Scotiabank Nuit Blanche events at Fort York, Todmorden Mills and Spadina Museum
Chosen for their distinctive architecture features and unique settings, three City of Toronto historic sites will host four independent Canadian art projects as part of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche on October 1.
Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd.), Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd.) and Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.) will feature exhibits that invite visitors to experience these sites in new ways. Event details are provided below and online at http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/nuitblanche.htm.
Fort York National Historic Site will host SMILE and Shed, two independent projects that welcome exploration and interaction. SMILE (Socially Motivated Interactive Lightscaping Environment), by Dashing Collective in collaboration with Aesthetec Studio, is a lighting installation of interactive cubes of light arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Visitors can carry the cubes of light that will intensify and pulsate as their interaction with the space and others within it changes.
Located inside two of Fort York's historic buildings, Shed (created by _iterative) explores the idea of a laboratory and incubation space that depicts how cities and homes evolve. The exterior composition will surprise visitors with an upside-down structure. The interior unveils an immersive experience assembled from everyday building materials such as gypsum, rigid blue foam insulation and lumber.
Spadina Museum's interiors will be alive with patterns and forms inspired by its garden and forested grounds. The Inside Out exhibition will stretch visitor expectations through an artistic exploration of the genesis of life and matter, and animal communications.
Inside Out's nine artists - Alexander Moyle, Barbara Cook, Elizabeth Greisman, Frith Bail, Gloria Stein, Radha Chaddah, Ruth Danziger, Sue Miller and Wendy Wobeser - will animate the estate grounds with illuminated installations in varied media, including projections, ceramic and textile sculptures, a mobile, an optical drawing machine and several large painted banners. There will also be video performance pieces by the Four Humours - blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm.
Cloudscape, by Xiaojing Yan, at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site is an elaborate sculpture installation constructed of reed and paper forms that float and soar through space. The work references traditional Chinese landscape painting, where natural forms are re-interpreted under the lens of culture. Yan's decorative motifs present a convoluted representation of nature by depicting water transforming into cloud.
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is Toronto’s annual all-night celebration of contemporary art, produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. Since 2006, the event has featured more than 600 official art installations created by nearly 2,500 artists and has generated more than $70 million in economic impact for Toronto. More event information is available at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca.
The Town of Markham continues to be very popular with homebuyers leading all municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area (with the exception of the City of Toronto) in year-to-date 2011 existing home sales. Markham has recorded 3,278 home sales thus far in 2011 with an average sale price of $558,000. The average sale to list price ratio of 100% is the highest in the GTA. The average days on the market at 19 is also the lowest in the GTA. Come and explore Markham real estate with me in this article and you will discover that the Town of Markham has many distinct neighbourhoods that offer something for every homebuyers lifestyle and budget.
Markham Village located north of Highway 7 has an eclectic mix of housing options. Something for everybody here. The semi-detached and link style starter homes range in price from $350,000-$450,000. The detached houses include Neo-Georgian, Colonial and Tudor Revival, and Ranch-style bungalows. These homes range in price from $500,000-$800,000. If you have ever dreamed of living in a heritage home then you will will want to check out the area surrounding Main Street in Old Markham Village. These Victorian and Georgian charmers, in various states of restoration, range in price from $330,000-$850,000
Another popular Markham heritage district is Old Thornhill Village situated at John Street, between Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street. This historic village includes pockets of Heritage homes, Ranch-style bungalows and massive Neo-Colonial mansions situated on some of the most expansive urban lots in the GTA. Homes in Thornhill Village range from $575,000-$1,600.000
Unionville Village located at Highway 7 and Kennedy Road is one of the most popular communities within the Town of Markham. The premium homes are situated in the old village of Unionville centred around Main Street north of Hwy 7 and in the area around Toogood Pond. Here you will find lovingly restored heritage homes and custom built homes. These detached executive houses range in price from $725,000-$1,500,000. On the peripherey of Unionville there are a number of townhomes and smaller detached houses that sell for between $380,000-$700,000.
The Bayview Country Club neighbourhood is situated in the southwest part of Markham, at Bayview and Leslie, at the Toronto city limits. The lots are large and the streets are well treed with a mature canopy of trees. This is an established neighbourhood with high prices due to its proximity to excellent schools, recreational amenities and public transit. The exisiting older housing stock sells for between $645,000-$1,400,000. The new custom built homes which are now slowly replacing the original housing stock are massive in scale and sell for between $1.3 and $2 million.
The Cachet Woods neighbourhood situated at Woodbine and 16th Avenue is one of the more affordable areas to buy in Markham. This location is convenient to commuter highways, shopping, golf courses and recreational amenities and good schools. A wide selection of housing options here includes semi-detached and townhomes for $400,000-$550,000, detached houses for $600,000-$1,000,000 and estate homes with triple car garages that sell for over $1 million.
The Angus Glen community is named after the award winning golf club of the same name situated at Major Mackenzie Drive East and Kennedy Road. Many of the houses in this community back onto the Angus Glen golf course commanding premium prices. The top-ranked Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School draws lots of families to this area. Freehold townhomes in Angus Glen sell for between $426,000-$650,000. Detached houses start at $850,000 and can soar to over $2 million.
The Berczy Village subdivision is named after one of Markham’s earliest settlers William Berczy. Situated at 16th Avenue and McCowan Road around the 50 acre Berczy Park this community offers: award winning schools, as well as nearby conservation areas and golf courses. Berczy Village townhomes and semi-detached homes sell in the $400,000-$500,00 range. Detached houses that range in size from 2,000-3,500 square feet sell for between $520,000-$1,000,000
The Milliken Mills neighbourhood north of Steeles at Kennedy Road is situated close to the popular Pacific Mall. This is the largest Asian Mall in the GTA. The Milliken Mills Community Centre and public library are other drawing cards. This is an older subdivision with 3 bedroom link style homes on narrow lots with the garages attached at the front of the house. These starter homes are approximately 1500-2000 square feet and sell in the $415,000-$550,000 price range. The larger 4 bedroom detached houses in the 2400-3000 square foot range sell for between $550,000-$950,000.
The award winning Cornell subdivision located at 9th line north of Highway 7 is Ontario’s first New Urbanism community. This master planned neighbourhood is located in the mostly rural northeast section of Markham near picturesque farmlands. Cornell looks and feels like an old town with a central square, heritage inspired houses, and a sprinkling of small community minded shops. The architecture of the houses is Victorian and Colonial in style and the streetscapes are uncluttered with all the parking located in garages at the rear off laneways. Attached and semi-detached houses sell for between $330,00-$450,000 while the larger detached houses sell for between $450,000-$600,000.
As you can see from this article the Town of Markham offers a wide range of real estate opportunities for just about every lifestyle and budget. In researching this blog I came across a number of excellent potential real estate sponsors that I would feel confident referring my clients to. If you would like me to make an introduction for you, to a real estate professional in Markham, I can be reached by email: ddunkelman@sothebysrealty.ca Happy real estate travels. David Dunkelman, Broker, Sotheby's International Realty Canada.
Today, Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20 Trinity Spadina), Jim Jacobs - son of Jane Jacobs, and Wellington Place Neighbourhood Association representatives Ken Greenberg, Eti Greenberg and Scott James honoured the late Jane Jacobs by unveiling a pair of chairs in Ward 20's Victoria Memorial Square. The square is a hidden gem that is both a community park and a national historic site.
Jane Jacobs was well known for her interest in communities and urban planning. She lived in Toronto from 1968 until her death in 2006.
The two chairs in Victoria Memorial Square were made by the Spanish designers Montse Periel and Màrius Quintana. These durable chairs were made possible by the contribution of Jacobs' friends Ken and Eti Greenberg, and the generosity of the Escofet Company in Barcelona.
"When Jane came to visit us at our home, she discovered this wonderful square and lent her support and encouragement to the restoration as it progressed," said Eti Greenberg. "While she never saw the final results, this elegant and simple piece will provide a quiet, contemplative place to sit and watch the life of the park and reflect on her words and her presence in our city."
In a letter to the Wellington Place Neighbourhood Association (WPNA) in 2002, Jane Jacobs said: "Victoria Memorial Square will be an urban jewel, rescued from a wasteland of neglect and forgetfulness. It beautifully ties the city’s earliest roots into a living, caring, revitalized community. The whole city is made richer by this enlightened act of stewardship.”
The restoration of Victoria Memorial Square is now almost fully finished thanks to the efforts of the WPNA, which worked closely with Councillor Vaughan to implement a restoration plan. The plan included re-grading, lighting, pathways, trees and other plantings, furniture and a playground. A central monument sculpture by Walter Allward commemorates the rich history of the park, which was the cemetery for the Fort York garrison and contains approximately 500 graves, including that of an infant daughter of John Graves Simcoe, the founder of York (Toronto) and the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada.
"Jane's words and wisdom touched many communities in this city," said Councillor Vaughan. "It's only fitting that in a neighbourhood where she sat and contemplated the future, she be remembered by residents in such a fond way."
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville - for the purposes of this article henceforth referred to as Stouffville - is within an easy 30 minute drive of Toronto and yet it feels and looks like a world apart. The density is remarkably low as this town has managed to retain a rural charm despite the recent advancement of new home subdivisions that are clustered throughout different sections of Stouffville. There are 3 main areas where you can search for real estate in Stouffville.
Let us begin our search in the Hamlet of Ballantrae which is situated in the north part of Stouffville. This rural area is heavily forested. The landmark Musselman Lake is surrounded by houses that range in size from small bungalows to remodelled larger houses with a contemporary architecture. Prices in Ballantrae are all over the map depending on size, condition and views. You can spend $250,000 or you can spend a million. If you are looking to retire and want some cost certainty then you will want to take a look at the Adult Lifestyle Ballantrae Golf and Country Club community where 2000 plus square foot bungalows trade in the $470,000-$625,000 price range depending on what tee and fairway you look upon.
Sticking to a rural theme but moving away strictly from Ballantrae to other parts of rural Stouffville you will find a random selection of real estate spanning a wide gamut from affordable ($250,000-$500,000) backroad bungalows that dominate Stouffille's many rural hamlets to estate home subdivisions such as Emerald Hills that offer a golf course community lifestyle. Estate homes in Stoufville of which there are quite a few clustered in exclusive carefully planned subdivisions, range in size from 3000 to 5000 square feet and generally sell anywhere from $750,000 to over $2 million dollars.
The historic town of Whitchurch-Stouffville centred at 9th line and Main Street is the most populous centre in Stouffville. An in-town starter home sells between $300,000-$400,000. These include newer townhomes, small bungalows and some heritage homes looking for tender loving care. If you bump things up to the $400,000-$525,000 price range you can get a detached house or a larger ranch-style bungalow. Ramping things up even further to the $525,000-$1,000,000 price range will get you into a 4 bedroom detached home with a two car garage. This is also the price range where you will find the best selection of restored heritage homes.
As you can see from this article Stouffviile offers a wide range of real estate opportunities for just about every lifestyle and budget. In researching this article I came across a number of excellent potential real estate sponsors that I would feel confident referring my clients to. If you would like me to make an introduction for you, to a real estate professional in Stouffville, I can be reached by email: ddunkelman@sothebysrealty.ca Happy real estate travels. David Dunkelman, Broker, Sotheby's International Realty Canada.
UXBRIDGE REAL ESTATE
The Township of Uxbridge is located in the north part of Durham Region approximately 50 minutes north of the City of Toronto. Uxbridge is situated on the picturesque Oak Ridges Moraine. This municipality sprinkled with small hamlets offers rural living in the countryside as well as in-town new home subdivisions that have been cleverly crafted to suit their rural surroundings. This blog will take a look at the real estate opportunities within both the rural and downtown sections of Uxbridge
Starting in rural Uxbridge, prospective homebuyers who are looking for stunning wide open vistas, a lush topography and proximity to conservation areas will be pleasantly surprised with the number of quaint and historic hamlets and the many country properties that emanate from these crossroad communities. Prices for homes in rural Uxbridge start in the $200,000-$500,000 price range. These offerings include an assortment of ranch-style bungalows in various conditions. These modest dwellings are generally 1300-1400 square feet in size. The main attraction is the property. Generally around 1 acre in size these rural properties are heavily treed and offer great views as well as privacy. A pond or meandering watercourse on the property is sometimes part of the package.
The upper tier of rural properties in Uxbridge priced between $500,000-$1,000,000 include magnificent restored heritage homes, as well as new construction custom homes. These homes are are in excess of 2000 square feet and quite often include lavish entertainment centres, swimming pools, wrap around front porches, and multiple attached garages. These country estates are situated on multiple acreage lots. Many have hilltop views with ponds or streams and are situated around conservation parkland and forest. Some of the nicest horse farms and hobby farms in the Greater Toronto Area are located in rural Uxbridge.
if you want to enjoy the peace and serenity of the country but still retain an urban lifestyle and be close to amenities then downtown Uxbridge located north of Highway 47 off Toronto Street could be the right fit for you. Many in-town properties have views of Elgin Pond and surrounding parkland. A nice selection of new home subdivisions have recently been built with some of these situated around the world class Wooden Sticks golf course. The most affordable in-town starter homes are priced in the $225,000-$325,000 price range. Most of these include an assortment of ranch-style bungalows, heritage homes and townhomes.
The higher priced in-town houses priced between $325,000-$650,000 consist of 2-storey detached houses with built-in garages and all the modern amenities as well as town services including gas heating, and municipal water and sewage systems. Some of the pricier more coveted new home subdivisions include Quaker Village and Wooden Sticks.
Clearly based on the above information there are a myriad of excellent real estate opportunities in both rural and in-town Uxbridge that suit many different lifestyles and budgets. In reseraching this article I have come across some excellent potential real estate sponsors that I am sure would be happy to show you the real estate opportunities in Uxbridge. You can email me ddunkelman@sothebysrealty.ca and I would be happy to make an introduction on your behalf. David Dunkelman, Broker, Sothebys International Realty Canada
Commemorative Exhibit: Scarborough welcomes Terry Fox
The City of Toronto Archives will mount an exhibition in the rotunda of the Scarborough Civic Centre to commemorate Terry Fox's stop in Scarborough during his Marathon of Hope, 31 years ago.
Besides archival photographs, there will be CBC footage of the event including Fox's emotional and heartfelt remarks to the crowd.
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His goal was to run across Canada raising one dollar for each of Canada’s then 24 million people. By the time he reached Scarborough three months later on July 11, the contributions towards cancer research and his fame were growing.
"We are thrilled to have this exhibit at the Scarborough Civic Centre - the very same place where a crowd of thousands turned out to welcome and support Terry Fox," said Councillor Paul Ainslie (Ward 43 Scarborough East). The ceremony was an outpouring of community support, and the former City of Scarborough pledged $5,000 in support of Terry Fox's cause. By the end of his Toronto visit, Fox had raised $100,000 in a single day.
There is no admission to the exhibition which opens at noon on September 19 and runs through September 30. Scarborough Civic Centre is located at 150 Borough Dr. and is open Monday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
This exhibition celebrates Terry Fox's legacy and acknowledges the organizers and participants of this year's Scarborough -Toronto Terry Fox Run on September 18. More information about the Terry Fox Foundation is available at http://terryfox.org.
In an ongoing effort to increase community satisfaction and strengthen the Town’s commitment to
service excellence, a follow-up community survey to the 2008 one was conducted. The statistically-
significant survey results reflect high levels of satisfaction with Town quality of life, programs and
services, and demonstrate improvement upon the already favourable 2008 feedback.
From May 9 to June 3, 2011, independent research firm DPRA Canada Inc. conducted a random
telephone survey of 670 residents, representative of the overall Town population by age cohort, gender
and ward. Residents not selected to participate in the telephone survey had the opportunity to
complete a mail-back or on-line version of the survey, yielding 32 additional surveys. Survey results
are valid 19 times out of 20 with a margin of +/-3.66%.
The 2011 survey indicates 96% of participants are satisfied with the Town’s quality of life and 92% are
satisfied with the Town’s municipal government services. Residents find the Town caring and
welcoming, and are attracted to the small town feel, heritage, natural environment and proximity to
amenities. Services and programs which residents are most satisfied with include fire and emergency
services, community and special events, waste management, the public library and ice rinks/arenas.
Some local services which the residents suggested could be improved include road and sidewalk
maintenance, neighbourhood planning and environmental protection.
In terms of “top of mind” issues over the next two to five years, residents are most interested in
balanced growth, road system improvements, economic development and continued downtown
revitalization. Residents also provided suggestions for operating the new Customer Service Centre at
the new Municipal Offices as well as expanding Town communications through social media and other
vehicles.
“Council truly appreciates the level of resident participation in the community survey”, noted Mayor
Wayne Emmerson. “We value feedback from residents because it gives Council a better understanding
of what is important to the community, which helps us make informed decisions”.
“The community survey has been an excellent tool to engage residents and obtain input on ways to
effectively allocate our resources”, said Dave Cash, Chief Administrative Officer.
As with the 2008 community survey, the Town is conducting a full review of the 2011 survey results and
will determine priorities for improvement and actions within the context of fiscal responsibilities and
resources. The Town is also updating its Corporate Strategic Plan by incorporating resident input
received through the survey.
Bring the entire family to the tastiest, most fun-filled event of
the season. From Sept. 9-11 the Town of Aurora will host the 6th Annual Aurora Ribfest, at Machell Park
in Aurora. Find out if your rib sauce has what it takes to be the best in town by entering the rib sauce
competition, or simply come out and enjoy ribs from professional barbecue teams from across North
America.
The event is being sponsored by Aurora Home Hardware, Rona and the Investors Group.
This year’s event is bigger and better. New this year, will be an electronic bull on Saturday Sept. 10 from
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cost for the ride will be $2. There will also be a Kids Zone for fun-filled activities. It
will be open Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Aurora’s Ribfest also
offers a beer gardens—managed by the Aurora Rotary Club—live entertainment and a full midway
throughout the weekend.
The weekend also has an impressive line up of musical acts. On Friday, a Taste of the Blues takes to the
stage followed by a Taste of Classic Rock on Saturday and a Taste of Country and Swing on Sunday.
Back by popular demand, the community sauce competition will take place Sat., Sept. 10 at 11:30 a.m.
Teams will be supplied with a half-rack of fully cooked ribs and will be required to bring their prepared
sauce to sauce up their ribs to present to the panel of judges. Contestants must pre-register by Sept. 7 in
order to partake in the competition. Registration is free. Applications and details can be found at
www.aurora.ca.
“Events like Ribfest do so much for the community,” said Aurora’s Mayor Geoffrey Dawe. “Besides
offering a lot of great food and fun for residents, there are plenty of spin-off benefits for the local economy
since the event is such a big draw for visitors.”
On Sun., Sept. 11 rib teams from across North America will compete for bragging rights, and will be
judged by representatives from the community, including Mayor Geoffrey Dawe, to determine which team
is Aurora’s sauciest. The competition will take place at noon.
Who: Open to the public
What: Town of Aurora’s 6th Annual Ribfest
When: Fri., Sept. 9 and Sat., Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 11 from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Machell Park (located on Aurora Heights Drive)
Why: Ribfest has something for everyone to enjoy whether it be ribs, chicken, roasted yams
and corn on the cob, bloomin’ onions, ice cream, baked beans and fries, entertainment
and friendly competition.
Now entering its sixth year, the Roncesvalles Polish Festival brings a unique old-world charm to Roncesvalles Village, well known as one of Toronto’s most vibrant, diverse and creative neighbourhoods. Come and experience everything that Roncesvalles Village has to offer: rich Polish heritage, amazing art, music and culture, fabulous restaurants and unique, trendy shops. This years festival takes place on September 16th.
“We are expecting over 200,000 people this year,” said Andrew Chomentowski, Vice Chair of the Roncesvalles Village BIA. “Roncesvalles Avenue is the main street of the coolest neighbourhood in Toronto, home to a huge number of innovative entrepreneurs, merchants, artists, musicians and artisans. During the festival you’ll experience the street’s history and explore its trendy shops and restaurants.” Our festival, which is free, is a great destination for families. Roncesvalles Village is only minutes away from Lake Ontario and High Park. Best of all, it’s easy to get to by TTC.
Every year our Festival has become bigger and better. In 2011 event organizers expect to shatter the previous attendance records. People came out in record numbers in 2009.
Great music is paramount to the success of any festival, and this festival is no exception. There is something for just about every taste on the street. If you want to party, this is the place to be. “In addition to great performances by renowned local musicians who call Roncesvalles their home, you’ll enjoy music that you have never heard before,” added Chomentowski. “Imagine a polka band backed by the Supremes. That’s what you get with Freeze Dried from Chicago. Grammy-nominated Canadian musician John Gora will perform an eclectic mix of polka beats and New Orleans-inspired blues. Plus IPA Hall of Fame 2009 inductee Ed Guca from Toronto will be performing with Major Music. Listen to the music while enjoying a plate of delicious pierogis, a savory Polish sausage and a cool Tyskie in one our three beverage gardens OR sample the offerings from Roncesvalles Village’s many excellent restaurants. There’s a taste here for every palate.
Experience the beauty of the costumes, the elegance of the Polonais and the energy of the Krakowiak by taking in the Polish folk dancing sponsored by European Fine Foods Co. Inc. Performances will take place every 90 minutes on the Polish Credit Union stage. Also performing are Radosc Joy, young, enthusiastic and guaranteed to please.
Award-winning local musicians will grace our stages and fill the air with music of every sort. Buskers will entertain up and down the street.
At the neighbourhood cinema, the Revue, you can enjoy some of the finest cinema Poland has ever produced, the timeless Tricolor trilogy (Blue, White and Red) by renowned director Krzysztof Kieślowski.
So, when you take all these great attractions and talent, and put them in a great Toronto neighbourhood, you have a recipe for success. With unique independent shops and wonderfully diverse restaurants and cafés, and great local musicians, entertainers, artisans and craftspeople, this is sure to be an unforgettable weekend!
For more information, you can contact the Festival event management team at Maraca Canada at (905) 897-5099. You can reach the Roncesvalles Village BIA at (416) 537-2701 or email at ac.lavitsefhsilop@ofni.
For the 30th anniversary of the Toronto Sculpture Garden (TSG), Canadian artist Jed Lind will mark the site with a monumental public art work, "Gold, Silver & Lead." The work is a layered stack of modified and abstracted car bodies, in painted steel, which rises six metres above the viewer. The exhibition will remain on view for one year. The opening reception is on September 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
"Gold, Silver & Lead" challenges assumptions of mobility by making the automobile static and something to be considered rather than experienced. The work also references 1979 - a time when a second worldwide oil crisis caused automakers and the public to further revise the car into a smaller and more fuel efficient form. This state of fluidity, from material to immaterial, is evident in the car form selected for the installation.
This fluidity is also strikingly evident in the remodelling of urban space that occurred when the Toronto Sculpture Garden converted an old parking lot into a critical space, a thinking garden. These parallel histories of transformation intersect neatly in 1979, the year that planning began for the Toronto Sculpture Garden.
Lind, 33, is a Canadian artist who lives and works in Los Angeles and who has exhibited widely in North America and abroad. He has shown at such notable venues as The Power Plant in Toronto and at California galleries like the Wignall Museum, Laguna Art Museum and Steve Turner Contemporary. More information about the artist is available at http://jedlind.com.
The Toronto Sculpture Garden, operated by the City of Toronto, has featured more than 80 artists in over 60 exhibitions since it opened in 1981. The garden was developed through the sponsorship of the Louis L. Odette Family, the City of Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture. Exhibitions are funded by the non-profit L.L.O. Sculpture Garden foundation and administered by the garden’s director, Rina Greer, working with a volunteer art advisory board.
The Toronto Sculpture Garden is a park located at 115 King St. E. and is open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free. More information is available at http://www.torontosculpturegarden.com.
