The first weekend in May has quickly become known as Jane’s Walk weekend in cities the world over — named for Jane Jacobs, the late author, activist and urban theorist who died in Toronto in 2006.
Jane was a neighbour of mine, living a few blocks over in The Annex neighbourhood in downtown Toronto.
After she passed away, seeing the spontaneous outpouring of loss and remembrance, I wondered if anyone had created a book of condolence. No one had. I quickly bought a sketchbook. Made arrangements for it to be available for public signing in one her regular Annex restaurants. There, friends and strangers shared their memories and thoughts. I later forwarded the book to her family.