G&M on Weston Park development

The Globe and Mail has an article on the development at the Weston Park Baptist Church.

While many church congregations are shrinking or struggling financially, Weston Park Baptist Church is placing its faith in development plans that aim to revitalize its property in the west-end Toronto neighbourhood.

“Our vision formulated [in] 2005,” says church deacon John Frogley-Rawson. “It’s a nice piece of land, and we have developed [a plan] for the property and the community.”

It’s worth reading, because it shows how a development should be done: with community consultation and assent. It also includes much on the fate of churches, and how they will be reused and redeveloped in a secular age.

COVID this week

From the city’s portal

The number of COVID cases in Weston continues to increase. In the past 21 days, there have been 95 cases in Weston, up from 86 last week.

In the worst period to date, in November, Weston had 105 cases.

There will continue to be pop-up testing at the Jane Street Hub every Tuesday and Saturday in January.

Messiah/Complex extended until January 31

Screenshot from the video

If you missed Messiah/Complex—a completely new take on Handel’s Messiah featuring the diversity of Canada’s people and geography—now’s your chance. The online run has been extended until January 31.

This production, by Against The Grain Theatre, includes Weston’s own Elliot Madore, and the Weston Lions Arena. It received a long and flattering review in the New York Times.

Pay-what-you-can tickets are available online.

Shooting NYE

We didn’t get the year started off very well.A home in Mount Dennis was shot at early in the morning of January 1. Police found shell casings and “evidence of gunfire” at a home on Humber Blvd and Avon Avenue. There were no injuries.

Man arrested for retail robberies

On December 15, Toronto Police arrested Andrea Franco Sestito, 34, for a series of robberies, including at least one in Weston.

Sestito is alleged to filled a backpack with stolen goods while wearing a mask, and to have threatened employees with a folding knife.

He has been charged with robbery, disguise, possession of a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and failing to comply with probation.