Copies of Jane Pitfield’s Book Leaside are available the Leaside Memorial Arena or by calling (416) 456-3665. All proceeds are being donated by the author to the arena expansion fund. Each copy is $28. Many know the story of Leaside but the brief synopsis reminds us again of the rich history of the town. Leaside is a most comprehensive look at the people, significant events and built heritage, all of which contributed to the creation of this distinctive community. Named after John Lea, a successful farmer, whose house, built in 1829, is believed to be the first brick house in York County, Leaside grew from a railway settlement into a prosperous urban town. With its roots embedded in the history of three railways, Leaside has a unique industrial heritage that played a key role in the war effort during both World Wars, including its being the site of munitions plants, a wooden plane factory, and a base for the Royal Flying Corps. Leaside was also home to the Durant Motors of Canada, and later the Nash cars, Canada Wire and Cable, and the popular Thorncliffe Race Track. Did you know that Canada’s first airmail delivery touched down in Leaside and that an Olympic calibre ski jump once operated in the Don Valley? Jane Pitfield’s Leaside represent a nostalgic journey into the heritage of a most remarkable neighbourhood, still proudly retaining its identity as part of Toronto.

South Bayviewland was treated to the sight a magnificent full moon Saturday evening. The clear skies that have brought very nice late autumn weather made a fine background for the lunar orb. It is seen here from Merton Street west of Mt. Pleasant. The local sight follows what was reportedly a good total eclipse of the full moon early Saturday. It was however only visible in the skies over the Pacific Northwest. This was the last total lunar eclipse until 2014 and one of only 85 times this century that the moon will be totally eclipsed, according to astronomers. The most recent total lunar eclipse in June 2011 was visible from every continent on Earth except North America.

The Ontario Government says it will make public the nanes of teachers who behave badly. The identity and actions of so-called rogue teachers will no longer be kept secret. The action seems to have come on the prompting of a crusade in the Toronto Star which can be recalled here.

The return of parking meters to the east side of South Bayview (see post one down) raises the perennial question of whether South Bayview should have a Business Improvement Association (BIA). More and better parking is a goal of almost any business district. In this respect, BIAs can be divided into have and have-not bodies. Frequently, those with masses of parking (such as the Danforth and Kingsway) are able to use it to attract business from some distance. When the parking comes with a subway underneath it, the BIA and its members are no doubt headed for success. South Bayview however comes with not much parking and no mass transit. Even the proposed crosstown LRT, whenever its built, will dump passengers off at Bayview and Eglinton, a good distance from the shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, BIAs have very little control over the creation of new parking. At a somewhat rancorous meeting to discuss a BIA last year, it was clear that at least some in South Bayview are hoping to somehow replicate the Taste of the Danforth on South Bayview. Structurally, this seems like quite a challenge. But in any case, experience has shown that BIA membership frequently breaks down along a line separating restaurant owners and food outlets from specialty shop owners. On the Danforth, many specialty retailers simply lock up their shops during the food festivities. Specialty retailers tend to seek a less flamboyant type of BIA. It may well be that South Bayview would benefit from a BIA, higher taxes notwithstanding. There is no doubt that traffic is down in this economy. But those who wish for a BIA should be sure they are getting what they’re looking for. Taste of the Danforth Picture Courtesy of Peter Rehak, Toronto Photographer

Thursday morning has seen the return of the parking meters to the east side of South Bayview. The meters were taken out to permit construction of new sidewalks. While they were gone, there was no ticketing. It’s a source of some grief to many merchants who believe that consumers are now making the decision on where to shop on the basis of parking — free or the City’s “gotcha” style. Anecdotes reveal that local residents are doing so. The Royal Bank at Bayview and Belsize has seen the loss of a few customers to the new Royal Bank branch on Laird Drive, where the parking is free.

The man on the right is using a laser to measure the location and height of wires and other equipment on the utility poles lining South Bayview. His job yesterday was to assess the viability of placing a further string of wires on the poles, this time from Rogers Communications. We asked him about the massive project of two summers ago (left) which saw electrical conduits buried under Bayview so that the above-ground wires could come down. “I don’t see that happening any time soon,” he replied. The mills of Hydro One grind slowly, it seems.