All posts by Ric Amis

COWANATION Street Sale – June 1

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Parkdale’s Biggest Treasure Trove – The Annual COWANATION Street Sale!

Our neighbourhood street sale, COWANATION, is coming up Saturday June 1st! Cowan Ave. closes off to traffic at 9 am – 4 pm, or thereabouts, so people can stroll the sidewalks and avenue for this annual street sale of goods – used, new, antique, household, yard,  whatchamacallits and live music. Sunday, June 2nd is the rain date. You will find Parkdale has as a whole has picked up on the spirit of Cowanation with residents on Dunn, Springhurst and Spencer setting up yard sales as well. Come one, Come all!

Toronto’s West End Arts Studio Tour – May 31 – June 2

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The 22nd annual ART TOUR is a showcase for some of the best art in Toronto’s West End. Artists display their works at locations from Swansea to The Junction.
Admission is FREE, and art lovers have a unique opportunity to meet the artists and to see their creations.
Visitors are invited to soak up the unique atmosphere of the local community with its delightful mix of shops, cafes, bakeries and restaurants.

There is a draw for three $100 prizes to be used toward an art purchase from any artist on the Tour. Entry forms can be filled out at all the tour sites; enter at each location to increase your chances. Organizers will contact the winners three weeks after the Tour.
Click HERE for more details. Enjoy the show!

Town Hall on Bill 108 – May 27

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Earlier this month the Government of Ontario announced changes to planning law in Ontario under Bill 108 which affects 13 different pieces of legislation.
It reinstates the old Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), and makes other changes that will affect the City’s ability to control and plan development in Toronto. Your voice is crucial.
We urge you to become informed about the implications of Doug Ford’s Provincial Government’s proposals as they will have an impact on your neighbourhood and our City.

READ and be informed about Bill 108.
Become informed and make your voice heard about how your neighbourhood will develop. Read the Chief Planner’s report opinions here (www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-133165.pdf) and presentation (www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-133199.pdf) to City Council on the proposed Bill 108.

ATTEND the Meeting on Monday May 27th at 7 p.m. at City Hall to hear about the impact of these proposals from Gregg Lintern, Toronto’s Chief Planner, and City Councillors, including Mike Layton our new Councillor, and Kristyn Wong-Tam our previous Councillor.

Read the City’s response to the proposed legislation HERE.

When: Monday, May 27, 2019 at 7 pm
Where: Council Chambers, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/309554903273831/

Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust AGM – May 25

Announcement, Local Interest

Join Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (PNLT) this Saturday for the Annual General Meeting & Potluck! They’ve had a hugely successful year and let’s all celebrate!

The AGM is an opportunity to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and participate in decision making. This year members will have the opportunity to:
• Vote on PNLT’s next acquisition priority.
• Vote on proposed By-law Amendment.
• Vote to elect 7-8 new members to serve on the board of directors, their decision making body.

Date: Saturday, May 25th, 2019
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place:  Milky Way Garden (behind Parkdale Library) *In case of rain, Church of the Epiphany and St Mark @ 201 Cowan Ave.

UofT Affordable Housing Conference – May 11

Announcement, Community

University of Toronto’s School of Cities is hosting a FREE conference – Affordable Housing: Lessons for a new decade of housing policy in Toronto.

The City of Toronto is preparing a Housing Action Plan for the coming decade. As Toronto’s housing crisis deepens and the past decade’s housing plan draws to a close, what lessons need to be learned?
This action-oriented conference brings together prominent scholars, Councillors, planners, and activists to weigh in on and debate the initiatives Toronto could advance right now to protect and expand our endangered supply of affordable housing.

Register for this free conference click HERE; space is limited

Date: Saturday, May 11st, 2019
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: 1 King’s College Circle (MacLeod Auditorium, Medical Science Building)

Spring into Parkdale Sidewalk Festival – May 11

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area (PVBIA) invites you to Spring into Parkdale Sidewalk Festival & Night Market!

Time to shake off those winter blues and visit Parkdale Village’s Queen Street West this spring for a weekend filled with sidewalk sale deals and free fun for the family.

Come out and meet shop owners, crafters, artists and community groups that make up our thriving neighbourhood!  Throughout the day enjoy some special attractions such as live performances by over 30 artists/musicians, free craft workshops, face painting (10,000sf Kids Zone),  4 Markets including Little Tibet market, surprise giveaways and over 150 local shops and vendors!

Date: Saturday, May 11st, 2019
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Night Market 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Place: All along Queen St. W. (Roncesvalles Ave. to Dufferin St.)

Parkdale Land Trust Saves At ­Risk Rooming House

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

On May 1st the The Neighbourhood Land Trust (the charity arm of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust) will purchase and save its first at ­risk rooming house to preserve and protect affordable housing for low income residents!

This project aims to stop the flow of tenants out of low­ end of market rental housing and into homelessness. This is the first licenced Rooming House in Toronto to be owned by a community land trust guaranteeing the units will continue to provide affordable housing for 99 years.

Home to 15 working class and low ­income tenants, this 15 unit South Parkdale property will be owned by The Neighbourhood Land Trust in perpetuity but will be operated and managed by PARC, (a United Way Anchor Agency) who now provides 71 units of affordable housing for adults who are low income and or experience mental health and addictions challenges in South Parkdale.

The project will ensure that existing tenants, many of whom are low­ income, will have continued affordable rental housing that is safe and secure. Any future new tenants will be prioritized for people who have experienced homelessness.

Expanding Permission for Laneway Suites in Toronto – May 1

Announcement, Community

In August 2018, as part of the Changing Lanes initiative, City Council approved Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to allow the construction of laneway suites in the Toronto and East York District. The City is now considering expanding these permissions to additional areas across the City.

Information on Laneway Suites, including previous City reports and the laneway suites Zoning By-law, are available HERE.

The Toronto City Planning Division is hosting a series of drop-in consultation meetings to discuss the proposed expansion of laneway suite permissions. At these meetings, City staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the expansion being considered. Please feel free to stop.

Date: Wednesday, May 1st, 2019
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: 55 John Street, Room 308/309 (Metro Hall)

Community Environment Day – Apr. 27

Announcement, Community

Do your part to create a cleaner, greener and more liveable Parkdale. Drop off reusable and recyclable items such as clothing, small appliances, non-perishable food items and electronics. You can also drop off household hazardous waste for safe disposal and pick up free compost for your pots and garden.

Click HERE for more details

Date: Saturday, April 27th, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: 1751 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (east of Ellis Ave.) Sir Casmir Gzowski Park
ALSO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SECONDHAND SUNDAY ON APRIL 28th – MORE DETAILS HERE