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Walk Leader, Edward Keenan takes on a walk down memory lane and speaks to the history of place that layers  a city’s foundation, but also transforms over time. As Keenan notes, “it is interesting to wonder how much claim the memories of previous residents have over the identity of new residents’ spaces. ”

Don Mount Court – The area where Joel Weeks lived – now called Rivertown. Photo by Erik Twight

Official opening of Joel Weeks Park in 2012 The new 0.95 hectare park expands the former Joel Weeks Parkette and increases the green space in the mixed-income community. Photo from Toronto Community Housing

This walk considers memories of schools, housing projects, and other elements of the neighbourhood cityscape that have been erased or replaced, and especially the legacy of Joel Weeks, a friend of Edward Keenan who died in 1982 when he drowned in a storm sewer. This highly personal walk explores the fight to name a renovated park after Joel, the question of who “owns” memories of the city, and the disappearing landmarks of our youth.

Riverside, Then. Photo from Lost Toronto https://losttoronto2.wordpress.com/

Riverside, Now. Photo from Lost Toronto https://losttoronto2.wordpress.com/

Edward Keenan is the author of “Some Great Idea: Good Neighbourhoods, Crazy Politics and the Invention of Toronto” and writes columns about city politics, planning and life for The Toronto Star and Spacing. He spent his childhood living in Riverside.

Join us on this haunting and thought provoking walk on October  25^th  1:00pm – 2:30pm

Starting at the Queen Salter Library (765 Queen Street East).

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

We all love dressing up whether on a daily basis or as our alter ego, superhero, or just as a mere form of expression. Halloween season is one of the most fun times of the year for children; with thousands of character costumes to choose from.

On October 25 Halloween comes early this year to Riverside’s IGNITE 2015 WalkFEST Kiddie Costume Parade Walk.  At 3:00pm  Bring your kids dressed in their desirable costumes and Trick or Treat on Queen Street East. We will be meeting at Nell & Natasha’s Homeward Realty – 807A Queen St. East. We welcome parents to also showcase their costumes and share in the fun and spirit of Halloween.

We know how expensive Halloween costumes could be, so here are 10 top picks for the best Do-it-Yourself (DIY) cool Halloween Costume website links:

http://redtri.com/crafty-diy-halloween-costumes/

http://mashable.com/2014/10/09/halloween-costumes-you-can-create-from-cardboard/

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/diy-halloween-on-the-cheap-17-awesome-costumes-you-can-make-from-junk-211257

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/halloween/diy-halloween-costumes

http://www.topdreamer.com/33-easy-and-interesting-diy-halloween-costumes-for-kids/

http://www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/costumes/quick-easy-diy-halloween-costumes/

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/29-diy-kid-halloween-costumes/

http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/tips-advice/diy-halloween-costumes-for-kids#slide-1

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/halloween-costumes-for-kids#slide-1

http://www.gameskinny.com/npb66/15-easy-diy-pokemon-halloween-costumes

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

On October 25 at join us for the 11am– 2pm: Savoury Culinary Walk –Registration Required and the  2:30pm – 5:30pm:  Sweet Culinary Walk Registration Required

These tours allows foodies to get a taste of Riverside’s sweet and savoury burst of flavours. Our local celebrity chef lead groups on an educating eating binge through Toronto’s historic Queen Street East and authentic local restaurants and bakeries, visiting culinary gems and, in between bites.

We live in the times where a city’s culinary scene is the most significant and accessible depot of local culture. Eating locally and authentically has become the easiest and tastiest route to getting a sense of a place’s real traditions.

Tastings include Olive oils, Ontario wines, middle eastern delights,  homemade shortbread, variety of chocolates, and much more.

We live in the times where a city’s culinary scene is the most significant and accessible depot of local culture.

The way to a person’s heart is the stomach… so let us show you the way.

This is one tour you do not want to miss!

Chef Scott Savoie, owner of “The Culinary Adventure Company” is the gregarious guide for this walk – he’s passionate to showcase the culinary diversity of Canada’s largest city to locals and visitors alike. Culinary Adventure Co. Specializes in food tours, cooking classes, corporate team building events, pop up dinners and tastings, and outdoor activities with a culinary theme such as canoe and beach dining adventures and mushroom forages. It has been ranked the #1 tour company in the city by Trip Advisor since August 2011.

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

Ever wonder what to look out for when picking out the perfect fabric for re-upholstering  an upcycled chair? What are some quick tips for buying, conditioning, and arranging flowers yourself

On Saturday October 25 at  1:00pm- 3:00pm join us for the  Style, Décor & DIY Walk

Starting at  Quince Flowers ( 660 Queen Street East)

Get style and home décor tips and tricks and DIY ideas from Riverside boutiques on this fun and fashionable walk. Learn what pieces to invest in and where you can cut costs, how to make a $50 outfit look like a million bucks, what to look for when reupholstering or choosing fabric, how to upcycle décor, and where to get sweet vintage finds.

Some of the stops on this stylish walk include:

Photo by Nick Wong

Quince Flowers – not your typical flower shop, they are artists who use flowers and their clients vision as their raw materials. Not only do they craft beautiful floral masterpieces (and their shop is truly a refreshing oasis), but they are also fantastic community builders, always ready to use their creative flair to any community event.

Dimensions Custom Framing is a fresh and expansive gallery whose owners Ellen Davidson and Wendy Palmer have an immense passion for all things creative. They have a great sense of humor, and framed everything from newspaper pictures of Rob Ford to a tattered pair of ballet shoes.

The newly opened Irish Design House, owned by Irish designers Sinead Clarke, a knitwear designer, and Benny Corrigan – a graphic designer, this store houses textiles, knitwear, jewelry, homewares and crafts from all parts of Ireland. The Irish Design House is a cosy and inviting store that feels like a home.  Each piece has been handmade, some using traditional methods but in contemporary designs.

The Fabric destination, macFab is the place to go for all the coolest fabrics, draperies and supplies.  Always striving to be ahead of the curve, this boutique fabric store also specializes custom upholstery. As quoted by the owners, “We only buy what we love and would buy for ourselves. Everyone deserves quality, from a candle to a handmade Canadian sofa. Craftsmanship is timeless. You have to visit to experience and see all the things that inspire your own version of HOME.”

Daniela Andrews

This walk will be led by lifestyle blogger and designer, Daniela Andrews, of Curious Citizen. Aside from her total devotion to chocolate (100% cocoa if you please), Daniela is also wild about fashion, travel, food, style, and décor, and she’s oh so happy to share those passions with you during your time together. Check out more about Daniela at CuriousCitizen.com

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

Riverside’s Medicinal Plant & Herb Walk

On Saturday October 25^th join us from 2:00pm – 4:00pm for  Riverside Ignite 2015 WalkFEST’s Medicinal Plant & Herb Walk.

 Starting at  Quince Flowers (660 Queen Street East)  our neighbourhood Herbalist and City Farmer, Danette Steele, will teach us about the ultimate in accessible, local and sustainable food and medicine. Participants will learn about the local wild plants and how to use them safely as we gather up the weeds around Riverside!

Many wild plants (aka weeds) are good food and medicine. This walk will take us along Riverside sidewalks, lane-ways, and parks where we will identify local plants and enjoy a herbal treat from Pulp Kitchen. The Walk is fully accessible and will take place rain or shine – so be sure to dress for the weather. It will be an amazing opportunity to learn that many of the weeds that we pull out of our vegetable and flower gardens, and that we walk by in our local parks and along our sidewalks are actually good for us!  About 5-10 wild plants will be identified,  harvested and explained  as you learn different ways to heal all sorts of health problems.

Photo: Susan Poizner

Danette Steele, M.A., RH (OHA), who is leading this walk,  has more than 25 years of experience as a community and clinical herbal practitioner. With a busy private herbal practice in both Toronto and Halifax, Danette consults and teaches widely on self-sufficiency and sustainable practices for health and wellness using medicinal plants. Danette loves to share healing plant wisdom. She creates a participant-focused approach in her teaching spaces and is committed to a joyous and rigorous herbal learning experience – through workshops, consultations, weed walks, herbal intensives, plant meditations and herbal courses.

 Wild herbal teas will be available for tasting – so please bring your travel mug

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite