Upcoming Events in Ward 20

An update on events in our neighbouring community from Councillor Vaughan:

Reminder: Town Hall about G20 Summit
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Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010 (tomorrow)
Time: Afternoon: 3-5pm, Evening: 7-9pm
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street (King & John)
Room 308/309 (afternoon)
Rotunda (evening)

Please join Councillor Vaughan at a meeting to hear about the security plans and other impacts of the G20 Summit, taking place in downtown Toronto on Saturday June 26 and Sunday June 27.

Representatives of the G20 Integrated Security Unit will be making a presentation and there will be an extended Q&A session for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to have their questions answered.

The evening meeting will also be broadcast live on Rogers Cable 10 from 7-9pm, for those who cannot attend in person.

Updates about the G20 Summit will continue to be provided through Councillor Vaughans e-newsletter as the event approaches.

Further information is available on the G8/G20 Integrated Security Unit website:
http://www.g8-g20isu.ca/g20/index-eng.htm

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Upcoming Ward 20 Events
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Join Councillor Vaughan for a Janes Walk this weekend!

Janes Walk is a series of free neighbourhood walking tours that helps put people in touch with their environment and with each other, by bridging social and geographic gaps and creating opportunities for cities to discover themselves. Since its inception in 2007, Janes Walks have taken place in cities across North America and the program quickly expanding internationally. In 2009 Janes Walks were held in 46 cities with a total of 315 walks offered. In 2010, there are 67 participating cities and over 410 tours on offer. All Janes Walk tours are given and taken for free.

This year, I will be leading two Janes Walks.

John Street Corridor

Date: Saturday, May 1st
Start Time: 10:30am
Meeting Place: Grange Park, where John Street meets the park at Stephanie Street, just north of Queen

Meet in Grange Park for a walk south down John Street and explore one of the citys most interesting neighbourhoods in the midst of an astonishing transformation. John Street is one of the oldest streets in the city and is now home to some of Torontos most important cultural institutions. As parking lots get re-developed, new space for the arts are being created in the area. Find out how new public squares and existing heritage buildings will be accommodated as the road itself is re-designed and turned in a pedestrian boulevard.

Annex Park Renaissance

Date: Sunday, May 2nd
Start Time:10:30am
Meeting Place: Walmer street exit to the Spadina subway

After years of neglect, a handful of parks are being re-built in the Annex neighbourhood, north of Bloor. Find out how local communities are leading the way as residents take control of the design, construction, maintenance and programming of these vital green spaces in one of Torontos most cherished neighbourhoods.

Also, please feel free to join me on a walk which will be guided by residents of Alexandra Park:
Alexandra Park: The Sonny Side

Date: Saturday, May 1st
Start Time: 2:00pm
Meeting Place: Alexandra Park Community Centre, 105 Grange Ct, just west of Spadina and south of Dundas at the north end of Cameron Street

Get the inside scoop on the Sonny Atkinson housing co-op and its neighbourhood. Local residents will take you to learn about the hidden treasures in the heart of the city.

For a complete listing of other Janes Walks in Toronto, please visit:
http://www.janeswalk.net/participating_cities/toronto

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Adams Walks
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In the spirit of Janes Walks, I will be holding a series of walks throughout the ward. Please join me to learn more about the people, places and events that are shaping communities throughout Ward 20 and how we are working together to preserve and enhance our vibrant neighbourhoods. The starting places and other details will be finalized shortly. Please watch for more information on these walks in my upcoming newsletter and on www.ward20.ca.

1. Saturday, May 15th
11:30am
Wellington Place, City Place, Waterfront, Airport

2. Saturday, June 12th
11:30am
Harbord Village, Huron Sussex, UofT

3. Saturday, June 26th
1:30pm
Grange, Kensington, Chinatown, Alexandra Park

4. Saturday, July 10th
11:30am
Seaton Village, Annex

5. Saturday, July 24th
1:30pm
Queen Street West, Entertainment District

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Compost Days
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There are still a couple of days left to pick up your free compost! Visit us at one of the following dates:

Date: Monday, May 17th, 2pm
Location: Vermont Square Park, 819 Palmerston Ave, Bathurst and Dupont area

Date: Tuesday, May 18th, 2pm
Location:Margaret Fairley Parkette, Brunswick Avenue at Ulster, Harbord Village area

Visit www.ward20.ca for more information, including facts about your compost.

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The Tale of a Town - Queen West
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An upcoming play in Ward 20 looks at the Queen West neighbourhood in a unique way.

The Tale of a Town - Queen West combines merging live music, stock footage and oral histories of local icons to create a theatrical journey through the past 30 years of Queen West.

The audience takes off with a promenade trip through the neighbourhood - starting from Theatre Passe Muraille, then winding around new developments, through graffiti alley, past the fire site and into a devised model loft, a vintage clothing store and a local watering hole that resonates with the songs from the Cameron House.

Beginning April 1st, the FIXT POINT team will hit the streets of Queen West scouring for stories that will inspire the creation of the play and the transformation of a reclaimed commercial space into an unconventional performance environment in only 30 days.

The production is presented by FIXT POINT, in association with Theatre Passe Muraille and The Canada Council for the Arts and in partnership with the Queen West BIA, The Toronto Association of Business
Improvement Areas, and Jumblies Theatre.

Dates:May 1st to 2nd
May 6th to 9th
May 13th to 16th
Time:7:30pm
Location:Begins at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue
Ends at SCAR MFC Theatre, 609 Queen Street West

For more information, visit www.TheTaleOfATown.com
Tickets at Theatre Passe Murailles box office 416.504.7529 (artsboxoffice.ca)

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Canoe Landing is opening to the public!
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Canoe Landing, the spectacular new park in the Railway Lands West, will finally be opening to the public tomorrow.

Thank you to residents for your patience as we have worked on overcoming the legal obstacles to getting this park opened. The park, which was constructed by developers Concord Adex, has now been conveyed to the City so the park can be opened for public access.

The park is located on Fort York Blvd, west of Spadina Ave. Its distinctive big red canoe can be seen by motorists on the Gardiner Expressway.

Besides the big red canoe, the 8-acre park includes playing fields, the Terry Fox Miracle Mile running path, and other art pieces designed by Douglas Coupland.

There is no off-leash area for dogs in this park, but the closest off-leash area is located at St. Andrews Park, at Adelaide St W and Brant Street (just west of Spadina). New off-leash areas are also being planned for nearby Clarence Square Park, and the future Mouth of the Creek Park, which will be located on the east side of Bathurst Street, south of Front St W.

The park was named through a competition hosted by Councillor Vaughan, City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Spacing Magazine.

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Upcoming Community Meetings
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Seaton Village Residents Association - Annual General Meeting

Date: Monday, May 10, 2010
Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm
Location: Palmerston Public Library, 560 Palmerston Avenue

Join the Seaton Village Residents' Association (SVRA) for their 2010 Annual General Meeting! A mixer will start at 6:30 pm where you can have an opportunity to meet your neighbours and other SVRA members. The Annual General Meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

One of the most exciting items on the agenda is the redevelopment of Vermont Square Park. Funding for capital improvements for the park have now been approved, and this meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to learn about the process leading up to the park's redevelopment and how they can become involved and provide feedback.

Further details regarding the Annual General Meeting will be posted on the SVRA's website (www.seatonvillage.ca) in advance of the meeting. If you would like to volunteer or find out how to get involved with the SVRA, please email seatonvillagetoronto@gmail.com.

Public Meeting about 245 College Street

Date:Tuesday May 18, 2010
Time:6:00 - 7:30pm
Location:Lillian H. Smith Library, 239 College Street, Room BC (basement)

Join Councillor Vaughan to hear details and provide feedback about a proposed development at
245 College Street. This site is on the south side of College, east of Spadina, and is the former home of the UofT Press.

Please let us know if you plan to attend, at Councillor_Vaughan@toronto.ca or 416-392-4044.

Wellington Place Planning Meeting

Date:Monday May 17, 2010
Time:7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:TBA

Join Councillor Vaughan to hear updates about proposed developments in the Wellington Place Neighbourhood. On the agenda for this meeting are:

32 Camden Street
508 Wellington St W
Railway Lands Pedestrian Bridge

Please let us know if you plan to attend, at Councillor_Vaughan@toronto.ca or 416-392-4044.

Central Waterfront Community Update Meeting

Date:Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Time:6:00 - 8:00pm
Location:Radisson Admiral Hotel, 3rd Floor Ballroom, 249 Queens Quay West

The revitalization of the Central Waterfront is well underway. From the new wavedecks to the recently completed Queens Quay Environmental Assessment, the transformation of Torontos downtown waterfront is happening.

Join Waterfront Toronto on Wednesday, May 12 for the first in a series of community update meetings that will provide you with information on projects underway in the area. During the meeting, youll hear a variety of short presentations and youll have an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to the project teams.

Community Update Meeting #1 - Agenda
-General update on waterfront revitalization
-Overview of upcoming opportunities for public involvement
-Introduction of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan
-Queens Quay revitalization schematic design presentation
-York Quay revitalization (Phase 2)
-Portland waters edge (Phase 1) presentation

Upcoming Community Consultation Meeting on 30 Ordnance Street

Toronto City Planning has scheduled a meeting regarding a Planning Application for 30 Ordnance Street.

Date: Thursday May 6, 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Location: 15 Stafford Street, Condominium Community Room

Site
The subject site is located on the north-east corner of Ordnance Street, Just east of Strachan Avenue:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=30+ordnance+street,+toronto+on&fb=1&gl=ca&hnear=&cid=0,0,10188095321766412720&ei=eO3YS6SPK4vI8wSyififBw&ved=0CAcQnwIwAA&hq=30+ordnance+street,+toronto+on&ll=43.640874,-79.410038&spn=0.007097,0.013797&z=16

A one storey industrial building currently exists on the lands.

Proposal

The Official Plan Amendment application proposed to amend the Garrison Common North Secondary Plan to permit a mix of uses, including residential uses, for 30 Ordnance Street, to allow for the future development of a high rise residential project on the lands.

Purpose of the Meeting

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the community to have input on this project, view the plans and ask questions. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can still make your views known by sending a fax to (416) 392-1330 or by writing to:

Raymond David
Director, Community Planning
Toronto and East York District, City Planning Division
100 Queen St. W. Floor 18
Toronto ON M5H 2N2

If you would like further information about the proposal, please contact jeff Markowiak, Planner, at (416) 397-4647 or by email at jmarkow@toronto.ca.

You may also contact Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Ward 19, at (416) 392-4009.

Fun Toronto Posters

Great Toronto neighbourhood posters:

http://www.orkposters.com/toronto.html

Open Letter to All Election Candidates on Complete Streets

Great letter to candidates:

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To All Election Candidates - "If there is a war, it's just a war on old thinking"

Toronto - April 16
For Immediate Release

Complete Streets: An open letter to candidates in Toronto’s 2010 election

Dear candidates, (and media)

The individuals who have signed this letter met recently to discuss the theme of transportation in our city. We are a diverse group of people involved in all aspects of this issue who came together to help build a constructive consensus on this critical issue. We believe in transforming our city's streets into livable spaces that function both as sustainable transportation routes as well as vibrant destinations. Complete Streets would bring us closer to Toronto's stated goals of being green, clean, competitive & diverse.

We do not believe that there is a "war on the car". The Complete Streets model strives to provide room for everyone including drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians. It's simply about offering choice, and ensuring that everyone can travel safely. If there is a war, it's just a war on old thinking. A war on inefficiency. A war on traffic. A war on pollution. Cities around the world are making this shift with great success, improving the quality of life for all of their citizens and their competitiveness as places to live, work and invest.

To describe transportation issues in Toronto as a conflict between drivers and cyclists is a divisive approach that does our city a disservice and misses the whole point. There are not two Torontos, comprised of cyclists or drivers. In fact, statistics show us that those who own bicycles are more likely to own cars than those who do not. We are one Toronto. We drive, we ride and we walk. The goal of Complete Streets is to ensure that our streets are designed to safely accommodate all users.

This goal can be achieved by attracting more citizens into the process, turning neighbours into engaged informed advocates, and we are committed to working together collectively towards this goal.
We encourage all candidates to embrace this comprehensive and democratic approach to transportation, rather than perpetuating or encouraging a divisive framing that unnecessarily pits Torontonians against each other. We can only build a green Toronto if we all work together.

Signed,

Jehad Aliweiwi • Executive Director, Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office
Yvonne Bambrick • Executive Director, Toronto Cyclists Union
Rahul Bhardwaj • President and CEO, Toronto Community Foundation
Matthew Blackett • Publisher and Creative Director, Spacing Magazine
David Crombie • Chair, Toronto Lands Corp.
David Crowley • Vice President, Halcrow Consulting Inc.
Julia Deans • CEO, Toronto City Summit Alliance
Susan Eng • Vice-President, Advocacy, CARP
Jane Farrow • Executive Director, Jane’s Walk
Luigi Ferrara • Director, School of Design at George Brown College
Adam Goddard • Composer
Eti Greenberg • Wellington Place Neighhbourhood Association
Ken Greenberg • Architect and urban designer
Paul Hess • Professor, Geography and Planning, U of T
Ed Levy • Senior Transportation Consultant and Transportation Engineer
Roberto Martella • Owner/operator, Grano Restaurant
Dave Meslin • Founder, Toronto Cyclists Union
Shawn Micallef • Senior Editor, Spacing Magazine
Eric Miller • Director, Cities Centre, U of T
Steve Munro • Transit Advocate
Gil Peñalosa • Executive Director, 8-80 cities
Dylan Reid • Co-chair, Toronto Pedestrian Committee
Nancy Smith Lea • Director, Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation, Clean Air Partnership
Adam Vaughan • City Councillor, Ward 20

For more information, and to reach any of the above signatories for comment, please contact:
Yvonne Bambrick, 416 826 2964, yvonne@bikeunion.to

Stanley Park Cleanup April 24

Friends of Stanley Park (http://www.stanleyparktoronto.com) is organizing a park cleanup on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 10:00am - 12:00pm. It’s a great opportunity to meet your neighbours and keep our community beautiful! More info here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111649272186823&ref=mf

Queen St. W. Lane Closure for CAMH Redevelopment

A notice from CAMH regarding a Queen St. W. Lane Closure on Saturday.


Queen St. W. Lane Closure
Saturday April 17, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The former Workman Theatre is scheduled for demolition on Saturday April 17, 2010.

Demolition of the former Workman Theatre* has been scheduled for Saturday, April 17 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Workman Theatre is the front concrete portion of the CAMH administration building that angles onto the sidewalk at the foot of Ossington Avenue.

For safety reasons, the general public must be separated from any active construction by a fence at least 15 feet away from the work. The shape of the theatre and its proximity to the sidewalk and property line will make it necessary to close a lane on Queen Street West during the work. The lane closest to the sidewalk on the south side of the street will be closed between Workman Way and west of Ossington Avenue. The sidewalk will also be closed and pedestrian traffic will be diverted to the north side of the street. The work is being done on the weekend in an attempt to eliminate any impact on weekday rush hours and reduce the inconvenience to the community.

We’d love to hear from you - If you’ve taken any action photos of the construction site, we’d love to see them. Send them in, or send your questions to RedevelopmentFeedback@camh.net or leave a voicemail at 416-535-8501 ext. 3330. You may also contact Kama Lee Jackson, Manager of Redevelopment Communications, at ext. 3248.

*Workman Theatre has a new temporary home at 651 Dufferin St.

Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Steering Committee Meeting

NNNow is holding a Steering Committee meeting on Wednesday April 21. Anyone who would is interested in joining the committee and can commit a couple of hours a month or add an idea / agenda item, please email nnnow@nnnow.ca.

Liberty Village Pedesrian Bridge

Slightly outside of our area, but still interesting:

On March 9th, Joe Pantalone's office hosted a Public Open House regarding a proposed King Liberty Pedestrian/Cyclist link. The original invitation is below (apologies for any quality issues).

We found out about this meeting after the fact: for further information, please contact Joe's office or the contacts on the invitation.

We will post more info as it becomes available.