Valentine's Skating at Sibelius Rink

Time to strap on the blades! I'm happy to share a message from a neighbourhood force of nature and my former Blog partner:

"Hi All,

Though the Sibelius Rink is more puddle than rink today, the forecast is for very cold nights so, with that in mind, I hope you will join us this Thursday, February 14th for our almost annual BBQ/Skate at Jean Sibelius Square.

There will be hot chocolate and cookies beginning around 4:30 and later, we will fire up the BBQ for some hamburgers and hot dogs.  
This will be a great chance to celebrate our first season on the new, much expanded ice rink.  A big thanks to the hearty group of flooders who have made the rink such an amazing success this season.

Feel free to pass this invitation along to neighbours and friends.

Cheers,

Ginny"

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

Sibelius Square Opening June 10th

Fabulous news! Construction at Jean Sibelius Square is wrapping up. A community celebration is planned for June 10th.

Not so fabulous news? I've heard rumblings that dog owners are flouting the on-leash policy at the park. 
I participated in the open, well-publicized meetings about Jean Sibelius Square and a lot of thought, planning and community input went into the decision to designate the area dogs-on-leash. I could write a novel about the issues discussed but, in a nutshell, the park isn't nearly large enough to meet the city's criteria for having a dogs-off-leash area. As well, when dogs run loose in the park it negates the use of it by other segments of the population, which, simply put, just isn't fair. Toronto's well-used city parks have to meet everybody's needs, not just dog owners' needs. (One example: my elderly, hard-of-hearing mother, who uses a cane, cannot visit parks where dogs run free for fear of being knocked over by a prancing pooch.)
It's my sincere hope that dog owners act responsibly and either visit the square with their dogs on-leash, or take their canines to the many designated off-leash areas in the city so that everyone in our neighbourhood can enjoy the newly revitalized and very lovely square. 
Cheers,
Vanessa

Sibelius Square Update

Our community-minded neighbour and my former Blog partner asked me to tell you that Sibelius Square is due to reopen in early June.

Let's just celebrate that and forgot that (cough) it was due to reopen (cough, cough) in, ah... November.

Really, when does a renovation ever go completely as planned? (If you're hotly anticipating the reopening of Vermont Square Park, just pretend that I didn't write that.)

If you want to stay in the loop about Sibelius Square, you can read the Google group updates.

And happy whatever-you're-celebrating-this-weekend to you. It's going to be a glorious, sunny weekend for any and all celebrations.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Park Plans

I'm impressed by our local councillor, Adam Vaughan, and would love to see him take the reins as mayor of Toronto one day.
Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, he has put a lot of effort -- along with many, many volunteers -- into improving our ward's parks. So let's take a moment to say thank you to him and to all the people who spend hours selflessly toiling behind computers, or at dull or tense meetings, or literally in the trenches to make life better for all of us. Thank you!
Some of the fruits of their labours are becoming evident. Construction has been underway at Sibelius Square for a few months now. And this tidbit is from Councillor Vaughan's latest newsletter:
"Vermont Square Park
Plans are complete and work will begin later this summer on Vermont Square Park.
Playground enhancements, an art bench, and improved paths are part of phase one, for this year. Next summer, upgrades to other areas of the park will include an enhanced tree canopy, irrigation of the central field area, additional seating, and a ‘porch’ along the south wall of Bill Bolton arena.
The wading pool in the playground area will be opened on June 30 and will be fully staffed until construction begins in the late summer. The wading pool will be open through the August long weekend.
The playground committee spearheaded a proposal to name the playground within the park the “Dennis Lee Playground” in honour of the poet laureate, children’s writer, author, and long time local resident Dennis Lee. After receiving consent from Mr. Lee, support from the neighbourhood, and approval from the Residents’ Association, Toronto and East York Community Council unanimously approved the name!
To connect with The Seaton Village Residents’ Association, visit their website at: http://seatonvillage.ca.”
Cheers,
Vanessa

Sibelius Square Skate Sun. Jan. 30th

Pull out your skates, sharpen them up and head over to Jean Sibelius Square Sun. Jan. 30th.

From 3 to 7 pm neighbours are gathering to talk, skate and eat BBQ.
If you want to show up early and help out, that'd be fine, too.

Everyone welcome.

Happy skating!
Vanessa

Fancy a Skate?

With the cold weather comes the opportunity to skate outdoors this Holiday season. Some years that is just a pipe dream, so skaters should jump all over it!
The rink at Christie Pits is open quite a bit during the Holidays but, strangely, not on weekends. (Am I reading the schedule right? Wouldn't that be the most popular skating time?)
There also is a community-maintained rink at Sibelius Square. I think you can just skate there whenever you wish, but someone may have more of a scoop than I do about that one.

Happy skating!
Vanessa

Sharpen Those Skates!

I've been really enjoying the mild winter, but I know that it's a bit vexing for people who enjoy outdoor winter sports.
For the skaters among you, you'll be glad to know that tomorrow is a neighbourhood skate party and BBQ at Sibelius Square park's outdoor skating rink. Here's the scoop:

"The rink at Sibelius has been re-flooded and seems to be holding up well despite the mild winter. To celebrate the rink's recovery, we will have a:
NEIGHBOURHOOD SKATE PARTY AND BBQ @ Sibelius Square (Kendal and Wells)
this Saturday, February 6th from 4-6pm.
There will be regular burgers and veggie burgers, hot chocolate with marshmallows and skating.
If you like, feel free to bring a plate of cookies to share.
***Pass this along to neighbours and friends, near and far."
Happy skating!
Vanessa

Two Events Tomorrow: Swap Meet & Neighbourhood BBQ

I'm a big fan of lawn sales, swap meets and the like. I think in a world of 3Rs, it makes a lot of sense.
I'm happy to see that there's a Book Movie Music Swap Meet at Walmer Road Baptist Church Saturday beginning at 2:15 pm.
Flyers around the 'hood list the SwapSity website and say "bring at least one book, DVD or CD for swap. $5 entry."
Not sure why there's an entry fee, but everything else sounds great!
I've since heard from the founder of SwapSity and wanted to highlight her comment since they're easy to miss:
"The admission fee helps us cover the cost of the location rental."
Also scored more details about the event:
"For each book, comic, children's storybook, CD, DVD and Blu-ray you bring - they must be originals in good working condition - you'll receive a swap token. So the more items you bring with you, the more treasures you can take back. Doors open at 2:15pm and the swapping frenzy kicks off at 3:00pm!! So, be sure to come early to drop off your items and browse through all the books, movies and music that are up for grabs. "

Once you're finished loading up on new viewing and reading material, you may want to head two blocks north to Sibelius Square. From 4 to 7 pm there's a neighbourhood BBQ going on.
The only planned activities, other than eating, are a big soccer game and a jam session, so bring your running shoes and/or any musical instrument that you play.
Cheers,
Vanessa