City and Kiwanis battle over castle

Kiwanis has run city-owned Casa Loma for over 70 years
City not pleased with Kiwanis lately, may seek new agency to take over
Kris Scheuer
(Written July 8 for Town Crier. UPDATE HERE.)

The city's done millions in external renos, but Kiwanis behind on some of the internal repairs agreed to in current contract. File photo/Town Crier.

Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma has until July 31 to fix its relationship with the city or lose its contract to run Toronto’s famous castle.
Kiwanis has operated the city-owned castle since 1937, but disputes over the current 20-year management agreement have put that partnership at risk.
On July 7, the city voted to give Kiwanis until the end of the month to agree in writing to a series of actions, including developing a financial plan on how the group plans to fulfill its contract obligations to fix up the castle’s interior.
The city contends Kiwanis is woefully behind on a commitment to spend $1.6 million fixing the hunting lodge, visitors centre, dining facilities, and flooring.

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Toronto youth access micro loans

Low-income business hopefuls look to prosper from loan initiative
(Town Crier column written July 9.)

Fatima Ali got laid off from her job as a personal chef, but don’t think it’s getting her down — she’s applying for a loan to start up her own catering business.
The 23-year-old is one of several youth hoping to qualify for a one-year pilot project geared to helping would-be entrepreneurs start their own business venture.
The initiative was spearheaded by financial institution Alterna Savings, who has partnered with the Toronto Community Foundation and the City of Toronto.
It is geared to unemployed, out of school 18-24 year olds living in low income, west end neighbourhoods, including Bathurst-Finch, and Lawrence Heights.
“I was a private chef catering clientele meetings,” the bubbly Ali tells me at the July 8 launch of the micro loan initiative.
“When I’m cooking or baking, I’m in a positive vibe.”

Greenwood, Donlands TTC exits

TTC now open to new sites for emergency subway exits
Strathmore Blvd families hopeful their homes won’t be expropriated
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier July 13. July 15 update.)

Grace and Danny Calia with grandson Louie, daughter Bruna Amabile at their Strathmore home. Photo by Kris Scheuer/Town Crier.

Danny and Grace Calia hope to get a good night’s rest tonight at their home on 247 Strathmore Boulevard where they’ve lived for 51 years.
At a community meeting July 12, the TTC agreed to pursue an alternative location for a new second exit for Greenwood station that wouldn’t involve expropriating their property and the one next door at 245 Strathmore.
“We’ve been here 50 years. I raised kids here, grandkids here,” said Danny Calia from his home July 13. “I hope they come up with a good idea to make us happy. The mind is relaxed now.”