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)
_______________________________________________________________________

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

 

Have YOUR SAY on the Future of Exhibition Place – Oct. 10

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

It’s YOUR turn to talk about the future of Exhibition Place.

Exhibition Place is in OUR backyard – for some it is their backyard (local park and green space).

Eleven local residents’ groups from the area have put in hundreds of volunteers hours in public meetings, working groups, written reports and held community meetings regarding what happens to this PUBLICLY OWNED LAND. Here is what the PRA and West Side Community Council (WSCC) have to SAY.

To view and comment on the draft vision and guiding principles for the Exhibition Place Master Plan come to this public meeting. Check out the City’s information.

Date: Thursday, October 10th, 2019
Time: Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Presentation/Q&A: 7:00 p.m.
Place: 105 Princes’ Boulevard – Room 201ABC (Beanfield Centre – elevator available at North Entrance)

Community Hub Tours – Oct. 2 & 8

Announcement, Community

Planning for the new Parkdale Community Hub is underway!

As our community prepares for this development, join your Parkdale neighbours on a tour of one or both of the existing vibrant hubs below to learn about their green building design, youth and resident community engagement, and community-led design initiatives.

The tours are FREE and will include return bus transportation from PARC (1499 Queen St W) to each hub, light refreshments and food, as well as tokens, childminding, and translation, as needed.

Please RSVP with Karla at kdanan@parc.on.ca or (416) 537-2262 x269

Date: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019
Time: 9:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Place:  1499 Queen St. W. (PARC to Bathurst-Finch Hub)
Date: Tuesday, October 8th, 2019
Time: 3:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Place:  1499 Queen St. W. (PARC to East Scarborough Storefront)

340-376R Dufferin St & 2 Melbourne Ave. Community Meeting – Oct. 8

Announcement, Local Interest

A pre-application community meeting is being held to discuss plans by applicant Hullmark to amend the zoning bylaw. The proposal does not contain any changes to the current built form.

You are invited to attend this meeting to learn about the proposal details before a formal proposal is submitted. The meeting will include a presentation given by the applicant Hullmark, as well as a Q&A session chaired by Councillor Perks.

Date: Tuesday, October 8th, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place:  1303 Queen St. W. (Parkdale Library – Lower level)

72 Days of Free Art – Starts Sept. 21

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The Toronto Biennial of Art is a new international contemporary visual arts event as culturally connected and diverse as the city itself. From September 21 to December 1, Toronto and surrounding areas will be transformed by exhibitions, talks, and performances that reflect our local context while engaging with the most pressing issues of our time. The Biennial’s free, citywide programs aim to inspire individuals, bridge communities, and contribute to global conversations from a variety of perspectives.

This stretch of Lake Ontario was active long before Toronto became a city. It has been populated by Indigenous peoples for at least 12,000 years, and was initially a site of trade, migration, and ceremony before it underwent mass settlement and industrialization. Today, the waterfront is host to relics of heavy industry, dense condominium developments, active and decommissioned military bases, manufactured parks, lost rivers, and human-made spits.

Click HERE for more information.