1,341: WAREHOUSE LEAP DAY SPECIALS

February 29th only happens every four years, giving the Warehouse an opportunity for a leap-o-rific sale!



Drop by the music department for our deep discounts on our extensive collection of Leapy Lee singles and albums!


Stop by the movie department for blowout pricing on surreal Bugs Bunny cartoons. We promise our savings on surreal classics like The Big Snooze will make you leap like a wascally wabbit!


Hurry in! Only 355 parking spaces left! - JB

1,340: VINTAGE MACLEAN'S AD OF THE DAY

Because it's the only way to keep the bugs in the loaf on the top!

(Yeah, we know it's raisin bread, but the raisins appear to have held together a little too well after the loaf was sliced)

If the baker's eyes weren't as wide, he might be a distant relative of Conrad Black.

Source: Maclean's, April 16, 1955 - JB

1,339: BESSARION OR BUST

This post was made possible by the lobbying efforts of former mayor Mel Lastman. Without his dogged perserverance to have the Sheppard subway line built after the provincial government cancelled plans to build an Eglinton line, this might have a post about a psychogeographic walk that started at Caledonia or York Centre stations.

I doubt I've used the Sheppard line more than twice since "Mel's Folly" opened in 2002. Both were out of curiousity, since I usually require a car for most destinations along its length (hi IKEA!).


According to the TTC's 2005-2006 statistics, Bessarion had the second-lowest ridership of all subway/RT stations, with an average of 2,130 passengers a day (the bottom was Ellesmere, with 1,960). Spending half-an-hour in the concourse on a weeknight while waiting for other intrepid psychogeographers lent credence to the numbers, with more passengers depicted on the walls than live human beings passing through. Definitely not enough traffic to support a shuttered newsstand near the ticket booth. The numbers should improve once commuters move into planned developments on the old Canadian Tire warehouse lands south of the station.


The long escalator ride to the surface. From the station we headed east along Sheppard, tempting to check out the mountains of snow at the development site.


Under the former Petro-Canada station at Provost was a wall coated with runoff. We continued along to Leslie, then headed north along the Don Valley Trail. The depth of the snow, combined with a few tracks left by other walkers, led us to roam the valley single file. Bridges provided brief rest breaks and a chance to survey the landscape.


Decisions, decisions...


We emerged from the valley on Alamosa Drive, finding several heated driveways with no trace of snow. One home placed a spotlight on the pride and joy of its pottery collection.


We hopped on a bus at Finch and headed over to Yonge Street. Entering the subway station, we noticed a gurney next to a staircase. Turned out there had been a stabbing a few hours earlier.


Downstairs we observed the station's most prominent piece of art, Krystyna Sadowska's 1965 piece Rhythm of Exotic Plants (view another of her works on display in the city). Some of the group proceed to a bar near the station, where it was karaoke night. Among the tunes was an outsider music-esque version of Elton John's I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues.

All photos taken February 7, 2008. Another set of photos from ysuchislife. - JB

1,338: QUEEN STREET FIRE

I spent much of Wednesday keeping tabs on the fire on Queen West (more links). Adios trips to the affected branch of Suspect Video, which seemed to have more oddball flicks than their Mirvish Village location. You won't find Turkish remakes of Superman at Rogers Video...

Several co-workers also kept track over the day. Since I work with cycling enthusiasts, there was a moment of silence when word leaked that Duke's Cycle had collapsed. In tribute, they were clad in black yesterday.

I walked by the remains last night, joining a long line of photographers pressed against the fencing erected along the block. The mix of burned facades and icicles resembled a melting candle. All of the conversations I overheard had notes of loss in them, but luckily none of the conspiracy theories that have cropped up (most stemming from the interest of developers in the area and plans to the east of the affected buildings for a condo and possibly a Home Depot).

Photo taken February 21, 2008 - JB

1,337: FIRST DATES, 1960s COMIC BOOK STYLE

Ingredients:
1) One slightly-geekly-yet-slowly-becoming-cool university freshman who happens to shoot webs at guys in rhino suits in his spare time.
2) One foxy gal prone to spouting period slang and dancing to the nearest 45 in the room.
3) Two elderly doting aunts determined to play matchmaker.
4) A large pot of coffee.

Page taken from Amazing Spider-Man #43 (December 1966). Story by Stan Lee, art by John Romita. - JB

1,336: PHOTO DU JOUR

Taking advantage of a lull in the large number of winter storms that have hit Toronto this winter, I drove east of the city for the first time in ages. Picturesque sunsets have been rare in 2008 so I figured I'd better snap this one.

Photo taken on Hamilton Road, heading west into Trenton, February 16, 2008. - JB

1,335: SEVENTIES SNAPSHOT

Today's dig into the box of 1970s family photos centres on a couple of Detroit landmarks - one altered, one gone.

A recreational site for Detroiters since the late 19th century, Belle Isle was also one of the starting points of the 1943 race riots. Many of my experiences on the island involved traffic jams spurred by passengers in other vehicles reaching out to pet the island's deer population (who appear to have been rounded up by the island zoo).

On the left is the Belle Isle Coast Guard station. The white tower no longer exists.

On the right, located on the mainland, is the Conners Creek Edison Plant. Opened in 1915, its set of smokestacks earned the nickname "Seven Sisters". The plant was demolished in August 1996.

Photo taken sometime in the early 1970s - JB

1,334: WAREHOUSE VALENTINE'S DAY GETAWAY PACKAGES

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Warehouse is pleased to present a special package that will appeal to those looking for a little romance and a break from the weariness of life itself. We have partnered with Romero Farms, a leader in the permanent relaxation field since 1968, to give you a grand getaway from life.



With locations outside of Pittsburgh and Toronto, Romero Farms makes sure that you will relax. Our personal training staff will provide you with a high-quality workout that will feel like the last one you ever require.

Don't believe us? Check out this footage of a couple receiving the type of attention only Romero Farms can provide.



Relax ladies, we'll provide you with a full set of workout shoes!

While at Romero Farms, you may wish to watch this instructional video on wooing from our resident expert d'amour, M. Le Pew. (with translation by M. Maltese and C.M. Jones).



Fine, fine music is offered to the guests in the Voodoo Lounge. You won't want to miss our star attraction since 1967, the one and only Lorenzo St. Dubois! Here's a classic clip of L.S.D. belting out his signature tune, Love Power!



Romero Farms - the last place you may ever choose to vacation! - JB

1,333: VINTAGE TORONTO DAILY STAR AD OF THE DAY

From the Warehouse Community Calendar, a reminder that free love, peace, happiness and a yard of cloth await all of ye who attend this special Valentine's Day Love-in happening.

Cupid will entertain children with paper heart making, archery demonstrations and free games of William Tell (safety helmets recommended).

Source: Toronto Daily Star, February 14, 1968 - JB

1,332: AL AND THE SNOWMAN

The morning after the night before is rarely easy, especially if you're a hard-partying snowman and the King of Kensington.


Either this snowman has legs or some neighbourhood bowlers tested their aim.


The party rages on...

Photos taken in Bellevue Square Park, February 3, 2008 - JB

1,331: VINTAGE SATURDAY NIGHT AD OF THE DAY

It turned out to be a draw, as Danny became a star marine biologist and a full-blown alcoholic. His career reached a low point in 1987, when he was caught feeding a dolphin a bottle of bourbon during a late-night research session/bender. We are happy to report that after a stint in AA, Danny is doing fine (the dolphin tried to kick the habit, but died of cirrhosis of the liver within two years).

My question is whether this ad should have been targeted to campus walls and newspapers instead of a general interest magazine.

Source: Saturday Night, April 1976 - JB

1,330: THESE FEET AREN'T MADE FOR SKATING, THAT'S JUST WHAT THEY WON'T DO

Ice skating and I have a strained relationship.

Skating was not a skill that ran in our family. Pictures exist of Dad in full hockey gear from a stint in a mid-60s recreational league in either Leaside or Kirkland Lake. He claimed that he wore Alex Delvecchio's skates for a few games after a teammate found a pair lying around, making me wonder how easy it was to swipe an NHL star's equipment from Maple Leaf Gardens in those days.

My problem was my feet. Within a quarter of a lap around the arena, my feet cried uncle. Compared to that pain, falling was pleasurable. Skate size didn't seem to matter, resulting in as much time off the ice as on.

Every year, my elementary school had a skating party. Early on, my parents would buy me skates and we'd go to at least one or two other rec skates a year. When it became clear skating was a once-a-year attempt, Dad arranged for hand-me-downs from other teachers. After a few years of this, I resorted to sliding on my boots. By Grade 8, we conveniently scheduled vacations around skating day.

(OK, maybe once. I dodged skating that year by tagging along with Dad and my grandmother on her last trip back to Toronto, for a former neighbour's wedding anniversary. Highlights were discovering a taste for anchovies and a splurge at the comic book stores than lined Queen West).

While ice skating was torture, elementary school trips to Wheels roller rink in Windsor were less of problem. My feet adapted well to 70s-style roller skates and I quickly got over a need to rush over to the walls every five minutes. The only problem was a doofus in my class who thought it'd be fun one year to keep slamming me into the boards. The cosmic balance was restored when he failed that grade.

Apart from a brief attempt at Nathan Phillips Square after an office Christmas lunch a few years ago (which consisted of my co-workers supporting me for two laps), I hadn't laced up skates for 20 years until Robbie Burns Day. After feasting on haggis, Hilary, Nadia and I ventured down to Harbourfront for a DJed skate.


After watching the others at a similar skate two weeks earlier, I figured I was up for the challenge. The Harbourfront rink feels relaxed compared to Nathan Phillips, with skaters of all skill levels taking it easy under the city skyline. Even if you don't step onto the ice, it's a pleasant spot to wind down the week and watch others fly by.

I rented a spiffy pair of black and red blades, walked over to the rink and carefully entered the rink.


All confidence evaporated quickly.

In retrospect, I might have felt more secure had I left my camera in a locker, as paranoia about falling on it made every wobble a fear-filled moment. Hilary did a great job of steadying me, so the fear slowly ebbed.

However, my old enemy returned in all its force: foot pain. Any moment it seemed I might find my glide, my feet would cry. Cue frequent pit stops. Attempts to head off by myself ended up with a quick grab of the nearest post.

At least I gave it a shot. I may try again someday - never say never...

***


Just for fun, I created my own hockey card. The design is based on 1977/78 O-Pee-Chee, one of the first older sets I built up (mostly from a kid I'd exchange cards with on the bus in return for not complaining too loudly when he used my head as a drum).

Anyone care to guess who was the "Eddie" that New York loved?

Photos taken January 11 and January 25, 2008 - JB, card photo by HM or NH

1,329: PHOTO DU JOUR

...it's only coffee on a rug.

Photo taken on Queen St West near Bathurst, January 25, 2008 - JB

1,328: WAREHOUSE MUSIC ANNEX

After renting a CBC doc on Canadian music of the 1960s and early 70s this weekend (Shakin' All Over), it seemed appropriate to include a few clips of vintage Canadiana this time around.


La Poupee Qui Fait Non - Les Sultans
Teledisc single, 1966

A taste of 1960s French Quebec yeh yeh pop from one of its less gimmicky bands. A cover of a tune by French rocker Michel Polnareff, of which there are countless other versions in both of Canada's official languages.


Lydia Purple - The Collectors
New Syndrome single, 1967
also on album THE COLLECTORS (New Syndrome/Warner Brothers 1967)

Out to the West Coast for our next selection. Note how Eleanor Rigb..Lydia keels over towards the end. While derivative of a certain Beatles song, the tune has its charms. The New Pornographers recently covered another Collectors single from this period, Looking At A Baby, for a Matador Christmas EP. Based in Vancouver, the Collectors evolved into Chilliwack (My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)) by the end of the decade.


Star Baby - The Guess Who
RCA single, 1973
also on album ROAD FOOD (RCA 1974)

I planned to use one of several clips circulating from the Guess Who's days as the house band on the Winnipeg edition of CBC's afternoon music show, Let's Go until I stumbled upon this video, featuring a very unusual-looking Burton Cummings. The combination of short hair, stubbly beard and flannel shirt makes him look more like a modern indie rocker than a typical mid-70s musician. This incarnation of the band wouldn't last too long into '74 - guitarists Kurt Winter and Don McDougall would be replaced by Domenic Troiano, the only non-Winnipegger to be a member during the band's main run. - JB

1,327: VINTAGE TORONTO ADS BONUS FEATURES

Before reading this post, head over to Torontoist for this week's Vintage Toronto Ads column on Bayview Village.


The original hiring ad for K-Mart's Bayview Village location in 1968. Note that no experience was necessary to work there.

We occasionally went to Bayview Village on childhood trips to my grandparents and I remember thinking how odd it was that the K-Mart was separated from the rest of the mall by a short outdoor driveway. Little about the mall sticks in my mind, other than the brown octagon speed limit signs in the parking lot. One purchase that sticks out: a math textbook full of cartoony characters that may have been called Math Made Easy, which opened with a chapter on Fibonacci numbers.

Source: The Toronto Star, March 29, 1968 - JB