Author Archives: kkkoski

About kkkoski

Writer/Researcher, TV Production Studio Owner/Operator, Magazine App Editor (Energy Works spirit of design, health & lifestyle available thru iTunes-Newstand) Holly's Law Canada Advocate & Media Relations, Green Sustainability Optimist, Mom of three in Toronto

WWF Canada to host Toronto Earth Hour Event on Roncy

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Roncesvalles Village has held annual Earth Hour celebrations since 2010. We’ve showcased local acoustic performers, choirs, flash mobs, lantern making workshops and candlelight walks. We have joined millions world wide, globally recognizing the largest planet-focused movement in the world!

Our City Councillor Gord Perks is a recognized environmentalist, our MPP Cheri DiNovo and MP Peggy Nash are driving forces behind “Clean Train Coalition.”  RoncyWorks models success in street planning and preserving.  And, no fewer than four school/residential associations in the community have Green Teams. We are champions of eco awareness.

Our community cheerleading caught the eye of WWF Canada, whose 2013 Earth Hour Campaign brings attention to the Cheerleader, both through a series of cheerleading videos and  the appointment of regional Captains, of which I, your author, am one!

This year’s Earth Hour Event is a thrilling opportunity for Roncy to welcome other Toronto residents to our community, helping to  promote what Earth Hour is all about.  My own personal role is to Educate through Entertainment, I want to share my passion, engage new devotees, find more voices, attract larger crowds … in hopes that those in Government  can see that the People want attention brought to Climate Change. Our celebratory joining together, symbolizes this.

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Roncesvalles Village BIA to Co-Host the 2013 WWF Canada Earth Hour event. Ontario’s Earth Hour Co-Captain this year is local resident Karyn Klaire Koski.                  

Saturday March 23, 8-9:30 pm

Festivities will start at 8:00 pm at either of two Gathering Spots:  South at Grafton Park or North near the Revue Cinema. RoncyWorks Earth Hour Marshals will start promptly, leading candlelight carrying Walkers towards each other along the commercial side of Roncesvalles and then crossing at either set of lights – before Wright Avenue.

WWF Canada will have staging set up on Wright Avenue, between High Park Library and Howard Park Emmanuel United Church. Free entertainment will greet walkers — taking only a few minutes out for quick nods from speakers to announce the symbolic POWER OFF at 8:30 pm — and performances will continue till 9:30.

BRING YOUR OWN CANDLE OR LANTERN AND YOUR MUG OR CARAFE FOR HOT CHOCOLATE

Learn more at WWF Canada – Earth Hour or Earth Hour in Toronto on facebook

Roncy Rocks; Multi Media ~ Art/Music Festival

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Roncy Rocks was originally conceived, out of a need to stimulate Roncesvalles foot traffic. This was when the street underwent its much needed, urban face lift. Today, it has happily tumbled into being a highly recognized, FREE,  day- long event that showcases  a multitude of local Artists through their musical talents, voices, abstract arts, visual arts and media arts like; film, television and photography.

“I knew if  we created a venue with art on the street, then people would come” contends initiator and Chair  Liz Szynkowski. “Art is truly the ‘Soul of Humanity’ and our community boasts a large concentration of artistic talent, in all genres!”

Roncesvalles is one of Toronto’s neighbourhoods that naturally attracts art -awakened professionals because it is culturally diverse and arts supportive. This dynamic annual event is not only an excellent platform to celebrate the multitude of spectacular, local talents, but is also a very enjoyable tourism stimulator and community spirit builder.

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Earth Hour on Roncy 2012

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Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world, unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history~ Earth Hour.

More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide, switched off their lights for earth hour 2011 alone. Thus sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet.

And we helped. Our last year contribution gained national recognition from WWF Canada and I personally cannot be any prouder to have initiated the now annual, Roncesvalles Candlelight Walk. Not only did we as a community “flick off”, but we also gathered together to walk in solidarity.

On the day of, please consider; RONCY CELEBRATES Lantern Making Workshop at  High Park Baptist Church (Hewitt & Roncesvalles) anytime between 12 – 4:30. Then you can have your very own, hand crafted, Earth Hour Lantern.

Before you leave…. turn your lights off

Earth Hour Revellers are invited to gather in front of the Reveue Cinema at 8:15, then commence the walk at 8:30 with 2012 Earth Hour Walk Marshall;  Sandie Drake.

Everyone is encouraged to bring their own candle, although some will be on hand – courtesy of the RVBIA. Please  consider using a recycled container such as a pre used glass jar or tin, as your carrier.

All are expected to cross the street and walk along the commercial side, toasting fellow participants who will be enjoying reduced lighting in the various, dimly lit bistros, restaurants and bars.

New to our coordination masthead this year  is Fern Avenue Public School Eco Team Master; Joanne Somers. She has been engaged to provide a beautiful visual treat at the conclusion of our community supported walk.

Afterwards, try to frequent one of our many supporting eateries and enjoy a little quality “Do it in the Dark” post walk celebration.

Thanks to Keith Denning from the RVBIA for securing the participation of our local businesses and a bigger thanks to you, for being a part of this fabulous community!

Hope to see you all there!

Yours truly

Karyn Klaire Koski

Roncy’s Century Old Tree nominated for Heritage Designation

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Resilience

For almost a century, Roncesvalles’s  Silver Maple, located midway up the corridor  slightly NE of High Park Blvd, has stood as a living testament. It has overseen evolving urban growth and settlement. It stood idly by and flourished throughout the decades of change. Historic changes that have modified our sleepy village east of the great High Park.

This tree surveyed modest community beginnings, when waves of Polish immigrants sought refuge in 1914, 1920-1939 and again in 1941. It heard tales of World Wars and the Great Depression.  It was young then and had a nearby companion, sadly lost in this last, past decade. But no one mourned as we do with many of our resident elders,  elders whom we respect and honor, for the lives they have lived.

And lived it had, despite concrete sidewalks and heavy pedestrian traffic, it has faithfully  served as the lungs of our neighbourhood,  neutralizing the carbon emissions escaping the parade of motorized vehicles that have drove past it everyday, throughout the decades.

It is quite unique, for it is believed to be one of Toronto’s oldest trees in a commercial district, how did it manage to survive?  If each beautiful gnarled wart could tell a story, I’m sure there will be narratives of seasons passing, families strolling and businesses coming and going and many an anecdote of lives… well, lived.

It is time to respect our elder, our stately Sliver Maple who “we” and City Officials safequarded during the reconstruction of our street.  This tree has been recently nominated, via video submission, to the Heritage Trees Ontario Program and I am proud to have spearheaded that endeavour.

 

 

As a volunteered environmental advocate, I personally hope to celebrate with you, when our moniker of Resilience can be commemorated for being the Grand Dame, that she is!

Read Inside Toronto article about designation

 

Earth Hour 2012 Stewards Wanted

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Roncesvalles and Parkdale Villages earned national recognition this past December,  when WWF Canada acknowledged  my coordination of the 2011 Event.  An exuberant vocal Flash Mob, graciously performed by Howard Park Emmanuel Gospel Choir,  greeted the two Villages as they concluded the annual Candlelight Walk. The large groups passed by the participating businesses and darkened residential streets in their respective communities, before joining together at the foot of Roncesvalles and Queen Streets, in front of the Katyn Monument.  Our commemorative video helps capture the spirit of our wonderful neighbourhood.

In 201o, the inaugural Candlelight Walk, had a gathering of local acoustic performers at Grafton Park. Then MC Talent/Local resident; Bob Mackowycz Jr, helped me, usher the crowd past the many participating restaurants, bistros, bars and retail establishments.

I must respectfully acknowledge GREEN 13, for nurturing and encouraging me to bring this wonderful, global, symbolic tradition into my neighbourhood.   A new tradition that could not have been executed, without the help of the RVBIA and the   supporting local residents. Earth Hour is a celebration of not only Mother Earth but also the efforts of all the volunteered hours put in by dedicated community members.

I hereby announce the new launch of Earth Hour 2012 as a coordination under the wing of Roncesvalles Renewed.   Due to some television production scheduling conflicts (in my Day Job!) and because I would like to encourage more local participation,  I am reaching out for new contributors and willing participants.    

Who wishes to help marshal the 2012 Candlelight Walk for Roncesvalles-Parkdale?

Sharing the experience with a new masthead of Earth Hour stewards

Roncesvalles’ annual participation has provided many TDSB students volunteer hours, celebratory “end of winter” events for local business, and has helped our Community become recognized as a Green Forward Neighbourhood that has allowed local talent an opportunity and outlet to showcase their voices.

Every year, media outlets gather to report on our efforts and truly it is a lot of fun.  There is always room for new direction, and I would be proud to help any new contributors, experience the joy of creating a little bit of environmental magic!  Please consider being part of my team!