fourONEsixSTYLE

I’m usually way ahead of the game when it comes to federal and provincial elections but in this municipal vote I’m still trying to make up my mind. Cruising on the web today led me to Spacing’s great site, which pointed me to a list of candidates for City Councilor at whorunsthistown.to. Since there are links to most of the candidates sites I’ve been checking out their stand on the issues. Strangely everyone in Ward 14 - Parkdale High Park - seems to be saying the same thing: protect our neighborhood - from pollution, traffic, crime and intensification.

Personally, I’d like to see Wabash Community Centre built from the derelict industrial building that now sits on the edge of Wabash park - architect and candidate David White is the only one who’s been involved. I’d like the waterfront cleaned up. I’d like our trees to be given more importance than parking spots. However, I don’t think we’re ready to tear down the Gardiner and I don’t think I’d like the Front Street Extension. As far as energy concerns, I love our wind turbine but think we should incinerate our garbage to create energy as they do in Copenhagen, Denmark. Just heard Mayor David Miller’s opposition to incineration is based on figures from 35 year old technology, he just realized. After all the reports I’ve read I probably know more about it than our mayor. So that’s where I stand, but how about our candidates? Who do you want to represent Ward 14?

The best candidate breakdown I’ve seen comes from Parkdale High Park candidate himself Anthony Quinn. It’s hilarious and unabashedly stolen from his blog word for word below:

Beverly Bernardo:

She’s a Communist who lists her political hero as Lenin. Note to Beverly, he slaughtered hundreds of thousand of people. That aside she has no interest in local politics, but rather class struggle, unions and imperialist forces. Vote for Beverly if you are a Communist. And if you are a Communist, remember that they don’t vote in Communist countries.

John Colautti:

John seems like a nice guy. He worked for the out going Councillor Watson. I’ve listened to John and read his material, but I still don’t know what he means or what he stands for. If you vote for John, you’ll likely get more of that.

Tom Freeman:

Tom is another nice guy. He’s a multi-millionaire; at least he recently purchased a multi-million dollar home in a fancier part of town than Ward 14. He runs a restaurant on Roncesvalles that takes in at risk youth for job training. My pal who works at Covenant House vouches for the program. Tom wants to plant trees and beautify Roncesvalles Ave. Vote for Tom if you have a stake in a Rocesvalles Ave. business.

David Hanna:

David speaks softly and knows about architecture and planning. That’s about it for David.

Barry Hubick:

Slightly odd, but genuine in his concern for Toronto. Says if we take care of the little things, like crosswalks and litter, the big things will take care of themselves. Barry does not want to be City Councillor; he actually said, “don’t vote for me” at an all candidates meeting, so I suggest you don’t.

Walt Jarsky:

Member of the NDP party. A gentleman, with a New York accent. Vote for Walt if you want the best of the many NDP candidates to represent you at City Hall.

Ted Lojko:

Ted is a perennial candidate for election in the neighbourhood, having previously been an unsuccessful Liberal candidate. He’s worked as a community planner and non-profit housing developer. Vote for Ted if you want an old-school politician representing you at City Hall.

Gord Perks:

Gord is a militant, environmental activist and paid political lobbyist. Vote for Gord if all you care about is environmentalism, because that’s all he cares about, as it has been the focus of his entire adult life and he’s not about to change. Don’t vote for Gord if you believe in capitalism and enjoy the freedom of driving a a car.

Rowena Santos:

Rowena is a well educated 28 year old. She’s another NDP candidate, who wants to raise your taxes to spend on social programs. Vote for Rowena if you think City Council needs a replacement for Olivia Chow.

Dilorece South:

Dilorece is a Parkdale business owner who wants to fight crime promote multiculturalism and improve the business environment in Parkdale. She does not live in the area, but spends most of her waking hours in the neighbourhood. She’s a nice woman. Vote for Dilorece if you have a stake in a Parkdale business.

Jimmy Talpa:

Jimmy has been rude and disruptive at the all candidates meetings, and would likely do the same in City Council. He’s a Toronto sports fan and a “character” of our City. Don’t vote for Jimmy unless you’re related to him.

Matthew Vezina:

Matthew Vezina is a litigious court reporter. He has a good speaking voice and is adamant in his opinions. I think you’d have to meet Matthew in person before deciding to vote for him or not.

David White:

David is the least palatable member of the NDP contingent in Ward 14. He’s a former City and Metro Councillor who wants another kick at the can. Vote for David if you believe in recycling – politicians.

Industrial Fire 2
Originally uploaded by Charles Winthrop Wellington III.

For a long time I’ve wanted the remaining abattoirs in Toronto moved out of the city core, now it seems someone else - with a more destructive nature - may have wanted it too. Fire burned throughout the morning destroying one of the massive slaughterhouses on St. Clair Avenue near Keele. Firefighters came and left, then it appears that another blaze sparked and continued to burn down the same building. Officials are extremely suspicious. Residents have been evacuated and the street is still closed down over 17 hours later. Hopefully time will unravel the mystery.

It’ll be interesting to find out whether a new meat packing plant will be built on the site. I think they’re obnoxious and should be moved out of the city centre, especially with the current rise in density in Toronto. Fortunately for us, Toronto councilor Joe Pantalone reveals in EYE Weekly in 2001 that while remaining abattoirs in the city cannot be forced out of the area, the city wouldn’t zone to allow for any in the future.

Four short episodes of Spook in the City are now online at blogTO. Follow John and I as we take you to the sites of high-profile hauntings in the city of Toronto. Prepare to be spooked!

The Distillery District

The Royal York’s Haunted Stairwell

The Royal York’s Haunted Hallway

The Royal York’s Crystal Ballroom

Zombie captured on Video

A Toronto location manager bravely confronts death by zombie in order to bring us this brilliant up close and personal video. At times scary but often funny until…

CityTV knows how to push a new show and their latest baby, Entourage, premiering on cable tonight at 10PM, is no different. If you’ve seen the commercials you’re probably not impressed. Somehow CityTV has managed to take the best parts of the show out, inserted some T&A and call it advertising. While the show, shot in LA, will reveal a world of fast cars and beautiful women, it’s the relatable characters and sharp comedic dialogue that will capture audience attention.

In the lead is budding star Vince Chase, whose story is loosely-based on Exec Producer Mark Wahlberg’s foray into fortune and fame. Vince is no underwear model though, just a down-to-earth guy from Queens making some tough decisions with the help of three hometown friends who follow his every move. Vince’s high-powered agent Ari - the real star of the show - has no time for the boys’ slow learning-curve, but in the end their east-coast values often triumph over Ari’s shallow ones.

Fans of the HBO show who have been watching it on TMN for the past three seasons will have to be patient as no new shows are offered on the schedule as of yet. Instead we’ll have to see if CityTV can produce as successful a following, since much of the racy dialogue which defines the show will have to be removed, Sex And The City style.

(image: CityTV)

>I usually see Zanta in Yorkville and had seen him there often during the film festival, running around, being loud and showing his feats of braun for passersby. I’m not really sure what his deal is but he seems perfectly content in this role which finds him dressed up in nothing but boots, shorts and a santa hat. Friends recently told me they’d seen restaurant signs on Yorkville and Cumberland streets saying “Bye, Bye, Zanta” or “We’ll miss you Zanta”, and had feared something horrible had happened. Turns out Zanta’s back!. He was just in jail for a little while for, according to his website, doing push ups on the subway. He’s also now banned from all TTC vehicles.

I can’t say whether I think the dude is nuts or just “in character” as he claims. He does seem to have a pesky personna. I’ll admit I’ve been kicked off the subway before too so I’m not surprised at the attitude the TTC has taken. All I was just doing was singing American Pie with a bunch of other late night passengers who’d implored me to sing along. If that got me busted, I’m sure Zanta wasn’t doing much worse. However, he does appear to be getting banned from other sites in the city and CHUM doesn’t like him poking around their windows much either.

I’ll have to look into it a bit further, maybe watch his videos, but for now I think it’s kinda cool having our own kooky dude on the street like NYC’s Naked Cowboy. Maybe there should be a showdown or at least Zanta could step it up a notch and make ringtones available on his site, like the Naked Cowboy, who purportedly makes a decent living doing his thing in Times Square.

(image: Matt O’Sullivan)

Victoria Park’s dirty little secret

A spooky Toronto story about Victoria Park - Fort York’s first cemetary - to get you in the mood for Hallowe’en.

A Study In Green
Originally uploaded by Ted Battye.

Just wanted to share this gorgeous picture with all of you. It’s UofT’s EJ Pratt Library. If UWO’s libraries were this stunning - instead of the horrendous concrete brutalist architecture of the 70s - I think I would’ve moved in.