11 September 2026 – Time travel: you’re with me on 8 September, downtown, corner of West Georgia and Granville. I’m about to turn from the former onto the latter and notice that busy Granville is barricaded, although its sidewalks are open.

I complete the turn, expecting some kind of kerfuffle to justify the barricade — nothing major, since no sirens or emergency vehicles, but something.

I get something.

A great big metal apple, on a car-free street.

I’m surprised, but then, as I walk closer, no longer surprised. The apple fits right in.

Its reflection sparkles in Fatburger’s doorway, across the street…

and the apple itself sparkles even more, viewed from across the street.

It embraces the woman who just wants to read her book…

and it makes neighbourly conversation with skyscrapers and sky.

I walk south on this peaceful street, see some workers busy with an installation at the next corner, and ask, “Going up? Coming down?”

They give me a friendly but puzzled where-have-you-been face, and explain it’s all coming down. This stretch of Granville has been a Pedestrian Zone all summer long. As of tomorrow, the cars return.

Okay, I missed that one.

But I’m all set for Car-Free Day on Main Street, East 10th to King Edward, this very Sunday.