Celebrating Public Sculpture in Toronto Neighbourhoods

Sculpture enhances the neighbourhood experience for residents and those who visit, even for a moment. There are many sculptures in the City of Toronto for all to enjoy. Take a walk and learn a little bit more about two sculptures in our Deer Park Neighbourhood.

The first photograph is John Fillion's Reclining Figure 1967. It is located on the west side of the raised front entrance plaza to the office tower at 95 St. Clair Avenue West. This is large scale Bronze figure of a male torso sits on a dark grey marble base. John Fillion RCA wrote, "Love and Art have nothing to do with communication: they have to do with Communion". Fillion who taught at the Ontario College of Art and Design created works which are both bold and dramatic.

On the north-west corner of Avenue Road sits Glenn Gould Park, the location of the Peter Pan sculpture in the photograph. Many local residents, and especially children, will know it as Peter Pan Park. Sitting in the middle of the play area is the Peter Pan sculpture by Sculptor Sir George Frampton. The replicas were cast from the original mould of the famous Peter Pan statue which is located in London's Kensington Gardens in England (1927).

Based on J.M. Barrie's immortal character, Peter Pan, this bronze statue features Peter standing on a tree stump playing a flute whilst a collection of fairies, rabbits, squirrels and other little creatures gather to listen. The main fairy is believed to be Tinker Bell reaching towards Peter. Frampton described his masterpiece as follows; "The animals and fairies on the statue are listening to the Pipes of Pan, one of the mice is completing his toilet before going up to listen to the music, and the squirrel is discussing political matters with two of the fairies."

There are seven Peter Pan sculptures around the world. The other six are located in Kensington Gardens, London, England; Sefton Park, Liverpool; Egmont Park, Brussels; Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey; Bowring Park, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada; and Queen's Gardens, Perth, Western Australia.

The inscription at the base of the Peter Pan sculpture in Toronto reads, "To the Spirit of Children, Erected by the College Heights Association, September 1929". This sculpture entertains the children in us all.

For much more information and photographs on Public Art and Sculpture Toronto Streets and Parks http://www.ruthard.ca/art/uptown.html

Dianne's Summer Favourite Gazpacho Recipe

GAZPACHO GRANDE (from Jane Brody’s “Good Food Cook Book”)

This is a fabulous recipe - a healthy way to enjoy the bounty of summer’s fresh produce.

Lots of chopping, but no cooking!!

1 large cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise

and cored to remove seeds, divided

2 large tomatoes, peeled, cored and seeded,

divided

1 green pepper, halved and seeded, divided

1 medium onion, peeled, halved and seeded, divided

1 pimiento

3 cups tomato juice, divided

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce (Tabasco)

¼ teaspoon salt, if desired (be gentle)

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more, to taste

3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or crushed

Croutons for garnish (optional)

In a blender, combine half the cucumber, 1 tomato, half the green pepper, half the onion, the whole pimiento, and 1 cup of the tomato juice. Puree the ingredients at high speed.

Chop the remaining cucumber, tomato, green pepper, and onion. Place the vegetables in a bowl, cover it, and refrigerate it until serving time.

Pour the puree into a large serving bowl or tureen, and add the remaining 2 cups tomato juice, the vinegar, oil, pepper sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic. Refrigerate the gazpacho, covered, for at least 2 hours.

Just before serving the soup, add the reserved chopped vegetables to the puree mixture. Check the seasonings. Serve the gazpacho with croutons, if desired.

!!ENJOY!!!

WINTER SKATING RINKS ARE OPEN IN TORONTO

 This is one of my favourite times of the year. This weekend the Cavalcade of Lights takes place at Nathan Phillips Square Saturday November 30th starting at 7pm. There will be live musical performances and the lighting of a giant tree and fireworks from the roof of City Hall. Yippee!!

I like skating at City Hall on Queen Street before New Years when the plaza area looks so nice with light displays. Another favourite is skating at Harbourfront overlooking the Toronto Harbour. You can rent skates at both locations. Have Fun!

Nuit Blanche - The all night art and installation experience

nuit blanche Toronto 2013 is here!!!!!!!! 

Toronto is now eagerly awaiting another wonderful Scotiabank nuit blanche Toronto. This is a wonderful all night event starting at 6:51pm on October 5, 2013 until dawn the following day. Wander the city and discover something new about the city, our world, humanity and civilization from the imagination and perspective of over 110 contemporary artists. Take a peek at the Youtube video highlights from 2012.

 For the full information on the 2013 program and locations please see the official website 2013 nuit blanche Toronto http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/

See you there.

Youtube video of Highlights from 2012

Bikes and Outdoor Movies  

One of my favourite summer things is to ride my bicycle to a special place like David Pecaut Square and watch outdoor movies. I first experienced outdoor movies in Amsterdam watching a movie projected on the side of a building along the canals. Be sure to bring your own snacks.

blogTO's list of free outdoor movies in Toronto for  

Summer 2013- Check it out!!

"Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? The milk in this case is the chance to watch films without paying, and I don't mean by sneaking into a theatre. And the metaphorical milk in this case is almond milk...where my vegans at? Back on topic, if you didn't already know that you have tons of opportunities to watch films for FREE in Toronto this summer, here you go. There are free film events happening all over our great city, so grab a blanket, grab a friend, and I'll see you movie lovers there.

I've highlighted my personal DO NOT MISS films in Bold, to make stalking me easier.

City Cinema: Cult Classics at Yonge & Dundas Square (TUE)Location: South East Corner of Yonge & Dundas

Tue, 25 June @ 9:00pm - Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Tue, 2 July @ 9:00pm - Army of Darkness (1992)
Tue, 9 July @ 9:00pm - Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tue, 16 July @ 9:00pm - Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Tue, 23 July @ 9:00pm - The Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Tue, 30 July @ 8:30pm - The Goonies (1985)

It's a little annoying watching films in the square because of light and noise pollution, but since it's free, you've got nothing to lose. Give it a shot!

Free Flicks: Harbourfront (WED)Location: Lower Simcoe St & Queens Quay, Harbourfront Centre

July 03 @ 9:00pm - Little Shop of Horrors: The Director's Cut
July 10 @ 9:00pm - Galaxy Quest
July 17 @ 9:00pm - Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
July 24 @ 9:00pm - Top Secret!
July 31 @ 9:00pm - Streets of Fire
August 7 @ 9:00pm - The Triplets of Belleville
August 14 @ 9:00pm - That Thing You Do!
August 21 @ 9:00pm - Josie and the Pussycats
August 28 @ 9:00pm - Audience Choice

There's a terrific selection of free flicks at Harbourfront this year, including my top choice Galaxy Quest. If you hear an annoying guy in the audience saying all the best lines as they happen on screen, that's me, don't forget to say "hi" — or "shhhhhh."

TIFF In the Park: A Summer of Romance (WED)Location: King & Simcoe, David Pecaut Square

July 3 @ 9:15 PM - Casablanca
July 10 @ 9:15 PM - Moonstruck
July 17 @ 9:15 PM - City Lights
July 24 @ 9:15 PM - Sleepless in Seattle
July 31 @ 9:00 PM - The Way We Were
August 7 @ 9:00 PM - Clueless
August 14 @ 9:00 PM - Sense and Sensibility
August 21@ 8:30 PM - Roman Holiday
August 28 @ 8:30 PM - The Notebook

This lineup sounds like the perfect cure for insomnia, so if you like falling asleep outside at night, surrounded by strangers, in downtown Toronto, then this is for you! Be sure to tell your grandma though, or that lonely aunt you have with all of the cats.

Junction Movie Nights (FRI)Location: The Junction Train Platform (Dundas St. West / Pacific Ave.)

June 22 @ 9:30PM - "Steamboat Bill" featuring live music accompaniment.
Every Second Friday in July & August - More Movies announced soon!

Seeing a Movie with live musical accompaniment can be an incredible adventure. Step back in time and experience film like it used to be, before "talkies" ruined it for everyone. Plus it's on a train platform, which is super weird. You'll finally have something interesting to instagram besides your lunch.

Movies in the Park - Riverdale Park East (SUN)Location: 550 Broadview Ave

July 7 @ "when it's dark" - Top Gun
July 21 @ "when it's dark" - Goonies
Aug 4 @ "when it's dark" - ET the Extra Terrestrial
Aug 18 @ "when it's dark" - Ferris Beuller's Day Off

If you can resist watching Ferris Beuller's Day Off on any screen in any locale, then you're a much stronger person than me. This will be my first time at the Riverdale event, so I'll be sure to report back on the viewing conditions.

Christie Pits Film Festival: Hits in the Pits (SUN)
Location: Christie Pits Park

July 7 @ 9PM - That Thing You Do!
July 14 @ 9PM - Gimme Shelter
July 21 @ 9PM - Buena Vista Social Club
July 28 @ 9PM - The Last Waltz

If you didn't get enough films about bands at NXNE, here's you chance to see some cool flicks including some classic Rolling Stones. Expect people to be dancing on their blankets at this one.

Dog Bowl Movie Night / Movies and dates TBD
Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park

Join the Dog Bowl Movie Night Facebook group for updates.

Probably my favourite free film event in Toronto. Last year's screening of the greatest comedy of all time Wet Hot American Summer was the most fun I've had at the bottom of a hill sober with all of my clothes on. Full disclosure: I was neither sober nor fully clothed.

Sail-In Cinema / Movies and dates TBD
Location: Sugar Beach (25 Dockside Drive)

Sail-In Cinema claims to be the "world's first two-sided floating movie experience" and "Toronto's largest outdoor theatre event". For three summer nights, Canada's Sugar Beach is transformed into an outdoor theatre. Movies are shown under the open skies on a two-sided screen set atop a barge in Toronto Harbour. Watch movies for free from the water, or pull up a sandcastle and watch from the beach. Warning: sitting on a sandcastle will likely make a child cry, so wait until after the movie." Thanks to blogTO for the research.

 June 2013  For more information on living life to the fullest in the city check out the link below to blogTO

http://www.blogto.com/film/2013/06/free_outdoor_movies_in_toronto_summer_2013/

Toronto Real Estate Board Market Watch June 2013

"Price Growth Across All Major Home Types in May

June 5, 2013 -- Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 10,182 sales through the TorontoMLS system in May 2013, representing a dip of 3.4 per cent compared to May 2012. Sales of single-detached homes in the GTA were up by almost one per cent compared to the same period last year, including a three per cent year-over-year increase in the City of Toronto.

“The sales picture in the GTA has improved markedly over the past two months. While the number of transactions in April and May remained below last year’s levels, the rate of decline has been much smaller. A growing number of households who put their decision to purchase on hold as a result of stricter lending guidelines are starting to become active again in the ownership market,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Ann Hannah.

The average selling price for May 2013 sales was $542,174 – up by 5.4 per cent in comparison to $514,567 in May 2012. The annual rate of price growth was driven by the tight low-rise segment of the market and particularly by single-detached and semi-detached home transactions in the City of Toronto. Average condominium apartment prices were also up slightly in comparison to last year.

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark was up by 2.8 per cent year-over-year.

“The annual rate of price growth in May was not surprising given the competition that still exists between buyers, particularly for low-rise home types such as single-detached and semi-detached houses. We remain on track for a three-and-a-half per cent increase in the average selling price for 2013 as a whole,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "  Market Watch- Toronto Real Estate Board

Toronto Real Estate Board Market Watch on Youtube November 2012

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! Each Month I post to my Blog the Toronto Real Estate Board monthly report on what is happening in the real estate market in Toronto. It covers prices, trends and analysis for the condo and home markets. It is useful for both buyers and sellers.

In the midst of all the year end celebrations some of you will already be thinking about moving to a new place next year. Life changes happen - a need for a bigger property for a growing family, marriage, separation, death in the family, a desire to live closer to work or family, retirement and a desire to find a country property. The fall and early winter are great times to  get your home ready for sale in 2013. In 2012 the highest prices for sellers occurred in the earlier months when there were fewer properties on the market a bidding amongst buyers impacted the market prices. There were many factors at play including interest rates and the unseasonable warm weather in March 2012.

Check out my website for more Toronto real estate information.  www.neilmens.com

BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE, PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2013!