Clipping apparently from the early 1960s

Tunnel under Bayview pedestrian and parking mall from Millwod Rd. to north of Eglinton Ave.

Toronto historian Mike Filey has sent an old clipping which describes an election campaign idea to build a tunnel under Bayview Ave. from Millwood Rd. to north of Eglinton Ave. The story quotes former Leaside mayor Lloyd M. Dickinson as saying the cost of the scheme would be borne by merchants on the street. It appears to date from the early 1960s before the amalgamation of East York and Leaside. At the time, Bayview Ave. divided Leaside from Toronto and it appears that people were complaining then, as they are now, about traffic. But it seems likely the idea was not taken too seriously.

Ahmed Hussein, executive director of The Neighbourhood Organization and Jen Quinlan, CEO of the Flemingdon Health Centre celebrate decision to create the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub on second floor of the East York Town Centre/Joanna Lavoie/Torstar Twitter

Left to right, Alison Thomas, nurse practitioner in St. Michael’s hemodialysis unit; Fiona Harrington, clinical leader manager for the Hemodialysis and Apheresis units; and Elizabeth Anne Anderson are core members of the St. Michael’s Hospital dialysis care team/Katie Cooper St Michael’s Hospital

Thousands of square feet of retail space left vacant by decision of Target to abandon Canada in 2015/Bulldog

Spirits are high as the Flemingdon Health Centre, The Neighbourhood Organization and Michael Garron Hospital collaborate to build a new 60,000-square-foot health centre to be called the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub. The hub is one of two health centres which will occupy the large two-storey east wing of the East York Town Centre left vacant when the Target store moved out in 2015. It has been a long-held dream of residents and professional people to deliver one-stop health care to Thorncliffe Park, a neighbourhood full of newcomers to Canada. As many as 22,000 patients are expected to seek care at the hub. It is planned to open in the Fall of 2021 on the second floor of the former Target store. The main floor below will be home to the nearly-completed St. Michael’s Hospital Kidney Care Centre dialysis site. It is scheduled to open in 2020. Not profitable! Target’s sudden move closes Canadian stores

Investigators on eighth floor balcony at 235 Gosford Blvd/Toronto Sun

The City has released a statement on the known circumstances of the fire at 235 Gosford Blvd Saturday as well as repairs to the rental building and plans to house and care for tenants in the interim.

Toronto Hydro (has) disconnected power to the building as directed by the Electrical Safety Authority and the building will not reopen until all repair work required has been completed by the owner. The investigation into the origin, cause and circumstances of the fire is being conducted by Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services and the Ontario Fire Marshal.

A handful of residents were assessed by paramedics at the scene and one was transported to hospital for further care. Tragically, one person was found deceased on a balcony on the eighth floor. Condolences on behalf of the City are with the deceased’s family and friends.

An emergency reception centre was set up at the Driftwood Community Centre to meet the immediate needs of the displaced residents. Approximately 165 residents registered with the Canadian Red Cross and over the past two evenings approximately 100 residents (accumulatively) stayed overnight at the reception centre.

Today, thanks to a generous offer from York University, the emergency reception centre will move to the Tait McKenzie Centre at 1 Thompson Rd., less than two kilometres from the apartment building. Red Cross will continue to operate the reception centre at its new location. The TTC will assist with transporting the residents to the new location.

The reception centre is pet-friendly and will offer meals, cots and blankets, washrooms and showers, secure storage of personal belongings, animal care for pets and service animals and personal services such as hygiene kits and mental health support. The City is also in discussion with the school boards to facilitate travel to schools for children staying at the reception centre.

Displaced residents should contact their tenant’s insurance provider to determine what support and assistance is available to them during this time. Residents are also encouraged to contact family members and friends to arrange for accommodation where possible. The City provides emergency shelter and related support for up to 14 days after an emergency to all residents who require it regardless of their financial status and whether their residence is publicly- or privately-owned.

235 Gosford Blvd. is privately-owned and the property management company is working with the appropriate authorities, engineers and restoration experts to assess damage to the building and to restore the building as quickly as possible.

235 Gosford Ave. is not safe for public entry. Limited and escorted access is being provided to retrieve pets and medications that cannot be refilled from a pharmacy. Retrievals of any other items are not being allowed at this time.

Residents of 235 Gosford Blvd. should register with Red Cross whether or not they need support or shelter at this time. Registering makes it easier for residents to access service should they need it later and ensures they receive critical updates.

Family members and friends of residents of 235 Gosford Blvd. who have concerns can email on.familyreunification@redcross.ca and include details about who they are looking for, their relationship to the person, and their own contact details.

At this time, the City of Toronto and Red Cross are not requesting or accepting donations of any kind in support of the residents of 235 Gosford Blvd. Through the emergency reception centre, the immediate needs of the displaced residents will be met. The processing, storage and distribution of food, clothing and other material donations is challenging and costly. The need for such donations and/or financial contributions will be re-evaluated as needed.

Specializes in wildlife

Jerry Rudd, artist and showman

Artist and showman Jerry Rudd and his assistant have completed a mural on the east wall of 1 St. Clair East (the Scotiabank). It features a deer which, as Mr Rudd explains in this City News report, is a salute to Deer Park. The artist employs mystery to advance his presence in the community. He almost always appears in a huge Falcon’s head covering. Be prepared.

Red Kettle campaign begins December 1/Salvation Army

Tap and go donations/Monex

The Salvation Army will test a form of tap-and-donate device this Christmas as it battles to combat the cashless society. The Sally Ann and many other charities have seen willing and sympathetic citizens sadly pass by their kiosks and charity bins because they’re not carrying cash. A pilot project starting December 1 will allow donations at some kettle stations in the Greater Toronto Area. The new tap-and-go machine eliminates having to swipe a card or enter a cash amount or PIN. The machine will be mounted on the side of kettle stands and have three discs to tap, one for a $5 donation, another for $10 and a third for $20. See how it works here. 

Road construction on Glen Rd/Bulldog

Bonus archive picture shows Glen Rd. was clear for 1930 visit of Mississauga Horse Guard at Rosedale United/Old Toronto

Brave fans of the traditional Holly Berry Fair at Rosedale United Church scrambled across torn up roads to get to the annual fundraising event Saturday. Driving was difficult too as work on pavement and sidewalks made Glen Rd. one way north. But inside the large old church, things were busy. Hundreds of shoppers picked through books, art, furniture, glassware, baked goods and much more. Many stopped for baked ham and a special recipe egg salad sandwich in the church’s “Rosedale United Deli.”

Book sale busy/Bulldog

Ham ready for slicing/Bulldog

Rosedale Deli prepares for lunch/Bulldog

Summerhill Market has quietly opened its new store at 1014 Bathurst St. in the Annex and co-owner Brad McMullen says business has been brisk. The quality food and specialty store, long a favorite destination of Rosedale, Midtown and South Bayview shoppers is expanding locally with the new Annex store and another planned at  484 Eglinton Ave. West which will open in 2020.

May strike Tuesday

Canadian National Railways conductors, train persons and yard persons have given strike notice ahead of a Tuesday deadline. The Teamsters, which represents 3,200 workers, provided the 72-hour notice today as contract negotiations continue over the weekend.

Leaside Hall of Fame inductees Kim McCullough, Bob Weir, Paul Gardner and Philip Parsons/LSHOF

The Leaside Sports Hall of Fame has inducted four distinguished local athletes into its corridors with a gala evening Friday at the William Lea room. They are Kim McCullough, Bob Weir, Paul Gardner and Philip Parsons. McCullough tweeted thanks to “these two amazing humans for inspiring me since day one.”

Kim McCullough with “amazing people” who inspired her

The Supreme Court of Canada will decide whether the rights of Toronto residents and Councillors were violated by the Ford government’s decision to unilaterally reduce the size of Council from 47 down to 25 in the middle of the 2018 election. The Ontario Court of Appeal slammed the door on that notion back in September 2018. It will be fascinating to see if SCOC justices will reopen that portal to a potential flood of municipal challenges to the rule of provincial cabinets. Appeal Court issues stay, Oct. 22 Toronto election on track

There was no winning ticket for the $25 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next draw on Nov. 19 will grow to approximately $30 million.

One person has been found dead on an 8th-floor balcony as crews dig through the wreckage at 235 Gosford Blvd. in North York. No identity is yet known. The Friday night five-alarm drama unfolded starting about 5.30 p.m.
at the 15-storey apartment. Six people were transferred to paramedics as the flames engulfed several units. One person was transported to a hospital in serious but stable condition.