The pictures now released of the  proposed  80-storey condominium  buildings “as sculpture” are surely breathtaking. They are so unusual they set the nerves a jangle. That goes for the idea of knocking down the Princess of Wales Theatre as well.  Even the prime movers to all this, David Mirvish and architect Frank Gehry, are all over the place as to what we should make of it. Gehry was saying his models are works in progress. You get clobbered for this kind of architecture in the early stages, he mused. Mirvish and Gehry were apparently struggling to stress their Toronto roots, according to the CBC.  That was supposed to make it go down easier, we suppose. There will apparently be an art gallery and a great school in the structures (the Ontario College of Art and Design). “These towers can become a symbol of what Toronto can be,” Mirvish said. “I am not building condominiums. I am building three sculptures for people to live in.” We shall see. CBC.ca

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If you are feeling flush in the coming months and need a new car, there is always the 2013 Land Rover. Here is a little preview video from the Paris Auto Show, which opened this week. The new Land Rover has lost 700 pounds as a result of a new aluminum frame. The Paris Show is over-shadowed by gloom about the European economy. Sales are down. Will it be reflected in Canadian prices? Not likely. 

The Annual Pumpkin Giveaway/Haunted House this weekend will have a different touch — pink pumpkins. They can be purchased for $10 and all proceeds go to breast cancer research. A pink pumpkin on the porch will show support for the cause. There are apparently a limited number available — between 100 and 150. The Pumpkin Giveaway goes off  Friday to Sunday, October 19-21, 2012 at Tremblett’s Valu Mart.  It’s a promotion of real estate broker Patrick Rocca and you need a copy of his real estate letter to get a free (orange) pumpkin. You can call him to get one  at (416) 322-8000. This year the giveaway has a haunted house on Sunday, October 21 between noon and 3 pm.

He is perhaps the cleverest political operator in recent times in Ontario. Likable but ruthless. And after his followers voted 85.8% to keep  him on as leader (who else is there?) he gave a speech that tried to turn adversity into advantage.  Last year Dalton McGuinty cancelled a half-built power plant in the middle of the election campaign to get a few votes. Saturday however he told delegates that he is now bigger than base politics. He urged them to be “fearless” in  the face of opposition to his government’s austerity measures because this wasn’t a mere political tactic, this was “the right thing to do.”  Call it Premier Dad’s blood, sweat and tears speech. Politics is such fun,. 

The Mount Pleasant Village Harvest Fair went off today with a good crowd and many enterprising merchants. The attractions ranged from Shiatsu Therapy to shish kabob and from dog treats to doughnuts. Above Brook stands with her funny-looking antique Steam Whistle Beer truck. Just to be clear, Brook is not an antique or funny-looking. Right, this lady is in the kids dress-up business. Love the hat. .

Hundreds of hungry South Bayviewites (and maybe others) lined up to get some delicious barbecue from the annual Royal Bank Barbecue on Bayview Saturday afternoon. The fire and food handling was done by McSorely’s Saloon stalwarts (inset). There was also a friendly hello from Lia Karellas, manager at Bayview Ave and Belsize Drive. The ranks of casual diners were strung out over benches, cement curbs and just about anywhere else they could find to eat. Some were wandering around up by Maurice Cody. Good fun as always.