photoblair.ca

Farewell H4 Subway Cars

2012-01-27T09:20:00.000-05:00

After more than 35 years plying Toronto's underground railroad, the last train of Hawker-Siddely H4 subway cars made its way along the Bloor-Danforth subway line one last time. It went into service at approximately 7:30am after emerging from the Greenwood Yards, headed east to Kennedy, where it picked up a motley crew of TTC staff, WTF?-ing commuters, and ~~losers~~ transit nerds like myself who likely don't have enough cash or space to run a railroad in our basements, so we ride the subway.

Today's 'event' wasn't heralded by much more than a Tweet from the TTC's Brad Ross, which was then amplified throughout the transit-nerd-verse and punctuated by an exceptionally-full front car. I got off where I got on, back at Greenwood and let the rest of the kids have their fun. At least we didn't need to worry about the lack of air conditioning this morning.

Photos and video taken along the Bloor-Danforth subway line between Greenwood and Kennedy Stations on Friday, January 27, 2012.

Old Bisbee Arizona

2012-01-22T08:44:00.001-05:00

Speaking of Bisbee, this is Old Bisbee, which remains a living relic of the city's golden (or copper) age. There are no flat roads in Bisbee, only hills. There are no chain stores, no banks, no Starbucks, only artists, indie shops, cool consumables and a bunch of hippies (which is say as a term of endearment) who genuinely care about the place they live in.

Photos taken on January 8, 2012 in Bisbee, Arizona.

Lowell Arizona

2012-01-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

Along the Mule Mountains in southern Arizona there lies a series of abandoned mines which had been providing copper and gold to an ever-expanding United States since the late 1800s. The city of Bisbee, Arizona was established in 1880 to provide services and housing to the workers and owners of the adjacent Copper Queen Mine. One of the communities within Bisbee is Lowell, the main street of which houses various relics of the mining past as well as such community services as a food co-op, auto repair shop and (which town doesn't need one of these) a soil remediation office. The photos of the mine cannot begin to show just how large and how deep the holes in the ground are. You can see exposed copper which has patinated after years of exposure to the elements. You can also see the hills coated with heavy metals which are by-products of the intensive mining which went on for nearly a century, finally ceasing in 1975. Since then, Bisbee has flourished as an artists community and probably the least "red state"-ish place in Arizona.

Photos taken on January 8, 2012 in Lowell (Bisbee), Arizona.

Naco Arizona

2012-01-15T09:14:00.000-05:00

No trip to the Excited States of America is complete without looking at "the fence", which stretches along its southern border. I've always been fascinated with how the U.S. looks at its neighbours, being one myself, and have always wanted to see the lengths they go to to keep Mexicans on their side of the line. While travelling towards Naco (pop. 800), you cross some breathtaking desert mountains, millions of cacti, at least one Army base and dozens of green-striped Border Patrol trucks. Near Fort Huachuca, if you look up, way up, you'll actually see a blimp providing a drone-like eye in the sky over the mountainous terrain along the border. Closer to ground, you'll see towers with cameras, floodlights and sensors to capture any movements (illegal or not) along the massive fence which stretches for miles east and west of Naco.

Naco itself is a very small, sleepy village, with a school, a bar, a post office, a golf course (?!) and yes, a very large fence. Permeated only by a border crossing at the end of Naco Highway which connects to the sister city of Naco, Sonora, Mexico. The Gay 90s bar, which despite the monicker seems to be referring only to the joyous late-1800s era, has been said to be so popular with Nacoans of both flags, that people have actually jumped the fence for a drink, then jumped back. For more Naco lore, check out this 2007 article from National Geographic.

Photos taken in Naco, Arizona on Sunday, January 8, 2012.

Buffalo Central Terminal

2011-12-15T11:22:00.001-05:00

Rather than repeat everything which appears on BuffaloCentralTerminal.org, I'll just say that anybody who enjoys art deco architecture, beautiful ruins, railway heritage, or just needs something to do after they realize that prices at Walden Galleria aren't nearly as good as they used to be, should pay a visit to the former Buffalo home of the New York Central Railway.

Photos taken early on December 14, 2011 beside and above Curtiss Street in Buffalo, New York

Northumberland County

2011-12-10T23:32:00.001-05:00

Various views of Northumberland County, Ontario including Port Hope, Cobourg and Hamilton Township on Saturday, December 10, 2011.

Crystal Beach in Autumn

2011-10-30T14:57:00.000-04:00

Despite being a very grey day, colours abound in the lakeside community of Crystal Beach, in probably one of the most underrated corners of the province. Although bustling in summer, yesterday's stroll was very quiet, but for the occasional car or rush of wind through the trees.

Photos taken at various locations in Crystal Beach (Fort Erie), Ontario on October 29, 2011.

Glen Road

2011-09-24T08:21:00.001-04:00

If you were ever to take the Glen Road exit from Sherbourne Subway Station, and decided to stray south, you would be presented with a lovely row of early 20th century houses which line both sides of this shady (in good and perhaps less-so ways) street which is used by thousands of residents of the adjacent St. James Town highrises. As you can see, all of the houses but for the one at the intersection of Howard Street are slated for razing with a series of other highrises, condos this time, to take their place. It's perhaps a glimpse into the blockbusting which occurred in the 1950s and 60s which allowed for property owners (in that case the City) to rid the area of straggling, struggling tenants who refused to leave so that the massive St. James Town Project, to use an Americanism, could be built. 2 Glen Road will be the only house standing once the wrecking ball finishes its bashing, with shiny new towers feeding 1840 more commuters into the subway system.

Photos taken on August 25, 2011 on Glen Road and Redrocket Lane, Toronto, Ontario.

Glen Campbell

2011-08-31T23:17:00.004-04:00

Tonight was a bittersweet night. I went to see someone who meant a lot to me back in 1975, but not a whole lot since: Glen Campbell. My earliest recollection of a 'favourite song' would have to be Rhinestone Cowboy, from the album of the same name. Tonight, I got to see the singer of said song, under slightly sad circumstances. Glen recently announced that he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, and that he was going to release one new record and have one final tour, of which tonight's show was the opener. He played a ton of hits (Galveston, Try A Little Kindness, Wichita Lineman, Country Boy, Southern Nights, the aforementioned Cowboy) and had 4 of his children along in his touring band. Hopefully they got to see how much dad meant to the crowd of, well, mostly-older-than-me's, and hopefully dad did, too. Given the ominous reasoning for the tour, what one could excuse as "senior moments" seemed more sinister tonight. Even still, the man sure can play his gee-tar and gave the crowd what they were looking for, including, for me, Rhinestone Cowboy.

Photos taken on August 31, 2011 at the CNE Bandshell, Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario.

Jack

2011-08-27T23:38:00.003-04:00

R.I.P.

Photos taken in the rotunda of Toronto City Hall on August 26, 2011 and at the base of the CN Tower on August 27, 2011

Moon Over Crystal Beach

2011-08-14T20:21:00.003-04:00

Photos taken at Erie Beach, in Fort Erie, Ontario on August 9 and 13, 2011.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

2011-08-02T22:46:00.005-04:00

On a nearly-100-degree-Fred day, my grand plans to wander the stands at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during this year's running of the Brickyard 400 were replaced by the consumption of large quantities of water (and the occasional pork tenderloin). This being my first NASCAR race, I wanted to absorb as much of the atmosphere as possible, and judging from the smell of asphalt and (Goodyear) rubber which remained with me long after the race was over, I think I managed to absorb a fair bit. Paul Menard won the race, but Tony Stewart, who was who we were there to see, managed a respectable 6th.

Photos taken near the corner of Georgetown and West 25th Street, Speedway, Indiana on July 31, 2011

Leslieville Baby Hawk

2011-07-07T17:37:00.002-04:00

One of two baby hawks high in the sky above Woodfield Road in the Leslieville neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario on July 7, 2011

Blackburn Hamlet Farm

2011-07-05T13:26:00.006-04:00

One of only two communities located within the National Capital Commission greenbelt, which surrounds the former city of Ottawa and was intended to contain suburban sprawl surrounding Canada's capital, Blackburn Hamlet provides a hint into the rural past of the area as well as a distinctive small-town feel. Most who travel through the area, along Innes Road east of Highway 417, miss out on this gem as most traffic is diverted to the aptly-named Blackburn Hamlet Bypass, which passes to the south of the hamlet.

Upon entering the area from the west, you first come upon a derelict farm which dates back to the early 20th century. The farm was most recently used as a greenhouse for the NCC, but after several years of neglect, proposals have been made by a group called Just Food to turn the property into a hub for local, sustainable agriculture. More information on Just Food can be found here and more information about the proposed Greens Creek Farm can be found here (pdf).

Sloan in Kanata - July 1 2011

2011-07-04T18:25:00.007-04:00

Canada Day in the Nation's Capital. What started with an insane throng on Parliament Hill to see Will and Kate, ended with an orderly throng on a toboggan hill in Kanata's Walter Baker Park to see Canadian Rock Icons Sloan. This had to be my dozenth or so opportunity to have the Sloan Experience, but it was my first time seeing them in Ottawa. As expected, they did the hits, fan faves (500 Up!!!), and a whole whack of the new "20th Anniversary" album, The Double Cross.

Photos taken at Walter Baker Park in Kanata (Ottawa), Ontario on July 1, 2011

You can see photos from other shows here:
2008 - Exhibition Place, Toronto
2007 - CNE Bandshell, Toronto
2007 - Nathan Philips Square, Toronto
2006 - Lula Lounge, Toronto

Honore-Mercier Bridge

2011-06-26T07:46:00.008-04:00

In Montreal's borough of LaSalle sits the northern end of the Honoré Mercier Bridge (or "The Mercier") which is one of three bridges which link the island to the south shore. At the other end is the Mohawk first nation of Kahnawake, who notoriously closed the bridge in 1990 over the Oka Crisis at Kanasetake, and the town of Châteauguay.

On June 14, 2011 the western-most span, opened in 1934 and looks like it hasn't been maintained since, had to be closed due to the erosion of 10 gussetts, the plates which bind the crossbeams together. The plan is to have them replaced by the fall of 2011. In the meantime, traffic has been redirected to the eastern span, which was opened in 1963, with both lanes being used in the primary traffic direction during peak hours and one lane in each direction during off-peak. This has made the area's already bad traffic even worse, even precipitating the addition of six extra AMT commuter trains on the adjacent CP rails to and from Candiac (see below), a line which itself was created due to the 1990 Mohawk standoff.

Photos taken along LaSalle Boulevard in Montreal, Quebec on June 21, 2011

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

2011-06-25T07:30:00.006-04:00

AMT Train bound for Vaudreuil

Entrance to the pedestrian bridge to Ile-Perrot

Rue Sainte-Anne

Kelso Park

Pink House on Rue Saint-Pierre

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site
(linking the St. Lawrence River to Lake of Two Mountains)

STM Route 211 bus John Abbott College

The Road To Toronto

AMT Rail Station Stairway

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Presbyterian Church

Pointe-aux-Trembles VIA Station

2011-06-24T07:30:00.009-04:00

Being the only person to get off at the most-easterly train station on the island of Montreal meant that I got a puzzled look from pretty much everybody involved in getting me there. "Point-aux-Trembles? Vous ne pouvez pas prendre le metro?" I mean, why would anyone pay $20 for a trip you could take by metro (and bus) for $3? Well, if you want to get a preview of the future AMT (the Montreal regional transit authority) "Train de l'Est" which is currently under construction, this is the best way to do it.

It is the southern end of the line from Montreal to Jonquiere and Senneterre, with cars for both destinations travelling together as far as Hervey Jct., where the train is broken into two to go on the final legs of their journey. In Montreal, the train heads south through Pointe-St-Charles, Verdun and St-Henri, where it makes a turn through the massive CN Taschereau rail yard and heads north and east towards the first stop, Ahuntsic. Service used to be via the Mont-Royal tunnel, with outbound trains being pulled by electric engines as far as the Jonction de l'Est in St-Laurent (inbound trains would merely coast downhill through the mountain). A total reconstruction of the Montreal-Deux-Montagnes commuter line in 1995 made this no longer possible as the electrical current used by the new trains was incompatible with CN's aging fleet of electric locomotives, so the diversion via Taschereau, and its additional half-hour travel time, was now necessary. It is unclear whether the hybrid locomotives which will be used by the AMT for the Train de l'Est will do double-duty for VIA once that line opens, but it appears unlikely.

From Ahuntsic, the line continues east through Montreal-nord, Montreal-est, and Riviere-des-Prairies before arriving at the unmanned, but rather-vandalized Pointe-aux-Trembles Station. Interestingly, when the Train de l'Est opens (currently scheduled for 2012), the stop used by the AMT called "Pointe-Aux-Trembles" will not be at this location, but will be at a new station approximately 2km west on Sherbrooke Street.

Montreal-Nord hasn't seen service since 1968, as most users switched to the metro after its opening in 1966. A great essay on the history of electric commuter service to Montreal-Nord (and Ahuntsic) by McGill professor Glenn Cartwright can be found here.

Photos taken near the corner of 64e Avenue and Prince-Albert Street in the borough of Pointe-aux-Trembles-Riviere-des-Prairies, Montreal, Quebec on June 22, 2011.

Mather Arch

2011-06-20T05:58:00.005-04:00

At the southern entrance (/exit) to the Niagara Parkway, adjacent to the glorious Peace Bridge, sits a monument dedicated to peaceful coexistence of the two countries linked by the bridge. Built through the "vision and generosity" of Alonzo C. Mather, an American who made his mark through the construction of steel rail cars, the Mather Park Gate (more commonly known as the Mather Arch) was used upon its completion in 1939 as the access portal to the Niagara Parkway from Highway 3 (now Garrison Road) in Fort Erie.

In 2000, the Niagara Parks Commission restored the landmark to a "renewed state of splendour". The arch no longer serves its original purpose as a gateway, but is still accessible from both Garrison Road and the Niagara Parkway and serves as an impressive location to view the Peace Bridge, Niagara River and Buffalo shoreline.

Photos taken on June 11, 2011 in Fort Erie, Ontario.

County Fair Mall - Fort Erie

2011-06-14T08:43:00.006-04:00

After savaging Fort Erie's downtown, known as Bridgeburg Station, County Fair Mall thrived through the 1970s and 80s as being the single largest shopping destination in town. Zellers, Food City, Radio Shack, Shoppers Drug Mart and even a movie theatre were housed in a an attractive, convenient-to-all-roads location, not too far from the Peace Bridge for those who needed to pick up some Smarties or Red River Cereal before crossing the border.

Alas, the trend toward outdoor plazas and an explosion of growth along the adjacent Garrison Road (old Highway 3) led tenants to leave one-by-one. The movie theatre barely made it to 1985, Radio Shack moved across the street, Food City became IGA, then it and Shoppers Drug Mart left for the International Gateway Village plaza about 1km west at Concession Street and Garrison. Giant Tiger briefly occupied the old Food City/IGA space, but Walmart, which moved into town in the late 90s, took most of the town's discount dollars for itself, leaving Zellers the sole original retail tenant. Recent visits to the store show more staff than customers, with the exception of the pharmacy, which appears to be one of the few attractions for American shoppers.

Whether Target's expansion into Canada will even include this location is a big question. Whether this piece of near-dead retail real estate will survive if it doesn't is an even bigger one.

Photos taken on June 11, 2011 at Garrison Road and King Street in Fort Erie, Ontario.

Joel Plaskett

2011-06-12T16:19:00.004-04:00

I didn't take the Dartmouth ferry into the town, but I did take in the opening night of Luminato which featured Montreal's Beast and the pride of Lunenburg, Noval Scotia, Joel Plaskett (along with the rest of his "Emergency"). Imagine a 90-minute kitchen party with all of the outlets being used for guitars and you'll have an idea what the gig was like. Thanks Joel et al!

Photos taken at David Pecaut Square on King Street West, Toronto, Ontario on June 10, 2011

First Canadian Place

2011-05-28T09:11:00.004-04:00

Meanwhile, further down Bay Street, another transformation is under way, replacing flaking/falling marble from the face of First Canadian Place (named after what would have been "First Canadian Bank", the new name for Bank of Montreal should Quebec have separated in 1976) with a more durable glass face. Sure it looks nice, but could you imagine the Windex bill?

Photos taken on May 27, 2011 from various points of view on Bay, King and Adelaide Streets, in Toronto, Ontario.

650 Bay Street

2011-05-27T20:51:00.003-04:00

The former "Bay Street Motel" flophouse appears to have finally evicted its last cockroach and is about to start a new life. Until that happens, its state of disrepair, or disrepaint, makes for an interesting subject.

Photos taken at 650 Bay Street, at the corner of Elm Street, Toronto, Ontario on May 27, 2011.

Neighbourhood Chair

2011-05-14T08:42:00.003-04:00

Arty-farty version of a photo taken on Dundas Street East in Toronto, Ontario on May 12, 2011

Arm-In-Arm

2011-05-07T08:16:00.002-04:00

Taken from beneath the CN overpass on Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario on May 6, 2011

LA Leftovers - Signage

2011-05-07T07:23:00.009-04:00

Photos taken at various spots in (and above) Norwalk, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Hawthorne and Los Angeles, California between April 11 and 16, 2011

Vertical Disintegration

2011-04-29T18:10:00.006-04:00

The Regent Park rejig continues, with the entire populous of Belshaw Place moved to other quarters while their former cul-de-sac is wiped off the map.

Photos taken at the former site of 35 Belshaw Place, near Dundas and River Streets, Toronto, Ontario on April 18, 2011

Metrolink and Amtrak California

2011-04-20T13:23:00.006-04:00

If some of these look familiar, it's because they're made at the same Thunder Bay, Ontario plant that trains in Miami, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto are made in. Well, the Metrolink ones are at least.

Photos taken at the Anaheim, Fullerton, Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs, LA Union and once more with flare, Anaheim Metrolink Stations in Anaheim, Fullerton, Norwalk and Los Angeles, California on April 11, 2011.

LA Metro Red/Purple Lines

2011-04-20T12:45:00.005-04:00

Union Station Concourse

Peek-a-boo at Union Station

Hollywood/Highland Station

Hollywood/Vine Station

Union Station

Photos taken along the Red Line of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority in Los Angeles and Hollywood, California on April 11, 2011

LA Metro Blue Line

2011-04-20T12:27:00.004-04:00

Photos taken at Imperial/Wilmington Station and 7th/Metro Center Station on the LA Metro Blue (Long Beach) Line on April 11, 2011

LA Metro Green Line

2011-04-20T11:47:00.003-04:00

Artwork at Wilmington Station

Where highways and rapid transit meet at Crenshaw Station

Beneath the bee's knees at Norwalk Station

Redondo Beach Station, which ironically is nowhere near a beach

Geek Time

LA Metro's Green Line, a train that doesn't quite go to the beach, doesn't quite go to LAX, doesn't quite go to the Metrolink station at Norwalk, but DOES go down the median of I-105, is shown here at various locations in Norwalk, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach and Los Angeles, California on April 11 and 12, 2011

Station 51

2011-04-19T08:52:00.004-04:00

Being a child of the 70s, I watched a lot of lousy TV. One exception to all this was Emergency! which supposedly ran on Saturday nights on NBC, but I remember watching it weekdays at 5 on CFTO-TV, Channel 9, Cable 8, right after Star Trek. The show was very cool not only for the bright red trucks, but also for this thing they called a "Mantooth". Anyway, I was a devoted watcher and even wanted to be a paramedic when I grew up. (Then I realized there was blood involved, which you didn't see much of on TV, so there went that idea)

I always wanted to see this mythical "Station 51" even if there weren't any Roy or Johnny to show me around, and on this trip, I finally got to. Station 127 of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, located in the city of Carson across from an Arco oil refinery on the western edge of L.A. County, played the role of Station 51. The station was renamed the Robert. A. Cinader Memorial Fire Station after the co-creator of the series in 1985.

Photos taken at 2049 East 223rd Street, Carson, California on April 12, 2011

The Beach Boys Historical Monument

2011-04-18T12:41:00.006-04:00

(Spot the tourist)

In order to add another traffic jam and underused rail line to the greater Los Angeles metroplex, the home of the Wilson family of Hawthorne, California (and a few others, albeit likely less prodigious) had to be demolished. Fortunately since 2005 the site has been commemorated by an impressive monument on the vacant side of 119th Street.

Photos taken at the former site of the Wilson family home on 119th Street in Hawthorne, California on April 11, 2011.

Santa Anita

2011-04-18T08:08:00.004-04:00

Where punters play the ponies. Also, where people still dress up to go to the Club House! Take THAT, Woodbine!

Photos taken at Santa Anita Park race track, Arcadia, California on April 15, 2011

Santa Monica Pier

2011-04-17T22:09:00.005-04:00

Photos taken where Forrest ran to at the end of Santa Monica Boulevard near Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California on April 14, 2011.

Los Angeles Union Station

2011-04-17T11:51:00.006-04:00

The last of the great train stations, featuring moderne, art deco and Spanish revivial styles, serves thousands of bus, subway, commuter and long-haul rail passengers who would otherwise further clog the far-from-free-flowing freeway system.

Photos taken on North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California on April 11, 2011

The Capitol Tower

2011-04-17T10:48:00.004-04:00

As inevitable as Hollywood itself, the Capitol (Records) Tower looms large over the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

Photos taken at or near the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Vine Street, Hollywood, California on April 11, 2011.

Walt Disney Concert Hall Detail

2011-04-17T10:17:00.003-04:00

When trying to take photos through a bus window, and capturing an entire edifice is impossible, try to catch details which capture the essence of what you're pointing at.

Or you could just be like me and shoot like crazy and hope that something worthwhile can be salvaged in the editing.

Photos taken of the Walt Disney Concert Hall at Music Center, 111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California on April 13, 2011.

Grenadier Pond

2011-04-09T08:34:00.003-04:00

(Editorial comment)

A quiet morning but for the drone of cars, the chirps of birds and the rustling of rushes at Grenadier Pond.

Photos taken near Ellis Avenue and The Queensway in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, April 9, 2011

Supermoon Through The Branches

2011-03-19T23:15:00.003-04:00

Photos taken off Dundas Street East near Highfield Road during the anti-eclipse of March 19, 2011.

Mo'OMD

2011-03-06T18:04:00.002-05:00

More scenes from the Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark concert of March 6, 2011 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, Ontario.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

2011-03-06T00:38:00.005-05:00

More photos here.

After a 23 year absence, the "original" members of OMD descended upon the Phoenix Concert Theatre for what can only be called an amazing concert. Old ones (Enola Gay), new ones (History of Modern, Part I), Rarities (Radio Waves!!), Hits (If You Leave) and TWO Joan of Arcs, well, one Joan of Arc and one Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc), but who's got time to get bogged down in details like that? They played at least one song from each of their albums, which was a nice touch.

At any rate, an amazing show by a bunch of 50-somethings that still got it. And who don't look like Robert Smith in doing so. Welcome back!

Photos taken at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Sherbourne Street in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Highrise

2011-03-05T08:26:00.003-05:00

Photos taken along Dundas Street East and Sherbourne Street on Thursday, March 3, 2011.

Engine 'ere

2011-02-26T08:27:00.006-05:00

At the foot of the CN Tower lies a fascinating remnant of Toronto's railroading past, Roundhouse Park. The roundhouse itself has been converted to a brewery and a furniture store, but at least they've managed to park and preserve a few of the iron horses which used to ply the tracks.

Photos taken along Bremner Blvd. in Toronto, Ontario on Friday, February 25, 2011.

Skylon

2011-02-21T14:57:00.008-05:00

Unfortunately it was a little too early to see the little yellow bug-like elevators creeping up the side of Niagara's phallus, but even still, the view from below proved to be just as good as the one you pay $13 for. Photos taken Sunday, February 20, 2011 just off Murray Street in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Hugh Laurie

2011-02-20T21:15:00.007-05:00

Comedian. Thespian. Author. Mandolin-ian. And of course, a man who knows his way around 88 keys. Hugh Laurie got the Band From TV gig at Fallsview Casino not only started, but kept it going 'round in circles for well over two hours on the evening of February 19, 2011. Bravo!

Jesse Spencer In The House

2011-02-20T21:05:00.004-05:00

Band From TV's Jesse Spencer tears it up in the Avalon Ballroom at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario on February 19, 2011.

Humber Bay Park West

2011-02-06T09:19:00.005-05:00

Behind Etobicoke's version of the "Wall of Condos", lies a beautiful piece of waterfront called Humber Bay Park West. Accessible from the foot of Park Lawn Road, this created-by-man, enjoyed-by-man-and-beast (and duckwatcher) area covers 120 hectares, none of which abut the actual Humber Bay.

Photos taken on February 6, 2011 just south of Marine Parade Drive in Toronto (Etobicoke), Ontario.

Chilled and Distilled

2011-02-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

Photos taken along St. Lawrence Street, Eastern Avenue and in the Distillery District of Toronto, Ontario on February 4, 2011.

The Zellers Ghost

2011-01-15T09:34:00.004-05:00

In 1956, after the closure of Dufferin Park Racetrack, Dufferin Plaza was born just south of Bloor Street (and in-between three of my alma maters), bringing the suburban strip-mall experience to the west end. By the time it was covered over in 1975, major tenants included Family Fair department store, Bad Boy furniture, Loblaws, Brewers Retail, Dairy Queen (to me anyway), and a bi-level Zellers. The subsequent Dufferin Mall brought Woolco and Horizon department stores to the area, cementing the centre as a major retail force, surprisingly without decimating the adjacent retail landscape on Bloor Street.

Zellers survived until after the 1994 conversion of Woolco to Wal-Mart, but eventually they raised the white flag and left the mall. Nearby locations at the Galleria at Dufferin and Dupont as well as Bloor and Dundas (both former Towers locations) were better able to serve the area, without a monster operation like Wal-Mart a mere 100 paces away.

Despite their departure, and subdivision of the space to a health club in the basement and a clothing store at mall level, the ghost of the old store remains, near the rear entrance to the store, at the end of Cobourg Street, where this photo was taken on January 13, 2011.

The Sun Came Up Today

2010-12-30T09:37:00.005-05:00

When you see a big ball of flame in the sky, you just shoot it. The ball looked particularly beautiful this morning, as seen from Col. Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke, Ontario.

Photos taken on December 30, 2010.

Not Playing (2010)

2010-12-20T22:03:00.005-05:00

Not to be confused with my famous 2006 post on the defunct Famous Players Westwood (which really hasn't changed much in the interim four years), this one deals with an unfortunately failed attempt by AMC Theaters to develop a twin-screen cinema in the downtown of Seahaven, I mean Celebration, Florida, the master-planned and developed-by-Disney town just south of Walt Disney World. My wife and I saw "King Kong" there back in 2005 and it was a rather special experience, albeit in a prefab kind of way. Wandering the streets afterwards at 1am was also a rather surreal experience.

Photos taken about 2 weeks too late on December 5, 2010 (with a bonus from December 19, 2005) in Celebration, FL

Peek-A-Pussy

2010-12-20T21:38:00.003-05:00

I have officially become the crazy cat lady.

Photo taken on my new Canon SX130IS in my kitchen on December 12, 2010.

Self Portrait With Cat

2010-12-01T16:29:00.002-05:00

Such narcissism. Photo taken on December 1, 2010.

Wintry Huntsville Afternoon

2010-11-27T22:51:00.004-05:00

Squalls in Central Ontario covered Muskoka with 30 cm of snow, some of which you can see in these photos, which were taken from the foot of Church Street in Huntsville, Ontario on November 27, 2010.

Underpass

2010-11-19T22:06:00.002-05:00

Photos taken at the Queen Street Subway and/or the Dufferin Street Jog-Killer in Toronto, Ontario on November 19, 2010

Overpass

2010-11-19T21:49:00.003-05:00

Photos taken from the Wallace Avenue pedestrian overpass to Dundas Street West on November 19, 2010

Sam the Backdoor Man

2010-11-19T05:57:00.003-05:00

The ever-decomposing Sam the Record Man store in downtown Toronto still has some interesting pieces around the rear perimeter. Soon, all will be lost as Ryerson University creeps onto Yonge Street.

Photos taken with way too high an ISO on O'Keefe Lane, Toronto, Ontario on November 18, 2010.

AMtrakPM

2010-11-15T17:38:00.003-05:00

The Wolverine going and coming to Royal Oak, Michigan at 6:30am and 2:45pm on November 13, 2010

Berkley Morning

2010-11-13T21:52:00.005-05:00

Just across Woodward is the equally-foggy city of Berkley. Cool mornings make for cool visuals.

Photos taken along Coolidge Highway and 12 Mile Road in Berkley, Michigan on November 13, 2010.

Royal Fog

2010-11-13T08:46:00.005-05:00

Photos taken at various points around South Washington Avenue in Royal Oak, Michigan in the early morning hours of November 13, 2010

Leslieville Sundown

2010-11-10T17:36:00.004-05:00

A clear sky. A bright setting sun. Overhead wires. Dozens of pigeons. Leslie and Queen Streets, Toronto, Ontario on November 10, 2010.

No Parking

2010-11-06T08:48:00.002-04:00

Photos taken along Richmond Street East near Ontario Street in Toronto, Ontario on November 5, 2010

Barber Polar

2010-11-06T08:25:00.004-04:00

Trendy meets traditional on Queen Street east of Broadview, Toronto, Ontario, on November 5, 2010. (Note also the "HOward" exchange phone number for the Broadview Beauty Parlour)

Grace

2010-11-01T22:07:00.003-04:00

Photos taken at the soon (hopefully) to be demolished former Grace Hospital at Crawford and University Avenues, Windsor, Ontario on October 31, 2010

Ambassador

2010-10-31T21:52:00.006-04:00

Of course, no trip down Riverside Drive would be complete without visiting the most important gateway to the U.S., the Ambassador Bridge. Here are some pre-dawn views of the bridge from the Canadian side.

Photos taken near Riverside Drive and Huron Church Road, Windsor, Ontario on October 31, 2010.

Renaissance

2010-10-31T19:01:00.002-04:00

It's impossible to visit Windsor, Ontario without seeing first the imposing silhouette, then the massive bulk of the Renaissance Center just across the river in Detroit. The irony of a ship called the "American Century" seemingly passing Detroit by was just too good to pass up.

Photos taken from along the Detroit River along Riverside Drive in Windsor, Ontario on October 31, 2010.

Holy Blossom

2010-10-27T16:59:00.003-04:00

Photos taken on October 27, 2010 from outside the locked gates of Holy Blossom Cemetery on Pape Avenue near Gerrard Street East in Toronto, Ontario.

Niagara Falls' Dawn

2010-10-17T21:24:00.005-04:00

Photos taken between 6:30 and 8:00am on Sunday, October 17, 2010 along the Niagara Parkway in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Car Park

2010-10-13T05:28:00.005-04:00

Photos taken near the corner of Cantay Road and Standish Court, Mississauga, Ontario on October 12, 2010

Hood Ornaments

2010-09-26T19:30:00.006-04:00

Ford Model "A"

Dodge Pickup Truck

Chevrolet Impala

Dodge Super Bee (along with your photographer)

Mercury Truck

"My" 1968 Triumph TR6

Dodge Brothers Pickup

Studebaker

Pontiac

Mustang Cobra

Imperial

Chev Bel-Air

Ford Fairlane

Of course, a true car nut would have taken the proper time to write down the year, ask questions of the owners, etc, but that's not me. The designs were fascinating, the selection was overwhelming, but the time was limited.

These were some of the finer examples of hood ornamentation at the Last Chance Car Show and Swap Meet in Welland, Ontario on September 29, 2010.

Zum Zum Zum

2010-09-20T19:53:00.002-04:00

Photos of the new Zum BRT service in Brampton, Ontario, on opening day September 20, 2010.

Waterloo Central Railway

2010-09-19T09:00:00.005-04:00

Train Geek Time

Photos taken from the Farmer's Market Station of the Waterloo Central Railway in St. Jacobs, Ontario, on September 18, 2010

Snowbirds 2010

2010-09-06T09:58:00.003-04:00

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Snowbirds, here are some souvenirs of this year's Canadian International Air Show at the CNE.

Photos taken at the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario on September 5, 2010

Distillarea

2010-09-04T07:39:00.005-04:00

Photos taken along Jarvis, Parliament, Cherry and Sumach Streets in Toronto, Ontario on September 4, 2010

Consumers

2010-08-29T07:26:00.005-04:00

Back in 1988, while pretending to be an Urban Planning student at Ryerson, I had the opportunity to work in Canada's first master planned community, Don Mills. Now, the job wasn't exactly planning-related, although Music World did give me plans to get out of planning and into record retail (both long-gone fantasies). Don Mills Centre as it was died in 1996, as I've posted about here: http://photoblair.blogspot.com/2009/04/don-mills-centre-2006.html , and was reborn as The Shops at Don Mills, which I posted about here: http://photoblair.blogspot.com/2009/04/shops-at-don-mills-2009.html

Well yesterday, in an adjacent strip-plaza on the Donway West, a sign emerged from beneath one for a recently-deceased Blockbuster Video, one for the classic Canadian catalogue chain Consumers Distributing, which itself died in 1996. I was tempted to go ask for a fondue set or shag area rug, but just like back then, they were likely out of stock.

Photos taken August 29, 2010 on The Donway West in Don Mills/North York/Toronto, Ontario

Crystal Beach Monday Morning

2010-08-09T08:38:00.004-04:00

Following orders on Bay Beach, Fort Erie, Ontario on August 9, 2010

Healey Lake

2010-08-02T21:48:00.004-04:00

Photos taken at Healey Lake, Muskoka, Ontario between July 31 and August 2, 2010

Lonely Rider

2010-07-25T08:35:00.002-04:00

Riding in the rain on rue Berri, Montreal, Quebec, on June 16, 2010.

Mothers and Children

2010-07-12T22:31:00.002-04:00

Everything was just ducky at Centre Island, Toronto, Ontario on July 11, 2010

France D'Amour

2010-07-02T07:44:00.004-04:00

Probably my favourite "artiste Quebecoise" would have to be France D'Amour. She's been putting out records for about 20 years now, has had a string of hits in Quebec (and New Brunswick, which is where I first heard her), and headlined last night's Fete du Canada celebrations in Gatineau. As a bonus, her rendition of Robert Charlebois' "Entre Deux Joints" was killer.

Photos taken July 1, 2010 at Parc Jaques-Cartier in Gatineau, Quebec.

St. Clair West Station

2010-06-30T15:43:00.004-04:00

In honour of the opening of the long-delayed, much-ballyhooed, way-overpriced St. Clair West streetcar right-of-way, here's a look at a connecting route which hasn't been used for nearly 30 years.

The former St. Clair Avenue CN station was a stop on the Super Continental and Northlander route, which headed north toward Barrie then along the western shore of Lake Simcoe towards Orillia. The second track used for the station has been torn up and the only service using the tracks currently is the weekday Toronto to Barrie GO train, which currently doesn't stop at St. Clair.

Given the proximity to the city's newest "rapid" transit line, there is some talk of resurrecting the stop at some point in the future.

Photos taken June 30, 2010 near St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road in Toronto, Ontario.

No GO

2010-06-26T08:25:00.006-04:00

Transit geek time....

1960's era former GO Transit Hawker-Siddeley single-level coaches, fronted by an ex-GO F59ph locomotive waiting to leave for Candiac, QC at the Lucien-Lallier AMT Station in Montreal, QC on June 16, 2010

New Bombardier bi-level coaches departing McMasterville Station (in the shadow of Mont St-Hilaire) in McMasterville, QC on June 15, 2010

Former GO Transit and AMT coaches and locomotives at the Alstom Pointe-St-Charles shops in Montreal, QC on June 15, 2010

1995-era Bombardier electric train approaching Ile-Bigras Station on the AMT Deux-Montagnes commuter line in Laval, QC on June 15, 2010.

Alfie

2010-06-26T07:26:00.002-04:00

Photo taken from the 501 streetcar on Queen Street, just east of Sherbourne Street on June 14, 2010.

Redeye

2010-06-19T09:01:00.003-04:00

Taken from the upper-deck of Megabus DD42455 in Toronto, Ontario on June 15, 2010.

Flagpole

2010-05-28T11:38:00.002-04:00

No, the flag isn't upside-down, but the pole is indeed in rather desperate need of a..new pole.

Taken at a Canada Post (Crown Corporation, run by the Government of Canada, you know, them people) distribution centre at Northumberland Street and Dovercourt Road, Toronto, Ontario on May 14, 2010.

The Most Comfortable TTC Bus EVER

2010-05-23T18:41:00.004-04:00

Photos of the new TTC Mobile Command Centre (Fleet Number TTC1) taken at the Commissioners Street "Lakeshore" Complex in Toronto, Ontario on May 23, 2010.

Jesus Has Left The Building...

2010-05-16T08:44:00.004-04:00

Photos taken at the former St. Anne's Church, and future Heritage Villas property, on Westmoreland Avenue, Toronto, Ontario on May 14, 2010.

Lunchtime

2010-05-15T08:50:00.002-04:00

Photo taken on Steeles Avenue, Halton Hills (Hornby), Ontario on May 13, 2010.

The View From There

2010-05-14T06:41:00.003-04:00

Photos taken facing due north from the end of Firelane 6, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on May 9, 2010.

My Old Man and Me

2010-04-22T06:29:00.002-04:00

R.I.P. Dad. Finally.

Record Store Day 2010 - The Haul

2010-04-17T21:14:00.005-04:00

2010

Here's this year's haul from Record Store Day. Everything Came from Sunrise Records on Yonge Street this morning with the exception of the Natalie Merchant and k d lang titles, which came from Sunrise Records in St. Catharines. Not as big as last year's, but at least I stuck to music this time. Still, there are worse ways to spend $130.

2009

Walls Come Tumbling Down

2010-04-17T07:10:00.002-04:00

Everyone and their brother has posted photos of yesterday's brickslide on Gould, but since I was in the neighbourhood, I thought I'd...pile on.

Hello Yellow-Lined Road

You've always got time.....

Ticketing Littering

Photos taken on April 16, 2010 on Gould and Yonge Streets, Toronto, Ontario.

Scarborough-on-the-Lake

2010-04-03T08:05:00.002-04:00

No, not THAT lake.

According to Google, Scarborough City Centre has gone to the cottage.

Outstanding!

2010-03-17T12:12:00.004-04:00

...in their field at the northern end of Heritage Road, Caledon, Ontario on March 16, 2010.

Weather Report

2010-03-15T17:43:00.004-04:00

Today's weather report is brought to you by Mississauga Transit. Our meteorological prognosticator was parked at Meadowvale Town Centre on March 15, 2010

Early Evening Cold Streetcar

2010-03-13T08:55:00.004-05:00

A soggy night on Dundas Street West pointing toward Yonge Street on Friday, February 26, 2010

Everything Must Go

2010-01-17T09:08:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, the city of Laredo, Texas lost it's sole general bookstore. Barnes & Noble, creator of the Nook, another electronic bookstore killer in itself, shuttered its mall-based B. Dalton bookstore chain. Now, nearly a quarter-million people have to settle for whatever Walmart or Target think they want to read, and despite an excellent library system, those for whom internet service isn't in the budget, owning a classic, or any title that's not on the top 20, will now be a 150 mile drive away. In true Canuckistani style, my vulture-pick was Paul Shaffer's autobiography. They had several copies, if I remember correctly.

And continuing a trend seen up here with the death of chains like Sam The Record Man and Music World, another Sam, this time Sam Goody, closed the only record store in downtown San Antonio. Further evidence that the value of that wall of CDs or wall of books people have collected for years is becoming less valuable as days go by...

My vulture pick was the deluxe version of Warren Zevon's first album for Asylum. A total steal for $13.

Photos taken January 5 and 7, 2009 at Mall del Norte, Laredo, TX, and Rivercenter Mall, San Antonio, TX.

San Antonio

2010-01-16T09:23:00.009-05:00

Shopping Boots (North Star Mall)

The Riverwalk from above and below

(Basement Entrance)

Remember....

The fact that the Alamo and the Riverwalk have been photographed millions of times presents a challenge to anyone trying to capture something unique about San Antonio's two most famous attractions. Unique about all of these is that they were taken in near-freezing temperatures, a rarity for this south Texas city. Hopefully some of the angles are a little different than ones you usually see in the brochures.

Photos taken January 6 and 7, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.

Laredo

2010-01-12T17:42:00.004-05:00

It might be physically located in the United States, but Laredo is a whole 'nother country. The signage is mostly in English, but the audio is completely different. A walk across the Rio Grande/Bravo would have been redundant.

Photos taken on January 5, 2010 in Laredo, Texas.