Crossing Guards

Location: Parliament Street

Date photo taken: 3 May 2013

Meet John, one of the approximately 700 crossing guards tasked with keeping Toronto's children safe on their way to and from school. As civilian members of Toronto Police Services they must pass a vision test, a security check, have no criminal record and be physically fit to carry out their duties, plus they are expected to exhibit the force's core values of Honesty, Integrity, Fairness, Reliability, Respect, Teamwork, and Positive Attitude. While their primary duty is to safeguard elementary school students many, like John, prefer not to be so exclusive, helping adults and children alike make it across their busy intersections safely, exchanging some friendly words as they do so.

 

Koilos

Location: Gristmill Lane, Distillery District
Date photo taken: 6 June 2009

This 4 meter tall steel sculpture by American artist Michael Christian used to stand guard on the western edge of the Distillery District, greeting visitors in its part-threatening, part-playful way. It was a favourite with photographers and living in the neighbourhood, I rarely passed it without seeing someone standing under or climbing on it for a picture. This spot is now vacant as Koilos was recently disassembled and removed. According to Torontoist, the sculpture has been sold to a private owner and will be making its way up to Muskoka.  UPDATE: See a picture of Koilos in its new home.

Koilos first debuted at Burning Man in 2007. It was brought to the Distillery on a three year loan in 2009 along with another Christian sculpture. This represented the first time Christian brought any of his work to Canada.

St. George and the Dragon

Location: St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, 115 Bond St
Date photo taken: 4 April 2013

This beautiful mosaic depicting St. George slaying the dragon is found in the central tympanum above the Bond Street doors of St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. This church, which is home to the oldest Greek orthodox community in Canada, started out life as Holy Blossom Temple. It was built in 1897 by John Wilson Siddall, a Canadian architect, and remained a synagogue until 1937 when it was converted to St. George's. The structure underwent renovations in the 1960s and the 1980s, and it was during the 1980s that this mosaic was installed. It was created by Italian mosaicist Sirio Tonelli.

Also of note is the interior of the church, which was elaborately painted by two master iconographers from Greece. If you want to get a look at this unique space it will be open for Doors Open on May 25th and 26th although sadly, photography of the interior is not permitted.

High Park Cherry Blossoms

 

Location: High Park

Date photo taken: 6 May 2013

High Park is home to a magnificent collection of cherry trees which bloom in late April or early May depending on the weather. In Japan, where these trees are from, there is a tradition of viewing or  picnicking under the cherry trees when they are in bloom and the pastime is taking hold here in Toronto - even early on a Monday afternoon there were large crowds.

To see more pictures and learn more about High Park's trees, check out the Cherry Blossom article on Hogspot.

Tip Top Tailors Advertisement

 

Location: West side of 260 Richmond St. W.

Date photo taken: 19 July 2011
Image 2 in the Remnant Series

The west-facing side of this elegant building on Richmond Street features a large, faded advertisement for Tip Top Tailors, "Suits and O’coats Made to Measure", which provides a clue to its original purpose. Originally five storeys, this building was built in 1914 as a warehouse for Tip Top Tailors. In 1924 an additional storey was added between the fourth and fifth floors, along with a matching six storey addition on the east side. In 2006 the City of Toronto recognized this building as being of cultural heritage value or interest in part because it provides “a representative example of an industrial building from the World War I period that displays a high degree of craftsmanship.” The advertisement is included in the designation.

Text of the By-Law designating the building can be read online.

Also check out this image from 1916 which shows the building at its original five storeys. The painted advertisement is also there but the wording is different.