Tom Barber, Public Affairs
Hanging out on the step of the Palmerston Junior Public School.
What is your most favourite place in the city? The Annex (Bathurst and Bloor).
What is it that you like about this location? This neighbourhood is home to me; I grew up here and have always lived in close proximity. I can remember buying GI Joes from the Consumers Distributing where Sonic Boom now is. I love the Bloor Cinema, the rooftop patio of Paupers pub and of course Honest Ed’s.
Where is the best place to eat in the city? Ghazaleâ’s, the little counter place beside the Bloor Cinema, excellent chicken shawarma and open late.
What do you like about living in Toronto? The culture, plays, sports, restaurants, everything you could ever want or need.
What do you hate about living in Toronto? The urban sprawl and pretentious nature of some Torontonians.
Where would I find you on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the city? Sitting on the patio of a cafe with a coffee reading a newspaper and soaking in the city.
Who is your favourite Local Celebrity? Mike “Pinball” Clemons
Car, Bike or Transit? Transit and foot-power.
Favorite personal story or commentary on the city When I was about 12 years old my Uncle took my brother and I to see some Victoria Day fireworks at the lakeshore. We were going to take the Dufferin bus South from Bloor but bus after bus was packed with people so we started walking. For most of the walk we could see the fireworks in the distance, they ended as soon as we arrived. Rather than trying to pack ourselves on a bus to head back North we decided to wait out the crowd and have something to eat. After eating, while waiting for the bus to head home, we played charades with a group strangers at the bus stop.
My Toronto Includes Diversity! Growing up I had a lot of friends who had come to Toronto from places like China, Korea, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, British Columbia, United States and Pakistan.
