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August
2002 Newsletter ~
Toronto Public Space Committee
1)
Outdoor TV
- More Screens Added
2) Trailer Park! - "You
Don't Need a Car to Move Stuff!"
3) Reclaim the Streets!
- August 30th
4) Thanks for Riding Your Bike
- Poster Campaign
5) Magazine Meeting - August
22nd
6) Idle Free Day - August
21st
7) Next Meeting - August
25th
8) Calendar - Other Meetings,
Events
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1) OUTDOOR TV
Don't like to watch TV? Too bad. Welcome to the new public space where
you are a consumer, not a citizen.
Toronto City Council continues to violate their own sign bylaw and continues
to ignore staff concerns about safety by adding more outdoor commercial
TV billboards on our streets. Recent additions over the last few months
include Yonge / Wellesley & John / Richmond (northwest corner).
These signs are DESIGNED TO DISTRACT DRIVERS. Aside from the obnoxious
content of the ads, these video boards are guaranteed to raise collision
rates, putting pedestrians & cyclists at risk.
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2)
TRAILER PARK
- This Sunday!
"You don't need a car to move stuff!"
Toronto's first outdoor festival of bike trailers is here!
Trailers, workbikes & trikes all make it easy to move almost anything
by bicycle. Trailer Park brings together manufacturers, distributors,
retailers, owners and cyclists for an outdoor festival and trade show.
Models will be on display for people to see and for individuals or retailers
to order. Toronto's flourishing community of home-made trailer makers
will have a chance to show off their products as well.
The day will include an obstacle course, Trailer Beauty Pageant, live
jazz and a Bike Trailer Parade.
Join us as we demonstrate & celebrate bike power!
- >> interested in volunteering for this event? Please let us know!
Sunday August 18, noon to 5pm @ Grange Park
http://publicspace.ca/
______________________________________________________________
3)
RECLAIM THE STREETS! - August 30th
Toronto's fifth annual Reclaim the Streets is around the corner! An act
of creative defiance, this grassroots festival replaces cars with humans
and creates a momentary glimpse of the possibilities of a vibrant public
space saturated with culture, expression and life.
Friday August 30th, 7pm
Denison Square Park (in Kensington Market)
info: 416-760-5881
links:
http://www.reclaimthestreets.org
(not online yet)
http://rts.gn.apc.org/
http://www.reclaimthestreets.net/
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4)
THANKS FOR RIDING YOUR BIKE!!
Cyclists are treated like second-class citizens. Unsafe roadways, underfunded
infrastructure, police harassment......
The Toronto Public Space Committee is putting up 500 "Thanks"
posters to remind our city's cyclists how much we love them!
Check out the poster at http://publicspace.ca/thanks.htm
If you'd like a few copies, let us know and we'll send 'em over.
______________________________________________________________
5)
MAGAZINE MEETING
- August 22
At the June monthly meeting we decided to start talking about publishing
a magazine. The magazine would cover public space issues in Toronto and
also draw links to other movements and other cities. We're having a meeting
on August 22nd to discuss the direction, content, production, distribution
and financing of the magazine. If you're interested, please join us for
this meeting. If you can't make it, send your ideas to magazine@publicspace.ca
August 22nd, 6pm, Grange Park (@ the wading pool)
______________________________________________________________
6)
IDLE FREE DAY
- August 21st
From Greenest City (http://www.greenestcity.org/)
Greenest City calls for an Idle-Free Day.
Tired of inhaling toxic car fumes as you bike or walk through the city?
Sick of hearing that there’s been another smog alert issued?
Then mark August 21 2002, 3-4pm, on your calendar! Greenest City is challenging
you, the people of Toronto, to gather a group of your friends, colleagues,
and loved ones to stop unnecessary vehicle idling. Stake out a spot in
the city where idlers can be found and help to promote idle-free zones.
Be creative! Bring costumes, songs, and noisemakers! Make the day exciting
and fun!
Greenest City will help to organize your group and provide stickers and
informative brochures to distribute to the public. Alternatively, you
can join an existing group at a pre-determined spot and join the festivities
there. Contact Chris Benjamin at volunteer@greenestcity.org or (416) 922-7626
for more details on how you can participate in the Idle-Free Day challenge.
Visit the Greenest City website at www.greenestcity.org
for more information on our programs.
Facts on Idling:
- Canadian motorists idle their vehicles an average of five to 10 minutes
per day.
- Idling sends harmful gases into the air contributing to smog and climate
change.
- If every driver of a light-duty vehicle in Canada avoided idling for
just five minutes per day, we would prevent more than 3,800 tonnes of
carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each day, leaving much healthier
air for all to breathe. Every driver can turn off his/her car when parked
for more than 10 seconds – it’s easy! And it makes a huge
difference to us all.
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7)
NEXT MEETING - Sunday June 30th
The Toronto Public Space Committee meets on the last Sunday of each month.
We discuss our campaigns, set long-term goals and decide how to invest
our energy for the upcoming month. Meetings are open to the public, of
course.
The next meeting is Sunday August 25th, at noon at 197 Harbord Street,
just east of Bathurst.
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8)
CALENDAR
- Other meetings & events
Media Democracy Day - planning meeting.
Wednesday, August 28th at 7pm at OISE, Room 2-212.
http://www.mediademocracyday.org/
Critical Mass - monthly bike ride
Friday August 30th, 6pm
Yonge @ Temperance
http://torontocranks.com/
Car Free Day - planning meeting
Monday August 19, 6pm
Sierra Club office, 24 Mercer Street
http://carfreeday.ca/
WHOSE SPACE IS PUBLIC SPACE?
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Toronto Public Space Committee
253 College Street, Box 372
Toronto, ON M5T 1R5
contact@publicspace.ca
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