A plaintive post to Leaside Community Saturday tells of the theft of a lad’s hockey bag and stick from the end of his home’s driveway while he was waiting for a ride at 6:15 a.m. His mum is the author and urges people not to leave belongings unattended. She asks that if anyone can supply him with a white and red Flames jersey for a tournament this weekend.  Make a connection if you can help.

Kale and Krunches, Leslieville

Rick Campanelli, Niagara Falls

The CBC says Saturday that an unknown number of Instagram users with large followings (people known as influencers) are being paid by the Ontario Government to promote the as-yet unbuilt Ontario Line and other Metrolinx undertakings. Metrolinx would not say how much money is being paid. CBC

No winning ticket was sold for the $40 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next Lotto Max draw on Nov. 26 will be approximately $50 million, and two Maxmillions prizes of $1 million each will also be offered.

Drake’s Pick 6ix at restaurant at 33 Yonge St. south of Wellington has closed with a landlord’s sign on the door saying that some $67,000 in rent is owed. The restaurant however is hanging in with a story that “maintenance” is required and that it will open again early next year. Hear restaurant message.

A plate of Thai Curry Somosa accompanied car browsing/Andy Elder

Sommelier Odel Carity presented wine/Andy Elder

Fine dining in the slower lane/Andy Elder

Banquet with a view/Andy Elder

60s Mercedes limousine/Andy Elder

Leaside meat shop owner and caterer Andy Elder organized an elegant evening in recent days at a GTA warehouse of undisclosed location. The secrecy is required because the building is home to as many as 20 classic and vintage automobiles. Andy’s client and the owner of the vehicles entertained friends with a banquet of Chateaubriand with Sauce Bearnaise accompanied by Stuffed and Twice Baked Potato and a Medley of Mixed Grilled Vegetables. The meal was preceded by an Hors D’oeures selection including Mushroom Tart with Thyme Crème Fraiche, Crab Cake with Citrus Zested Aioli and Thai Curry Samosa with Smoked Tomato Chutney. Dessert was a Grilled Pineapple, Pecan Buttertart and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Bourbon Caramel Sauce. Dinner was presented with wines chosen by Leaside resident and sommelier Odel Caritey. It seems likely the desirable vehicles at this secret GTA garage have seldom seen such pleasant dining along the in-and-out lane. Grill Time, 62 Laird Dr.

Manitoba has begun installing “controlled entrances” which will require customers to show photo identification before they are allowed in. The system sounds like the arrangement at many jewellery stores. The move follows a violent liquor store robbery in Winnipeg as seen in the CBC video above. CBC  LCBO shoplifters tax the police, recall days before self-serve

Lake Shore Blvd and Fleet St side-by-side a waterfront curiosity

The City will close the short westbound lane of Fleet St. from Bathurst St. to Iannuzzi St. in an attempt to make driving and walking safer. The rather goofy arrangement of Lake Shore Blvd and Fleet St. side-by-side at the Bathurst intersection has created a sea of traffic confusion. The presence of streetcar tracks down the middle of Fleet does not make navigation any more intuitive. The odd configuration dates from a time when traffic planning was an unknown occupation as Toronto grew south front Front St. into Lake Ontario.

Starting Monday, November 25, the westbound lane of Fleet Street between Bathurst and Iannuzzi Streets will be permanently closed to all vehicular traffic. The lane will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.

Permanently closing this 200-metre portion of westbound Fleet Street is a critical Vision Zero measure that will put into action prior City Council recommendations for normalizing the intersection at Fleet Street, Bathurst Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West.

The high-collision, five-arm intersection has long been a problematic location in the city’s road network for all modes of travel. It is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, confusing for drivers and delays two streetcar lines.

The multi-modal Vision Zero safety improvement will shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and reduce vehicle turns and transit delays. Additionally, it will improve operating conditions for the 509 and 511 streetcars.

The step will be followed by monitoring, installation of streetscaping features and a technical review of the larger intersection for future pedestrianization and public realm plans for the whole area.

It didn’t seem too hard for the Leafs to beat the competitive Arizona Coyotes in their home stadium Thursday. Who knows? Then, the odd spending patterns that have seen Councillor Jim Karygiannis removed from office. Curious. Below that, the Merseyside family of Helen McCourt is incensed as her killer is released from prison without revealing the whereabouts of her body. Finally, Audra Brown gets a sneak peek at the Iron Horses which will soon grace the Kay Gardner bridge on Yonge St. The dedication is November 30.

Toronto Fire has extinguished a fire and rescued a man from the roof of a home on Secord Ave between Newman and Eastdale Aves. at supper hour Thursday. When police and fire services arrived the man reportedly was on the roof enveloped in smoke. Some 18 units responded to the one-alarm fire.