make this dance."—Claudia Moore

Thursday, August 27, 7pm
Echoes of Ancient Boundaries
In ancient Japan, village boundaries extended as far as the sound of their taiko drums carried. The thrilling sounds of Toronto’s outstanding taiko ensemble Nagata Shachu (formerly known as the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble) transcend the boundaries of East and West, past and present. (For information about Nagata Shachu, visit nagatashachu.com.)

Sunday, August 30, 4pm
Percussion from a Suitcase
Find out what happens when a percussionist—the spectacular Aiyun Huang of Montreal—creates a programme for which all the instruments fit into her suitcase! Music by Matthew Burtner, Alvin Lucier, Javier Alvarez, Roberto Sierra, Georges Aperghis and John Adams. (For information about Aiyun Huang, visit aiyunhuang.com.)

Thursday, September 3, 7pm
Bach at Dusk – With Claudia
Winona Zelenka continues her journey through Bach’s six suites for solo cello. This summer, she performs the Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major for solo cello; for the last three movements of the piece (Sarabande, Bourree I and II, and Gigue), Ms. Zelenka is joined by dancer Claudia Moore in the world premiere of a new work by choreographer Carol Anderson. The dance has been generously commissioned by renowned Canadian composer Ann Southam.
Please note: This is a 30-minute concert due to early sunset. (For information about Winona Zelenka, visit winonazelenka.com. (For more information on Claudia Moore, visit danceumbrella.net/clients_moonhorse.htm.)

Thursday, September 10, 7pm
Leika
In a new work commissioned by Harbourfront Centre, Andrea Nann Dreamwalker Dance Company and multimedia composer Tom Kuo reveal hidden secrets of the Music Garden through music, dance and interactive play. Please note: This is a 30-minute concert due to early sunset. Pre-performance audience participation encouraged from 6:30-7pm. (For information about Andrea Nann, visit dreamwalkerdance.com.)

Sunday September 20, 4pm
The Sanssouci Quartet
This exciting new Boston-Toronto quartet on period instruments performs Boccherini’s Quartet in D Major and Mozart’s Quartet in D Minor, K. 421. Abigail Karr and Karina Fox (violins), Sarah Darling (viola), Kate Haynes (cello). And to close: a reprise of Barbara Croall’s Calling from Different Directions, performed by Anita McAlister and the composer. (See June 28 concert.)

TORONTO MUSIC GARDEN TOURS
Guided tours begin at 11am on Wednesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
Pre-concert guided tours begin at 5:30pm on Thursdays: July 2, 9, 16, 23; August 6, 13, 30, 27; September 3, 10.
Visitors are invited to take a free 45-minute walking tour led by Toronto Botanical Garden tour guides. Tours start in the west end of the Garden in the Prelude section. Self-guided 70-minute audio tours (English only) hosted by Yo-Yo Ma and Julie Moir Messervy are also available for a rental fee of $5 (free rentals for children). Private group tours are also available ($5 per person). For reservations, call 416-397-1366 or visit torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

Sobeys at CityPlace opening next Friday, June 26

2009-06-19T08:42:00.000-04:00

So, the day you've all been waiting for is fast approaching. We're a little sad that there won't be more reasons to write about the Sobeys Urban Fresh at Fort York and Spadina, near Bremner. In fact, we're pretty happy we first reported on it in early January so it's been a long wait.

Today, we got this flyer from Sobeys and it announces June 26th as the opening day. Here are some details
Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
7 days a week
Number: 416-623-5111

And you will get a FREE cooler bag with every purchase (until they run out, that is).

So, who's going to go next Friday. If we don't make it out there, we expect you fine QQL readers who have been checking this site the past six months to report back. You will, won't you?

New streetcars a go

2009-06-18T08:53:00.000-04:00

According to this report, the province and the city is expected to announce that those low-riding streetcars by Bombardier are a go.

The streetcars would replace the TTC's decrepit 30-year-old fleet that runs on 11 of the city's busiest transit routes.
Without new cars, the TTC would have to undertake a major rebuild of its current vehicles, something that would cost at least $100 million and take years. Meantime, the cars are failing so fast the TTC anticipates having to use buses on some routes later this year.
Government and Bombardier officials were tight-lipped Wednesday over details of Friday's announcement.

Queens Quay: A hot bed for nail salons?

2009-06-17T03:23:00.000-04:00

We live very close to that nail salon at 410 Queens Quay West, near Spadina, and notice that it's packed just about any time we pass. So, not surprisingly, where there is demand, there will be more supply. This building permit looks like there will be soon one opening up west of Spadina, near the Jugo Juice.

Application: Building Additions/Alterations Status: Permit Issued

Location: 460 QUEENS QUAY W
TORONTO ON M5V 2Y4

Ward 20: Trinity-Spadina

Application#: 09 137763 BLD 00 BA Issued Date: May 29, 2009

Project: Multiple Unit Building Interior Alterations

Description: Proposal for interior alterations to convert a vacant ground floor unit into a nail salon. (unit #462)

'The people will use it the way it was meant to be used'

2009-06-15T09:53:00.000-04:00

"The people will use it the way it was meant to be used." That was a line we uttered over the weekend as we watched the unveiling weekend of the Simcoe Wavedeck. We saw people swarm over the deck and use it well, that way, they see fit. Sliding, scaling, sitting, embracing.

We couldn't help but notice over the weekend that the deck, so prestintely launched on Friday, by Saturday and Sunday, in the midst of the 1000 Tastes of Toronto, had been nicely broken in. Dozens upon dozens were sitting on it noshing on gourmet street eats while children lined up and kept on sliding down the waves.

In one of the quotes below in a Toronto Star column by Chrisopher Hume, you'll see what could be an astonished architect who probably didn't have a playground in mind, probably helpful in that they designed railings that looked like a hazard to the hundreds we saw scale the highest waves.

Anyways, some of Hume's story here.

Technically speaking, this wooden structure, which rises and falls like an exquisite frozen wave, is a means of getting from one side of the Simcoe St. slip to the other. In fact, that's the least of its functions. Its real purpose is to be beautiful, and if not beautiful, elegant, engaging, entertaining, cool and ever so slightly loopy, qualities that have long been conspicuous in their absence on our poor long-exploited waterfront.

Snip.

"It's unbelievable," enthuses Rotterdam-based landscape architect Adriaan Geuze, whose firm, West 8, won an international design competition several years ago with Toronto's DTAH.

"I'm totally happy with it. From one point of view it seems so familiar. But it also inspires the child's mind within you. It took a very long time to figure out how to design it and build it. You're invited to come and play, but we didn't want to make it a playground.

"We wanted a serious moment of `Wow' and an identity for the waterfront. We had the idea of making it an amphitheatre-like space, a space that would attract children and adults."

What do you think? Playground? Art installation? Both?

Photo: Oysters on Queens Quay

2009-06-14T11:52:00.000-04:00

A photo from yesterday's 1000 Tastes of Toronto, Rodney Oyster's crew doing their hard work. Wow, they are fast! Today, the food is being served again starting at noon. Read our latest post for our mini reviews.

1000 Tastes of Toronto: 5 reviews on a $25 budget

2009-06-13T15:34:00.002-04:00

We love food. We know that on Queens Quay, well, the selection is pretty dismal. So today (until 9 p.m.) and tomorrow, 1000 Tastes of Toronto presented by President's Choice has taken over much of Queens Quay from Lower Simcoe all the way past Rees.

We just came back from a blissful few hours of noshing and taking in some Cirque de Soleil at the Natrel Rink. But this is a food review.

There's a dizzying amount of choice and the lines are long so we took this very targeted approach. Go for quality. In the span of three hours, we sampled five dishes. You buy tickets for $5 each at either ends of the cooking areas.

Back to our rationale. You can spend a good $30+ at many a restaurant in Toronto, so we decided to take our five 'tastes' and hit the well-known restaurants that are represented here. We've been to three of them so we knew we were in for a treat. $25, we think, is a good bang for the buck, especially since we're not adding tax and tip on top of that.

First tasting: Pulled Pork sandwich at Amuse Bouche (they're at King and Bathurst at Tecumseh)

Review: They really didn't have signs advertising what they were selling, but we were looking for Amuse Bouche. We asked what it was and before they could finished "pulled pork..." we immedately said "YES!"

Think of the perfect slider. Pulled pork when cooked properly is tender and the sauce was so flavourful. Probably one of the most flavourful sandwiches we've had in a while. Two thumbs up.

Hunger level: Still famished

Second tasting: Dim sum on a stick at Lai Wah Heen (Chestnut Street, just west of City Hall)

Review: Okay, it's well known that the most expensive dim sum can be had at Lai Wah Heen at the Metropolitan Hotel. We've never been, but have heard reviews so we immedately snapped it up.

It was actually nothing that special. It was a Sui Mai which was flavourful, a shrimp dumpling wrapped and seaweed and another dumpling we now forget what it was made of. All accompanyed with a sauce. We were glad to have this dish as it was yet another 'appetizer'

Hunger level: Still famished (we skipped breakfast and went for a long run)

Third tasting: Singaporean Slaw at Lee (by Susur). King West, east of Bathurst

Review: We're unabashed fans of Lee, been there at least four times, and every time we get our favourite salad, made with something like 17 ingredients. It costs more than $10 at the resto and, well, we don't go that often. We've always silently wished for this salad to be available for takeout. It's the perfect blend of tastes (salty, sweet, sour) and textures (crunchy, crispy, supple, etc).

We tucked into it and although it was great, it wasn't amazing as you have it in the restaurant. Anyways, for those who've never been to Lee or Madeline or Susar, worth tasting what people rave about.
Hunger level: Okay, we had basically three appetizers but still waiting for main course.

Fourth tasting: Indian platter at Dharba (King West Theatre district)

Review: We wanted to avoid lines and, well, we wanted a little quantity. We went for this platter of two tandoori chicken (they apologized for no Samosas that were on the way but we were happy to avoid fried food), some chana (chick pea) curry and rice. We didn't take the salad.

Rice and chana were awesome, the chicken tender and tasty. Lovely.

We took a huge break to watch Cirque.

Hunger level: Um, we're satisfied.

Fifth tasting: Pork belly on a pita from Globe Bistro (Danforth and Broadview)

Review: We were happy to get the last pita since the chef was back at the restaurant sourcing more pork belly. This one wins for best named taste "slow roast Cumbrae's pork belly with wild leek sheep's yogurt on flatbread." It was accompanied by some pickled onions and peppery arugula.

This wins best bang for buck, a hearty sandwich with tonnes of flavour. We're full just thinking of it.

Hunger level: No more food! But that was so much fun.

So, neighbours, what you waiting for. Go eat. There are plenty of great concessions but you'd be remiss not to try one of these fabulous restaurants.

Photos: Cirque de Soleil at the Music Garden for Luminato

2009-06-13T06:37:00.000-04:00

We got up and close to Friday night's performance at the Music Garden by the Cirque performers, the Ban tribe (or Urban). They opened up the set and did about 40 minutes of performing. We're sure they're saving their energy for the next two days.

From what we say, it was highly entertaining the crowd was pretty massive. Make sure you catch it. Here are some pictures we took.

Cirque in the hood.

2009-06-12T20:08:00.000-04:00

Nuff said

So much for the railings

2009-06-12T18:20:00.000-04:00

We just gave the Simcoe Wavedeck on Queens Quay a good ride. The railings? Bah, the railings.

Almost showtime

2009-06-12T18:17:00.001-04:00

We just walked by the Na tribe 'stage' for tonight's Cirque de Soleil performance. Here's a pic.

Queens Quay, get ready for the hordes. Or, how to survive Luminato weekend on the waterfront

2009-06-12T09:56:00.006-04:00

So, we expect hordes of folks to come out to Queens Quay (Toronto waterfront) for the Luminato Cirque de Soleil shows this weekend. See our previous posts for info about the three days of shows.

The weather forecast? Perfect.

Here's a little survival guide for QQ residents and also for Torontonians and out of towners coming into our neighbourhood

Car or no car?: Okay, they're closing down Queens Quay's eastbound lanes between Spadina and Lower Simcoe between Saturday morning and Monday morning, so driving is going to be nightmarish.

Residents: Leave your car at home. Seriously, you really need to drive back and forth? And if you do drive, be prepared for annoying commuting. In fact, maybe you should get errands done on Friday night and then park that thing.

Everyone else: We have parking lots south of Rogers Centre or north of the Harbourfront Centre but we've seen this neighbourhood on Canada Day weekend. Just driving out of here's going to be rough. So sure, pick a spot but it'll probably fill up quickly and getting out of here will be annoying. Best bet is to park your car within transit or walking distance and stroll on down here.

Streetcar access: Union Station is always a zoo and it'll probably be one as well on the weekend. We have two lines (510 and 509) and although they increase service, expect long lines. Taking down from Spadina may be an idea (510). Better yet, if you go into Union, take a nice stroll down Bay Street.

Residents, you think we have it fun on weekday mornings, you might as well take a stroll.

Boat access: Yes, that's right, there will be ferries between the Music Garden and the Harbourfront Centre.

Food: You're in luck. The President's Choice 1000 Tastes of Toronto is on (see post) so there will be plenty of grub! It'll actually take place on the street. See all our previous Luminato posts for the map.

It looks like there will be a mobile Pizza Pizza at the HTO Park West site between the main venue and the Music Garden. There will also be three beer gardens, at the two HTO Parks and also at the Harbourfront Centre.

Also, there are the usual shops like the restaurants at Queens Quay Terminal (Pearl, Watermark Bar), the shops on the north side of Queens Quay (Subway, Pizza Pizza, Grill 4 U Express, Quiznos, sushi, Swiss Chalet) and a few close to HTO Park.

Shoppers (near Spadina), Rabba (near Rees) and Sobeys (at Queens Quay Terminal) are all open and have all groceries.

Residents, stock up on groceries, go to your balconys (if you have them) and watch the fray from above, particularly if you have a rooftop BBQ.

Washrooms: Woah, this will be interesting. Queens Quay Terminal has a few, the best is probably near the Pearl restaurant on the second floor. Other than that, good luck at the Starbucks. Don't know yet if portapottys will be set up.

Where to watch: We'd say start at the Music Garden and walk east toward the Harbourfront then come back to the Music Garden where it's the quieter part of the neighbourhood. Plus, you can catch a TTC streetcar from Bathurst if you want to avoid crowds. There's good grass seating at the HTO Park East but we suspect the main Harbourfront area will be a zoo.

Residents, walk your hood, go home, watch from above and repeat. Have fun, lets enjoy this weekend when we're the centre of attention.

Luminato Cirque de Soleil official brochure

2009-06-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

Here's even more information on the Luminato weekend (yes, you're gonna get sick of all these posts, but hey, why not).

It includes a map of all the venues, the schedule and the ferry (ferry!) between Harbourfront Centre and the Music Garden. Pretty cool.

Click on the images for larger, more readable images.

Cirque de Soleil's Luminato Show: The details and a map

2009-06-11T21:12:00.004-04:00

Thanks to some reports out there we have a little more information on this weekend's huge Cirque the Soleil show on Queens Quay. All we can say for the neighbourhood is BRACE YOURSELVES. You're about to see crowds you never see on the 'western' edge of Queens Quay.

View Luminato's Cirque de Soleil show on Queens Quay Toronto waterfront in a larger map

THE THEME
The show has been described as an improvisation. It's also said to be unique, not a rehashing of past Cirque shows. From reports we've read, there will be some interaction between the performers. The theme is going to be rural setting versus the urban setting, and the coming together of the two. There will be two tribes, the "Ban" and the "Na." To pull this off, there will be three venues where they will be based out of and eventually mingle. (See Luminato site for more details on the weekend. See our past Luminato posts)

THE TIMING: WHEN IT'LL HAPPEN
Friday: The weekend kicks off at 7 p.m. when the communities enter their habitats. It'll go until about 9 p.m.

Saturday: The events are to kick off at 1:30 until 8 p.m. and there will be "interactions" every half hour. What this tells us is there will be different types of performances that will let anyone who arrives in the early afternoon to the evening an understanding of the theme.

Here's what the Star says about Saturday

Saturday is a day of adjustment, starting in the afternoon, with the two groups venturing cautiously outside of their habitations to the world of Queens Quay. The street itself has been colourfully transformed, and during the weekend, the eastbound lanes will be pedestrian-only.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Looks like there will be much the same type of performances happening through the day, the two groups will converge on the HTO Park (near the fire house) for the finale.

9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Don't know about the ending but safe to say that the big stage and speakers mean that there'll be a big cirque show. We've seen guys suspended on wires at the main stage and it looks like all 60 performers will converge on this. We've heard some of the soundcheck music (very pop rock but in a good way).

THE SITES
There will be three sites for the weekend Cirque performers. The Harbourfront Centre rink, the HTO Park and the Music Garden

Harbourfront Centre: The "na" or nature tribe will be based in the Harbourfront Centre area, focused on what in the winter is the Natrel Rink. Funny it's nature as the site is surrounded by our concrete jungle. They've put up a series of stages and torches which has since been filled with water. So expect FIRE and WATER there. The rink isn't deep enough for swimming but we expect some pretty good things to happen there. Here are some pictures we snapped from the venue a few days ago.

And a picture from HarbourfrontTO

Music Garden: This will be the urban or "Ban" (Get it, urBAN). There is a ship at the western part of the park but the big venue is the eastern side of the park where there are two domes set up. So we expect, as you would, some aerial stuff going on there.

HTO Park: This is will the main concert will be where the two tribes will intermingle (will they do it before Sunday at 9 p.m.?) but they've a lot of huge speaker towers, a big stage which we've seen suspend performers. It'll be loud and you'll hear it block away so we guess they're expecting Queens Quay to be packed.

Other venues: Queens Quay itself, we're sure, will be used as the two tribes converge on each other so expect to come across Cirque performers. Also, the Simcoe Wavedeck opens Friday and there will be Cirque performers there so maybe they'll integrate it and the Spadina Wavedeck into the performance. On Queens Quay, there will be family activity area and the food festival will be RIGHT ON THE STREET all the way from Spadina down east. This will be a huge food festival.

Here's a handy map with the three venues

All hail the Simcoe Wavedeck, be careful on the waves

2009-06-11T09:28:00.003-04:00

So today, the Simcoe Wavedeck was supposed to launch but maybe they needed another day to get things today. With all that last minute work, we finally see how they intend to deal with those high 'waves'. We always thought they were a little dangerous looking, but knowing how careful Toronto can get, they installed railings that should pretty much keep most people away from the waves. We can see how now people are going to go up there for pictures.

Anyhow, here's the 'launch' notice for Friday.

Please note the Simcoe WaveDeck opening
scheduled for Thursday, June 11 will now occur on Friday, June 12 at 10:00
a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Waterfront Toronto together with the Government of Canada, Province of
Ontario and City of Toronto will officially open the Simcoe WaveDeck on
Friday, June 12.
The Simcoe WaveDeck is the second and most dramatic urban dock being
built along Toronto's central waterfront. This uniquely Canadian structure
features an informal public amphitheatre-style space with impressive curves
that soar as high as 2.6 metres above the lake.

Vote on one of the 16 submissions for the Railway Lands Pedestrian Bridge

2009-06-10T10:21:00.000-04:00

What is this above is one of 16 designs for the bridge that would connect the rail lands from Front to Dan Leckie Way. The above design is by Andrew Alfred-Duggan (seen here). Here is some background on the proposed bridge and a recent story in the National Post about some of the problems that GO Transit and CN Rail had placed on the project.

Our friends at the BQNA reminded us that there is a contest going on right now on the 16 submissions. See below on how to vote for the designs. Over at Bridging the Design Gap site, they outline some of the guidelines, such as the cost (no more than $10-million) and that the construction can not disrupt rail operations.

Railway Lands Pedestrian Bridge Design Charette

The Railway Lands Pedestrian Bridge Design Charette is now closed to new submissions. We received 16 submissions in all. Now its time for you to join in on the process by voting on the submissions. Voting closes on Friday June 12th at 6PM. All the submissions can be found here:

We look forward to your votes and comments.Thanks The Pedestrian Bridge Design Charette Committee

President's Choice "1000 Tastes of Toronto" looks like will be a sleeper hit

2009-06-10T09:06:00.003-04:00

Update: TasteTO has a schedule for this weekend along with a list of establishments.

There has been lots of talk about street food this year, with all those non-hotdog carts coming out on Victoria Day weekend. Part of the weekend Luminato festivities on Queens Quay and the Toronto waterfront is the President's Choice "1000 Tastes of Toronto".

We have to admit that when we saw President's Choice, we thought, well, about frozen food and package product. Yes, we have to admit that does not sound too appetizing.

That was until we spotted this post on Karmacake. If this is the true list, then our mouths are watering WE ARE READY TO EAT!

We are talking some of QQLs favourite restaurants: Amuse Bouche (King and Bathurst area, romantic setting), Edo (wicked Japanese) Globe Bistro (Canadian-themed cuisine on the Danforth), Seven Numbers (Italian, also on Danforth), Southern Accent (yummy Southern comfort food).

Not enough, how about Susur Lee (Lee and Madeline). How about 360 Restaurant or Auberge Du Pommier or Dhaba.

Even Lai Wah Heen, high high end Chinese, will be setting up shop, according to this list. And how can you not be near water and have something from Rodney's Oyster House.

The foodie vibe in our strip is going to get a whole lot more interesting this weekend.

The full list here

Reader tip! Sobeys at CityPlace opening on June 26th

2009-06-09T21:01:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much to reader Stephanie for doing a little reporting in the neighbourhood. She saw our most recent post on the Sobeys at Fort York and Spadina and gave us this news:

My husband and I were doing our own investigation last week (June 5th) and when we went up to the entrance, the automatic doors opened to reveal a security guard. We asked her if she knew when they were opening and she said with real certainty in her voice, "June 26th". We are so excited!

Thanks Stephanie. So there you go, in three Fridays, expect the Sobeys to be open, which is only a week off from what we were guessing. Let the neighbourhood shopping begin!

(And by the way, we appreciate any tips, just send them down through the comments or to queensquaylife@gmail.com.)

Luminato's Cirque setup at the Music Garden

2009-06-09T08:31:00.002-04:00

With our perfect vantage point of the Music Garden, we went up to our rooftop to snap these pictures of the dome building in progress as the Cirque de Soleil set up at the Music Garden for Luminato.

Wow, it's going to be a LOUD weekend (with road closures) on Queens Quay for Luminato's Cirque show

2009-06-08T18:31:00.003-04:00

Overhead view of HTO Park and one of the sites for this weekend's Luminato Cirque de Soleil.

Yep, we're about 400 metres away from HTO Park yet right now they're doing a nice little soundcheck of the speaker system for this weekend's Luminato Cirque de Soleil show. With our balcony door open, the music is drowning out the traffic, the Gardiner, the wind.

Got some cool guitar licks happening.

On another note, there is going to be a flood of people coming down to Queens Quay. Adam Vaughan sent out a notice with his latest newsletter. The gist: the south lanes will be closed and probably partly open to pedestrian traffic!

Past experience has shown that this will be an extremely popular destination for weekend visitors. No outdoor performances are scheduled to go past 11 pm and concert sound levels will be kept within city-approved site limits. To enhance the weekend experience there will be some road closures in effect to accommodate planned activities and pedestrian traffic:

Queens Quay W (eastbound lanes): from Lower Spadina Ave to Lower Simcoe St:
Saturday June 13, 6am to Monday, June 15, 3am

Luminato organizers will manage these road closures to ensure as little disruption as
possible. Access to 401 Queen’s Quay West will be managed by a Paid Duty Police
Officer.

Sobeys at CityPlace and Bremner/Fort York: Coming soon, but when exactly?

2009-06-07T18:13:00.001-04:00

We strolled past the new venue for the Sobeys Urban Fresh at Fort York and Spadina today and noticed a few things that you could find interesting

First, that despite the Coming Soon signs plastered all over it, we still don't know when it's opening. On a building permit we spotted back in April, it called for a building completion date of June 19 (which is in two Fridays).
They've already stocked the non-perishable aisles (ie bottles, cans, packaged goods) and there are at least seven aisles in the store. From looking inside and comparing it to the location at York and Queens Quay, we think this new one is actually bigger.
We see near the entrance work still needs to be done but it looks like they're ready to roll. There is either a salad bar or, maybe more likely, some sort of pick your own olives area. We see what looks like to be a bakery at the (which was confirmed since we know they were looking for people to work in their bakery department.)

So, who else is excited we're welcoming another grocery store to the neighbourhood? We predict very brisk business.

Becel Ride for the Heart pictures: Cyclists take over the Gardiner

2009-06-07T08:37:00.001-04:00

This is one of our favourite things to see on a summer Sunday. We go outside on our balconys and instead of hearing cars whir by on the Gardiner, we hear something totally different. Hundreds, thousands of cyclists whizzing up and down the Gardiner and DVP for Becel's Ride for the Heart.

So we went up to snap some pictures from overhead. (Nothing like the Tamil protests recently, but for sure a sight to see)

Luminato's Cirque crew setting up at Music Garden

2009-06-06T16:46:00.000-04:00

We were walking by the Music Garden last night and noticed that the Cirque de Soleil setup crews were installing a few venues. We'll grab pictures tomorrow, but so far, we see a mini pirate looking ship towards the Canada Malting Plant building, and a big dome on the park's eastern edge, right after the steps. So we're now thinking arrrh, pirates! and some sort of aerobatics or suspended act.

SkyDome and the birth of condoland on Toronto's waterfront

2009-06-05T09:07:00.002-04:00

We were reading a few days ago one of many pieces that have been done about the SkyDome, that hulking neighbour to the north of Queens Quay. It was 20 years ago today, June 5, 1989, that the Dome opened, ushering in a few glory years of baseball in this city.

Sports columnist Stephen Brunt writes about a "pretty standard, multiuse stadium of the type much in vogue during the 1970s" and that it's "functional, but charmless."

He goes on to write about the politics behind the dome (a Grey Cup during an ice storm at Exhibition Stadium supposedly changed minds) and that.

What's perhaps missing from some of this sports analysis of what the Dome meant for the sporting life in this city is what it has done for LIFE in the city for general. In the Google Map below, we mapped just some of the developments that took off right around the SkyDome in the years after 1989.

View SkyDome and a emerging neighbourhood in a larger map

It's pretty stark, isn't it?

If SkyDome was a seed, or weed, then you can see its offspring in the developments of condo around it. CityPlace, for instance, has sprouted out. Queens Quay saw more than a few parking lots turn into late 1990s and early 2000s developments. True, the condo bust of the 1980s turned condo development cold until the late to mid 1990s, but it's undoubtedly true that this area was made all the more fit for building once you brought the people to the area.

For good (uh, we live here) and bad (for the detractors of condoland).

Happy 20th, Rogers... er, SkyDome.

LCBO BBQ on QQ

2009-06-05T09:03:00.000-04:00

Thought we'd pass this on:

Media Alert - LCBO Queens Quay BBQ helps send kids with cancer to camp

TORONTO, June 3 /CNW/ -

WHAT: The LCBO Queens Quay store and its suppliers are presenting their
18th annual barbecue in support of Camp Oochigeas, a year-round
camp for children affected by childhood cancer. The barbecue is
open to the public and all proceeds go to the camp.

LCBO President & CEO Bob Peter and Queens Quay store staff will
present Camp Oochigeas Chair Howard Breen and Executive Director
Rob Drynan with a cheque for $135,000. This represents donations
from suppliers participating in LCBO in-store tastings and
anticipated proceeds from this year's barbecue. With this
donation, the LCBO and its suppliers will have raised more than $1
million for the camp in the last 18 years.

Fundraising activities include skill-testing games and a silent
auction.

Located on a private lake outside Rosseau, Ontario, Camp Ooch, as
it is affectionately called by the kids, offers eight weeks of
summer camp for children with cancer. It also provides weekends at
camp throughout the fall and winter, day camp programs and year-
round programming at The Hospital for Sick Children and in the
community. Camp Ooch remains the only residential camp in Ontario
to provide on-site chemotherapy and blood transfusions.

WHERE: LCBO Queens Quay Store parking lot
2 Cooper Street (two blocks east of Yonge at Queens Quay Blvd. E.)

WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2009, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Webcams let you keep track of Waterfront Toronto's work

2009-06-04T06:39:00.000-04:00

Waterfront Toronto has a few neat webcams set up so you can track the progress of the Simcoe Wavedeck, the East Bayfront construction on Queens Quay East and of the West Don Lands.

It's pretty neat, because it also has an archive function that lets you look at pictures from past days. For example, here's a picture of the Simcoe Wavedeck on April 9.

And a picture from this past weekend, May 31.

View all the webcams here

Simcoe Wavedeck to open next week

2009-06-03T20:51:00.003-04:00

Just in time for the Luminato finale, we guess, but the Simcoe Wavedeck (across from the Rabba) is set to open next Thursday, the Post reports.

The whimsical wavedeck bridge under construction at Lower Simcoe Street will be open for public use next Thursday, says Adriaan Geuze, the Dutch mastermind behind the city’s gradually improving waterfront.

“They animate your eyes. They make Queen’s Quay literally kiss the water,” he exclaimed today, of the wooden bridges that imitate rolling waves.

Here's a picture of the almost-completed deck, taken from a webcam set up by Waterfront Toronto.

And how it looked in early April when we snapped this shot

Holy Joe! Fire at Queens Quay Loblaws building overnight

2009-06-03T08:49:00.001-04:00

We were out for a morning run when we jaunted by the Loblaws on Queens Quay. When we saw outside the front doors of Joe Fresh clothing, a bundle of burnt clothing and the door open. A window was broken and the smell of, well, burning, persisted.

Looking at Twitter, we see that around midnight, nine fire vehicles were dispatched to the area.

[1] TOR Fire: Commercial Industrial (lower Jarvis St - Queens Quay E) R325 P333 P334 A333 C33 C31 R326 A325 La333 P312

The circus is here (sorta)! Cirque du Soleil setting up shop on Queens Quay

2009-06-03T08:24:00.029-04:00

(One of the sites of the Cirque event, with extra trailers and towers visible. Click here for larger image)

Oh yes, don't you know it's June, given these cooler days we've been having lately? Well, Toronto, that city of the summer, is set to transport thousands to our waterfront in a few weeks with the launch of Luminato starting this weekend.

Of course, we've written about one of the big closing events for the Luminato, the Cirque de Soleil events on the weekend of the 13th to 16th. We'll write about road closures later, but for today, you may have noticed the trucks rolling into the neighbourhood.

Below, you can see the Cirque trailer in the distance (blue with gold lettering)

And an idea of how much electricity this event will need to power it.

And one of the tower-like platforms.

That's right, the circus has arrived and they're already starting to set up at HTO Park. They've set up fences around the fire stations and as we write this Tuesday night, they've already put up five towers, all about three-storeys high. We're sure this will make what ever performances they'll be giving visible the anticipated crowds who'll converge on the western part of Queens Quay (for once) and those of us with balconey views.

Our last post cited a Globe story "departure from the tightly controlled big-top and Las Vegas spectacles it's known for - representing a throwback of sorts to the company's street-performer roots, albeit one shaped by the massive creative resources Cirque now has at its disposal."

Summer camps on Queens Quay

2009-06-02T20:51:00.000-04:00

We got a note from the folks at Harbourfront Centre about their summer camps, which start on June 29.

Harbourfront Centre offers a wide range of arts-based, speciality, marine and sports camps all summer long. Your child can learn to kayak, act in a theatre production, become a fashion designer or express him or herself through writing.

You can visit their website here.

We've got our own outside food market on Queens Quay, every Tuesday

2009-06-02T05:12:00.000-04:00

Saw this from Adam Vaughan's newsletter:

Summer is back and the Waterfront Good Food Market is moving outdoors again...and
will now be weekly! Fresh affordable local and organic produce, baked goods, honey,
maple syrup, jams and pickles. There will also be roasted corn and gourmet cool
summer soups.
Date:
Every Tuesday, rain or shine
From June 2 to Sept 29
Time:
6-8 p.m.
Location:
679 Queens Quay West, in the courtyard
1 block west of Bathurst St.
Special thanks to our partner, FoodShare Toronto, and to Toronto Community Housing
and the City of Toronto for their support.

BQNA event Wednesday: Dreamwork of the Whales at Little Norway Park

2009-06-01T08:41:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the Bathurst Quay Residents Association for passing this along to us.

We're hosting an event here at Bathurst Quay that Queens Quay Life readers will be interested in. The story of how a particular piece of public art, the 40-foot-tall carved maypole entitled Dreamwork of the Whales, came to be created and located in this neighbourhood has lots of interesting, quirky details, and everyone on Queens Quay remains blessed to have this mysterious work in our midst.

It was 1979 when sculptor/designer Ben Barclay and a fellow artist were visiting the Harbourfront Contemporary Art Gallery (the Power Plant's predecessor) on a trip home to Toronto from Vancouver, where they had been living and working in an artists' collective. Their conversation was overheard by the gallery director and a spark was struck.

Months of fundraising followed and by the next spring, a 40-foot Western Red Cedar selected in British Columbia arrived at the Bathurst Quay on Toronto's waterfront. The quay was a big, open, green space then, with the only structures being the Canada Malting Silos and the Tip Top Tailors building; the Little Norway barracks from WW II and the Maple Leafs baseball stadium were long gone. We'll view a film that documented the entire process and it's fascinating in many respects.

A core group of 5 designer/sculptors, with the help of some guest carvers, worked for nearly 5 months to design and carve the 40-foot-tall maypole still standing today in Little Norway Park (at Queens Quay and Bathurst) entitled Dreamwork of the Whales. There were lots of children from the neighbourhoods to the north who played nearby, talking with and inspiring the artists who occasionally let the kids do a bit of carving! The Toronto Folk Festival took place around them at one point in the summer. The artists were invited for home-cooked dinners on many occasions and recall the spirit of community that made it a summer of love, Toronto style.

Now, 29 years later, four of the artists who collaborated on this imaginative masterpiece have accepted our invitation to return for a celebration of the maypole and the spirit of creativity and collaboration that brought it forth.

Please join us for this evening of celebration, if you can. As the evening progresses, we'll hear stories from each of the artists, learn to appreciate better the creation story carved into the maypole, and find out what preservation steps we should take to ensure the maypole lasts for generations to come.

TIME: Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:45 pm, Rain or Shine
PLACE: Little Norway Park, Queens Quay West 1 block west of Bathurst
FILM VIEWING: follows inside at 7:45 pm in nearby Harbourfront Community Centre
FREE ADMISSION

Naturalist Nature Garden Walk

2009-05-31T16:55:00.000-04:00

Saw this on the BQNA website, happening this Tuesday.

Toronto Field Naturalist Nature Garden Walk with Peter Iveson - All welcome

Tuesday, June 2, 6.45 pm Little Norway Park

Meet at the war memorial at 6.45 PM at the south west corner of Bathurst and Queen's Quay. rain or shine. We will inspect the newly restored Cosmic Maypole and the benches program, observe the Red wing blackbird Nesting season, visit the Irish park and end up in the Music Garden. We will be observing plants flowering and observing vertibrates and invertibrates, and discussing environmental issues.

Update: Missing teenager body's found

2009-05-31T16:30:00.000-04:00

Update: Sad news, Shane Fair's body was found. Read the story

Toronto Police have confirmed a body pulled from the water at Ontario Place yesterday is that of missing York University student Shane Fair.

The teen's body was pulled from Lake Ontario near the spot where he vanished two weeks ago — dashing the hopes of relatives and friends who had organized waterfront searches and plastered the downtown with posters appealing for help finding him.

Sgt. Darrin Little said a passerby spotted the body in the water near the Ontario Place dome around 4 p.m.

---
You may have seen the missing signs for Shane Fair around the waterfront path and on Queens Quay. More from the Star

The Star reports:

"police in boats probed the bottom of Lake Ontario for any sign of Shane Fair, a 19-year-old York University student last seen at Ontario Place's Atlantis Pavillion in the early morning hours of May 16.

He was attending an end-of-the-year party and failed to board a bus back to campus at the end of the night.

He hasn't been seen since. His debit and credit cards haven't registered any activity.

More news reports plus his picture are in this Google News Search

Coming soon: Grill 4 U express to open in days

2009-05-30T21:05:00.000-04:00

As you probably know, the Indian take-out restaurant Harbour Tandoori Grille at 218 Queens Quay West closed down in late March. It was a little sad because it's not a bad thing if the little businesses can survive, even thrive, on our street.

We've noticed in the past week or so that there was some renovations happening in that spot and today, the workers unveiled the sign for a new Middle Eastern restaurant.

We did a little search and found that this is part of a business in Vaughan and that the new store is set to open on June 1, Monday. From the Grill 4 U website, this is what we can glean.

Menu: Falafel, shawarma, kebobs, grilled chicken, burgers along with such sides as hummus, baba ganoush, tabouleh, greek salad.

The restaurant is based in Woodbridge and has two 'express' stores in Vaughan and on Queens Quay in a few days. The restaurant's description from its website.

Middle Eastern cuisine has never tasted better or been so enjoyably affordable than at Grill 4 U, winner of the 2008 Vaughan Citizen Reader’s Choice Award. The family run eatery, in only two short years, has built an enviable reputation for authentic, homemade falafel, shawarma, hummus and other Middle Eastern cuisine.

“Everything is made fresh daily, from scratch using only the finest ingredients,” says chef/owner Nihad Hazboun. “By using wholesome ingredients and our signature spices, we provide delicious natural foods of the Middle East, while catering to our customers’ increasing awareness of health and nutrition.”

The key to the success of Grill 4 U, is the tangy blend of shawarma spices prepared and perfected over a number of years by Nihad. “We use 15 different Mediterranean spices, passed down from generation to generation to create the perfectly spiced shawarma sandwich. It’s become my own creation and it keeps people coming back, day after day,” he says.

Queens Quay East streetcar line

2009-05-29T09:09:00.000-04:00

We've written about the TTC plans for a streetcar line from Union out to Cherry Street. Here's an update from a recent National Post story

The TTC has also taken another step toward extending the Queens Quay streetcar line eastward into the ripe-for-development East Bayfront.

Although some work remains to be done for trucks entering the Redpath Sugar refinery on the waterfront, the line will include a new tunnel ending at an overhauled Union Station loop.

PowerBall: The city's power art fundraiser tomorrow

2009-05-27T09:04:00.000-04:00

Who knew, that power plant turned art gallery is also the venue for, as the National Post calls it, "the most-talked-about arts fundraising bash on the Toronto calendar."

The Post picks it up:

...the Power Ball is locked in a party-throwing competition with other organizations around town. The Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Ontario Science Centre have all been stepping up their game in the contest to hold the flashiest philanthropic shindig in town for under $200 a ticket. (And the AGO tried out the sleaze aesthetic at its 2008 Massive Party.)

Maybe you'll want to crash that party, hey why not enjoy our neighbourhood's big arts bash.

For Power Ball 11, we're turning it up a notch - all the way to eleven (‘This is Spinal Tap' mockumentary fans insert laugh here). In every area, we're getting one louder: over the top, extreme, unexpected, excessive, energetic, unruly. It’s a hellraiser. It’s a barnburner. It’s one louder.

- Snip -

Proving that a good bash is not necessarily tied to glam & flash, we will feature 4 open bars of unique thematic design, a pig roast on our lake-side ‘compound’ patio, fancy and not so fancy fare (including amazing food from Bymark Caters, featuring celebrity chef Mark McEwan), amazing music, a huge dance floor with changing video projections, smashed cars with cult movies like Mad Max and Solaris projected through headlights, ‘audio rock sculpture’, and much more. What more could there be you ask? How about an indoor forest, a bizarre video outhouse (you'll have to see for yourself), a drive-in movie theatre, a Conceptual art soft-porn peep-show, scantily clad roller derby girl rumbles, and a winnebago that has been aptly described as a "man cave on wheels". Add this up and do you know what you've got? Power Ball 11: It's One Louder - a party atmosphere that should not be missed, will never be forgotten, and is the power house of all party fundraisers. Be there and get one louder!

Tickets cost $160 for non-members and $150 for members (of the Power Plant)
More info here

Shuttle bus time for 510/509 route

2009-05-26T16:33:00.000-04:00

Okay, at least it's not winter. As you probably know by now, the TTC is running shuttle service between Spadina and Union, which means extra annoyance if you're trying to commute to and from home. Of course, at least it's sunny the next few days so I guess you could walk , right?

You can see the picture below, they are tearing up part of the track, the crews seemed to be out of service as of 2 p.m. Anyone know how long this will take?

Update, we spotted this and a reader also tipped us off. It'll take a week

Starting 6:00 am, Monday, May 25 until 5:00 am, Saturday, May 30, the TTC will conduct track repairs on Queens Quay West, from east of Spadina Loop to the Harbourfront tunnel. During the track repairs 509 HARBOURFRONT streetcars will run between Exhibition Loop and Spadina Loop. 510 SPADINA streetcars will run between Spadina Station and Spadina Loop.
A temporary replacement bus service will be provided on Queens Quay between Bathurst Street and Bay Street. At Union Station, customers must board the replacement buses on the west side of Bay Street, south of Front Street.
Customers will require paper transfers to transfer between the temporary buses and the subway.

Re-cycling the meeting...

2009-05-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

Cycling is in the news today, after city council decided to approve bike lanes for Jarvis.

As you know, lots of cyclists use Queens Quay as a route when they come into downtown. They may come east from the Beach or west from the Martin Goodman Trail. We came across this debrief from Adam Vaughan abut a cycling meeting held earlier this year. It's available here and mentions some of the key issues for our riding. You can read the whole thing here:

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our first Ward 20 Cycling meeting! For those of you who weren't able to attend, over 25 residents from throughout the ward were present to share ideas on how to improve cycling in Ward 20 from the waterfront, north to Dupont.
Discussion included:
• the need for a safe east-west bike route throughout the city
• the desire for bike lanes on Bloor Street
• the need to better enforce the bylaw that prohibits cars from parking in bike lanes
• the desire for more bike paths or separated bike lanes, and the challenges involved in implementing them
• the need for bike routes and bike paths that connect to the waterfront to the rest of the city

The goal moving forward is to develop a set of priorities for the ward that the office and the community can work towards. To aid in this goal, it was decided that a number of working groups should be formed, including:
• a Ward 20 Cycling Steering Committee, made up of representatives from across the ward. The Steering Committee will hold regular meetings to provide Councillor Vaughan's office with feedback on cycling-related issues, projects and plans relevant to the ward
• a Bloor Street Working Group, which will help provide feedback on future transportation plans for the street
• a Ward 20 Waterfront Cycling Group, which will look at the need for bike lanes and bike routes to connect the waterfront to the north, the need to accommodate bike parking, and other initiatives.

Doors Open Toronto: Queens Quay's neighbourhood list

2009-05-22T09:42:00.000-04:00

As we wrote earlier this week, this Saturday and Sunday marks Doors Open Toronto, that good old event that will let you in many historic buildings. Pictured above is the Roundhouse by Rogers Centre (we wrote it about here).

Here's a full list (find more detailed descriptions and times)

And below are waterfront and sorta waterfront sites. One notable new site is HMCS York and a cool site is the wind turbine generator at Exhibition Place. Enjoy!

Distillery Historic District - Deaf Culture Centre 55 Mill Street, Building 5, Suite 101
11am to 5pm 4:30 12noon to 5pm 4:30

Distillery Historic District - Kiln Furnace 55 Mill Street Building 36
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4:45 10 am to 5 pm 4:45

Distillery Historic District - Rack House D 55 Mill Street
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4:45 10 am to 5 pm 4:45

Distillery Historic District - Scale Tank Loft 55 Mill Street
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4:45 10 am to 5 pm 4:45

Exhibition Place - Horse Palace - Green Roof 15 Nova Scotia Ave.
10 am to 4 pm 3:30 10 am to 4 pm 3:30

Exhibition Place - Horse Palace - Riding Academy 15 Nova Scotia Ave.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10 am to 5 pm

Exhibition Place - Horse Palace - Toronto Animal Services 15 Nova Scotia Ave.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 5:00 PM 10 am to 5 pm 5:00 PM

Exhibition Place - Horse Palace - Toronto Police Mounted Unit 15 Nova Scotia Ave.
10:00 am - 4:00 pm 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Exhibition Place - Scadding Cabin Exhibition Place
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4:50 10 am to 5 pm 4:50

Exhibition Place Wind Turbine Generator Yukon Place, Toronto, ON

Fort York Armoury 660 Fleet Street W
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4:45 10 am to 4 pm 3:45

Fort York National Historic Site 100 Garrison Rd.

Her Majesty's Canadian Ship YORK 659 Lakeshore Blvd. W.
10am-4pm 3:45pm 10am-4pm 3:45pm

John St Roundhouse - Toronto Railway Historical Assoc. 255 Bremner Blvd
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4:30 4-Oct 3:30

John St. Roundhouse - Steam Whistle Brewing 255 Bremner Blvd.
10 am to 6 pm530pmnoon to 5 pm430pm

Museum of Inuit Art (in the Queen's Quay Terminal building) 207 Queen's Quay West
10 am to 6 pm 5:30 PM 10 am to 6 pm 5:30 PM

Union Station 65 Front Street West
10 am to 4 pm 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our very own local street food: injera at Roundhouse Park

2009-05-21T09:10:00.001-04:00

You've probably read a bit about those new street carts offering something other than hot dogs (Torontoist, Star, Post). It's Toronto's 'a la cart' program that offers: Thai food at Mel Lastman Square, Afghani (kebabs) at Metro Hall, Persian and Greek at City Hall, kebab wraps at Queen's Park, Korean at Yonge and Eglinton and jerk chicken wraps at Yonge and St. Clair.

Of course, we get one of our very own at Roundhouse Park, which is outside the Steam Whistle building and on the edge of Rogers Centre. It's Eritrean fare, or injera.

Injera, according to the Wikipedia entry, "is a pancake-like bread made out of teff flour" -- "traditionally eaten in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia. Those of you who have eaten at the one of many Ethiopian restaurants in Toronto know of the spongy like bread that have stews and curry like meats and veg on top. It's usually eaten by hand (and delicious).

Torontoist's cool roundup has pictures and this description of the injera

Across the street from the south end of the Rogers Centre, Andnet Zere got off to a bit of a slow start with a cart that wasn't cooperating, but she recovered well before the afternoon's Blue Jays game let out. Zere, whose background is Eritrean, is serving generous portions of injera—spongy, slightly sour flatbread—filled with either beef or stewed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, peppers) and lentils. ... (read the rest here)

We hope to get out there soon to sample the fare. Anyone else try it?

Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association meeting

2009-05-20T15:16:00.001-04:00

Got this little notice about the BQNA's upcoming annual meeting at the Harbourfront Community Centre.

BQNA Annual General Meeting - Thursday May 21st
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The BQNA will report on its accomplishments of the past year, share its plans for the coming year and introduce its executive for 2009-10. Our guest speaker will be Waterfront Toronto CEO John Campbell to talk about the improvements coming to Queens Quay and our parks and public spaces.

Thursday, May 21st, 7-9pm at HCC, Medium Assembly Room.

Heads up, Doors Open Toronto this weekend

2009-05-20T09:16:00.000-04:00

We're back from an extended break (miss us?). Remember that this weekend -- and the weather is looking absolutely perfect for it -- we'll have Doors Open Toronto. Yes, you'll get your walking shoes, running shoes and explore some of the 150 buildings.

Here's the website and we'll post all the sites near Queens Quay later in the week.

Happy Victoria Day, Queens Quay: 5 things to do on a spring weekend

2009-05-18T12:08:00.000-04:00

In spirit of the post we did one past holiday, an adapted view of what you can do on a weekend/holiday during the spring/summer

1. Run/Bike/walk: Explore the western part of Queen Quay and walk/bike/run to Ontario Place and back. You want to get some sun, don't you? While you're at it, watch the wavedecks at Simcoe under construction.

2. Eat: Queens Quay Terminal's open every day as a tourist destination. So, why not hit Pearl's Chinese restaurant for some above par dim sum at reasonable prices given the location, view and service. They open at 10:30 a.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. on weekdays. 207 Queens Quay (see website here)

3. Plant: If you had the foresight to buy some plants this past weekend, then it's good time to get the planters out and spruce up your condo baloneys.

4. Go forage for breakfast, lunch, dinner: Shopper's Drug Mart near Spadina is open, and the reliably always-open Rabba are open. We'll leave it to a future post of what you can do with what you find at both stores, but Shopper's does sell books, magazines and DVDs.

5. Ontario Place: You may have caught the fireworks yesterday night but it's worth noting that Ontario Place is now open. Swing by for a visit. And in late June/July (June 27, July 1, July 4) look westward for fireworks at night. Stake out a spot on your balcony or windowside or head to your condo's rooftop for great views.

Photo: Signage shadows

2009-05-16T18:19:00.000-04:00

Here at Queens Quay Life, gonna take a few days off from blogging, but we've got lots of ideas. Actually, maybe we'll have one up on holiday Monday, but for now, here's a photo of the HTO sign or rather its shadow.

Happy Victoria Day

Uh oh, is the cash still coming our way?

2009-05-14T10:01:00.004-04:00

Toronto Star recently reporting that the big $500 million pegged for waterfront development may not all get to the project.

The Star picks it up:

The federal government may be unable to spend all of the $500 million it has committed to the overhaul of Toronto's waterfront before it lapses, according to an internal report obtained by the Toronto Star.

Nearly $200 million is at risk, the report warns, because of unrealistic timelines, too much legal caution and the shuffling of federal responsibility for the project through six ministries since 2000.

A March 31, 2011 funding deadline is fast approaching and if it isn't met, the blame will be on all three levels of government, who have collectively turned 800 hectares of environmental contamination into a bureaucratic wasteland, said the June 2008 report, released only now to the Star under the Access to Information Act.

It's no secret that things have taken a long time to get rolling on this waterfront development. It was November 1999 when the city, province and federal government announced the landmark agreements. It was so long ago we're talking Lastman, Harris and Chretien.

The city has a chronology here which just shows how long things have taken. We think that things have speeded up considerably in the past few years and the plans for the Queens Quay redevelopment seem on track, if not still needing approval by the city later this fall. Sure, we've got the Spadina Wavedeck and the other wavedecks should be completed this summers. And yes, the East Bayfront project is well under way.

In short, it's laudable that Waterfront Toronto's got its act together, but it would be a tremendous shame that the fact it could have the rugged pulled out from underneath them because it took a long time to get started.

Streetcars galore and free-ish eastbound service (on weekends and holidays, between a few stops)

2009-05-14T09:39:00.004-04:00

We recently saw a post on Transit Toronto about increased service to the 510 and 509 routes a seasonal adjustment when tourists and Torontonians start to flood the streetcars on their way to Queens Quay and Exhibition.

The gist: we're seeing increase of streetcar traffic for the weekend.

Also, as you know, the TTC usually doesn't take fares on parts of harbourfront so you can pay when you get to Union Station.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from Sunday, May 10 until Labour Day, Monday, September 7, TTC operators are not collecting fares at Harbourfront. If you’re waiting for an eastbound streetcar on Queen’s Quay West at Bathurst Street, Dan Leckie Way, Lower Spadina Avenue, Rees Street, Lower Simcoe Street or York Street — or at the northbound platform at Queen’s Quay Station — you may board streetcars by either the front or centre door. You don’t have to pay a cash or token fare and the operators won’t give you a paper transfer.

We haven't thought about this until now, but of course, for us QQ residents, this kinda means weekend free inter-waterfront travel if you're going Eastbound. Say I live at Spadina and want to get to Sobeys, I guess I could take the TTC free for two stops... Sweet, easy grocery shopping.

By the way, they didn't have this Union Station collection thingy in place last weekend

More info on Cirque and Luminato

2009-05-12T21:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks to reader Bob who tipped us off to this story in the Globe recently about the Cirque du Soleil event that will take over parts of Queens Quay in June.

The Globe picks it up

The latest creation from Cirque, which also marks the company's 25th anniversary, is a departure from the tightly controlled big-top and Las Vegas spectacles it's known for - representing a throwback of sorts to the company's street-performer roots, albeit one shaped by the massive creative resources Cirque now has at its disposal.

The Cirque show begins the evening of Friday, June 13, and stretches throughout the final weekend of Luminato. Two tribes of performers will start the weekend at two antithetical locations, one locale dressed up as a fantastical urban environment, the other decorated as a rural setting (at two of Toronto's main lakefront attractions: Harbourfront Centre, at the base of Simcoe Street; and the Music Garden, just west of the foot of Spadina Avenue). The tribes will each act out a series of street performances as they gradually converge along Queen's Quay for a final blowout show on Sunday evening.

But Cirque organizers are hesitant to offer more details about the storylines and concepts behind the show. The idea, says Yasmine Khalil, director of Cirque's events division, is not to offer the audience a chapter-by-chapter storyline, or to promise a series of distinct events, but rather to have them arrive and form their own impressions of what is unfolding before them. "If people come and try to understand too literally what is going on, it takes away from the magic and the enjoyment," Khalil says. Her advice: "Go and see what's going to happen that weekend with an open mind."

Tamil protests shuts down the Gardiner, Queens Quay becomes 'highway'

2009-05-10T21:01:00.000-04:00

So we noticed on the way home tonight that Queens Quay was PACKED with cars. We were wondering what was going on until we saw that there was a massive Tamil protest on the Gardiner. The police had shut down the Gardiner, much of Spadina, part of Lakeshore and we hear the DVP to Bloor.

So that means Queens Quay becomes the East-West line through the city tonight.

Here are some pictures we got

Toronto Life's 50 Reasons To Love Toronto Now (and 5 reasons to love the waterfront)

2009-05-09T10:29:00.000-04:00

In the June issue of Toronto Life, it lists 50 reasons why they love Toronto right now.

Lists are, well, arbitrary. We can imagine the staff of Toronto Life gathering at a story meeting thinking up ideas. Maybe they have a map of Toronto so they try to cover the city. Who knows.

Anyways, from our boring but safe banks (No. 1) to the number of same-sex couples (No. 4) to our enviro-mayor (No. 35) they hit just enough topics to seem to cover the city.

So what about the waterfront community and Queens Quay? The Waterfront Revitalization comes in at No 34, with the magazine citing the HTO Park. Number 43 is that everyone bikes and everyone knows that they have to bike through the waterfront to get from east or west to downtown. And they point to Porter (No. 22) as a civilizated way to travel "we're ready to swap our protest for praise". Finally, at No. 13, they point out to the ethnic food (injera) at nearby Roundhouse Park and the CN Tower's LEDs make it cool (No. 12).

We have to say we agree that there are cool aspects to the waterfront.

A look at the Lower Don Lands as plans unveiled

2009-05-08T08:50:00.000-04:00

The video above was released by Waterfront Toronto and gives an interesting view of what the Lower Don Lands will look like in the future. We're talking about Cherry Street, which you'll reach if you keep on going east on Queens Quay.

As we wrote earlier, Waterfront Toronto released its vision for the Lower Don Lands last week.

From the National Post

Plans to transform Toronto’s industrial Lower Don Lands into a vibrant neighbourhood may be the impetus for a conservation project that local activists have been promoting for nearly 30 years: the naturalization of the Don River’s mouth.

Waterfront Toronto today revealed preliminary schematics for the Lower Don Lands redevelopment, which includes reopening the mouth of the Don River and allowing it to meander its way into Lake Ontario between the Keating and Shipping channels.

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Waterfront Toronto will unveil the plans to the public this weekend, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Lawrence Hall, 157 King Street East.

You like comics? Toronto Comic Arts Festival

2009-05-07T19:50:00.003-04:00

This weekend launches some events associated with the Toronto Comic Art Festival. There are lots of events but we're listing some of them happening at Harbourfront.

Graphic Novels: The Creation of Art and Narrative.
Gallery Showing at Harbourfront Centre
Friday May 8th - Sunday June 21st.
Opening Reception Friday May 8th, 6pm-10pm
York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
FREE
Featuring: Canada: Jeff Lemire, Kagan McLeod, Jillian Tamaki & Mariko Tamaki, Doug Wright (by Seth). Anke Feuchtenberger (Germany), Emmanuel Guibert (France), Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Japan), Adrian Tomine (USA).
Graphic Novels: The Creation of Art and Narrative. Harbourfront Centre will play host to a unique series of installations by top cartoonists from Canada and around the world as they attending the fourth Toronto Comic Arts Festival, May 9-10. Illuminating the creation of “The Ninth Art,” Graphic Novels will include original artworks and process materials, as well as tools, sculpture, and photography to build an insightful portrait of the creators working in this popular medium. This exhibition is co-presented with The Beguiling and The Toronto Comic Arts Festival.

Authors at Harbourfront Centre: Seth, Adrian Tomine, and Yoshihiro Tatsumi
In association with The Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Friday, May 8 at 7:30 pm
Brigantine Room, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Tickets $8.00, available at harbourfrontcentre.com

Authors at Harbourfront Centre helps jump start the 2009 Toronto Comic Arts Festival with an evening of world-renowned graphic artists/novelists: Seth, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, and Adrian Tomine. Seth (George Sprott: (1894-1975)) and Tomine (Shortcomings) debut their latest graphic novels, followed by a discussion between Tomine and Tatsumi about Tatsumi’s latest work, A Drifting Life. All three authors appear courtesy of Drawn & Quarterly (Montreal).

This event, presented in partnership with The Beguiling, will also feature a corresponding visual art exhibition Graphic Novels: The Creation of Art and Narrative, located in Harbourfront Centre’s York Quay Centre.

Future of the Lower Don Lands to be unveiled

2009-05-07T07:38:00.003-04:00

This moved a few days ago, and should be interesting to see what plans Waterfront Toronto has for the Lower Don Lands.

Waterfront Toronto is holding a technical briefing for media on May 7 to provide detailed plans for the Lower Don Lands which have been developed through an Environmental Assessment (EA) process.
The plans for the area take an innovative approach to naturalizing the
mouth of the Don River by moving it from the Keating Channel to Lake Ontario,
providing for the transformation of a long neglected area into sustainable new
parks and communities.
Jointly sponsored by Waterfront Toronto, City of Toronto, and Toronto
Transit Commission, the EA has examined several alternative planning solutions
for the 125-hectare (308 acre) industrial area located south of the rail
corridor in the east end of Toronto's waterfront.
Toronto Region and Conservation will also present the new river alignment
and innovative flood protection strategies for the Don River.

Sobeys on Queens Quay: Not a tourist destination?

2009-05-06T07:45:00.002-04:00

If you go to the Queens Quay Terminal website, you'll see that they're open "7 days a week". We take that to mean that it's open every day. True, you can go to Pearl on holidays for dim sum.

Thanks to a reader for tipping us off to what he saw on the Toronto City Council blog. The council voted against a change to the by-law that would have allowed the Sobey's to open on holidays.

Well, that's a shame for residents. Okay, we're not tourists but it'd be nice to have it open since we have so little infrastructure down here. Nice to see that our local councillors (Vaughan and McConnell) voted for it.

Under the current by-laws, the Tourism Area Exemption includes "The Eaton Centre and The Bay Queen
Street Store; Queen Quay Terminal; the Downtown Yonge BIA; Bloor Yorkville BIA and The Distillery District." (Background document) Clearly, there are those who think not all of the services in the Terminal is not considered tourism. Downers.

Following is from the city council.

Holiday Closing By-law Amendment Defeated
City Council has voted against a proposed amendment to the Holiday Closing By-law that would have allowed the Sobey's store at Queen's Quay Terminal to open on holidays.

The vote was 13-20 as follows:

YES Augimeri YES Carroll YES Davis YES Filion YES Jenkins YES McConnell YES Mihevc YES Milczyn YES Palacio YES Perks YES Rae YES Vaughan YES Walker

NO Ainslie NO Bussin [Chair] NO Del Grande NO Di Giorgio NO Feldman NO Fletcher NO Ford NO Hall NO Holyday NO Kelly NO Lee NO Lindsay Luby NO Minnan-Wong NO Moscoe NO Nunziata NO Ootes NO Pantalone NO Saundercook NO Shiner NO Stintz

Landscape Architects agree: Spadina Wavedeck is kinda cool

2009-05-05T19:44:00.000-04:00

Yay, the Spadina Wavedeck wins another award (okay, it didn't win a really prestigious one, but it did today).

From a press release out today

Waterfront Toronto's Spadina WaveDeck has received another prestigious design award, this time from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The Spadina WaveDeck earned a 2009 Honor Award from the ASLA in its General Design category and was one of two Toronto waterfront projects honoured this year.

"We're so pleased that the Spadina WaveDeck has been honoured again," said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. "This project exemplifies what Waterfront Toronto means when we say that design excellence is part of everything we do. It's a public gathering place that is also a stunning piece of art."

Green rooftops?

2009-05-05T08:25:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association, who gave us their upcoming calendar of events. Tonight, here's an interesting meeting:

Downtown Multi-Unit Residence Solar Energy Project
At this month’s meeting, we’ll hear how Ontario’s new Green Energy Act will make it
more rewarding to invest in green energy production on our rooftops.

Tuesday, May 5
7:30 -PM
Windward Co-op
34 Little Norway Cres.

Cycling in the ward

2009-05-04T20:27:00.000-04:00

Another item from Adam Vaughan's recent newsletter

At the conclusion of the Ward 20 Cycling meeting held on February 25, it was decided that a steering committee in addition to a Bloor Street Working Group and Waterfront Working Group would be formed to provide Councillor Vaughan's office with feedback on cycling initiatives and concerns in the ward.

The Ward 20 Cycling Steering Committee and working groups will meet for the first time on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00pm.

At this first meeting, we will discuss:
. frequency of meetings
. updates on cycling initiatives
. ideas for improving and expanding bike parking throughout the ward
. possible new initiatives to explore in ward 20
. issues surrounding bike lanes on Bloor Street and Queen's Quay
. improving connections to the waterfront

Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 6:00 - 8:00
Location: The Centre For Social Innovation, 215 Spadina, Suite 120 (ground floor)

Membership to these groups is open. Please contact Councillor Vaughan's Constituency Assistant Dale Duncan at dduncan@toronto.ca or 416-392-4044 if you would like to sign up as a member of one or more of these groups.

Jane's Walk: Get to know your neighbourhood in Toronto

2009-05-01T21:17:00.000-04:00

Sorry we didn't get this out sooner, but this weekend marks Jane's Walk, marking events both Saturday and Sunday to let you connect with your city's history, architecture and life. There are SOOO many events you can see here on the website. Peruse it right now and we're sure you'll find some events on Saturday or Sunday

"Get the inside scoop on your city and neighbours - free walking tours for locals who want to go deeper"

Here are just some of the nearby walks.

Downtown Sculpture Walk

* Charles Campbell
* Saturday, May 2, 2009
* 10:30am
* Walk: 1.5 hours

Meeting Place: The Archer sculpture on Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West

Garment District and Wellington St.: Historic yet ever-changing

* Dylan Reid
* Sunday, May 3, 2009
* 2:30pm
* Walk: 1.5 hrs

Meeting Place: "The Thimble" sculpture at the North-West corner of Richmond St. West and Spadina Avenue

King-Spadina: One of 'The Two Kings'

* Paul Bedford, Margie Zeidler
* Saturday, May 2, 2009
* 10:30am
* Walk: 2.5 hours

Meeting Place: 401 Richmond St. W., at the Roastery Cafe on ground floor, this building is just east of Spadina Ave

Lower Don Lands

* Ken Greenberg
* Sunday, May 3, 2009
* 10:00am
* Walk: 1.5 hours
Meeting Place: Keating Channel Pub - Cherry Street and Villiers

View Jane's Walks 2009 in a larger map

Ship arrives at Queens Quay, collects booty ($100) luckily no pirates to be seen

2009-05-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

Saw this press release move through earlier today. Shipping season arrives at our harbour.

The Toronto Port Authority is pleased to announce the arrival of this year's first ocean-going vessel into port via the
St. Lawrence Seaway this week.
It's another sure sign that Spring is here, and the TPA will mark the occasion by honouring Captain Yang Sibing of the MV Wigeon with a beaver hat
in a traditional ceremony that dates back 148 years. The Wigeon, a 22,790 metric tonne vessel operated by Montreal's Canfornav Inc., is bringing a cargo
of sugar to the Redpath Sugar facility from Colombia.
The storied hat used in the ceremony originally belonged to Captain John Hooper Meade, who immigrated to Canada from England in 1828. Capt. Meade
became a successful Toronto merchant and landowner with holdings on Centre Island as well as a hotel and two steamer vessels. Made by Christies Hats of
London from silk and beaver pelt, Capt. Meade donated the hat to mark the occasion in 1861. His grandson, Captain John Allen, was Toronto's Harbour
Master from 1925-30.
The ship's captain will be "crowned" with the antique hat by TPA Harbour Master Angus Armstrong in a photo opportunity. Earlier in its history, the hat could be worn by the captain of the first spring "saltie" in port for 24 hours, but this tradition was discontinued after several mishaps in which the custodians of the hat felt the need to celebrate by overindulging in downtown taverns.
The captain will also receive the traditional $100 cheque (the amount has not changed in approximately 80 years) and a commemorative briefcase.

Friday, May 1, 2009
10 a.m.

Photo: Destined for demolition

2009-04-30T20:40:00.001-04:00

Meet the future site of Sherbourne Park, on Queens Quay East. We were walking by the site that will be demolished soon to make way for public space as part of the East Bayfront project, and thought we'd snap some pictures. The building is partly made up of old rail cars. Not quite history, we guess, but worth getting a last picture of.

Middle ground, anyone? The Porter and Toronto Island Airport divide

2009-04-29T10:03:00.042-04:00

There's a hell of a lot of passion when it comes to the Porter Airlines and its expansion at the Toronto Island Airport. Who knows what it is, but there seems to be two main camps. Those vehemently against it, and those who wholeheartedly support it. Okay, fine, there`s a third camp that sorta wonders what the other two are fighting over.

What we find interesting, not too surprisingly we guess, is that people from all over the city are engaged in the debate about the airport. On Monday, as the airline and federal officials were announcing a $45 million expansion and the addition of 10 planes to the fleet, such local luminaries as Adam Vaughan and Olivia Chow, along with the activist group CommunityAir, protested. Later, at an event at the nearby Harbourfront Community Centre, CommunityAir said that a survey of the residents who attend said 47% said their chief concern was noise and air pollution.

The CommunityAir point of view is well documented on their website and you can see their viewpoint on their blog.

So where should one lie as a resident of Queens Quay. There is an assumption that residents of the waterfront are against the airport. We at QQL are pretty much in the middle -- we can see the concerns with pollution but we also realize that we live just south of a major highway and are a few blocks from a major city core and you can`t argue against the convenience (yes, we`ve flown Porter before). We`re just not so sure that there is really a black and white answer to this (as in, no airport or yes airport).

We were interested enough to peruse the comment boards of some of the newspaper online articles for some other opinions. Here`s an interesting sampling.

From the Toronto Star

Porter should be banned: Cannot immagine the pollution this will bring not to mention the total disregard of peace and quiet. Turn the island airport to a city park for all to enjoy. Poeple should be more environmentally conscious.

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there's no way you can hear them at king st: I worked at wellington and Portland for 3 years, and i've never, every heard any planes from the island. Not once. There's so much other noise between here and the island (the expressway, train tracks, Toronto in general), there's no way.

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Lived right there at 34 Little Norway facing the airport and the traffic on King Street is much louder (lived there as well). Just becuase you live on the water does not mean you are more entitled to quiet then everyone else. (BTW I love in a house now beside a subway station and the city buses are ALSO louder than any plane I ever heard on the waterfront).

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The planes do make alot of noise. I live at Bathurst and Queens Quay. The traffic is pretty messy too. It's only a matter of time before something bad will happen due largely to poor urban planning. If they had better public trains going to Pearson Airport I doubt this Porter thing would have had much luck.

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My 2 cents as someone that lives close by....First and foremost - Yes, I knew there was an airport when I moved in and I am not posting here to complain - just want to clarify a few points. Lets not give Porter too much credit for a successful business model since they received an undisclosed sum as a settlement when the bridge was cancelled (Estimates I have read are $20-$30M). Second, I will admit, the sounds of the planes are not that bad where I live - other than when they do their maintenance run ups - those are very, very loud and residents have a right to complain about them. Furthermore, The "Quiet" in the Q400 refers to the ride inside...not approach noise

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I live in the neighbourhood. I didn't know there was an airport even there until a week after I moved in. The way things are now is fine. There is nothing more awesome than walking to the airport, flying direct to Newark and taking US Helicopter from the terminal to midtown Manhattan, all for the same price as flying out of Pearson. This is the way travel should be.

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My sister lives near Bathurst and King. I visit her frequently. She knows the Porter airplanes bring plenty of noise.

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Cities and downtowns are defined by density; swaths of people living, working, and playing in a common area. [A private community on a public island], barricading off acres upon acres of prime downtown real estate, goes entirely against this philosophy, restricting a huge area to a meagre few. A large chunk of downtown, a stretch of one of the city's finest beaches, and a huge portion of the inner harbour are all off-limits. Imagine the benefit of [evicting the squatters and freeing up that land for everyone]? Homes, jobs, amenities... benefits for thousands and proper growth for the city [everything denied us by a bunch of NIMBYs]. The waterfront should be usable and enjoyable for the whole city, not just [those few people living on it].

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I lived on Queen's Quay for several years, right near the airport. Contrary to what the spoiled denizens of the Islands would have you believe, the airport is not a problem. In the years I lived there, not once was I awakened or annoyed by charter planes. It's also terrific that people can now take convenient trips without having to haul all the way out to Pearson, where usurious parking fees and terrible traffic reign. By all means, expand the Island Airport. Ignore the notoriously whiny NIMBY Islanders.

Anyways, this goes on and on and on and from what we see, a majority are not against the Island Airport. Of course, commenting boards are usually the silent minority, but not worth ignoring.

The Globe and Mail had more than 100 comments on their story. Here are a few from people

David McKenna from Toronto, Canada writes: I live in a condo apartment on the lakeshore and can see the airport out my window. It is true the planes actually are very quiet. As an airline, the service is superb and much better than any other airline. I travel regularly and cannot notice much difference between United, Delta, Air Canada, etc. Porter is significantly different.

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GK cheese from Toronto, Canada writes: Claims about current quietness seem a stretch. I live about 2 km's from the airport and can hear the turboprops rumbling every morning at 7 am. Mind you it's not as bad as the sound of the Gardiner Expwy.

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Bobby S from Canada writes: I am very happy for Porter and their CEO. They are a great company that run a pleasant, serviceable airline. I have used them many times and I live walking distance to the airport. I saw some of the protesters this morning, and I'm routinely greeted by them as I get off the flights, but I hope they don't derail, the good honest work by Porter. My only concern is that they don't become too big too quick. We all remember Jetsgo, and I certainly hope Porter sticks around for a long time.

---

Wayne Morrison from Toronto, Canada writes: One other point. The island residents, and anybody who lives in a condo on the south side of the Gardner, are the last people on the planet who are entitled to complain about anybody ruining the view, taking up park space, or being located in an inappropriate space.

The National Post wrote an editorial criticizing mayor David Miller`s opposition and also lack of attendance at the ceremony. Here are a few paragraphs from the editorial:

`More sensible Canadians can only shake their heads at such displays of small-mindedness. Porter — like larger, Calgary-based WestJet Airlines Ltd., which also took the risk of challenging Air Canada’s monopoly power — is succeeding in a cut-throat industry in which bankruptcies are all too common. (Air Canada is struggling to avoid its second such filing in six years in the face of dwindling demand and crushing debt and pension obligations.) It has done so not only through innovation and efficient service, but thoughtful amenities such as complimentary cappuccinos, Wi-fi service and computers in the Toronto terminal. (Oh, and you don’t have to join some hoity-toity “gold club” to get them.)

It is disheartening that Mr. Miller stands against the interests of a new, up-and-coming airline that has proven popular with passengers and revolutionized air travel in the region. Like Westjet, Porter has managed its feat without recourse to government bailouts or special subsidies. It deserves commendation, but instead faces continued hostility from Toronto’s obdurate left-wing council, which favours spending billions on a transit line to the distant and crowded Pearson while spurning the benefits to be had from promoting the more convenient island alternative.

And some comments from readers

Opposition to the Island Airport has never been about rationality or common sense. It has, however, served a useful ongoing distraction from the city's real problems which the Miller horde has done little to address.

His behaviour regarding the Island Airport is shameful and embarrassing; like a spoiled child that doesn't get his way, his rigid ideological opposition reveals how out of touch he really is. The success of the airport is a fitting tribute for this sad episode.

---

... Private enterprise is merely an opportunity for government bureaucrats to gorge themselves at the public trough for a few years.

---
This is Toronto, jda- nothing gets done on the waterfront. The bickering and infighting between various orders of government and their attendant visions lead to a whole lot of inertia and little else.

All we end up seeing are a lot of press conferences featuring artist concepts of things that will never get built with plenty of windy talk from assorted grandees about a new 'vision' for the waterfront. Please. We don't need any more visionaries announcing fancy schemes that are completely divorced from reality. No more Robert Fungs.
---
As a life long right of centre voter and against my own better judgement, I voted for Miller based entirely on the Island airport issue.

I do feel that his performance as a Mayor should be separated from the airport issue.

On his performance as a Mayor, he is a complete failure and should be removed from office. I won't get into the many reasons why here.

Despite his massive failure as a Mayor, the mere existence of the airport is an ongoing and embarrassing nightmare for the waterfront. The noise and pollution from the planes is horrific and in the long term erodes the potential for our city. (And don't try and convince me that the convenience of an inner city airport for a few thousand travellers is worth the cost - it's not even close...)

So, at least Miller was consistent with his views by not showing up yesterday and no one should be surprised, but add to Miller's many failures the fact that the airport still exists, and what we do agree on is that he should be booted from office as soon as possible.
---
Tablogloid - the condominiums near the bottom of bathurst don't have anything to complain about either. I've stood outside at the mainland ferry terminal waiting to meet people arriving, and you don't notice any sound from the planes. MAYBE if you had unusually sensitive hearing and were straining to make them out you'd notice a faint buzz, but realistically, the noise is a tiny fraction of the constant hum from the Gardiner.
---
Ya, those ~100 planes a day are a nightmare compared to the over 1-million cars that are drawn to the city daily by the over-concentration of business (jobs) downtown.

Phew, that`s a lot.

Watermark Irish Pub open

2009-04-28T22:00:00.002-04:00

Okay, it's open. We walked by the restaurant on Queens Quay Terminal and they were relatively busy. It looks very vibrant inside.

New (and approved) TTC Streetcars of the future: Low, sleek and futuristic

2009-04-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

You may have read recently that the Toronto Transit Commission had picked Bombardier for its new concept of streetcars. Last night, the city council approved the plan, pending funding, of the 204 street cars. The costs have been reported to be between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion.

So imagine, if you will, over the next 10 years, these bad boys rolling across Queens Quay. And remember that they'll also looking at renovating Union Station and also building out a subway line on Queens Quay to Jarvis.

The designs call for minimum of 64 seats and the specs are calling for more room. More information on the Bombardier website.

The Bombardier site describes the new street cars as "modern, beautiful, safe, quick, comfortable." Hm, how does that stack up to our current fleet of about 250 cars, delivered in the 1970s and 1980s. More info on the TTC fleet.

Porter Airlines expansion includes U.S. Customs = more U.S. destinations?

2009-04-27T09:09:00.002-04:00

Just read at the National Post that Porter will put $45-million into the Toronto Island Airport. By November, there will be an expansion in place with 150,000 square feet but the big news is that there will be U.S. customs, so this probably means more U.S. destinations.

We were right, in this Bloomberg story, the company said it's considering Boston and Washington this fall.

Here's more from the press release

Phase one of the terminal opens November 2009, and includes passenger
facilities, aircraft gates and office space. The full facility, including 10
bridged aircraft gates, U.S. and Canadian customs, and two passenger lounges
will be complete by spring 2010.
"Porter's new terminal is a concrete sign of Toronto City Centre
Airport's revitalization and our long-term commitment to providing
customer-focused service and added competition for air travelers," said Don
Carty, chairman of Porter Airlines.

Councillor Adam Vaughan to be at Queens Quay for meeting tomorrow

2009-04-26T14:31:00.000-04:00

As seen on Vaughan's site

Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association Town Hall
Date: April 27 2009
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Harbourfront Community Centre, 627 Queens Quay
Councillor Vaughan will be a guest speaker at this meeting being organized by the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association. Bring your questions about the neighbourhood and hear about TTC service, traffic issues, the Toronto Island Airport, the Toronto Museum Project, a new library branch, and more.

Expect some fireworks maybe as the Toronto Island Airport announcement is tomorrow as well. Well timed.

Wind storm hits Toronto, goodbye sunny day on Queens Quay

2009-04-25T17:49:00.000-04:00

Okay, since we showed you nice pictures of HTO Park a few hours ago on this glorious (er, windy) Saturday afternoon, here are some pictures we took as that massive wind storm blew past Toronto downtown. We were a little worried for some sailboats we saw drifting out there but the trusty fire rescue boats were out there.

From Environment Canada

AT 4:50 PM EDT RADAR SHOWS A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING WESTERN END OF LAKE ONTARIO. THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH TORONTO BY 5;30 PM. WIND GUSTS TO 100 KM/H LARGE HAIL AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED

Photo: Happy spring Queens Quay

2009-04-25T14:24:00.000-04:00

Yes, we were going to spend a few hours this fine afternoon blogging for QQLife but hey, neighbourhood blogging can be a drag on beautiful days. So today's entry, images from HTO Park this afternoon. Yes, there are those of you who are already out there in your summer swimwear tanning.

Get outside, enjoy our neighbourhood, folks.

Watermark Irish Pub opening soon?

2009-04-24T19:21:00.000-04:00

We passed by the site of the Watermark Irish Pub at Queens Quay Terminal tonight. Construction is well under way and, in fact, they were serving food we believe to its staff. Can a real opening be far off? Well, they did promise an April opening on their website.

We noticed a few flat screen TVs and they're making use of the side area on the east side of the building.

Porter Airlines: Toronto Island Airport expansion means more flights, destinations?

2009-04-24T08:57:00.001-04:00

On Monday, we'll hear more about expansion plans at our very own local aiport at the Toronto Island Aiport. Porter Airlines (read our past posts on the airline) is holding a little ceremony on Monday, according to several media reports.

The Post says that federal ministers like Jim Flaherty and John Baird will be there. Porter currently offers flights to Ottawa, New York, Chicago, Montreal, Quebec City, Thunder Bay and Halifax.

On the list of possible short-haul flights are Washington, Boston and Philadelphia and media are saying that they look to increase their fleet to 18 from 8.

One interesting point mentioned in the Toronto Star is that a possible announcement would be a U.S. customs pre-clearance facility. Those who now fly into Newark have to go through customs in the States but if Porter is to fly to places like Washington's DCA (Regan National) then having preclearance makes more sense.

In any case, we'll be watching out for the announcement

Get your free compost on Queens Quay Saturday (reminder)

2009-04-24T08:42:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, bright and early, bring your buckets and kitchen gloves cause the city is giving away free compost at Little Norway Park (at Bathurst and Queens Quay. )

Okay, okay, you may ask, what the hell am I going to plant in condo land? Well, may we suggest that you, like this good writer, invest in some balcony planters. Nothing like growing some basil or chives that you can snip while you're cooking and add to your culinary creations. You can pick up planters up at the Canadian Tire at Eaton Centre, the Loblaws on Queens Quay or, well, other random places. The outside Saturday market at St. Lawrence Market sells herbs you can plant and the Loblaws has a good collection of flowers and other plants you can buy closer to Victoria Day weekend.

In the meantime, happy planting.

April 25, 8:30am
Little Norway Park
Queen’s Quay West and Bathurst Street
Bathurst Quay area

Queens Quay: Free Wi-fi in the neighbourhood

2009-04-23T08:25:00.000-04:00

One day very soon, we're going to walk the length of Queens Quay in our mission to find free wi-fi internet access for those of you hungry for access when you're hanging outside. We'll update this post when we find more, but here's what we can gather so far.

Starbucks at York Street (208 Queens Quay East) (info). There's wi-fi in all Starbucks but you need a Starbucks card. "With a registered Starbucks Card you have access to two hours of free Wi-Fi daliy at Starbucks, and if you're already a Bell Internet customer you have access to free Wi-Fi, with no time limits, at over 650 Starbucks locations across Canada."

William’s Coffee Pub - The North Building, 245 Queens Quay W. We tried with our wireless device and was able to get a signal.

Harbourfront Centre: York Quay Centre - 235 Queen’s Quay W. According to this post, there's free wifi here. We haven't tried it but will update this if we find it.

Westin Harbour Castle -- just east of Yonge and Queens Quay There is apparently access in the lobby but this post says it took a while to connect. Unsure whether you need room access to get it.

Radisson Hotel at 249 Queens Quay W east of Rees-- Again, there is wi-fi but untested at this point.

Jugo Juice at 466 Queens Quay W, west of Spadina-- They advertise wi-fi but we have yet to test it out.

Heard around the Hood: Queens Quay in the news

2009-04-22T20:44:00.000-04:00

A few items in the news recently about Queens Quay

The Bulletin on the off-leash park at Little Norway. "Little Norway Park at Bathurst & Queens Quay was designated off-leash on April 15th with no community consultation other than with the dog owners' association. At the community information session held last week it was already a done deal."

The National Post on lessons for New York from Toronto It references Waterfront Toronto's study on the Gardiner.

At the Toronto Sun, new Queens Quay resident Mike Strobel is beginning to beat the dead horse with his Scarborough-Queens Quay comparisons. This time on exercising on the waterfront: "It's way different downtown, I'm discovering, as the crocuses and chihuahuas bloom along Queens Quay. Two months ago, I fled the east end and landed in a wee condo at the bottom of York St."

Cityplace in the dark: Power outage last weekend

2009-04-21T08:54:00.000-04:00

Okay, we missed the boat on this one, but our neighbours to the north experienced a big power outage over the weekend. Recounts the Globe in a story this morning

The lights went out at several condos and an adjoining gymnasium near the Rogers Centre, some of them part of the massive Concord CityPlace development projects, shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday. The blackout, which lasted almost 24 hours in some buildings, forced some residents to spend the night in hotels or with family.

While some backup lights immediately switched on at the gym and other areas, there were none at all for several hours in at least one of the condo buildings.

We've always wondered about the economies of scale when it comes to CityPlace. It shares gyms, garages and buildings are joined together to form complexes but it seems that there's more infrastructure shared.

More from the Globe:

In total, nine buildings suffered blackouts of varying lengths, from a couple of hours to almost a full day.

Several of the CityPlace towers are closely connected, sharing a sprawling underground garage. "The problem is this: Why is it when something affects one building it affects all the buildings?" asked Gary Pieters, a resident in one of the affected towers. "That's a development flaw."

Anyone have any stories to share?

Another Gardiner public input meeting

2009-04-21T07:12:00.000-04:00

A note about another series of pubilc meetings on the Gardiner held by the city and Watefront Toronto. This is about what to do with the raised highway east of Jarvis.

The website where you can leave input is at www.gardinerconsultation.ca

"The team will present a summary of public input that has been received to date through Public Forum #1 and the consultation website."

Thursday, April 23, 2009
6:30 – 7:30 PM (Open House)
7:30 – 9:00 PM (Presentation)
Centennial College Residence & Conference Centre
940 Progress Avenue, Scarborough

Saturday April 25, 2009
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Open House)
12:00 – 1:30 PM (Presentation)
McKee Public School, Gymnasium
35 Church Avenue, North York

Monday April 27, 2009
6:30 – 7:30 PM (Open House)
7:30 – 9:00 PM (Presentation)
Dundas Junior Public School, Gymnasium
935 Dundas Street East, Toronto

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
6:30 – 7:30 PM (Open House)
7:30 – 9:00 PM (Presentation)
Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, Auditorium
86 Montgomery Road, Etobicoke

Sherbourne Park, currently a parking lot, on the go

2009-04-20T19:11:00.001-04:00

We wrote a few months ago about the closing of Town and Country restaurant. We've been meaning to expand on this, especially since we found some information from Toronto building permits. The city issued a demolition order for the site, 190 Queens Quay East, at Sherbourne.

In recent weeks, the site of the restaurant has been cordoned off and it looks like the building will come down soon. Here's the permit.

Location: 190 QUEENS QUAY E
TORONTO ON M5A 3Y4

Ward 28: Toronto Centre-Rosedale

Application#: 09 115477 DEM 00 DM Accepted Date: Mar 10, 2009

Project: Other Demolition

Description: This proposal includes the demolition of the existing one(1) storey building to make way for a park that is to be created as part of the Toronto Waterfront initiative.

It'll make way for the Waterfront Toronto East Bayfront project's Sherbourne Park, pictured below, image and details from the Waterfront Toronto site.

Sherbourne Park will be a spectacular new park in the heart of the East Bayfront midway between the Jarvis and Parliament Street slips. It will be both a local and regional amenity. The park will extend from the water’s edge to Lake Shore Boulevard, bisected by Queens Quay. It is envisioned as an urban room and will provide a strong terminus at the foot of Sherbourne Street. On the east and west sides, the park will be bound by buildings with a weather protected arcade creating a link to the waterfront during all seasons. At its southern end the park will be integrated with the continuous water’s edge promenade and will be designed to reinforce and strengthen the water’s edge as a continuous and active year round destination. Park programming could include a large public gathering place and a water feature that could be frozen in the winter for skating.

Neighbourhood's gone to the dogs, er, pets..

2009-04-18T20:35:00.000-04:00

One of our local pet stores, Cosmopawlitan, sent us a little note about a photo contest they're running till the end of the month. More details below.

Anyhow, we asked what they knew about pets in the area and they pointed us out to a Toronto Star map that showed that there are 485 licensed dogs in the general area, or 19 dogs to every 1000 people. Who knew that?

Cosmopawlitan's photo hunt contest

There are many beautiful but unknown spots around here, so we have a small list of locations for pet owners to take photos of their pets:
1. PawsWay
2. One of: Little Norway Park or Music Gardens or HTO Park
3. Background of a boat on Lake Ontario
4. Harbourfront Community Centre
5. At our store

The grand prize is a free grooming session, and there are also secondary and participant prizes, so everyone wins! The contest deadline to submit photos is April 30th.

With the gorgeous weather we're getting this week, a lot of people are starting to venture outside again! There are tons of pet owners in the neighbourhood, so we're hoping to get the message out.

For complete details, please visit: http://cosmopawlitan.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/contest-cosmopawlitan-spring-snaps/

Don't call it a comeback: Porticello's back in business

2009-04-17T11:37:00.002-04:00

We noticed that Porticello, which closed down earlier this year, was back in business. In fact, about a week after we saw that they closed, we noticed some construction and renovating. A few weeks ago, we saw patrons and recently we saw a big sign that said 'new menu' and lower prices.

Reader channing wrote this comment on one of our older posts (Thanks!).

i visited porticello a few nights ago. the decor looks slightly updated. they say they have a new menu, but the food was very similar to what i remembered from before. not to say that that's bad. my meal was flavorful, inexpensive and down to earth. it just wasn't all that different. there were a few patrons.

When's that train coming?

2009-04-16T21:26:00.001-04:00

Judging by the number of us who crowd the 510 and 509 streetcars to Union every morning (and those who go home from Union), a lot of us use the subway to get to our jobs. The TTC announced yesterday that it would now be installing the Next Train Arrival system in a number of subway stations.

The stations are on both the Yonge-University and Bloor-Danforth lines, but line most are on the Yonge-University and mysteriously none east of Yonge on the Bloor Danforth:

* Finch
* Union
* King
* Queen
* Dundas
* Eglinton West
* St. George
* Bay
* Yonge
* Keele
* Bloor
* High Park
* St. Andrew

Watermark Irish Pub coming to Queens Quay as Boathouse Grill goes

2009-04-15T09:30:00.007-04:00

The Boathouse Grill, which has for years anchored the southeast corner of the Queens Quay Terminal, has closed, according to this blog post.

In its place, the Watermark Irish Pub is coming, which is set for an April opening.

Here's a little description of the pub on their website.

The Watermark Irish Pub and Restaurant is bringing the luck and charm of the Irish to the Harbourfront District! Located in the Queen’s Quay Terminal, Watermark features a panoramic view of Toronto’s harbourfront, seating for 240 inside the pub and patio space for up to 220 overlooking the waterfront.

The pub is owned by the same company that brought you such Toronto establishments as the Foggy Drew on King West (west of Bathurst), the Mill St. Pub in the Distillery District and the Pour House on Dupont.

Expect the pub and its patio (if they have one) to be packed in the summer. Big question for locals is will we pack it during our long cold winters

Building planning meeting next Monday

2009-04-14T21:30:00.000-04:00

Another notice from Adam Vaughan's office, this time about building restrictions and 'physical relationships' in the area north of Front Street, from Spadina to Simcoe. So while not part of Queens Quay, it's close enough to our hood.

Planning Study for King-Spadina East Precinct

Date: Monday, April 20, 2009
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John St, Room 308/309

City staff have been undertaking a study of the built form of the East Precinct of the King-Spadina Secondary Plan Area (bounded by Richmond St W, Simcoe St, Front St W and Spadina Ave). The study’s purpose is to determine appropriate building heights, massing and physical relationships in the area.

This meeting is being hosted by the City of Toronto Planning Division. For more information, contact Judy Josefowicz, Senior Planner, at 416-392-1306.

Photo of the week: Deck in progress

2009-04-13T19:39:00.001-04:00

Okay, yes we're showing you another picture of the Simcoe Wavedeck on Queens Quay but we thought this view was kinda nice. Enjoy.

Condo owners of the ward, unite!

2009-04-11T17:13:00.000-04:00

As if there are not enough residents associations, here's another one that's being founded. The Trinity-Spadina area is pretty massive and packs in quite a few condos and as you can see from the map below, makes up a pretty huge area. In 2006, the area had 115,355 residents. It's an odd area, made up of the old-school annex and downtowny neighbourhoods that politicians like Tony Ianno and Olivia Chow and Adam Vaughan have tapped into the Portuguese and Chinese communities. Of course, over the past decade, a condo demographic has flooded the area.

Question of course is what's the goal of an association that takes up such a wide area. Are there issues inherent to all condos regardless of whether you're on the waterfront (Queens Quay), at CityPlace (a community on to itself) and other developments on King and north. Can we argue that issues on the water, like TTC access and the redevelopment, differ from those condo owners who live on club land near Adelaide and Richmond). Interesting times, we're sure, and we'll be interested to see if this becomes more of a political body less one that can tackle the real and varied issues of urban living.

Trinity-Spadina Condo Association Meeting

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Harbourfront Community Centre, 627 Queens Quay (at Bathurst), Medium Assembly Room

You are invited to attend the founding meeting of the Trinity-Spadina Condo Residents Association. For more information, you can contact 416-603-9664.

Spring cleaning at Harbourfront Centre

2009-04-10T17:08:00.002-04:00

One of our readers asked about the tearing down of the Toronto Star stage. We took a picture of this scene this fine Friday. Yes, the park area has been torn down. What's coming up?

Little Norway Park unleashed?

2009-04-09T18:45:00.000-04:00

Just got this notice about an application to make room at Little Norway Park, that park at the southwest corner of Queens Quay and Bathurst, for a off-leash area. We went by the park today and it was filled with people playing football, we think. Coronation Park is to the west, just past the Tip Top condos where the baseball diamonds are.

Proposed Off-Leash Area in Little Norway Park and Coronation Park

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Harbourfront Community Centre, 627 Queens Quay, Medium Assembly Room

In accordance with the City of Toronto People, Dogs and Parks policy, an application to create an off-leash area in Little Norway Park and Coronation Park has been received by the Parks, Forestry and Recreation division. City staff have conducted their assessments for these parks and are hosting this public information update.

The purpose of this meeting is to review City policies related to Dogs Off-Leash, review the off-leash area that has been approved by Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and to finalize the ‘Conditions of Use’ agreement.

More information about the City policy is available at: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/dogs.htm

For further information, please contact Mark Emslie, Parks Supervisor, 416-392-1759, or Peter Leiss, Parks Supervisor, 416-392-7945.

Dine Safe: Queens Quay safe to eat in?

2009-04-08T08:21:00.006-04:00

You've probably read about the restaurants and food establishments that have closed recently throughout the city. There's the block of restaurants in nearby Spadina Chinatown, Sushi on Bloor, and even a grocery store at Bloor and Christie.

We've been looking at the city's Dine Safe site, putting some of our restaurants through the system. And yes, while a few of the restaurants have been given conditional passes due to a variety of issues (like keeping food at the proper temperature or cleaning -- we'll provide a full list at a later date) only one establishment has been closed (briefly, but yes, closed) since Jan. 1, 2007.

Yep, it's Captain John's, at 1 Queens Quay West, that big ship.... (August, 2008).

See the inspection history here. NOTE that yes, it has been reopened and has been given a green light. You can't, however, dismiss the fact that it was closed.

Some of the infractions.

INADEQUATE FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL     Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.     C     Notice to Comply

FAILURE TO PROTECT FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS /EQUIPMENT

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT

IMPROPER STORAGE / REMOVAL OF WASTE

CONDITION(S) FOR CLOSURE     Operator fail to maintain premises free of sewage back-up

In the spirit of Eat Local, we were going to try this place, then we read some reviews on a few sites like this one. Suffice it to say, we think there are plenty of other restaurants we can try on the strip. Any one try eating there?

Sobeys at Cityplace: Jobs and services

2009-04-07T08:51:00.001-04:00

No, this isn't Sobeys week at QQL, but we did find out a bit more about the new store opening up later this year. (June, the permit says, but who knows, it could be sooner).

We saw on jobloft.com that there are 10 positions opening for the '4 Spadina Avenue' which has been used as the address for the Sobeys store at Fort York. These jobs were posted in the last week (see them here)

From what we can see, it'll be very much like the Urban Fresh store at Queens Quay and York Street:

A deli
Deli clerk - Serve customers including slicing, cutting, weighing, packaging and pricing merchandise (eg. May include taking orders for nibbler trays and preparing trays). Prepare food for resale (pizzas, quiche, and meat and chicken pies, etc) and record cooking logs.

A salad bar
Salad bar - Create salad trays. Assist in serving customers including slicing, cutting, weighing, packaging and pricing merchandise (eg. May include taking orders for nibbler trays and preparing trays).

A bakery
Bakery clerk - Greet all customers in a friendly, courteous manner and respond to customer requests and phone orders (eg. cake orders)

Produce and grocery (duh)
Grocery clerk - To assist in maintaining the grocery department which includes replenishing and rotating dry goods and frozen merchandise, ordering and receiving product, training new employees and assisting customers with their requests and inquiries.

Sobeys at Cityplace and the need for grocery stores

2009-04-06T08:47:00.001-04:00

So, we get LOTS of traffic to this blog for people searching for, say "Sobeys at Bremner" or "Sobeys at Fort York" or "Sobeys at Spadina". In fact, we're seriously thinking of dedicating a week or series of posts just on Sobeys since you're all so interested.

We walked by the construction site last week and it looks like it'll really take up to the June 19th completion date we saw on a building permit a few months back.

Here's a shot of the front area we took.

But in all seriousness, we think it's just another sign that we really need more grocery stores in this area. For Cityplace alone, they're only really served by a Rabba at Blue Jays Way, an M&M Meat Shop across the street on Front, a Fresh & Wild at King Street, but even that's a little more than walking distance for condo dwellers.

On Queens Quay, we've also got a Rabba at Rees and the Sobeys at York Street. People with more adventurous streak can go to the Loblaws on Jarvis but hey, we feel bad for the poor people who have to carry bags for two kilometres!

Yes, there are smaller markets at Bathurst, York and a Kitchen Table at Yonge but people want to stock up with real selection of groceries.

For our dollar, the Sobeys at Queens Quay is doing a great job serving the neighbourhood -- it's big enough and has the traffic to have a good turnaround in produce and meat, although the fish selection, we'll we're not sure. The deli counter and hot food area is really big -- do we really need pre-prepared food? And a nice touch -- a bakery!

That's a wavy deck: Simcoe Wavedeck

2009-04-05T18:02:00.004-04:00

Across the street from the Rabba on Queens Quay, right beside the coffee shop and Paws pet store, is the next of the wave decks that are being built. It'll be finished this year, probably by the summer. Above are some pictures a few days ago.

Sure is more wavy than the Spadina Wavedeck.

Porter Airlines here to stay? Appears so

2009-04-04T15:36:00.005-04:00

Ah, Porter Airlines. We do have a love-hate relationship with it. For one thing, isn't it grand that us Queens Quay residents can WALK to an airport and avoid the lineups at Pearson and a $50 plus cab ride (or $20 ride from the Airport Express pickup spot at the Westin). On the other hand, the noise, the frequency of planes flying over our neighbourhood.

The Globe and Mail has a story about Porter Airlines (you can read it here)

Air Canada, the old guard of Canadian airspace, spent the week teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, but Porter Airlines Inc., the 2½ -year-old upstart based out of the Toronto City Centre Airport, made headlines for a different reason. The tiny offshore airport played host to the federal government's announcement of $5-million in new spending for customs services at select airports, including Porter's on the Toronto Islands.
The funding, plus the government's decision to announce it at Porter's headquarters, was "a welcome endorsement of this airline," said Mr. Deluce. "The airport is maturing and coming of age and is now worthy of those more permanent facilities."

Translation: Porter is on the way up, not under.
And that means the long-running fight over whether the island closest to shore should host planes or a park is settled, at least for now.

The piece goes on to talk about the fight with Island activists. It looks like the airline, which is eyeing more markets like Washington, is expanding the number of flights.

"the company's recent decision to double the number of daily flights on the popular Montreal-Toronto route and bump the Toronto-Ottawa flight frequency by 50 per cent"