There's Something on the Garage

Location: in laneway between Logan and Ferrier

Date photo taken: 13 February 2017

On August 3 1978, just in time for long-weekend trips to the lake, Piranha hit theatres. I vividly remember seeing this movie and refusing to go swimming for days afterward. These memories return whenever I see this garage, painted by cruz1 (Angel Carrillo) as part of a Wallnoize event back in May 2015. Wallnoize9 brought a number of artists to brighten the walls and garages surrounding the small parkettes running west from Pape Station. Themes were nature, animals, characters, and kid friendly. 

Centreville - Saugreen Lumber Company

Location: Centreville, Centre Island
Date photo taken: 12 July 2018

Centreville, the amusement park situated on Centre Island, has been delighting children since 1967. Built to resemble a turn-of-the-century Ontario town, the park started small with only 7 rides but food and game stands followed in 1970 and the park now features over 30 rides, mostly geared to young children. These floating cars are from one of the more exciting rides, The Saugreen Lumber Company log flume, which was introduced in 1972. Admission to the park is free, but tickets are required for the rides, or you can buy an All Day Ride Pass.

Fuzzy Slippers

Location: Everywhere
Date photo taken: 10 July 2018

This is the first time I've included fashion on NeaTO but I just couldn't resist this trend. I've always loved vintage marabou slippers and now it seems that street-worthy, though far less elegant, versions have hit the streets.

Commerce Court Model

Location: Public space, Commerce Court South building

Date photo taken: 5 April 2018

This is a close-up of the top portion of a scale model of the Commerce Court North building. It is part of a larger model depicting the entire Commerce Court complex, complete with cars, trees and people. There's even a streetcar sitting on a miniature King Street. It was built between 1969 and 1970 and has been adjusted over time to reflect changes on the ground. I think miniatures and models are really cool and this is a perfect example of how they can inform as well as entertain. Seen from the ground, the carved faces set around the 32nd floor observation deck are pretty impressive. Given the chance, through the model, to compare their size to the size of the people on the adjacent deck gives you a more proper sense of how massive they really are.

To find the model, enter Commerce Court from the Wellington Street side, near the coil-mounted Jump sign, and go up to the upper level. As a bonus, it's sitting next to one of William McElcheran's businessman statues.

Sunscreen Dispensers

Location: Sugar Beach
Date photo taken: 30 June 2018

If you find yourself at Sugar Beach this summer but forget your sunscreen, no worries, the City has you covered. Just look around until you find this bright yellow box. It's a touch-free dispenser filled with SPF 30 sunscreen. First piloted in 5 waterfront locations last year, the program has been expanded and now features 50 dispensers located all along the Waterfront Trail. Costs for the program are being covered by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund and the Douglas Wright Foundation, and they are also responsible for keeping the boxes filled and maintained. A map showing dispenser locations and a list of sunscreen ingredients can be found on the besunsafe.ca website.

Happy Canada Day!

Location: Queen Street East

Date photo taken: 16 June 2018

Happy Canada Day from NeaTO and whoever is responsible for painting this patriotic planter on Queen Street East.

Duct Tape is Amazing

Location: Don Valley trail, south of Queen Street
Date photo taken: 16 June 2018

Call me a pragmatist, but I love duct tape. When we traveled, we carried a roll of bright orange tape, to match our bikes, and it never failed us. So it was a moment of stunned appreciation when I came across this beautiful rendering on the chain link fence along the Don Valley trail. Someone, and I haven't managed to determine who - if you know, please tell me! - has created multiple works of colourful patternwork along the trail. This was my favourite.