Two students from the Contact Alternative School at University and Dundas have added some details to the mural on the old lumberyard building at 229 Wallace Avenue. Eric Johnson and Mike Cabot, who both live close by, used a dozen cans of spray paint to inject their own artistic brand onto the work that has already generated loads of interest and discussion.

Eric did all the work on the words "Vote" and "Perth Park" while Mike did his magic on "Railtown" and "The Wedge." Most of the paint work was done between 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday afternoon as people were returning home from work. A number of motorists slowed to see what was going on and a few even shouted out their favourite names.

The participation of the students was arranged by Michael and Ashley from the 229 Wallace Lofts who also paid for the paint supplies. A special thanks should also go to Donna Dolson, Dexter, and the rest of the staff at Contact Alternative School who assisted in finding these skilled Graffiti artists on short notice.

Great to see students getting involved in the project and we appreciated their volunteer effort very much. Just one down note about the work, if anyone has any information about the step ladder that went missing, could you please report to the principal’s office.

Photos by Michael.

Top 10 Names listed on 229 Wallace Ave.: Photo by Bruce Gavin Ward

More than a dozen residents came out over the weekend to help "tag" the old D & M Lumber building with the Top Ten Neighbourhood Names. The result is a wonky and awesome display that is already generating loads of attention and discussion.

While the work was underway, passersby honked and shouted out their favourite names. We hope the huge red VOTE tag will remind residents to do just that between March 1 and March 14, the final voting round.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help with yet another unusual fuzzy endeavour. And a special thank you to Ashley and Michael at 229 Wallace Lofts for the use of the building front!

The building is slated for demolition on March 17th before construction begins on 10 commercial loft units that will help attract and keep businesses in the neighbourhood. In the interim, this old building is playing its final role as a community billboard.

January 15-29, 2010

267 Total Votes
45 Non-Resident Votes
222 Total Votes – Residents
5 Spoiled Ballots – Residents
217 Total Votes – Residents

78.8 % of residents who voted agreed to support the outcome of the process even if their choice was not selected by a majority of participants

70.5 % of residents who voted for Junction Triangle agreed to support the outcome of the process even if their choice was not selected by a majority of participants

Votes	% of Vote	Neighbourhood Name
34	15.6	Junction Triangle
10	4.6	South Junction Triangle
9	4.1	Railpath
7	3.2	East Junction
6	2.8	Railtown
6	2.8	Rail District
6	2.8	The Wedge
6	2.8	The Triangle
6	2.8	Black Oak Triangle
5	2.3	Perth Park

For Immediate Release – Saturday, January 30, 2010

Media Advisory

West Toronto Community Votes for Top 10 Neighbourhood Names

Stage Set for Final Selection of Area Name

Who: Fuzzy Boundaries, a group of local residents spearheading a naming project in their West Toronto neighbourhood north of Roncesvalles and east of The Junction.

What: The conclusion of a two-week voting process from which the Top 10 Neighbourhood Names have been chosen by area residents. A second (and final) round of voting begins on March 1 to select a neighbourhood name in a preferential vote that will allow residents to rank their three favourite names in order. Residents can vote online at www.fuzzyboundaries.ca or in person at the Perth/Dupont location of the Toronto Public Library, Yasi’s Place and Nonna’s Place.

Top Ten Neighbourhood Names

1. Junction Triangle
2. South Junction Triangle
3. East Junction
4. Railpath
5. Railtown
6. Black Oak Triangle
7. Rail District
8. The Wedge
9. The Triangle
10. Perth Park

Why: Naming the neighbourhood gives us a collective identity – something to call our area as a whole – which in turn creates a sense of pride and ownership. Through this process people begin to see the potential of a united neighbourhood and become more aware of what the community means to them.

We have listened to residents, and modified the name-finding process to address what we feel are valid concerns. You can read about this on our updated Naming Process page.

Sally giving a pitch for Black Oak Triangle.

The January Fuzzy Boundaries meeting at the new Boys and Girls Club on Ernest was a great success and was moderated by Fuzzy member Warren McPherson. About forty people, kids and adults alike, gathered to make their pitch for names. There were no guest speakers -- just a group of neighbours discussing the community and what it should be called. Suggestions ranged from Black Oak Triangle to the Nook to Perth Square and the Wedge. The list goes on. One attendee commented that it was an "amazing" community meeting. "People shot each other down in the politest way possible."

Special screening on Thursday, November 12 at 6:45 p.m. of the NFB documentary The Travellers at the Perth/Dupont location of the Toronto Public Library (1589 Dupont). The film tells the story of Canada's first folk group which included a longtime neighbourhood resident. If you remember the song "This Is Your Land, This Our Land" you will know The Travellers. Come early, seating is limited.

The Fuzzy Boundaries neighbourhood naming group pulled off another fun publicity spectacle on the evening of Wednesday October 14th. All 180+ names that have been suggested so far were listed, in chalk, along the West Toronto Railpath between Bloor St. and Dupont St. Be sure to go for a stroll or bike ride along the Railpath soon before the weather washes the names away.

The list of suggested names is still growing, and you have until the public meeting on January 14th 2010 to submit your own name(s), and discuss the names that have been submitted so far.

The popular Toronto news and events blog, BlogTO, wrote about this Railpath event on their website on October 15th, and it is also featured in that evening's print edition of t.o. night.

More photos, as well as a video of the entire name list are shown below.

Jane Farrow: CBC broadcaster Jane Farrow speaking about neighbourhoods and names.

The second Fuzzy Boundaries Community Meeting, held on September 15 at St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, proved to be both enlightening and entertaining.

After welcoming remarks by event moderator Kevin Putnam, Fuzzy Boundaries member Bruce Gavin Ward briefly outlined plans for the naming process. A formal 120-day consultation process has begun which permits anyone to make name suggestions until January 14th when we hold our third public meeting. At the meeting, we will tally all the name ideas and let everyone make a pitch for the name they like most. This meeting will be followed by a two-week voting period that will narrow the list to the Top Ten Names. Those names will then go to the selection committee for a final choice.

Fuzzy Boundaries member Chris Kwaczek took the floor next and gave an excellent presentation about neighbourhood demographics. The material covered everything from languages and income to homeowners and renters in the area as compared to the whole of Ward 18 and the City at large. The material was so interesting we wish we had more time to review the stats and discuss their implications.

Next up was keynote speaker Jane Farrow who brought insight and levity to the evening event. Jane covered everything from what taxi drivers call the neighbourhood (her driver didn’t have a name for it) to the value people put on their neighbourhood identities. Jane discussed the significance of words and the unending quest to name things without names. And although there was no discussion of any of the 155+ name ideas, Jane half-jokingly said that she really liked "the Wedge" because it is short, unique and a bit edgy.

After the presentations, the floor was opened up to questions and a lively discussion with the audience.

Photos by Vic Gedris. Click for larger versions.

West Toronto Neighbourhood searches for an official name, S@Y News, September 8, 2009. Seneca College Television student and neighbourhood resident Chantal Saxe reports on the naming process that officially begins on September 15th.