Dutch teen sailor Laura Dekker has beaten Jessica Watson’s record for youngest solo world tour
Fund for Newman boys set up by family
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As reported below, the three sons of Katherine and Kyle Newman have been left without their parents following the shocking violence of ten days ago. The trust fund site, which can be accessed by clicking on the headline above, states the following wishes and hopes:
While some continue to have questions about the circumstances behind these tragic events, due to the continuing police investigation and in sensitivity to the three young survivors, there will be no further comment from the family. Katherine was a wonderful woman who we loved deeply and her single concern was her children, therefore, out of respect for her memory, the family will only respond to questions about the boys’ Education and Care Fund. Ensuring that they have a promising future and helping them rebuild after this senseless act is our sole interest. Again, thank you to family and friends who have expressed their condolences. Our hearts are broken and the pain we all feel is overwhelming. Though we can never replace the loss of Katherine’s light from our lives, we have three living reminders of the love she brought to us, and to this world, and we will always be endlessly thankful for them.
Brilliant Saturday warmed South Bayview
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A brilliant Saturday brought out the shoppers along South Bayview, and no doubt provided ideal conditions for many other activities. Although temperatures barely broke above zero, the sunshine made many people warm indeed. Sunday is forecast to be similar with the high predicted at minus one. Next week temps are expected to creep above freezing during the day.
Two weeks in the life of 48 Donlea Drive
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Pictures taken January 5, 2012 (left) and January 20, 2012 (right) show how the generally nice weather is driving construction in our area.
New fence in classical style along Moore Ave.
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Residents of Bennington Heights and Moore Park have no doubt noticed that there is a fine new fence going in along the souith perimeter of Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Work began at the west end and is about a third of the way down to the other, which is the line between the cemetery and the IntegraCare offices at Bayview. Builders on the scene boasted that their construction is fully welded (not clamped) and that while galvanized steel looks like wrought iron, it will never rust. The fence is in a standardized classical style and replaces (right) the badly aged chain link fence.
Donors come through for Leaside Arena
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The following mail has been sent by Brook Biscoe, Arena Board Chair. He notes that local contributions have met the #2.5 million target to obtain City support:
Last night Toronto City Council approved the Leaside Arena Expansion Project as part of the 2012 city budget. The $12.5 million project includes a $7.5 million loan from the city and a $1.5 million loan from the province against future operating revenues, $1 million from the city in accelerated capital improvements, and $2.5 million raised by the local community.
As you know we undertook to have met this local fundraising target by the time city council voted on the budget. And I am pleased to say that we succeeded! Yesterday Expansion Committee Chair Paul Mercer and Fundraising Committee Chair Charlene Kalia confirmed that the $2.5 million cash-in-hand local fundraising target “to get a shovel in the ground” was achieved on Monday and that this information was formally passed on to city officials. Full letter here.
David MacDonald at Leaside United Church
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We’re notified in mail from Geoff Kettel that the Rev. David MacDonald will speak at Leaside United Church this Sunday, January 22, 2012. Mr. MacDonald will preach during Sunday Service at 10.30 am followed by a discussion at a “Justice Cafe” that will begin shortly after the service. Everyone is welcome. Mr. MacDonald has had an interesting political career as a member of the Progressive Ccponservative Party. He was first elected to the Commons in 1965 and represented ridings in Prince Edward Island from 1965-1980, and also served in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Joe Clark. He later represented the riding of Toronto Centre Rosedale in the early 1980s. He was deeply involved with African famine issues in the 1980s and since 1998 he has been the United Church of Canada’s Special Advisor on Residential Schools.
COBS will re-open tomorrow
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COBS the bakery is closed for a week to replace flooring in the bread making area at the back of the store. COBS on South Bayview will re-open for business Monday, January 23, 2012
Tim Hortons adds gigantic 24 oz cup
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Tim Hortons is growing the size of its paper cups at the top end. A NEW extra large cup will now tempt Tim fans who really want to float in their java. This top end cup will carry 24 ounces. If you’re a Old extra large drinker and you want to stay that way, you’ll have to order a Large. The company has provided a picture-easy lineup above. But Tim’s will probably get a windfall from those who inadvertently order their old size by mistake and find they have to pay a few cents more.
Ship sinking is likely to hit the entire industry
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The sinking of the Costa Concordia has sent a wave of apprehension across the cruise world. The effect is world wide as tourist industry officials in Florida brace up for mass cancellations. The Italian cruise line Costa is owned by Florida based Carnival. It is said to be the Miami area’s eighth largest employer. Veterans of the cruise line industry can’t remember an accident more dramatic than the one that captivated the world’s attention this weekend. Some are comparing the potential chill on business to the sudden drop of business after September 11, 2001.
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What we owe Agnes Macphail
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Agnes Macphail was a committed public servant who was most notable for being the first woman Member of Parliament. She was elected under various progressive banners and served in the Commons from 1921 to 1940. For a time she lived at 2 Dongeall Dr. This is a duplex which is also known as 720 Millwood. In 1943 Ms Macphail was elected to the Ontario Legislature for the riding of York East. Thus she has more than a passing connection with the Leaside neighborhood, which was part of York East. The movement to give heritage status to the home at 2 Donegall has been widely supported by many local people. It is a well-intentioned effort to remember this feisty politician. A different view, however, would be that Agnes Macphail would be remembered more appropriately by the naming of a park or street in her honour. The designation of heritage status to a residence is carefully considered by City Council and correctly so. Leaside is an established neighborhood but the designation of heritage status to a residence introduces a static condition to a property. We think it would be better to honour Macphail in a way that is easier and more public.
The glorious triumph of managing our money
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You don’t have to like Rob Ford to get it. Now writer Michael Gee is making the same point in the Globe and Mail. Gee concludes that Mayor Ford is correct to resist using the $154 million budget surplus to feed Toronto’s insatiable appetite for cash. And he has suggested what so many citizens know in their hearts to be true. The City of Toronto has been mismanaged for decades. There may be plenty wrong with Rob Ford. But in the end, he is the first Mayor of Toronto in a long time who knows how to count.