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What's Old is New Again. A First Look at the Revitalized John St. Roundhouse

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:43:00 -0500

The John Street Roundhouse Revitalization project had its grand opening yesterday, with a newly refurbished turntable and features a unique 40,000 square foot Leon's Furniture store, the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre and adjacent Roundhouse Park. It's located across the street from the CN Tower and Rogers Centre.

Owned by the City of Toronto, the Roundhouse, which was built in 1929-31, is a 32 bay semi-circular structure formerly used by Canadian Pacific to service steam passenger locomotives using nearby Toronto Union Station. It was declared a National Historic Site in 1990. In 1999, bays 1 to 11 were leased to Steam Whistle Brewery while the remaining 21 bays were unused and dormant.

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Deadpool Looming for Pages Bookstore

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:16:00 -0500

The sad, but perhaps inevitable, news came today that Pages, one of Toronto's most-loved bookstores, will indeed be closing its doors on August 31st. Efforts by owner Marc Glassman to maintain the viability of his business amid "skyrocketing rents" on Queen West have ultimately hit a brick wall in the form of lease-cycle that's finally run its course.

As previously reported, a six month extension worked out with Pinedale Properties in February was occasion for cautious hope, but the discrepancy between what Glassman can afford to pay and what Pinedale believes it can charge is simply too wide. A fixture for artists, intellectuals and book lovers coming on 30 years, the store will be sorely missed.

I caught up with Marc by phone earlier today to commiserate and ask about what he hopes the future might hold for him and his store.

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Toronto Photo Essay: Toronto by Air

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:26:00 -0500

My father is a man who's got every dumb tie and gadget that could possibly be thrown at him. So for his birthday this year we bought him a flying lesson - an experience, rather than another object.

We drove 40 minutes out to the tiny Markham Airport in the morning, sharing cigarettes and recent tales, finally turning down a dusty dirt road that led to the small portable that doubled as the office. The place was beautiful. Out back sat about 25 old RCAF warplanes, some of them mere metal skeletons of their former glory. A few still had their beautiful, shiny steel coats and Canada decals, reminding me of the classic Airstream trailers.

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One Lovely Roti at One Love Vegetarian Cafe

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:20:00 -0500

One Love Vegetarian Cafe, a new Annex restaurant, serves Caribbean-influenced vegan soups, roti, and curry that combine traditional and unusual flavours. With nothing over $10, I went ahead and ordered almost the entire menu.

See my review of One Love Vegetarian Cafe in the restaurants section.

Crashing the Metro Theatre for some Adult Entertainment

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:10:00 -0500

Toronto's (historic) Metro Theatre has had a "For Sale" sign on it for as long as I can remember. Faded images of women in lingerie on its façade promise "quality entertainment for adults", an unusual sight next door to the PAT supermarket in Koreatown.

The days when people had to venture outside of their houses to view pornography are long gone (or so you'd think). But it's business as usual at the Metro, which means that there is a demographic out there that continues to experience porn in public.

Ever wonder what goes on behind those doors? I went in to find out, while I still had the chance.

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Radar: July 9, 2009

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0500

Photo: "Trapped Cloud" by wvs, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for THURSDAY JULY 9, 2009 ... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

MUSIC | Beirut + The Dodos
Beirut's primary singer/songwriter Zach Condon spent several months in Europe studying Balkan traditional music, a major influence on the sound of the group, which blends contemporary indie with eastern European folk melodies. Openers the Dodos play psychedelic folk songs that perfectly complement the headliners' sound.
Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St / $25

FILM | Blue Velvet SHADOWCAST at the Fringe Festival
David Lynch's surreal mystery is brought to life with live music accompaniment, campy excess, and some of Toronto's hottest young actors and musicians for three nights only, as part of Fringe Toronto's "The Silver Stage"
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St W / $10

FASHION | Fashion in the Sky at Trinity Bellwoods Park
Fashion artist Yoshinori Niwa invites participants to make and fly kites with a personal element such as their own used clothing or found materials such as plastic shopping bags, encouraging participants to think creatively about how to use the materials around us.
Trinity Bellwoods Park (Queen St)

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Morning Brew: Harper Pockets Communion (or Does He?), No More Drugs in Kensington (Really?), Jays Dump BJ Ryan (Halladay Next?)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:45:00 -0500

Photo: "Street Life" by Jim U, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Pages is closing. Owner Marc Glassman tells NOW Magazine that the city's most-loved bookstore will be closing its doors on August 31st. (Previous coverage)

The garbage is going to keep piling up for a while as the striking unions have made it clear they're not accepting a year-long pay freeze and a mere 1% increase in the second year of any deal. Mayor Miller is trying to stand his ground but after announcing yesterday that the bargaining team has been authorized to be more flexible, so it sounds like it will be the city who bends (or breaks) first in the current stalemate. Good thing we've had unseasonably cool weather; the last thing we need is a string of 30+ degree days right now.

A month-long drug sweep by Toronto police has netted 76 arrests, 200 charges and a pile of drugs from King West and Kensington area drug dealers and buyers. Too bad there weren't a lot of hidden cameras - "Project Escape" sounds like a great reality tv show.

Did he or didn't he? Video from Romeo LeBlanc's funeral shows Stephen Harper receiving a communion wafer and apparently pocketing it, not exactly the proper way to treat his Host. Naturally, Harper's people say he would never do such a thing, but the explanation does not go so far as to shed light on why a Protestant was taking Roman Catholic communion.

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Is the Toronto Garbage Strike a Good Thing?

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:34:00 -0500

I'm not generally one to see a silver-lining in all things negative, but as the city's outside workers strike drags on, I've started to see evidence of some good coming out of all this hassle. While I'd certainly be happy if the strike ended tomorrow, the fact that for the last couple of weeks most of us have had to confront the waste we produce strikes me as potentially eye-opening.

Take my residence as an example. A house that's been converted into four apartments, the waste that me and my fellow tenants produce was already pretty obvious as pick up days neared. But now, despite the fact that my landlord has been quite diligent about managing the build up, it's become an ugly and startling sight. And that's not to mention the smell. Do we, I often wonder as I leave the house each day, really produce that much trash?

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The NY Times Shows The Junction Some Love

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:13:00 -0500

While Toronto Tourism makes no effort to promote the Junction on its web site, it's good to see an influential publication south of the border expose one of Toronto's most up-and-coming neighbourhoods to potential tourists.

Yesterday, the New York Times published yet another one of their great travel articles on a Toronto neighbourhood that doesn't get much play from the powers that be who promote our city. Titled Skid Row to Hip in Toronto, the article isn't a comprehensive look at the area, missing favourite spots like Crema Coffee, Smash and The Beet to name a few. Here are the ones they did mention:

Pandemonium (rumoured to be moving locations)
Delight Chocolate
Rawlicious
Cool Hand of a Girl
Margret

Which is to say that it's a good start and exactly the sort of story the city should be trying to get out instead of the crap about Ontario Place and Casa Loma. For those not yet familiar with the neighbourhood, don't forget to pick up one of our recently published Junction maps.

Photo taken inside Post + Beam Reclamation

Rooftopping Toronto: City In The Clouds

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:16:00 -0500

As the mist descended on Toronto last week, we tried to hit as many rooftops as possible, attempting to rise above the fog. The fog, however, was not so easily undone: indeed, it was thicker on the rooftops than it was on the street. Needless to say, this made for limited photographic opportunities.

When the beautiful towering skyscrapers are eaten up on such occasions, the city is completely transformed: the familiar becomes absurd, and even the most mundane urban vista becomes spectacular.

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A Bounty From Your Own Backyard (or Balcony)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:12:00 -0500

We all know what a bummer looking for a summer job can be for students. There's the whole Catch 22 thing where you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job.

Then there are those go-getters. The people who know what they want out of life, pull up their socks, go out there, and take it. I caught up with 27 year old Laura Kalbun, an urban planning student at Ryerson University who did just that. After doing the whole bummed-about-not-finding-a-summer-job thing, Laura decided to take two of her passions - sustainability and food - and join them in the perfect marriage of urban agriculture.

From this union Backyard Harvesting was born, a company through which Laura offers custom garden solutions for both house and condo dwellers in the downtown core.

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It's Deadpool for Rotman's Hats on Spadina

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0500

Its death has been announced prematurely many times over the last few years, but it's finally over for Rotman's Hat Shop on Spadina. The yellow sun shades that protected the stock on display in the window are rolled up, and a single bowler hat sits beneath the sign announcing the clearance sale this weekend.

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All Aboard the Chew Chew's Train

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:01:00 -0500

Chew Chew's Diner in Cabbagetown takes greasy spoon diner lovers on a multi-stop breakfasting adventure. Located at Carlton and Sherbourne, the restaurant's cozy railway-themed interior and infallible Hollandaise sauce give nearby Johnny G's a run for their money. All aboard!

Read my review of Chew Chew's Diner in the restaurants section.

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Radar: July 8, 2009

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:54:00 -0500

Photo: The final tanks at Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant by swilton, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for WEDNESDAY JULY 8, 2009 ... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

FILM/THEATRE | Repo! Shadow Cats Fringe Festival SHADOW CAST
The Repo! Shadow Cats return for their 7th shadow cast performance of "Repo! The Genetic Opera" at the Bloor Cinema, this time as part of the Silver Stage for the 2009 Fringe Festival, recreating the movie onstage while the film plays behind them.
Costumes, glow-sticks, boobs and blood!
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St W / $10

FILM | Fantasy Pleasure Complex 10
Stefan Gruber is an animator and teacher from Seattle touring the parks and backyards of North America with "Fantasy Pleasure Complex 10," an hour-long showing of his short animated films. This all-ages show is also a dessert potluck, so feel free to bring your own!
UTSU Building, 12 Hart House Circle / FREE / 8pm

MUSIC | Kensington Market returns for a three-peat performance
Although they were only together from 1967-1969, the Kensington Market were an extremely important presence on the Toronto music scene, being one of the first Canadian groups to develop its own signature brand of synth-driven psychedelia, as well as touring in the United States and being managed by the legendary Bernie Finkelstein.
Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St W / 8:30pm / $18 advance, $20 door

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Morning Brew: The Strike Marches On, Head Shaving and Driving Combined, Raptors and Leafs Get Their Guys

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:49:00 -0500

Photo: "rflect" by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

The province won't step in with back to work legislation but will step in to shut down a private garbage collection and compost pit. The Granite Club, one of the city's exclusive hangouts, had been letting members drop off trash at the club but will now need an $1,100 permit to continue the practice. Adam Vaughan says the province is overreacting by trying to shut down community garden compost collections that haven't gotten a $1,400 permit. I would think the province has bigger issues to work on, but maybe this looks like easy cash to add to the provincial coffers.

In other strike news, the city is preparing to open 200 more dump sites. Yes, 200. The mind boggles. No wonder prominent American travel writer Larry Habegger is warning potential visitors to stay away (via 680news).

Funding given for the Pride Parade may have cost Minister of State for Tourism Diane Ablonczy her role in delivering a tourism stimulus package. Conservative MP Brad Trost is suggesting the $400,000 given to the parade did Ablonczy in, although it's unclear just how many of their caucus colleagues agree with the move. Regardless, how pathetic: even if MPs don't like Toronto's Pride Parade it is undeniably a major tourism draw as one of the world's largest pride parades.

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