Annex Festival on Bloor Sunday, June 8th

Mark Your Calendars! Bloor Stret West will be closed from Spadina to Bloor on Sunday, June 8th for the annual Annex Festival on Bloor.
Running from 11 am to 6 pm, the Festival on Bloor promises "fantastic food, over 80 vendors, MNJCC fitness demos, children's activities" and more.
Cheers,
Vanessa

MilesNadalJCC Profiled in The Star

I told you in the winter that community stalwart MNJCC turns 60 this year.
The community centre is a sponsor of today's Festival on Bloor and I spied this recent Toronto Star article, Jewish Community Centre led Toronto Toward Tolerance, so it seemed a good time to mention it again.
They sure lucked out with the weather today, given our non-existent Spring.
Can you believe that the beginning of summer is less than two weeks away?
Cheers,
Vanessa

Volunteer Opportunities with the Annex Residents' Association

Happy Mother's Day!
Crisp day for it.
Our neighbourhood residents' association, the ARA, has put the call out for volunteers.
And I quote:

"Call for Volunteers!
Please come lend a hand in these two community endeavours

ARA TreesPlease Tree Survey Starting After Victoria Day
Please send me an email to let me know if you can help us this summer by accompanying and assisting one of our U of T Student Field Co-ordinators, whether it’s just for a few hours, a few days or even weekly throughout the summer months. We greatly appreciate your time and dedication to helping preserve our City’s and our neighbourhood’s urban forest. If you know of anyone else who can help us, please let me know. Everyone welcome! No experience is necessary.

Annex Festival on Bloor Sunday, June 9
The Annex Residents’ Association’s TreesPlease group is looking for volunteers to help staff our information table at this year’s Annex Festival on Bloor any time you might be available from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. If you have an hour or two to spare, please do let me know."

Cheers,
Vanessa 

Weekend Happenings

Happening weekend... Mayfest at Palmerston P.S. from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, Jean Sibelius Square Park opening Sunday at 3:30 pm and Festival on Bloor Sunday, too.
Best to stick around the neighbourhood and celebrate!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Festival on Bloor Sunday

The Festival on Bloor happens this Sunday.

Personally, my favourite part of it is being able to stroll on the Bloor Street tarmac from noon to six pm without threat of being run over.

As someone who has been run over, I find it empowering.

For the rest of you, there will be "live music, theatre and fitness demonstrations, children activities and a food court, over 70 arts and crafts vendors and lots more fun for the entire family."
Bloor Street West will be closed from Spadina to Bathurst for non-festers more worried about traffic issues.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Festival on Bloor Sunday

This Sunday is the 14th Annual Festival on Bloor. Bloor Street West from Spadina to Bathurst will be closed and musicians, vendors and entertainers will set up (temporary) shop.

So, from noon to 6 pm on the 13th, you need only stroll a short distance to enjoy an interesting and community-oriented day.
Enjoy!

Vanessa

Festival on Bloor This Sunday

This Sunday will mark to 13th Annual Festival On Bloor.
From noon to 6 pm, Bloor Street West from Spadina to Bathurst will be closed to vehicles and you can stroll and enjoy live music at the Tranzac Mainstage and theatre at the Fringe stage (not sure where that is, but it probably won't be hard to find!)
Also promised is "activities for kids of all ages and over 70 craft and specialty food vendors."

I haven't gone to the Festival in a few years, despite it being at the bottom of my street, because it's always during "poison time" for parents of elementary-school children: from the May long weekend to the end of the school year. Let's just say it's a time of year when you're not looking for something to do... more like looking for an extra moment in the day.

However, when I did mosey down, I usually found it a bit disappointing. I felt it was just a bunch of vendor booths lining Bloor and not much more.

Has anyone attended in recent years? Anything you'd recommend about it?

If nothing else, it's kind of nice to stroll the road without threat of being run over, sort of like a big Pedestrian Sunday.

Cheers,

Vanessa