The following announcement comes from Art Starts, the same organization who created the wonderful bicycle mural on Dupont St. The Dusk Dances festival is being held at Earlscourt Park, just a short walk from the north end of our neighbourhood:

Volunteers needed!

Art Starts is pleased to be co- producing the 2010 Dusk Dances Festival at Earlscourt Park (St. Clair and Caledonia) for the second year in a row! This outdoor dance festival brings innovative contemporary and traditional dance to public parks as the sun sets Thursday August 19th to Sunday August 22nd.

Dusk Dances 2009

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are looking for festival volunteers for Wed. Aug 18 – Sun. Aug 22 between 5:30pm and 10pm

Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one rehearsal or performance date. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: Ushers/donation collection – Information table – Change room and truck guards – Guarding performance areas

Please e-mail or call Erin Schachter erin@artstarts.net 416.656.9994 ext. 3 if you are interested and specify your availability.

Electric Train Music Series

Final Performance | the drum roll begins at 12:30

Drum Diesel Out of Town
Sunday, July 25, Perth Square Park

Special guests, Pound for Pound

The Electric Train Music Series is presented by the Junction Triangle Rail Committee as a way of building community spirit and increasing awareness of the effects massive diesel expansion will have on our neighbourhood.

After the success of the first pick-up soccer game last Friday at Campbell Park, it was decided to make this a weekly event.

When: Friday July 23, 7:30PM, and every Friday after that
Where: Campbell Park - South Field - meet north of Splash Pad
Who?: Anyone can play. All-ages and abilities.

To quote Craig, the organizer:

I think we can shoot for another Pickup Soccer game next Friday again at 7:30, for those who came out and for others who might be interested in coming out and enjoying a good, non-competitive run on the field. For that (and for others who might have been confused should they have come out and found loads of people already at the park), we will meet near the splash pad, between the fields. Anyone else who cares to join for an informal picnic before the soccer, feel free to join in and bring the kids - the spash pad is actually open until 7pm now, and the playground is right beside it!

More photos from last week's match are here.

Photos by Craig Charnock, 2010-07-16

You may have noticed over the last few days that the south side of the Bloor St. railway underpass between Perth Ave. and Dundas St. West has received a coat of green paint. Today, the green paint has sprouted some new trees.

I snapped a few photos on my way home from work, and had a brief chat with the artists who had just finished up their day of painting. They will complete this City-funded project over the next couple of days.

More details and photos to come later. But for now, enjoy the sight of another blank wall being transformed into a colourful work of art. I look forward to seeing this in its completed form!

Sterling Rd.: Toronto Hydro Building #200: Photo by Vic Gedris, 2007-12-01.

I noticed this week that the old Toronto Hydro Electric System building no. 200 on Sterling Rd. has been demolished. I haven't heard any explanation of why they tore it down, or what the future plans for the site are. I don't even know the history of the building, its construction date, or what it was actually used for. I'd love to hear any details, if you have them.

However, I do think it was a beautiful old structure that helped give this short east-west stretch of Sterling Rd. its character. With the wonderful windows of Tower Automotive's facade on Sterling, the Tower Automotive chimney, Moloney Electric, and the Hydro building, this was such a well-preserved "canyon" of industry in our neighbourhood. I'm all for progress, but I hope this section of street retains its look and feel.

With the Moloney Electric building up for lease, the Tower Automotive lands up for redevelopment, and lots of new residential development in the area, Sterling Road will continue to evolve into a very different place.

Susan from the Perth Dupont Community Garden writes:

I just wanted you to know that the Perth Dupont Community Garden can be used as an out door public cooling station.

I have turned on the park sprinkler, and inside the garden area, near the train tracks, chairs have been set up in the shade. People can cool off in the sprinkler or use the hose to run a bit of cold water onto their hands or feet, ... what ever they need to do to feel better.

Sounds like a great way to be outside and get cooled off. The Perth Dupont Community Garden is located at the Symington Ave. Playground, which is accessed off of Perth Ave. north of Dupont St. (map).

The following newsletter was forwarded to me from Bob, a resident of Rankin Crescent. You can download a PDF copy of the printed newsletter here.

RANKIN CRESCENT NEWS

Issue #1 – published July 4, 2010 – Printed Circulation: 100

1. Perth Avenue Junior Public School Needs Our Support – Now.

Enrollment numbers are down at Perth Avenue Junior Public School and if we hope to ensure the survival of Perth Avenue J.P.S., we have to show our support for the school. To help boost enrollment, Perth school would like to add French Immersion and grades 7 and 8 to its programming. However, it is up to us, as parents and local residents, to convince the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) that access to these programmes is desirable for the children who live in our neighbourhood. In particular, those of us who have pre-schoolers who we would like to benefit from a French immersion education at a local school, as well as being able to attend Perth school until the end of grade 8 must make every effort to communicate their support for these initiatives to the TDSB, in particular to our elected education trustee:

Electric Train Music Series

Every Sunday in July at 12:30 p.m. in the Junction Triangle

Acoustic Performances:

• Sunday, July 4
  Campbell Park, performer Adam Volpentesta
• Sunday, July 11
  Carlton Park, performer Andrew Cash
• Sunday, July 18
  Erwin Krickhahn Park, performer Mark Ripp

The following meeting info comes from Metrolinx, regarding their Georgetown South Project status (GO Train expansion, and Airport Rail Link on the Georgetown corridor):

Open House - Lithuanian Hall
When : Thu, June 24, 6pm – 9pm
Where: 1573 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON (map)
Description: To review the project scope, current status, and learn about next steps in the design and construction phase.

More information about this project is on Metrolinx's Georgetown South Project website. Please also see the Junction Triangle Rail Committee and Clean Train Coalition websites for perspectives from local residents.

The following meeting notice comes from the Clean Train Coalition:

Reminder: Clean Train General Meeting this Tuesday, June 22nd

The Clean Train Coalition will be holding a general meeting at Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Road, just west of Symington. The meeting will take place in the main hall/sanctuary.

We will be discussing our strategy to build support for the Clean Train movement in communities along the line and our plan to use the Clean Train Pledge Campaign and other strategic initiatives to pressure Premier McGuinty, who ultimately has the say.

We plan to reach out to community groups along the line, and hope that each can send a representative to learn about the pledge and take it back to their membership for review.

Everyone is welcome. Join us. Be part of the solution!

Where: Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Road
When: Tuesday June 22, 7pm