* REBUILDING QUEEN WEST!

Thank you for visiting REBUILDING QUEEN WEST.

On Wednesday February 20th 2008, A 6 alarm fire took out nearly an entire block of commercial and residential buildings on Queen Street West in Toronto, Canada. The buildings are gone but the resolution is far from over. This website is here to keep the lines of communication open between those who need help and those who can help.

Please refer to the blog archives side bar (to the right over there!) to reach different sections of this blog.


Please send all questions, photos of donations and comments to rebuildingqueenwest@gmail.com.

* FORUM

http://rebuildingqueen.proboards84.com/

* QUEEN WEST FIRE NEWS!

NEWS ARCHIVE

MARCH 4, 2008 - THE FIRST QUEEN STREET FIRE VICTIMS STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING (held at Toronto City Hall)

The first Queen Street Fire Victims Steering Committee meeting was held tonight:

* We recommend that funds raised from BENEFITS for residents who lost their homes in the fire be donated to the SCOTIABANK TRUST FUND. There are a few reasons for this. One being, Adam's office is going to be administering this fund and the office has a list of ALL those who lost their homes. This ensures that the money will reach everyone, and distributed fairly. I think that the reason that many people were weary of the fund was that they were unsure when this money would be opened for pick up by the residents - this fund should actually be ready by this Friday, March 7th for pick up.

* THIS FUND ONLY HELPS FORMER RESIDENTS - it does not include former employees who lost their jobs, or businesses. If you are setting up a benefit for former employees/businesses you can contact Adam's office who will put you in touch with these businesses.

* Please take PHOTOS of your donations and send them over to us.

* THIS INFO ON THE FIRE SITE WAS SENT TO US BY ADAM'S OFFICE:

The site is being graded the contractor is using the building debris, broken bricks and blocks, to level the site, it appears that we will be able to avoid bringing additional material to the site for this purpose.

The hoarding at the rear of the site along the lane way is complete. The Building Inspector, Dave, has contacted Transportation Service (John Richmond) to inform him that the hoarding at the rear of the site is now complete. The lane way at the rear of the site is covered in thick sheet of ice, my understanding was that Transportation Services wanted to de-ice the lane way before opening it to the public. There is no longer any danger from the fire site or the remaining buildings preventing the lane way opening.

Most of the large material has been removed from the site, there will remain at the end of the day some large material on site that should be removed by tomorrow. The quick fence securing the site along Queen Street will remain until the Queen Street hoarding is completed. The hoarding on the Queen Street will be started tomorrow depending on the weather. The south side walk and the east bound curb lane of Queen Street will remain closed until they are repaired by Transportation Service.


NEWS: FEBRUARY 29TH - THE SHANGHAI MEETING
(we've also set up a new email account: rebuildingqueenwest@gmail.com)

* VICTIMS of the fire need to contact Adam Vaughan's office. this includes everyone affected - from residents, employees, employers. employers should contact Councillor Adam Vaughan's office and offer a list of employees who have recently been unemployed by the fire.

*EMPLOYMENT: for anyone who has been left unemployed by the fire - please contact Adam's office, register with their database and see what your options are. A few businesses have offered to hire people IMMEDIATELY. The CN Tower has offered to hire anyone who has lost their jobs.

*QUESTIONS ON DONATIONS: Right now, from what we understand, the avenue for questions of legitimacy and accountability is really, through AV's office. Adam Vaughan has a database of all those affected by the fire - so if you are throwing a benefit and want to see who you should be giving this money to, you should confirm with the office.

There have been a few issues raised that we, as the rebuilding queen street west group, would love to discuss with others about/potentially help coordinate.

FEBRUARY 27TH:

We attended the meeting held by Councillor Adam Vaughan and there was a lot of good information being passed around for everyone: the victims of the fire (legal aid, housing help, donations, etc...), those who are throwing benefits, witnesses and generally everyone who is concerned.

* A STEERING COMMITTEE is in the works to disseminate information to the public, address concerns, and fill the info and communication gap.

* WITNESSES: a lot of people have had a difficult time contacting the police/detective marcelle chiasson to provide statements - we were told that should you not have your phonecall returned within 24 hours, you should head over to DIVISION 14 to give statements. The Criminal Identification Bureau is there 24/7 and will assist you.

* TENANTS/OWNERS: who probably already know this - should register with Councillor Vaughan's database on his website - tenants, owners, etc. Information on 621 Queen west would be particularly helpful.

* INSURANCE: there has been a lot of issues regarding insurance policies. There seems to be a lack of accountability in regards to this: anyone who has questions should contact the FSCO (Financial Services Commission of Ontario). They should also be able to provide those with AND WITHOUT insurance with guidance on how to put a claim together for some kind of compensation. THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES TO INSURANCE! Owners also have the right of access to their buildings - it was recommended that they take photos of EVERYTHING. Do not leave this up to the insurance companies!!!

* LEARN ABOUT YR RIGHTS! at the Kensington Bellwoods Community Legal Services (489 College, 416-924-4244) who provide free legal services to those living anywhere south of Bloor, east of Ossington, west of Yonge to Lake Ontario.

BENEFIT THROWERS: SHANGHAI COWGIRL (538 Queen West) will be having a meeting for benefit throwers at noon this Friday the 29th. This should help coordinate all efforts. A big concern for many benefit throwers is how to ensure that they can get the money raised DIRECTLY to the victims of the fire. This should shed some light to those who are would like an alternative besides the Scotia Bank fund.

* BENEFIT SHOWS: LISTINGS

MARCH 6: QUEEN WEST FIRE FUNdraiser
The Funhaus (526 Queen St West) 9pm-3am 19+
Mainroom: DJ Lazarus, Dwight, DragNFly, & Woodstock (retro, electronic, alternative, britpop)

“Funhaus is one of the lucky businesses on the North side of Queen West that was unscathed by the fire. It is now time to help our neighbours in the best way we can by doing what we do best; throwing a party to help raise funds. Funhaus puts the FUN in FUNdraiser. Lets show Toronto how Queen Street can band together to help their own during this time of tragedy. Please bring donations of money for the Queen Street Relief Fund.

**Please note: we DO NOT need anymore clothing donations.”

MARCH 10: ALL AGES QUEEN WEST BENEFIT
The Reverb and Holy Joes, 7pm.

ALL AGES at both venues.
cover is a suggested donation of $10, which gets you into both shows.
Accepting clothing donations at the show.

Reverb lineup:
Basement Arms
The Salarymen
Anagram
Thee Diet Pills/Birdweek
Arietta
Gone Hollywood

Holy Joe's lineup:
Sean Pinchon
The 9am Social (half-set)
Farewell to 44 (half-set)
Llions
Steve Shoe
Mariposa
The Speaking Tongues

With dj's Matt Blair and Jordan Bimm, and mc's Jeff and Zach (Human Statues).


MARCH 13: SILENT AUCTION AND RAFFLE FOR THE QUEEN WEST FIRE SURVIVORS!
Shanghai Cowgirl! 7pm to 10pm.

For further inquiries, to donate via paypal or discuss donations or raffle tickets, please contact KarenBoAid@gmail.com

Check out the raffle list HERE: http://community.livejournal.com/toronto/6605210.html

MARCH 14 AND 15: ROCK THE FIRE!!! Bovine benefit for the Queen West Fire victims

March 14:
Chameleonize http://www.myspace.com/chameleonize
Trigger Effect http://www.myspace.com/heliocraft
Titan http://www.myspace.com/titanslays
*secret guest*
DJ- Pat Pentland (guitarist from SLOAN!!!) http://www.myspace.com/jptp

March 15:
Billy Talent
Latefallen
A Primitive Evolution
Black Lungs
Hostel Takeover

MARCH 15: KER-ITY FUNDRAISER AT FOOTWORK NIGHTCLUB
DJs SNEAK, MARIO J AND LUDIKRIS.
Footwork (425 Adelaide) 10pm to 4am

"There's no better place in Toronto better suited to celebrating and supporting our friends Keri and Charity. Come out on March 15th to move your feet and help our girls get back on theirs! All proceeds donated at the door will go towards the Ker-ity Support Fund."

MARCH 22: BENEFIT FOR QUEEN WEST
Ultra Supper Club

5 to 7:30 pm - Cocktails and hors d'ouvres at Ultra Supper Club
8pm - Comedy at the Rivoli with Pat Thonton, Gavin Stephens, Nikki Payne, Mark Andrada, Levi MacDougall, Kristeen von Hagen and Mark Forward.

There will be an afterparty with burlesque from Skin Tight Outta Sight and Mysterion! Keep an eye out here!

MARCH 24: BENEFIT FOR THE QUEEN WEST FIRE VICTIMS
Hosted by LiveRockListings.com and Battala Rockstars.
The Reverb, 7pm.

More info here!: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13983786222

MARCH 26: QUEEN WEST BENEFIT AT REVIVAL
Revival 718 Queen St West.

PLEASE NOTE 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE TRUST FUND SET UP BY ADAM VAUGHAN'S OFFICE.

APRIL 5: FABRIC SWAP
(all proceeds going to the Queen West Victim Trust Fund)
Sew Be It Studio (2156 Yonge Street), 7 to 9pm.
Please RSVP at 416-481-7784 or info@sewbeitstudio.com.

2A8www.sewbeitstudio.com
info@sewbeitstudio.com416-481-7784

* PUBLIC DONATIONS

If you'd like to make a monetary donation to the Queen West Royals (those who lost their homes to the fire), please donate to the Queen West Fire Fund at any Scotia Bank location.

If you'd like to donate household items (furniture, appliances, etc), please upload photos of yr donation item to our Facebook Group: "Rebuilding Queen West: Donations." If you don't have access to Facebook, send your photos to us at http://www.blogger.com/rebuildingqueenwest@gmail.com and we will upload them for you.

We'll make sure this gets to the Queen West Royals (those who lost their homes to the fire). If a Royal expresses interest in an item, they can contact Brooke Oops who is responsible for donations and she will let you know and organize a meeting.

* BUSINESS DONATIONS

Coming soon: a list of businesses offering discounts or free items to the displaced residents.

Businesses can contact us at rebuildingqueenwest@gmail.com if they would like to donate or discount their goods and services. Please include an expiry date if you'd like.