East-End Birdbath, Autumn

Just so you know I'm still here. But mainly the action's over on my food blog for the time being: Toronto Tasting Notes.

East End Collage

Coach House Press Celebration

Coach House Press celebrated its annual Wayzgoose Party (a traditional party held by a master printer for the workers) earlier this evening in the laneways around the Coach House itself (80 bpNichol Lane). This year's edition was at full capacity, partly due to the incursion of some of the neighbourhood frat boys, but mainly, I believe, because literary types were excited to toast the news that the press is buying its building, and that Coach House owner Stan Bevington has been appointed to the Order of Canada.

Besides chatting, beer, a BBQ and a book table, the entertainments included tours of the building, where sections of books in production lie in neat stacks amidst the beautiful old printing equipment like the "Original Heidelberg Einfarben" pictured above.

Darcy Allen Sheppard Memorial

Just got back from the memorial ride for Allen Sheppard, which I'm guessing drew maybe 400 riders: couriers, commuters, activists and others. It was very moving. After the Bloor Street observance, couriers (above) went to the aptly named Allen Gardens.

Above: Bikes in the air at Allen Gardens

Above: The street memorial

The writing on the shirt reads: "Remember Darcy Allen Sheppard Murdered August 31, 2009."

Memorial for Darcy Allen Sheppard Today

At 5 p.m. today, cyclists and friends will gather at Bay and Bloor for a memorial to Allen Sheppard, the veteran bike messenger who died on Monday in Yorkville after a minor confrontation with former Attorney General Michael Bryant escalated into a bizarre race down the wrong side of Bloor. It's a case that is of course before the courts, and no doubt much evidence will surface to elucidate what happened, if not to explain it.

I have so far heard mention of Chappaquiddick and Mary Jo Kopechne twice today (youngsters, you can look it up on Wikipedia.) Having spent Friday and Saturday in the U.S., where the flags are flying at half-mast for Ted Kennedy, the parallel occurred to me at once, as did the resemblance to The Bonfire of the Vanities. I expect this case will run a course much closer to the former; my guess is that in a few years Bryant's career, like Kennedy's, will be back on track. I must say, my heart sank when CBC Radio's Metro Morning announced this morning that it would be discussing the case of "former Attorney General Michael Bryant" and "a cyclist".

There will be media reports that cast a favourable light on Sheppard, or at least present a balanced view. In a rather insightful Globe and Mail piece, Christie Blatchford struck what I consider to be the right note. And the Star published a moving story today that mirrors the tale I am actually hearing from people who knew Sheppard: a good piece of research. But for most people, I suspect this story will be remembered as an unfortunate blot on the copybook of a still-rising political star, and that the man who died will be maligned at worst, at best forgotten.

This makes me very sad. I know so many stories – especially from the bike courier community, which can be kind to those who are at odds with the world – of men who are frankly hard to like for a decade or so in their 20s, but who find their rudder somewhere around 35 and enjoy calm and stability, often as loving, responsible fathers and husbands, in their more mature years.

Allen Shepherd was apparently given a pretty rough start out of the gate, but he clearly was struggling to find that rudder. He may have been extremely annoying and unpleasant on Monday night. He may even have seemed frightening. But, unlike Bryant, he won't get a chance to put it behind him. No matter what the outcome in the courts, that makes me very, very sad.

Brief Rant About the Indy

This morning while I was getting dressed, I was dimly aware of an annoying droning noise. Then I realized it sounded like racecars. Then I realized it was racecars; the Indy starts today. Thing is, I live at Coxwell.

I used to be amazed that the race would shake windows at my previous house at Parliament. I thought that moving to the other side of the city would get me out of earshot, but at this moment, sitting in my kitchen with the door closed, I can clearly hear the characteristic whining of large engines downshifting fast. Ironically, the only place I've lived in Toronto where I wan't bothered by it was Liberty Village – virtually on the track, but just behind a big warehouse that must have bounced the sound to other locations. Like here.

Pages Book Shop Will Close on August 31

Pages books & magazines (256 Queen West, 416-598-1477) has announced it will close on its 30th anniversary due to the hike in rents at the city-owned property. Owner Marc Glassman reports he has not yet found a new location. In an official notice posted to Facebook Friends of This Is Not a Reading Series, he wrote "I have to see this as an opportunity ... Old business models are crumbling, but new technologies will not eliminate books as objects. Beautifully produced books, art books, graphic novels, and books signed by authors will always have a place."

TTC Subway Station Wall Decals

I know other people have written about this before, but I like it too: Michael Warning and Derek Watson of Walloper, a self-described "collection of art geeks, design wonks and new-urbanist cheerleaders" have designed stick-on vinyl wall decals featuring TTC station typography for your kitchen, bedroom or office. They come in 4'x2' and 2'x1' sizes, and cost $25 to $36. We have an orange wall; I'm wanting Dupont tiles. Then again, Spadina's a classic, isn't it?

Rest in Peace, Rick Bébout

I'm so very sorry to hear that Rick Bébout has died. I never met him, but I loved his writing about this city; his essay on Temperance Street was especially dear to me. That's where he wrote: "I am ever heartened, in citizenship, to find people who know where they live."

City Strike Cancels Canada Day Fireworks

The City of Toronto's Labour Disruption Information site announces that "all City-run Canada Day events have been cancelled". This includes the Ashbridges Bay Fireworks. However, you can still see free Canada Day fireworks at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1 at Downsview Park. The Toronto Ribfest at Centennial Park in Etobicoke promises fireworks, but I don't know what time.

Also, the Festival of Fire starts at 10:30 p.m. on July 1 and July 4 at Ontario Place. It costs $11.75 to $17.75, but if you bring a picnic blanket to the Rose Garden (near the wind turbine) at Exhibition Place, you can see most of the show for free. If you also bring a radio, you can tune in to the simulcast of the show soundtrack at CHFI 98.1 FM.

Other Canada Day festivities that are cancelled by the City strike:

• Amesbury Canada Day, Amesbury Park
• Weston Lions Canada Day Event, Weston Lions Park
• Canada Day Event, Earlscourt Park
• Somali-Canada Day, Earl Bales Park
• Ontario Australian Football Championships, Colonel Samuel Smith Park
• Peanut Town Festival, Oriole Park - North
• East York Toronto Canada Day, Stan Wadlow Park
• MPP Canada Day Event - Don Valley West MPP, Flemingdon Park
• Shomoy Mela, Dentonia Park
• Canada Day Celebrations, Thompson Memorial Park/ Miliken District Park
• Canada Day Celebration, St.James Park
• 16th Annual Neighbours Together, Riverdale Park East
• Canada Day Festival, Kew Gardens
• Canada Day, Mel Lastman Square

Other Canada Day celebrations that will go on as previously announced:

• Canada Day at Harbourfront Centre
• Canada Day at Ontario Place Chinguacousy Park
• Toronto Ribfest and fireworks at Centennial Park
• Canada Day at the Toronto Zoo
• New Country Canada Day Jam, Woodbine Park
• Queen's Park Canada Day
• Canada Day at Downsview Park