As South Bayview waits and wonders about the large space at 1531, one thing seems very clear. The space to be vacated by Shoppers Drug Mart has absolutely been spoken for. A deal has been done. No other explanation can account for the dead silence which surrounds the future of this property, which is located between Passion Fruit and the CIBC. As we know, there is much speculation that the space will house a dollar store. And just this week Dollarama, the largest dollar store in the country, announced that it intends to expand aggresively — as many as 50 stores within a year. There may be no connection with the Dollarama growth, but tongues will wag after all.
Why did RIM chief get so rattled on BBC?
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It’s the talk of the business world and of interest to all smart phone users, especially those using Blackberries. RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis blew up at an interviewer who questioned him about the security of users data in places like India, where the government is pressing to monitor information in the interests of anti-terrorism. This article from PC Magazine attempts to explain.
Whitney PS holds the Main Event May 26
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An imaginative fundraiser will be held by the parents of Whitney Public School on Saturday, May, 26, 2011. The Whitney Main Event will be held at the Brick Works, 55o Bayview Ave. The event begins at 7 pm. The Main Event will contribute proceeds to educational opportunities for the 300 students of Whitney. It will also assist other less privileged children by contributing a portion of the proceeds to the Brick Works Education Fund. Above, we see spirited Whitney kids heading off on a Terry Fox anniversary run. The grocery store that ate the world
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Loblaw’s says it’s ready to roll out Everydayliving. There’s a news release here. Some of this looks a little warmed over because it’s all about Joe Mimran’s prevously-announced tent-like consumer product thrust. It contains everything from photofinishing to jogging togs. Truly a big-top. As stated, Loblaws announcement seems to precursor a grocery store that wants to eat the world. And they’re joining a lot of other stores that want to eat the world. You doubt us? Well, there’s Target, Walmart, Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart and of course Loblaws. There are no doubt more. It may be difficult to keep things straight. Will Loblaws have Chanel scents beside the poultry? Will they sell you a shirt at Shoppers? Tartar sauce at Target? Please don’t worry about such things. Retailers just don’t believe in staying focused anymore.
Eating an appple a day really is good for you
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Researchers at Florida State University are astonished at the positive effect of apples on our health. But why? We think someday wrote a little bit of doggeral an eternity ago saying this. Here.
Air Canada to start low-cost airline
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Air Canada is apparently drawing up a plan to start a low-coast airline to compete with carriers like Air Transat. Here.
Foundation goes in at 75 Vanderhoof
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Between modest bungalows the work for a new home was going on Tuesday at 75 Vanderhoof Ave. At the top, the ever-inspiring sight of the concrete chute arching over the neighborhood. Lower left, the point man is balancing on the concrete forms directing the cement. Meanwhile, on the street (lower right) a veritable conga line of cement mixers waits to finish the job. The Honda convertible that never was
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An elaborate April Fool’s joke had many people thinking that Honda was about to produce a convertible version of its Crosstour SUV. The photo-shopped picture above appeared April 1, 2011 on the Autoblog site and was quickly picked up. It was said that Honda had decided to “take on” Nissan for the convertible crossover market, a segment of the population so far entirely unknown to anyone. As is public, Nissan is indeed producing a convertible version of its popular Murano SUV. And a reminder for the gullible, believers and non-believers alike, the Murano story appeared nearly two years ago on the Internet with a photo-shopped picture. Nissan vigorously denied it was going to produce the car. But it will go on sale in the U.S. this month. Truly, hard to know what to believe. City sets up “email parking ticket court”
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The City of Toronto has launched a page on the municipal website which explains how drivers may quickly appeal parking tickets. In fact, the appeal may be submitted by email or facsimile. The appeal must come with a valid pay-and-display receipt. Reasons for appeal include tickets that have been issued as a result of a broken or out of service pay-and-display machine or parking meter, pay-and-display receipts that have not been displayed properly, or pay-and-display receipts that were printed incorrectly. Some comment has arisen as to how an out-of-service meter can provide proof of payment but this may another reason to make sure you have your camera handy. A picture can identify a faulty meter. It’s a beginning as they say. Here is a previous post of parking ticket rules.
Day Two of gas main work goes well
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Day Two of the gas main replacement on South Bayview has seen a fairly efficient process of (upper right) digging the trench and (left) connecting the new plastic main before putting it in the trench. Lower left, the main is covered with a type of temporary concrete. This took place on the west side within a distance stretching from Belsize to a spot in front of the Bayview Dental Clinic. The narrowing of traffic led to trouble for a delivery driver (lower right) when he parked on the east sidewalk. There was no ticket. Work was finished by 3 pm. Work will now begin on the rest of Bayview. The main to be replaced runs from Millwood to Parkhurst Blvd. Residents there will wish to be warned that the contractor, Link-Line, is scheduled to replace mains all through Leaside, starting on Parkhurst. Interestingly, the old cast iron main is simply left in the ground. The foreman indicates that his crews will return to the newly-laid main at some point, breaking the temporary concrete and making the necessary connections to take the gas into buildings. He also suggested once again that the priority is such so that the City can lay new sidewalks on South Bayview this year. Breezy enough for you?
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South Bayview had its full share of skittering patio chairs, wind-driven slamming doors and fly-away children’s balloons this afternoon. No falling glass as was the case at the Canada Centre downtown however. According to the Weather Channel gusts hit 75 km, enough to blow you over if you’re not too steady on your feet. Tonight the winds will die down with gusts of no more than 30 km predicted.
Globe and Mail story on Leaside traffic
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The Globe and Mail has done a microscopic analysis of Leaside traffic, particularly on Laird drive. Apparently it’s pretty awful for pedestrians and drivers alike. (Let us know if you recognize the perplexed gentleman shown by the Globe). For those who have been finding their way through the funny little dog’s leg at Wicksteed and Macrae for decades it may all seem overdone. But, the story does contain information about how — someday – the intersection may have a shorter crossover for pedestrians. This will be done by changing the ramp like turn from Macrae south onto Laird. There is a reference in the story to a building in the way, and this would appear to be the old CIBC branch. Actually, it’s time for them to find a new location. Here is the Globe’s story.