Emery Village

Location: Weston Rd. at Verobeach Blvd.

Date photo taken: 22 May 2015

Emery Village is located in the north west corner of the city, bounded by the Humber River on the west, Highway 400 on the east, Steeles to the north and Wilson Rd. to the south. Almost nothing is left of the small farming hamlet that once existed here, industry replacing farms in the post-war boom, when the North York Official Plan designated all lands north of Finch as industrial.  In 2003 the Emery Village BIA was founded and one of their goals is to restore a sense of history to the area. These signs, along with historical plaques and historically-themed murals are part of this effort. 

To get an idea of what this area looked like once upon a time, check out the historical images of Emery that are part of the Toronto Reference Library's digital archive. 

North Market Mural

Location: south side of the North St. Lawrence Market building, Front St.

Date photo taken: 19 March 2013

This image represents a small portion of a long two-part mural that stretches along the south side of the North St. Lawrence Market building. Echoing what goes on inside, the mural depicts a farmer's market overflowing with the bounty of fall. This building is now closed and is slated for demolition. In 2010 City Council approved redevelopment of the site to include a multi-storey building that would increase the utility of the site. In addition to a large Market Hall it will also incorporate new court house facilities on the upper floors and underground parking below. It will also connect to the historic St. Lawrence Hall to the north. In preparation for demolition, archaeological reviews have taken place, unearthing evidence of the prior market buildings formerly on the site. For updates and a look at plans for the new building, check out the City of Toronto's website.

Chinese Goose

Location: Toronto Islands, just outside Far Enough Farm

Date photo taken: 10 August 2015

This handsome fellow is a Chinese goose and despite its name and rather unusual appearance, it's not really all that exotic. Just a little unusual for downtown Toronto. The Chinese goose is one of the most common domestic goose breeds and this individual has likely just wandered away from Far Enough Farm. The farm is home to a selection of domesticated animals including pigs, rabbits, ponies and lots of interesting fowl. The farm is free to visit and is open 365 days a year.

Rock Garden

Location: Huron Street, north of Russell, University of Toronto

Date photo taken: 21 October 2015

Parked in the grass along Huron Street is an eclectic collection of boulders. Despite their size and proximity to the sidewalk it's easy to pass by them without a second glance. If you do look a little more carefully however you'll notice that the rocks have small plaques affixed to them, identifying just what type of rock you're looking at, where it came from and how old it is. In all, this urban rock garden contains 19 specimens from around Ontario.

AGO South Side

Location: Looking north from Grange Park, near Dundas and Beverley

Date photo taken: 12 May 2015

When you think about the Frank Gehry redesign of the Art Gallery of Ontario building, your mind likely jumps to the stunning wood and glass gallery running along Dundas Street, but I have a soft spot for the more understated south side. In an interview prior to the re-opening of the gallery Gehry noted that this building and the neighbourhood around it was one that he had grown up with and knew well. He was concerned about the effect that a new tower would have on Grange Park and on the Georgian manor home that had housed the early collections. He managed to create a building that plays with its surroundings, providing a blue wall that on bright sunny days disappears, leaving the sculptural staircase to seemingly float in mid-air. On grey days, it provides a promise of bluer skies to come.

Food at the Ex

Location: The Midway at the Canadian National Exhibition

Date photo taken: 26 August 2015

For many, one of the biggest draws of the CNE is the food. The Food Building was always a favourite with me as a child - I still remember the year that President's Choice launched their Decadent Chocolate Chip cookies and bags could be bought super cheap - and a day at the Ex was not complete without at least one package of Tiny Tom donuts.  While family favourites abound, presenting at the CNE also gives vendors a chance to experiment and each year there are new and often over-the-top offerings. This year is no exception. For the those who love all things pig, there's a fried pig ear sandwich or the pulled pork cinnamon roll. If you prefer your food on a stick, there's The Big Pickle Dog, an ingenious cross between a corn dog and a deep fried pickle. For the indecisive in the crowd who can't decide between dinner and dessert, there's the Philly Steaklair. And if you want to sample the food of the future, head over to Bug Bistro and try their Bug Dog.

Face by Bruno Smoky

Location: Down an alley near Church and Wellesley

Date photo taken: 11 May 2016

I just love it when artists use the physical structures on which they paint to inspire their creations.