I am very excited to announce that I am going to launch my new website on March 19th!  In a continued effort to save paper and keep residents involved in Ward wide activities, I will continue to post my weekly blog, which is mailed to subscribers directly. 

I hope the new website will be an accessible tool, providing Ward 14 residents the opportunity to further connect to me and the City. I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Last weekend I met with third year nursing students from Ryerson University interested in the benefits that green space can have upon the health of a community.  Recognizing the important role green space plays on community health they have created a green space declaration (please see attached).  The formal declaration is intended to help community members approach gatekeepers as they try to maintain and elevate their social, psychological, and physical well-being.  

greenspace-backgrounder-zipped.pdf

greenspace-declaration-zipped.pdf

The City of Toronto and The City of Milan, as part of their twin cities relationship are pleased to launch the Mobile City Toronto Milan- Youth Photography Contest. The contest is open to all youth ages 16 to 22 years in the twin cities. (See attached flyer) From now to May 15, youth contestants are invited to share their dreams and insights about urban life through the creation of digital photographs. Entrants are required to post a suite of 3 (minimum)-5 (maximum) pictures along with a short artist statement which illustrate urban life in their respective cities.

The photos will then be adjudicated by a jury from each city. Commentary on this exciting project is invited and encouraged to help bring Toronto and Milan closer together. In preparation for the project, Toronto Culture and community arts partners are supporting digital photography programs and drop-in sessions in the City’s priority neighbourhoods to ensure all youth have access and opportunity to enter the contest. 

Ten photographers from each city will be selected to have their work presented in a public exhibition, win a trip to the ‘twin’ city and have a chance for further education in photography and learn about the art and culture of each others city in the summer of 2008. A book will be published that will document the experience, showcase their work and capture the cultural exchange of award winners. 

For more information please contact: Nadira Pattison, Manager Arts Services, at (416) 338-1263 or npattis1@toronto.ca

youth-photo-exhibit.pdf

Last Saturday our artistic Parkdale bike racks were highlighted in the Globe and Mail 

Following is a copy of the article: 

URBANSCAPE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLA JONES TENILLE BONOGUORE  

March 8, 2008 

Artistic bike racks bursting with humour have become quirky additions to the Parkdale stretch of Queen Street West. First installed in April 2007, they are the brainchild of artist Phil Sarazen. Inspired by the City of Toronto’s hunt for new street furniture ideas, he asked members of the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, a community centre for psychiatric survivors and socially isolated people, to design sculptures that were then welded by people at the Meeting Place, a drop-in centre operated by St. Christopher House.”Many, if not most, of the artists involved have had their fair share of life struggles,” said PARC program director Bob Rose. “Maybe that informed some of the designs. Many have a sense of whimsy and hope. There’s an eloquence that comes [after struggles] that you sometimes don’t find so easily in the rest of the world.”

Community Forum on the National Anti Drug Strategy  

As co chair of the Toronto Drug Strategy I would like to invite you attend the Community Forum on the National Anti-Drug Strategy to discuss the implications of the National Anti-Drug Strategy.  Please join me and members of the Drug Strategy Implementation Panel on Wednesday March 26, 2008 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at Toronto City Hall (Council Chambers)  See attached Flyer for more information. 

nads-flyer.pdf 

Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Sessions Supported by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund 

LEAF is offering an 11 hour training program for individuals who want to gain tree-related knowledge and skills.   If you are undertaking a tree-related project in your community this summer, or if you simply love Toronto’s trees and want to help care for them, this course is for you! On-line registration is now open at

Topics to be covered include: Tree biology, Tree and shrub identification, The roles of soil and climate, Tree establishment,  Tree care and maintenance, Identifying and managing tree stresses, Recognizing health or disease issues.

 Resources and handouts will be provided.  Resource manuals will be available for sale, but are not mandatory.  Instructors for the program are: Todd Irvine, Education and Outreach Coordinator, LEAF, ISA certified arborist Wendy Strickland, City Forestry, ISA certified arborist  Janet McKay, Executive Director, LEAF 

Location Riverdale Library, 370 Broadview Ave, Toronto (corner of Broadview Ave and Gerrard St)  

Dates and Times 

Tuesday April 15th, 5:30 to 8:15 pm 

Tuesday April 22nd, 5:30 to 8:15 pm 

Saturday, April 26th, 10:00am to 4:00pm  

Cost $35 plus GST for all three sessions ($36.75 total)  Space is limited.  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.  For a detailed program, and to register online, visit www.leaftoronto.org/tree_tenders

I want to thank everyone for coming out to our meeting on the night of Wednesday March 5th, 630pm at the Lithuanian House.  Again, what a great turnout!  It was also a night of good news for us, as Council had just approved a 2008 Avenue Study for Bloor Street West the very same day. 

This meeting was an opportunity for the City’s Planning and Transportation Planning Department to disseminate their interpretation of the community’s comments, feedback and suggestions as recorded in the first visioning session for Bloor Street.  I especially want to that Lynda Macdonald and Kevin Edwards from the City’s Planning department for their excellent work so far. I have attached a couple of items that may be useful as we move forward:

·       the Powerpoint presentation shown at  the meeting on the 5^th (please be advised that this is a large file!)

blrdundasmtg-mar5.ppt

·       A record of the comments and questions that arose at the meeting on the 5th, as well as responses from Planning, Transportation Planning, and myself.

microsoft-word-bloor-visioning-march-5th-meeting-minutes_1.pdf

I also want to remind everyone that the final meeting in the Bloor Visioning series will take place on Wednesday March 26th, 630pm, location TBA.  This information will also be posted on my blog. Again, thank you to everyone for coming out, and I hope to see you on the 26th.

As many of you know, new turf is in the process of being installed at Lamport Stadium. The final stage is to paint on the lines, which will take place as soon as weather permits.  The fence that runs along the south and north end of the stadium was also deteriorated and in need of replacement.

I have been working with our Parks Supervisor on this issue and I am proud to announce that the fencing replacement work at Lamport has started.  The contractor will be removing the fence on the north and south side and will re-grade the area, install a temporary fence and prepare for the installation of new one.  It is anticipated that this work may take as long as one month weather permitting. 

The new fence will provide the opportunity for pedestrians to catch a glimpse of what is happening inside the stadium, but is designed in such a way as to not distract drivers on King Street.  

I look forward to seeing improvement to Lamport.

As a result of the merger of the Champ Car and the Indy Racing League there will be a scheduling conflict for the Toronto Grand Prix for 2008.  While the event has been cancelled for this summer, it will be determined in a few months whether or not it will be held in 2009.  This event is one of Toronto’s top ten tourist events and generates over 50 million dollars for the Toronto economy.  It also raises between $400,000 and $500,000 in revenue a year for Exhibition Place, according to general manager Dianne Young In addition, the Greater Toronto Hotel Association estimates the weekend event uses about 8,000 room nights.  While the cancellation is bad news for the City of Toronto, it may be met with mixed feelings by some residents of Parkdale who may not miss the noise and and air pollution generated by the event.

On March 29th, 2008 the City of Toronto encourages all residents and business owners to TURN OFF THE LIGHTS.  On this night, between 8 and 9pm urban centres, including Toronto, Sydney, Ottawa,  Copenhagen and Chicago will be turning off lights as a a symbolic statement on taking action against climate change.

About 25% of Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the residential sector. The energy we use to light, heat and cool our homes generates greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.As a leader in green initiatives Toronto’s goal is to have at least one million people participate by turning off their lights and making the city as dark as possible for one hour.

Everyone is encouraged to participate - residents and businesses alike. Show your commitment to fight climate change, and see the difference we can make when we all work together. More than 2 million people and businesses participated in Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia last year. Electrical demand was reduced by a whopping 10 per cent and 25,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 were released into the atmosphere - in a single hour! 

Turn off your lights, spread the word and help make a difference! 

The City of Toronto  will be turning off all non-essential lights at our civic centres, Metro Hall, City Hall and other City buildings on March 29 at 8:00.  We are also working to promote participation by major bank towers, hotels, and other businesses.   A countdown event will be held in Nathan Phillips Square on March 29, featuring live music by Nelly Furtado. 

To register and for more information and downloadable materials to help you spread the word, please visit www.wwf.ca/EarthHour.

Western Waterfront Master Plan Community Consultation Meeting 

The WWMP team – comprising City Waterfront Secretariat staff and consultants – are working collaboratively with community representatives and other project stakeholders throughout the master planning process, in order to ensure inclusion of their priorities, build consensus around priority actions, and foster community ownership.   

Please mark:  

When: Wednesday April 3rd, 2008 

Where: Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavina Avenue 

Why: 4th public consultation meeting, WWMP  

With the involvement of residents and other stakeholders in the planning of their neighbourhoods, guided by the principles of openness, inclusiveness and responsiveness, the Western Waterfront Master Plan will reflect the City of Toronto’s commitment to meaningful and extensive civic engagement. I hope to see you there.  

Events at Café Taste  

This month: 

1) Art Opening w. Micheal Wilson! 

2) Karaoke 

3) ZEITGEIST DAY!!! 

4) March Tasting is: Whiskey  

5) Free Film ListingLook for a 7:00 PM start time.  Our line-up this month is:       Mar 2nd  “Dead Ringers”     Mar 9th   “Sicko”           Mar 16th “Wal-Mart: The high cost of low prices”      Mar 23rd “Super-size Me”     Mar 30th “Future of Food”  

6) Mar 21st CLOSED for Private Event. 

7) Live Music in March. 

Dating group “Meet Market Adventures” does cafe Taste!  

For more information visit: www.cafetaste.ca