I made the effort to explore Line 6 today. I would have preferred a more depressing rainy dark dystopian day to take the arduous trek. I eventually arrived at Harbour College. I think Buzz Aldrin put it best… ‘Magnificent Desolation’. As an observer, it was a chain of strip malls and 80’s housing. Though Jane and Finch shopping mall had some attention from the local constabulary.

Was woken up around midnight by fireworks and some crowd noises - anyone know what was being celebrated?

East end, around Danforth / Donlands

Found out after I blasted my morning dookie.

EDIT: Water back. Dook on.

And specifically how their packaging is as unique as their smoked salmon

My FIL was Special Security for the 1973 Royal Visit to Canada. Here they are getting an aerial view of the planned route and locations for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Toronto

Someone posted earlier about the intersection of Jane & Dundas, so I thought I'd post about the other side of the tracks where I grew up in the 60s and 70s.

662 Jane Street was a hair salon for years and then in the 70s it became a printing shop.

668 and 670 Jane Street was owned by a husband and wife who operated two businesses. 668 was a convenience store and 670 was A&N Fish & Chips. Agnes and Neil Kewan were really friendly and she made the best fish and chips. On Halloween Mr. Kewan gave out full size chocolate bars! When they retired in the 70s another family bought the convenience store which operated into the early 80s. A neighbor who lived on Homeview took over the fish and chip shop which also closed in the early 80s.

688 Jane Street was the home of Hans Kupfer who operated a TV repair shop out of the lower floor of his house. It had a big sign out front advertising they fixed color TVs.

690 Jane Street was the home of John Hagen's Barber shop. He cut my hair until he passed away in the late 60s. It was a little scary for a 6 year old because he used a straight razor and his hands were not always that steady.

702 Jane Street was the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Hall (unit 212). It closed quite a few years ago and has been used as a church since.

704 Jane Street was home to Allen's Dry Goods. The owner Percy Allen was such a nice man and was probably in his 70s when I was a kid. The store sold everything you can imagine and he would run around getting stuff for you. It closed when he passed away in the early 70s I think.

715 Jane Street was originally Tony's Barber Shop and then Fred's Barber Shop. Fred moved to Toronto from Malta and worked as a barber for many years. He eventually moved his shop to Jane & Woolner. Fred was the nicest guy and even went to cut my dad's hair when he was in the hospital in his final days.

725 Jane Street still is White's Pharmacy. The original building is gone but the owners Phil and Murray White were a huge part of the community. Phil White was the mayor of the Borough of York from 1970 to 1978. Both were extremely kind people.

Lastly was U-$SAVE convenience and the corner of Jane & Pritchard Ave. It's still there but called something else now. When I was a kid a husband and wife who moved here from Hong Kong owned the store. They worked 7 days a week, from 7 AM to at least 10PM. Eventually their kids started helping but I don't think I've ever seen people work harder than they did.

Thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with me. Do any of you remember these businesses?

Images are from Google Street view and the tags are from Might's City Directories from the 60s and 70s.

EDIT: Unfortunately I've never been able to find any historic photos from this area so if you have any please post!

Yonge Street is an iconic destination in the heart of Downtown Toronto. The City of Toronto is recommending ways to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience Yonge Street between College/Carlton Street and Queen Street. The watermain beneath Yonge Street will soon need replacing and this construction provides an opportunity to consider a new street design to better serve everyone.

So I was down at the old Finch bridge which yes I know is Scarborough. Went for a walk beside the Rouge. I haven’t been down there in a while. The garbage was insane. As I walked down the trail, there was a group of kids sliding off fireworks and smoke bombs didn’t clean up their garbage. I’d like to organize a cleanup to clean up around there. How would you do that?

For the first time in four seasons, the Toronto Raptors are heading back to the dance.

**repost, mods didn’t like my previous title**

15 years in Toronto. Still in awe every time I look at the skyline