An End To Gas Powered Leaf Blowers in Bloor West Village?

May 13, 2022 Michael No Comments Feedback, Meeting info, News
How Loud Is Too Loud? - Ahlberg Audiology

While gas-powered leaf blowers have their place in large open spaces and parks, we feel they aren’t the best solution for smaller city homes’ yards. In fact, their volume levels (100 decibels and over) can be a health risk when in close proximity.

On May 30th, Toronto’s Economic & Community Development Committee (ECDC) is considering partially banning this equipment due to excessive noise. On June 15th, Toronto City Council will make a final decision based on ECDC’s recommendation. 

You can help by contacting our local Councillor, Gord Perks indicating your support for banning gas-powered leaf blowers a few days before the May 30th ECDC meeting. Gord can be reached at councillor_perks@toronto.ca.   

Helicopter Assault to Begin

May 10, 2022 Michael No Comments Meeting info
Aerial spraying planned to combat gypsy moth infestation | CTV News

Not to worry; Apocalypse Now is not being remade in our neighbourhood. But helicopters will be used nearby from mid May to mid June to control gypsy moths. You can check the interactive map at http://toronto.ca/lddmoth to find out where spraying will take place.

Spraying is weather-dependent and can only be initiated in specific weather conditions. As a result, specific spray dates will be confirmed 48 hours in advance and may be cancelled if conditions change.

No special precautions are required for residents in the spray zones, however, those wishing to avoid exposure can remain indoors during and immediately after the spraying. The insecticides that will be applied are not toxic to birds, humans, other mammals, adult moths, butterflies, bees and other insects and are approved by Health Canada for urban aerial use.

Noise, Noise, Noise…

April 4, 2022 Michael Leave a comment Feedback

The City is working on a report to respond to various City Council directives since the Noise Bylaw was amended in 2019. Residents of Bloor West Village have been invited to share feedback and comments on things like restrictions on noise from two-stroke leaf blowers and other small-engine equipment and potential strategies to reduce excessive vehicle noise our neighbourhood, including automated noise enforcement and the use of noise radar technologies.

To share any comments, please email MLSFeedback@toronto.ca by April 20, 2022. More information is available at toronto.ca/Noise. 

Supporting the Refugee Housing Network

March 29, 2022 Michael Leave a comment News

Local volunteers from Techfugees Canada are working with Romero House to respond to the urgent needs of refugee claimants and help families living in transitional housing find stable apartments faster. There are two ways you can help as a Bloor Street West resident:

  1. Consider if you are able to host a refugee family in your home on an emergency basis. If you are in a position of having extra space in your home and would be willing to offer space to a refugee or refugee family, we would love to know and keep your name on a list of people we might call on when needed.  
  2. Do you have an apartment that you are willing to rent to refugees? Do you know of others who do? Permanent housing for refugees is even better than emergency housing! If you are willing to be a landlord to recently arrived refugees get in touch. 

To learn more about both of these initiatives email toronto@techfugees.com.  

Techfugees Canada is a local chapter of the global social enterprise Techfugees, which is an impact-driven organization dedicated to nurturing a sustainable ecosystem of tech solutions to support the inclusion of displaced peoples.

Free COVID Tests in Bloor West Village

February 15, 2022 Michael Leave a comment Feedback

You can now get a free rapid testing kit for at-home use. Ontario will be distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests each week for eight weeks through pharmacy and grocery locations across the province, as well as through community partners in vulnerable communities. Here is a list of everywhere you can get them. Use the search bar for a major street or store in our neighbourhood.

Winter Activities at High Park Zoo

December 6, 2021 Michael Leave a comment News
High Park Zoo – City of Toronto

Friends of High Park Zoo is pleased to announce the FHPZ Holiday Trees at High Park Zoo; a FREE family friendly event taking place 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from December 5, 2021 through to January 8, 2022.

Fifteen decorated fir trees stand along the boulevard in High Park Zoo for this special event. Each tree has been sponsored and decorated by a local company or organization from across Toronto. Walk through High Park Zoo and admire the decorated fir trees and say hello to your favourite animals too! Zoo visitors can vote on their favourite holiday tree on Friends of High Park Zoo website and share photos of their favourite tree/s on Instagram with hashtag #HighParkZooTrees.

In addition, for two (2) special nights, High Park Zoo will host the Snowflake Walk and be open to the public on Sunday, December 12 and 19th from 5-6 pm. The Holiday Tree and other lights will be sparkling in the dark. Once the event closes on January 8, 2022, the fir trees will be used as enrichment toys for the enjoyment of some of the zoo animals.

Find out more about these two events, here. Tickets for the Snowflake Walk are available here.