TOM RYABOI'S VIDEO "CITY RISING: A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF TORONTO"

Take a pause in your day and enjoy this beautiful and calming view of our fair city by 27 year old Toronto Photographer Tom Ryaboi using time lapse photography. (Note this is a big file so be patient while it loads before viewing.) Like a soaring eagle on an updraft Tom looks down from roof top perches to the city laid out below. We can see human and kinetic energy flowing through the structures and places we have created. Got to love the human ingenuity and raw energy which has transformed the raw materials of the land into bricks, concrete, steel , glass into roads, buildings, plazas, pedestrian walkways. Our senses are set alight observing the roof top view of the sensual patterns of clouds in the sky above. The video's dramatic sound track deepens our emotional journey and reflection. Visual patterns like these are used by geographers like myself to help us better observe, understand, question, appreciate and celebrate the relationships we humans have to the places we inhabitant, and to help us find our way forward. To see more of the world through Tom Ryaboi's mind, eye, and lense visit BlogTo where he is a photo editor or simply google his name to contact him directly and purchase a picture. Thanks Tom

Toronto Real Estate Board Sept 2012 Housing Update

GTA REALTORS® Release Monthly Resale Housing Figures TORONTO, October 3, 2012 -- Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 5,879 transactions through the TorontoMLS system in September 2012. The average selling price for these transactions was $503,662, representing an increase of more than 8.5 per cent compared to last year. The number of transactions was down by 21 per cent in comparison to September 2011. However, it is important to note that there were two fewer working days in September 2012 compared to September 2011. The majority of transactions are entered on working days. On a per working day basis, sales were down by 12.5 per cent year-over-year. “While sales have been lower due to stricter mortgage lending guidelines, we continue to see substantial competition between buyers. The months of inventory trend remains low from a historic perspective, which explains the strong price increases we are experiencing,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Ann Hannah. September average selling prices were up compared to last year for all major home types. Price growth was strongest in the City of Toronto, including condominium apartments with eight per cent year-over-year growth. All benchmark home types included in the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) experienced year-over-year price increases, with substantially stronger increases for low-rise home types. “Barring a major change to the consensus economic outlook, home price growth is expected to continue through 2013. Based on inventory levels, price growth will be strongest for low-rise home types, including single-detached and semi-detached houses and town homes,” said TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis, Jason Mercer.

Neil's fave architecture and design links

Azure Magazine is a Canadian treasure. "Design, Architecture, Interiors, Curiosity" "AZURE is a magazine. AZURE is also the colour of the sky, an afternoon sky of limitless possibilities. AZURE covers design; AZURE defines design. Design determines the forms we live and work in. It changes how we sit, write, read, learn, navigate and negotiate. It informs how we relate to the broader society and how we define beautiful and useful ways of living. Above all, it helps us envision a better, more sustainable and expressive future. In its pages, AZURE profiles international designers and architects, reports on major trade fairs in North America and Europe and investigates design issues related to our changing society. Presenting and exploring innovative projects, materials, products and ideas, AZURE is an indispensable resource for architects, designers and the design-savvy public."

"DESIGN FOR THE CITY YOU LIVE IN" This is Toronto's amazing print magazine resource published 4 times a year by AZURE. It is the ultimate guide to learn about and purchase Contemporary Furniture, Closets, Design Accessories, Home Entertainment Systems, Flooring and Tiles, Kid's Furniture, Kitchen and Bath, Lighting,Outdoor Furniture, Rugs and Carpeting, Vintage and Reclaimed Furniture, Wallcoverings and Paint, Windows and Doors, Boutique Hotels, Galleries and Museums, and Food and Drink. This magazine groups all the resources into 8 mapped destinations. You can plan out the route for your exploration of city design shops before heading out. Get a coffee, get DESIGNLINES and plan a fun day! You will also find 8 walking maps of the hottest design districts. Check out their website where you’ll find more than 200 listings sorted by location and store category. Each is written by an independent author in order to provide you with an unbiased and discerning description.

THE DESIGN EXCHANGE (DX) is located in the historic old Toronto Stock Exchange building in downtown Toronto. This is a very alive space which nurtures and celebrates creativity in architecture and design. Exhibit spaces showcase the permanent collection and international shows from around the world. I have attended many interesting panel discussions, special events and exhibitions over the years. A stimulating and diverse membership makes lively discussion, learning and fabulous fun. For more information on current shows and programs check their website.

Take a peak at some of my fave Toronto Public Sculpture

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