The big, boisterous street celebration after Saturday’s Raptors win seemed too good to be true. No arrests. It was a miracle said one officer. But hang on, a colleague had his hands full with several fans (here we see six) who stomped on his cruiser and threatened to kill him when he told them to get off the roof. Fearing for his safety, the officer backed off. But he did not forget the matter. Charges no doubt await these revellers if they’re found.
Elizabeth Savary, a 13-year veteran of shepherding the kids at Maurice Cody PS through traffic, has been named one of Canadas favourite crossing guards. The Favourite Crossing Guard competition is held annually by Parachute, the national charity dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives. Three guards are picked each year and for 2019, Elizabeth joins crossing guards Brian Smith of Fredericton and Linda Daum of Stratford. At such times it is easy to recall the crossing guard heritage at Cody school. There have been many wonderful people serve the cause of safety. A profile of Elizabeth reveals that she too like those before her, often gives little gifts to children and, with 13 years behind her, is sometimes greeted by now grown-up former charges. Well done Elizabeth and thank you so much.
There’s fear that forecast winds of 45 km/h on Thursday may break the sandbag defenses of Algonquin Island, the tiny residential community sitting at the eastern end of Toronto Island. This part of the City’s treasured island playground, including Ward’s Island, appears to be especially at risk. Crews have deployed tens of thousands of sandbags and several berms to keep the islands dry amid the rising waters but there are concerns that winds may make waves that could overwhelm those barriers, just as they did during a similar wind event on May 23. Speaking with reporters during a news conference on Wednesday morning, Waterfront Parks Manager James Dann said that Seneca Ave with its spectacular view to the northwest of the Toronto skyline may be vulnerable. The Queen City Yacht on Ward’s also may also be in peril.
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek announced in March that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer but now tells People magazine he’s responding well to treatment. So well that the Trebek, 78, is in “near remission” according to his doctors. “It’s kind of mind-boggling,” Trebek said in the magazine’s new cover story. “The doctors said they hadn’t seen this kind of positive result in their memory … some of the tumors have already shrunk by more than 50 percent” — CNN
Faces, faces as Jodi Neidert (left) expresses outrage that her gift of baby milk to a new mother was sold for profit. At centre is Manning Whitby, an absolutely amazing young Toronto whiz kid seen in a report by Audra Brown. At right, Pastor Jeffery Edwards is suing Wells Fargo Bank in the US for mixing up his photo capture off an ATM machine with that of a cheque fraudster. Think about it. Yeah. The pastor was charged and had to hire lawyers to get the charges withdrawn. He’s suing.
An online fund has raised more than $11,600 for the family of 4-year-old Radiul (Radi) Chowdhury, the lad was struck by a motorcycle on Victoria Park Ave. Sunday. Radi is in critical condition with brain damage at the Hospital for Sick Children. The GoFundMe page states that all funds donated will go to the Chowdhury family to help assist with the cost of being off work and possible rehabilitation for Radiul. Motorcycle operator in hit-run is Darren Robert Dawson, 31
The NBA finals begin Thursday at Scotiabank Arena with the Toronto Raptors contesting top honours against the Golden State Warriors. It’s all so new. Despite its Canadian origins, basketball still lives in the shadow of hockey and baseball in Toronto. This CBC primer is intended orient new fans to some basics.
This lifestyle Video Wheel begins with US research that says the 4,000 (and counting) flavours that entice kids to vaping may be bad for their hearts. Dr. Max Gomez of CBS News. Then, money is allocated for menstrual products in women’s shelters in Toronto. Below that, a woman who has a few dollars, say $36 billion US. For sure it’s Mackenzie Bezos and Tuesday she made the Giving Pledge. Half of that sum will go to charity. Finally, the new notion of getting clothes, wearing them and then sending them back. It is the trademark of Rent Frock Repeat of Toronto.
A CBC Toronto report on a Leslieville couple contains their stunning allegation that their modest semi-detached home on Connaught Ave. was sold against their wishes. The allegation is made by the man, Harold Verge, 72, that he and his wife were told by a real estate agent that they were not permitted to own property over the age of 65. Mr. Verge is blind. His wife is retired from McDonald’s. The home was sold for some $675,000, an apparent bargain for the buyer. The entire catalogue of events as reported by the CBC descends from there. The story is the subject of much interest on the Leslievillian Facebook page.
Urban Toronto has posted details of plans to enlarge the student residence of 409 Huron St. in a way that evokes the style of the “Crystal” addition to the Royal Ontario Museum around the corner. In fact, the affliction is not quite as serious as it is on Bloor St. and possibly much more functional. Urban Toronto says the plan calls for a total of 90 rental units, including 40 replacement units for existing rentals on site. These are planned in a mix of 66 studio units, 16 one-bedroom units, 7 two-bedroom units, and a single three-bedroom unit, while the 40 rental replacement units would include 39 studio units and a single one-bedroom unit. The replacement units are proposed to be generally larger in size than the existing units they are set to replace.
A news release Tuesday from the family-owned Art Shoppe furniture store says the firm’s outlet at 71 Kincort St. in York Region will be closed. The release calls the decision a strategic reassessment and announces discounts of up to 50 percent on merchandise. It recalls the history and upscale mystique of the business. “Founded by Leon Offman in 1936, The Art Shoppe was for decades located on Yonge Street near Eglinton Avenue, where its sumptuous showrooms literally served as a tourist attraction and destination for out-of-town collectors, designers and celebrities.” Mr. Offman’s son, Martin, took over the business in 1973. The current ownership team is comprised of Martin’s three daughters. Canada Newswire
There were large turnouts at meetings held Monday night at City Hall and in Willowdale at Earl Haig Secondary School to protest Bill 108. It’s the Ford government’s proposed legislation to reverse reform of building approval in Toronto. Two town halls Monday protesting Ford’s “return of OMB”
