Make what you will of it. June-to-June comparisons apparently show a decline in Toronto-area house sales. This contrasts with a very buoyant Spring in Toronto sales. According to figures printed in the Star, home sales declined 5.4 per cent across the GTA last month, lead by a 13 per cent downturn in sales in the City of Toronto over June of 2011. Statistics come from the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB.) Realists note however that it’s not a buyer’s market until prices come down and that hasn’t happened yet.
Arrest made in threats on Scarborough teacher
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Toronto Police have arrested a teen boy and allege he is part of a gang of teenagers who have been launching attacks and various harassment at Scarborough teacher Mike Greer. The incidents have ranged from a Molotov cocktail thrown into Greer’s driveway to drive-bys with kids screaming threats at Greer. The teacher apparently has aroused this behavior because he complained about rowdy all night activity in the school yard next to his house and has also tipped off police to a break-in he witnessed. Toronto Star
West Nile mosquitoes near Bayview, Lawrence
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The waters feeding the green and leafy countryside near Bayview Ave and Lawrence Ave E have apparently been spawning mosquitoes that have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Toronto Public Health has announced that a number of the pests were found in the area around the Glendon College Union (inset). Laboratory results indicating the virus was present were sent to Toronto Public Health on Tuesday. Although frequently those infected hardly know they have it, the virus is potentially deadly. In 2002 there were 163 known cases of the disease and 11 deaths. Since 2005 there have been no deaths. There were 71 cases reported in Ontario last year with no deaths. Health officials counsel mosquito repellent, long sleeves and avoiding the early morning and dusk periods when mosquitoes are busy looking for uncovered skin.
Julian Fantino appointed to replace Bev Oda
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Julian Fantino has been promoted to the cabinet as Minister of International Co-operation replacing Bev Oda. It was one of two changes made very quietly by the Prime Minister today. The second was the appointment of Bernard Valcourt as the junior defense minister. The elevation of Fantino, the member for Vaughan, is not particularly surprising. The former chief of police for Toronto and the OPP has been made to wait while favour and status worked their way through the system. With the abrupt resignation (dismissal) of Ms. Oda, Fantino’s time had come.Leaside Lawn Bowling fundraiser this month
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The Leaside Lawn Bowling Club has scheduled a fundraising evening every Thursday in the month of July The regular event will raise funds to assist in research of Cystic Fibrosis. InsideToronto.com
Yonge between Millwood and Imperial
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On the dynamic section of Yonge Street between Millwood Rd. and Imperial Street, there’s lots going on. The old TD Bank (upper left) is being used for filming purposes. They seem to have a lot of stories so it isn’t clear just what’s going on. Must be an industry secret. We hope that elegant old bank structure is headed for something better than that. Right, the place we call the best LCBO store we ever had, is in a hiatus of sorts. Half of it has been torn down, the other half stands. Some cultured gentlemen who are connected with the project said it was destined to be a bank. “A Bank of Montreal, I hope,” said one. Sounds a little tentative. Across the street is the grand new TD Bank and lower right the now divided up Rogers store as that company junks its video rental business. The back half of the store will go up for lease when Rogers lease runs out. The same rationalization is going on at the Rogers store in the Sunnybrook Plaza.
Michael says “See You in September”
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Seems that when it gets this hot some people just want to go away. That appears to be the case with Michael, genial owner of Horticultural Design at 1610 South Bayview. Michael has once again made his seasonal getaway leaving a large sign reminiscent of the Beach Boys refrain — See you In September. Okay Michael, whatever you say. But the rest of us are still here.
Gyro Hyundai aiming to open early next year
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An important addition to Laird Drive is the planned auto dealership at the corner of Laird and Industrial Street. Signs have gone up giving us a rendering of Gyro Hyundai, a new car showroom and service centre owned by the principals of Gyro Mazda across the street. The signs say Gyro Hyundai is intended to be open sometime early in 2013.
James Lea home priced at $3.95 million
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Readers will have noticed from a post of two or three days ago that the beautiful home at 33 Heather Road in Leaside is for sale. It is of 1902 construction and was originally occupied by the family of James Lea. The list price is $3.95 million 33 Heather is said to sit on a lot 80 x 150 feet widening to 92. It was renovated in 2004 but continues to preserve the original home. There are about 5,000 sq. feet of living space Previous post with picture.
Canadian stocks flying high near close
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Canadian stocks shot up Tuesday following the long holiday weekend The S&P/TSX Composite Index ballooned 250.29 points, or 2.2%, to approach noon ET at 11,846.85 The Canadian dollar grew 0.47 cents to 98.79 cents U.S. Canadian markets were closed Monday in observance of Canada Day. Gold miners made headway with Centerra Gold. Corp. climbing 10.4% and NovaGold Resources Inc.adding 6%. Also making notable moves were Canacol Energy, up 6.6%, and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International rising 5%. Economically speaking, a report from the Royal Bank commented on manufacturing this morning. The RBC Canadian Manufacturing PMI for June managed to inch higher for the fifth consecutive month. However, the improvement was slight, rising to 54.8 from 54.7 in May. Any reading above 50 indicates improving conditions in the manufacturing sector with the wider the gap above this break even level, the greater the extent of the improvement. Courtesy TSX
Barclays Bank scandal claims CEO
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The AP video here is a summary of the surface events in the Barclays scandal. To understand the scandal we recommend the linked story from the Telegraph newspaper at the bottom of this post. The issue, and it requires a study, is about how banks are manipulating the London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) improperly to their advantage. The Telegraph story sheds a lot of light. Telegraph.co.uk
Toronto isn’t Manhattan or Hong Kong
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The concern that downtown Toronto’s high-rise condo frenzy will lead to something called Manhattanization is explored in the linked CBC.ca story. It’s thought provoking but the bald prediction that this trend will change family housing dreams may be a bit over-stated. There’s nothing that says people must buy those glass boxes in the sky. Toronto has much more real estate than either Manhattan or Hong Kong. Those who want to live in a home with a garden (like you fortunate denizens of South Bayview and environs) will still be able to find one, even if it’s at a bit of a distance from Central Toronto. It’s true that the stock of single family homes south of Lawrence or York Mills is fixed. But that has been true for a long time. Demand for those units has been intense for many decades. CBC.ca