Every year I host the Ward 18 Community BBQ in a local park as a fun event for local residents and to bring attention to a local organization's fundraising efforts. This year, we were in Campbell Park on June 21st supporting the Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre's efforts to furnish the new community space at Ruskin Ave and the West Toronto Railpath.

Residents of all ages had a great time eating and meeting their neighbours. Everyone received free food, drink, ice cream for the kids, plus information on local organizations, issues and events. We had a phenomenal turnout with more than 400 people taking part.

Events of this magnitude are only possible through the generosity of the organizations and individuals in our community who dedicate time and support of this cause. I would like to thank the many volunteers and staff who made this day possible. 

With so much positive energy generated through this event and the great effort that it called attention to, I can hardly wait for next year's Ward 18 BBQ! If you have suggestions for an organization we can support in the coming year, please contact me and we can work together for the betterment of our community.

View facebook photo album

Our new Community Office recently opened at 1240 Bloor Street West. It will continue to be open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-6pm. I wanted to take this opportunity to share the good news and outline how this space will be used to serve Ward 18 residents going forward.

It was a picture perfect spring day on May 2nd for the Official Opening celebration. Residents came from the surrounding Bloordale area and across Ward 18 for this event; which featured a BBQ, live musical performances, face painting and plenty of good neighbourly conversation. We temporarily closed Margueretta Street from Bloor to the laneway to accommodate hundreds of residents who joined the fun. Activities also took place in Susan Tibaldi Parkette as well as on Brock Street, where Bloordale Play Day festivities were being held in conjunction with our office opening. There was something for everyone and everyone was welcome to take part.

Everyone is also welcome to take part in the new Community Office. It is a place to meet me and my staff with regard to local issues and a space to serve our many community groups. It represents my continued and enhanced commitment to our community by providing a consistent presence in the heart of our neighbourhood. It promotes a strong connection to the issues that matter most the Ward 18 residents and quick responses to local concerns. The door is open for you to walk in and share your ideas for local projects and ways we can make Ward 18 an even better place to live, work and play.

In addition to these local hours, you can also contact my City Hall office every week day from 8:30am to 4:30pm. By working together in our community and at City Hall, there is no limit to what Ward 18 can accomplish.

I always welcome your feedback and ideas, so please do not hesitate to contact me by coming for a visit when you're in the neighbourhood. You can also call 416-392-7012 or email [email protected] any time.

I look forward to seeing you in the community; whether at my office, a community meeting, or at the many local events taking place this spring and summer.

In the meantime, you can view photos from the grand opening event on my facebook page.

Small actions. Big CHANGE.

What if hundreds of people united, each taking one small action to improve their city, all on the same day?

100In1Day is a global festival of civic engagement returning to Toronto for its second year on June 6, 2015. Imagine the possibilities for our city if hundreds of people united to participate in small initiatives to spark change. Share your vision for a better city.

Join the movement today by submitting your intervention, participating in a workshop or helping to spread the word.

Co-presented by Evergreen and United Way Toronto.

BUZZ ON THE BRIDGE

by Mark Thompson

Create a space for neighbours of all ages to engage with each other, have some fun and think about ways to improve our community.

10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

Bring some life, laughter, nature and colour to the space for a day. Community party with local artists playing music and showing their art, bridge decorating and mural painting for kids and adults and other community building activities.

These materials will be part of my intervention:

paint, poster boards, streamers, sidewalk chalk, small plants

It would be great if participants can bring with them:

bridge decorations, small plants, art supplies

WTRAILPATH/GOT MILKWEED? PLANTING DAY

by Friends of West Toronto Railpath

Raise public awareness for the Railpath as a Car~free, multi mobile corridor and biological diverse public park .

9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

All are welcome to celebrate the West Toronto Railpath Park, learn about the diverse plants that grow along the path and to plant milkweed- the main food source of the Monarch butterfly in association with the David Suzuki Foundation/Homegrown National Park Project 'Got Milkweed' Campaign.All we need are your hands to plant milkweed in a pre chosen site near the Ernest Ave. Railpath access. Explore the entire phase 1 stage of this unique linear park and learn more about the plans for the phase 2 Railpath extension.

These materials will be part of my intervention:

Plants

It would be great if participants can bring with them:

Gloves

FANTASTIC FERAL BENCHES

by Josh Allen

More colour and more people-centred infrastructure in neighbourhoods.

11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

There are not enough places to people-watch for free. This open source idea is for all - join in by making your own fantastic painted bench or picnic table. Release it into the wild (ie. a neglected space). Enjoy using it, watching people, or watching people use it!

These materials will be part of my intervention:

1) Picnic table. You can get picnic table kits, for example: http://www.rona.ca/en/picnic-table-p0237004 http://www.homedepot.ca/product/picnic-table/862470 2) Primer. 3) Exterior Paint. 4) Friends/Neighbours. Each can take a section and paint a design. 5) Let it dry overnight. 6) Put it together and release it to the wild!

It would be great if participants can bring with them:

Encouraging you to make your own :)

CHILDREN MASSAGE PARENTS!

by Tanya Pillay

I'd like to see wellness and bodily care resume its place in the home among family members.

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

I will be teaching children aged 7-17 how to use their body weight to massage family and friends without getting tired. Key components are body weight/gravity and learning communication skills to ensure that all parties feel comfortable. I hope that participants leave feeling motivated to give and receive touch in empowering, compassionate ways.

These materials will be part of my intervention:

I will bring a stool, spare blanket, spare yoga mat, and a 1-page, double-sided handout listing the basic techniques.

It would be great if participants can bring with them:

2 yoga mats or 1 blanket personal drinking water personal sun protection comfortable clothing with no sharp parts or thick seams no wrist/arm/neck jewelry Each parent-child pair will need 1-2 yoga mats or a large blanket. Ideally you will have a surface area that is about the size of a double bed. Please bring your own water to drink as well.

PORTRAITS BY KIDS

by Mirjana Risek 

To get more people to appreciate the art of children & to sit down to talk to one if they don't do so regularly

11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

Get your portait drawn or painted by amazing artists, all under 12! 

You may get it done by the next Picasso, so hold on to it afterwards! 

Organized by the Parent council of Givins Shaw Public School as part of the East Kids Zone at Dundas West Fest on June 6, 2015

These materials will be part of my intervention:

Tent, chairs, table, paint, colouring pencils, Paper 

NEIGHBOURHOOD FAN MAIL

by Sarah McPhail and Alison Bates

People are encouraged to examine and discover new places and people in their community and praise those who make a difference.

11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

Neighbourhood Fan Mail is a community letter writing project that relies on the participation and involvement of the people in the neighbourhood it is parked in. Participation is open to everyone. It doesn’t even necessitate that writers reside in the community. Participants must however acknowledge the neighbourhood’s greatness.

First Rule of Fan Mail: In order to write a fan mail people MUST FIRST PROMISE to deliver someone else’s fan letter. Once this commitment is made, they can write/draw/decorate their fan letter. When they are finished, they drop their letter off in “Outgoing Mail” (attach letters to the hanging display using a clothespin), where they can also pick up someone else’s mail. Then they are expected to deliver the mail while they are walking through the neighbourhood. Keep it positive. Be creative. Have fun. For more info visit: www.neighbourhoodfanmail.com.

These materials will be part of my intervention:

paper, pens, craft supplies

It would be great if participants can bring with them:

Bring your letter loving selves!

SLOW DANCE: MASQUERADE

by Sarah Couture McPhail and Alison Bates

To highlight how parks can be used in non traditional ways and celebrate community.

7:30 pm to 10:30 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

Slow Dance: No Excuses was so successful last year that we want to do it again this year with Slow Dance: Masquerade!

Dress up, dress down, wear a mask if you want to, be a super hero, your favourite animal, or just be your best self and come dance with us.

This is a community, family fun dance and everyone is welcome

Keep checking the Facebook page for upcoming pre-dance mask making workshops

These materials will be part of my intervention:

masks, face paint, music, dancing, lighting, decorations, costumes

It would be great if participants can bring with them:

We'd love people to come in costume and bring lanterns (solar or battery powered preferred) 

LOVE TORONTO BONFIRE- W/LIGHT PATROL

by C3 Toronto

We would like to have the people who come out to this event to leave with full bellies, fun memories and know that they are loved and have worth and potential.

Information Release: March 25, 2015

Save the date for the BIG on Bloor Festival, August 22/23, 2015 when car-free Bloor Street from Dufferin to Lansdowne welcomes up to 80,000 people to Bloordale and celebrates arts, culture, community & small business. Share our unique community and city-building festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions including:

BAAF: BIG Alternative Art Festival: The Art of Participation!

BIG Awards: Community Appreciation!

BIG Market Place: More than 200 arts, crafts, and information tables!

Card-Yard: Recycled materials animated by architecture, art and poetry! 

Celebrate Here: Main Stage performance!

JOY / JOYEL: Programs of play and pleasure!

PlayFair: Games for children and adults! 

Savour Bloor: In the stores, restaurants, patios, and the Bloordale Food Court!

After Hours: Local Bloordale restaurants and bars! 

Save the Date: Saturday, August 22, Sunday, August 23

Get involved: Apply to rent a table, volunteer, perform on stage, be a sponsor www.bigonbloorfestival.com

BIG Festival Planning Meetings, open to all:

First Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm, New Horizons,

1140 Bloor Street West

More information please contact:
Dougal Bichan, Festival Director, [email protected] 416.645.0295

Jason Campbell, BIG Chair, [email protected]

Kevin Putnum, Director of Publicity, [email protected]

Facebook facebook.com/BigOnBloorFestival
Twitter #bigonbloorfest
Web www.bigonbloorfestival.com

Hello Bloordale Residents,

Do you have a toaster, bicycle, vinyl records or an old computer taking up valuable space in your garage or basement? Are you keen on meeting your neighbours, but can’t find the time? Then why not get your stuff together and participate in the 2nd Annual Bloordale Community Garage Sale!

Back by popular demand, once again Bloordale residents are invited to join in and make this year the biggest community garage sale this city has ever witnessed!

Pick one or more of the following dates. For each date selected, please indicate whether it’s your 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice. When done, you can email your list to [email protected]

Please ensure that you submit your list by Wednesday April 8^th!!! The winning date and rain day will be announced Friday, April 10.

June 13, rain date June 20th        (  )1st   (  )2nd   (  )3^rd

June 20, rain date June 27th        (  )1st   (  )2nd   (  )3^rd

June 27, rain date July 4th            (  )1st   (  )2nd   (  )3^rd

Your street address: ________________________________________

Your email address: _____________________ ______ (if you want to receive updates!)

ATTN: Volunteers are desperately needed. We need help with posters before the event and signage on the day of. If you can lend a hand, please indicate on your submission. And if you’re internet savvy, feel free to make liberal use of Twitter, Instagram, Blogs, Craigslist and Kijiji.

2015 Bloordale Laneway Crawl

The Laneway Crawl will temporarily repurpose three Bloordale laneways (marked on the map) as space for recreation, gathering and community. The event will transform our laneways for the afternoon and turn them into pedestrian space, where local residents, businesses and organizations can lead free activities for neighbours and visitors - things like an outdoor art gallery with the Toronto School of Art, a fashion show with the Bloor-Gladstone Library, a barbecue, a sidewalk chalk zone and more.

The Laneway Crawl will take place on June 13, 20, or 27, at the same time as the Bloordale Community Improvement Association's Community Garage Sale. Before that, The Laneway Project will lead an ideas charette and brainstorming session as part of the May Day celebration on Brock Avenue on May 2. Come out and let us know what activities you'd like to see at the Laneway Crawl!

Media Advisory

July 25, 2014

City of Toronto to open Reflexology Footpath in honour of Jenna K. Morrison

Councillor Ana Bailão (Ward 18 Davenport) and City of Toronto staff will join Jenna Morrison's family and members of the community to honour her life and the opening of a reflexology footpath with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Dufferin Grove Park.

Date: Saturday, July 26
Time: 2 to 3 p.m., remarks at 2 p.m.
Location: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St. (south of Bloor St. W.)

The footpath is a concrete path embedded with stones of different shapes and sizes that knead your feet as you walk barefoot along it. It was inspired by a similar footpath Morrison saw in a South Korean park. This footpath is believed to be the first of its kind in a public park in Ontario.

Morrison was a loving mother and devoted wife who passed away suddenly in a traffic accident. Her loss has greatly affected her community. The footpath is located in Dufferin Grove Park where Morrison and her family spent many afternoons.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, [email protected]