When it comes to public transit TORONTO is playing catch-up with other major cities and METROLINX is leading the charge.
After a second round of study the provincial agency has recommended the construction of 12 new stations for GO’s regional express rail program (the RER). Metrolinx estimates the new stops will cost a total of $2.1-billion, but deliver benefits of $6.7-billion over a 60-year period. Six of the stations will be part of Mayor JOHN TORY’s SmartTrack plan.
Metrolinx is presently involved in turning historic Union Station into a major transit hub for the GO suburban network, VIA Rail Canada, the TTC and Amtrak. Expected completion date: 2025.
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT, with 25 stations, is well underway and will link up with 54 bus routes, 3 TTC subway stations, the UP Airport Express and the Kitchener, Barrie and Stouffville GO lines. Expected completion date: 2021.
The Finch Avenue West LRT line will connect northwest TORONTO to the subway and transit services from exurban Peel and York regions. Completion date: 2022.
For more info on Metrolinx & what it’s up to – http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/Default.aspx
Over many decades the TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (TDSB) has been assembling a vast archive on the history of schools and schooling, and of the city itself.
Free of charge, the public can peruse parts of the collection at the TDSB Museum in Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, 16 Phin Avenue, near Danforth and Donlands.
The 10,000 square-foot space has been given the honourary Ojibway name Debwemowin, meaning House Where The Truth Resides. On display is “a tiny snapshot of our collection”, says Superintendent of Education John Chasty. “This gives us a permanent space we can work on and be proud of.”
And there is much to be proud of – a unique tear drop boardroom table from the 1870’s, School Board meeting minutes from 1847, a massive calculating machine that dates back to the 1890’s, a dentist’s chair, large gramophone, science class specimens, sports equipment, textbooks, the “strap”, slides, inkwells, desks, a 1920‘s table top piano from the Metropolitan School for the Deaf, a restored chandelier, seats of honour from the original Board, taxidermy, record albums on venereal disease, sex education and marijuana smoking. Etc.
Visitors are most welcome. To book an appointment call 416-397-3680; group tours can be arranged; free, but donations are accepted.
D for Dummy
First the bad news. The Riverdale Park Zoo in Cabbagetown dated back to 1881. For the animals, it was much like a prison, with iron bars, cramped enclosures and dark cages everywhere. If you were an animal lover, going there wasn’t a pleasant experience. <PHOTOS – Toronto Public Library>
Between 1963 and the 1970’s plans were developed for the largest and most modern of Canadian zoological parks. The old zoo was then turned into Riverdale Farm, providing much more space for fewer farm animals and birds.
These days the TORONTO ZOO spreads over 287 hectares (710 acres) in the eastern suburbs – home to over 5,000 animals & 500 species.
Imiq is a member of the Zoo’s Arctic wolf pack. He arrived from Parc Safari in Quebec in November/2017.
The Zoo’s state-of-the-art Wildlife Health Centre, is the first of its kind in Canada. It’s a centre of excellence in animal care through veterinary and reproductive sciences, nutritional physiology, and wildlife research.
<JUNO, the polar bear cub, born at the Zoo> The TORONTO ZOO is open every day except December 25. It’s easy to get there – by car, from downtown, take the 401 Eastbound to Exit 389, Meadowvale Road. Follow the Zoo signs to 361A Old Finch Avenue. Large parking lot.
By TTC bus, take the subway (Sheppard Line) to DON MILLS STATION. Bus #85 leaves from here, and will drop you in front of the Zoo entrance about 45 minutes later. Along the way, you’ll pass through suburban Don Mills and Scarborough.
With war & famine in Sudan, butchery in Myanmar, bombs galore in Syria & Yemen – and the death of 17 young innocents in Parkland, the song’s lyrics are as fitting today as they were 33 years ago.
On February 10, 1985 a supergroup of top Canadian artists – under the name Northern Lights – crowded into the Manta Sound studio in TORONTO. Over several hours, they laid down tracks for ‘Tears Are Not Enough’, in support of relief projects in Africa and Canada’s food banks. NORTHERN LIGHTS performers – Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Burton Cummings, Joni Mitchell, Dan Hill, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Corey Hart, Bruce Cockburn, Liberty Silver, Geddy Lee (Rush), Mike Reno (Loverboy), Oscar Peterson, Caroll Baker, Eugene Levy, Carole Pope, Salome Bey, Liona Boyd, John Candy, Tommy Hunter, Jane Siberry, Sylvia Tyson, Catherine O’Hare and several others. <Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group>
“It seems like overnight we see a world in a different light
These American firms have cut their affiliations with the National Rifle Association (NRA) – Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National & Alamo car rental companies, MetLife, Chubb, First National Bank of Omaha, Symantec (makers of Norton & LifeLock computer security software), TrueCar (a car buying service), SimpliSafe (home security). Allied & North American Van Lines, Best Western and Wyndham Hotel Group. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart & Kroger (grocery). Canada’s Mountain Equipment Co-Op. Amazon, Apple and Roku are advocating stronger gun laws and raising the age limit.
Now the Digital Signage Project has brought together the Square (YDS) with Outfront Media Canada & Chevrolet to install 10 new high-definition screens.
On those screens will be visitor information, public art, video projects, and collaborations with other city organizations – but no paid advertising. There’s enough of that to go around already.
The Yonge-Dundas Square Digital Signage Project has a website. You’ll find it at 
The PATCH PROJECT is an initiative that installs permanent and temporary art in underused spaces, such as this construction site where Church Street meets Carlton. Patch Project goals – to beautify streetscapes, strengthen community ties. and encourage emerging artists to exhibit in the public realm. What could be nobler than that?
THE ARTIST – Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, DENYS GOLEMENKOV, has a graphic design and architectural background. Upon immigrating to Canada he studied Graphic Design at IADT and has worked as a professional designer since 1990.
‘Urban Rhythm’ reflects Denys’ interest in the modern city and the way it’s built. He believes TORONTO is a place where artists enjoy freedom of expression in both their art and lifestyle. For more information – 
HUY DO, 27, has created a widely distributed movie poster starring himself in the hope it will help him find rental accommodation in TORONTO’s core by June. It’s become a difficult task. The downtown vacancy rate is 1%, its lowest percentage in 16 years.
A one-bedroom apartment in the core now rents for an average of $1,614 a month. A two-bedroom $2,252. Governments are trying to help with rent control, but the numbers aren’t getting much better.
Compared to a national average purchase price of $481,000 across all housing categories from condos to detached houses, TORONTO comes in at $736,783 according TREB (Toronto Real Estate Board)
That word “manhattanizing” is creeping more and more into local political lingo. “As we Manhattanize, we are building a city of inequalities, deepening inequalities,” said Councillor JANET DAVIS. The greatest fear is that TORONTO will become yet another ‘playground for the rich’.
<‘Elvis I and II With Me’ by Ross Winter>
‘Elvis I and II With Hat’ by David Sky – 
The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West, 
Toronto Savvy 