Elaine Snider, Chair, Community Relations Committee at the Leaside Gardens has written an informative letter regarding the digital sign proposal being put forth. Community consultation is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:30pm, at the Gardens (1073A Millwood Road, in the Boardroom).

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May 10, 2016

We’re On Your Side

After more than 30 years, it’s time to change the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens billboard. Technically speaking, the old sign no longer conforms to the city’s legal standards for billboard signs, and practically speaking, the new proposed sign will afford the arena and the community many much improved benefits. While the new sign would be located in the same location as the old billboard, it would be created using the latest technology in both construction and communication, giving it a clean and contemporary aesthetic.

Here are 3 reasons why we are advocates for the new sign:

1. Increased Revenue: The new Leaside Memorial Community Gardens sign will generate 4x the revenue for the Gardens at no cost to the Gardens or the community. The money generated will significantly impact the financial well-being of the Gardens and be used to off-set our ice costs.
2. Showcase our Community: The sign will have two sides; one dedicated to advertising (this side will be facing the railway tracks) and one side exclusively for community and Gardens events and announcements (this side will be facing North into Leaside). The custom designed 10’x10’ digital sign can be used as a communication tool within our community and as such, the community, user groups at the arena as well as other community organizations will have access to this space, free of charge.
3. Landmark for the Gardens: Currently, the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens does not have an identifying sign on Laird Avenue. The new sign will have the arena name (similar to the sign on the east facing the wall of the arena), identifying the building and making it easy to spot while driving on Laird Avenue.

What we would like the Leaside community to understand is that as a Board, we discussed at great lengths the pros and cons of the proposed sign, with the highest regard and respect for the community we all live and work in. Like many of you, we had questions and concerns about the proposal. For instance, we were concerned about the light level of the sign and it being a distraction to nearby homes and drivers. What we found out is this: the sign will have the lowest possible ambient level and that the lights must be turned off by 11:00pm as per city by-laws. This level of light, called NITS level, is so low that one could not read a newspaper underneath the light. Another concern we had was with the size of the sign. It will be 16’ higher and 15’ longer (our existing sign is 10’ by 20’ and is 20’ from ground to top, whereas the new sign would be 10’ by 35’ and will be 36’ from ground to top.) But in looking at the design, it’s clear it does not look out of place and fits very nicely with the Gardens existing aesthetic and architecture.

With the community and the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens in mind, we are advocates for the new proposed sign. The revenue and the ability to showcase our community and the Gardens the new sign affords us is an opportunity for us all.

Please join us in giving your support for the new proposed sign by writing City Councillor Jon Burnside at councillor_burnside@toronto.ca.

For more information, please call Henry Stachelbeck at 416-421-4944.

Elaine Snider
Chair, Community Relations Committee
Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management
Southlea Avenue

CBC has located the man who shot some unbelievable dashcam footage that illustrates the severity of the situation that residents of Fort McMurray are facing. Burning embers are falling like rain onto their cars as the flames encroach onto the escape routes. Have a look.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Ottawa will match individual donations made to the Canadian Red Cross to help those affected by the raging wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Fire officials in Alberta do not yet know what started a galloping wildfire that has driven the population out of Fort McMurray but they believe the only relief will come from rain. Winds of 70 km/h have fanned the fire to an astonishing 85,000 hectares overnight. It is burning on several fronts. The main fire, south of the city, is expected to continue to burn out of control today and perhaps for many days to come

The 17th annual Doors Open Toronto presented by Great Gulf returns on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2016, offering free and rare access to more than 130 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city. The South Bayview Bulldog has prepared a list of interesting buildings close to home. The Doors Open Toronto 2016 theme of Re-used, Re-visited and Revised will explore the adaptive re-use of buildings throughout Toronto’s architectural history. For more  go here

Some locations handy to South Bayview:

The Anglican Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury
1847 Bayview Ave.
416-485-2656
More Information

Glendon Campus, York University – Glendon Hall
2275 Bayview Ave.
416-736-2100
More Information

Glendon Campus, York University – Centre of Excellence
2275 Bayview Ave.
416-736-2100
More Information

Canadian Film Centre (CFC) – Historic Windfields Estates
2489 Bayview Ave.
416-445-1446
More Information

Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
67 Pottery Rd.
416-396-2819
More Information

Richard Johnson Gallery
894 Broadview Ave.
416-755-7742
More Information

Bridgepoint Administration Building – Historic Don Jail
1 Bridgepoint Way
416-461-8252
More Information

Ismaili Centre Toronto
49 Wynford Dr.
416-646-6965
More Information

Aga Khan Museum
77 Wynford Dr.
416-646-4677
More Information

Toronto Botanical Garden
777 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-397-1341
More Information

Upper Canada College
200 Lonsdale Rd.
418-488-1125
More Information

The Masonic Temple – The Concert Hall
888 Yonge St.
844-618-3192
More Information

 

Prince, the superstar American singer-songwriter known for his musicianship, wide appeal and many award-winning hits, has died at age 57. Prince “died at his home this morning at Paisley Park,” according to his publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.Deputies responded to a medical call about 9:43 a.m. local time, according to Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson. CBC, Global

A British cat survived eight days in the mail after she was accidentally sealed in a box of DVDs and sent 400 miles. “Cupcake” travelled from Cornwall to West Sussex.  She was severely dehydrated when she reached her destination, but otherwise okay.  Nine lives indeed.

As condolences flow in, the City awaits to hear of the family’s plans for funeral services for former mayor Rob Ford. Plans will be shared with the municipal administration and some form of official honour will be paid. The City’s protocol office says state funerals are normally reserved for sitting mayors, but exceptions can be made. Mr. Ford succumbed Tuesday to the soft tissue cancer he had fought for nearly two years. The high marks of his mayoralty — privatization of garbage collection west of Yonge Street and his populist bear-hug of Toronto — are being recalled tonight. The sometimes less than polished Ford was known to have once called himself “300 pounds of fun.”  He was disliked by many for his political toughness on government spending. But it was his weaknesses to drugs and alcohol that led to his loss of public support. His secret and then public use of such substances scandalized the City and humiliated its chief executive. Ford was first elected as City Councillor for Ward 2 in 2000. He built a name for himself by attacking councillor office budgets, using his own money to pay for his expenses and giving his cellphone number out to any constituent that needed his help. The following statement was issued by his chief of staff Dan Jacobs. CBC

“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46.

A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.

The family asks that you respect their privacy and join them in their grieving and their prayers.

The family will not be making any statements to the media or taking any questions. Information will follow at a later time regarding memorial services.

Over his decade and a half in municipal politics, Ford won a devoted following for being a straight talker who championed the average taxpayer.”

A 3-month-old baby has been found safe in his father’s stolen car on Dixon Road after a desperate search during the late afternoon Sunday. The father had dashed into the Dr. Flea’s flea market at Highway 27 near Albion road and left the motor of his car running. He saw the thief taking it and through the assistance of others gave chase. But he lost contact. There was fear the child might be left in the overnight cold but police say that at first appearances the child is fine. In the aftermath, the emotionally overwhelmed parents made statements of deep gratitude on CP24. The father thanked the police, the public, the media and, interestingly, the car thief. He said that at least this person had a conscience. It seems clear the vehicle was left in an obvious place where it would be seen by someone who knew of the crisis created by its theft. Detectives said it was found on Dixon Road. Abducted boy was left in running car outside flea market

Statesmen and reporters are striving for the essence of the day and the sight of young Justin Trudeau with Barak Obama at the White House. John Ivison in the National Post says the men are behaving toward each other with a kind of mutual reverence. Mr.Trudeau in his remarks placed the relationship with the United States in a category all of its own. Many people will think that could mean different things, for good or ill. All news leads  Canadian Press has selected quotes from prime minister’s remarks at White House.
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What a fabulous day to build a snowman in Toronto!

The Bulldog would love to see your snowman, snowfort or any other snow creations you can come up with!  (Wonder if anyone will attempt a  snowdog!)

Send us your pics at news@bayview-news.com

By 9 am Tuesday, Toronto had already picked up 4 cm of snow, while Kingston and Montreal had reported closer to 10 cm.

“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” warned Environment Canada in a winter storm advisory issued for eastern Ontario Tuesday morning.

Parts of eastern Ontario, including the city of Ottawa, could see 25-35+ cm of snow, with the highest amounts closest to the Ontario/Quebec border.

Norway’s skiing, swimming cat has gone viral.  The Bulldog admires his skills.  You can follow Jesper’s all-season adventures on his very own Facebook Page.

News Release – February 12, 2016  Today, the City of Toronto announced its contingency plan for service delivery in the event of a labour disruption involving members of the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union (TCEU) Local 416 (CUPE) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79.

“We remain very much committed to reaching negotiated settlements but we must also be responsible in preparing our operational contingency plans in advance of a potential labour disruption,” said City Manager Peter Wallace. “As always, there is a high priority on maintaining public safety and ensuring the delivery of as many critical services as possible.”

In the event of a labour disruption, Toronto Police, Fire Services, Paramedic Services, Long-Term Care Homes and Services (Homes for the Aged) as well as the TTC, Toronto Community Housing properties and most Toronto Public Library branches would not be affected. The City remains prepared to respond to emergency situations. The City’s water supply and sewage treatment systems will also continue to function within established safety and quality standards.

In the event of a labour disruption, there will be significant impacts to services and programs. Residents and businesses are asked to be patient as the negotiation process continues.

The City’s contingency plan and any future updates will be posted on the City website http://www.toronto.ca/labourdisruption. Residents and businesses with questions about the contingency plan may also call 311.

The City’s approximately 4,200 outside workers represented by CUPE Local 416 will be in a legal strike position and the City will be in a legal lockout position as of 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Friday, February 19. Additionally, the City’s approximately 21,000 inside workers represented by CUPE Local 79, will be in a legal strike position and the City will be in a legal lockout position as of 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Saturday, February 20.

The City has been at the table with its bargaining agents since the fall and remains committed to negotiating new collective agreements that are fair and reasonable to employees and residents and that allow the City to respond effectively to the needs of Toronto residents and businesses.