fourONEsixSTYLE

While the debate about gentrification in TO continues, many areas are receiving substantial funding to renew derelict sites across the city. The Distillery District was nothing but haunted halls used by film crews a few years back. Now the Brickworks will attempt to model the Distillery’s success but with a more arts and eco-friendly community. Twenty million in funding will help to get the ball rolling on the site beside the DVP.

Yesterday, a new announcement of funding came in the tune of 3 million dollars, this time to restore Wychwood’s TTC repair “barns” into what’ll become known as Artscape’s Green Arts Barns, offering a safe-haven to not-for-profit arts groups like The Storytellers School of Toronto and the Salvador Allende Arts Festival for Peace as well as environmental groups such as LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) and Citizens’ Environment Watch.

Fortunately for everyone, environmental and arts causes are getting attention. They seem to have become as chic as Brad Pitt in his Gucci glasses pretending to build homes in India. But what about community centres? Are they not the centre of the community? And what about Wabash?

Just off Sorauren, close to Roncesvalles, two abandoned buildings sit on one side of a park just waiting for some love and attention. Years ago they housed a Linseed factory, now they are part of a plan for the future Wabash Community Rec Centre. One plan’s price tag is $13 million and would include a full reno but no pool. For an extra $7 mil the building would be fully-restored along with the addition of a swank new clubhouse and a place for kids to play Marco Polo.

For some reason though, the project has been struggling for funds since day one, even though this area of Toronto desperately needs a place like this. Up until now, residents have been buying a brick at a time to help build Wabash. Just like the Revue Theatre, it was the residents who decided Wabash should be saved, but it would be great to hear that some level of government would step up to support the project or maybe Brad Pitt can come by and lend a hand.

image: Kevin Steele

Parkdale residents and politicos assembled Monday night to debate the question “Where Goes The Neighborhood?” The idea was to tackle the hot topic of gentrification. I’d attended hoping that, somehow, we could all band together to create a vision for the wayward community, but hope was not to be found. With widely respected panelists such as Spacing’s Matthew Blackett and the brain behind 401 Richmond, Margaret Zeidler, I’d hoped we’d do more than establish affordable housing as a priority and bash the former Harris government. Area MPP Cheri DiNovo stood up for comment too, saying she’s asked for 20,000 units of affordable housing to be built in this part of TO. I’m not sure where she intends to put it though, maybe that should have been on the debate agenda instead.

As it stands amongst other Toronto communities, Parkdale currently has a large percentage of renters and, Councilor Gord Perks pointed out, is one of only a few communities that still has legal rooming houses. Perhaps Parkdale is already doing its fair share to support those in the city with lower incomes and it may not have the infrastructure in place to help the resource dependant community. Parkdale is like Kensington was years ago, a place where newcomers to Toronto settle and try to build a future. Many young families are moving in as well, renovating homes and taking pride in their new neighborhood. No one wants any displacement of current residents however, so what it needs is a plan for growth and a way to ensure that rent and property taxes don’t skyrocket.

Businesses in the area are also seeing a shift. There is a much smaller percentage of variety and grocery stores, while home decor and reno stores are gaining popularity. However, commercial vacancy currently sits at 13%, making me think that gentrification isn’t the real problem. I can think of a few new cafes and bars in Parkdale too but nothing too chichi or chic that it’s going to get condo-dwellers buying into the “dream” of living right in the middle of the action. Ultimately it’s the high-rise condos that will anchor Queen Street West, in Parkdale’s neighboring ward just east of the tracks, that frighten Parkdale residents. Though, it could bring more focus westward and Parkdale could begin to see some necessary improvements. Perhaps it’ll start with a few new facades, some new parks, a community centre, then a renovated building or two. There’s so much promise in Parkdale, all that’s needed is a plan and a way to ensure it includes all kinds of people. That’s the only way Parkdale will retain its unique charm and character.

Read what people have to say about it at blogTO, so far there are 19 comments making it one of the top posts of the month.

image: avp17

DJ deko-ze
Originally uploaded by 416style.

I made it down to Toronto’s Pride after the parade to check out the scene, I should have expected that I would find it kinda sketchy. It was a Sunday afternoon after all and these “kids” have been giving it their all - all weekend. There were still some in costume and some fresh faces willing to pose for pictures. Some adorable sailors smiled for me on cue, while other shots I had to sneak around to get.

At the north end near the swing stage all the dorky types congregated - making me think Toronto’s gay scene is probably one of the most boring around; certainly not the same as Sydney’s salacious celebration. My girlfriends and I walked south along closed–off Church Street to a skinny “beer garden” in a parking lot with the floor covered in shipped-in sand and a sign saying “no barefeet”. We parked ourselves in some lawn chairs and sucked in all the corporate sponsorship. Ah. Pride. Isn’t it about throwing “off” conventions and breaking out of the mainstream?

I got a big laugh out of the crowd at one stage - after DJ Deko-ze (pictured) played for a jumping crowd DJ Jelo came on and played the kind of music that makes you think everyone is too wasted to really think about what they’re dancing to. Jelo was playing “Ghostbusters - who ya gonna call?” while mixing in techno beats, crowd-cheering tracks and the occasional siren to make it officially some of the silliest music I’ve ever seen a crowd go wild for; though it was enough to make the girls on stage take off their tops and let it loose for the ogling masses. Well, maybe only the straight security guard was looking - but he was definitely getting an eyeful.

In between all the made for the masses music and corporate culture was an occasional person just doing their own thing and loving life - whether dancing in the street or letting their pride hang out. It was moments like this that reminded me what this whole pride event is meant to be. Walking home I heard one Sydneysider talking to a friend back home saying “It was great - while it lasted”. I knew that after today all the rainbow flags would slowly come down and people would have to tuck their pride back in their pants until next year, but that sharing this weekend of freedom with all their friends was sure worth the trip.

Jim Harris rides the C-Train
Originally uploaded by Grant Neufeld.

I’ve been campaigning with the Green Party in the Parkdale High Park riding for a couple weeks now. I’ve been to several All-Candidates meetings and met many business owners who reassured me that the idea of electing a Green candidate is not far off. Many welcome the idea that the Green Party’s policy is both fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable.

What impresses me, after reading all federal party platforms, is that green leader Jim Harris and the Greens have a clear vision and also have very realistic objectives with which to reach their goals for the future of this country. I didn’t seem to find this with any other party. Sure, the Liberals will throw cash at their “issues” which might help in the short term, and the NDP’s words tell us they believe in the environment while all their actions point in support of dirty dirty industry.

The Liberals have an appaulling record at meeting Kyoto standards - carbon emissions have gone up 24% since 1993 instead of their promised 20% decline; and Harper’s party is starting to remind us of why we hated them in the last election, telling the papers the Conservatives will scrap Kyoto altogether. Even though they say Harper’s a changed man doesn’t mean he won’t set us back 10 years to a time when the lack of certain freedoms and liberties repressed and alienated friends and neighbours.

The Green Party seems to be the only one thinking ahead. They are socially progressive, want to change the way government and tax is structured, do away with corporate campaign donations and give us all a place to live where we can breath freer, fresher air.

On January 23rd, vote Green. Tell Ottawa we are ready for a greener country and a greener government.

If you need more information visit greenparty.ca.

from my window
Originally uploaded by 416style.

Three years ago I moved into my peaceful apartment in High Park, on the top floor of a house on a hill, with a beautiful view across the park. Friends came over and awed at “the treehouse”, while I beamed because I felt so restful when I was there. This is what my home was, a respite from the loud world outside, but I’m slowly being driven mad by my noisy neighbours.

Excuse me if I complain again. Every day begins with my neighbour’s fascination with patio stones, which are cut on the premises. My other neighbour across the street appears to have hard on for noise of any kind: leaf blowers (have you heard these things?), car vacuums and drum sets. It’s frequent and frustrating.

This past Saturday I awoke at 9am in full bitch mode, and traveled the 70 steps down to the road where I met the leaf-blower demon head on. I mean, really, it’s not even Fall, can’t you just rake the damn leaves? And, don’t you care everyone’s trying to sleep? Well, I lost the battle, but it doesn’t mean I’ll lose the war.

In a bit of a tirade I hopped online and began looking up Toronto’s noise by-laws. Amended in 2003, it read, “No person shall make, cause or permit noise (defined as unwanted sound), or vibration, at any time which is likely to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the inhabitants of this City.” Sounds good, but then it continues to report that anyone can do whatever they want between 7am (9am on weekends) and 11pm at night. Dammit. Who’s gonna help me now?

I kept digging and came across a Now Magazine article which discussed how noise pollution is linked to a number of health related problems, including, of course, hearing loss. Up to now I was just pissed because I couldn’t sleep, but now I’m thinking, maybe my neighbours are contributing to my gradual hearing loss too, among other things. It’s a bit of a worry for me. My dad has some serious problems with his hearing lately, and I wonder if I might go down the same path. I’ve been going to crazy loud parties for a long time, and while I’m no Frankie Wilde, I expect that I too might have to deal with this issue someday.

So, now I’m stressed about my stress and my hearing loss, great. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find a resolution to this one. I can’t get my neighbors’ team of landscapers on either side to work reasonable hours. Move out of the city or deal with it I guess. Toronto is nowhere near as bad as Tokyo or New York for constant street chatter, but it is getting worse and nobody seems to want to make any noise about it.