Royal City Rag, April 24 – Equity In Transition, Celebrating Guelph’s Heritage And Jane’s Walk

Sally Ludwig and Chris Mills from Transition Guelph were back in the studio on April 24 to talk about Earth Day, and the upcoming visit to Guelph by U.S.-based community advocate Tina Clarke.

First launched as an environmental awareness event in the United States in 1970, Earth Day (April 22) is now a part of the mainstream with events taking place throughout the week worldwide.

Earth Day is the perfect time to make your own commitment to helping the environment. In partnership with Transition Guelph we’d like to collect your Earth Day resolutions or intentions.

How did you mark Earth Day? How do you plan to make a difference to help the planet? Send us your comments.

Tina Clarke will be in Guelph on Monday April 26 to talk about Community Resilience and Social Equity in Changing Times. The presentation will focus on how Guelph can respond to the triple challenge of rising energy prices, climate change disruptions and economic instability while also improving social justice. Tina will outline the problems and suggest some useful strategies to cope with these threats as well as provide real word examples of successful community implementation.

The presentation takes place at 7.00 p.m. at Harcourt Memorial United Church. Suggested donation: $10 waged, $5 unwaged.

Also, check out Transition Guelph’s amazingly informative website at www.transitionguelph.org if you haven’t already done so.

Listen to Hour 1:

"The Ward" tour, June 2009 (courtesy Guelph Arts Council)

In the second hour, community heritage activist Susan Ratcliffe joined us for a fun and wide-ranging conversation about the importance of protecting and celebrating the heritage and life of the city we call home and featuring Doors Open Guelph (taking place April 24) and the Guelph Arts Council Historical Walking Tours and Jane’s Walk.

The  Guelph Arts Council Historical Walking Tours are offered on selected Sundays between April 25 and October 17, and trace Guelph’s heritage through its architecture, its people, and the stories that contribute to this City’s unique character.

There are normally six walking tours, each of which explores a different area of historic Guelph, although, this year, Where Guelph Began, which encircles the original Market Square area laid out by John Galt in 1827, will not be offered because of construction and road closures in that area of the City. 

The other five  tours offered in 2010 include:

• Downtown Walkabout which covers Guelph’s current Downtown
• The Slopes of the Speed which explores the slopes of the Speed River where many of Guelph’s largest and most distinguished historic homes are located
• Altar and Hearth which covers the area west of Downtown and includes several historic stone churches and many historic homes representing a variety of architectural styles
• Brooklyn and the College Hill  which focuses on one of Guelph’s early industrial sections on the south side of the Speed River, as well as the area that developed around the Ontario Agricultural College
• Ward One Guelph  which covers the area southeast of the downtown, between the Speed and Eramosa Rivers, and features a diversity of historic architecture and the diversity of peoples who formed Guelph.

All tours start at 2 p.m. from different locations.  They take about two hours to complete and cost $3 per person. Tour booklets are available for $5 each at the Guelph Arts Council office and several other retail locations.

For other information, please contact the Guelph Arts Council office at 147 Wyndham Street North, Suite 404, Guelph, or phone (519) 836-3280; Fax (519) 766-9212; email gac@sentex.net.

Jane’s Walk takes place on the weekend of May 1 – 2. Created by the Centre for City Ecology (CCE), Jane’s Walk celebrates the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs by putting citizens in touch with their environment and each other.

There are currently 18 Jane’s Walks planned for Guelph. These free guided walks led by community members take place throughout each day beginning at 10 a.m.

Check out the Jane’s Walks for Guelph HERE.

Listen to Hour 2:

Music:
Darden Smith, First Day Of The Sun from Deep Fantistic Blue
Tim Flannery, Farther Down The Road from Highway Song
The Vaughan Brothers, Tick Tock from Family Style
Mark Graham and Orville Johnson, Their Brains Were Small And They Died from The Kings Of Mongrel Folk?
Guelph Youth Singers, Song Of Our City from Song Of Our City
The Eramosa Brass and Of Chords We Are Barbershop Quartet, When St George’s Square Was Pretty from Song For Our City
James Gordon, Home’s Not Just Where The Heart Is from Song For Our City

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Coming Up On Royal City Rag… Equity In Transition, Doors Open Guelph and Jane’s Walk

We have a busy Royal City Rag planned for April 24.

Tina Clarke (Photo: Transition US)

In the first hour we’ll welcome back into the studio Sally Ludwig and Chris Mills from Transition Guelph to talk about some upcoming activities including the presentation by U.S.-based community advocate Tina Clarke on Community Resilience and Social Equity in Changing Times taking place on Monday April 26, 7.00 p.m. at Harcourt Memorial United Church. Suggested donation: $10 waged, $5 unwaged.

Sponsored by Transition Guelph with Harcourt Justice and Outreach Committee, Kairos Guelph, and Midwestern Ontario Regional Green Jobs Strategy, the presentation will focus on how Guelph can respond to the triple challenge of rising energy prices, climate change disruptions and economic instability while also improving social justice?

This is a very important question and a serious issue especially when you also consider that Guelph under, the provincial growth plan Places to Grow, will also have to contend with a massive increase in population as it goes from 105, 000 to 165,000 by 2031.

Tina will outline the problems and suggest some useful strategies to cope with these threats as well as provide real word examples of successful community implementation.

Sounds like it will be a great presentation. We have some huge issues to deal with if we are to have a sustainable future.

Check out Transition Guelph’s amazingly informative website at www.transitionguelph.org if you haven’t already done so.

In the second hour, community heritage activist Susan Ratcliffe will be joining us to chat about both Doors Open Guelph and Jane’s Walk.

Doors Open Guelph takes place this Saturday, April 24. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., several of Guelph’s finest buildings, many of which are not normally open to the public, will open their doors for free public tours.  Guided tours will be available at each site, led by knowledgeable tour guides who will talk about the site’s history and important architectural features. Guides will also pass on some of the interesting stories associated with each site.

Check out all the sites on the tour HERE.

For more information about the sites and tips on how best to plan and enjoy the day, pick up a Doors Open Guelph 2010 brochure at various locations around the City (e.g Visitor Information Centre, Guelph Public Library, Guelph Civic Museum) or visit the Doors Open Guelph website at www.guelpharts.ca/doorsopenguelph; or contact Guelph Arts Council by telephone at (519) 836-3280, or e-mail gac@sentex.net.

Jane’s Walk takes place on the weekend of May 1 – 2. Created by the Centre for City Ecology (CCE), Jane’s Walk celebrates the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs by putting citizens in touch with their environment and each other.

There are currently 12 Jane’s Walks planned for Guelph. These free guided walks led by community members take place throughout the day beginning at 10 a.m. Check out the Jane’s Walks for Guelph HERE.

As usual we’ll wrap up the whole show with some great music. You won’t want to miss it!

Royal City Rag, Saturdays 7-9 a.m. on CFRU93.3fm, Guelph’s Campus-Community Radio Station.

Remember if you don’t catch Royal City Rag live on CFRU93.3fm, you can pick it up later that day via the CFRU archive or here, on the blog, the next day.

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Doors Open Guelph 2010 – April 24

Doors Open Guelph – Guelph’s Finest Buildings Open Their Doors For Free Public Tours

On Saturday, April 24, Guelph residents and visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the annual celebration of the City’s history and architectural heritage.  Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., several of Guelph’s finest buildings, many of which are not normally open to the public, will open their doors for free public tours.  Guided tours will be available at each site, led by knowledgeable tour guides who will talk about the site’s history and important architectural features. Guides will also pass on some of the interesting stories associated with each site.
 
A joint undertaking of Guelph Arts Council, Heritage Guelph and City of Guelph Tourism Services, Doors Open Guelph 2010 is partnering for the first time with the Guelph Hiking Club which is offering its first Trails Open Hike to coincide with Doors Open.  The Guelph event is also part of Doors Open Ontario, an Ontario Heritage Trust province-wide initiative to celebrate community heritage.  Once again, the Guelph event has the distinction of launching the Ontario Doors Open season, among the first of more than 50 such events across the province.
 
For more information about sites and tours and some tips on how best to plan and enjoy the day, pick up a Doors Open Guelph 2010 brochure at various locations around the City (e.g Visitor Information Centre, Guelph Public Library, Guelph Civic Museum) or visit the Doors Open Guelph website at www.guelpharts.ca/doorsopenguelph; or contact Guelph Arts Council by telephone at (519) 836-3280, or e-mail gac@sentex.net.

Site descriptions and images, courtesy of Guelph Arts Council

Hammond Radio Museum                                                       
595 Southgate Drive (off Laird Road)
washrooms, accessible, parking
 
Founded in 1982 by Fred Hammond, one of the founding members of Guelph’s Hammond Manufacturing, the Radio Museum houses an extensive collection of rare and historically significant pieces. 

The 2000+ items exhibited reveal the development of radio throughout the past 100 years.  Included are crystal radios, early tabletop and broadcast, early wireless, military and Amateur Radio equipment. 
 
Homewood House                                                                                         
19 Woodycrest Drive (off Waterloo Avenue)
street parking

This Italianate-style house was built c. 1855 by J.J. Kingsmill. His son, Charles Kingsmill, was the first director of the Canadian Navy which is celebrating its centennial in 2010. 

Purchased by the current owner in 1984, this house has been lovingly restored, retaining many original features such as the entrance tower, interior shutters, stained glass windows and fireplace. 
 
Wellington Brewery                                                         
950 Woodlawn Road West
washrooms, accessible, parking

The oldest independent microbrewery in Canada, Wellington Brewery was founded early in 1985.  Since then, it has grown steadily, winning local and national awards for its time-honoured, traditional beers produced in small batches, using all-natural ingredients, a lot of care and patience. 

The brewing facility and the Iron Duke House will be part of the Doors Open Guelph tour.

The Frank Hasenfratz Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing, Linamar Corporation
700 Woodlawn Road West
washrooms, accessible, parking

Opened in September 2009, this state-of-the art centre is the home of innovative product and process technology.

The focal point of learning and leadership development to create a knowledgeable collaborative community, the facility features many eco-friendly design elements such as an open concept atrium foyer, retractable skylights, extensive use of recycled materials, a reflective pond and dual living walls.
 
Ignatius Jesuit Centre                                                                      
5420 Highway 6 North
washrooms, parking
 
Arriving in Guelph in 1852, the Jesuits helped build Church of Our Lady and other local parishes before establishing a novitiate on this site in 1913. The original building, destroyed by fire in 1954, was replaced by what is now called Orchard Park Centre.

A retreat centre, organic farm, labyrinth, willow dome, stations of the cosmos and walking trails complete this bucolic 600-acre setting.
 
St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church                                         
Located at Ignatius Jesuit Centre
5420 Highway 6 North
washrooms, parking
 
Originally Ignatius Great Hall in Orchard Park Centre, this space has been transformed by liturgical art into the home of St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church. 

The Copts (or Egyptians) are defined as the modern sons of the Pharaohs.  Their religious background helped them to eagerly accept Christianity and enjoy its depth through their ascetic life, meditation and studying of Holy Scripture. 

 

 

 

Woodlawn Cemetery Lodge, Woodlawn Memorial Park
760 Woolwich Street
washrooms, parking
 
This 1883 Vernacular Gothic brick structure was built as the home of the Union (now Woodlawn) Cemetery keepers, and remains so to this day.

Guelph architect John Day’s design fee for the lodge, a stable, greenhouse and coach house (still in use) was $58.  Especially attractive are the original oval front doors, mouldings, trim, hand-turned banister and interior window engravings. 
 
Islamic Society of Guelph                                                                  
126 Norwich Street East
accessible, parking
 
This attractive small church of non-conformist design, incorporating classical features, was built in 1856-57 for a group of Scottish Congregationalists, and is the second oldest of Guelph’s remaining stone church buildings. 

In 1882, it was sold to the Disciples of Christ who occupied it until 2008 when it was purchased by the Islamic Society of Guelph and converted to a mosque. 
 
Canadian Pacific Caboose 436994                                                           
Located on siding close to St. George’s Church (enter off Woolwich Street)
street parking
 
Built in 1941, this wooden-body caboose served the Canadian Pacific Railway for more than 40 years.  For the past 15 years, it has been and continues to be beautifully restored by members of the Guelph Historical Railway Association.  The inside is now a railway museum on wheels, reflecting the glory days of railroading in the mid-20th century.
 
Trails Open: The Radial Line Trail and the Guelph Escarpment         
Hikes start at Eramosa River Park (Lawrence Avenue off York Road west of Victoria)
parking
 
The Radial Line Trail is one of Ontario’s first rails-to-trails projects, completed by the Guelph Hiking Trail Club in 1971 to link Guelph to the Niagara Escarpment. But Guelph has its own Escarpment within the City, with fossilized coral reefs towering over the Trail in places.  Walk the railbed of the legendary, electric Toronto Suburban Railway and visit the site of Speedwell Station. 
 
40-minute hikes every hour on the hour until 3 p.m.; more challenging 90-minute hikes at 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Bring suitable shoes for walking and dress for the weather.

For more information about sites and tours and some tips on how best to plan and enjoy the day, pick up a Doors Open Guelph 2010 brochure at various locations around the City (e.g Visitor Information Centre, Guelph Public Library, Guelph Civic Museum) or visit the Doors Open Guelph website at www.guelpharts.ca/doorsopenguelph; or contact Guelph Arts Council by telephone at (519) 836-3280, or e-mail gac@sentex.net.

Site descriptions and images, courtesy of Guelph Arts Council

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Doors Open Guelph 2009 – April 25

On April 25 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. you are invited to step inside some of Guelph’s finest heritage buildings, many of which are not normally open to the public. Once again, owners and managers of public buildings, churches, businesses and private homes have generously agreed to “open their doors” for guided tours.

No registration is required, and it’s free!

A joint undertaking of Guelph Arts Council, Heritage Guelph and City of Guelph Tourism, Doors Open Guelph 2009 is also part of part of Doors Open Ontario, an Ontario Heritage Trust province-wide initiative to celebrate community heritage. The Guelph event has the distinction of being the first in some 50 Doors Open events taking place across Ontario during 2009. Join us to celebrate and increase awareness of this city’s tremendously rich architectural and historical heritage.

Sites for 2009:

Bikram’s Yoga College of India Studio
126 Woolwich Street
street parking or city lots

This serene space, formerly concrete fur storage, is now a hot yoga studio and event space with a roof-top patio.  Its rough limestone walls and original maple floor joists are enhanced with subtle lighting and natural elements like river stones.  Rough Muskoka hemlock pillars form supporting beams in the change rooms. The original ashlar limestone walls with arched window openings have been revealed at the back of the studio.

Alma Gallery
133 Wyndham Street North
washrooms/accessible/street parking or city lots

Located in the historic Alma Block (1868), this vibrant contemporary art gallery opened in 2008.  It offers changing exhibitions featuring a diversity of fine art work produced by artists from the region and beyond.  For Doors Open Guelph 2009, the gallery is presenting a special exhibition highlighting significant Guelph architecture as seen through the eyes of local artists working in different media.

New City Hall
1 Carden Street
washrooms/accessible/street parking or city lots

Just completed, Guelph’s New City Hall is a fine example of balance and harmony between new architecture and old.  In addition to much-needed new office and program spaces, the building incorporates both the restored Provincial Winter Fair heritage wall (1900) as part of the front façade, and the old Fire Hall as an anchor for the northwest corner of the new structure.

Hastings House
120 Northumberland Street
street parking or city lots

This Neo-Classical Vernacular two-storey limestone house was built c. 1875, although its deeds can be traced back to the Canada Company and Guelph’s beginnings. For many years, the house was owned by George Hastings (Guelph mayor 1909-10) and family.  It was purchased by the current owners in 1989, and carefully restored, including such features as the wooden soffits and fascia.

The Boathouse
116 Gordon Street
washrooms/accessible/parking

Built c.1930, this building features elements of pavilion-style architecture, with its upturned eaves and wooden brackets. The site on which it is located has a long association with the river, including a boat rental operation under the proprietorship of members of opera singer’s Edward Johnson’s family.  In 1997, through a public/private partnership, the building was renovated for use as an ice-cream parlour.

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church
115 York Road
washrooms/parking

In 1952 a group of dedicated individuals bought land for a Guelph Ukrainian Catholic church which was subsequently constructed 1954-1963 to the designs of Toronto architect Ewhen Gren. Nine patrons and an active congregation have ensured the growth and prosperity of the parish.  The three onion domes are a local landmark, and the liturgical art of iconography beautifies the interior.

Guelph Little Theatre
176 Morris Street
washrooms/accessible/parking

This building represents the redevelopment of a former manufacturing business into a community theatre. Begun in 1997, the conversion, carried out largely by volunteers, has provided Guelph Little Theatre with a 288-seat auditorium for the mounting of its theatrical productions as well as a workshop for the building and storing of set materials, a costume room, and a lobby for welcoming patrons.

Westminster-St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
206 Victoria Road North
washrooms/accessible/parking

Designed by local architect Richard Pagani, the graceful sanctuary of this church is a product of the 1950s-60s infatuation with custom-shaped, laminated-wood roof beams.  In 2003, another local architect, J. David McAuley, complemented the concave curves of the sanctuary roof in his design for a handsome addition, roofed with convex curves.

Guelph Correctional Centre
785 York Road
accessible/parking

When it was built as the Provincial Penitentiary in 1909, this facility was regarded as the best  equipped gaol in Canada. Architect John Lyle chose a restrained form of Classicism for the building. Above the front door is a carved relief of the scales of justice. The correctional centre was closed in 2005(?), and will become part of Guelph’s York Lands redevelopment.

Tiger Boys Museum
Guelph Airpark, Skyway Drive (off York Road)
parking

Established in 1970 by two Canadian aviation enthusiasts (the “Tiger Boys”), this informal, private aircraft museum features several meticulously-restored De Havilland Tiger Moth and Fleet Finch aircraft, both of which were used extensively for training during World War II.  There are 32 vintage aircraft, a myriad of aviation artifacts, and numerous model aircraft at this  unique site in Guelph Airpark (1954).

Text and images courtesy of the Guelph Arts Council

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Royal City Rag – April 8

The Culture Vultures, Lynn and Daniel, were back in the studio for our monthly trip around the Guelph arts and cultural scene. As always, there is a lot going on. We’ve tried to cover as many of the events as possible and have including the major event links below.

 

Daniel’s Picks:

• Spark of Brilliance Choir performance – Apr 13
• Doors Open Guelph 2009 – April 25
• AIDS Committee of Guelph-Wellington Red Ribbon gala and Art Auction – April 25
• Guelph Creative Arts Association, Spring “Made for You” Art & Craft Show – April 25
• Guelph Arts Council Walking Tours – Start on April 26
• Storytelling at the Boathouse – 2nd Wednesday of the month until December

 

Lynn’s Picks:

• Guelph Jazz Festival Sounds Provocative Art Auction, E-Bar – April 17
• Doors Open Guelph – April 24
• Still Standing, Significant Architecture in Guelph & Region, Alma Gallery
• Curator’s Choice: Treasures from Local Museums, Archives & Art Galleries, Guelph Civic Museum – Until September 27
• Village People, River Run Centre – April 30
• Ed Video courses

Jan’s Picks:

• Community arts brain storming meeting, 10 Carden St – April 14
• Martin Sexton at War Memorial Hall, University of Guelph, $25 – April 17
• Spoken word and Latin music – April 17
• Sam Turton and Jane Lewis Community Singalong – April 17
  Bon Appetit, 259 Grange Road, Unit 6, Guelph (Plaza at Victoria & Grange by Planet Bean), 519-515-0522
  Hosted by Sam Turton & Jane Lewis with songbooks so you can join in!
  Singalong website: www.all-together-now.ca
• Eliza Gilkyson, Riverview, 5 Queen Street, Guelph – April 24 at 8.00 p.m.
  Limited seating. Tickets available at Thomas Entertainment, 60 Baker St, Guelph, 519-822-1451
• Mary Gauthier, Riverview, 5 Queen St, Guelph – April 25 at 8.00 p.m.
  Limited seating. Tickets available at Thomas Entertainment, 60 Baker St, Guelph, 519-822-1451
• The James Gordon Pipe Street Songbook launch, 10 Carden St – April 26

Music:
James Gordon, Weapons Of Mass Instruction from Endomusia
Martin Sexton, Glory Bound from Black Sheep
Eliza Gilkyson, Emerald Street from Beautiful World

Listen to the show:

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Royal City Rag – April 4 (Chelsea Morning)

I was up early on April 4 for another Saturday Royal City Rag; filling in for my good friend Alden Hadwen, host of Chelsea Morning on CFRU 93.3fm (Saturday mornings 7-9 a.m.).

Alden’s Chelsea Morning is a wonderful music show featuring singer-songwriters with poetry “on the half-hour” while Royal City Rag in its Wednesday slot (6-7 p.m.) is predominantly a spokenword show heavy with community content. Saturday Royal City Rag is a nice blend of the two.

During the first hour we talked to Chantelle Leidl, from Guelph Environmental Leadership, about the Spring Ecomarket, taking place in Old Quebec Street later in the day, with over 25 exhibitors providing practical and green ways to live.

Later in the hour we played an interview with Sid Ryan, President of CUPE Ontario, recorded on the Unbottle It tour (with Maude Barlow) about why we should all ditch bottled water. The Council of Canadians are encouraging everyone to say no to the bottle and make the pledge to support publicly owned and delivered water.

In the second hour we aired a truly inspirational interview recorded with musician and environmental activist Sarah Harmer, at the recent Environmental Science Symposium.

And finally, we  chatted to Guelph heritage activist Susan Ratcliffe about Doors Open Guelph coming up on Saturday April 25, and, this year, including an opportunity to nose around the new City Hall!

It turned out to be a pretty busy show. We  hope you enjoyed it.

Music:
Mary Margaret O’Hara, A New Day (Royal City Rag Theme) from Miss America
Teddy Thompson, The Things I Do from from A Piece Of What You Need
John Martyn, Bless The Weather from Sweet Little Mysteries, The Island Anthology
Neko Case, Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth from Middle Cyclone
Stephen Fearing, Yellowjacket from The Man Who Married Music
Sarah Harmer, Escarpment Blues (Live) from At The Barricades Volume 1
James Gordon, Wet/Dry Blues from Song Of Our City
Mike Mucci, St Georges Square from Under The Tulip Trees
Bruce Cockburn, Beautiful Creatures from At The Barricades Volume 1
Guelph Youth Singers, Song Of Our City from Song Of Our City
Eramosa Brass With The Of Chords We Are, When St George’s Square Was Pretty from Song Of Our City
Teenage Fanclub, Is This Music? (Royal City Rag Closing Theme) from Bandwagonesque

Listen to the show:
Part 1

Part 2

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Coming Up – A Saturday Royal City Rag – April 4

I’ll be filling in again for Alden Hadwen, my good friend and host of Chelsea Morning on CFRU 93.3fm (Saturday mornings 7-9 a.m.), on April 4.

We’ll be playing some relaxing music to get your Saturday started.

We’ll  also talk with Chantelle Leidl, from Guelph Environmental Leadership, about the Spring Ecomarket taking place in Old Quebec Street on Saturday from 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. 

The EcoMarket will kick off spring with over 25 exhibitors providing practical and green ways to live.

Information… Innovation… Inspiration… everything you need to green up and decrease your impact on the environment!

Later in the show we’ll chat to heritage activist Susan Ratcliffe about Doors Open Guelph coming up on April 25, and, this year, including an opportunity to nose around the new City Hall!

Promises to be a fun show. Hope you can join me!

Listen live on CFRU 93.3fm, Guelph’s Campus and Community Radio Station or, after the fact, via the website.

Jan Andrea Hall

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