Leaside library on McRae. Drive and other local libraries are locked today as the strike by some 2300 library workers takes its course. Many employees are walking with pickets and preparing for a rally at noon at City Hall. The issue, as reported n the media, is concern for part time workers. The specifics of this concern have gone unreported. Perhaps news people have no interest in what the library workers union wants. But anyone familiar with business will know that part time employment is a boon to many people who don’t want to work full time. Some part time workers may wish to work more — or full -time — some part time people will wish to work less. The nature of part time work is just that. It isn’t a career. It ends and begins usually at the behest of the part time worker. We are all for protection of these people but what does that mean? Paying them when they’re not at work? Doubling their salaries? Who knows?
Historic lamps in Moore Park and Rosedale
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The vandalizing of the historic street lamps (right) on Rose Park Drive in Moore Park has once again raised the question of the City’s commitment to these original adornments of the neighborhood. They were installed by the long since defunct firm of Reid and Brown. Curiously, the same light standards on Rosedale’s Chestnut Park Drive (left) have been lovingly restored. In the recent acts of vandalism, most of the eight standards on Rose Park had their globes broken. But beyond this, the Moore Park lamps suffer general decline and neglect. On Chestnut Park the lamps are greatly loved and they show it. Note the lamps have not one but two new footings — one of concrete and one of steel. It isn’t clear why this difference exists. It may be that the restoration work on the Rosedale street lamps was done by public subscription.
Vault keeps coffee secure at new Starbucks
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The new Starbucks at Eglinton Ave E and Laird Drive has opened this weekend. It’s a pleasant little place located in the old Canada Trust TD Bank building. One distinguishing feature is the bank vault which as one barista said “keeps the coffee secure.” Starbucks humour. Meanwhile, the other new Starbucks at Mt Plesasant Rd and Soudan Ave is coming along and should be open shortly. Glen Road home asking $5 million
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The National Post’s Home Of The Week this weekend is in Rosedale. It’s at 114 Glen Rd. at Highland Ave. with an asking price of close to $5 million. It has seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Taxes last year were $21,5418. Home Of The Week.
Kate toasted by Irish Guards on St. Patrick’s
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Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards have toasted the Duchess of Cambridge in the Junior Ranks Mess during her St Patrick’s Day visit. Report by Sophie Foster.
“Huge” probe needed into robocalls: Tory aide
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A former aide to Stephen Harper has said the robocall scandal is a matter of something gone wrong “on a scale I’ve never seen before.” Ian BRodie said the mass use of such calls to apparently suppress voting is grounds “for a f–king huge investigation.” Brodie made the remarks in an email to Globe and Mail Columnist Lawrence Martin . The mail was not for publication but was published in a blog anyway. Mariam’s funeral March 24 at Newbigging’s
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The funeral service for Mariam Makhniashvili will be held Saturday, March 24 at 1 p.m. at Murray Newbigging Funeral home at 773 Mt. Pleasant Rd north of Manor Road. A period of visiting will take place Friday, March 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.
The best hockey player who never played
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Herb Carnegie is credited by Jean Beliveau with teaching him how to play hockey The Montreal Canadiens star and Carnegie were teammates with the Quebec Aces of the Quebec senior league when he learned all the tricks of the game from the smooth-skating Carnegie, who was nicknamed “Swivel Hips” because of his puck-handling skill. But Herb Carnegie was black. Had he been white, he would have succeeded instantly to the NHL. A remarkable man who never let the nasty penalty he served for his colour make him bitter has been memorialized following his death at 92. Toronto Star. .
Bell buys radio giant Astral for $3.38 billion
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Canada’s largest telecommunications company BCE Inc. has reached an agreement to buy Astral Media Inc. for $3.38 billion. The transaction will give the Montreal-based company a slate of media assets that include television channels and radio stations across the country. BCE, which owns Bell Media, says the agreement includes $380 million in debt. Astral owns dozens of radio station in Ontario alone. Among the locals are Newstalk 1010 (once known as CFRB) Boom 87.3, Oldies 1150 in Hamilton and EZ Rock 105.7. The deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval from the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission. Astral is Canada’s largest radio broadcaster with 80 radio stations in 54 markets including NewsTalk 1010, BOOM 97.3 and Virgin Radio 99.9 here in Toronto. It is also the country’s largest broadcaster of English- and French-language pay and specialty TV services including The Movie Network, HBO Canada, Viewers Choice, Teletoon and the Family Channel. Bell Media owns 33 radio stations including here in Toronto, CHUM-FM, FLOW and TSN Radio. On the TV side, big holdings including CTV, CP-24, TSN, Much Music, Discovery, Animal Planet. 75 per cent of the deal will be in cash while 25 per cent will be in BCE common stocks. Ian Greenburg, the CEO of Astral calls the transaction “an excellent transaciton for Astral, it’s shareholder sand employees.” He calls the fit with Bell “a natural.” A news conference was set for 9:45 a.m., Friday, in Montreal to announce the details of the sale.
Future Shop break-in an Inside Job?
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The Future Shop at 845 Eglinton Avenue East in the RioCan Plaza at Laird reports that on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at approximately2.30 am. “unknown suspects” entered the store by unknown means and removed a quantity of audio and computer equipment. Break-ins like this usually cause speculation that the crime was an “inside job” perpetrated with the use of a key. No word that this was the case at Future Shop at Egliuton and Laird, but it is suspicious, especially as police are not releasing descriptions. The security system would have tipped the time of the break-in and it seems likely the crooks were caught on tape. .
Krawchuk area residents meet Councillor
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A report from Krawchuk Lane resident Isaac Gould informs that Councillor Parker met residents concerned about the 7-storey condo application now pending for 2 Laird Dr, the location of the old Postal Station R. Some 30 residents of Malcolm Rd, Krawchcuk Lane and Randolph Rd. were present. When asked about his vision for the property Mr. Parker said, “Well, I work for you, I want to hear what your vision is, this will inform my opinion”. Mr. Gould said: “It is my opinion that he was receptive to the group. He wants our neighbourhood to remain beautiful and for transition buildings/development to meet expectations of the official city plan. He also noted that our group was well organized and that we would be invited to a community meeting down the road when applications have been considered at the municipal level.”
Thunderstorm alert for Toronto this afternoon
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The Weather Channel has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Toronto. As noted by the icon above, the bright red line is your warning to take precautions.