One benefit of COVID-19 is that urban cycling is suddenly in the spotlight. And with that, the related infrastructure projects are now getting closer attention and shortened timelines. To read more about how we stand to benefit in Bloor West Village, click here.
It begins with a girl named Abbey. Abbey was a strong, brave, and tenacious 9-year old girl whose life was cut far too short in 2018 by a rare blood disorder. In her memory, Abbey’s family and friends created a charitable organization called Abbey’s Goal; click here to read more about Abbey and her amazing legacy.
In response to COVID-19, Abbey’s family started a rainbow revolution. They are making rainbow tree kits, which you can use to decorate a tree (or anything, really) in your front yard to show appreciation for essential workers and health heroes. If you would like to order a kit, you can text: 647-278-5140 and donate online at www.abbeysgoal.com.
Abbey’s Goal is suggesting a donation of $20 for this kit, which is home-made. All proceeds from the rainbow kits go to the Stop (thestop.org), an organization focused on increasing access to healthy food.
Let’s join neighborhoods across the GTA with a nightly thank you celebration at 7:30 pm from our front doorsteps and porches and from a safe distance, so the health care workers will hear our gratitude ringing from the rafters as part of #TogetherWeCanDoIt.
Beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. local time and every evening going forward, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario is asking everyone to cheer on the millions of health providers, social service and other essential front-line workers in Ontario, Canada and around the world who are tackling #COVID19.
While most City services continue to run normally, several will see changes including for example, yard waste pickup. Click here to read more.
Beginning at the end of February, Toronto Pearson will be conducting a one year study on routing incoming planes over Lake Ontario instead of residential areas like ours (subject to variances due to weather or maintenance). This is good news and should lead to quieter skis in the evenings. For more information, click here.
Bike lanes along Bloor Street West is a topic that has resonated positively amongst our residents, accordingly to our last neighbourhood survey. We’ve made a copy of the complete 2019 Economic Impact study available here.
Some findings:
The number of businesses that reported 100 customers or more per day increased in the study area
After accounting for contributing factors (such as age, gender and proximity), visitors reported coming to Bloor three days more per month after the bike lane was installed
Walking remained the most popular travel choice, used by nearly half (48%) of visitors on Bloor, and driving is now the least (10%)
Police have alleged an incident happening this past weekend when a person entered a local store and put a substance in a few products, then resealed them, and left. The products were seized for testing and an investigation continues.
Please always use caution when buying food products, to ensure safety seals are unbroken when purchased.
Find out at this local meeting next month, hosted by Ward 4 Councillor, Gord Perks. The details are as follows:
Monday, February 3rd, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School – 3rd Floor Staff Room
1515 Bloor Street West (near Dundas West Station)
An accessible entrance is available on the south side of the building on Dundas Street.
For more information, click here. For details on Toronto’s 2020 budget process and how to get involved, click here.
Some of the earliest forms of artwork were paintings on walls…
StreetARToronto (StART) is a suite of innovative programs designed specifically for streets and public spaces. Initiated in 2012 as an integral part of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan, StART has been successful in reducing graffiti vandalism and replacing it with vibrant, colourful, community-engaged street art.
StART programs encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make our streets more beautiful and safe, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent, reduce overall infrastructure maintenance costs and more.
You can download a copy of the 2020 Information Session here.
For an update on activities at Pearson International Airport and related articles on noise forums and transportation links, click here.
The Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2442-2454 Bloor St West has been approved by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).
In April 2019, the developer, the City and all of the other parties to the appeal reached a settlement for a 12-storey building on site, which the LPAT approved in principle. The Final Order was held, pending satisfaction of a number of conditions.
Those conditions are set out in Appendix A of the Confidential Report from the City Solicitor adopted at the June 2018 meeting of City Council, which can be read here. All supporting documentation for the Zoning By-law Amendment application, including architectural plans and technical reports, is available online at the City’s Application Information Centre, under “Supporting Documentation” here.
A site plan application, including “streetscaping” at corner of Bloor and Riverview Gardens remains under review and a demolition application for buildings on site is still pending.
This dynamic group of young climate activists are on a mission to reduce waste by encouraging local businesses to promote reusable containers and bags for their customers.
Over the past few months, members of the group have been going door-to-door to shops and stories in Bloor West Village, asking local business owners to place a sticker in their windows, indicating that customers are free to bring their own bags, mugs or other containers to carry their purchases, without having to pay to purchase a plastic or paper bag. The group members say they have had a good response from the businesses they’ve talked with over the past few months. They appreciate how the sticker breaks the stigma about asking to put purchased goods in their own containers. The activists feel strongly that this will help create systematic change and a domino effect throughout Toronto.
The Sustainable6ix are one of a number of groups of young activists throughout the Greater Toronto Area who are taking part in Youth Challenge International’s Innovate MY Future program. The program is designed to train young people to be climate action catalysts in their communities and look for ways to educate other youth and the general public about the need for urgent action on climate change and the steps that everyone can take to help create a sustainable environment. The group has already held a successful community workshop on how to make eco-conscious gift choices during the holiday season and looks to be hosting other events in early 2020. The 6ix have also partnered with other activists as part of the Toronto Environmental Alliance to coordinate sticker distributions in other parts of the city, hoping to spark a GTA-wide movement to help reduce waste.
Here in the Village, keep an eye out for this sticker in the door of your favourite local coffee shop or other business. Shopping at these stores will help you reduce waste, save money on packaging and help make Bloor West Village an eco-friendly environment for today’s consumers and future generations.
To learn more about the Sustainable6ix and how you can get involved in their work, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/theSustainable6ix/ or their Instagram feed at
https://www.instagram.com/thesustainable6ix/.