Month: September 2013

Semi on Donlea Dr. changes hands for $859,262

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There’s a fairly interesting example of the prices people are paying for modest but updated homes in North Leaside published in the Toronto Star’s What They Got feature today (Friday, September 6, 2013). It reveals that the semi-detached home at 262 Donlea Drive sold in just seven days for $859,262, some $60,262 over the asking price. The property sits at the corner of Brentcliffe Rd. on a 25 foot by 135 foot lot. It has a single car garage and a shared driveway. The home was described as “Extensively Renovated” with  the kitchen re-done. It also has nicely updated baths, new electrical and a front yard irrigation system installed in 2009. Nice. Kitchen extras included stainless fridge, oven, dishwasher, microwave/convection oven and front load stacked washer and dryer. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms in the house. It last sold in the year 2000 for $330,000.  

Canada, 9 others reject “Russian veto” on actions

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The prime minister says the G20 discussion in Russia on Syria was “extremely frank but respectful”.  At the end, Canada signed a joint statement with nine other countries declaring the regime of Bashar Assad responsible for the chemical weapons strike against civilians last month in a Damascus. The countries signing the statement with the U.S. were Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. “The world cannot wait for endless failed processes that can only lead to increased suffering in Syria and regional instability,” says the statement.  Mr Harper also offered a tough verdict on Russian leader Valdimr Putin:  “I think…we are simply not prepared to accept the idea that there is a Russian veto over all of our actions.” In all of this Canada has been a reluctant convert to the idea of taking action against the Assad. The PM has said that his decision to add this country’s name to the statement is about the precedent set by the use of chemical weapons without a response to make clear the world’s disapproval. 

Bayview extension to stay closed another month

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Bayview Avenue will remain closed for an additional two weeks between River Street and Lower River Street the gas company Enbridge has announced.  The closure has been in effect since the beginning of August for work on the Don Valley natural gas pipeline. Enbridge now expects the Bayview extension to re-open at River Street by the end of September. 

Mr. Shurman should retire for good of the party

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It’s a stupid and unnecessary embarrassment the Conservatives at Queen’s Park should have been able to avoid. Finance critic Peter Shurman has been using an expense provision that is legal but in a way that is totally outside the spirit of what was intended. He billed the public more than $20,000 for a future retirement home in Nigara Falls. The arrangement is supposed to help MPPs pay for living expenses while they are at the Legislature in Toronto. This matter follows the Bulldog’s iron-clad rule of human nature: People never — never — treat other people’s money with the same care as their own. Maybe Mr Shurman should retire now for the good of the party.  Comment

Would-be thieves armed with bear spray

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Toronto Police Service report:  A 37 year old male employee of Noor’s Fine Foods at 838 Broadview Avenue reports that on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at approximately 0200 hours, three male suspects entered the premises. Two of the suspects were wearing disguises, and one of the suspects was holding a can of bear spray. The victim, fearing he was going to be robbed, called 911 and advised the suspects that the police were on the way. All three suspects left the store empty-handed and entered a dark coloured SUV which left the scene northbound on Broadview Avenue. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 24 to 28 years, 5’10”, 220 to 249 pounds, heavy build. Suspect #2: Male, black, 22 to 26 years, 5’4” to 5’5”, thin build. Suspect #3: Male, black, 5’6”, medium build.

Harper Ave. home has garage at street level

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This huge house has risen on the west side of Harper Ave in Moore Park where demolitions are eating away at the number of original 1920s homes that first sat here.  The action is not as manic as it is Leaside, but it seems to be heating up. 56 Harper sits on the sloping rocky ground that is Moore Park, terrain that gradually loses elevation from the shore of the pre-historic Lake Iroquois (above the CP tracks) down to the tributaries of the Don River. The house is very tall and most unusually it has a double car garage inside the home at ground or street level. It appears, from the height of the windows on the next level that the living quarters begin one floor up. It will be an elegant setting but the front entrance is not clear just yet. There will be some steps. You could see how an owner of this home might like an elevator in his  garage to get to the kitchen and sitting rooms but there is no indication about that, one way or the other. In any case, it is evidence again of the resources being driven  into fines homes in this  area.  

Sleuth of Baker Street event Sunday, Sept 8

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The Sleuth of Baker Street at 907 Millwood Rd. will host a party for a friend, Helena Nelson, who has had a story published in an anthology called  Nefarious North. It will take place Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the shop. Sleuth says that many of the contributors to the collection are better known in the romance and para-normal fields but it is very much worth coming out to meet Helena and many of her co-contributors. Some of the contributors who are saying they will be present are:

Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

Karen Blake-Hall
Linda Cahill
Cindy Carroll
Jeffrey Charles
Karen Dales
Graham Freeman
Patricia Kennedy
Ray Livingston
Heather Mac Archer
Rosemary McCracken
Kollene McKeown
Helen Nelson
Steve Shrott

Hand and Stone Massage a Bulldog advertiser

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A warm welcome to Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as an advertiser in The South Bayview Bulldog. This established and reputable chain of spas is located right here at 85 Laird Drive Unit 202 (2nd floor). Their specialty is the luxurious “beyond pampering massage”. It is affordable and one of the best ways to relax and reduce stress. Phone: 647-748-8853 leaside@handandstone.ca Same day appointments available: Monday-Friday: 9 am – 10 pm Saturday: 8 am – 6 pm. See their ad on this page and check the website here

Amazing resilience of home-ownership pride

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What else can it be but the centuries old pride in owning the property. Sales of existing homes in major Canadian cities are pushing up and there is nowhere else for the prices to go either. Here in Toronto there has been an increase of  21 percent in August sales over those of July. Multiple Listing Service also shows increasing Vancouver sales in an astonishing 52.5 per cent year-over-year. Calgary had a 27.5 percent increase.  Increases of various amounts are seen nationally. 

Man robbed at 5 a.m. at Yonge and Broadway

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Toronto Police Service report:  A 21 year old male reports that on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at approximately 0508 hours, he was in the area of Yonge Street and Broadway Avenue when a black vehicle stopped nearby. A male suspect exited the vehicle, struck the victim and demanded the victim’s wallet. The victim complied and the suspect fled the scene in the vehicle northbound on Yonge Street. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, white, 30 to 40 years, 5’11”, 200 pounds, muscular build

Many events will close roads beginning Thursday

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Here are some road closures this weekend: 
Toronto International Film Festival – Thursday to Sunday closure King Street West from Duncan Street to John Street will be closed from early this morning, September 5, to about 11 p.m. on Sunday, September 8 for red-carpet festivities at the Princess of Wales Theatre. TTC streetcar traffic on King Street West will be maintained at all times during this closure 
The Festival of Praise – Saturday closure The southbound lanes of Queen’s Park Crescent from Wellesley Street to College Street will be closed on Saturday, September 7 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Taste of the Kingsway – Friday to Sunday closure Bloor Street West from Prince Edward Drive North to Montgomery Road will be closed from Friday, September 6 at noon to Sunday, September 8 at 11 p.m. A series of full and partial road closures will also take place in the surrounding area to accommodate this event. Cabbagetown Festival – Saturday and Sunday closure Parliament Street from Gerrard Street to Wellesley Street will be closed in both directions on Saturday, September 7 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parliament Street from Gerrard Street to Wellesley Street will be closed on Sunday, September 8 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Bang and Olufsen Yorkville 5K Charity Run – Sunday closure A series of road closures will occur in the area bounded by Davenport Road to the north, Queen’s Park/Avenue Road to the west, College Street to the south and Bay Street to the east on Sunday, September 8 from 7 a.m. to noon for this annual event.