Time for a Pint

Location: Murphy's Law, Queen St. E. and Kingston Rd.

Date photo taken: 23 July 2016

Starting in the 1930s the Guinness beer company ran a series of ads based on zoo animals and their hapless keeper who couldn't seem to hold on to his beer. Images included an ostrich swallowing a Guinness, glass and all, and a sea lion balancing a pint on his nose. Most enduring of the animals however was the toucan. It went on to be featured in television ads in the 1970s and 80s and according to one business magazine, it became almost as synonymous with the brand as the harp on the label.  So even though this clock face doesn't specify the brewery, it won't be a surprise to many to see Guinness on tap at this bar. This campaign along with many others for Guinness was envisioned and executed by artist and illustrator John Gilroy.

Frames of Life - Fox

Location: Railway underpass on Queen St. E. near Degrassi

Date photo taken: 5 January 2017

This cute little fox is part of a beautification project undertaken back in the early 2000s in the South Riverdale neighbourhood, east of the Don Valley. A dark and gloomy railway underpass was converted with the help of a team of artists and lots of community support, into a tribute to the Don River and the life it once supported. Each of the 20 panels on the underpass was painted with a local species of bird, fish or mammal. These constitute the Frames of Life. All around these panels flows a lovely blue river, the River of Life. Many of the panels have sustained damage over the years and in 2017, thanks to a Canada 150 grant, this underpass will be getting a new mural. I look forward to the new project but will miss the familiar faces.

Thanks to Tony Prashad, creator, coordinator and river painter, for information on this project.

Snapshot - Front & Jarvis

Location: Northwest corner of Front and Jarvis
Date photo taken: 30 January 2017

This big open space at the corner of Front and Jarvis used to be the home of the North St. Lawrence Market and the mural that was featured last September. In the 2015 the market was relocated to a temporary structure a few blocks south on Jarvis and an archaeological assessment of the site was undertaken. This location was designated as an official market area back in 1803 and market buildings have existed on this site since 1820 so it's not surprising that the field survey found something. The amount of evidence found on site has prompted a stage 4 archaeological review which in this case means that the entire site will be excavated prior to construction beginning. If you've ever been curious about urban archaeology, you can watch some of the progress through the fence, plus the Market Gallery, located across the street in the St. Lawrence Market, is currently hosting an exhibit called "Unearthing Toronto's Oldest Marketplace". It's free to visit and on until March 18th.

Long Tailed Duck

Location: Lake Ontario, off Sherbourne Common

Date photo taken: 21 February 2016

If you find yourself at the shore of Lake Ontario this winter you may see some of these striking black and white ducks. This is a male, identified by the pink spot on his bill and by the long tail feathers for which the ducks are named. Normally they spend their time in the Arctic but they forage for food by diving so when temperatures start to dip and the water to freeze, they move out in search of open water. That takes some of them out to the coasts, but others travel south to winter on the Great Lakes. While their populations are still currently healthy, they were listed as a 'Common Bird in Steep Decline' on the 2014 State of the Birds Report.

The Reds

Location: Mattamy Athletic Centre, Carlton and Church

Date photo taken: 29 January 2017

Back in January 2010, the historic Maple Leaf Gardens building at the corner of Carlton and Church was gutted in preparation for its transformation. While the Loblaws store on the main floor was the first thing to open, the majority of the building would remain dedicated to sports, becoming the new athletic centre for Ryerson University. During the process, certain key elements of the building's history were retained and incorporated into the new development. Some, like the marquee on Carlton Street, are obvious. Others are more like Easter eggs, there for those who take the time to look. High up on the Carlton Street wall, above the main lobby and next to the elevator bank, is this row of original red stadium seats.

The Mattamy Athletic Centre is open to the public most days between 6 am and 10 pm. They also host free community skate days about once per month. The next one is being held on Family Day, from 1 to 4 pm.

Love Birds

Location: Humber River Recreational Trail, where it passes under the 401

Date photo taken: 22 May 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!

Back in 2015 as part of the lead up to the Pan Am Games, a section of the Humber River Recreation Trail was designated as part of the Pam Am Path system, and various events were held and improvements undertaken along the route. These birds are part of a much larger mural entitled Born This Way painted on the section of the trail that passes beneath the 401. 

Digital Origami Tiger

Location: Toronto Light Fest, Distillery District
Date photo taken: 27 January 2016

This glowing cat figure is one of two that makes up the installation Digital Origami Tigers, currently on display at the Toronto Light Fest in the Distillery. Originally created by LAVA to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2010 and displayed at the Custom House in Sydney, Australia, the cats were later adopted by the World Wildlife Fund to help in their campaign to raise awareness of the plight of these endangered animals. Instructions for making your own origami tiger can be downloaded from the WWF website.

The Toronto Light Fest is a free festival that brings over 20 light-based works from local and international artists to the Distillery District. It runs until March 12.