Bugs!

Location: The Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. w.
Date photo taken: 22 January 2014

The venerable Royal Alex Theatre seems to have a bit of a bug problem. Despite the chilly weather currently plaguing the city, two over-sized insects have taken up residence on the outside of this heritage theatre. They are there as part of the publicity for the new adaptation of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, in which one family's life is thrown into turmoil when their son wakes up to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect. The play is running until March 9th. Who knows how long the critters will stick around?

Entrance - 371 Wallace Avenue

Location: 371 Wallace Avenue
Date photo taken: 3 October 2013
Image 1 in the Portals series

Doors have always held a certain fascination for me so I'm going to indulge myself by occasionally featuring them here.

This distinctive door belongs to the Wallace Station Lofts, a warehouse conversion project completed in 2008. The complex is located right next to the West Toronto Railpath and is named after a train station which once existed in the neighbourhood.

The building was originally built in 1929 and served Meredith, Simmons & Co. Ltd., manufacturers of adhesive, including that used on postage stamps.

Toboggan Hill Mural

Location: 5112 Dundas St. W.
Date photo taken: 17 April 2013
Image 8 in the Mural Series

This is another mural from the town of Islington, this one with a delightful winter scene. Set in the 1920s, it shows children enjoying a day of tobogganing behind Montgomery's Inn, and is based on a photograph from the Islington archives. The mural was painted by John Kuna in 2011.

Korea Town Tiger

Location: Bloor & Christie
Date photo taken: 7 January 2014

This beautiful tiger, rendered in LED lights, was created to commemorate the establishment of the Korea Town Business Improvement Association which works to promote and beautify the section of Bloor between Christie and Bathurst. The tiger was chosen as it is a symbolic guardian of well-being and prosperity, and this particular tiger has reappeared to watch over this stretch of Bloor for the past 9 years. The lighting ceremony this past November included coffee, treats, pictures with the tiger, performances and words from Councillor Mike Layton.