[getsmart-l] FW: [TCAT News] e-Bulletin: September 10

[Janet May]

TCAT News 

 

  _____  

From: tcatnews-bounces at lists.torontocat.ca
[mailto:tcatnews-bounces at lists.torontocat.ca] On Behalf Of TCAT
Sent: September 10, 2007 11:54 AM
To: TCATnews at lists.torontocat.ca
Subject: [TCAT News] e-Bulletin: September 10

 

Recent TCAT activities and news items:

 

1.	TCAT meets with Bike and Pedestrian-Friendly Councillor Joe
Pantalone - Strachan Avenue study proposed
2.	Reminder: TCAT Supporter Meeting on the City's Walking Strategy -
This Thursday, September 13th, 7:00 pm
3.	Pedestrian Sunday in Baldwin Village - This Sunday, September 16th!
& TCAT Volunteer Opportunity 

 

 

1.   TCAT meets with Bike and Pedestrian-Friendly Councillor Joe Pantalone -
Strachan Avenue study proposed

 

This past week TCAT met with Councillor Joe Pantalone (Ward 19
Trinity-Spadina) to discuss past successes and future opportunities for
improving and increasing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in his ward.
Councillor Pantalone is a supporter of walking and cycling and advocates for
them at City Hall and when dealing with developers. TCAT looks forward to a
strong and mutually-supportive relationship with the City's Deputy Mayor.

 

Today at Toronto and East York Community Council, Councillor Pantalone will
be moving a motion to direct staff to undertake a study of the CN/CP rail
crossing at Strachan Avenue. The purpose of this study is to develop a
design for a grade separated crossing that is inevitably necessary, given
the projected growth in train traffic. While TCAT prefers to see the
crossing remain at grade, it appears that will not be possible. That is why
we are supporting Councillor Pantalone's motion, insisting that any design
work put the needs of cyclists and pedestrians first, ahead of motorists, to
ensure that this crossing and vital link to the waterfront be safe and
convenient for all who use it. A public design charette will be part of the
study. TCAT plans to participate in this process and ensure, among other
things, that the missing northbound link between the Martin Goodman Trail
and Strachan Avenue be addressed (currently, there is no safe and legal way
to cross Lakeshore Boulevard traveling northbound - for a photo of the
situation, go to:
http://bikelanediary.blogspot.com/2006/06/latest-bike-chunk.html).

 

A copy of our written submission is attached to this message.

 

To see a copy of the motion, go to:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-6336.pdf

 

 

2.   Reminder: TCAT Supporter Meeting on the City's Walking Strategy - This
Thursday, September 13th, 7:00 pm

 

Did you know the City is preparing a Walking Strategy? 

 

A discussion paper will be presented during the Walk21 conference in early
October, and a final report is supposed to go to Council by the end of the
year. This is an important step for the city to be taking if it wants to
build a city that truly prioritizes and responds to needs of pedestrians.  

 

According the City:

 

"The Toronto Walking Strategy will present visionary policies and actions to
make Toronto a great walking City. The central theme of the strategy is
''putting pedestrian first" in all future city-building and its
implementation calls for a change in mindset from an automobile-oriented
transportation system to one that places pedestrians at the top of the road
hierarchy. The Strategy will lay out the policy, infrastructure and program
elements needed to create a "culture of walking" in the City and establish
the appropriate tools to measure its success."

 

TCAT wants to seize this opportunity to provide input on the new strategy.
To that end, we are inviting all individuals and organizations that support
TCAT to come hear a bit more about the strategy and to then tell us what
they would like to see in it. We will compile the key ideas from this
discussion and submit them to the City when we meet to discuss the strategy.
This will also be a good opportunity to meet the TCAT Steering Committee,
Project Coordinator, and other supporters. Please note that a formal TCAT
Annual General Meeting will be held later in the fall.

 

TCAT Walking Strategy Meeting Details:

 

Date: Thursday, September 13

 

Time: 7:00 pm

 

Location: Metro Hall, Room 303

 

Please RSVP to info at torontocat.ca so we can estimate how many supporters
will attend.

 

Note: This meeting will not be advertised publicly - this is a meeting for
TCAT supporters only to voice their ideas.

 

 

3.  Pedestrian Sunday in Baldwin Village - This Sunday, September 16th! &
TCAT Volunteer Opportunity

 

PS Kensington and Streets are for People are leaders in creating car-free
street festivals, and we encourage you to get out and enjoy their next
event, not in Kensington Market but in Baldwin Village (Baldwin Street near
McCaul Street). Streets are for People are also one of the over 35 community
organizations that support TCAT.

 

The merchants and residents of Baldwin Village invite visitors to join them
this summer as they introduce Toronto's best-kept secret to the city through
a series of Pedestrian Sunday celebrations. Baldwin Village is a hidden
treasure nestled in the heart of downtown - a history-rich urban village
that represents the culturally diverse heartbeat of Toronto. Composed of a
collection of 38 independent restaurants and retailers, this community is
amplified by an abundance of international cuisine.

 

The theme for this final event of the summer in Baldwin Village is
'Tomorrow'. "What do you see for Baldwin Village in the future? Given the
huge arts community we hope to come up with a fun, futuristic vision for the
street. Visionaries welcome!" 


 


Featuring... 


  

*        Gypsy Rebels - Authentic Gypsy Music  

*        Richard Underhill - Juno Award Winning Jazz Great  

*        Steve Mann Ensemble - International Hydraulophonist, Musical
instrument using pressurized water 

*        irieband - Spirited Reggae Band 

*        Mz. Mosea and Band - Dynamic Soulful Singer 

*        Max Woolver Blues Band - Grassroots 

*        Chris Bezant & Craig Saltz Duo - Gypsy Jazz-Django Reinhardt Style 

*        Usmic Music - Yoshi & Chie Yamano - Guitar, Digeridoo, Sitar,
Vocals 

*        Jim Reid - Guitar and Vocals 

*        Ardene Shapiro - Guitar and Vocals ... and many more Guest Artists


 

*        Community Think Tank - What's your vision for the future of Baldwin
Village? ...with Michael J. 

*        Baldwin Village Film Fest - Free Movies on the Street. Bring
blankets and pillows ...we'll supply movies & popcorn 

*        Children's Events :) - games, art & crafts, music, face painting
and lots more 

*        Self Guided Walking Tour of Baldwin Village - present to the turn
of the century 

*        International Delicious Food ...And a swell time for all !! 

 

Time: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

 

For more information visit: www.pskensington.ca

 

TCAT LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

At the last Pedestrian Sunday in Mirvish Village, TCAT setup a successful
display, handing out our brochure and discussing our activities with
visitors to the street festival. We are now looking for volunteers to help
us at future Pedestrian Sunday Events. If you are available and eager to
help spread the word on TCAT, please e-mail info at torontocat.ca with your
availability. 

 

Upcoming Pedestrian Sundays are: 

. Sept. 16: Baldwin Village (Theme: The future for Baldwin Village)

. Sept. 30: Kensington Market (Theme: Global Harvest Traditions)

. Oct. 28: Kensington Market (Theme: Halloween! Honouring Ancestors)

 

 

TCAT News - Help spread the word!

 

TCAT is continually looking to increase its list of supporters. Please send
this message to any groups or individuals you think would be interested in
learning more about TCAT, receiving our weekly e-Bulletin, or volunteering
with TCAT.

 

To learn more about TCAT, visit our web site at: www.torontocat.ca

 

To subscribe to TCAT News, go to:
http://lists.torontocat.ca/listinfo.cgi/tcatnews-torontocat.ca

 

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