Junction Residents Association Meeting July 9: Live Streeming Video

Screenshot: Junction Residents Association Meeting,
July 9, 2009 7pm to 8:30pm
Location: West Toronto Baptist Church
Credit: JunctionRA.ca

The Junction Residents Association Meeting

Time: July 9, 2009 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: West Toronto Baptist Church
Street: 3049 Dundas Street West, Toronto
(South side of Dundas St. West, across from Mc Murray Ave.)
Website: http://www.junctionra.ca
Organized By: JunctionRA

Live stream of the Junction Residents' Association meeting you could view on the JRA Channel.

Stream videos at Ustream

Here are some of the things that will be discussing:

1. Introduction - Martin

* Last Meeting Minutes
* Financial Report
* Next Meeting – September 10 17, 2009
* JRA Elections
* Website – what are your thoughts?

2. Urban Development Report - Martin

* Results From the JRA rail expansion polling
* JRA Supports the Clean Train Collation:
** Letter Writing Campain
** Visit cleantrain.ca for details
* Projects updates
**Georgetown rail expansions update
** McBride Cycle building development
** Junction avenue study

3. Green Report – Janet
Junction Tree Tour
A tree tour through the Junction neighbourhood on July 25th. Green 13 is partnering with The Junction Residents Association on this initiative.


4. Cultural Committee – Neil

5. JRA Ratepayers – Stuart

6. Open Forum for any other community news or issues – All present
* Your opportunity to present to the committee or ask questions on any Junction topic
More info:
junctionra@gmail.com
http://www.junctionra.ca

Please attend It's Your/Our Junction.

The West Toronto Junction Is In The Spotlight Again, This Time In The New York Times’ Travel Guide

Screenshot: The New York Times: Travel: Surfacing: Skid Row to Hip in Toronto,
Published: July 5, 2009
By Michael Kaminer
Photo: Rawlicious, a "living foods" cafe in the Junction section of Toronto.
By Steve Payne for The New York Times

The New York Times published a travel essay Skid Row to Hip in Toronto by Michael Kaminer. He described the meteoritic rise of the Junction section of the city from the skid row to a hip neighbourhood in the XXI Century. There are a few establishments of our truly exciting retail strip mentioned in the article:

• Pandemonium: New & Used Books & Discs
• Delight Chocolates: Handmade Organic Fair Trade Chocolate
• Rawlicious: Living Foods, Zen Den, Superfoods
• Cool Hand of a Girl: A Coffee Shop
• Margret: Bar
• Junction Arts Festival: Wednesday, September 9 to Sunday, September 13 2009 in the Toronto community of the Junction

Let’s hope that the dreams about the future of the Junction where "the young and artsy are taking advantage of empty storefronts and low-slung houses" will become a real estate reality.

Are you planning a trip to the Abbot Kinney Boulevard of Toronto?
Anytime is a good time to visit The Junction. Take an advice from Michael Kaminer: "But the best time to visit may be in September, when a five-block section of Dundas Street West, between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue, closes for the Junction Arts Festival (www.junctionartsfest.com). The five-day jamboree of music and art began as a tiny indoor fair in 1992 and drew 250,000 people last year."

See You There!

links:
nytimes.com: Frugal Traveler | Toronto
O Canada, Where Have Your Bargains Gone?
By MATT GROSS

Junction Arts Festival Blog: New York Times . . .
"Just got a call from a writer in the U.S. telling us that there is a story about the Junction and the Festival coming out Sunday July 5th in the New York Times. So pick up a copy or come by here to get a cut and paste of what they have to say. They did a similar story a number of years ago about Queen Street West. Seems that the Junction is making waves and we here at the Festival are ecstatic to be part of it."
By Michael Menegon the author of this post is the creative director of the Junction Arts Festival.

A view from the window of the Junction Business Improvement Area's office,
where you can read this article
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The young and artsy transform the Junction’s empty storefronts
and low-slung houses block by block
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Margret, 1960s-theme bar / lounge for the Junction with art house screenings
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The Junction is enjoying a post-industrial revival.
As Angus Crawford said "This could become the Abbot Kinney Boulevard of Toronto."
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The Three Secrets of Fatima's Bistro: Food, Wine & Décor

Invitation: Fatima's Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening Gala, June 23,2009
Credit: Fatima's Cafe and Bistro

fatima's
cafe & bistro

You are invited to attend
A Grand Opening Gala
at
Fatima's Cafe & Bistro
on
Tuesday June 23,2009
from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

3108 Dundas Street West
647.727.4550

Staying local this summer, go Mediterranean in The Global Malta Village, just across of The Melita Travel at the intersection of St. John's Road and Clendenan Avenue.

Congratulations to Fatima - Fatima's Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening is today!

Press-Release

Mediterranean Charm in the Junction: Fatima's Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening

When: Tuesday, June 23rd 2009, 5:30 pm - 8 pm
Where: Fatima's Cafe and Bistro, 3108 Dundas Street West


Toronto, June 22, 2009 - Recession be damed, Fatima Santos, first time restauranteur brings fine, yet affordable, Mediterranean fare to the Junction - the west end district of Toronto where she has developed loyal fans from having run the Freetime corner coffee shop for years.

This Tuesday June 23, 2009 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, Fatima's Cafe & Bistro invites you for a sampling of fine food along with live latin, jazz and blues by local Junction musicians, Mango Moon.

This summer, go Mediterranean, stay local. The affable restauranteur noticed a need, and an opportunity, for a Mediterranean style bistro. "I love the Junction and the people here. They appreciate food from different parts of the world," - said Fatima. I wanted to bring a mix of different Mediterranean fare with my new restaurant to continue to serve the local residents and other Torontonians."

The menu of French, Italian and Portuguese dishes offers a delicious array of quiches, crepes, pastas, grilled panini sandwiches and fabulous daily soups and salads.

The Mediterranean music and charming decor, creates an ambiance of friendliness where one feels transported to a seaside bistro in the old country.

Come in on weekends for organic coffee, breakfast specials and brunch. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Licensed restaurant offers an extensive wine selection. Take-out available.

Contact: Fatima at 647-727-4550

links:
urbanspoon.com: The Junction Restaurants
The Free Time Cafe: Breakfast Served All Day
dvshop.ca: Junction Restaurant Guide: Bar, Bistro, Brunch: Fatima's Bistro
junction-parents.blogspot.com: Mediterranean Charm in the Junction: Fatima's Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening
breakingprojects.com/junctioneer: Fatima’s Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening
theglobeandmail.com: You think you've got bad neighbours
By Antony Reinhart
theglobeandmail.com: Globe Doc: Neighbourhood nightmare
Video by Kevin Van Paassen

The West Toronto Junction: It Is Where Canada's First Queen's Plate Race Was Held

Collage: A 2 Minute Horse Race & 150 Years of The Junction History
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The 150th Running of the Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack

Event: 150th Running
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2009
Woodbine Post Time: 12:35 pm
Queen's Plate Post Time: 5:36 pm (ninth race)
Distance: One mile and two furlongs (1 1/4 mile)
First Race Winner: Don Juan (1860)
Race Record: Izvestia (1990), 2 min :01 4/5 sec
Purse: $1,000,000
Live on CBC-TV | CBCSports.ca
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Believe it or not, but the first four Queen's Plate races were run in the Junction.

A little bit of history:

1857 to 1876 - Carleton Race Course - On William Conroy Keele’s farm in an area known as the West Toronto Junction. This tract of land adjacent to Lambton Mills, Brockton, Seaton and the village of Carleton. It was south of Dundas Street and west of a road later named Keele St. To pinpoint it further the track’s northern and southern boundaries are Annette and Glenlake, streets that were built after the track had been subdivided into building lots in 1857 it became the headquarters of the Toronto Turf Club and hosted the first running of the Queen’s Plate on
June 27, 1860. The first four Plate races were run here.

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Newsletter
June 2007, Volume 1, Issue 1

Initiated in 1859 by the then president of the Toronto Turf Club, Sir Casimir Gzowski, a distinguished Polish engineer and ancestor of the popular Canadian broadcaster, Peter Gzowski, the Queen's Plate was inaugurated on June 27, 1860, at the Carleton racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The prize of 50 guineas was originally awarded by Queen Victoria. Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, is patron of the event, and various other members of the Canadian Royal Family have been in attendance through the years.

wikipedia.org: Queen's Plate

Keele had the Carlton Park Race Course laid out on his property in 1857. This was the site of Canada’s first Queen’s Plate race June 27, 1860, now the oldest consecutive thoroughbred horse race in North America. The first Queen’s Plate was won by Don Juan, a 5 year old bay gelding, owned by James and John White, ridden by Charles Littlefield.

cunneyworth.com: West Toronto JunctionBlogger: The Arts Junction - Create Post

The Junction, as it is known today and where this week's Ugly Duckling roosts, has a long and interesting history. Much of the area is built on the site of the old Carleton Race Course where the first Queen’s Plate was run.

nationalpost.com: Ugly Duckling: Junction history
Posted: May 30, 2009, by Shari Kulha

Now it's time to learn the ABC's of the QP and place a bet for the 1st Jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown. The other gems in the Crown are the Prince of Wales Stakes (Sunday, July 12th at Fort Erie Racetrack) followed by the Breeders’ Stakes (Sunday, August 2nd at Woodbine Racetrack).

July Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market

Screenshot: Wise Daughters Craft Market Newsletter, July 2009

Hello Craft Fans,

June's been busy around here, between making sock monkeys for Clowns Without Borders and taking part in the Junction yard sale for the Redwood Shelter - both very successful events.

But wait, there's more!

This Saturday, Tiffany Thornton (formerly of Whimsy) will be in the downstairs space launching her Global Baby line of international quality infant wear, starting at 11:00.

We've got a great recession-busting idea that will save you lots of money come holiday season. It's Christmas in July! Learn to handmake 3 different gifts in each of two afternoon sessions - so much more personal than store bought. And on July 8, learn the ancient art of bookbinding.

It's been all about the adults up until now, but I guess the kids should get to play too! Anna Redish is offering a 2 week morning craft camp here starting July 6. See website for details.

Finally, I'm happy to announce that the shop is now listed with Toronto the Better (http://www.torontothebetter.net), a consumer group that recognizes ethical businesses.

Hope to see you all in the shop soon!

Mary Breen, Owner
www.wisedaughters.com

New Products

• So many fun and affordable gifts for any occasion (including treating yourself!).
• Crocheted Sushi Magnets by Patricia Ki (also available – breakfast foods such as smiley eggs and French toast)
• Stylish Glass Belt Buckles by Jennifer Aubé, Urban Fusions
• Beautifully designed and crafted girls’ hemp dresses by Christine Deuerlein
• Summery Scarves by Diana Brugos

June Workshops - Please pre-register

Bookbinding
Workshop Leader: Amy Borkwood
Wed, July 8, 7 – 9:30 pm
Learn the Coptic stitch – the oldest bookbinding method – as you make a beautiful journal with recycled paper.
$35 includes all materials.

Christmas in July
Workshop Leader: Anna Redish
Get an early start on your holiday gift-making. Handmade gifts are both economical and personal.
Spend an afternoon making 3 different crafts, and take away the skills to make gifts for everyone!

Christmas in July Part 1, Sat, July 11, 1 – 5 pm

• Beeswax candles
• Appliqué tea towel
• Lavender sachet
• Gift tags and bags

Christmas in July Part 2, Sat, July 25, 1 – 5 pm

• Fabric wallet
• Hand stamped cards
• Bead & leather necklace
• More gift tags and bags

Each session $65, both for $120.
Or sign up with a friend, pay $60 each!
Includes all materials and instructions.

Wo-Built Home Design Series
Wise Daughters hosts the last in our current series of interactive talks:
Wed, July 15, 7 – 9 pm
Being green at home – great energy saving tips. $10.

Every Thursday, 7 - 9 pm is Sit 'n' Stitch night. No charge.
Drop in to knit, needlepoint, crochet or whatever you like to do, in the company of other crafty people! BYO mug for tea.

Please call 416-761-1555 for more info or to register for workshops

If you know someone who would like to receive this information, please forward this post.

Wise Daughters Craft Market
Local handicrafts and do-it-yourself workshops
3079B Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M5P 1Z9
(facing Quebec Ave, just south of Dundas, behind Crema Coffee)
There is ample street parking on Dundas and Quebec.
Via TTC: Junction bus from Dundas West Stn,
Lambton bus (or 15 min. walk) from High Park Stn.
www.wisedaughters.com
wisedaughters@sympatico.ca
416-761-1555

links:
Toronto Junction Arts & Crafts Neighbourhood: Wise Daughters' Story
July Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
June Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
May Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
April Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
March Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Creative Place

Art Writer: Submit Your Application for the Canadian Art Writing Prize by June 26, 2009

Screenshot: Art Writer: Submit Your Application for the Canadian Art Writing Prize
Credit: Canadian Art Foundation

Attention Art Writers: Apply now for the Canadian Art Writing Prize.
Deadline extended to June 26, 2009.

The writing prize launches in conjunction with Canadian Art’s 25th anniversary, and is designed to encourage new writers on contemporary art.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and may have published no more than three pieces of writing in national or international magazines. To apply, please submit two samples of non-academic art writing of no more than 1,000 words, plus a brief biographical sketch, by June 26, 2009. Submissions must be in English. Translations are accepted. Submissions must be sent as single Microsoft Word attachment files to writingprize@canadianart.ca. Only email submissions will be accepted. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

Details:
canadianart.ca: Canadian Art Writing Prize
http://www.canadianart.ca/foundation/programs/writingprize/

Good Luck!

Press-Release: 2009 Junction Arts Festival: Weaving Mosaics!

Screenshot: Press-Release "The 2009 Junction Arts Festival: Weaving Mosaics!"
Credit: junctionartsfest.com

MEDIA INFORMATION – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please retain for events listings

THE 2009 JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL:

WEAVING MOSAICS!

Toronto’s one-of-a-kind arts fest takes over Dundas West, September 9 to 13

Toronto, ON, June 18, 2009 – The Junction Arts Festival, produced by the Junction Forum for Art and Culture, remains true to its name presenting five free days of eclectic culture and a multitude of unique dance, visual, literary and musical arts in many different forms; September 9 – 13, 2009 along Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue (weekend street closure, September 12 and 13).

Creative producer Michael Menegon states, "The festival and the Junction’s roots are based in artistry, innovation and that ‘certain something’, that can only be found by being there. This year, we will weave a mosaic of extraordinarily creative discoveries throughout the Junction and showcase our incomparable neighbourhood."

The adventure will feature an all Canadian artist line-up, and proud Junction native singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge is collaborating with the festival creative producer as host/programmer of a special evening of musical celebration (exact date and more details TBA).

GET DOWN TO IT:

• The Junction City Square: At Dundas Street West and Pacific Avenue, it is the centre to the five-day celebration, the spot for the weekend beer tent and the place to find the train platform (specially built for the 2008 Junction Centennial); the 2009 Main Stage.
• Visual Arts: A festival foundation, the Juried Art Exhibit and Junction and impromptu galleries along Dundas West go for the full five days. The new Artist Laneway, featuring visual, sculpture and installation artistry, will be there to discover (during weekend street closure only, Sept. 12 & 13).
• Musical Arts: The Junction City Square’s train platform will act as the Main Stage for live music and headlining performances (dates TBA). Musicians will also play in unexpected settings in local shops (Sept. 12 & 13).
• Literary Arts: Back for the second year with an increased presence, the literary component will feature writers and poets in unusual venues and experimental ways; sponsored by Junction publishing company BookThug, www.bookthug.ca (Sept. 12 & 13).
• Performance Arts: There’ll be dancing in the streets – dance, theatre and comedy performers wind there way in and out of Dundas West shops and buildings (Sept. 12 & 13).
• The Green Village: The third annual Green Village is a specific area during the weekend street closure presenting materials, speakers and workshops on environmental initiatives such as building green, painting green and rooftop gardens (Sept. 12 & 13).
• The KidZone: Is a FunZone with kid-friendly arts and crafts, face painting, games, rides and more (weekend only, Sept. 12 & 13).
• Artist Vendor Market: Creative types, artisans and yummy food and drink vendors make for interesting and fun weekend shopping (Sept. 12 & 13).

Note: More details are coming soon and for schedule updates please visit regularly at, www.junctionartsfest.com.

New to the festival website is the Junction Arts Festival Blog, which will be updated almost daily by Michael Menegon or the JFAC board with insights into the creative and planning process.

The 17th annual Junction Arts Festival is generously supported by title sponsor the Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA), and is also possible because of the active involvement from Junction businesses and residents.

The Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) is a non-profit arts presenting organization and its main project is the annual Junction Arts Festival. The hands-on JFAC Board of Directors consists of dedicated cultural producers, artists, residents, business owners and politicians, all of whom are based in the Junction.

–30–

For media information and interviews, please contact:
Laurie Lockhart, Publicist
Tel: 416-988-2530 / E-mail: gtmessage@sympatico.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com

For general information, please contact:
Michael Menegon, Creative Producer
2009 Junction Arts Festival
Tel: 416-767-5036 / E-mail: junctionartsfest@bellnet.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com

Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13, City of Toronto), JFAC Chair

Celebrate Imnarja Festival at the Runnymede Park: Sounds, Smells, Tastes and Scenes from Malta Just Around the Corner!

Flyer: Imnarja Festival, Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the Runnymede Park, Cancelled

June 28, 2009 update:

Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Parks will be open for casual use only. There will be no turf or grounds maintenance.
Cancelled

• All permits in parks, tennis courts, outdoor sports fields and civic squares.
• Wedding photography permits. No new permits will be issued
  
• In-person registration for recreation programs at community centres and civic centres will be cancelled. Registration through touch-tone automatic registration and the internet will continue
• All recreation programming, including camps, classes, drop-ins, clubs, school visits, walking tours and presentations
• All City programming in community schools.

City of Toronto: Labour Disruption Information

When the Imnarja festival will take place this year?

Imnarja Festival
Organized by the Maltese Canadian Federation

Sunday, June 28, 2009

At Runnymede Park
[The park is located north of Toronto Malta Village on Ryding Ave, east of Runnymede Rd, and south of St Clair Ave West.]

Mass Celebration at 2:00 pm

Followed by a variety of games and entertainment
Including the Malta Band

Come and meet your friends,
Enjoy Maltese food,
and an Evening of entertainment

links:
The Arts Junction: Little Malta Toronto 2008: Imnarja Festival and Heritage
worldisround.com: The Maltese Community In Toronto, by Charles Bray
visitmalta.com: Religious, Public Holidays, Food and Drink, Festivals, Family Entertainment, Exhibitions
maltaculture.com: Malta Arts Festival 2009
solotravel.org: The annual cultural festival in Malta known as the 'festa'
youtube.com: Mnarja 2001 Toronto Joe Demicoli
Malta daily photo: I will try and show you as much as i can using my digital camera. Now please fasten your seatbelts relax and enjoy the ride.

Slavonic Literature and Culture Day Celebration in Toronto

Photo: Svetlana Roufanova, Founder & Chair of the Russian Library
& Community Information Centre, Toronto
Celebration the Day of Slavic Written Language and Culture; May 20, 2009
2009 @ Anya

The year 863 A.D. was a time that Russian language alphabet was created. The Slavic Princes asked the Emperor Michael III of the Byzantine Empire to send them wise teachers to create a written language for the Slavic people. Brothers Cyril and Methodius were the two chosen Christian missionaries who created the Cyrillic alphabet that has become the Russian alphabet.

To commemorate the achievement of the Saint Brothers the day of "Slavonic Literature and Culture Day" was established in 1991. In Canada it was celebrated for the 4th time on May 20th 2009 at the Bathurst Clark Resource Library in Vaughan, Ontario. The founder and organizer of the celebration Svetlana Roufanova displayed the rich book collection of some of the finest examples in Russian Literature that the Cyrillic alphabet has to offer. The day was filled with lively performances, poetry readings, traditional arts and craft exhibit and the presence of key speakers and honorary guests.

The presentation began with an opening speech by the Archpriest Oleg Kirilov, Rector of the Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Cathedral, who explained in detail the story and significance of Cyril and Methodius’ enormous contribution to the development of Russian written language and literacy. Present at the celebration were the Consul General of Russian Federation in Toronto, Andrey Veklenko who awarded the Knight Order to Professor Alexey Stakhov for his life achievement in science and art, having dedicated his life to research of the Golden Section.

The evening was marked by performances from the children’s folk ensemble "Ladushki" as well as poetry recitation of popular Russian poems by young Russian Canadian students. There were also professional poets residing in Toronto who read their pieces such as Ilya Lipes and Marina Shubina. It was an extremely important celebration to cherish and preserve Russian cultural traditions. The Slavonic Literature and Culture Day has become a custom in Canada, time-honoured by the Russian public.

2009 @ Anya

Collage: Celebration of the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture
Toronto, May 20, 2009
Credit: NTV Canada

links:
How to Spell 'Hockey' in Russian: Celebration Slavic Literature and Culture Day in Toronto
toronto.mid.ru: ПРЕСС-РЕЛИЗ: О ПРАЗДНОВАНИИ ДНЯ СЛАВЯНСКОЙ ПИСЬМЕННОСТИ И КУЛЬТУРЫ
vaughanpl.info: Press-Release: Day of Slavic Written Language and Culture

Congratulations to Junction Arts Festival Blog Launch!

Screenshot: Junction Arts Festival blog: Information on the festival as it is created

Live Music & Performance Stages; Juried Art Exhibition;
Junction Galleries; Installation Art; Street Performances; KidZone
Credit: Junction Arts Festival blog

Big congratulations on the launch of the Junction Arts Festival blog and all of the hard work it took to get here.

Now we could follow news about the process of creating and planning the festival and some insights into events upcoming at this year's festival!

Great job, the site looks great. We will do our best to spread the word out.

Mark your calendars for the five days' Junction Arts Festival that will take place Wednesday, September 9 to Sunday, September 13, 2009 in the Toronto community of the Junction! It is going to be an amazing event.

links:
junctionartsfest.com/blog: Junction Arts Festival blog
artjunction.blogspot.com: Press-Release: The 2009 Junction Arts Festival Sends out Call to Artists