February 13

Page 1

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>> More details on page 19 inside Students bust a move at Catholic board dance fest / 3

TRANSIT Access to Allen Road will be tricky thanks to Metrolinx / 12 schools Runnymede P.S. has a flashback to disco days / 16

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A unique Valentine’s Day gift Photographer continues artistic ‘selfie’ tradition for his wife

Keeping an eye on Runnymede Theatre

LISA RAINFORD lrainford@insidetoronto.com High Park photographer David Allen was taking “selfies” long before the birth of social media and the coining of the photographic term. Every Valentine’s Day for more than 40 years, Allen has created a photograph of himself as a gift for his wife, whom he married in 1971. “Photographers love taking pictures of themselves,” Allen told The Villager over a coffee at the Grenadier Cafe in High Park this month. His latest creation came about rather accidentally while on a three-week road trip to Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. “My wife and I don’t take pictures of ourselves. A picture of us with my arm around her – we don’t do that,” Allen admitted. Instead, the couple was on a cruise boat touring the New York harbour in July when Allen held his point and shoot camera out in front of him, setting up for a selfie to capture the sights behind him. He didn’t realize >>>this, page 8

Winter Advisory: Prevent Frozen Pipes

Resident groups work to protect heritage of the village LISA RAINFORD lrainford@insidetoronto.com

Staff photo/IAN KELSO

Photographer David Allen has been making his own Valentine’s Day cards for his wife for more than 40 years. Over the years he has made himself up like Dirty Harry, Don Johnson, Saddam Hussein and even Marilyn Monroe. Save money and a big mess.

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Our Team also speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu & Hindi.

Bloor West Village Residents Association (BWVRA) Chair Dianne Bradley has reached out to Shoppers Drugmart on behalf of her organization in an effort to ensure the franchisee will respect the integrity of the historic building that once was the Runnymede Theatre and current Chapters bookstore. Shoppers is scheduled to move from its current location on Bloor Street West at Durie Street to the corner of Bloor Street West and Runnymede Road this summer. As it has said since news came to light late last year that the company would be taking over the space, Shoppers assured the BWVRA it would be retaining all of the existing historical features, interior and exterior, including the stage and interior walls. “ We are preser ving all components of the building that have historical relevance and character,” spokesperson Tammy Smitham said in a statement. “Our intention in >>>chapters, page 6

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