Bloor St. West lately this mural has been obscured by a construction fence for yet another condo on the former property of the Kingsway Auto Service Centre. Painted in 2011 by Jim Bravo, it is 20 by 30 feet. Click here for a newer (2019) mural by Bravo.
Lots of different drinks being consumed in this mural.
Epworth Manse To commemorate 122 years of Protestant congregations who held services in the Epworth Methodist, later United Church. What began as the Christie Street Mission around 1883, in a wooden structure at the northeast corner of Christie and Yarmouth Road, served the poor and working class families of Seaton Village. As the population and congregation grew, a permanent brick church was begun in 1886 as designed and built by architect Henry Bauld Gordon (1854-1951) with the firm of Gordon & Helliwell of Toronto. It was officially opened on August 2nd, 1890.
The Manse built behind the Church was first used by the Pastoral family and in later years by the caretaker of the Church which included an underground tunnel to the Church's basement for easy winter access. At one point in its life, Epworth United Church could boast of a Sunday school of over 500 children. By the late 1970s the Congregation numbers were declining and in 1979, with the acceptance of the United Church Presbytery of Toronto, formed a three point Congregation with St. Matthews Church on St. Clair Ave. West and Oakwood Church. This kept the Church in the area but a Minister and staff were shared by all three. Finally in 1980, with the decision being made by the Congregation, it was decided that it could no longer remain as a United Church and amalgamated with St. Matthews. Epworth was sold to the East Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church and remained as their Church for 25 years.
The Church was bought by a developer in 2005 and torn down to make room for houses.
Pirillo Lane An application was made by Sylvia Pirillo, to name the lane east of Clinton Street, extending south from Dupont Street as "Pirillo Lane".
"My family has lived at 908 Manning Avenue since 1959. Naming the laneway would honour the memory of my parents..."
"My father originally arrived on his own in Canada in 1950 via the ocean liner Constitution in search of a better life for his family. He worked in Montreal and Niagara Falls for General Electric, namely building the hydroelectric generating station.
He returned to Italy in 1955 to prepare his wife and three children for the move to Canada.
In 1957, he returned to Toronto where he began working at the TTC. In 1959, after working and saving enough money he bought the family home on Manning and his family arrived during the same year. Two more children were born at this home during the 1960s.
My parents sponsored 2 families from Italy in order to help them emigrate to Canada. One family in the 1960s and one in the 1970s. Both families resided at 908 Manning until they were financially stable enough to move into their own homes. My dad's generosity and compassion continued until his passing in 1987.
My mom continued her spirit of giving and helping as well. Later in life, when she needed nanny care she effectively sponsored 5 nannies from the Philippines. They also resided at the family home. This was beneficial in helping them gain stability and independence in Canada.
My sister owned 906 Manning Avenue during the 1970s. She again demonstrated a similar compassion by sponsoring a Vietnamese family within her home. The children went on to become dentists and doctors.
My families' story displays what Canada stands for. A place where a newcomer, an immigrant can make positive difference in his own life his family's life while contributing to the wellbeing of others in the neighbourhood. It is this passion that continues in my family today and it will hopefully transfer into the naming on the laneway in the rear of 908 Manning Avenue."
RendezViews, one of Toronto’s largest patios has teamed up with Collective Arts and transformed its space into a one-of-a-kind art experience. RendezViews was born out the city's CafeTO program. What used to be a dormant parking lot in the Entertainment District is now a picnic-inspired patio space run by The Fifth and The Ballroom.
Collective Arts Brewing is based out of Hamilton and they’re known for colourful and creative labels. I've featured them several times here on Monday Mural.
I had taken photos in June when it wasn't open (opens at 4 PM).
As I approached walking west on Richmond St.
We stopped in on Friday for drinks and snacks.
RendezViews implemented a number of measures, including social distancing, cashless payment systems and QR code menus, as part of its efforts to keep diners safe and reduce contact points. It also makes for a very efficient system.
You pay for everything as your order, no hanging around waiting for your bill.
However we did think it was a little overpriced, but then isn't everything since places started to re-open!!! But these drinks were overwatered as well. But we enjoyed the ambiance and finally being able to enjoy summer in the city!
Taking over the blank canvas are local artists Bruno Smoky and Shalak Attack of Clandestinos Art. Presenting a visual story of triumph, optimism and community growth, they call their exhibition, Reflections.
"We picture the mural as a face looking into a mirror, and in the mirror are the person's reflections with many other people surrounded by nature," Smoky and Attack explain. "The floor will also work as an organic reflection of the murals, that starts with big waves and ends with smaller waves that fragment into more geometric shapes."
I took this photo last week (also closed) but I had to shoot through the fence but it gives you the size of the mural.
Yet another rainy day, all day, on Saturday. We amused ourselves as we usually do although John had the unenviable task of trying to get our printer working again which involved a call to HP (we use their ink service and printer decided we weren't registered), a trip to the locker for a cable to connect PC to printer (HP suggestion), with no results.
Monday afternoon and you couldn't see anything but haze out the windows.
John golfed and I decided to go to Dundas West subway station to get a photo as it will soon be renamed as will Dundas St. Dundas Square and Dundas subway station in an effort to promote inclusion and reconciliation with marginalized communities. It is due to his connection to the slave trade.
I understand, however, there are many better uses of that money.
Then I walked east along Bloor St. to Dufferin station. It was getting too hot for more walking. Temperatures were feeling like mid 30s.
There are two underpasses along here mostly covered in unsightly graffiti, however, this was not touched.
Tattoo shop.
Bloordale Beach is Toronto's newest unofficial beach, except that it's not really a beach. It's not connected to a lake, or even a pond, or any kind of body of water — unless you count the occasional puddle that forms post-rainstorm, which beach-goers have aptly named the Bloordale Lagoon. The "beach" is really just a barren, gravelly lot sitting just north of Dufferin Mall. Fencing keeps the public (or tries to, anyway) from entering the site, which was home to the Brockton Learning Centre before the TDSB greenlit the old high school's demolition last year.
No love lost between these two neighbours! Julie Dzerowicz is a member of the Liberal Party, she has represented the Toronto riding of Davenport in the House of Commons of Canada since her initial election in 2015, and was subsequently reelected in 2019.
The sign in the window beside her storefront office says "she doesn't give a damn about you"!
As of 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20, Toronto's air quality ranked worse than that of Beijing, New York, Kabul, Kolkata, Wuhan, Los Angeles and every other major city in the world. Environment Canada had issued special air quality statements for every part of Southern Ontario today on account of "elevated particulate matter levels and hazy conditions" caused by smoke from more than 100 active fires in the north.
John took a friend to her physio appointment in the morning and then I took him down to check out the Harbourfront Farm Boy, so I had an extra pair of hands.
Wednesday and the haze blew away with mid 20s temperatures. I went around the corner to the Village Idiot Genius pub and I decided to order a burger and a glass of wine.
Thursday John golfed and I went for a 9:30 mani-pedi, first one since November!
From there I took the bus and subway to Bathurst and Queen W. This is the best place for house plants, it is packed to the rafters with them and even has a backyard garden with more plants.
My patio lunch spot, citrus shrimp with spicy mayo, crispy onions, pickled ginger and sushi rice.
New city signs to drivers warning them of curbside cafes.
Many downtown streets have curbside patios set up for eating outside safely and comfortably.
Looking down towards Graffiti Alley, this entrance is blocked off. There's a Birdo piece of art.
More bike lane painted dividers on Richmond.
Handing out free cans of alcohol free Bud. He even came on the bus and gave us each two cans and the driver, a case.
I repotted the plants I bought yesterday, 2 for $10. I bought this pot there as well.
Friday afternoon we headed out for patio cocktails at Rendezviews. Location is fabulous but the drinks are overpriced and overwatered. Like everything after the lockdown prices are up. Scan the QR code for menu, pay for your drinks when you order, no cash. You can order food from them (nothing gluten free) or from a Thai restaurant around the corner and they bring it over.
Two restaurants nearby are allowing their bathrooms to be used.
Our snacks are delivered wings and spring rolls.
SOPHISTICATED SHAKERS
We decided to have Rob Roys again.
COOKING
Saturday and I felt like curry chicken and I tried this gluten free naan bread and they turned out quite well.
Sunday we air fried steak and had fajitas.
Monday I did oven baked spicy chicken quarters, mashed cauliflower, broccolini potatoes and sauteed purple cabbage. We have a glut of vegetables to be used up.
Tuesday spaghetti and sausage.
Wednesday I had a burger out.
Thursday ham with au gratin cauliflower and potatoes. John tried the Farm Boy gluten free cauliflower pizza for lunch, said it wasn't bad in a pinch.
The clip below is the full episode of season 1 episode 1.
Together we are watching Manifest, an American supernatural drama series.
READING
I read another Belinda Bauer this week as I had enjoyed one last week. Blacklands was a good story but it seemed too short and I couldn't get vested into any of the female characters.
BUT WOW did Local Woman Missing blow me away, an incredible page turner. But like most reviews I was disappointed in the ending and the way it just snuck up with a rather unbelievable and quick finish along with several loose ends.
I started reading Consent which is strange so far.
