The Dig In Weblog

Video: November 8 2011 DIGIN meeting with Ana Bailao, Jonah Schein, and Andrew Cash

2011-11-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

November 8 2011, monthly DIGIN meeting (www.digin.ca) featuring Davenport federal MP Andrew Cash, Davenport provincial MPP Jonah Schein, and Ward 18 Davenport city councillor Ana Bailao. Moderated by Jeff Winch.

Video by Vic Gedris, shot on an old compact digital camera, so apologies for the audio/video quality. The video cuts out briefly twice, as the camera has 2GB file size limits (I don't think much was missed).

And a few photos:

Ana Bailao

Andrew Cash

Jonah Schein

DIGIN Meeting - Tuesday November 8

2011-11-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 8 November 2011 @ 7pm

DIG IN Meeting

Ambrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre

1260 Dufferin Street (west side, just south of Dupont) at Galleria Mall

The November meeting will provide a rare opportunity for residents of Davenport to discuss the roles of our three elected representatives with:

MP Andrew Cash (elected May 2011)

* MPP Jonah Schein (elected October 2011)

Ward 18 Councilor Ana Bailão (elected October 2010)

They will be at the meeting to talk about their responsibilities as members in each of the three levels of government. The focus of the evening is to discuss where their jurisdictions begin and end and where there is overlap and opportunity for collaboration to improve our riding.

Meeting Agenda:

- Greetings and introductions. 10 minutes.

- Responsibilities of each member in relation to 6 major areas of concern. About 12 minutes per:

- Health Care

- Education

- Environment

- Public Transit

- Child Care

- Housing

- Further business and discussion of December’s meeting.

* Jonah’s attendance is still unconfirmed at the time of this posting.

DIGIN Meeting - Tuesday October 11

2011-10-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 11 oct 2011 @ 7pm

DIG IN MeetingAmbrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre

1260 Dufferin Street (west side, just south of Dupont) at Galleria Mall

AGENDA

DIG IN Monthly meeting

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm

Items for Discussion

1. Discussion on Development in the Northern section of Ward 18 with Councillor Bailão.

Information about properties in play at http://www.anabailao.ca/ward18-planning/

TTC Property at 640 Lansdowne - request for a Planner to produce a proposal for zoning change has been issued.

Random history lesson: Lansdowne Ave.

2011-09-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, someone on Twitter asked who Lansdowne Ave. was named after. Here's the answer, from Toronto Street Names, page 131:

"Lansdowne Ave. was named in 1883 by the village council of Parkdale, in honour of the new Governor General of Canada: Henry Charles Keith Petty-Fitzmaurice, the 5th Marquis of Lansdowne (1845-1927). Lansdowne performed his duties admirably from 1883 to 1888, during a tumultuous period in Canadian history. The Northwest Rebellion broke out and the Canadian pacific Railway was completed, despite the scandals that rocked the country. His distinguished political career also included Lord of the Treasury (1869-72) and Undersecretary for War (1872-74) in England, and Viceroy of India (1888-93)."

DIG IN Meeting - Tuesday September 13 2011

2011-09-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 13 September 2011 @ 7pm

DIG IN Meeting

Ambrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre

1260 Dufferin Street (west side, just south of Dupont) at Galleria Mall

AGENDA

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm

Items for Discussion

1. Developments and changes at local parks (Jutta Mason, Centre for Local Research into Public Space)

2. Planning the year ahead for DIG IN

a. Ideas and initiatives

b. Provincial candidates debate

c. Outreach

d. Website and Listserv

e. Administration (chair, note taking)

Adjourn 8:30 pm to Boo Radley's (NW corner Dupont and Campbell)

Emerson Ave. Street Sale - Saturday June 4

2011-05-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

STREET SALE

EMERSON AVENUE

(East of Lansdowne, from Bloor to Dupont)

Saturday June 4

9am to 3pm

(no early birds)

Rain day = Saturday June 11

Excellent finds for your home and garden!

DIGIN Meeting - Tuesday May 10 2011

2011-05-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 10 May 2011 @ 7pm

DIG IN Meeting

Ambrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre

1260 Dufferin Street (west side, just south of Dupont) at Galleria Mall

AGENDA

DIG IN Monthly meeting

Tuesday May 10, 2011

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm

Items for Discussion

BIG on Bloor Festival
Proposed privatization of recycling collection (Andy Arfin, Public Interest group)
14^th division re: recent home invasion and burglary
Campbell Avenue resident concerns – representatives from 11^th division and the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division
Development (Lansdowne Ave, Bloor St.)

Adjourn 8:30pm to Boo Radley’s (NW corner Dupont & Campbell)

Wallace-Campbell Safety Walk May 5

2011-05-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

Please come out and join members of your community for the Wallace-Campbell Safety Walk (please see attachment for more information and a map of the route - and please distribute widely)

With members of the community, along with staff from many city departments, safety audits provide an opportunity to evaluate spaces from the standpoint of women, children and other vulnerable groups. Together we will examine how social and physical environments can make an area safe or un-safe. Things we will look for: people's attitudes and behaviours, lighting, signage, sightlines, isolation, maintenance, and accessibility.

Thursday, May 5th.

Meet at Angel’s Café, 145 Symington ave. @ 7pm .

Organized by:

Councillor Ana Bailão
Ward 18, Davenport Tel.: 416-392-7012
City Hall, 100 Queen Street West Fax: 416-392-7957
2nd Floor, Suite C42 councillor_bailao@toronto.ca
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Download the flyer/map here.

2011 Davenport Federal Election Candidates at DIGIN

2011-04-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

April 12, 2011: Federal election candidates in Toronto's Davenport riding were invited to attend DIGIN's monthly meeting for a Q&A session. In attendance were:
Andrew Cash (NDP)
Miguel Figeuroa (Communist)
Wayne Scott (Green)
Mario Silva (Liberal)

Absent:
Simon Luisi (Animal Alliance)
Theresa Rodrigues (Conservative)

Moderated by DIGIN chair Donna Cowan.

Techincal Note: Apologies for the poor quality and editing. Shot with a small point'n'shoot digital camera, and I was unable to stay in the room the whole time. Video cuts out at about the 37:30 mark when 4GB file size reached, and re-started when I re-entered the room.

2011-04-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 12 April 2011 @ 7pm

DIG IN Meeting

Ambrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre

1260 Dufferin Street (west side, just south of Dupont) at Galleria Mall

AGENDA

DIG IN Monthly meeting

Tuesday April 12, 2011

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm

Items for Discussion

1. Jane's Walk update

2. Safety audits

3. Community Space (1379 Bloor St W)

4. Meet the Federal Candidates (Starts at: 7:30pm Duration: 45min-1 hr max)

5 minutes introductions by each candidate then Q&A session

5. BIG on Bloor Festival

6. Mayor's Cleanup Day

7. Friends of Wallace Emerson

Adjourn 8:30pm to Boo Radley’s (NW corner Dupont & Campbell)

DIGIN Meeting: Tuesday March 8, 2011

2011-03-04T13:32:00.000-08:00

Meeting reminder from Bruce:

This is a reminder;

the DigIn March meeting will take place on tuesday, 8 March, 2011

@ 19hrs00 in the Ambrico room of Wallace/Emerson Community Centre

The agenda is as follows:

locally run "janesWalks".

Boys and Girls Club in the junctionTriangle.

Application for the "First Carbon Neutral Neighbourhood in Toronto" project.

Castlepoint going ahead with downtown Toronto studio development.

CPLCcalendar for discussion/use.

Safety audit training session 14 March @ the Gladstone Library.

DigIn chairship.

Other business.

all are welcome to attend, DigIn members or not,

junctionTriangle members or not;

but especially anyone interested in, or having information about

any of the agenda items please bring your interest and knowledge

to the meeting. [please spread the word.....]

i will be chairing this meeting;

after the meeting as usual we will adjourn to a local "establishment"

for further chat and refreshment.

DIGIN Skate & Socialize Tues Dec 14 @ 7pm

2010-12-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

DIGIN invites you

to Skate and Socialize!

Tuesday December 14 @ 7 – 9pm

Wallace Emerson Community Centre

1260 Dufferin St. (Dupont St. near Galleria Mall)

Warm-up in the Ambrico Room

with some hot apple cider, snacks and good cheer!

Bring friends, meet new people … and help someone in need.

Donations will be accepted for Homes First Savards Women’s Shelter.

Items needed include:

women’s mitts, hats, gloves, personal care items and TTC tokens.

Junction Triangle Rail Committee Meeting

2010-10-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

From the Junction Triangle Rail Committee:

The Junction Triangle Rail Committee will be holding a planning meeting this Tuesday, November 2 at 7 p.m. at Boo Radley's on Dupont. The committee will be discussing plans for the upcoming year after a successful series of neighbourhood picnics with musical performances, a great all candidates event and a Nuit Blanche exhibit that helped spread news of the Metrolinx diesel plans to thousands of people.

If you are interested in helping fight for electric trains, please join us. Membership in the committee is open to anyone interested.

www.junctiontriangle.ca/rail

DIG IN Meeting, Tuesday October 12, 2010

2010-10-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

The next DIG IN meeting is taking place Tuesday Febuary 9th at 7:00PM in the Ambrico Room inside the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street).

The items for discussion are:

Nuit Blanche
Toronto Police Service 14Division and 11Division officers in attendance
Junction Triangle Planning Charette
YIMBY
Discussion re: storeowner complaints about BIA not notifying them of meetings.
Update re: Neighbourhood Engagement Project (Trillium grant)

A Mayor for Bloordale

2010-09-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

Junction Triangle Municipal Election Issues Forum

2010-08-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

Municipal Election
Issues Forum
Boo Radley’s
1482 Dupont Street
(1 Block East of Symington)
Thursday, August 26
8-10 p.m.

have played an important role in politics over the years. Often social and economic hubs, these are the places where people
mix and exchange ideas.
Political movements and a few rebellions
have arisen at the edge of a bar.

With a fall election on the horizon, Boo Radley’s in the Junction Triangle takes up its traditional role and plays host to the Municipal Election Issues Forum on Thursday, August 26 from 8-10 p.m.

Meet the candidates for City Councillor in Ward 18-Davenport over a drink and discuss issues one-on-one in a casual environment.

Elections are too important to ignore. Political events don’t have to be stuffy or choked by the rigidity of traditional All Candidates debates.

Join us for a lively discussion and share your concerns for the future of the Junction Triangle.

A special thanks to Michael and Shelly at Boo Radley’s for hosting this important neighbourhood event!

More info and discussions here: www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/663

Weekend Events (July 23-25, 2010)

2010-07-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Friday Night Soccer at Campbell Park
Where: Campbell Park, south field, meet north of the splash pad
When: Friday July 23, 7:30pm
More info: www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/793

New Bloor Festival
Where: Bloor Street West, between Lansdowne Ave. and Dufferin St.
When: Saturday July 24, 1-9pm
More info: www.newbloorfestival.com

Junction Triangle Sunday Picnic + Electric Train Music Series
Where: Perth Square Park (Perth Ave., south of Dupont St.)
When: Sunday July 25, 11am-1pm
More info: www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/749

Strollin' past the new tree mural

2010-07-21T11:48:00.001-07:00

Strollin' past the new tree mural, originally uploaded by Vic Gedris.

Local events this week (June 22-26)

2010-06-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Clean Train Coalition - General Meeting
Where: Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Road
When: Tuesday June 22, 7pm

"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."

www.cleantrain.ca

Ward 18 Candidates Debate
Where: St. Anne.s Parish Hall, 615 Dufferin Street (east side, north of Dundas)
When: Wednesday June 23, 7:00pm (sharp) to 9:00pm (mix and mingle at 6:30)

"This October we will elect a new councillor to represent our Ward at City Hall. Join us on June 23 to meet the candidates and to hear their perspectives on three key issues facing our community: transportation, development, and the relationship between constituents and our elected representatives."

More info and flyer at: www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/752

Metrolinx Georgetown South Project - Open House
Where: Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West
When: Thursday June 24, 6-9pm

"To review the project scope, current status, and learn about next steps in the design and construction phase."

www.gotransit.com/gts/

Yasi's Annual Ride-in Movie Night
Where: Yasi's Place, 299 Wallace Ave. at Campbell Ave.
When: Saturday June 26, 8:30pm - 11pm.

"Join us for bike themed movie shorts under the stars. Bring an extra pillow/blanket/chair if you can. Assorted treats will be available. Hosted by Yasi's Place and Martin de la Rue."

www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/662

DIGIN Meeting, Tuesday June 8, 2010

2010-06-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

DIGIN meets on the second Tuesday of every month. Find us at the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street), 7PM, in the Ambrico Room.

AGENDA

DIG IN Monthly meeting

Tuesday June 8, 2010

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm

Items for Discussion

A conversation with Ward 18 candidate Ana Bailao
Looking for person to help update DIG IN website
Trillium grant update
Jack Fava - suggestions for Sept. mayoral candidate debate

Any further items to be added?

Adjourn 8:30pm

DIG IN will adjourn for the summer and resume meeting on Sept. 8, 2010.

Emerson Ave Street Sale - Saturday June 5

2010-05-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

STREET SALE

EMERSON AVENUE

(East of Lansdowne, from Bloor to north of Wallace)

Saturday June 5

9am to 3pm

(no early birds)

Excellent finds for your home and garden

Rain day = Saturday June 12

Bloor Improvement Group AGM, June 9th

2010-05-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE INVITED to attend the Bloor Improvment Group (BIG) Annual General Meeting

BIG will be reporting on activities of the last year, seeking input on future plans, and electing new board members.

Bloor Improvement Group (BIG) Annual General Meeting
June 9, 2010
Working Women, 533C Gladstone Ave

6:30pm - 8:30pm

BIG is a volunteer-run community organization comprised of your neighbours, local business owners, social service agencies, associations and Business Improvement Area groups.

Please come out! Consider joining the board and playing a role in local community development!

There are many volunteer positions available. Perhaps you are interested in being part of the Communications Committee? Are you interested in helping out with the maintenance and design of the website? Are you interested in becoming a Board member? Are you interested in being part of the next BIG on Bloor Street Festival?

YOU are key to making BIG a continued success!

Please contact Donna Cowan by email if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering.

If you are interested in being a Board Member please forward a brief resume and short bio to Donna Cowan prior to June 7th.

Thanks,

Donna Cowan

Chair, BIG

donnacowanis@yahoo.com

www.bigonbloor.com

Kathy's Kitchen

2010-05-05T11:10:00.001-07:00

There's a review of the newly opened Kathy's Kitchen on blogTO. Also there's a new crop of restaurants and stores along Bloor. Pop in for a visit and let us know what you think.

This blog has moved

2010-04-09T09:34:00.001-07:00

This blog is now located at http://diginbloor.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://diginbloor.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

DIG IN Meeting on Feb 9th

2010-02-08T08:46:00.001-08:00

The next DIG IN meeting is taking place Tuesday Febuary 9th at 7:00PM in the Ambrico Room inside the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street).

This meeting may be of interest to a wider audience, as our MP Mario Silva will be in attendance. He will answer questions about the neighbourhood, in particular about the railway expansion and its effects. Also on the agenda is an update from Jutta Mason on the Federal Stimulus Project taking place at MacGregor Park.

Short Video of a 'Shinny' game at Campbell Park.

2010-01-11T07:22:00.001-08:00

DIG IN Meeting on Jan 12th

2010-01-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

The next DIG IN meeting is taking place Tuesday January 12th at 7:00PM in the Ambrico Room inside the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street).

Tower Automotive

2009-12-03T12:41:00.001-08:00

Tower Automotive, originally uploaded by hogtown_blues.

Birds

2009-12-03T12:39:00.001-08:00

, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

DIG IN Meeting on Dec 8th

2009-12-03T12:30:00.001-08:00

The next DIG IN meeting is taking place Tuesday December 8th at 7:00PM in the Ambrico Room inside the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street). Thus far we have the following scheduled:

Tony Ruprecht
PPT / U of T project
Ligth Up Bloordale -- Neighbourhood Engagment Project

DIG IN Meeting Oct 13th 2009

2009-10-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Night (Tuesday October 13th) is the next DIG IN meeting. For our Brockton Neighbours, please feel free to come by to stay up-to-date on the latest neighbourhood news and to meet some neighbours you may have had a chance to meet otherwise!

AGENDA:

Nuit Blanche follow up
PPT / U of T project
Railway Corridor Expansion Documentary
14 Division Police Officers provide an update on the area and answer questions
Traffic Intersection Issues
Other business
What'ss Ahead? — New project suggestions? What would you like to do?

The Rain

2009-08-20T16:48:00.001-07:00

The Rain, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The weather is crazy right now.

Outside the Holy Oak

2009-08-20T11:43:00.001-07:00

, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

A band prepares to play in front of Holy Oak during the Big on Bloor festival.

BIG on Bloor Street Festival 2009

2009-06-23T12:00:00.001-07:00

BIG on Bloor Street Festival 2009, originally uploaded by leapingazelle.

Michael's Bloor-Lansdowne Blog: BIG on Bloor 2009: people came out despite the rain

2009-06-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

Check out Michael's wrap up of the BIG on Bloor Festival: BIG on Bloor 2009: people came out despite the rain. The event was a lot of fun. Hopefully some of you made it out. (And hopefully next year we will have better luck with the weather.)

Dyan Marie Hard at Work

2009-06-22T07:08:00.001-07:00

Dyan Marie, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The founder of DIG IN, Dyan Marie, out and about during the BIG on BLOOR festival.

Painted People at Culture Works

2009-06-22T07:07:00.001-07:00

Painted People, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The BIG on BLOOR festival soldiered on, despite the rain. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Holy Oak Cafe

2009-06-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

BlogTO reviews Holy Oak cafe.

annhomanART presents the Balloon Room Room as part of CultureWorks

2009-06-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Michael's Bloor-Lansdowne Blog discusses annhomanART's Balloon Room Room, which is another event taking place at Culture Works.

Bloor and Lansdowne Signs

2009-06-17T06:39:00.001-07:00

Bloor and Lansdowne Signs [2002-08-28], originally uploaded by rreefke.

Not too long ago, the Saver's Paradise was a Bingo Hall.

CultureWorks at the Big on Bloor street festival

2009-06-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

DIGIN's Michael writes about CultureWorks at the Big on Bloor street festival.

Another Mural on Bloor

2009-06-12T06:09:00.001-07:00

Blansdowne - 5, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

Richard Monigat takes a break while painting a new mural on the North side of Bloor West of Lansdowne. It mirrors the one painted last year, though the North mural features trees in bloom. We'll have to wait and see how else the two murals will differ. This one is off to a great start.

Fuzzy Boundaries Meeting Tonight

2009-05-13T07:43:00.001-07:00

From the mailing list:

We are a small but growing community group hoping to find an official name for our neighbourhood. We call ourselves fuzzy because our boundaries are intentionally undefined. We want to be as inclusive as possible, but very roughly we think of our community as stretching from Davenport to the base of Perth Avenue, and filling in the area between the train tracks that run east of Dundas and west of Lansdowne. Our mission to name this orphaned zone has the support of Councillor Adam Giambrone, and our group includes members from Dig IN, the South Junction Triangle Residents Association, the Rankin Crescent Community Garden, Perth Avenue Co-Op, and the Perth Avenue Park Community Festival.

...

Some local residents have formed a group called Fuzzy Boundaries to initiate a naming process for the area. You are invited to attend a lively discussion about how we define our neighbourhood on Wednesday, May 13 at 7p.m. at the Perth Avenue Housing Cooperative (120 Perth). Local history buff Michael Monastyrskyj will show some old photos, and Urban Planner Beate Bowron will speak about neighbourhood identities. A Q&A will follow. All are welcome to attend this free event.

DIGIN Meeting Tuesday May 12th

2009-05-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

The next DIGIN meeting is tomorrow, 12 May 2009, at 7:00PM in the Ambrico Room inside the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street). On the agenda is:

The Future of West Toronto Collegiate (Graham Hollings) 15 minutes
CULTURE WORKS
Potential press
Website updates

Hope to see you there!

Culture Works at the BIG on Bloor festival

2009-05-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge
CULTURE WORKS – a feature event of the BIG on Bloor Street Festival is a precedent setting street fair celebrating the arts and bringing the best that Toronto has to offer to Bloor and Lansdowne. Major cultural institutions and organizations like the AGO and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art sit alongside local Garnet/Abrams, annhomanART, Funktion Gallery and many others to offer unique and interactive programming for young and old.

Lights Out

2009-01-26T10:41:00.001-08:00

Club Paradise, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The (infamous) neon sign for club paradise has been off for a few weeks now. By the spring it may be gone for good. Perhaps one day people will remember it fondly? Club Paradise is certainly one of the more well known landmarks in the neighbourhood.

Update: Apparently you can't trust all rumors. The sign is back on, and some much need renovation work has taken place to the exterior of the club.

DIG IN Meeting January 13th 2009

2008-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

The first DIG IN meeting for the new year will take place Tuesday January 13, 2009. The agenda items for this meeting are still up in the air. See you next year!

YIMBY Fest

2008-12-17T07:56:00.001-08:00

YIMBY Fest, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

DIGIN made an appearence at YIMBY Fest this past year.

BlogTO on Bloordale

2008-12-02T04:58:00.000-08:00

You can find out a little bit about our neighbourhood by visiting BlogTO's Bloordale page.

DIG IN Meeting Nov 11th 2008

2008-11-10T09:56:00.001-08:00

Doors open at 6:45pm, the meeting will start promptly at 7pm. Items for Discussion:

Safety Audit updates
Urban Jungle Arts Collective update
Courts Project – Michael
YIMBY
Treasurer
Planning Project
StoresFULL
Underpass Project

We will adjourn to the Kiss Cup bar (1274 Bloor St W) after the meeting, at 9:00.

The Paul Bright Gallery

2008-11-07T04:34:00.001-08:00

The Paul Bright Gallery, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The Paul Bright Gallery opened up on Bloor just East of Lansdowne last night. This is the third gallery to open up on the strip. Some people are (prematurely I suspect) dubbing Bloor and Lansdowne the new West Queen West.

Bikes on Bloor

2008-10-26T12:51:00.001-07:00

Bikes on Bloor, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

A quiet moment during the BIG on BLOOR festival from this past summer.

Dig In meets on Tuesday October 14 at the Wallace Emerson Community Centre

2008-10-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

Wallace-Emerson Community CentreClick to enlarge

Dig In meets every second Tuesday at 7pm in the Ambrico Room of the Wallace Emerson Community Centre. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday October 14. Everyone is welcome. If you have something you would like to put on the next meeting's agenda, you can contact Dig In chair Donna Cowan. Her email address is donnacowanis AT yahoo.com

The community centre is located at 1260 Dufferin Street on the west side just south of Dupont. The centre is in between the MacDonald's on the corner and the park to the south.

Dig In meeting 7pm Tuesday September 9 at the Wallace-Emerson Community Centre - All welcome!

2008-09-07T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dig In is holding its first meeting after the summer break at 7pm on Tuesday September 9. As always, the meeting will be held in the Ambrico Room of the Wallace-Emerson Community Centre. Doors open at 6:45. The centre is located at 1260 Dufferin St., on the west side just south of Dupont. It's the white building next to the MacDonald's across the street from the fire station. The meeting is open to anyone who wants to help make the neighbourhood better.

Tuesday's agenda

1. YIMBY? (Yes In My Backyard festival)

2. Campfire in October?

3. Urban Jungle Arts Collective proposal

4. Wallace Emerson Park Safety/Upkeep

5. 2010 Toronto Biennalle

6. Dyan Marie's future participation

7. Website update

DIG IN : DIG IN initiates inclusive community and cultural plans and actions that will contribute to sustaining a neighbourhood that is GREEN • CLEAN • SAFE • CIVIL by fostering improvements in the areas of its social, environmental, cultural, economic and physical make up.

DIG IN website: www.digin.ca . To join DIG IN email group send an email to: diggingin-subscribe @yahoogroups. com. If you experience any difficulty in signing up, please send an email to Dougal our DIG IN Monitor, at dougal@dougalco. com, and he will help you sign up.

The Artist(s) at Work; Walking

2008-06-16T20:11:00.001-07:00

The Artist(s) at Work; Walking, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

New mural on the Bloor underpass west of Lansdowne.

2008-06-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

Michael writes about the new mural on the Bloor underpass west of Lansdowne. The Mural is still incomplete, but looks great so far.

Upcoming DIGIN Meeting.

2008-05-11T19:12:00.000-07:00

The next DIG IN Meeting is this Tuesday 13 May 2008 @ 7pm. We will be meeting in the Ambrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre 1260 Dufferin Street (west side, just south of Dupont). On the agenda:

The BIG Festival: Everyone's help is needed! ONLY 41 days left !

Please make your phone calls and email requests prior to the meeting. Bring your updates, your ideas, your successes, your friends and your enthusiasm.

DIGIN to DOCS: Street Health Stories & The Interventionists

2008-05-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

The last edition of DIG IN to DOCS for this season is tomorrow (May 12th) at 7:00 PM. We will be at Bloor Collegiate (1141 Bloor St West) one last time to showcase two films: Street Health Stories and The Interventionists. The two films are projects from the NFB's Filmmaker-in Residence program. This collaborative initiative with St. Michael's Hospital is the NFB's effort to reach out to communities and places media creation into the hands of the citizens - the agents of true social change. (You may have read about the Filmmaker-in Residence program in the Star or the Globe and Mail recently.) Guests for tomorrows screening include:

Kate Mason, Researcher, Street Health
Kat Cizek, filmmaker
Anne Longair, Director of Hostel Services, City of Toronto
14 Division MCIT Unit - Constable Malcolm Curtis and Connie Stefan

We hope to see you at the screening!

DIGIN to DOCS - Through a Blue Lens

2008-04-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

The next edition of DIGIN to DOCS is tonight (Monday April 14) at 7:00 PM. Please come to Bloor Collegiate, 1141 Bloor St West, to watch the next film in our film series, Through a Blue Lens. In this documentary, addicts talk openly about how they ended up on the streets. Through their participation in this film, they want to stop others from joining their nightmare. Michael's Bloor-Lansdowne Blog has a nice write up on the film. We hope to see you out tonight.

Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship

2008-04-14T06:51:00.001-07:00

Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

DIG IN Meeting Tuesday April 8th

2008-04-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

The next DIG IN Meeting is taking place this Tuesday (April 8th) in its usual location at the Ambrico Room, Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street).

Michael Monastyrskyj will be there at 6:30pm if anyone wants to come early and talk before the meeting starts.

There are 3 agenda items:

June 21 Big on Bloor festival

Dig In To Docs film festival

update on redeveloping the website

The BIG festival will probably take priority. If anyone has any ideas or proposals for Dig In's portion of the festival, Tuesday would be a good time to present them.

BMX Ramps

2008-03-25T10:17:00.001-07:00

BMX ramps 2, originally uploaded by hogtown_blues.

DIGIN to DOCS

2008-03-18T19:18:00.001-07:00

DIGIN to DOCS, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to support our first screening. Hope to see you all at the April 14th screening of Through a Blue Lens.

DIG IN to DOCs Guest Bios

2008-03-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

Gyasi Ferdinand At 13, Gyasi Ferdinand was an innocent kid from Trinidad, living with his mom in suburban Toronto and missing his friends back home. By 17, everything had changed. Gyasi was pulling in up to $2000 a night selling crack cocaine in Regent Park, one of Toronto’s roughest neighbourhoods. He had a roll of bills in his pocket, all the women he could handle, and a 9 mm in his waistband that earned him the street name J9. “You feel sort of on top of the world,” he recalls. “Nobody can do you nothing, that’s how I felt. And if I want I could do you something. That’s how a 17-year-old thinks, you can do this for the rest of your life.” But at 25, Gyasi lost it all. Four bullets from a rival dealer’s gun left him inches from death. The shooting led to a profound spiritual experience and a career change that Gyasi had never anticipated.

Dr. Karim Ismaili is Associate Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ryerson University. Prior to joining Ryerson in 2006, he taught criminal justice at St. John's University in New York City (1997-2006) and at Radford University in Virginia (1996-1997). Dr. Ismaili has served as a visting professor in the New York City Police Department, and as a research and policy advisor in the Ministry of the Solicitor General Canada and Department of Justice Canada. His areas of teaching, research and publishing include criminal justice policy, penology, criminological theory, and crime and inequality. He is currently completing a project that is exploring the intersection of immigration and crime control policy, and is writing a book on the criminal justice policy-making process. Dr. Ismaili holds a Bachelor of Arts (criminology) from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Philosophy (criminology) from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. (political science) from the University of Western Ontario.

Frank Besenthal Having served the last 10 years as a Staff Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Frank Besenthal will be retiring on March 31, 2008 after 31 years with the Toronto Police Service. Throughout his career, Besenthal has covered posts in the uniform division, morality, drug enforcement, intelligence services and as a section head at Toronto Police Service C.O. Bick College. Peter Markwell has been working in the field of Harm Reduction for seven years. He was employed at St. Stephen’s Corner Drop-In for six years and now a Harm Reduction Worker with the John Howard Society of Toronto for the past 1.5 years. Peter has an extensive personal background in harm reduction and the justice system and has been actively involved in the area of advocacy and social change in the Toronto community. He participates on many committees and advisory groups including the Toronto Drug Strategy, Neighborhood Working Group, Safer Crack Use Coalition, Harm Reduction Action group, CPAC University of Toronto and Drug Treatment Court Advisory Committee. Susan Shepherd is Manager of the Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat, the staff team that supports implementation of the Toronto Drug Strategy. Susan has been with the City of Toronto for more than 10 years working in the areas of substance use, poverty, homelessness and food security. Prior to joining the City, Susan worked in the community-based service system.

Kate Mason is a Researcher at Street Health, a community-based organization that provides health care to homeless people in southeast Toronto where she has led and implemented several community-based evaluations, best-practices scans and research projects on homelessness issues. Most recently, she helped to coordinate The Street Health Survey - a comprehensive study on the health and access to health care of homeless people in Toronto on which the film Street Health Stories is based. Ms. Mason has an MHSc in Public Health from the University of Toronto.

Katerina Cizek’s films have helped instigate criminal investigations, changed UN policies and have screened as evidence at an international criminal tribunal. Her films, including Seeing Is Believing (co-directed with Peter Wintonick) and Dead Are Alive: Eyewitness in Rwanda, have been presented at festivals around the world. Cizek is a three-time Gemini nominee (including Best Direction for The Interventionists) and won the prestigious Abraham Prize at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Throughout 2004-2008, Ms. Cizek has developed an experimental program with the National Film Board of Canada called Filmmaker-in-Residence – a program that partners media with medicine in order to effect social and political change. Her award-winning film The Bicycle, the first film from this program was broadcast on CBC and on Showtime in the U.S. As well, the Filmmaker-in-Residence website has garnered multiple new media and documentary awards. For more information visit www.nfb.ca/filmmakerinresidence.

Anne Longair has been involved in the area of homelessness and housing in Toronto since 1981. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a B.A in Psychology, she became a front-line worker at a shelter for assaulted women and their children. Ms. Longair came to work for the City of Toronto in 1986 and since that time has worked on program and policy development, opened new shelter sites, managed a shelter for women and children and run an employment program for youth.

From 2001 – 2003, she was the acting Director of Housing and Homelessness Supports and Initiatives and was responsible for the administration of homelessness grants, and community and policy development related to homelessness, rental housing and landlord -tenant issues.

Since 2004 Ms. Longair has been the Director of Hostel Services with the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division at the City of Toronto. Hostel Services is responsible for funding or operating 62 shelters sites throughout the Toronto that provide shelter to over 28,000 people annually and assist thousands in finding new housing every year.

DIG IN to DOCS Starts Today (Mar 17th)

2008-03-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

The first screening for the DIG IN to DOCS series begins today.

Bloor Collegiate
1141 Bloor St west
Pay What You Can - suggested donations: $4 per person, $8 per family

Mar 17th 7pm CHEATING DEATH

Cheating Death takes us inside the mind of a man still struggling with the temptations of the street, while at the same time trying to serve God. This documentary is a journey into the world of drugs, gangs and guns - a world much talked about and feared but rarely understood.

Confirmed guests include Gyasi Ferdinand, subject of Cheating Death; Karim Ismaili, Associate Professor & Interim Chair, Dept of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ryerson University; Staff Sergeant Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division)

The Toronto Drug Strategy Initiative Presentation

2008-03-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Jayne Caldwell was on hand to give a great presentation on the Toronto Drug Strategy Initiative. She has shared her slides with us, which you can download and view in any PDF reader: Toronto Drug Strategy Initiative Presentation Slides.

Next DIG IN Meeting

2008-03-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

The next DIG IN meeting is Tuesday 11 March 2008 at 7pm, in the Ambrico Room in the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street,west side, just south of Dupont).

Please plan to join us as we need volunteers to make the BIG Festival a success! There is lots to yet to do.

As well, Jayne Caldwell from the Toronto Drug Strategy Team will be giving a presentation on a pilot project planned for the Bloor-Landsowne and Jane-Falstaff neighbourhoods. Please come out to keep informed on this exciting new initiative.

The current agenda:

Toronto Drug Strategy Initiative presentation
The BIG Festival - volunteers needed & Participants needed
Web Site & Information
DIG IN to DOCS update (volunteers needed for door to door flyering)

At a DIG IN Meeting

2008-02-24T17:19:00.001-08:00

Bruce, Donna, and Richard, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

Dyan Marie (and some ladies from OCAD and Fred's Head), originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

Notes from the Castlepoint (Film Studio) Public Meeting

2008-02-19T06:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Ken Wood here are some notes from the recent meeting about the film studio development coming to our neighbourhood.

I was at the Feb. 12, 2008 community meeting at West TorontoCollegiate (330 Lansdowne Avenue), along with about 60 other people. (a great turnout given the snowy weather!).

Castle Point Realty presented their plans for the first time. 158 Sterling is in the center of a highly industrial area, about two blocks south of Bloor Street West, near the railway tracks.

We got to see detailed plans and had a lot of questions answered. Local Councillor Adam Giambrone, representatives from city planning (Carola Perez?) and even a provincial environment officer were there to gather and give information. Apparently, the provincial Ministry of the Environment has already given its blessing to the plans.

The original owner of the site was Alcan. Tower Automotive held the site from 1995 to Sept, 2006 (and went into bankruptcy). It had been vacant afterwards.

The property has already been purchased by Castle Point in May 2007. "Soil remediation" = removal of toxins from this commercial/industrial zoned site has been underway for some time now and will take another 2-3 months to complete. It is expected that within days they will be granted a demolition permit to prepare some
parts of the site, but it is clear that the intent is to preserve most of the buildings' facades and maintain the historical character of the site. The space to be available will be 270,000 square feet.

The deal for the film studio is still in negotiation, although plans were leaked last April 2007. It is currently anticipated that famous Pinewood Studios, a major player in the film industry, will be involved in the site.

Castle Point said that within 5 years we should see 1,00-1,500 people employed with several ancilliary businesses locating near or on the site. Examples: music studios, sound stages, graphic/computer arts, possibly high end historic car restoration, maybe even a toy manufacturer, etc.

The initial major concerns raised were related to parking, the need to revitalize and establish a Bloor Street presence in what is referred to as a "dead zone" west of Lansdowne and east of Dundas and issues related to crime, security and social problems in the area. More detailed meetings and consultations were promised to occur soon after an official application to the city for the site, including a traffic study, are done. It is expected that city council will be considering a special by-law this spring to facilitate the site development.

Parking may be the primary concern as only 17-35% of the business parking needs can be met in the current plan. It is hoped that people employed at the site will use public transit (TTC + relatively close GO train) given the service to the area. As well,
additional work will be done to provide road access to the site from all sides.

I brought up a request that the developers be open to contributing to the community by assisting in resolving long standing social problems by perhaps providing public space for the community and non-profits to house needed services. Castle Point said they are open to discussions, but that we should realize their concerns are profits and that bringing jobs to the area would lead to general prosperity.

Councillor Giambrone commented that plans would likely include greenbelt/environmental considerations as well as perhaps a cycling path.

All in all, it seems the community generally welcomes the initiative and is hungry for more information and to be kept in the loop to have input as the site plans progress. This looks like it could be a win-win for all concerned.

Former DIG IN chair Ann Homan was also in attendence, and also took notes:

Lots of people (50 +/-) braved the snow storm to attend Tuesday's public meeting about the development of the former Alcan/Tower Electric property on Sterling Avenue. If you are unfamiliar with the property -- it is on Sterling, south of Bloor, with the beautiful old 10-storey building.

Castlepoint partners, Alfredo Romano and John O'Keefe were in attendance, as well as Councillor Giambrone, his staff, the area's City Planner and a representative from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Some key points from the meeting:

Film Studio?
-- the 7.5 acre property was purchased in Spring 2007 by Castlepoint Realty Partners (does anyone have the Toronto Star article leaking the project?? Could you please upload it?)
-- Castlepoint says it is in negotiations with Pinewood Studios (www.pinewoodgroup.com), hoping to retain them as the main tenant
-- should that not be a go, Castlepoint says they will continue with redevelopment, and will seek businesses in the creative industry as tenants -- graphic arts, architecture, IT, recording studios, etc.
-- it is important to the developer to get working on the site to illustrate to potential tenants that the property will be ready within the proposed schedule

Site Design & Use
-- the 10-storey building is has an Historical designation, and must be retained
-- an interesting historical note -- this was the highest building in Canada when it was built in 1919!
-- it is Castlepoint's plan to keep the street facades of most of the other older buildings, creating an attractive, historic yet revitalized streetscape

Permitting & Approvals

-- the land is zoned for the proposed use (commerical/industrial), so there is currently no re-zoning application at the City
-- portions of the land were contaminated during the Alcan years, and have been undergoing long-term (10-15 years) remediation
-- the demolition of some of the non-historical buildings (mostly along the western rail line) will allow for full access to the soil and remediation will be completed
-- Castlepoint currently has an demolition plan with the City for approval

Schedule
-- in the short-term, the demolition plan approval is expected to take 2-3 months, then the soil remediation will take another 2-3 months
-- in the long-term, the property will be ready for occupancy within 5 years.

Neighbourhood Benefits
-- the City has committed to carrying out a Neighbourhood Improvement Plan
-- this is something that usually only pertains to the City's 5 designated Employment Areas, but has decided to apply it to the Sterling property, even though it is only a District (clear as mud, yes)
-- in any case, it means that the developer will get property tax breaks, which can be passed along to tenants, which should, in turn, attract good tenants

Issues
-- the main negative issue raised by attendees was traffic and parking
-- like any development, this one will be required to meet the required parking ratios
-- the City Planner in attendance said there may be a Traffic Study

DIG IN invitation to participate

2008-02-15T05:54:00.000-08:00

DIG IN invitation to participate

The Lansdowne Subway Station in Fast Forward

2008-02-13T06:43:00.001-08:00

A quick and short video clip of the lansdowne subway station, the lansdowne station parking lot and the intersection of Bloor and Lansdowne. This video was concentrated on researching about the flow of traffic between cars and pedestrians. The three views are
showing in daytime and nighttime.

Theatre in the neighbourhood: William Mastrosimone's Extremities

2008-02-10T05:05:00.000-08:00

(Click to enlarge and read)
surface/underground theatre
presents
EXTREMITIES
By William Mastrosimone
Directed by Peter Pasyk

featuring
Shannon Taylor / Nick Abraham / Janick Hebert / Dana Rogers

EXTREMITIES by William Mastrosimone,
Dates: February 6th- February 16th, 2008
@ 8pm Wed-Sat, Sun 2pm PWYC
Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Tickets: $20 • ($15 artists /students with ID). TICKETS ON SALE NOW. Tickets can be purchased online at www.surfaceundergroundtheatre.com. For groups of 10 or more call 647-881-9116
WARNING: Sexuality, Violence and Coarse Language
--

In this production Mastrosimone tells an unforgettable story that is a gritty, raw, and unnervingly honest insight into the pathology of rape, the inequities of the justice system, and the unlikely relationship between victim ( Shannon Taylor - Sound of Music, Inherit the Wind, Stratford Festival) and attacker ( Nick Abraham - the Underground New Voices Festival, Bella Donna Toronto Fringe-Audience Pick). First produced in 1982, this internationally acclaimed and controversial play was the recipient of both the Outer Critics Circle and the John Gassner Awards.

• A portion of every ticket sale will be donated to Interval House, a local facility for abused women and children providing services that help victims escape violence and rebuild their lives. (www.intervalhouse.on.ca)
• William Mastrosimone has honoured surface/underground theatre with a newly updated version of the play for the Toronto production.
•
Extremities is being presented at the new location of the Toronto Free Gallery (1277 Bloor St. West). We will be the first event at this new performance space.

surface/underground theatre is dedicated to engaging audiences through challenging and provocative work that addresses contemporary issues and ideas. As a company founded by actors we feel it our responsibility to examine all sides of a story by investigating the truth of every moment. We are committed to introducing Toronto to some of the city's most talented up-and-coming theatre practitioners.

DIG IN to DOCS: Mark your Calendars!!

2008-02-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

DIGIN TO DOCS Film Screening Series
Monthly screenings of award-winning films. Join us as we delve into worlds rarely seen; and celebrate how courageous people are daring to make a difference.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Bloor Collegiate
1141 Bloor St west
Pay What You Can - suggested donations: $4 per person, $8 per family

Mar 17th 7pm CHEATING DEATH

Cheating Death takes us inside the mind of a man still struggling with the temptations of the street, while at the same time trying to serve God. This documentary is a journey into the world of drugs, gangs and guns - a world much talked about and feared but rarely understood.

Confirmed guests include Gyasi Ferdinand, subject of Cheating Death; Karim Ismaili, Associate Professor & Interim Chair, Dept of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ryerson University; Staff Sergeant Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division)

April 14th 7pm THROUGH A BLUE LENS

Through a Blue Lens tells a moving and compassionate story. In this documentary, addicts talk openly about how they ended up on the streets. Through their participation in this film, they want to stop others from joining their nightmare.

Confirmed guests include Peter Markwell, John Howard Society; Susan Shepherd, Manager, Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat; Staff Sergeant Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division).

May 12th 7pm STREET HEALTH STORIES and THE INTERVENTIONISTS

STREET HEALTH STORIES

Street Health Stories gives a human face and voice to the statistics in the Street Health 2007 Report. Four photographers who have experienced homelessness document the stories of 28 homeless men and women through audio recordings and portrait photography.

THE INTERVENTIONISTS

A unique crisis team works their cases in downtown Toronto - a mental health nurse and a police officer. Together, they ride the streets of the inner city in an unmarked police car, responding to 911 calls involving what are officially called "emotionally disturbed persons" (EDP). Their mandate is not only to de-escalate crises, but to avoid unnecessary arrests and emergency room visits.

Confirmed guests Kate Mason, Street Health; Kat Cizek, filmmaker; Anne Longair, Director of Hostel Services, City of Toronto; Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division).

Following each screening, join discussions with experts. Have your say.

Brought to you by DIG IN.

Sponsored by Councillor Adam Giambrone, Toronto District School Board
Trustee Maria Rodrigues, Long & McQuade and the Toronto Police Service (14 Division).
Graphic design services provided by Antoine Moonen.

Two Homes on St. Helen's

2008-01-30T20:39:00.001-08:00

Two Homes on St. Helen's, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

There are some great semi-detached homes on St. Helens.

A Sunflower at Emerson and Bloor

2008-01-24T07:20:00.001-08:00

20060724.jpg, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The community garden next to the Emerson exit of Lansdowne station is all but dead now. For a while it had some very pretty sun flowers brightening the area.

More faces from last Friday's night out

2008-01-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

There were two Jennifers at last Friday's night out. Jennifer and Vic (see below) have come out for DIG IN events in the past. Vic, who has his own website, was one of the cyclists who rode around promoting Bloor NIGHTLIGHT last September. You can see some of Vic's Bloor NIGHTLIGHT pictures here. Vic also took pictures of last year's July 5 Bloor Splash Party.

Jennifer

Vic

DIG IN night out on Bloor

2008-01-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

Jennifer and Doug
Last Friday a small group from DIG IN met at the recently-opened Kung Po Chicken at 1196 Bloor St. W (on the north side of Bloor between Brock and Pauline) for a meal and some friendly conversation. Afterwards we went over to Stella's at St. Clarens and Bloor for drinks and more talk. Jennifer and Doug, who are in the picture, were two of the people who joined us.

There are some problems on Bloor between and Lansdowne and Dufferin. DIG IN believes one way to address those problems is to encourage positive activities on the strip. Some of those activities are big events like the Splash Party and Bloor NIGHTLIGHT as well as this year's BIG on Bloor festival. (Mark your calendars for June 21). Other activities are simple things like supporting local businesses by using their services. Last year, some DIG IN members started going as a group to the various restaurants on the street. We are doing the same this year. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Over the next few days we will be posting more pictures from Friday's event.

A Brand New Year

2008-01-01T20:43:00.001-08:00

Winter scene 3, originally uploaded by hogtown_blues.

The year begins with some snow. The winter certainly has its pretty moments.

A message from DIG IN chair Donna Cowan

2007-12-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

When people come together we have the power to do extraordinary things.

2007 was a very successful year for DIG IN and the Bloor-Lansdowne community.

There is one reason for our success. YOU! It was your work and support that made this year's tremendous accomplishments possible. It is because of YOU that we are on our way to making this the best neighbourhood in Toronto.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your donations and for all the time you have contributed to DIG IN projects.

DIG IN doesn't do it alone. We are lucky to work closely with other groups including the Toronto Lansdowne Residents' Association, Humanize Bloordale, the Dufferin Grove Residents' Association and the newly formed South Junction Triangle Residents' Association.

DIG IN is also grateful for the co-operation and support it gets from Adam Giambrone's office, the Bloordale Business Improvement Association and Toronto Police, 14 Division. And of course, there are DIG IN's usual suspects who volunteer for everything from setting up tables for holiday parties to delivering flyers night after night. We thank all of you and are proud that you serve our community.

This past year DIG IN organized several very successful events. Whether big or small, our projects brought people together and made Bloor-Lansdowne a better place to live. This past year…

We hosted the SPLASH party in July—which literally cleaned up Bloor St.
We put on Bloor NIGHTLIGHT - an all-night art show featuring the beauty and transformative power of light. Our exhibition was a vital part Toronto's annual Nuit Blanche. Bloor NIGHTLIGHT showed off the spirit and talent found in our community to the thousands of visitors who came to Bloor-Lansdowne that evening.
We arranged to have GREENFORCE, a show on HGTV, help us transform a part of our “concrete jungle” into a beautiful mini urban oasis at Dupont and St. Clarens. The result is a gorgeous garden that local resident’s will be able to enjoy for years to come.
DIG IN members have had several productive meetings with police and local officials in an effort to improve this area's quality of life
DIG IN helped organize a well-attended community safety audit with MLS, Toronto Hydro and Toronto police, 14 Division
Along with Adam Giambrone's office and the Bloordale BIA we organized a winter holiday party that collected much needed donations for Savard's women's shelter
We have the DIG IN Dining Group—which visits and supports our fabulous local restaurants regularly.

We’ve come a long way but we still have further to go. Working as a team we CAN continue to improve this neighbourhood.

For 2008 we already have some exciting new events planned. Starting in February and running once each month, we will be having a local film festival with screenings and discussion at Bloor Collegiate auditorium.

Come out and support us!

And mark your calendars! On June 21 st –we plan to kick off the 1st day of summer with the BIG festival! This promises to be the largest street festival ever held on Bloor. It will be an all-day celebration lasting from 11am til 11pm. We are still looking for people and groups to be part of this ambitious event. Here’s your chance to perform—all you musicians, dancers, creative artists. You can also sell your wares at sales tables, promote your group or sports teams or gardening club. We want restaurants to participate and show off the outstanding cuisine this neighbourhood has to offer. The possibilities are endless.

Let’s show the rest of Toronto how a neighbourhood festival is done! Let's make ours a FUN, exciting & safe event for all!

Again THANK YOU all for your contributions to our success.

Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and a wonderful new year! See you in 2008.

Last Night's Party

2007-12-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

Last nights party looks to have been a success. Dyan Marie writes:

Sarvard's staff was was deeply moved by our efforts saying this is the first experience they have ever had where the local community worked together to do something nice for them. (We gave stacks of useful gifts) A woman that lives at Savard's stated that she appreciated that we were seeing past appearances and several offered if they could give back - to do volunteer work it we needed any help.

A Winter Scene

2007-12-18T10:29:00.001-08:00

The View From Balcony, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

You can see the houses on St. Helens and the Bloorline Lofts, which were at one time a mattress factory.

Looking for a Few Good Carolers

2007-12-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

A small group of people are meeting up at Campbell Park this Saturday (the 15th) at 3:00PM to go caroling in the neighbourhood. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. The more the merrier. This event coincides with Campbell Park's opening day party, so you get to double your fun.

A Ward 18 Christmas Party

2007-12-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

Come join Councillor Adam Giambrone, your friends, and neighbours for a holiday party in our community. Help us celebrate all the progress we've made toward making this an even better community and donate to a local women's shelter. The party is: Wednesday, December 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 at Bloor Collegiate Institute (1141 Bloor Street West). Snacks and refreshments will be served. Unwrapped gifts such as sheets, blankets, towels and other necessities are appreciated but not necessary. The party is being hosted by Councillor Adam Giambrone, DIG IN and Bloordale BIA.

DIG IN Meeting Tonight

2007-12-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

There is a DIG IN Meeting tonight at the Ambrico Room in the Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street West side, just south of Dupont). On the agenda is:

HOLIDAY CAROLING - details to be discussed
HOLIDAY PARTY - Donations and volunteers still needed
THE BIG FESTIVAL update
DIG IN DOC SCREENING SERIES
Adjourn to Toto's Pizzeria & Trattoria (1627 Dupont @ Edwin)

Caribbean Queen of Patties

2007-12-07T07:27:00.001-08:00

DSCF2603, originally uploaded by christopher dewolf | urbanphoto.net.

What a colourful photo. The Caribbean Queen of Patties is the best place to get Jamaican patties in the city.

BIG Meeting Tonight

2007-12-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

There is a BIG meeting tonight at Bloor CI in the cafeteria.

Are strip clubs losing their sex appeal?

2007-12-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

The Globe and Mail asks, " Are strip clubs losing their sex appeal?"

Lansdowne and Wallace as it looked on October 6, 1929

2007-11-28T07:21:00.000-08:00

Michael has tracked down photographs of Lansdowne and Wallace as it looked on October 6, 1929. The Toronto Archive is full of really amazing stuff.

For Lease

2007-11-26T07:08:00.001-08:00

for lease, originally uploaded by ayndroid.

There is a lot of interesting factory and warehouse space in the area.

South Junction Triangle Residents Association

2007-11-22T21:56:00.001-08:00

Jack Fava and some other local residents have started a new residents association. He writes:

We have a temporary exexcutive made of 7 residents. We had a meeting and voted. We had a show of less then 50 residents yesterday even though it rain people came out, we were expecting more but we were happy of the turn out and also happy that we were able to continue.

The name of the group is called
SOUTH JUNCTION TRIANGLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, the boundries are the rail road tracks to the West, the tracks to the east, the tracks to the north of dupont and bloor to the south. We also had the pleasure of meeting two other groups which live north of bloor south of rankin, i did not know they even excisted until yesterday, anyhow came out to support us. We went around really quick and asked residents about there concerns many said, SAFETY, CRIME, DEVELOPMENT, GREEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENT. We also felt we have been ignored or excluded, bloor street between lansdowne to dundas west, we are a very important part of bloor, we are the access way to lansdowne and going east and to dundas and bloor going west, we also have many children and people that go to school or the dufferin mall. We have also noticed that we do not have no festive(christmas) lights on the light poles or we are never included in events, i guess mainly due to not having a BIA, hopfully this will change in the future, we have many willing and concern residents residents, it can only get better.

Garbage Day?

2007-11-21T08:54:00.001-08:00

Garbage Day?, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

A photo from fall of last year. There are so many charming semi-detached homes in the neighbourhood. It's at times quite amazing how different two houses that share a common wall can be.

Ossington Old Orchard Public School Fund Raiser

2007-11-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

From the mailing list, we have word of a fund raiser this Friday. It should be a nice way to start your weekend.

Ossington Old Orchard Public School [380 Ossington Ave.] is holding its biggest fund raiser of the year this Friday, November 23, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. Please come out and support us in raising money for the school. And... have some yummy food, buy some early gifts, do some Karaoke (or the hokey pokey), win yourself some prizes and fantastic auction items, and turn yourself around... make some ceramics, and chill out and listen to live music in our Blizzard Lounge (Laura Repo's hosting, folks!). That's what it's all about!

Bloor and Lansdowne

2007-11-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

Bloor and Lansdowne, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

The Coffee Time at the corner of Bloor and Lansdowne can be best described as infamous.

Dig In has a new chair

2007-11-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

At Tuesday's Dig In meeting, it was announced that Ann Homan would be stepping down as Dig In chair so she can focus more on the Big on Bloor festival, which is scheduled to take place on June 21, 2008.

Long-time Dig In member Donna Cowan is the new chair.

A positive experience at Ely's Beauty Salon

2007-11-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

More about Ely's Beauty Salon. A friend of Dig In writes:

Just wanted to give a plug to a local business. Ely's Beauty Salon set up shop just over a year ago at 652 Lansdowne (at Wallace, beside Peppers). I decided to give it a try this week and was really impressed.

I was really pleased with the cut and colour I received and the price was much cheaper than that charged at the salon I usually trek to downtown.

I'd highly recommend Ely. She's really personable and interesting. She emigrated to Canada from Equador. with her parents and siblings in 1986. In Equador, she studied to be a social worker at university. She worked with women and young people in trouble with the law before coming to Canada.

Her social work credentials weren't accepted here and because her English was limited, she spent her first five years here working in a factory. She says those were the worst five years of her life. She ended up going back to school and getting trained as a stylist.

Her prices are great. Here's an idea of what she charges:

Women's hair cut - $18
Men's cut - $14
Kids' cut - $12
Colour $45
Root touch-up $30

Esthetic services are also available, including:
Eyebrow shape wax - $10
Manicure - $15
Pedicure $25

The greatest thing is that Ely is located just around the corner from my home. Her number is 647-436-6071

Ely's Hair Salon

2007-11-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

Ely's just North of Bloor on Lansdowne (652 Lansdowne Avenue to be exact) has been getting some praise on the Dig In Mailing List. Theresa brought it up first, suggesting people check it out; Diana went their recently and confirmed it's a great place to get your hair cut.

Sharrows on Lansdowne

2007-11-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

The sharrows that were painted on Lansdowne between Bloor and College are being discussed by bicyclists: Sharrows Installed on Lansdowne Ave.

PLEASE NOTE: Dig In has never taken a stand on the Lansdowne road-narrowing controversy, but the issue has been debated on the Dig In discussion list.

Splash Party Video

2007-11-15T08:12:00.001-08:00

The July 5 Splash Party was part of the Better Bloor Project.

mark and lex and the big round convex

2007-11-15T07:35:00.001-08:00

mark and lex and the big round convex, originally uploaded by Lex in the City.

The Value Village has to be one of the neighborhoods biggest draws. Unfortunately, you can walk from Lansdowne station to the Value Village and back without ever getting a chance to check out the other shops in the area.

Mural on Bloor and Lansdowne

2007-11-15T07:31:00.001-08:00

Mural on Bloor and Lansdowne, originally uploaded by funkaoshi.

A mural at the corner of Bloor and Lansdowne. Since I took the photograph, Dyan Marie has filled in the empty billboard with a Greenspots "advert", featuring Vine People.

I have been told there are 3 more murals just like this one along Bloor. I think this mural adds some much needed colour to the corner or Bloor and Lansdowne.