Canada Toronto area RFF member meeting this summer

[FrankS]

Usually better than anything else!

But let's keep talking and planning so that we'll at least all meet up somewhere sometime on Saturday.

 

[dcsang]

Hey, how about St. Lawerence Market? I know almost a photographic cliche but the Biermarket is around the corner and down the street.

Bill

Oh man.. don't tempt me !! 😀

Dave

 

[Trius]

This is shaping up to be a great event -- just wish you could join us Joe. What about any of you folks in Rochester? Is that ferry thing working yet between Toronto and Rochester?

Given the scorching heat wave that will last all week, I'd be inclined towards the venues near water -- Queen's Quay (Harbourfront area) and Toronto Islands. Someplace to catch the lake breezes -- areas like Kensington, Queen St W, Danforth, etc are really stifling during the day when it's this hot.

Of course, the venues need to be near brew too 😀

Gene

Gene: I'm booked next weekend, damn! (Gene and I have talked about doing a 1-on-1 get together for awhile.) I'll be up the weekend after the August long weekend to go to Taste of the Danforth, along with my wife. That will be a zoo as far as crowd goes, but that presents photo ops, no? So if anyone wants to connect then, I'm up for that. My wife and I will be together, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind losing me for awhile. Oh wait, she may feel you guys will encourage my GAS attacks. Let's not tell her! :bang: 😀

J.Ed: Where are you, around Hamlin? I'm in West Irondequoit, so at some point if there's a gathering where we can carpool, I'm up for that.

Trius

 

[J.Ed]

[J.Ed: Where are you, around Hamlin? I'm in West Irondequoit, so at some point if there's a gathering where we can carpool, I'm up for that.

Trius[/QUOTE]

I'm in Chili about a mile south of 490 on Union Street.

 

[FrankS]

Okay, here is the list to date:
Bill K
Uncle Bill
GeneW
Jan
Dave
Frank

Iggers we haven't heard from you. Anyone else who can make it is invited as well.

We kind of have 2 areas with promise that are not too far removed from anywhere else: Kensington Market/China Town, and Queens Quay/ferry to Centre Island. Is there any debate around these locations? Or other locations? We have a few days to decide.

 

[Uncle Bill]

there is a 30% chance of Thunderstorms on Saturday, I would not want to get caught in the open with camera equipment on the island. So my vote is for Kennsington Market, we can always head up to College for beer.

Bill

 

[iggers]

I'm in. I just need to know the time and place.

 

[iggers]

I forgot to add my preference: Kensington. I haven't been there in a while.

 

[GeneW]

Any venue the group decides is okay for me. Refresh me, though, on where Kensington is. Haven't been there in years.

IMO, a 30% chance of rain means it won't happen 😀

Gene

 

[iggers]

30% chance means the rain won't happen, or means the rendezvous won't?

Kensington Market is just West of Spadina ChinaTown, north of Queen and south of Dundas. (Right?)

I remember 20 years ago or longer, the vendors in Kensington sold live fowl and rabbits in wooden cages. There were three or more cheese vendors with cheeses in immense variety, where one could sample. I recall buying a large pike from a fishmonger there, which I stuffed and baked. There were spice vendors and bakeries, and not far away stores that sold beads and hippie paraphenalia and funky clothing. The market also had a reputation (5 or ten years ago?) as a place where drugs could be bought.

 

[GeneW]

Whew! Just got in from a walk and let me reiterate that if the temps are like this on Saturday, you'd PAY to be near the lake ... it's brutally hot!

Gene

 

[FrankS]

I hear you, Gene! I'd rather be closer to the lake too, but since Kensington has been suggested a few times here, let's go with that. (We can easily hop on a subway and get to the lake/island if the weather is like it has been lately.) Can anyone familiar with the area suggest an intersection or location near parking that we can meet at in Kensington? If people want to send me their cell phone numbers, I'll make a list that might help on the day of if anyone gets ost or whatever. PM or e-mail. I've got Uncle Bill's already.

 

[Trius]

There's a parking garage right in Kensington, but damned if I can remember which street it's on. I'd say Baldwin or St. Andrew, closer to Spadina than not. It's not a city parking authority lot. Call Toronto or Ontario tourism, maybe they have the info. Good luck if you want to park elsewhere in Kensington.

There's a TTC station at St. Andrew.

Trius

 

[dcsang]

Let me help a bit 🙂

Here's a link to where the carpark is:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=20+St....654755,-79.402850&spn=0.007891,0.015044&hl=en

20 St Andrew Street is the address of the Municipal Parking Garage for Kensington. (price is $1.00 per half hour to a max of $6.00)
(Let me add that I love Google)

That map will also show you the Kensington market area; bounded by College St to the north, (mainly) Augusta Ave to the west, Spadina Ave to the east and Dundas St W to the south.

Easiest way of getting there by TTC would be to either a) hop off at Spadina on the Bloor line and travel south by bus / streetcar b) hop off at St. Patrick on the Yonge/University line and travel west by streetcar along Dundas till you hit Spadina

Hope this helps - but it's going to be VERY hot on Saturday - I was hoping for an indoor chat at the Bier Markt 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[Uncle Bill]

there is a new neighbourhood bar in Kennsington Market called well... the Supermarket, there is also the Last Temptation as well and a spot near College on Spadina which escapes me at the moment . I just need to know the meet up time and place.

Bill

 

[jan normandale]

Hi Guys

Kensington is N /W from the corner of Spadina and Dundas, primarily on Augusta from Dundas up to College.

I am now committed to going to the cottage this weekend and falling face first into the lake. Sounds like punishment to me ... oh well...

My wife is going up tomorrow and I have to go up on Saturday am to help open up. Sorry I can't make it. However I doubt I am the only Torontonian in cottage country this weekend.

Maybe in the early fall/ September. Have a great time! Hoist one for me.

Jan

 

[FrankS]

Thank you, Dave! Anyone coming who is not familiar with the Kensington area should print out a map from the link in Dave's post.

Uncle Bill, the Last Temptation sounds interesting and is located at 12 Kensington Ave. I have never been to this pub or any of the others you mentioned. Can you suggest one over another? We're not looking for anything dark and romantic, this being our first meeting and all.

The next decision will be time. I can be there anytime from 10am onwards. Does anyone have any time constraints that we need to consider? 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm? What works for you guys?

Gene, with you coming in from Port Credit on transit, I can pick you up by car from a transit stop to save you from having to make several transfers and then still have to walk a bit. Let me know.

 

[jan normandale]

BTW : if it is like today.... you will die of dehydration in Kensington expect the asphalt to be 100+ degrees!

Take pix of each other falling down from heat prostration..

joke

take care, Jan

 

[FrankS]

Can I arbitrarily say 2pm then, at Last Temptation located at 12 Kensington Av. for a meet and chat, probably no walking around if it's too hot. Bring some prints to show. Get a map print out from dsang's (Dave) post.

AS for myself, I'll be heading into TO earlier, got to check out the camera shops near Queen and Church st. May also take the ferry to Centre Island if weather is good, to check out the jazz. Gene, I could meet you at Union Station. Let me know when.

 

[GeneW]

Gene, I could meet you at Union Station. Let me know when.

Thanks for the offer Frank, but I'm fine with transit (I've worked in downtown Toronto for 30 yrs)

Looking forward to Saturday!

Gene