Category Archives: Local Interest

Why should Parkdale residents care about Sidewalk Labs – Nov. 21

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Sidewalk Labs (Google) is planning a new development on Toronto’s eastern waterfront – what they call a “smart” city. This land is under the jurisdiction of Waterfront Toronto.

Why should Parkdale residents care about Google’s downtown Sidewalk Labs project? Join other community members for an information and discussion roundtable about the Sidewalk Labs (Google) “smart city” plan and the needs of our community – Councillor Perks will be there. Sponsored by Good Jobs for All Coalition.

Things to think about:

  • Will Google/Sidewalk Labs actually pay for the project? How much money will be required?
  • Will the “smart city” take resources away from other city priorities like transit and housing?
  • Will the housing created be affordable to the thousands of Torontonians who need housing?
  • What kind of jobs will be created?
  • What kind of surveillance is there in a “smart city”?
  • Who controls the data and for what purpose?
Date: Thursday, Nov. 21st, 2019
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: 1499 Queen St. West (Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre)

CNE presents Aurora Winter Festival at Ontario Place – Nov. 22 to Jan. 5

Announcement, Local Interest

CNE presents the Aurora Winter Festival. The festival is an accessible family oriented event with the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) transforming the Ontario Place West Island into a spectacular celebration of light and adventure. This magical winter wonderland features four distinct mystical worlds for guests to explore, as well as enchanting characters, stunning light installations, fabulous food experiences, marketplaces, amusement rides and more.

Special Discount for You! As a valued neighbour and member of the Parkdale Residents Association, they want to offer you a very exciting discount on 2019 Toronto Aurora Winter Festival tickets!

Receive 15% off of select tickets by visiting the link HERE!

Road Map to Environmental Action in Parkdale-High Park – Nov. 13

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Join your elected representatives and environmental community groups in Parkdale-High Park to co-create a climate action plan.

Join your elected representatives from all 3 levels of government (Gord Perks, Bhutila Karpoche & Arif Virani) and various Parkdale-High Park environmental groups. We will ALL work together to design a community action plan to address the climate crisis.

The event is free, but please do RSVP so they can prepare better. Donations at the door appreciated.

Date: Wednesday Nov. 13, 2019
Time: 7: 00 pm – 9:00 pm
Place: 95 Lavinia Avenue – Swansea Town Hall, Rousseau Room

Repair Café at Parkdale Library – Nov. 16

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Learn how to fix your broken household items – for free!

They have fixers for computers and electronics, small appliances and furniture, clothing, jewellery, toys, books & paper repair, bikes and more. COST IS FREE!

They are always looking for FIXERS – volunteers who enjoy fixing household items.

Date: Saturday Nov. 16, 2019
Time: 12: 00 pm – 4:00 pm, *visitor registration ends at 3:00 pm
Place: 1303 Queen Street West – The Parkdale Library Auditorium

Sorauren Avenue Park Pumpkin Parade – Nov. 1

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

It’s that time of year again! Join neighbours and friends at Sorauren Avenue Park on Friday Nov. 1 for the annual pumpkin parade. Please bring your carved pumpkins starting at 6pm to put them out on display.

The Sorauren Pumpkin Parade has become a huge success with more than 1500 participating pumpkins in the event in past years. However, with the growing success of the event, there’s a need for more volunteers and support from the community to make sure the event can continue. Volunteers would need to commit 2-4 hours to help  with greeting event attendees and helping with cleanup of pumpkins at the end of the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please email – dusha.sritharan@toronto.ca

Events Details:
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Put your pumpkins out on display
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm  – Pumpkin Parade
9:00 pm on-wards – Collect your pumpkins for disposal

All participants are responsible for ensuring that their pumpkins, candles and other materials are disposed of properly at the end of the night.

Block by Block Parkdale – Oct. 19

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Toronto Ward Museum is launching Block by Block Toronto, a participatory, multimedia project that engages diverse young people in the collection and interpretation of oral histories from across the city. By training young people to interview community members about their lived experiences, the project preserves and animates stories of migration, settlement and civic life in an effort to build a more inclusive city: one story and one neighbourhood at a time.

The goal of Block by Block is to deepen relationships in and between communities through the exchange of personal stories, reflections and resources. They hope to contribute to better public understanding of settlement experiences and the roles that neighbourhoods play in those experiences through interactive programming, exhibitions, art and storytelling. They think these experiences have been underrepresented in Toronto and that there is a lot to learn from them. RSVP HERE.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 19th, 2019
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: 1499 Queen St. West (Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre)

Queen St. West Area Study Community Meeting – Oct. 17

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The City is holding a meeting on the West Queen West & Parkdale Main Street Planning Study to present draft Official Plan policies. Information on the West Queen West & Parkdale Main Street Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plans will also be provided at the Open House. They welcome your comments and there will be opportunities to ask questions of City staff.

They will discuss the results of the West Queen West & Parkdale Main Street Planning Study, which spans Queen Street West between Bathurst Street and Roncesvalles Avenue, and provide an update on the heritage survey and HCD Plans.

WE THE RESIDENTS NEED TO GET IT RIGHT – These Official Plans when approved will be entrenched for the next 20 or 30 years.

Date: Thursday Oct. 17, 2019
Time: Open House 5 pm – 8pm; Presentation – 6:30 pm
Place: 1303 Queen Street West – The Parkdale Library Auditorium

Workshops with Well-know Musicians at Parkdale Library

Announcement, Local Interest

Coming this Fall as part of the Toronto Library’s Musician in Residence program you will have the opportunity to learn from Canada’s best artists.

Author and musician Dave Bidini is the Toronto Public Library’s Musician in Residence this fall. The only person to have been nominated for a Gemini, Genie and Juno as well CBC’s Canada Reads, he is a founding member of Rheostatics and has published thirteen books.

Canada’s hip hop legend, Michie Mee, will take the crowd through a history of her life in music as well as illuminating the form of hip hop, and exploring the ins and outs of the evolving genre. Michie Mee is known within the music industry for her unique rap style of combining reggae and dance-hall with hip-hop.

For more information on how you can participate click HERE. Program starts October 15th.

PRA Federal All-Candidates Meeting + Call for Volunteers – Oct. 16

Announcement, Community, Local Interest, Meetings

The Parkdale Residents Association (PRA) is hosting a Federal All-Candidates meeting. This is Parkdale residents’ opportunity to hear directly from the candidates running  for election in the Parkdale-High Park riding. One of these candidates will be our elected representative in Federal Parliament.

FREE COMMUNITY DINNER for the event will be provided starting at 6:30 PM courtesy of Greenest City – “EAT, THINK, VOTE” campaign.

Advance Voting takes place between Oct. 11th and 14th. You can get further details HERE on where to vote, what information you need and a list of all the candidates.

To prepare for the meeting the PRA attempted to contact ALL the registered candidates. We asked them in advance of the event to consider one question – What your vision is [for the future of] of Parkdale?

Given the principals, practices and policy of diversity and inclusivity that the PRA upholds and with much consideration the PRA Executive has rescinded our invitation to the Peoples Party of Canada candidate

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 16th, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: 20 West Lodge Ave. (May Robinson auditorium)
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

As you know a lot is happening in Parkdale around development, affordability, food security, transit, etc.

The PRA is a small but vocal voice for local residents. The PRA reviews proposed development projects, we attend meetings, advise the City as needed, advocate for residents, participate in studies, campaign for local issues, share and highlight information to the community on behalf of other organizations, etc.

We’re looking for more people who want to bring their skills to the table, be passionate about advocacy and help us engage the community.

If you’re interested in contributing your time and skills towards community consultations, local events and participating in planning meetings please let us know!

Right now we need volunteers for:
• All-Candidates Meeting Oct 16th: postering, community engagement, Tibetan translation services, event set-up and strike, timekeeper, Facebook live capture
• Graphic Design work: PRA logo re-design
• CRM Management
• New Executive Members: help us plan new events and initiatives for 2020

Nuit Blanche in Parkdale – Saturday

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

If you are going out on Saturday night to enjoy Nuit Blanche check out what is happening locally in West Queen West / Parkdale. There are some local artists showing works during the nights festivities. To find out more click HERE.

Explore nearly 90 art projects created by over 300 artists, across 9 neighborhoods.

Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2019
Time: After Sunset and into the wee hours of the morning
Place: West Queen West / Parkdale / all over town