Invite: Toronto Events 2013-2014; Calls to Artists & Environmental Activists; Toronto Alerts

Here are some great events happening in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Most events are FREE.

York-Eglinton BIA

Presents

The York-Eglinton International Street Festival

FREE Admission

August 17 – 18, 2013

August 17: from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

August 18: from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location: Eglinton Ave. W. from Marlee Ave. to Dufferin St.

  • The York-Eglinton International Street Festival features

    • live musical performances from local talent,
    • salsa dance demonstrations and instruction,
    • a street-level carnival,
    • countless food vendors, an exotic animal petting zoo,
    • and amazing sales offered by community businesses.
      • Visit the Eglinton Crosstown Project booth.
  • As an added bonus, at this year’s festival you can take pictures with your friends Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby!
    • Walk-around characters will be available for photo opportunities during the festival.

Harbourfront Centre

Presents

Mabuhay! Philippines Festival

FREE Amission

August 17 – 18

  • This Philippines Festival celebrates Philippines’ heritage and culture in Canada.
  • The festival theme for 2013 is “Ang Pinagmulan” or “Our Roots.”
  • Ang Pinagmulan: August 17, 2013
    • A show that blends fashion and Philippine indigenous dance.
    • It features works done by world-renowned designer Renee Salud and internationally acclaimed Filipino-Canadian Shanon Pamaong.

    Saturday, August 17, 2013
    9:00PM – 10:30PM
    WestJet Stage
    235 Queens Quay West
    View Map

  • Mabuhay Master Chef Cook-Off: August 17 – 18, 2013, 3:00PM – 5:00PM
    • Professional and amateur chefs compete for the best interpretation of traditional Philippine dishes.
    • The winner will be selected based on taste, presentation and originality.
    • Judges include celebrity chef Fern Aracama.
    • The winner of the competition will take home a $500 cash prize, a trophy and the honour of being the first ever winner of a competition that highlights various Filipino foods.

    Saturday, August 17, 2013
    3:00PM – 5:00PM
    Brigantine Room
    York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
    View Map

    Sunday, August 18, 2013
    3:00PM – 5:00PM
    Brigantine Room
    York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
    View Map

  • Parade of Fiestas: August 18, 2013
    •  A depiction of various festivals celebrated year-round in different regions of the Philippines.
    • Each fiesta celebrates something unique and indigenous to the location it is held in.

    Sunday, August 18, 2013
    3:00PM – 5:00PM
    Redpath Stage
    235 Queens Quay West
    View Map

community skate toronto

Mattamy Athletic Centre Community Skates

FREE Skate

Aug. 18, 2013 – Apr. 27, 2014

Mattamy Athletic Centre
50 Carlton St, Toronto

  • Enjoy FREE skate at the following event times:
    • Sunday, August 18, 2013 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    • Sunday, September 15, 2013 5:00 PM
    • Monday, October 14, 2013 12:00 PM
    • Thursday, December 26, 2013 2:00 PM
    • Wednesday, January 1, 2014 2:00 PM
    • Monday, February 17, 2014 1:00 PM
    • Saturday, March 29, 2014 5:00 PM
    • Sunday, April 27, 2014 4:00 PM

bridging festival 2013

Bridging Festival 2013

FREE Food & Admission

Saturday, 24 August 2013

12:00pm to 6:00pm

Highland Creek Park, 4040 Lawrence Ave. East, Toronto

More info and RSVP: http://scarborougharts.com/bridging-festival-2013/

  • A celebration of food, culture & environment in Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park.
  • On August 20 & 23 there will be evening activities held at and near the East Scarborough Storefront at 4040 Lawrence Ave East.
  • On August 24, the festival will move below the Lawrence Avenue East Bridge.
    • Attendees will be treated to FREE food, entertained with performances of dance, music and poetry, and invited to join in participatory arts activities.
  • Please click here for more info about these activities of the Bridging Festival.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Toronto

Presents

OPERA IN THE GARDEN 2013: VERDI’S MESSA DA REQUIEM

The screening of VERDI’S MESSA DA REQUIEM (Subtitles in English)

FREE Admission

August 23, 2013

Garden of the Consulate General of Italy
136 Beverley St., Toronto (Dundas entrance)

Gates will open at 7:00 p.m. with the screening beginning at dusk (around 9:00pm)

  • Running time: 83 minutes
    • Production year: 1967

L’Altra Italia Association in collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura

Presents

Italian Cinema Under the Stars!
Sixth Edition

PADRONI DI CASA/THE LANDLORDS

FREE Admission

Subtitles in English

August 24, 2013

Gates will open at 8:00 p.m. with the screening beginning at dusk (around 9:30pm)

Garden of the Consulate General of Italy 136 Beverley St., Toronto (Dundas entrance)

  • PADRONI DI CASI/THE LANDLORDS
    Director: Edoardo Gabbriellini
    Cast: Elio Germano, Valerio Mastandrea, Gianni Morandi, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Mauro Marchese, Francesca Rabbi, Lorenzo Rivola, Alina Gulyalyeva, Giovanni Piccinini
    Country: Italy
    Genre: Drama-Comedy
    Duration: 98 minutes
    Year: 2012

Ontario Nature, Rouge Park, Adopt-A-Pond, and Ontario Road Ecology Group Presents

Reptile and Amphibian Day

FREE Admission + FREE Pizza Lunch Will be Provided

August 26, 2013

9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Rouge Valley Conservation Centre
1749 Meadowvale Road, Toronto ON, M1B 5W8

Limited spaces available! RSVP by August 23rd by e-mail or telephone to:

Sheryl Santos
E-mail: sheryl_santos@rougepark.com
Telephone: 905-713-6007

  • Join them to learn about the unique lives of amphibians and reptiles, and how you can participate in their conservation.
  • The day will feature short presentations on:
    • Rouge Park,
    • the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (Ontario Nature),
    • Reptiles and Amphibians of Rouge Park, with LIVE ANIMALS (Toronto Zoo: Adopt-a-Pond), and
    • the Ontario Road Ecology Group.
  • There will also be a hike to search for native reptiles and amphibians in Rouge Park led by experts.
  • A FREE pizza lunch will be provided.
  • NOTE: Please bring water and sunscreen and proper hiking attire. It is a rain or shine event.

Calls to Artists and Environmental Activists

Call to Artists: Canalfa King Liberty Village Public Art (Toronto)

CanAlfa Group & Public Art Management (PAM)
Toronto, Ontario
Eligibility: Open to professional artists
Phase One Budget: $500,000 CAD
Phase Two Budget: $400,000 CAD
Deadline: September 16, 2013 – 12:00pm EST

  • Public Art Management (PAM) is the public art project manager for a condo development project for CanAlfa Group in Toronto.
  • As the first stage of the public art planning process, PAM is issuing this Call to Artists to initiate the first of a three-stage selection process to identify artists willing to work with the team in the creation of outstanding public art works for this project in Toronto’s King Liberty Village.
    • It is a two phase development project.
      • Phase One completion is expected in the Fall 2015, and the artworks should be delivered in conjunction with this date.
      • Phase Two will commence at a later date, based on market conditions.
  • The purpose of this Call is to identify a pool of artists and/or artist teams that will be considered for one or both phases of the project.

Patagonia’s Environmental Grants and Support

  • The application process for Patagonia‘s environmental grants program is open, which offers up to $12,000 for environmental projects.
    • There are two annual deadlines.
    • The second annual deadline is August 31 (all applications received in August will receive a response by the end of January).
  • In their words: “We support small, grassroots, activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas, working on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect our environment.”

Toronto News

This video presents “Park People: Ping Pong at Mel Lastman Square.”

  • “Ping Pong tables have started appearing at parks across Toronto.
  • Learn more about how these tables bring people together and how to get one in your park!“

“Park People adds Top Spin”

  • With the help of local park groups, councillors, ping pong enthusiasts like Dianne Moore and Park People, ping pong tables have arrived in Toronto Parks.

Trees help keep humans healthy

  • Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition reported that new research has indicated that urban trees are savings lives.
  • “A study of 10 major U.S. cities found that urban trees and forests are saving an average of one life every year per city by helping clean the air of fine particulate pollution.
  • A separate study recently published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine concluded that the loss of trees due to Emerald Ash Borer is linked to higher death rates in humans.”
Above, TTC's copy of the winning photo submitted by Mr. Fang Su of Toronto: TTC streetcar on the 505 Dundas route, near Dundas Square.
Above, TTC’s copy of the winning photo submitted by Mr. Fang Su of Toronto: TTC streetcar on the 505 Dundas route, near Dundas Square.

TTC announces Ride Guide Photo Contest winner

  • Congratulations to Fang Su of Toronto.
    • His winning photograph of a streetcar scene was selected to appear on the cover of this summer’s Ride Guide, which will be available later this month.
      • The Ride Guide is the TTC’s official map for transit routes and information.
    • Mr. Su, a Masters student studying transportation at the University of Toronto’s Civil Engineering Department, was presented with a TTC Metropass for one month and a prize pack from Spacing Magazine.
  • The second place winner and photograph will be revealed as part of the publication of the fall 2013 Ride Guide.
    • The remaining top 13 entries will be posted on the TTC website’s photo gallery page in the coming weeks.
  • Photographs were judged for their creativity, photographic quality and authenticity.
    • The contest received more than 300 submissions.

Ontario Combining Emergency Management Ontario, Office of the Fire Marshal

  • This new, integrated organization will strengthen the co-ordination and delivery of community safety programs, without impacting front-line services.
  • The new office will:
    • work with municipal partners to deliver fire safety and emergency management programs and services,
    • share expert advice with local decision-makers,
    • and support municipal response efforts when called upon in an emergency.
  • The office will be located in the new state-of-the-art Forensic Services and Coroner’s Complex in Toronto, which is opening in fall 2013.
    • The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management will be led by Ted Wieclawek, who was appointed Fire Marshal of Ontario in 2011 following a national search.
  • Did you know?
    • Last year, Emergency Management Ontario responded to 24 declared emergencies and supported communities in a number of other incidents that did not result in emergency declarations.
    • The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) performs approximately 600 on-scene investigations a year and consults with local fire services on an additional 550 investigations.
      • The OFM also provides initial and ongoing training to approximately 5,000 students at the Ontario Fire College and to additional 6,700 at off-campus locations.
    • Approximately 250 staff work at Emergency Management Ontario and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Finalists announced for 2013 Toronto Book Awards

  • The finalists are:
    • Kamal Al-Solaylee for his memoir, Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes, published by Harper Collins Publishers Ltd;
    • Patrick Cummins (photos) and Shawn Micallef (text) for their annotated book of photography, Full Frontal T.O., published by Coach House Books;
    • Kevin Irie for his collection of poetry, Viewing Tom Thomson, A Minority Report, published by Frontenac House Poetry;
    • Aga Maksimowska for her novel, Giant, published by Pedlar Press;
    • and Katrina Onstad for her novel, Everybody has Everything, published by McClelland & Stewart.
  • The annual awards offer $15,000 in prize money.
    • Each finalist will receive $1,000 and the winning author receives the remaining prize money.
  • The shortlisted authors will read from their books at The Word On The Street book and magazine fair.
    • The event will take place on Sunday, September 22 in the City of Toronto tent at Queen’s Park North.
    • Four authors from Diaspora Dialogues will join the program.
      • Diaspora Dialogues supports writing that reflects Toronto’s diverse artistic and literary culture.
  • The shortlisted authors will also participate in a reading at the Toronto Public Library’s Yorkville Branch at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3.
  • The winner of the 2013 Toronto Book Awards will be announced on Wednesday, October 9 at the Bram and Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library.
    • Members of the public are encouraged to come out and celebrate at the evening awards celebration, hosted by CBC Radio’s Matt Galloway.

Conserving Energy: The Benefits of Shrubs

Toronto Alerts

This video presents “TTC Pape Station closure Aug. 19-30, 2013.”

  • The TTC is closing Pape Station for 12 days to complete much of the modernization work under way today.
  • This video explains that work, but also the bus diversions that will be in place while the station is closed.

Reminder: TTC’s Pape Station to close Aug. 19-30

This is an update to the following previous blogs:

In order to accelerate the construction work at the TTC’s Pape Station, the station will be closed from Aug. 19-30 inclusive.

  • The station will re-open on Sat., Aug. 31.
  • During the closure, work will be accelerated on floors, stairs, finishes, ceilings and the new bus waiting area.
  • Elevators, bike parking and landscaping will be fully completed in October.
  • By December, the second exit will be completed.

TTC extra service to the CNE: Veterans ride for free on Warriors’ Day

  • On Sat. Aug. 17 (the 92nd Annual Warriors’ Day at the CNE) Canadian veterans of war and peacekeeping missions ride the TTC FREE of charge.
    • Canadian war veterans and peacekeepers are required to show their service medals/ribbons to receive free access to TTC buses, streetcars, subway and the SRT.
    • One companion will be allowed to ride for free as well.
  • Make your way to the CNE with a TTC Day Pass! Don’t forget to take advantage of the TTC Day Pass, which is good on Saturday or Sunday or statutory holidays.
    • For just $10.75 per day, a group of up to six people (maximum two adults over the age of 19) can enjoy unlimited travel all day.
    • The pass is valid from the date shown on the pass until 5:30 a.m. the next day.
  • FREE commuter parking on weekends and holidays is available at 13 subway stations across the system.
    • Park your car and ride the subway.

Toronto Road Closure

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service.

    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily.

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays.

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays.

  • Main Switchboard

    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311.

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311).

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Enjoy!

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

August 15, 2013

Weekend event with road closure in Toronto

The International Street Festival event this weekend will involve a road closure. Eglinton Avenue from Dufferin Street to Marlee Avenue will be closed in both directions from 3 a.m. on Saturday, August 17 to 3 a.m. on Monday, August 19.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy this event. Businesses in the area affected are open to pedestrian traffic but some roads will be closed to vehicles.

Festivals and other special events are important to the city, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s economy, and they are enjoyed each year by local residents.

In addition to road closures related to special events, there is a significant amount of road work taking place in the city. People are encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way of getting to their destinations.

Those who need to drive in the general vicinity of special events should allow extra time to get to and from their destination. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets/.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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