“Declined ballot” the first turn on the road to Hell
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You may be certain that democracy’s great reformers, every single one of them from Lord Grey (Reform Act 1832) to Canadian rebel democrat William Lyon Mackenzie (Upper Canada Rebellion) would snort in derision at the idea that voters might actually go to the polls and elaborately refuse to cast their ballots. Only this cossetted and self-involved society could conceive of an idea so stupid, so arrogant. A story linked below in the Huffington Post floats the notion for those who are “unconvinced and unimpressed” and who want to vote “none of the above.” Really. The idea raises fecklessness to a new level. Democracy isn’t about liking the people who are running or getting your issue all fulfilled on a platter. It isn’t about sulking because the political process isn’t neat. People died to create the democratic way. Stalin and Hitler laughed at “none of the above.” Are you stamping your feet about the gas plants? Pouting because that silly Tim Hudak can’t count? Well suck it up baby. Get busy and meet the candidates. Maybe you want to vote for a one-issue candidate. Fine. That can be your protest. After the election, you’ll have the right to complain. “None of the above” is the first turn on the road to Hell. Huffington Post
Turbo is found a couple of miles from his home
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Turbo has been found. The lively six-month old pup was found through the good offices of a pet-owner reading the Human Society’s “found” listings. Turbo got away from his home near Trace Manes Park and galloped all the way to the Don Mills Rd. and St. Dennis Drive neighborhood.
4 a.m. mugging reported at Yonge and St. Clair
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A 24 year old man has told police that on June 1, 2014 shortly before 4 a.m. he was in the area of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West when he was approached by a male suspect. The suspect punched the victim in the face, removed two cell phones and fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim sustained minor injuries and attended a hospital for treatment. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: male, 6’0”, muscular build.
“Cell phone mugging” at Thorncliffe-Overlea
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Police report a cell phone mugging at Thorncliffe Park Drive and Overlea Blvd. on Friday, May 30, 2014. An 18-year-old youth was on the street at about 5.30 p.m. when he was approached by two suspects, one armed with a knife. One suspect hit the victim, knocking his cellular telephone to the ground. The suspects grabbed the cellular telephone and fled the scene in an unknown direction. The assailants were also in their teens, police say.
ABC daycare will open at old Leaside Town Hall
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ABC Academy Child Care has put up a sign to tell new parents locally that it will be opening its new daycare in the old Leaside Town Hall at 235 McRae Drive at Randolph Rd. this Fall. ABC bought the heritage building a year ago but the deal did not close until May 4, 2014. The renovated offices and rooms will be home to local children ages three months to four years. ABC already has a centre at at 1432 Bayview Ave. at Balliol Street across from St. Cuthburt’s Anglican Church. The building was renovated a couple of years ago by ABC Academy and it has been turned into a solid, good-looking asset to the community. The original ABC Academy is on Melrose Ave. near Yonge Street. Previous post
Longest voting campaign lives in Leaside
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No one will ever know how many qualified (or likely) voters in Ward 26 actually search Twitter but for those who do, there’s no missing the smell of politics in the air. Yes, there is a municipal election coming, albeit after what seems like the world’s longest election campaign. The vote isn’t until October. Here we see the evidence of two candidates as (top) well-known meat and food retailer Andy Elder (Grilltime on Laird Drive) and Hand and Stone fight over a Jon Burnside jersey. Burnside, close second in 2010, recently declared for 2014. Charlene Kalia tweeted this. Right below is the incumbent, John Parker with Henry Chong and his inventive Revelo LE-1 bike. It is said to be the “coolest compact ebike around” and a “Leaside cottage industry.” We know that candidate Dave Sparrow must be is this Twitter run somewhere and we will find him. Beyond Leaside, the campaign is seems to be riveted on transit and polls which suggest this is the “number one” concern. Of course, public opinion is frequently led by the media, fed by politicians. In Toronto all polls ask questions inspired by the idea that the City is mired up to its hips in “Gridlock” Heavy machinery at Bayview and Belsize
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Bayview & Belsize is a busy intersection this Friday afternoon. The sidewalk is getting torn up on the north-west corner. Trucks and scaffolding take up the south-west corner as roof repairs continue above the Royal Bank. Proceed with caution.
Festivals, walks and runs close City streets
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City of Toronto has just released their list of road closures scheduled for this weekend. Plan accordingly.
Malvern Bicycle Race – Brenyon Way from Sheppard Avenue East to Sewells Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 to accommodate this event.
Pape Village Summerfest – Pape Avenue from Floyd Avenue to Cosburn Avenue will be closed in both directions on Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Pape Village Summerfest.
Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest – Broadview Avenue south of Queen Street East to the north side of the public lane will be closed in both directions on Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for this event.
Ride to Conquer Cancer – Lake Shore Boulevard from Strachan Avenue to Windermere Avenue and Windermere Avenue from Lake Shore Boulevard to the Queensway will be closed on Saturday, June 7 from 6 to 10 a.m. to accommodate this event. The Gardiner Expressway is an alternative route.
Dundas West Fest – Dundas Street from Lansdowne Avenue to Roxton Road will be closed in both directions on Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for Dundas West Fest. College Street and Queen Street are alternative routes.
Portugal Day – Lansdowne Avenue from Bloor Street to College Street will be closed in both directions on Sunday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Portugal Day. Dufferin Street is a possible alternative route for motorists.
Festival on Bloor – Bloor Street from Spadina Avenue to Bathurst Street will be closed on Sunday, June 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate the event. College Street is a possible alternative route.
Toronto Challenge Run – Wellington Street from Simcoe Street to John Street will be closed in both directions on Sunday, June 8 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. There will also be a variety of road closures during the event in the area bounded by Wellington Street to the south, Spadina Avenue to the west, Wellesley Street to the north and Bay Street to the east. Richmond Street and Adelaide Street are east-west alternative routes while Bathurst Street and University Avenue are north-south alternatives.
Toronto Walk Now for Autism Speaks – There will be a series of lane closures in the area bounded by Queen Street to the south, College Street to the north, Bay Street to the east and University Avenue to the west on Sunday, June 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to accommodate this event.
This news release is also available on the City’s website: http://bitly.com/1hfNVl
Wall Street to Union Station, with one token
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York & Adelaide has undergone a makeover for the new animated film Pixels. This TTC stairwell is now a mockup of the entrance to New York’s Wall Street Station. Photo by Vik Pahwa, on Flickr
Leaside’s ‘post office condo’ a hot ticket
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Line-ups formed long before the grand opening of The Upper House condominium was set to begin. The site formerly known at Postal Station R, at 2 Laird Drive drew large crowds this past weekend. The developer, Knightstone Capital has faced a long and arduous road leading up to their grand opening. South Leaside residents held meetings and collected petitions to keep the condominiums plans in check. We’re guessing that developers won’t be worrying much about Leaside’s feelings after seeing the interest in their suites. BuzzbuzzHome (Previous Posts) Photo: buzzbuzzhome.com
Davisville Village reigns over Leaside
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National Post has published their top six family friendly neighbourhoods in Toronto. Davisville Village took 4th spot, no mention of Leaside! What do you think about that? More here.