Toronto in review for the week ending September 14, 2012
Welcome to the 'Toronto in review' podcast, a roundup of interesting events and news out of City Hall, for week of September 10 through 16.
On Tuesday, the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro launched the first phase of a program that will see City-owned buildings across Toronto outfitted with more than 8,800 solar photovoltaic panels. The program kicked off with construction starting on three installations - Mimico Arena, York Mills Arena and Goulding Park Community Centre. The energy from the panels will be fed into Toronto's Hydro's electrical grid, generating over $16 million in gross revenues for the City over 20 years. The solar photovoltaic panels will also generate roughly 2,600 megawatt hours of electricity annually or the equivalent of the consumption of 215 households and will result in the reduction of approximately 480 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
Also on Tuesday, the Toronto Public Service launched its annual United Way Employee Campaign on Nathan Phillips Square, announcing a campaign goal of $1.1 million. For each of the last 10 years, City employees have raised more than $1 million for United Way Toronto. For the first time, the Toronto Public Service was joined by Toronto Hydro, Toronto Community Housing, Toronto Police Service and Toronto Transit Commission. Collectively, these five organizations have raised more than $30 million in the last 10 years.
Effective immediately, residents can include clamshell containers, clear fruit and vegetable containers, clear takeout containers and molded bakery-item trays in their Blue Bin. If residents need more room to accommodate these new recyclables, they can call 311 to upsize their current Blue Bin or order an extra Blue Bin free of charge.
The City is seeking three Toronto citizens to serve on the board of directors of Waterfront Toronto and eight Toronto citizens to serve on the board of directors for Toronto Hydro. Information about the appointments process, specific requirements and a copy of the application form can be found on the City's website at toronto.ca/public-appointments. The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 24.
The Chip Truck, a mobile license and microchip clinic for your pet, operated by Toronto Animal Services is on the road in September. The Chip Truck offers City of Toronto pet licences and a microchip for only $20 for cats and $30 for dogs. If your pet is already licensed and you just need a microchip, you can get your pet microchipped for only $5 (with proof of a current City of Toronto pet licence). Visit the Chip Truck on Saturday, September 22 from 10 am to 2:30 pm at Trinity Bellwoods Park (in the Queen St. W. and Strachan area) or on Saturday, September 29, from 1 to 4 pm at Allan Gardens Park (in the Carlton St. and Homewood area) and on Sunday, September 30, from 1 to 4 pm at the south east corner of the Jane/Finch Mall parking lot. There is no appointment necessary. More information can be found at toronto.ca/animal_services.
On Friday, September 14, Councillor Michael Thompson will speak at the launch of an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Roland Caldwell Harris as Toronto's Work Commissioner. The exhibition, at the Market Gallery in the South St. Lawrence Market building, will honour R.C. Harris' career through archival photos, maps, plans and never before seen artifacts. Toronto's Prince Edward Viaduct and the art deco architectural gem, the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, are but two of his legacies. The exhibit will be on display from September 15 through March 2, 2013.
Spadina Museum's annual City Cider event takes place this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. This annual family event features local food, live music, arts and crafts, hands-on workshops and freshly pressed cider. Admission is $5 - free for those 12 years old and under - and includes access to the museum. Representatives from the Not Far From the Tree organization will show how apples are properly picked and pressed to make delicious cider from Spadina's unique orchard. Spadina Museum is located at 285 Spadina Road.
Weekend Road Closures
A number of special events this weekend will involve road closures.
The Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival will close Bloor Street from Jane Street to Glendonwynne Road from Friday, September 14 at 9:30 a.m. to Sunday, September 16 at 11:59 p.m. Runnymede Road will be open to traffic during the event. A series of other road closures involving local roads will take place in the area to accommodate this event.
The Polish Festival will close Roncesvalles Avenue from Grafton Avenue to Boustead Avenue in both directions from Saturday, September 15 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, September 16 at 11 p.m.
The Toronto 5K Race will require a series of road closures in the area bounded by St. Clair Avenue to the north, Christie Street to the west, Davenport Road to the south, and Russell Hill Road/Macpherson Avenue to the east from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 16.
The Gardiner Expressway will be closed this weekend for fall maintenance. The expressway will closed in both directions from Carlaw Avenue to the Humber River from 2 a.m. on Saturday, September 15 to 5 a.m. on Monday, September 17.
The Bay Street ramp to the eastbound Gardiner and the eastbound Gardiner Expressway ramp to Jarvis Street remain closed for repair. The work, which began on Monday, September 10, will take six weeks to complete. Motorists who want to exit the eastbound Gardiner Expressway can use the York/Bay/Yonge ramp to access Jarvis Street.
And finally, Councillor Paula Fletcher, City of Toronto staff and representatives of Toronto Community Housing will join members of the community to officially open Joel Weeks Park, located at 10 Thompson Street in the Queen and Broadview area. The celebration will take place between noon and 8 p.m. with remarks and a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. The celebration will include a barbeque organized by the local community.
Thanks for listening to Toronto in Review.