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Urban Planner: January 20, 2009
AWARDS: The Toronto Cyclists Union is teaming up with the City of Toronto to host the inaugural Toronto Bike Awards as part of the Bike Winter program. The city continues giving its Bicycle Friendly Business Awards to the most cycling-friendly businesses, and the Toronto Cyclists Union will be giving out their first “Golden Spoke” awards. Other activities for the evening include a winter-layering strip-tease skit, a Clay and Paper Theatre performance, raffle prizes from MEC and Crumpler, music from GUH and DJs Dorian and Dorian, plus Obama-themed “Inauguration” Goldsprints to go along with all winning prizes. For those who ride their bikes to the event, there will be valet bike parking. The after-party mixer with city staff and councillors will give all cyclists—and annoyed drivers—an opportunity to push for stronger measures to keep street-side bike lanes clear of snow. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., $10 or pay-what-you-can.
COMEDY: Laughs for Possibility comedy showcase is a fundraiser for the Bloorview Kids Foundation which supports Canada’s largest rehabilitation hospital for children, Bloorview Kids Rehab. There are some top comics contributing to the series of ten-minute sets, including Tim Steeves, Kenny Robinson, Darren Frost, Dini Dimakos, Marc Trinidad, and Winston Spear. Absolute Comedy Club (2335 Yonge Street), 8:30 p.m., $30.
CONSULTATIONS: The City of Toronto is in the process of amalgamating its regulations for permanent signage (i.e. fascia signs, free-standing signs, and billboards), and is ready to present its recommendations to the public in a handful of consultations. (Yes, you can be a part of change—it’s a sign of the times.) The new by-law aims to enhance the City Beautiful goals, provide energy conservation measures, ensure compatibility with the “street furniture program,” and encourage the reflection of “unique characteristics” in any given area of Toronto . Etobicoke Civic Centre, Ground Floor Main Boardroom (399 The West Mall), 7 p.m., FREE. (See here for further dates and locations.)
WORDS: Imagine what a book club might be like if the author decided to show up and discuss the book with you. By the Lake Book Club strives to be just that. Tonight they have author Nino Ricci in to read from and discuss his book The Origin of Species. Light refreshments are served off the top, and the author will sign copies of his book following the question and answer. The Assembly Hall (1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive), 7:15 p.m., $20.
INAUGURATION: You might have noticed that there’s a really big event happening to our south today. Check out Torontoist’s guide to how and where to (locally) celebrate Barack Obama’s swearing-in today.