The Nesting Project

Location: Rosemount Avenue

Date photo taken: 23 November 2019

Missing a few of its original amenities, such as the heated bird bath, this colourful and high tech birdhouse still has loads of curb appeal. Created by local sculptor Alexander Moyle, and funded by the left-over proceeds from a door-to-door fundraising campaign to improve lighting along nearby St. Clair, this art project is a story of local passion and perseverance. I love that a viewing window was included. It's a periscope, providing a view into the main nesting area. To keep things equal, a smaller periscope extends from the side of the house, providing nesting birds with a view down. 

Are there letters in that mailbox?

Location: Yonge Street, north of King

Date photo taken: 2 November 2019

Yes, that's Leonard Cohen on that mailbox. Over two years in the making, this past September Canada Post released 3 commemorative stamps to coincide with what would have been Leonard Cohen's 85th birthday. Since then, mailboxes and mail trucks have hit the streets wrapped in his likeness. For fans and philatelists, several products are available, from standard 9 pack stamp booklets to more collectible 6 and 12 stamp panes and a set of 4 first day covers. 

Bell Box - Michael Cavanaugh

Location: Isabella Street, east of Yonge
Date photo taken: 27 December 2018
Image #11 in the Bellbox Series

This fresco, seemingly damaged by the ravages of time, was painted as part of the 2016 Bell Box Murals Project. The artist, Michael Cavanaugh, started the program back in 2009 and in 2018 was recognized with an Urban Hero award for his contribution to the city. While similar in concept to the Outside the Box program initiated in 2013 and run by StreetARToronto, this program remains an independent art project, carried out in partnership with Bell Canada.

Queen's Own Rifles Memorial

Location: In front of St. Paul's Anglican on Bloor, east of Church

Date photo taken: 6 January 2019

This Cross of Sacrifice is dedicated to the honoured dead of the Queen's Own Rifles. It is made of granite and sits atop an octagonal base on which are inscribed the various battles in which the regiment has taken part. While the initial plan was to erect this monument in Queen's Park, the decision was ultimately made to place it in the church yard of St. Paul's Anglican, which is the Rifles' regimental church. Inside the church can be found another memorial to the regiment. A glass-topped bronze casket contains a Book of Remembrance, which includes the names of all Queen's Own Riflemen who have died while on active service. Entries stretch from the Fenian Raid in 1866 to the Korean War in 1955.

Spiders

Location: Niagara - King West neighbourhood

Date photo taken: 26 October 2017

Spiders are big for me this Hallowe'en.  Not sure why. So here's a pic from a few years ago. I want to know where that giant spider lives the rest of the year.

If you want a good Hallowe'en read, I can recommend Web by John Wyndham. While not his best work, it's creepy and it sticks with you. 

Display of early ceramics

Location: 351 King St. E.

Date photo taken: 13 February 2019

This collection of early ceramics represents some of the finds uncovered during the extensive archaeological excavations carried out a few blocks away, in the lot at the corner of Front and Jarvis. Four other recessed display cases feature other finds, such as coloured bottles and an early light bulb. Easy to overlook, the displays can be found in the pedestrian pass-through on the ground floor of the Globe and Mail Centre on King, just west of Berkeley. Reassuring signage near the door proclaims "Open to the Public - Archaeological Display in lobby." 

Tiger at the Vet

Location: south wall of 170 Main Street, at Gerrard

Date photo taken: 20 February 2016

In October 2012 a new mural appeared at Gerrard and Main. It featured figures engaged in martial arts, which was fitting given that the building was the home of DeSantos Martial Arts, owned and operated by Veronica DeSantos, taekwondo and karate master and a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. When the gym moved up the street, the mural stayed. Some adjustments have been made to the doors however. The original mural elements have been painted over and each door now sports a fierce creature - a tiger in this case - along with a yin and yang symbol comprised of a dog and cat, the logo for the building's new tenant, Main Street Veterinary Clinic.