Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  Downtown Market Wharf  is now  under construction -- But first --  a massive train barrier ad to be built By Stephen Weir                                                        Published in the Toronto Sun  September 23rd nd 25th Putting off that downtown Toronto condo purchase because you suffer from Siderodromophobia (irrational dread of trains)? One project in the St Lawrence Market District will allay that fear: The Market Wharf condominium complex, currently under construction, has installed a steel reinforced concrete barrier wall to stop any runaway Go trains! Market Wharf is a multi-level condominium tower project at Jarvis and The Esplanade, just south of the back-end of the St Lawrence Market. Plans for the city block include a 34 -storey tower which when built, will abut six busy Go and Via Rail tracks, Lakeshore Blvd and the Gardiner Expressway. The derailment containment wall – built last fall – protects the south-end tower currently under construction.  The

Sidebar #1 Just the Facts There will be approximately 475 separate living spaces within Market Wharf, with an expected population of close to 1,000 people all living in one city block. There will be 4 different styles of units built. It depends on where the units are within the tower and podium. The four styles are: • Market Flats – being built on the low rise brick podium on Floors 2-5), no balconies, typically smaller units. 77 in total • Townhomes are atop the podium on the 6th floor and are two storeys and have their own “back yard” terrace (some have balconies facing the St Lawrence Market as well). 34 in total. • Watersuites are all single storey units in the tower and are named as such since they all will have water views of the lake. Approximately 355 in total. • Penthouses. 2-storey glass walled penthouses. Top two floors are shaped like a peanut. Up to 10 units available. As of November  15, over 85% of the units have been sold The project’s website is http://www.

YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF  RENFREW BUT ...      George Heath, a former Renfrew resident and a keen follower of www.stephenweir.com, sent me a clipping announcing the January closure of the H. Imbleau & Sons Foundry in Renfrew. George's wife Marie is a member of the Imbleau family. The company, founded in 1858, is the town's longest running business. For over 150 years the factory has put the Renfrew name on the map ... literally. One of the company's most successful products is manhole covers. When I received George's note about the closure, I wrote him a quick letter, reprinted below, which tells my story of the impression the foundry had on me in the early 70's while a student at Windsor University.   Back in my days at Windsor University I worked a variety of part-time jobs so that I would not have to move back to Renfrew and work in the mines at Haley's Station in the summer. One of my steady gigs was in the student pub, which was held in the

Sidebar #1   Just the Facts About Market Wharf Condos There will be approximately 475 separate living spaces within Market Wharf, with an expected population of close to 1,000 people all living in one city block. There will be 4 different styles of units built. It depends on where the units are within the tower and podium. The four styles are: Market Flats – being built on the low rise brick podium on Floors 2-5), no balconies, typically smaller units.  77 in total   Two storey Townhomes are atop the podium on the 6 th floor and are two storeys and have their own “back yard” terrace (some have balconies facing the St Lawrence Market as well).  34 in total. ·       Watersuites are all single storey units in the tower and are named as such since they all will have water views of the lake.  Approximately 355 in total. ·       Penthouses. 2-storey glass walled penthouses. Top two floors are shaped like a peanut. Up to 10 units available. As of the summer, 85% of the units have been

Artist's drawing of proposed Shark tank and glass walkway Canada’s Biggest City Building Canada’s Biggest Aquarium By Stephen Weir   Believe It or Not Toronto is finally going to have an aquarium. Work has already begun on a new building at the base of the world famous CN Tower.  Even though it will be two years before the first Sand Tiger Shark and Carpenter Shark  (sawfish) move into Shark Lagoon , three levels of government have already laid out the welcome mat for Ripley Entertainment, the owners of the future aquarium which is scheduled to open in 2013. At a late August press conference Canadian entrepreneurs, Jim Pattison Senior and Junior, officially launched the construction project.  The Jim Pattison Group, one of the country’s largest private companies, owns Ripley Entertainment (Ripley’s Believe It or Not), and operates aquariums in both Tennessee and South Carolina.   The new Toronto aquarium project has strong financial support and redevelopment monies from th

CUE THE FISH :  - Aquarium is all about fish, but, who are the stars in 45 different display tanks? notes for a news article that will appear in the next edition of Diver Magazine.  Sand Tiger Sharks thrive in captivity. Toronto Aquarium will feature the species. Photo - North Carolina. sweir files.  For now the  aquarium isn't releasing much information about what it will be showing inside.  Ripleys' Vice President Joe Chromanski told Diver they will be releaseing information closer to the opening date. " We don't want to steal our own thunder," he said.  " I can say that we will have up to 45 different tanks inside  - the largest is the 750,000 galleon shark tank, the smallest will be a 6 to 10 galleon space for baby seahorses." "In the Great Lakes (tank) we will have a cross section of what divers are likely to see  - everything from pike to paddle fish,"said Chromanski."  Paddle fish aren't in the Great Lakes but we do f

  Beaver Bra one of 42 hand-decorated bras on display at the EX New to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) this year is the Art Bra project. Forty-two one-of-a-kind hand decorate bras are now hanging in the Queen Elizabeth Building (beside the McMichael's Marilyn Monroe Show).  The town of Parry Sound is showing these pieces of hand-crafted lingerie to support their Health Centre's purchase of a digital mammography unit.  The Beaver Bra was made by Josephine Hazin from Windsor Ontario. Hazin is recovering from a double mastecomy.

Ashworth by the Sea means blue skies, comfy rooms and renowned food and services. Simply a seaside heaven.  Come Sea - Ashworth By The Sea - And Sea Hampton Beach For almost a century the Ashworth by the Sea has been a destination for New Hampshire seaside visitors.   Located in Hampton Beach , on the beautiful Seacoast , the Ashworth offers the best in comfortable, oceanfront accommodation. The Ashworth is tastefully appointed to reflect the New England traditions and charm. www.ashworthhotel.com/ This comfortable hotel has maintained the historical aspects of this Hampton Beach landmark. Historic yes, but modern too, the 95-year old hotel has been updated with all the modern conveniences and latest technology.  Ashworth by the Sea offers the best views overlooking New England's nicest beach. Ashworth has 98 spacious guestrooms and seven suites. All rooms are air-conditioned and have spectacular ocean views.   There is a coffee shop and the renowned Breake

Justin Trudeau stopped by the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival BBQ One Year Later,  One Liberal Learns To Dance To A Soca Beat It is carnival time in the city of Toronto.  Soca Music. Mas. Calypso. A million people in the hot and hot streets. More media than at the G20.  For Federal Liberals,  the world famous Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, has always had a  huge publicity attraction.  It is sometimes their PR Waterloo. And while Martha Reeves does say that  summer is here and the time is right for dancing in the street, it doesn't mean that a politician just has to show up to be instantly seen as being one with the people. It was a year ago, that Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, rented a bus and rolled into town for what was then called Scotiabank Caribana.  He had a steel pan orchestra and champion calypso singer,  Macomere Fifi in tow.  They barnstormed the festival, entertaining the crowds with long speeches, soca and calypso music and spectacularly bad dancing.

 THE 44th SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL IS OFFICIALLY JUMPIN' UP !!! Successful Media Event: 75 media registered.  35 costumed Mas Dancers.  50 musicians. 15 cameras (TV, film makers and web based broadcasters), 5 radio stations and just one daily newspaper -- the Toronto Star!  Big Events? Mayor Ford danced with Mas Dancer and cut a special cake.  Michael Chan and Chief Bill Blair spoke at the opening. There was a silent protest by the Caribana Arts Group, owners of the Caribana trade mark.  Their protest signs didn't really explain why they were there (and the typos got a few laughs) giving it a minor role in a big event. Councillor Michael Thomson, Chris Alexander, Mayor Ford and Denise Herrera Jackson Jamaican Sprinter was introduced to auidence The CEO of Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Denise Herrera-Jackson, is interviewed by  Nathan Downer (CP-24)  live from Nathan Phillips Square  This press release was issued at the press co

 Moonzir Butt Wins! Mr. CHIN International Bikini 201l chosen today at the Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic,  the Bandshell, CNE Grounds, Toronto. WINNER: This year’s winner is 22-year old Moonzir Butt.  The Oakville native beat out 14 other contestants in this evening’s outdoor competition. Second prize was awarded to 29-year old John Burdo and third place went to Troy Campbell. Immediately following the crowning of Moonzir Butt, the winner and two finalists were joined on stage by Serena DiMillo, the winner of yesterday’s Miss CHIN International Bikini contest.  Pictured above are, from left to right: John Burdo, Moonzir Butt, Troy Campbell and Serena DiMillo. The 3-day Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic is produced by CHIN radio /TV international; a Canadian radio and television broadcaster that produces and airs programming in over 30 different languages. The contribution of CHIN Radio to the cause of multiculturalism, understanding and tolerance between people of ma

Miss CHIN International Bikini 201l chosen today at the Scotiabank CHIN Picnic, CNE Grounds, Toronto. WINNER:     SERENA DI MILLO is 26 years old.  Her background is Italian and she lives in Toronto. Serena has a BA in Accounting from the University of Guelph. She recently won Re-Max Rookie of the year for her work in real estate and said she hopes to be a role model for young girls if she wins Miss CHIN. (pictured). 1ST RUNNER UP: KATIE GIMON-VALENCIA is 21 years of age.  Her background is Colombian & Venezuelan and from Mississauga.  She speaks 3 languages including Italian, Spanish & French. She loves traveling and recently graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York. 2ND  RUNNER UP:    CRISITINA ŌDORICO. She is 25, her background is Italian and she lives in Toronto. Cristina is a fitness enthusiast and she recently competed in the Fitness Star Expo. She currently works as a full-time personal trainer. Cristine grew up attending t