Junction Triangle

A bit of old news, but still newsworthy for those following the airport rail link saga (aka, the reason for all the construction on the railroad), Metrolinx, will be taking over operation of the line. The province had orginally reached a deal with SNC-Lavalin to operate the link, but that deal is now off.

There was some speculation this was a so-called sweetheart deal between the SNC-Lavalin and some members of the government, and that they were allowed to flit through the Environmental Assessment process. Now that the province is in charge, perhaps they will take residents' health concerns about diesel trains more seriously?

From the National Post:
Many residents in the city’s west end have expressed concern over the use of diesel trains.

"We don’t even think this deadline of 2015 can justify running diesel trains through west Toronto," said Keith Brooks, spokesman for the Clean Train Coalition, a grassroots organization that opposes the use of diesel trains in residential areas...

"The province and Metrolinx should be much more accountable to the public than SNC-Lavalin would have been."
Read the full story here.

There seems to be some confusion over what the Mulock Residents' Association does, so I wanted to outline what we are here for.

The MRA is here to facilitate an exchange of information amongst those of us living in the neighborhood (see this post for a picture of our boundaries). Being that our community is mixed residential/industrial, there are a number of issues anyone might be concerned with or have information about at any time. The MRA acts as a hub to provide information to residents about relevant issues and events.

From time to time, the Association will organize an action throughout the community. This may be a petition regarding a specific issue, starting a neighbourhood watch group, or organizing a community clean-up. These events are usually organized by a resident who is passionate about the issue in question, and they enlist the help of their neighbours. The Association can help those looking to 'do something' with strategy, contacts, or even just pointing them in the general direction of how to get started.

The Association, and the things we do, is the result of many individuals coming together with a common goal: to make our neighbourhood a better place. This is something I'm sure we can all agree on.

However, this blog or the Association is not here to solve your problems for you. We can provide you with the tools, but ultimately, any action relies on you.


What The MRA CAN Do:

• We can help you get to know your neighbours.
• We can provide you with information on neighbourhood issues, or help you figure out where to look for such information.
• We can help you figure out who to call, if you have a problem or concern.
• We can assist you with a community action you may wish to initiate.
• We can give you pointers on dealing with government officials.
• We can make blog posts about issues that are of importance to the immediate community. (If you are a resident of the street and want to write something, we will consider posting it as long as it is not libelous and fits within our mandate.)

What the MRA CANNOT Do

• We cannot make phone calls for you.
• We cannot pick up your trash, or clean things up for you.
• We cannot  provide you with an exhaustive resource of everything going on in our neighbourhood.
• We cannot organize events, community actions, or other initiatives on you behalf.
• We cannot write about issues which do not fall within our local boundaries.
• We cannot be in constant contact with the city, or any other entity about a particular issue on your behalf.

The MRA is composed of volunteers who, like you, have busy lives. We cannot do everything. Besides, there are people who are actually paid to do most of these things (councillors, police, and city staff immediately come to mind). While we are here to help, we are not here to do the work for you.

If you need help figuring out the next step or want to get more involved in the community, please realize the MRA is here as a resource for you. The rest is up to you.

Warm Regards,

Sarah
Chair, Mulock Avenue Residents' Association

Crane over the old marine store on Dundas Street West!  Does anyone know what is going on? - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

There is a new restaurant at Bloor and Sterling, called Zocalo which sounds amazing according to the write up in Now Magazine (link below). The food sounds affordable, fresh and creative.   Has anyone heard anything about it? http://www.nowtoronto.com/food/story.cfm?content=176323

Another exterior shot of Ontario Redi-Mix on Wade Ave. This is the view from Erwin Krickhahn Park on Rankin Cres. in the Junction Triangle.

It will be interesting to see if this place gets re-used (doubt it), pillaged and vandalized (probably), and eventually torn down to be replaced with something better (probably, but who knows when?).

August 10, 2010.

The rest of my photos from Redi-Mix are posted here.

Rumors have been circulating the Junction for a month now but yesterday we had the first official sign we are getting a Starbucks. A sign building permit has been issued for 3077 Dundas Street West (former Handyman Shop). Application # 10 240401 DST 00 DS – Installation of two(2) first party illuminated signs, one projection sign and [...]

The owner of this site Is doing continuous great work that is bringing the building and it’s industrial heritage back to life. As new businesses move into this one project it is greatly improving the area. Has the site been rescued? Y - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Village by High Park condominium project is entering it’s final stages with the bridling of the second building. All the while the interior finishes are being installed in both buildings. In the opinion of this author the buildings have gone up with almost no discernible load on the community other than what could be expected minimally [...]

Councillors give blessing to church renovation Annette Street Baptist Church to now house condos Full story http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/862154–councillors-give-blessing-to-church-renovation - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Looking down from the upper level of the vacant Ontario Redi-Mix plant on Wade Ave. There's a decent view of the surrounding area up here: The Redi-Mix gravel yard, GO Transit's Barrie Line tracks, and over into Erwin Krickhahn Park in the Junction Triangle. Probably an even better view from up on the silos. :)

The rest of my photos from Redi-Mix are posted here.

- As the work nears completion at St John’s Rd a discussion takes place with city staff and Bill Saundercook to have the hydro connected up. This required additional attention as it was not in the original plan. As the project was bought about quickly by the councillor with a group from the community. [...]

200 Annette Street – Alteration to a Heritage Property and Intention to Designate, Part IV, Section 29, Ontario Heritage Act and Authority to Enter Into a Heritage Easement Agreement Owner is seeking to have City Council approve the alterations to the property at 200 Annette Street, as designed by their Michael Hatch Designs Ltd. from the city report… Background The property [...]

In case you missed it, the Junction's latest food destination opened on Saturday, August 14th, 2010. Jennifer Rashleigh & Jeff Brown, owners of Organic Handmade Fair Trade Chocolate Shop Delight opened up Junction Fromagerie right next door at 3042 Dundas Street West (in the old Junction BIA offices). I love cheese and can't wait to get in there and check out their wares!

The Junction Fromagerie are holding two tasting events in conjunction with The Toronto FRESH Event. The tastings are called A Stone's Throw Wine and Cheese Pairing. These events are a unique chance to taste the best of local cheesemakers, wineries and breweries. Each cheese has been paired with a wine or beer selected from the same region. Come discover what is available in our own backyard.

Stone's Throw Cheese and Wine Pairing

Tuesday, August 24th and Wednesday, August 25, 2010

7:00pm to 9:00pm

Ticket price: $20.00, paid at the door

Junction Fromagerie

3042 Dundas Street West

Reservations must be made in advance. These tastings are filling up FAST so if you’d like to attend, please contact Allison Savage, Toronto FRESH Event organizer, at radishesandrhubarb@gmail.com.

If you miss the tastings at Junction Fromagerie, there are a couple of other fantastic tastings going on in conjunction with The Toronto FRESH Event. Check them out as they too are filling up fast!

Chocosol Chocolate in Motion Workshops

Friday, August 20, 2010

Workshops: 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm

Ticket price: $20.00 paid at the door

Chocosol Chocolate Loft

6 St. Joseph Street, 4th Floor - Cacao Loft

Bring your friends, classmates or co-workers and help us put the “art” into our artisanal chocolate with one of our great workshops on the eco-ethics behind Chocosol's chocolate in our convivial kitchen!

The workshop includes a discussion about the history of chocolate and the health benefits of chocolate. You will also have a chance to help with production using eco-technologies and, of course, there will be chocolate tastings.

Reservations must be placed in advance, as space is limited.

An Evening at The Stop

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

7:00pm

Ticket price: $10.00 donation paid at the door

The Stop Community Food Centre

601 Christie Street (At Christie just south of St. Clair)

The beautiful Green Barn will be the venue for An Evening at The Stop. Tour The Stop's Green Barn, including their greenhouse, sheltered garden and new Global Roots Garden. The evening will include a general presentation on The Stop Community Food Centre by Liz Curran. Refreshments, courtesy of Green Barn Cafe chef, Alex Tso, will be served: summer fruit strudel with herb sugar and strawberry lemon balm lemonade.

Reservations must be placed in advance, as space is limited.

If you are interested in registering any of these events send an e-mail to radishesandrhubarb@gmail.com. Please include the number of participants and your contact information.

From the Junction Triangle web site -http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/663 Posted using BlogPress from iPad

It’s always great to see industry fare well in the area, here Canada bread moves it’s trucks around on the road outside their plant. Too bad they are leaving. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Breakfast at Easy restaurant, great music a few people, good service. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

- And people are stopped and talking and blocking the street  it’s wonderful to see all this. Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location:Roncesvalles Ave,Toronto,Canada

People seem to Find no difficulty in crossing the street to get to the shops. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location:Roncesvalles Ave,Toronto,Canada

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location:Roncesvalles Ave,Toronto,Canada