The City of Toronto is pondering the cost and disruption of raising the road level of the Don Valley Parkway to reduce the pattern of flooding. Metro
Brainy penalty kick stopper wins it for Dutch
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It was a fine evening for watching the critical match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica at McSorley’s Saloon Saturday night. The game ended 4-3 in what CBS News has called “a cruel lottery of penalty kicks.” Costa Rica’s run at the World Cup was stopped by the super-human work of Netherland’s “closer” goalkeeper Tim Krul. Krul, who has played just one minute at this World Cup, stopped two penalties for the Dutch. He was brought on in the final minute of the second extra time in place of Jasper Cillessen. Krul’s reputation as a specialist at saving penalty kicks is well won. He was seen trying to play head games with Costa Rican penalty takers and guessed correctly on two shots, which proved to be the difference in the game. Here is how CBS described the game: Over 120 minutes-plus of actual soccer, there was little to separate the two teams. Costa Rica dug in and withstood Dutch attacks that almost always went through the feet of Arjen Robben. His penetrating dribbles led to a barrage of corner kicks, set pieces and shots for the Netherlands. Time and time again, though, it was Navas and his very well positioned back line that proved to be too much for the Dutch to get past. In the final minutes of regulation, the Netherlands had a variety of chances. None were clearer than a Van Persie shot that was turned away at the goal line by midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda with his goal keeper Navas out of the net. The shot somehow was deflected straight up in the air and hit the bar before going out. The Ticos did not venture out past midfield in the first extra time much and absorbed some more attacks by the Dutch as it seemed they were merely trying to hold on for PKs. However, in the second extra time it was the Costa Ricans who got out on the front foot, which opened up the game for both sides. Ultimately, it would be the cruel lottery of penalty kicks that would decide the final quarterfinal game of the World Cup. Misses, or rather Krul saves, on shots by Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umaña ended Costa Rica’s run and sent the Dutch into a final four of World Cup heavyweights with Brazil, Germany and Argentina.
Photos: Crowds at McSorleys follow the Netherlands-Costa Rica game on sets positioned all over, including on the sidewalk. Bottom, penalty shot specialist Tim Krul.
What a British tab says about Eugenie Bouchard
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Eugenie Bouchard, 20 years old and Canadian, is gloriously blonde with perfectly regular, brilliantly white film-star teeth, a pair of oiled thighs that could crack walnuts, half a million fans on Facebook — and a Twitter profile which ranges from the flirtatious to the, frankly, provocative. Indeed, the new face of women’s tennis — who will be fighting to be crowned Wimbledon champion today — likes to post pictures of herself lounging seductively in bikinis and pouting in fancy dress. MailOnline
Memo to CBC: We learned nothing from Ford
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Like CP24, the CBC local news is busy trying to turn its interview with Rob Ford into something important. It says breathlessly that among “five things” it learned from the interview is that Ford has been addicted for 15 years. No. Really? In another CBC story, behavioural experts pronounce upon a “plateau of unhappiness” they have detected. Once again the tortured ethics of journalism (the right to know, the right to drool, the right to goose the numbers — oh sorry — don’t know how that got in there) are making monkeys of otherwise sensible news organizations. What any reasonable person wants — even the screaming shirtless jogger — is for Rob Ford to go. If he were not so shamelessly pig-headed he would have gone months ago. It is unimportant now to whom he gave his cars keys in Muskoka. Unless Leanne McRobb decides to run for mayor. This appetite may be fed by All My Children.
Our Eugenie loses to Czech powerhouse Petra
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Eugenie Bouchard took a thumping today (Saturday, July 5, 2014) from Czech Republic powerhouse Petra Kvitova, losing at Wimbledon 6-3, 6-0. Princess Eugenie, after whom Canada’s Bouchard is named, watched from the royal box at centre court. With it all, Bouchard was gracious in her defeat and found some satisfaction in her play overall at Wimbledon. It raises her ranking among the world best tennis players from 13 to seven.
Burned car, bodies sent to Ontario forensics lab
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The bodies of three people found in a burned out car near Barrie have been brought to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Toronto. In fact, the entire vehicle was moved with the bodes inside to preserve any evidence that might be there. The car was bearing Ontario plates and police say they feel sure this discovery has nothing to do with the disappearance of Calgary grandparents and their grandson this week a case that continues to baffle police there. The charred bodies were found early Friday morning after firefighters responded to a vehicle fire north of Barrie. They put out the fire and then realized that the car, sitting on Holick Rd. north of the 4th Line of Oro-Medonte Township, had what appeared to be three bodies in it. OPP detectives have taken over the investigation.They say they still aren’t sure whether this is foul play or a bizarre accident of some kind. No doubt the forensics specialists will find something to direct the police.
How about “Home of McSorley’s Saloon” BIA?
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Interesting how those territorial Leaside folks get their name on everything first (lol sort of). There must be a reason why the Leaside BIA is half Davisville Village and half Leaside, and why the proposed area sits astride a street called these many decades South Bayview. Hey, we’re calling it the South Bayview Bulldog even if the BIA eventually gets monickered “Home of McSorley’s Saloon” BIA. The vote among landlords and merchants last night at St. Cuthbert’s Church to proceed to a formal ballot was 52-25. During the many lines of discussion at the meeting, Josh Matlow, the councillor for the west (or Davisville) side of the proposed BIA, jumped to the mike to urge all involved to give equal prominence to his side of the street. Mr. Matlow is fond of saying that he and his family are Merton Street residents and that Bayview is his main street. Yessir. Got to like it. A Matlow tweet today noted that things are going well for the “Davisville-Leaside Bayview merchants.” Very good. Would the DLB BIA work? No. To the extent the district has an identity now it is as South Bayview. This is a clue, perhaps
Brazil will meet Germany in Cup semifinals
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Shaw Media asks to create Global News 1
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Shaw Media has made an application, to the CRTC to launch a national, English language news channel. It a would called Global News 1 and it is assumed it would receive material from local Global outlets across the country.
“Mammoliti should be probed by the police”
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George Mammoliti (Ward 7) accepted as much as $80,000 for what has been called a fundraising dinner for him. The City integrity commissioner Janet Leiper has concluded that Mammoliti broke the rules and may have his pay docked for it. A local lawyer, Brian Iler, says Mammoliti should be investigated by the police. Iler started the integrity probe by complaining to Leiper’s office when he heard about the fundraiser on the CBC. Jennifer Pagliaro, Toronto Star Also read this
Toronto home prices soar 7.4% June to June
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The amazingly buoyant Toronto re-sale home market continues to soar. The Toronto real Estate board says home sales here city climbed 15.4 per cent in June from a year earlier, to 10,180. The average price rose 7.4 per cent over the same period, to $568,953. Globe and Mail
BIA meet votes 52 to 25 to proceed to final ballot
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A meeting to decide on the creation of a Business Improvement Area for South Bayview has seen a vote of 52 to 25 in favour the proposition. This means a formal vote will be taken among registered merchants and property owners in the designated area which will decide the final outcome. The vote will require 50% plus one ballot of a minimum 30% of those eligible to vote for the project to move forward. The lively meeting at St. Cuthbert’s Church on Bayview Ave. saw many people speak about their reservations and doubts. Neil Mcneil of Frame Designs was doubtful about the return on investment of $650 in BIA fees. “Think about how much more you’re going to have to sell,” he told the assembled merchants. Joanne Lee, owner of Patisserie de Cigogne spoke of how little she felt her firm received for its $1,100 annual fee at her location in the Mosaic BIA on Danforth Ave. Catherine Lapsley of Breath Pilates Studio spoke with concern about how business has declined in recent years. “We have to do something,” she said. The meeting was chaired by Mike Major, Manager of the City’s BIA office. He spoke informatively on how costs occur in the BIA and the formula for the assessment which is sent to property owners in the BIA. The annual sum is added to property taxes, he said. The BIA assessment is a combination of the area’s and property assessment plus the BIA budget, which is approved by the member merchants. The meeting heard from John Parker (Ward 26), Josh Matlow (Ward 22), Grant Allardyce of the Source menswear shop and Trae Zammit owner of Smokin Cigar. Allardyce and Zammit lead the BIA steering committee. All the men spoke in favor of creating a BIA and the need to establish an identity for the shopping district. The discussion touched on the successful BIAs along Bloor Street. There was no mention however that these places are supported mainly by the subway. There will be no subway in South Bayview and the TTC hardly seems to be aware of South Bayview. The 11 Bayview passes through the district but it is not a destination on bus signs. Nor is there a bus from neighborhoods like Moore Park, Bennington Heights and South Leaside to South Bayview. Many people there have said they would prefer to take the bus to their preferred shopping district on Saturday rather than try to park.