Toronto evening

Have you ever noticed how rain on city streets makes them look better? This is especially true at night, when light reflects off the slick asphalt. I think this is a reason why movie sets are watered down for night scenes; everything assumes a uniform sheen; no stains, uneven patches, or dirt.

Last night, we were driving downtown after a day of rain. The roads were slick. The effect on the city was that even down-and-out neighbourhoods seemed to look a little more polished. Street lights, automobile lights and store lights all reflected on the shiny black surface, creating an impressionistic collage of colours. The wet rails of the streetcar tracks and the wet overhead wires added to the reflections. Toronto seemed so much more like the big world capitals we see in movies.

The fact that it was a warm summer night made it even better. No need to wrap ourselves in scarves and heavy clothing, shielding ourselves from the wind. What breeze there was, was refreshing; and the warmth of the evening made everything feel, well, warmer. We passed by a spotless coffee shop, it's beige and brown interior and soft lighting spilling out onto the sidewalk in an inviting way. It reminded me of Hemingway's short story about two bartenders in Europe. He called it "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place"... This place certainly was.

I walked up the steps of St. Paul's Basilica, just east of Parliament Street, and read on the plaque that it was built in the early 1840s in the first Roman Catholic Parish in Upper Canada. The architecture is Romanesque, with a tall square bell tower. I had not seen the church before. It was also the site of an early Catholic cemetery in Toronto. The basilica stands on a small plot of grassy land. The rain on the natural stone exterior was so much better looking than the wet concrete on some of the other downtown buildings.

The wetness of the evening also brought out the smells of nature; the leaves on the trees, the wet grass, the subtle scents of flowers in planter boxes. We drove in the Don River valley and entered another world; vast greenery in the heart of the city: the lamplights on an empty walking path; a baseball diamond, green and wet under the lights, vacant. We drove up Rosedale Valley Road, a dripping, tree-covered tunnel, and then, suddenly, emerging near Yonge and Bloor, with trendy Yorkville at a stone's throw. And, again, lights and billboards reflecting on the pavement.

Scenes of the season

For as long as I can remember, September in Toronto has been one of the best months of the year.  Along the waterfront, people enjoy the sunny days and slightly fresher air. It seems cleaner, too; less pollution and less humidity. Gone are the crowds of August. The charter boats on Lake Ontario still do a brisk business before the colder winds of October blow in.

In September and into early October the wealthy make their last rounds on the Great Lakes before the yachts and power boats are either dry-docked or sent on their way with crews to winter havens in the tropical seas of Florida or the Caribbean.

The end of the month signals the beginning of fall foliage displays in the country. Life always seems to move at a different pace in the wide-open spaces of rural central Ontario. When the forecast signals good weather for the weekend, this is the best time of the year for a drive in the country. Animals seem to welcome urban visitors.  A few more weeks and apple picking will be at its peak and, before we know it, it will be time to celebrate Halloween.

Thanks to Duilio Zane for these great photographs.

Locations:  Toronto Harbour and a ranch just north of Bowmanville.

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The days are getting longer

In the last week, I realize a lot of the posts in this blog have been somewhat gray and dark, reflecting the inclement weather we've been having.

So today let's change it up a little. Time for some sunshine and energy! Here we are at Toronto's Harbourfront skating rink on a crystal-clear day.

Spring is on the way. We still have snow on the ground, but the sun's rays are getting warmer.

Happy St. Patrick's Day !

Thanks to D. David Zane for this shot he captured before we had our most recent storm. This morning looked much like this.

Saturday night

The radio in the car is playing upbeat trumpet jazz and the road is bright: big city lights ahead. Saturday night and the cares of the week have been left behind; at six-thirty the highway is a river of headlights flowing easily towards the heart of Toronto.

The skyline glitters with office towers and condominiums; the gigantic CN tower rising above them, a multi-colored light show decorating it's tall concrete base. The tower is trying to present a younger image of itself, having undergone somewhat of a makeover. A light show draws attention to it: think of an enormous needle with a swoosh of light rising rapidly to the top, much like mercury rising with unnatural speed along a gigantic thermometer, and then quickly dropping to the base, only to repeat again in different colors.

The radio tuner in the car moves from radio station to radio station, reflecting my feelings tonight -- a little bit of rock-and-roll, then some disco, back to upbeat jazz and over to funk. No racing the clock tonight; just rhythm and movement; an easy drive without any need to hurry.

I drive along Lake Shore Boulevard, the music high. Lake Ontario to the right is dark, except for occasional reflections of light on the water; shafts of light that stretch and waver with the movement of the water. The boardwalk along the coastline is empty, but the grass on the side still comes through green despite the darkness.

The city presents itself as a big and pleasant party destination: the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing the New York Rangers in ice hockey; people are stepping out to for dinners or theatre shows; a walk with friends, a talk at Starbucks or a drink at the local bar.

Toronto really is growing up, looking more and more like Chicago, Boston or parts of Manhattan. On a fine autumn night, it presents itself with blemishes hidden and its jewelry on, ready for an evening of fun.

Lately, the Canadian dollar has risen vigorously above its American cousin, and held its own in the international markets. It seems the city wants to show the world it has come of age.

Toronto real estate review

In today's post, some useful information from realtor Patti Zane:

Looking for the Diamond in the Rough

Every single one of us would love to buy a property that suddenly shoots up in value after our purchase. At the very least we would like to know that our investment is a solid one. But many neighborhoods are experiencing sellers’ markets currently and those diamonds are becoming harder to find. I can offer four pieces of advice:

1) Look at neighborhood first. Identify long range factors that will attract buyers.

2) Reward is related to risk. If you are willing to take a gamble on a neighborhood which others see as undesirable, you just might be rewarded sometime in the future.

3) Don’t be silly. If your desired neighborhood is experiencing a sellers’ market and you need a home within a specific timeframe, be willing to accept a compromise. Very few homes will meet all your needs initially but with a little work and patience, any property can be improved.

4) Opt out of multiple offer situations. Many buyers have had success looking for homes that have been on the market for a while, possibly stigmatized as a result. They may offer other clues that could translate into savings in your pocket.

Toronto real estate will continue to be a good investment. Read on to find out more.

Everybody’s Talking about Public Transit
Source: Toronto Star, July 13, 2007 by Tess Kalinowski

On June 15, Premier Dalton McGuinty introduced Move Ontario 2020 to greatly improve public transit in Ontario. That’s very good news! On a smaller more local scale the TTC plans a $100 million modernization process for nine (9) subway stations, beginning with Pape. Pape leads the way because it is “destined to become the south terminus on the Don Mills line of the Transit City streetcar plan”. The streetcar plan was announced just prior to Move Ontario 2020 by the TTC. Museum will be given an Egyptian theme in keeping with recent renovations to the ROM, Osgoode and St. Patrick will be tied in with the new opera house and Art Gallery renovations respectively. Dufferin and Bloor-Yonge stations will also be affected, Islington will be demolished and rebuilt and Kipling is slated for major changes (see story to follow). I’m excited!

New Transit Hub at Kipling Station
Source: Canadian Business Online, August 14, 2007

“The Kipling station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line will be redeveloped into a flagship transit hub” announced Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield, Environment Minister Laurel Broten and GO Transit Chairman Peter Smith on August 12, 2007.

Highlights:
A $30 million investment over three (3) years, commencing 2008
Owned and operated by GO Transit
LEED certified building, fully accessible for persons with disabilities
Better connection between Mississauga Transit, TTC and GO Transit systems.

Parks -They’re a good thing
Christopher Hume, in an article appearing in the Toronto Star on July 13 tells us the many ways in which parks are important, particularly if we live in the city.

“Parks are not civic frills but urban necessities” he says. With 80% of Canadians now living in cities, and interior spaces getting ever smaller, parks are to many, an extension of their home. In the same way that coffee shops are considered the living rooms of condo dwellers, parks are essential as an extension of space, for activities and socializing.

“Despite having been financially starved for more than a decade, Toronto’s park system could be on the verge of a renaissance. If the proposed waterfront parks are built as designed, this city will be an international leader,” he says.

While in Toronto, you might want to visit some of these parks, before the weather gets too cold:
Harbourfront (including the brand new HTO) and the waterfront trail (with an extensive westerly line), High Park, and the Beach. If you are traveling outside of Toronto, look for High Line Park in Manhattan (due to be completed summer 2008), the Millennium Park in Chicago and the Olympic Sculpture Garden in Seattle.

If you’re considering a move into Toronto, have faith that work on waterfront parks, the Don River Park and the Lower Don Lands will enhance property values in surrounding neighborhoods. And as older neighborhoods go through the gentrification process local parks are used more and maintenance of them by the City improves.


Toronto Life’s the Next Hot Neighborhoods
Source: Toronto Life, September 2007

1. Beaconsfield Village (area bounded by Dundas Street West, Dovercourt Road, Queen Street West, Dufferin Street)
2. Hillcrest (St. Clair Avenue West, Bathurst Street, Davenport Road, Oakwood Avenue)
3. The Junction (Dundas Street West including north to railway lines, Keele Street, Woodside/Glendonwynne/Humberside Avenue, Runnymede Road)
4. Leslieville (Gerrard Street East, Coxwell Avenue, Eastern Avenue, Carlaw Avenue)
5. Mimico (Lakeshore railway lines, Park Lawn Road, Lakeshore Boulevard West including streets to south of Lakeshore, Dwight Avenue)


Trinity Bellwoods – What they said then
Source: Toronto Life Real Estate Guide 2001

“This is the sort of neighborhood would-be renovators dream about. The geographical focus is the huge and well-used Trinity Bellwoods Park (appropriately, the 1998 movie Dog Park was filmed here). There are pockets where the housing stock is far from promising. Many buyers are willing to bet on its future: last year the average selling price reached almost $280,000, up $50,000 from the year before.”

Trinity Bellwoods – What they say now
Source: Toronto Life Real Estate Guide 2007

“The epicenter of Toronto cool. The area exudes an invigorating sense of calm and community. Average 2006 sale price: $385,000”.

Patti Zane, Sales Representative

email: pzane@rogers.com

website: http://pattizane.com/
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Illustration: wpclipart.com