We quite enjoyed the storm last night, so it was with sadness that I heard this morning that a 28-year-old man taking shelter under a tree in Christie Pits was killed by a lightning strike.
How tragic.
Vanessa
Showing posts with label Christie Pits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christie Pits. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Plaque To Commemorate Riot At Christie Pits
I've BLOGged before about Christie Pits park and its history, including the race riot of 1933.
They say that to ignore history is to risk repeating it and, probably with that in mind, the city is going to put a plaque in the park to commemorate the riots.
It will be unveiled on August 17 at 11 am. Jocko Thomas will be on hand, as will Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and Cyril Levitt, author of The Riot at Christie Pits.
Cheers,
Vanessa
They say that to ignore history is to risk repeating it and, probably with that in mind, the city is going to put a plaque in the park to commemorate the riots.
It will be unveiled on August 17 at 11 am. Jocko Thomas will be on hand, as will Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and Cyril Levitt, author of The Riot at Christie Pits.
Cheers,
Vanessa
Thursday, July 3, 2008
What's Happening
As a reminder, there's an Environment Day in our area Saturday.
For more fun pursuits, you might want to hoof it up to Casa Loma for this weekend's Renaissance Festival.
"Casa Loma's estate gardens will be transformed into a Renaissance-style village populated by vendors, village characters and the court of King Henry VIII."
Acts include comedians Men In Tights (extra $2); Sir Charles of Linton, with his bird of prey; and Zoltan the Adequate, geek magician.
The Fringe, Toronto's Theatre Festival, is on till the 13th, as I already BLOGgeda about, and one of the sites in the MilesNadalJCC at Bloor and Spadina.
That's also the site for the third Annual IsReal Dance Festival July 3 to 5, which aims to "share the joy and fun of Israeli folk dancing, in celebration this year of Israel @ 60."
And on Sunday, you can mosey over to the MNjcc to hear author Brandon Marlon reading The Bleeding Season, which took top honours at the Canadian Jewish playwrighting competition.
"This play explores the physical and psychological effects of the suicide terrorists on both Israelis and Palestinians."
The suggested donation at the door is $8 and things get underway at 2 pm. For more information contact Esther Arbeid, esthera@mnjcc.org, 416.924-6211, ext. 606.
Remember Lukas Rossi, he of the heavy eyeliner and skunk-stripe hair? Who won Rockstar Supernova, the reality show quest for a singer to front a band made up of former members of various famous bands?
Well, if you do, you might be happy to know that he is in town with his band to play Lee's Palace Wednesday. (Yep, in a real shocker, the Supernova band didn't last....) Tickets are $15.
On Saturday, The Annex Wreck Room at Bathurst and Bloor is the venue for a Beck CD Release Listening Party. Not due to be released until July 8th, Beck's latest is called Modern Guilt.
The Toronto Photography Marathon kicks off in Christie Pits park Saturday at 10:30 am. Participants get a 12-exposure roll of film and 12 themes that must be photographed in sequence during a 24-hour period. It ends at noon on Sunday back at the park and the pics will be exhibited July 19 at the Gladstone, with voting on the best photo in each theme. It costs $45 to participate and you need to bring your own non-digital camera.
There's a new comedy undertaking in the 'hood... Brainstorm Lounge Comedy Show offers live comedians and short films with host "That Canadian Guy" Glen Foster every Monday starting at 8 p.m. on the second floor at 296 Brunswick Ave., which is just south of Bloor.
For more fun pursuits, you might want to hoof it up to Casa Loma for this weekend's Renaissance Festival.
"Casa Loma's estate gardens will be transformed into a Renaissance-style village populated by vendors, village characters and the court of King Henry VIII."
Acts include comedians Men In Tights (extra $2); Sir Charles of Linton, with his bird of prey; and Zoltan the Adequate, geek magician.
The Fringe, Toronto's Theatre Festival, is on till the 13th, as I already BLOGgeda about, and one of the sites in the MilesNadalJCC at Bloor and Spadina.
That's also the site for the third Annual IsReal Dance Festival July 3 to 5, which aims to "share the joy and fun of Israeli folk dancing, in celebration this year of Israel @ 60."
And on Sunday, you can mosey over to the MNjcc to hear author Brandon Marlon reading The Bleeding Season, which took top honours at the Canadian Jewish playwrighting competition.
"This play explores the physical and psychological effects of the suicide terrorists on both Israelis and Palestinians."
The suggested donation at the door is $8 and things get underway at 2 pm. For more information contact Esther Arbeid, esthera@mnjcc.org, 416.924-6211, ext. 606.
Remember Lukas Rossi, he of the heavy eyeliner and skunk-stripe hair? Who won Rockstar Supernova, the reality show quest for a singer to front a band made up of former members of various famous bands?
Well, if you do, you might be happy to know that he is in town with his band to play Lee's Palace Wednesday. (Yep, in a real shocker, the Supernova band didn't last....) Tickets are $15.
On Saturday, The Annex Wreck Room at Bathurst and Bloor is the venue for a Beck CD Release Listening Party. Not due to be released until July 8th, Beck's latest is called Modern Guilt.
The Toronto Photography Marathon kicks off in Christie Pits park Saturday at 10:30 am. Participants get a 12-exposure roll of film and 12 themes that must be photographed in sequence during a 24-hour period. It ends at noon on Sunday back at the park and the pics will be exhibited July 19 at the Gladstone, with voting on the best photo in each theme. It costs $45 to participate and you need to bring your own non-digital camera.
There's a new comedy undertaking in the 'hood... Brainstorm Lounge Comedy Show offers live comedians and short films with host "That Canadian Guy" Glen Foster every Monday starting at 8 p.m. on the second floor at 296 Brunswick Ave., which is just south of Bloor.
Whatever you do, enjoy it!
Vanessa
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Maple Leafs Baseball
Been to the Skydome for a baseball game lately? Notice how buying tickets, drinks and food for a family costs more than a night out of town?
There are cheaper alternatives and ones that are homier, to boot. Have you ever noticed the lit-up, larger ball park at the northeast end of Christie Pits? It's home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, an Intercounty Baseball Club that plays games against teams from places like Guelph, Barrie and Brantford.
There are a few benches lining the baseball diamond, but the best seats are perched on the steep hills. Spread a blanket, bring a picnic dinner and enjoy. Total cost: zero. (But you MAY want to pack cash to buy ice cream from the truck that inevitably comes tinkling along...)
The schedule is on the website.
Cheers,
Vanessa
There are cheaper alternatives and ones that are homier, to boot. Have you ever noticed the lit-up, larger ball park at the northeast end of Christie Pits? It's home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, an Intercounty Baseball Club that plays games against teams from places like Guelph, Barrie and Brantford.
There are a few benches lining the baseball diamond, but the best seats are perched on the steep hills. Spread a blanket, bring a picnic dinner and enjoy. Total cost: zero. (But you MAY want to pack cash to buy ice cream from the truck that inevitably comes tinkling along...)
The schedule is on the website.
Cheers,
Vanessa
Monday, April 14, 2008
Discovery Walks
I'm one of those people who hates the heat, probably because I start to sweat if the mercury gets above 20 fahrenreit and, in my books, only avid skiiers and snowbirds really enjoy winter, so spring and fall are my very favourite times of year.I miss going on long, long walks in winter and summer, when conditions outside are too nasty. All of this got me thinking about the city's Discovery Walks. They are a great way to go on a good stroll while learning a bit about Hogtown history. And I quote:
"Discovery Walks is a program of self guided walks that link city ravines, parks gardens, beaches and neighbourhoods... On these walks you will enjoy nature, learn about local area natural and social history and, during the warmer weather, see the many beautiful floral displays at our feature park sites ..."
There are eleven Discovery Walks and the Garrison Creek route encompasses our own Christie Pits park and follows the path of the buried creek. To get started, all you have to do is download the .pdf maps from the website.
Enjoy!
Vanessa
Thursday, February 14, 2008
What's Happening
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!
Neighbourhood resident Audry Kalman's art show opens at Lennox Contemporary gallery on Feb. 21 and runs until March 2nd. There's a reception from 7 to 10 pm on the opening Thursday.
There's a few celebrations in the offing for our first Family Day, Monday the 18th. MP Olivia Chow is inviting everyone to strap on their skates and join her at Christie Pits rink from 2 to 4 pm for a "fun afternoon of free skating and hot chocolate." (NB: there's no skate rental at Christie Pits, so bring your own blades).
The ROM opens two new galleries in the Crystal this weekend, the Wirth Gallery of the Middle East and the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery. Also, to mark Family Day weekend, the museum is offering special programming "centered around dazzling dinosaurs and wicked weather" to its members.
Just down the street, at the Bata Shoe Museum, you can enjoy
Family Day shenanigans, which include making an animal paper lantern or a slithery hanging snake, all based on a Chinese lunar calendar/Zodiac theme.
If you're a rat -- based on the Chinese calendar, that is -- just bring proof of birthdate and you can get in free.
(The Raymond-Moriyama designed building is worth a visit in and of itself, BTW.)
Casa Loma offers children, accompanied by a paying adult, free admission on Family Day.
Other events just happen to coincide with the Family Day weekend, such as the new ceramics exhibit opening tomorrow at the Gardiner Museum, called Man Eating Tiger.
It features Staffordshire figurines made between about 1790 and 1840, including "conniving cut throats, bare-knuckle brawlers, run-away brides, hen-pecked husbands, dancing bears and other colourful characters from 19th-century Britain."
Sounds very action-packed for a ceramics exhibit!
We're privileged to have a stellar baroque music orchestra in our midst... Tafelmusik, which makes its home in the Trinity-St. Paul's Centre at 427 Bloor St. W, just west of Spadina. This weekend Tafelmusik presents Mozart, Haydn & Bach with a Twist with guest director and soloist Sigiswald Kuijken. 8 pm performances, except for Sunday at 3:30 pm.
On Sunday, as part of its Books and Bagels series, MilesNadalJCC at Spadina and Bloor features a reading by author Nick Maes of his "elegant fiction," Dead Man's Float. It starts at 11 am, tickets are $6 and the book will be available to purchase.
Also on the 17th at the MilesNadalJCC there are two screenings of The Ritchie Boys at 4 and 7:30 pm. It's a documentary about a group of young men who fled Nazi Germany and returned to Europe as soldiers in U.S. uniforms. (As the tagline says: Their courage and heroism were matched only by their chutzpah.)
The documentary is presented by the Jewish Film Society and "Ritchie Boy," professor Guy Stern, is the guest speaker.
Rush seats will go on sale 15 minutes before screenings for $15 and $10 for those ages 18 – 29 (7:30 pm screening only). For more info contact Esther Arbeid, 416.924.6211, ext 606, esthera@mnjcc.org.
Now, it may not be entertaining, but it could be quite informative: Confused about the new blue bin program? There will be an Open House at Scadding Court Community Centre February 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and another one in the theatre of the Palmerston Library on the 20th during the same hours.
During the open houses, Toronto waste management staff will be on hand to answer questions, including "what size of new box do I order?" and "what do I do with my old boxes?"
Whatever you do, enjoy it! And enjoy it with your family!
Cheers,
Vanessa
Neighbourhood resident Audry Kalman's art show opens at Lennox Contemporary gallery on Feb. 21 and runs until March 2nd. There's a reception from 7 to 10 pm on the opening Thursday.
There's a few celebrations in the offing for our first Family Day, Monday the 18th. MP Olivia Chow is inviting everyone to strap on their skates and join her at Christie Pits rink from 2 to 4 pm for a "fun afternoon of free skating and hot chocolate." (NB: there's no skate rental at Christie Pits, so bring your own blades).
The ROM opens two new galleries in the Crystal this weekend, the Wirth Gallery of the Middle East and the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery. Also, to mark Family Day weekend, the museum is offering special programming "centered around dazzling dinosaurs and wicked weather" to its members.
Just down the street, at the Bata Shoe Museum, you can enjoy
Family Day shenanigans, which include making an animal paper lantern or a slithery hanging snake, all based on a Chinese lunar calendar/Zodiac theme.If you're a rat -- based on the Chinese calendar, that is -- just bring proof of birthdate and you can get in free.
(The Raymond-Moriyama designed building is worth a visit in and of itself, BTW.)
Casa Loma offers children, accompanied by a paying adult, free admission on Family Day.
Other events just happen to coincide with the Family Day weekend, such as the new ceramics exhibit opening tomorrow at the Gardiner Museum, called Man Eating Tiger.
It features Staffordshire figurines made between about 1790 and 1840, including "conniving cut throats, bare-knuckle brawlers, run-away brides, hen-pecked husbands, dancing bears and other colourful characters from 19th-century Britain."
Sounds very action-packed for a ceramics exhibit!
We're privileged to have a stellar baroque music orchestra in our midst... Tafelmusik, which makes its home in the Trinity-St. Paul's Centre at 427 Bloor St. W, just west of Spadina. This weekend Tafelmusik presents Mozart, Haydn & Bach with a Twist with guest director and soloist Sigiswald Kuijken. 8 pm performances, except for Sunday at 3:30 pm.
Tickets are $29 to $68. Call 416-964-6337 for more details.
At the same location on Monday at 7:30 pm, members of the TSO present one in the Five Small Concerts series called From the Hacienda to the Salon. Tickets range from $10 to $17. Call 416.221.8342 for more info.
On Sunday, as part of its Books and Bagels series, MilesNadalJCC at Spadina and Bloor features a reading by author Nick Maes of his "elegant fiction," Dead Man's Float. It starts at 11 am, tickets are $6 and the book will be available to purchase.
Also on the 17th at the MilesNadalJCC there are two screenings of The Ritchie Boys at 4 and 7:30 pm. It's a documentary about a group of young men who fled Nazi Germany and returned to Europe as soldiers in U.S. uniforms. (As the tagline says: Their courage and heroism were matched only by their chutzpah.)
The documentary is presented by the Jewish Film Society and "Ritchie Boy," professor Guy Stern, is the guest speaker.
Rush seats will go on sale 15 minutes before screenings for $15 and $10 for those ages 18 – 29 (7:30 pm screening only). For more info contact Esther Arbeid, 416.924.6211, ext 606, esthera@mnjcc.org.
Now, it may not be entertaining, but it could be quite informative: Confused about the new blue bin program? There will be an Open House at Scadding Court Community Centre February 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and another one in the theatre of the Palmerston Library on the 20th during the same hours.
During the open houses, Toronto waste management staff will be on hand to answer questions, including "what size of new box do I order?" and "what do I do with my old boxes?"
Whatever you do, enjoy it! And enjoy it with your family!
Cheers,
Vanessa
Monday, February 11, 2008
Christie Pits
Having just hoofed (and slid and babystepped) on the icy walks near Chrisie Pits park, it occurs to me that some people may not know about its interesting history. I was about to write it up, but found that there's already a short, good summary of the infamous Christie Pits riots online.I once did a story about the underground river, Garrison Creek, that is buried beneath the park. It was filled in because it had become, essentially, an open sewer where people dumped EVERYTHING. The buried waterway causes some foundation issues for a few local houses, hence the slightly tippy domiciles on Shaw Street, north of Bloor.
Every year, PublicSpace.ca organizes a Human River Walk. A series of interesting events leading up to the walk culminates in a tide of people, dressed in blue, walking the path of buried Garrison Creek, which stretches all the way south to Fort York. Of course, Fort York used to overlook the lake until Toronto's waterfront swath was extended by adding extensive infill.
Cheers,
Vanessa
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