Gord Perks City Councillor, Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park

Crews will be excavating a series of shafts as part of the upgrades to the Keele Yard. Shaft #4 located in the laneway immediately north of Bloor Street will restrict flow-through vehicular traffic between Dorval Rd. and Dundas Street West.  Direct access to rear parking spots will not be obstructed, however there will be increased level of construction activity in the laneway during this period.

This work is part of the overall upgrades at the Keele Storage Yard for subways which includes rehabilitating the fire main and sprinkler system in order to meet building code and safety standards. The yard will be used to store additional subway cars.

For more information:

Lito Romano
Sr. Community Liaison, TTC
e-mail:  lito.romano@ttc.ca
telephone:  416-397-8699

*subject to change depending on weather

The Natural Environment in Toronto: An exploration of citizen advocacy and partnerships with the City of Toronto

Sunday, February 28, 2016, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Howard Park Tennis Club, 430 Parkside Drive, Toronto, ON

The urban natural environment is an invaluable part of the healthy functioning of the City of Toronto and its inhabitants. Green spaces improve the environment, physical health of citizens, and economy of neighbourhoods. However, with a rising population, demand for mixed-use spaces, and increasingly erratic weather, there is more pressure to maintain, protect, and expand natural areas. Citizen advocacy has proven to be an effective method for enacting change, socially, politically, and environmentally.

This talk will explore the current state of the natural environment, the challenges we face, and the opportunities available for improving this asset. It will also explore examples of effective and successful citizen advocacy throughout Toronto’s history, with a focus on the past 20 years. If you’ve ever asked yourself “what more can I do to conserve nature in Toronto?” this talk will give you plenty of ideas!

Speakers: Jessica Iraci, M.Sc., Urban Forestry, City of Toronto; Steven Parkes, M.F.C, Urban Forestry, City of Toronto

For more information:
http://highparknature.org/wiki/wiki.php?n=VolunteerOpportunities.VolunteerStewardship

Are you involved in a school, faith group, community garden, or non-profit organization helping to grow your community’s sustainability?

Do you have a sunny patch of land where you can grow and nurture fruit trees, fruiting shrubs and other perennial crops?

Are you committed to caring for these plants in the years to come?
If so, TreeMobile Toronto and Orchard People invite you to apply for The Edible Community Garden Grant 2016.

Grant Goals
•To increase local food security by growing food everywhere
•To promote and assist in the planting of community food
•To increase the visibility and availability of seasonal fresh food
•To strengthen community collaboration, knowledge and resilience skills
•To ensure that donated plants will be healthy and productive

Grants Available for Spring 2016
Grants have no cash value; organizations supply materials and training only. Number of grants awarded will depend upon Treemobile sales, and quantity and quality of applications received.

Edible Forest Grant | Valued at $750
•Choice of plants from TreeMobile’s 2016 selection (min. of 5 trees) up to $300
•Delivery and planting assistance if within TreeMobile delivery zone incl. Mulch, compost, tree guards, and amendments for planting $50
•Online training in choosing, planting and caring for your trees, for two of your key volunteers $200
•Two hours of consulting with Susan Poizner, Director of Orchard People, to help you get your orchard off to a healthy start. $200

Orchard Grant | Valued at $450
•Choice of plants from TreeMobile’s 2016 selection (min. 3 trees) up to $200
•Delivery and planting assistance if within TreeMobile delivery zone incl. Mulch, compost, tree guards, and amendments for planting $50
•Online training in choosing, planting and caring for your trees, for one of your key volunteers $100
•One hour of consulting with Susan Poizner, Director of Orchard People, to help you get your orchard off to a healthy start. $100
•Garden Grant | Valued at $150
•Choice of plants from TreeMobile’s 2016 selection (min. 1 tree) up to $105
•Delivery and planting assistance if within TreeMobile delivery zone incl. Mulch, compost, tree guards, and amendments for planting $25
•“Growing Urban Orchards” by Susan Poizner, Orchard People (hardcover) $20

Grant form available here: http://www.transitiontreemobile.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-01-01-2nd-Annual-Edible-Community-Garden-Grant.pdf

The latest information on the City’s potential labour disruption is available here:

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=84a7e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

My office will also post updates as we receive them on my website: gordperks.ca.

You are invited to join other neighbours to participate in a seed exchange, workshops, local vendors, local organizations, food, and more!
Access if Free, but donations accepted. Lunch for purchase prepared by West End Food Co-op.

For more information or to volunteer contact Greenest City at 647-438-0038 or monique@greenestcity.ca.

Sponsored by Greenest City, Toronto Urban Growers and Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Date: Satureday, March 5^th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: 250 Dunn Avenue – Bonar-Parkdale Presbyterian Church Hall

Regarding the Tax Rate

Regarding the Police Budget

The City of Toronto has recently launched MyWaterToronto, an online tool that allows
residents and businesses to view their water use information anytime, anywhere, from their computer or mobile device. Customers can log-on at toronto.ca/mywatertoronto, and view their total and average water use by day, week, month or year in an easy-to-read graph or chart format. MyWaterToronto will help customers identify potential leaks and become more aware of their water use habits, helping to encourage water conservation.

Had the honour of speaking with Faith & the Common Good regarding the role of faith communities as resilience hubs last November.