Lawyer Jonathon Rosenthall says it’s only a matter of when, not if, a delusional man just released on week-long leaves from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) attacks his client again. The man, Bartosz Gajewski, did just that in 2009 when he was employed by designer Katherine Newman. Gajewski has been diagnosed with persecutory delusional disorder. Ms. Newman is said to be terrified. The Ontario Court of Appeal has turned down her request to deny the leaves and also refused her access to the license number of Gajewski’s car citing privacy reasons.

A St. Louis jury has awarded a Virginia woman $110.5 million US in the latest lawsuit alleging that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused cancer. Lois Slemp, 62, of Wise, Virginia, made the claim, one of 2,400 such cases, which J&J has defended against and which it continues to appeal. Ads appealing for women to seek legal aid suggest there is big money to be had. A number of cases have been thrown out. There is apparently only thin evidence the soft-mineral product can, over time, find its way into the body and damage the genitals. Talcum powder has been widely used in cosmetics and other personal care products to absorb moisture since at least 1894, when Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder was launched. But it’s mainly used in a variety of other products, including paint and plastics. Most research has found no link or a weak one between ovarian cancer and using baby powder for feminine hygiene. Most major health groups have declared talc harmless. Still, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies genital use of talc as “possibly carcinogenic.”

The Don Valley Parkway will remain open during the Friday evening rush hour, the City says. “Currently, precipitation is not as intense as had been predicted,” reads a news release. “Should conditions worsen, a closure could still be necessary.”

The Toronto Star had six reporters working on the dispiriting story of Bombardier’s ten-year failure to adequately design and deliver streetcars for Toronto. The current assessment seems to be that though they made an incredible mess of this job, we may yet see the streetcars delivered 2019. TTC chair Colle says he will believe when he sees it

Councillor Carmichael Greb (Ward 16) has mass-mailed information about the Avenue Road Study. As some no doubt know, it envisages among other things a Business Improvement Area north of Lawrence Ave. to feature the Upper Avenue branding. A Business Improvement Area (BIA) steering committee has been established and is working towards establishing a BIA on Avenue Road.  In 2010 a total of 29 “Upper Avenue” branded street name signs were made and installed along Avenue Road from Lawrence Avenue West to Wilson Avenue. The majority of old street name signs remained intact, creating a mix of both old and new signage along the Avenue. In 2016 Council approved the release of Section 37 Funds to complete the installation of ‘The Upper Avenue’ street signs on Avenue Road between Lawrence Avenue West and Wilson Avenue  Avenue Road Study Status Report

Snow Leopard by Paule Legace

Sketch by Ann VanMierlo

Recent arrivals at State of the Art Gallery, 1581A Bayview Ave. Nice for Spring re-decorating.

China has test-flown its first passenger jet, the C919. No doubt a source of national pride and future business, the C919 includes many parts made by US and other foreign firms. As usual, the Chinese are flexible when it comes to business. Next, a St. Clair Ave West restaurant, Emma’s Country Kitchen, will begin asking customers if they’d like to pay three percent of their bill towards health care for the staff. Patrons seem agreeable but feel they’d rather not be asked. Decisions, decisions. And finally, a well-done and quite chilling report from the BBC about a frightening young man who wanted to set off a bomb in the London subway as a “prank.”

Michael Rusek on the East York Historical Society Facebook account talks to Stephen Wickens about his tenth annual “Death and Life of a Great Canadian Street” Jane’s Walk Saturday, May 6, 2017 starting at 10 am. For the uninitiated, this would be Danforth Avenue. Everyone is invited to bring an umbrella and join Mr. Wickens as he highlights some of the fascinating history of this stretch of the Danforth. The tour starts at 2301 Danforth Avenue (near Oak Park) and runs west before ending at the Linsmore Hotel for a beer or two and a continuation of the discussion.

Environment Canada says 33.3 mm of rain had fallen by 8 a.m. Friday and it upgrades possible total rain to 70 mm through Saturday. As much as 47.8 mm had fallen in West Hamilton. This deluge is expected to taper off Saturday night. Hamilton Airport has recorded 44.0 mm since yesterday and Cobourg 32.2.  The statement warns of flooding.

A pregnant woman in her 20s was among four people taken to hospital following a serious crash in Scarborough. Police were called to the area of Midland Avenue and Treewood Street just after 9 p.m. for the head-on collision. As reported by 680 News a man, a pregnant woman and an infant who were in one car all went to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, although the pregnant woman’s injuries are considered serious. A man in the other car suffered minor injuries.

Camera 8099

Camera 8101

The Bayview extension at the DVP and Bloor Street interchange is among the very first places where flooding will occur, if it does, over the next 48 hours. City traffic camera 8099 is very close to ground zero and camera 9103 fixed on the Bloor Viaduct should also show flooding, and will certainly show traffic backed up. Camera 8101 looks down the hill from below Nesbitt Drive and just above Pottery Road.  Traffic will be backed up there if there is flooding. Camera site