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Spring Fling 2021: Home Decorating and Scavenger Hunt
Join the fun, from April 10th at 1pm to April 11th at 5pm. Details below!
Call for Executive Members and Committee Volunteers — 2021
Bike Lanes on Danforth — The Destination Danforth Complete Street Pilot
Construction dates: July 15th to August 10, 2020 (Broadview to Dawes)
In May 2020, Council approved the installation of the Destination Danforth Complete Street Pilot as part of the City’s Pandemic Mobility Recovery Strategy. The pilot will provide support for local businesses by providing expanded outdoor patio areas and street beautification (planters, art installations), improve safety and comfort for all road users, and provide a protected bike lane.
The City of Toronto will install a new complete street pilot on Danforth Avenue from Broadview Avenue to Dawes Road starting in mid-July. This will include: Cycle tracks (protected bicycle lanes) on both sides of the street; Temporary expanded patios (in the curb lane) for restaurants along the corridor that have applied and received approval through the City’s CaféTO program (Learn more: Toronto.ca/cafeto). The protected bike lanes will temporarily bend around the expanded curb lane patio and parking will be temporarily removed; 24/7 on-street parking on both sides of Danforth Avenue; Artistic curb extensions to beautify the street and improve pedestrian safety at key intersections.
The installation will take place in three phases: Phase 1 : Broadview Avenue to Jones Avenue; Phase 2 : Jones Avenue to Woodbine Avenue; Phase 3: Woodbine Avenue to Dawes Road. The first phase of the work, between Broadview and Jones, will take place between July 15th and July 21, 2020. Construction will take place 24 days, 7 days a week, with noisy work being limited to day time hours as much as possible.
The order of installation prioritizes expanded patio areas and connectivity to the existing Bloor Street / Viaduct cycling infrastructure.
Work will take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be limited to one side of roadway (north or south) at a time. One traffic lane will be maintained in each direction. During each phase, on-street parking will not be allowed.
For more information, click on the following report.
Call for Executive Members and Volunteers — 2020
Nomination Deadline: August 31, 2020
Elections will be held: At the PCA AGM, which will be on Wednesday, September 9th from 7 to 8 PM in Phin Park (rain date is September 10th)
Get involved and help us to continue building our diverse and inclusive community! Get involved and help us to continue building our diverse and inclusive community!
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Call for Executive Members and Volunteers — 2019
April 13th, 2019
Nomination Deadline: May 27, 2019
Elections will be held: The week of June 10, 2019
Get involved and help us to continue building our diverse and inclusive community!
For more information check back in here on our PCA Blog. More information is to come. Or email nominations@thepocket.ca
Also, check out the poster below —>>
Construction of New Temporary Pathway at First Nations School of Toronto
December 6th, 2018
Walkway through First Nations School will be closed from 8 am to 4:30 on school days.
The school needs to use the field when school is on, so the walkway from Phin Park to Chatham Avenue will be closed during school hours, according to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Pedestrians and cyclists can use the alternative path that runs around the western side of the school field. The school walkway will be open when school is not on.
For more info, please contact TDSB (Jim Spyropoulos is the Superintendent – email and phone number are in the attached letter posted below.)
Pocket Community Association letter to Toronto City Council re 25 Councillors – Nov 29 2018
November 29th, 2018
Pocket Community Association Statement About Danforth Shooting
July 25th, 2018
On Sunday night, many residents of the Pocket community listened to the sounds of emergency vehicles racing past our neighbourhood. Through traditional and social media we heard the shocking news that police, firefighters and paramedics were headed to the scene of a mass shooting on the Danforth.
The Pocket Community Association extends our condolences to those who have suffered losses, our best wishes to those who will need time to heal, and our thanks to those who prevented more violence, helped others find safety or care, or are organizing to help the community and City deal with the consequences.
No matter where such an event happens, we are all appalled at the violence, loss of life, and injuries and trauma that occur. But when it’s close to home, the unsettled feelings are sharpened. Many can picture themselves, family members or their neighbours at various locations that were threatened on Sunday night and imagine that this, too, might have happened to them.
Yet, while the Pocket abuts the Danforth, we are some blocks removed from the core of the tragic activities of Sunday night. We are affected by what happened so close to home, but few directly. Ours is typically a peaceful and quiet neighbourhood and on Sunday night our streets remained peaceful and quiet, except for the sound of sirens on the periphery. We wish that peace and quiet for all neighbourhoods across this City and beyond.
Many notes and signs posted along Danforth since Sunday night ring with compassion and sincerity. One simple statement reads: “we must stick together and make this city a safer place.” We call on members of our community and all Torontonians to remain compassionate and unified, to strive for an end to gun violence, and to seek peace for all communities.
#DanforthStrong
FNST Pathway Relocation
July 16th, 2018
The pathway through the First Nations School of Toronto is being relocated.
Work is scheduled to begin and be completed this summer.
If you haven’t had the chance yet to see the plans we’ve posted it here on the blog below as well as a link to the original .pdf document:
To directly access the pathway relocation document click here.
2018 AGM – Results
June 18th, 2018
Thank you to all PCA members and our neighbours who attended the AGM!
If you weren’t able to attend click here to see what was discussed.
List of nominees for the 2018 PCA Board – For Election at AGM
June 8th, 2018
Susan McMurray – Chair
Susan has lived on Condor with her husband and two cats for over 20 years. She helped found The Pocket newsletter and the annual street party that coincides with Car Free Day each September. Susan chaired the PCA Working Group which negotiated the agreement with the TTC regarding part of the greenspace at the Greenwood subway yards. A founding member of the PCA, Susan has served as chair of the Board since January 2014.
Susan worked in management, research and policy in the provincial government for many years before taking on a role at Toronto’s Labour Council. She has been Treasurer for three community organizations, and is currently chair of the Board at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre.
Robyn Switzer – Vice Chair
Robyn and her family have lived in the Pocket since 2011. Robyn practices family law at a boutique law firm in Toronto and volunteers wherever possible within and outside of the legal community.
Robyn is looking forward to volunteering her time to contribute meaningfully to this wonderful community and to helping to make sure that the vibrancy and connectedness that makes the Pocket such a wonderful place to live continues for years to come.
Coline Morrison – Treasurer
Coline has lived on Earl Grey Road since 1994. As a young adult, Coline was treasurer of a marching band. After graduating from college, she worked as a bookkeeper for a law firm. Subsequently she began training as an accountant, and while she changed careers before completing the program, Coline continued working part-time as a bookkeeper.
Coline enjoys the benefits of a connected community and feels it is her time to serve – being treasurer is her way of serving the community.
Rebecca Nelson – Secretary
A a Pocket Resident who’s lived on Shudell Avenue since 2011, Rebecca looked in 2016 for an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community. She feels that a community develops because of its residents and is impressed by the passion and energy she sees in the Pocket. Rebecca was elected Secretary of the PCA in 2016.
Rebecca applies her experiences in project management and communications within the community.
Gemma Parker – Membership Coordinator
Gemma has lived on Lydia Court for 5 years with her husband and 2 young children.
Gemma and her family are very grateful to live in such an active and passionate community. She got more involved in the PCA as a way to show her gratitude for providing a wonderful community for her children to grow up in. Gemma has served as Membership Coordinator since 2016.
Gemma has previous experience project managing clinical research trials, and more recently as an online business owner, which has left her well-equipped in record keeping, social media engagement, website maintenance and mass email communication.
Garvey Chi – Communications Coordinator
Garvey has been a resident of the Pocket since 2012 and lives on Boultbee Avenue with his wife Anna and their young son.
Originally born in the East End, he finally moved back three decades later.
In his day life he’s a rigging lead and department supervisor in feature film animation and has worked in Toronto’s animation industry for the past 12 years.
He hopes to give back to the community as well as to those that volunteer so much of their time in making it so lovely. He’s looking forward to the opportunity to put his experience in visual arts and digital media to the Pocket community’s use.
Lori Zucchiatti O’Neill – Fundraising Coordinator
After living in north Toronto for many years, Lori and her husband moved to the Pocket in late 2014. They love their new neighbourhood! They joined the PCA at the 2015 AGM, after which Lori became a Street Captain and joined a few committees. Lori has served as Fundraising Coordinator since 2016.
Volunteerism is one of Lori’s passions! For the past several years, she has worked in volunteer management for a charity. She has been volunteering for charities and non-profit organizations since her teens, from serving on boards as secretary and treasurer to assisting with communications, fundraising and membership.
Allison Evans – Member at Large
Allison lived in many Toronto neighbourhoods before settling on Hunter Street in The Pocket with her husband over two years ago. The contributions of the PCA to the neighbourhood were immediately apparent, and Allison is excited to work with a community organization striving to make The Pocket a great place for all its residents.
Allison’s career is focused on residential architecture. She currently works at an architecture firm specializing in green design while pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies at York University. Despite work and extracurricular pursuits, Allison finds time to work in the garden and make friends with the cats of the neighbourhood.
Dalreen Fobler – Member at Large
Dalreen has lived on Jones Avenue in the Pocket since 2015 and has a particular interest in community-based initiatives. Her most recent board position was as co-chair of NextGen, one of the fastest growing volunteer organizations within RBC (Royal Bank), where she currently works. Prior to that, Dalreen served on the NextGen committee, as well as volunteered at several organizations across the city, such as Lawyers Feed the Hungry and the Salvation Army.
Dalreen has a passion for building a strong community and wants to use her talents to make a contribution to the Pocket.
The Pocket Community Association AGM
May 28th, 2018
Members and Friends of the Pocket Community Association,
We hope you’ll join our 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 between 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the First Nations School of Toronto in the cafeteria. The AGM is a great way to learn about initiatives in the Pocket and give your suggestions on how we can make our community an even better place!
The agenda for our meeting includes:
6:30pm
• Doors open for neighbourhood social
7:00pm
• AGM Meeting
• Opening Remarks
• Executive Reports
• Election
• Guest speaker
• Coffee and “bake-off” contest (treats with rhubarb!)
• PCA Committee reports
• Discussion of neighbourhood priorities
9:00pm
• AGM ends
Before the AGM we ask that you:
• Review the minutes from the last AGM held on May 16, 2017. One of the first orders of business will be to approve the minutes. The minutes can be found in the website under News, Minutes, 2017.
• Send any proposed additional agenda items to info@thepocket.ca) prior to May 30, 2018.
We look forward to seeing you!
Yours sincerely,
Rebecca Nelson, PCA Secretary.
AGM 2018 Poster
Call for Executive Members and Volunteers
May 5th, 2018
Call for nominations for PCA Board – deadline is May 30.
Executive position details:
Pocket Community Survey
January 30th, 2018
Should the PCA keep organizing and supporting events in the neighbourhood? Explore ways to become a carbon-neutral community? Make more improvements at Phin Park? Please complete the PCA’s online survey to tell us about your dreams for the Pocket neighbourhood.
At our 2017 AGM, participants gave us their ideas and helped shape this survey. Now it’s your turn to tell us what you think. Please respond by February 21st.
Pocket Newsletter pub night
January 26th, 2018
The Pocket Newsletter is pleased to reinstate an old tradition – Sunday pub night at The One – except we’re starting earlier (3 pm).
Join us to meet new neighbours or good friends and catch up on what’s been happening in the neighbourhood. The One offers coffee, tea, beer and other beverages and light snacks. If you’re new, just look for signs of The Pocket!
WHEN: Sunday, February 4th from 3-5pm.
WHERE: The One at the Only – 972 Danforth Avenue at Donlands
Want to know more about Pub Nights?
Family Day Skating party – February 19th
January 20th, 2018
Bring your skates and join your neighbours for some winter fun on the ice. Enjoy hot chocolate, cider and vittles.
WHEN: Monday, February 19th from 12-3 pm
WHERE: Phin Park skating rink
Sip and chat – February 6th
January 19th, 2018
A Fresh & Friendly Way to Meet Your Pocket Neighbours. Sponsored by the PCA’s Neighbourhood Support Committee.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 6th from 9:30-11am.
WHERE: Motorama @ 862 Danforth Avenue at Jones
Holiday Fundraising
January 16th, 2018
Hats (toques) off to Pocket neighbours for some amazing Xmas generosity. Between the Pocket Food Drive, Santa’s Frozen Festival, and Rescue Wreaths we donated over $1,100 to the Humane Society, and Eastview received $800 plus more than 700 food items and a large box of toys!!!
Well the Pocket sure puts the Fun in Fundraising! The 2017 holiday season saw three great community endeavours to help those in need.
Kim McFadden and Bryan Dale kicked off December with their annual Pocket Food Drive with an initial goal of 500 units. Accepting drop off food donations, and with a bit of help from Santa’s Frozen Festival, they managed to bring over 700 units to Eastview Community Centre.
Santa, Mrs Claus and lots of elves hosted families with kids and pets for picture taking, food, hot chocolate and gift shopping at Phin. They managed to also bring in a big box of toys for Eastview and some cash donations for the Toronto Humane Society.
New this year was the Rescue Wreath fundraiser. Jeff Otto and Josie Ward-Dunn arranged for some lovely balsam wreaths from Quebec and managed to sell 125 to Pocket, Beach and Leslieville residents. In the end $1400 was raised. Toronto Humane Society was given $600 combined with $575 from Santa totalling $1175. Eastview received a cheque for $800!
Thank you to all the volunteers and also to the generous people of the Pocket!
Eastview: $800, 700 food items, & a large box of toys
Toronto Humane Society: $1175
Jeff Otto, Bryan Dale, Fiona Devine (Eastview), Donna Lee
Jeff Otto, Jennifer Jones (THS), Donna Lee
TDSB – FNST and school path
January 16th, 2018
On January 18th, the Toronto District School Board convened a meeting at the First Nations School of Toronto to update the Pocket community on Indigenous programming at the school and discuss plans to relocate the path that runs through the schoolyard between Phin Park and Chatham Avenue. As part of overall redesign plans for the northwestern portion of the school, the path will be shifted slightly to the west. The redesign will include a school bus “lay-by” in the parking lot so school busses can pull off the street, a new school entrance on the west side including elevator, a school playground, and barrier-free access by elementary school children to the field during recess and at lunch. TDSB is focused on improving student safety and wellbeing.
A new, more attractive, wider and well-lit pedestrian path will be built where the west side of the running track currently sits. There will be a 4 1/2 foot fencing along the east side of the path as well as along the south part of the field. There will be several gates that will allow the community to have after school access to the playing field. The high chain link along the lane will come down and will be replaced by guardrail and plantings. The tree line will remain. The exit on to Chatham will have a generous opening with a possible garden. The current intersection by the TCH will be reimagined and regraded to improve safety. Timing is unknown, but the TDSB has committed to keeping in touch with our community on this issue. As soon as we are given links to the redesign plans, they will be posted on the PCA website.
Path Between Phin Park and Chatham Avenue
November 10th, 2017
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has advised the Pocket Community Association that it is considering changes to the path that runs through the school grounds from Chatham Avenue to Phin Park. Many of you are probably aware that First Nations School of Toronto moved into the former Eastern Commerce in January 2017. TDSB indicates that since then enrolment has doubled to 200 students, the secondary school (grade 9 in year 1) has been added and work continues on the building and grounds to reflect the needs of a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school. As a result, the TDSB is considering changes to the path. TDSB’s reasons include: the safety and security of elementary students in the field and parking area, safety concerns regarding the bussing drop off area and planned future work on the west side of the school which will involve the pathway area closest to the school.
The TDSB has committed to share proposed changes and design for feedback before changes are made. We have urged TDSB to hold a public meeting sooner rather than later and will keep you posted.
Jones-Boultbee Traffic Signal Decision at City Council
November 9th, 2017
On November 9th, City Council approved installation of traffic lights at Jones and Boultbee to make crossings there safer for school children, other pedestrians and cyclists, as well as cars. This initiative is in response to Pocket residents organizing a huge petition earlier this year to make the change (because of numerous accidents and close calls over past years) and to Councillor Paula Fletcher’s leadership in getting City Council to understand the community’s wishes.
As background, in 2014-2015, the PCA’s Safety Committee surveyed community members about pedestrian safety. The survey identified the Jones-Boultbee crosswalk as one of many safety concerns, particularly during school crossing hours, and asked the City to study options for improving safety there. Pocket residents whose children go to Blake School took up the issue.
Thanks to Pocket residents and Councillor Paula Fletcher for helping make the neighbourhood safer for school children.
As soon as information is available about the timeline for installing lights at Jones and Boultbee, residents will be notified.
Petition to Install Traffic Lights at Jones & Boultbee
June 29th, 2017
Crossing Jones Avenue at Boultbee Avenue has become a dangerous activity for some families and children crossing the street to get to Blake School. Despite the presence of a crossing guard at key times, a number of close calls have been reported recently.
A group of parents from the Pocket, along with other parents whose kids attend Blake School, have started a petition to have traffic lights installed at the intersection. The parent group invites all Pocket residents to share their views. They asked the PCA to share information with Pocket residents.
If you have any questions about the petition, you can contact Richard Brooks at richardcbrooks@gmail.com
Read the petition here
Eid Carnival
June 27th, 2017
Our neighbours who attend the Madinah Mosque are organizing this fun family event. Eid is an important holiday, marking the end of Ramadan.
This year — the fifth year that Toronto Danforth Multicultural Community Services is holding a post-Eid carnival and basketball tournament — the event has been moved from Monarch Park to Phin Park.
The organizers invite all Pocket community members to join them – $10 per person covers food and games!
Please click here for more information about the carnival, a basketball tournament that is part of the event, and contact info for any questions you may have.
AGM Slides
May 26th, 2017
Missed the 2017 AGM? See what was discussed in the AGM slides here.
List of nominees for the 2017 PCA Board – for election at AGM
May 7th, 2017
Susan McMurray – Chair
Susan has lived on Condor with her husband and two cats for nearly 20 years. She helped found The Pocket newsletter and the annual street party that coincides with Car Free Day each September. Susan chaired the PCA Working Group which negotiated the agreement with the TTC regarding part of the greenspace at the Greenwood subway yards. A founding member of the PCA, Susan has served as chair of the Board since January 2014.
Susan worked in management, research and policy in the provincial government for many years before taking on a role at Toronto’s Labour Council. She has been Treasurer for three community organizations, and is currently chair of the Board at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre.
Robyn Switzer – Vice Chair
Robyn and her family have lived in the Pocket since 2011. Robyn practices family law at a boutique law firm in Toronto and volunteers wherever possible within and outside of the legal community.
Robyn is looking forward to volunteering her time to contribute meaningfully to this wonderful community and to helping to make sure that the vibrancy and connectedness that makes the Pocket such a wonderful place to live continues for years to come.
Coline Morrison – Treasurer
Coline has lived on Earl Grey Road since 1994. As a young adult, Coline was treasurer of a marching band. After graduating from college, she worked as a bookkeeper for a law firm. Subsequently she began training as an accountant, and while she changed careers before completing the program, Coline continued working part-time as a bookkeeper.
Coline enjoys the benefits of a connected community and feels it is her time to serve – being treasurer is her way of serving the community.
Rebecca Nelson – Secretary
As a Pocket Resident who’s lived for 6 years on Shudell Avenue, Rebecca looked in 2016 for an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community. She feels that a community develops because of its residents and is impressed by the passion and energy she sees in the Pocket. Rebecca was elected Secretary of the PCA in 2016.
Rebecca applies her experiences in project management and communications within the community.
Gemma Parker – Membership Coordinator
Gemma has lived on Lydia Court for 4 years with her husband and 2 young children.
Gemma and her family are very grateful to live in such an active and passionate community. She got more involved in the PCA as a way to show her gratitude for providing a wonderful community for her children to grow up in. Gemma has served as Membership Coordinator since 2016.
Gemma has previous experience project managing clinical research trials, and more recently as an online business owner, which has left her well-equipped in record keeping, social media engagement, website maintenance and mass email communication.
Garvey Chi – Communications Coordinator
Garvey has been a resident of the Pocket since 2012 and lives on Boultbee Avenue with his wife Anna.
Originally born in the East End, he finally moved back three decades later.
In his day life he’s a rigging lead and department supervisor in feature film animation and has worked in Toronto’s animation industry for the past 12 years.
He hopes to give back to the community as well as to those that volunteer so much of their time in making it so lovely. He’s looking forward to the opportunity to put his experience in visual arts and digital media to the Pocket community’s use.
Lori Zucchiatti O’Neill – Fundraising Coordinator
After living in north Toronto for many years, Lori and her husband moved to the Pocket in late 2014. They love their new neighbourhood! They joined the PCA at the 2015 AGM, after which Lori became a Street Captain and joined a few committees. Lori has served as Fundraising Coordinator since 2016.
Volunteerism is one of Lori’s passions! For the past several years, she has worked in volunteer management for a charity. She has been volunteering for charities and non-profit organizations since her teens, from serving on boards as secretary and treasurer to assisting with communications, fundraising and membership.
Allison Evans – Member at Large
Allison lived in many Toronto neighbourhoods before settling on Hunter Street in The Pocket with her husband over two years ago. The contributions of the PCA to the neighbourhood were immediately apparent, and Allison is excited to work with a community organization striving to make The Pocket a great place for all its residents.
Allison’s career is focused on residential architecture. She currently works at an architecture firm specializing in green design while pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies at York University. Despite work and extracurricular pursuits, Allison finds time to work in the garden and make friends with the cats of the neighbourhood.
Dalreen Fobler – Member at Large
Dalreen has lived on Jones Avenue in the Pocket since 2015 and has a particular interest in community-based initiatives. Her most recent board position was as co-chair of NextGen, one of the fastest growing volunteer organizations within RBC (Royal Bank), where she currently works. Prior to that, Dalreen served on the NextGen committee, as well as volunteered at several organizations across the city, such as Lawyers Feed the Hungry and the Salvation Army.
Dalreen has a passion for building a strong community and wants to use her talents to make a contribution to the Pocket.
Motion for voting at the PCA’s 2017 Annual General Meeting
May 9th, 2017
Whereas the Pocket community began negotiating in 2004 with the TTC to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the western portion of the TTC greenspace (which was under operational management of the TTC) in order to stop the space from being sold off or taken over to expand the subway yards,
Whereas this process culminated in the Pocket Community Association (PCA) signing an MOU with the TTC in 2014,
Whereas Toronto City Council passed a motion on December 13, 2016 transferring the greenspace to operational management of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation,
Whereas the PCA’s purpose in signing the MOU in the first place was to protect this greenspace from development and preserve it for community use and recognizing that making the space an official park does this far more effectively than the MOU ever could,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Pocket Community Association formally relinquish its Memorandum of Understanding with the Toronto Transit Commission concerning maintenance of the PCA portion of Oakvale Green, in order to facilitate turning over control and maintenance of the space to Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, with the understanding that Parks will maintain the space according to the same standards as those currently adhered to by the TTC.
Final Call for Executive Members for the Pocket Community Association
Tues, April 28th, 2017
Elections for the PCA Executive will be held at the Annual General Meeting
on May 16, 2017
(see below for the list of positions)
1. If you want to run for election, you must first be a member of the PCA. (If you are not yet a member, contact MembershipServices@ThePocket.ca).
2. Arrange for a PCA member to nominate you and another PCA member to second your nomination. *
3. Send a photograph and a brief biography (of under 100 words) which describes your qualifications for one of the positions. *
* Send this information by April 30 to Lori Zucchiatti O’Neill at lzoneill@rogers.com or David Langille at langille@yorku.ca
If you want more information please contact either of these Nominations and Elections Committee members:
David Langille | 647 280 7747 | langille@yorku.ca
Lori Zucchiatti O’Neill | 416 481 3668 | lzoneill@rogers.com
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST OF PCA EXECUTIVE POSITIONS
- Chair
- Vice-Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Communications Coordinator
- Membership Coordinator
- Members-At-Large (2 positions)
Call for Executive Members
…for the Pocket Community Association
The Nominations and Elections Committee is calling on YOU to get involved in your community association. We want to ensure that the PCA and its various committees reflect the diversity of the Pocket in terms of geography, age and ethnic diversity. We have a special need for a Treasurer and two Members-at-Large.
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Chair – provides leadership within the Association; calls and chairs meetings; sets the agenda for meetings; authorizes financial transactions in concert with the Treasurer; casts a vote in the event of a tie; and serves as chair of Annual and General Meetings.
Vice-Chair – acts as Chair in the Chair’s absence; assists Chair as deemed suitable.
Secretary – declares a quorum; takes minutes of Executive meetings, and Annual and Special General Meetings and posts them on the PCA website; announces official votes; receives and conducts official correspondence as needed.
Treasurer – manages PCA finances; presents financial report at Executive meetings; receives all monies; issues and signs cheques; gives financial statement at AGM.
Fundraising Coordinator – organizes fundraising activities on behalf of the PCA.
Communications Coordinator – manages the PCA website, and coordinates with our Facebook, Twitter and Google group, the Pocket Post and other media.
Membership Coordinator – maintains a confidential list of PCA members; maintains contact with membership through Street Captains; recruits new members; is responsible for the collection of annual fees.
Members-At-Large (2 positions) – assist the Executive in the operation of the Association; may also chair PCA committees.
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Elections for the PCA Executive will be held at the Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2017 (TBC). If you wish to run for the Executive you must first be a member of the PCA. (Contact our Membership Coordinator, Gemma Parker, at membershipservices@thepocket.ca)
Then arrange for a PCA member to nominate you and another PCA member to second your nomination.
Prepare a photograph and a brief biography (under 100 words) which describes your qualifications for one of the positions and send to one of the Nominations and Elections Committee members below by April 30th, 2017.
If you have any questions, please contact any of these N&EC members:
- David Langille | 647-280-7747 | langille@yorku.ca
- Lori Zucchiatti O’Neill | 416-481-3668 | lzoneill@rogers.com
TTC Greenwood Station Community Meeting
Tues, April 18th, 2017
The TTC is hosting a community meeting for the Greenwood Station- Second exit/entrance
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Danforth Collegiate Technical Institute – Cafeteria (enter from Strathmore Boulevard)
800 Greenwood Avenue, Toronto, ON M4J 487
Here is some more background on the project and process:
Greenwood Station will be getting a new second exit to improve customer safety and convenience. As part of its commitment to modernization, TTC developed a new process to involve local communities in determining second exit locations. This process includes establishing local working groups to submit and assess potential locations using an evaluation framework that was developed by a panel of third party experts. Members of the public are invited to a community meeting to learn about this new process, including how it has been successfully implemented at Chester Station and at Donlands Station. Following this, TTC will issue a call for Local Working Group (LWG) member applications. LWG members will attend a series of meetings in 2017 to determine where the second exit location will be built in the Greenwood Station neighbourhood.
Questions can be directed to:
Denise Jayawardene, Senior Community Liaison
Toronto Transit Commission
416-393-6937
denise.jayawardene@ttc.ca
For more info click here
Mosque Candlelight Vigil
Friday, February 3, 2017
Danforth-Donlands – Pocket Community: Candlelight Vigil Friday night at the Mosque.
About 2,000 people, including Pocket neighbours and others from the east end and other parts of the city, joined the vigil and candlelight walk at the Mosque on February 3rd. What a touching show of support for the family members of those whose lives ended so tragically in Quebec City and a strong message about solidarity with the Mosque among Muslim and non-Muslim neighbours. Photos will be posted to the PCA website and Facebook page.
Pocket community invited to attend three events at the new First Nations School (formerly Eastern Collegiate)
January 25, 2017
There are three upcoming events at the new First Nations School now located at the former Eastern Collegiate. School Principal Jonathan Kakegamic warmly invites community members to attend these events.
Saturday, January 28th – Round Dance social gathering
Thursday, February 2nd – Open House providing information about the school to parents, potential students, and the community.
*Postponed – Thursday, February 16th – Community Potluck. The Pocket community and other neighbourhood partners plan to collaborate with the School to hold a community potluck.
*The Potluck dinner with Toronto First Nations School and the PCA has been postponed until Spring 2017 due to other school priorities and ongoing construction. We’ll keep you posted!
City Council Motion on TTC Greenspace
December 13, 2016
FYI…Councillor Paula Fletcher is presenting the following motion for City Council’s consideration on Tuesday, December 13th:
City Council, upon the City lands located along the westerly edge of the buffer area located to the west of the TTC Greenwood yards (the lands currently leased to the Pocket Community Association – the “subject lands”) coming into the Operational Management of Parks, Forest and Recreation; and upon the Pocket Community Association releasing the Agreement with the TTC related to the subject lands, approve the regularization of the long-standing use of the southern portion of the subject lands as a dog off-leash area and grandparent the southern portion of the subject lands, in current condition, as an existing non-conforming dog off-leash area; and exclude it from use by commercial dog walkers.
As background, in 2014, the Pocket Community Association signed an agreement with the Toronto Transit Commission to maintain the western portion of the greenspace around the Greenwood Subway Yard (also called the PCA portion of Oakvale Green). The agreement was the culmination of many years of struggle and negotiation to stop the space from being sold or taken over to expand the subway yards.
The PCA’s mandate is to protect the space on behalf of the community – to preserve the lands as a buffer between the community and the subway yards, keep it green, and ensure it is available for community use. Putting the greenspace under control of Parks instead of the TTC is as good a way, or better, of meeting this objective. As such, the PCA is prepared to relinquish its agreement with the TTC if the lands are taken over by Parks. The PCA has not taken a position for or against off-leash dogs.
A group of residents has prepared a petition supporting the motion’s off-leash dog usage. You can read the petition at Survey Monkey If you have questions about the motion, you can contact Councillor Fletcher’s office at councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca
We will be sure to communicate City Council’s decision after December 13th.
The TTC Pocket Greenspace
Pocket Updates
November 18, 2016
Hi everyone,
There’s a lot going on, so we thought we’d update you on all the activity! Please scroll down to see what’s happening in the neighbourhood.
Upcoming Events and Activities:
– Second Exit at Donlands Subway Station – open house to showcase the proposed exit takes place on Tuesday, November 29th at St. David’s Anglican Church from 6:30 to 8:30.
Click here to read the Meeting Notice
– Repair work at Queen Victoria entrance to Oakvale Green Space – the TTC is beginning to repair the fence, including installation of an L-shaped entranceway. This improvement is the result of work by the PCA’s TTC Committee.
– Traffic safety in the neighbourhood – the City has made the bike lanes on Jones more visible, begun painting more noticeable lines on pavement at intersections where cars are to stop, started observing car behaviour at stop signs to make sure the signs are placed appropriately, and ordered “No Entrance to Greenwood” signs to put up at streets bordering Jones Avenue. These improvements are the result of work by the PCA’s Safety Committee.
– Santa’s Frozen Festival – Saturday, December 3rd from 1 to 3 pm at Phin Park. Bring your kids, see what local artisans are selling, and buy your Pocket Toque – a great holiday gift! Brought to you by the PCA’s Events Committee.
Recent Activities:
– Road mural at Condor and Baird – painted by the neighbourhood at the Pocket Party in September 2016. Thanks Gemma and Rebecca!
– St. John’s Ambulance first aid training – a couple of weeks ago, 14 of your neighbours learned how to use a defibrillator and administer first aid. The training was organized by the PCA’s Neighbourhood Support Committee and subsidized by the PCA. A next step is to determine whether getting a defibrillator for the community would be helpful.
– Repair work and upgrades at Shudell entrance to Oakvale Green Space – pathway has been improved and made more level. Another outcome of work of the PCA’s TTC Committee.
St. John’s First Aid Training
Mural by day
Mural at night
TTC Notice – Work at Shudell Avenue
October 8, 2016
Notice from TTC about work at Shudell Avenue, planned to begin on October 12th
The work is expected to improve the entrance to the TTC greenspace by eliminating erosion onto the sidewalk. The entrance will be shifted to the south sidewalk.
To see the Notice for more information, please click here.
Off-leash Dogs and the TTC Oakvale Green Space
February 23, 2016
Notice
Hello neighbours – Please note that City of Toronto by-laws about off-leash dogs also apply to the TTC Oakvale Green space (among other public spaces in the City).
The by-laws are cited in the PCA’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the TTC and the Pocket Community Association (PCA) regarding the TTC Oakvale Green space. The MOU indicates the greenspace is not a dog leash-free area (section 1).
There was a recent complaint to the TTC about dogs running off leash in the TTC Oakvale Green space, and it is possible the TTC or the City will begin to actively enforce the by-laws that require all dogs to be on leash in the area.
PCA Role
When the PCA heard about the complaint, we asked one of the executive members to advise people through the Pocket community Facebook of the possibility the TTC would begin enforcing the by-laws.
Through Facebook discussion about the issue, it became clear there is some confusion about the by-laws and the PCA’s role in the application of the by-laws in the greenspace.
The City by-laws are clear – they do not permit off-leash dogs in the TTC Oakvale Green space. The MOU reiterates this. As such, the PCA has never been in a position to decide that the space is an off-leash area. At the same time, the PCA does not police the space or enforce the by-laws. If the TTC or the City choose to enforce the by-laws, they are able to do so.
Background
Ever since Oakvale Green was established in the 1990s, it was an area that required dogs to be on-leash, as indicated on the TTC signage. This situation was not affected by the MOU. Designated “off leash” areas for dogs can only be established through specific by-laws or in Toronto City Parks. Oakvale Geen is owned by the City of Toronto for the TTC to use and it is not regulated as a City Park.
This information has been communicated to residents and greenspace users on several occasions. It was part of a summary of the MOU posted on the PCA website early in 2014. At a subsequent PCA Town Hall on May 14, 2014, the information was verbally communicated to the approximately 35 participants. In June 2015, a flyer was posted in the greenspace and other parts of the community indicating that the rules regarding dog handling were unchanged: Oakvale Green had been a dog-on-leash area since it was created, and the TTC was clear that the restriction would not change, so the situation was “status quo”.
Further, whether or not the MOU contains the clause, the by-laws requiring dogs to be on leash prevail.
Finally, to be clear, the MOU between the TTC and the PCA covers only part of the greenspace – the portion that runs from Shudell up to the east-west fence bordering the fire station. Its eastern boundary is the green fence separating the TTC yard from the greenspace, and the PCA boundary continues in an invisible line from the northern end of the green fence to the fire station fence (please see the attached map for more information). The greenspace to the east of that is subject to an MOU between the TTC and Oakvale Residents Association (OKRA). Both parts of the space are referred to as the Oakvale Green.
PCA’s Annual General Meeting 2016
February 21, 2016
We had a good turnout for a cold January night and some great butter tarts!
See the Annual General Meeting presentation of the PCA’s 2015 activities & accomplishments:
Read the PCA AGM Chair’s Remarks and Committee Updates and the Minutes of the 2016 AGM.
Report on the Mosque Open House
February 21, 2016
Pocket residents on a tour of the Mosque
A number of Pocket residents have asked about what happened at the Open House at the Mosque last Saturday 13 February 2016. Here is a short report. From my perspective the Open House was a complete success and a lot of relationships were established. This provides a platform for cooperative planning of activities in the future. The good will and friendliness in all directions was delightful and I didn’t experience anything that caused me any concern.
In preparation for the Open House, we held a number of planning meetings, which resulted in the Mosque circulating their flyer to homes north of the Danforth. Additionally, the PCA posted the invitation and flyer in the Pocket Page of Facebook, sent an e-blast to our 400 PCA members, posted the invitation and flyer in the PCA website, and stapled the flyer to Hydro poles and notice boards throughout the Pocket.
Susan McMurray served as greeter to the neighbourhood women and girls at the Sister Entrance and David Smith and Marc van Beusekom welcomed neighbours at the front door. IT WAS VERY COLD. Just ask them !!
The Call to Prayer over the public address system started at 12.45. Prayers began at 1 o’clock, lasting about 10 minutes. During prayers, all the visitors including the women and girls were watching from the balcony above the prayer area.
Then the Imams came upstairs and the proceedings started. A boy recited from memory verses from the Qur’an, and another sung a song about Muhammad’s arrival in Medina, both using the microphone so that people anywhere in the building could hear.
Using the microphone, Susan spoke on behalf of the PCA. She thanked the Organizing committee, said we were happy to help with publicity and commented on the PCA’s conviction about the importance of helping to increase understanding between the members of the Mosque and their neighbours, to promote communication and tolerance. Peter Tabuns, MPP was also at the head table and made a few remarks. Our federal MP Julie Dabrusin was in attendance and made a few comments.
It was Imam Shiraz who served as MC throughout the presentations. When he asked me, as one of the organizers of the Open House, to take the microphone, I thanked the Organizing Committee for not asking me to sing anyth