Bloor-Borden Market This Week Wed. Aug. 22

Once again, starting this week, there will be fresh eggs at the market. Willo’wind will have graded, organic eggs for sale -- straight from their happy hens!

Also this week in the community tent, the local charity, “Not far from the tree” will be there to talk with you about your fruit trees. This charity will harvest the fruit from your tree and split the harvest three ways: 1/3 to you the tree-owner, 1/3 to the volunteer pickers, and 1/3 to a local food bank, community kitchen or shelter, delivered by bicycle. Such a win for all involved!  Stop by the tent to learn more.

Toronto Cares Challenge (#TOcares) Opens Fri. Aug. 24

The #TOCares Challenge invites artists of all ages to participate in a city-wide effort to speak out against guns and violence. Submissions can be any art form — spoken word, song, poetry, visual arts, etc. Up to $5000 will be awarded to outstanding submissions selected through public voting. Submissions must advocate an anti-gun violence message. For more information and details regarding the submissions, check out the Toronto Cares Challenge web site. All submissions must be received by September 24 so start creating now! 

Fact or Fiction at the Lillian Smith, Fri. Aug. 24

There’s so much talk about fake news and post-truth and just plain lies these days that the Lillian Smith Library has decided to have a workshop this Friday, August 24, 2-3:30 pm, where you can learn how to use free tools from the library and online to evaluate the news and determine what is factually correct. Whether you like what you find out as the truth is another matter completely. Please register at 416-393-7746    

Repair Cafe, Sat. Aug. 25 Trinity-St. Pauls

Still have that broken toaster in the back of the closet waiting to be fixed one day? This Saturday you’ll have the opportunity to get those little things repaired for FREE when the Repair Cafe opens shop at Trinity-St. Pauls (427 Bloor Street West) from 12-4 pm (registration closes at 3pm). There will be fixers for electronics, jewelry, small appliances, furniture, clothes, and book/paper repair. You’ll have to get there early to register. Also, if you’re clever about fixing things and have some time to volunteer, get in touch with the Repair Cafe, info@repaircafetoronto.ca, to help out on Saturday and/or at other events. 

“Bees in Our Backyards”: Talk by Lydia Wong, Mon. Aug. 27, 7pm, 25 Brunswick

Lydia Wong visited eleven Harbord Village backyards this summer to observe the many types of bees that live in the city. The Pollinator Study page on our website shows her amazing photos and amusing notes and drawings. 

Now we can all learn more at an informal public talk on Mon. Aug. 27. Lydia will show us her photos and talk informally about the bees she saw this summer -- where they nest, what flowers they visit, how to identify the different types. Did you know that most of our bees nest individually and don’t produce honey? 

The talk is in the ground-floor Multi-Purpose Room in the south building of Kensington Gardens, between Brunswick and Major. You’re welcome to bring friends, neighbours, and kids to share the enjoyment. 

Was That a Streetcar I Saw on College? 

Rumour has it that the streetcars will be returning to College Street on September 2 — just like the TTC said they would. I’m waiting to see if it’s true, since a driver told me it would be two years at the earliest.


 

Just a Reminder…

It’s a good time to check out the Harbord Village webpage if you haven’t been there for a while. It’s the perfect place to catch up on all the latest HVRA news like the newly passed Board Resolution opposing Bill 5 to reduce City Council and the details of the Spadina-Sussex Mediated Settlement. Also, while you’re in there, please renew your membership online.

Garden of the Week

There are magical spaces living in the back gardens of some of our HV neighbours. With high fences and locked gates it's rare that we get a peek at them. So that’s why we are fortunate to at least have this shot of a Major Street neighbour’s beautiful back garden. There is a lot of love and  care in this garden.

Remember, if you see a garden or a plant or tree that wows you or just makes your walk around the neighbourhood more pleasurable, please take a picture and send it to us with a few words on why it is particularly special to you.

Message Prepared by Ann Eyerman

If you have any items for the blast, please send them to eblast@harbordvillage.com at least two weeks before the event. Inclusion is at the discretion of HVRA.

For more information and detailed stories about HVRA, visit the HVRA website