Strike update from our councillor

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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

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

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

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?

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'

"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

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

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

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.

Nuff said