Christmas at MetroCentre

Location: MetroCentre, 225 King St. W.

Date photo taken: 16 December 2015

Usually holiday displays for me are all about the lights, but for this display at MetroCentre, the lights are only part of it. I love how the elongated structure of the lights mirrors the decorative column which is normally the focal point of this space. Lovely.

Castlefield & Caledonia Design & Decor District

Location: Corner of Caledonia and Raitherm Roads
Date photo taken: 10 September 2015

The Castlefield & Caledonia Design & Decor District is not something I had heard of before stumbling into it and seeing these signs. The area is centered around the intersection of Caledonia Rd. and Castlefield Ave., which is slightly north west of Dufferin and Eglinton. As the name suggests, the area is populated with a wide range of design and decor businesses from rug and tile stores to designer outlets and general home stores. Back in 2007 the City of Toronto released a plan for the district which would help provide a framework for future development in the area. The vision for the neighbourhood was "to ensure the area retains the conditions that originally drew the design and décor businesses to the district" including low rents, large open buildings and an industrial look and feel. Some recommendations in the document included the retention of key industrial structures (the Bell communications tower and the gantry structure from an asphalt plant), improving access to the Beltline park, and the creation of gateway entrances and branded signage for the whole district.

Nelson Mandela Tributes

Location: Richmond St. E. just east of Church St.
Date photo taken: 1 December 2014

Harlem Restaurant on Richmond St. E. has turned the door to their patio space into a Memorial Wall. For years it boasted a tribute to Michael Jackson but it currently pays homage to the great Nelson Mandela who passed away in December 2013. The work was done by local artist Naia.

In 2014 the City of Toronto recognized the importance of Mandela's life and legacy by ceremonially dedicating a stretch of University Avenue to his memory. Now between Front St. W. and College St., University Avenue street signs also bear the name of Nelson Mandela Boulevard.

Donation Stations

Location: Outside Riverdale Farm, Winchester St.

Date photo taken: 20 October 2013

It's strange to see a parking meter in the middle of a park but some of Toronto's best loved green spaces now have them.This one is outside Riverdale Farm. There are two more in High Park and the Toronto Botanical Garden also has one. These parking meters have been specially programmed to accept donations and issue receipts. While kids love dropping coins in the machine, they also accept credit cards. The money is processed through the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, a charitable foundation dedicated to making the city's parks better. Money raised is passed along to the location at which it was collected. Donations can also be made online and can be targeted to support a specific park or project, to expanding Toronto's tree canopy, or be assigned to a general fund to support projects as needed. 

Mimico Creek, 1920

Location: Dundas St. W. at Cabot Court
Date photo taken: 30 October 2013
Image 18 in the Mural Series

This large mural is one of many in Toronto's "Village of Murals", located along Dundas St. W. between Kipling and Islington. It was painted by John Kuna in 2006 and it depicts typical fall activities along Mimico Creek in 1920. Mimico Creek is truly an urban waterway,originating in Brampton, then traveling through Mississauga and Toronto before emptying into Lake Ontario at beautiful Humber Bay Park. As might be expected, water quality is generally poor but the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is working to change that. They provide programs such as workshops and guided walks within the watershed to help community members see how small changes can make big differences within the local environment.

South African War Memorial

Location: University Avenue, just north of Queen St.
Date photo taken: 23 October 2015

This large monument in the centre of University Boulevard is a memorial to the Canadian soldiers that fought in the South African or Boer War, from 1899 - 1902. This conflict marked the first time that Canada officially sent troops to take part in a war overseas. More than 7000 volunteers heeded the call and of those, 267 died. Their names can be found in the Books of Remembrance.

The memorial itself was built by renowned Canadian sculptor Walter Allward. Born and raised in Toronto, Allward's greatest achievement was the creation of the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, which took him 14 years to complete.

Echoes - What I Love About the City

Location: Lawrence Ave., on a bridge spanning the Highland Creek Ravine
Date photo taken: 13 October 2015

It takes quite awhile to walk the length of the bridge that spans the Highland Creek Ravine at Lawrence Ave. E. On this particular day the trees in the ravine were a spectacular sight, but even in the depths of winter the mural painted along the length of the south side of the bridge ensures you always have plenty to look at. For the most part, it's quite subtle. Much of the imagery is done in a dark grey, almost blending in with the concrete, but the bright orange accents bring it all to life. A Mural Routes project which involved many neighbourhood partners, the subject matter reflects the voices, ideas and dreams of those in the community.