As long as Toronto is a magnet to the world, Royal Bank of Canada seems to feel there’s no reason to fear a collapse of housing and condo prices. RBC’s senior economist Robert Hogue said in the report that demand in Toronto is line with supply. He said that Toronto’s condo building frenzy over the last few years is mainly a response to the steep drop in new single-family homes being built. Efforts by the Ontario government to stem urban sprawl in the GTA is one of the reasons why developers are being forced to build laterally, said Mr. Hogue. The GTA sees about 30,000 new households a year.
Power out to Leaside, Davisville Village
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A power outage last night darkened some 1800 homes in Leaside and Davisville Village between about 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. The impact of the blackout seems to have been felt beyond that perimeter however as there was a failure of Bell Internet service during a corresponding period for a larger area. Homes in Moore Park were without Bell service until about 10.30. Telephones continued to work. The brief power outage left customers both residential and commercial in the dark throughout an area between Mt Pleasant Road and Laird Drive, bounded by Eglinton Avenue to the north and Milwood Road to the south.
Arena chairman on temporary problems
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Brooke Biscoe, Arena Board Chair, Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, has written to explain the temporary inconveniences around the arena while construction of the new pad goes on Here’s his report If you’ve driven by the arena in the past week you know that things are starting to happen! The perimeter fence is up, the site has been cleared and construction is underway. Thank you again to everyone who has helped get us to this point. The arena board met last week with representatives from our three main user groups and from the Curling Club to discuss some of the issues we will face during the coming year of construction. Of course we don’t yet know all the details of what the impacts will be. But the Expansion Committee, the contractor and city officials are working closely together and meeting regularly. I intend to be back in touch with you before Labour Day with more information about parking and alternative access instructions, and with what we might know at that point about any potential service disruptions. I assure you that we will do our best to keep the arena user groups and the Leaside community informed of all developments, and I ask for your patience and co-operation throughout the coming year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Movie theatre killer silent, detached
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| James Eagan Holmes |
His hair dyed orange and looking strangely detached, James Eagan Holmes, 24, made his first appearance in court today in Colorado. He is accused of killing a dozen people in a movie theater during the midnight showing of the new “Batman” film. Holmes was silent as he sat in a red jailhouse jump suit. He was accompanied by a woman lawyer. He was shackled at the wrists and ankles. About 40 members of the victim’s families were seated on the left side of the courtroom. One family member seated in the front row glared at Holmes throughout the entire proceeding.
Ford declares “no BS” at McGuinty meeting
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Mayor Ford says that there will be “no BS”at his meeting with Premier McGuinty this afternoon when they discuss the gang violence issue. Globe and Mail
Woman survives rollover at Finch/Bayview
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A woman driving a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV has had a narrow escape from serious injury or death. Her car apparently veered across Finch Ave East as she was travelling westbound on Sunday afternoon and plummeted into a ravine. The car is said to have knocked down trees in its plunge into the ravine. The woman, who is 51, is said to have been able to get out of the overturned vehicle and is thought to be alright except for minor injuries. The picture inset from Google shows the southeast corner of Finch and Bayview where a grassy slope drops off quickly into a heavily treed gully.
Strip clubs to look for dancers in schools: Sun
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Judo on the lawn at Manor Road United
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These enterprising young people spend a pleasant Saturday morning working on their belts-to-be on the lawn at Manor Road United Church.
Murdoch quits boards of all his newspaers
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Rupert Murdoch has resigned as a director of a string of companies in his embattled newspaper empire, a move that could result in the octogenarian ending a six-decade-long love affair with print media.Filings with Companies House in Britain reveal that Mr Murdoch stepped down from the boards of the News International group, Times Newspaper Holdings and News Corp Investments last week, following a scandal-riddled year for his British newspaper empire.The mogul has also quit a number of News Corporation’s boards in the US, the details of which have yet to be disclosed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He is expected to quit the boards of some of his Australian companies this week. The move follows last month’s announcement that News Corp will separate its publishing assets from its film and television businesses.
Rachel’s Coffee House on Yonge near Belsize
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Here is an extensive and picture-rich review of an enterprising new business at 2011 Yonge Street between Belsize Drive and Manor Rd. Rachels Coffee House is the creation of Maria and Jack Chan. They were operators of a Second Cup franchise in the Eaton Centre for more than a decade. They seem to know what they’re doing. Good luck to Maria and Jack in what is a dynamic and challenging business. BlogTO
High service family store looks at Canada
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The much admired U.S. department store chain Nordstrom is checking out three locations across Canada for possible expansion here. The family-owned business is beloved by its customers and is renowned for service. The company sends thank you notes to customers and has been known to deliver locally for free. (Sound like Homefront). Nordstrom is said to be assessing locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa. In Toronto, Sherway Gardens is on Nortdtroms radar. It is said Nordstrom is prepared to open Canadian locations at Calgary’s Chinook Centre, Vancouver’s Pacific Centre and Ottawa’s Rideau Centre. Those three locations have recently been vacated by Sears department stores during its recent downsizing.This is camp visiting day across Ontario
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Today (July 21, 2012) is Visitor’s Day at kids summer camps across Ontario. In some parts of Toronto, it will seem rather quiet if not absolutely empty as parents head out to see their children. Most camps permit just one visiting day per summer. At one of the largest camps, White Pine, hours of visiting are strictly monitored from 1 p.m. (parking) and 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. for visiting. It is also a chance for parents to meet the counsellor and section heads who look after the children. Many businesses in town notice the difference in their traffic on Visitor’s Day.