Sesame Street has released three veteran characters of the long-running children programs but it appears they have all had a pretty good run.  Bob McGrath, who has played Bob the music teacher on the show since it premiered in the 1960s, Roscoe Orman, who plays Gordon the science teacher and Emilio Delgado, who plays Luis, as Mr. Fix-it are all now gone. They are veterans of the early 70s. McGrath is 84 and said he has been “:graciously let go” from the Muppets Cast podcast. The program moves from PBS to HBO in coming months. Toronto Star 

A developer has clear cut as many as 30 mature trees from a property at the corner of Bayview Ave. and Bayview Ridge apparently without authorization to do so. Neighbors are saying some of the trees were 100 years old. Ward 25 member Jaye Robinson says the fines could be $100,000 a tree. The action by townhouse builders Format Group has shocked and infuriated residents. The community is caught in what appears to be an unstoppable transformation of north Bayview from large homes on large lots into rows of townhouses much like those opposite Sunnybrook Medical Centre. Quite likely there will be plans for high-rise condos. Format Group is developing what it calls “an upscale community comprising of two blocks of exquisitely appointed homes.” On its website, Format claims that it is “known for masterfully developing luxurious communities and one-of-a-kind custom homes that seamlessly fit into the fabric of the community.”

MAYOR TORY INCENSED

Mayor John Tory was angry as he reacted to the clear cutting case. He said the developer should face severe fines, perhaps the maximum. The City of Toronto issued a stop-work order on Wednesday after learning of the cutting. Tory said that he understood that dozens were taken down and that this will be the “biggest single infraction” on record. “We can’t be serious about trees to the point that we have debates over single trees before the entire city council and then just let somebody come in here and take down dozens of tress, some of them 100 plus years old. It is not acceptable,” Tory said. CBC

The so-called “envelope bandit” is on the radar today with a news conference to try to catch the five-time bank job guy. He has hit that many banks mostly just outside Toronto to the west but there was one in Etobicoke. The Canadian Bankers Association held a news conference requesting the public’s assistance identifying the man seen in the video. It’s worth $10,000 to someone on conviction. The man’s method involves having his face concealed by sunglasses, a scarf and a hat and hood. Still, the images seem pretty good. He hands over a note in an envelope demanding money. The CBA is antsy because they suspect he’s not finished. He is described as 30s, 5’5-5’8, thin build, slight moustache

CONSTRUCTION BANDIT

The Canadian Bankers Association is also offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the so-called “Construction Bandit.” This man robbed three banks in Scarborough in January and in March. He entered the branches with his face concealed by glasses, a hat and hood and presented a note indicating he was armed with a firearm and made a demand for money He has been seen fleeing in an older-model, black, four-door Ford Taurus  He is described as white, 40-50s, 6’-6’2″, heavy build.

Many may have forgotten that Bayview Ave is set for re-paving this summer. Just exactly when remains unknown. This is typical, as construction crews find it takes longer to do a job than expected,  or priorities change.  Sometimes jobs are done in the succeeding year. But we were warned in May that work will be done south from Sutherland Drive to about Pottery Road.

Gino Piscelli was complaining on the Leaside Community Facebook page this week about a parking ticket issued on Bayview Ave. He rightly observes the that relentless tax collection methods of the City have a lot to do with changing business conditions on the street. Laird Ave is now sufficiently varied that people can get what they want with free parking thrown in. Mr. Piscelli says he did not receive the stipulated five-minute grace period  — the ticket was issued to the minute at the same time as his time expired — 12.44 p.m. But, as other posters noted, the reason for the ticket is given as failure to display. This could mean a lot of things and there is no further detail in the online exchange.

Homeowners are still looking around at the mess and checking for leaks after Wednesday night’s thundering rainstorm. Environment Canada says it dumped 50 mm on the City. It hit about 7.30 and kept up a drumbeat of rain for the best part of an hour. Below are some of the scenes recorded by Torontonians.

Pouring rain on Bathurst north of King in Toronto. This is one heck of a storm! #stormTO pic.twitter.com/P1rw0MVn7x

— Dan Levy ✡ דניאל לוי (@TheDanLevy) July 27, 2016

A close up of the overflowing sewer near Ontario Place. #onstorm @jwhittalTWN @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/UledVcXybX

— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) July 28, 2016

Insane flooding all along under the Gardiner. #gardiner #toronto #flood pic.twitter.com/kQzOo165MW

— Izzy Piyale-Sheard (@izzydoesizzy) July 28, 2016

Homeownrs are Environment Canada put the City of Toronto under a severe thunderstorm warning around the dinner hour ahead of rainfall that at times was heavy. Just before 8 p.m., the federal agency said it was tracking “a persistent severe thunderstorm” over parts of the downtown core that was responsible for as much as 50 mm of rain falling in some areas.

Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will visit British Columbia and Yukon this fall during their second royal visit to Canada. A news release from Governor-General Johnston and his wife, Sharon Johnston, said they will “be delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Canada. Our true Canadian pride and spirit will shine and be at the very heart of this visit so they can feel at home.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had sent a letter earlier this month inviting the couple to Canada, in what will be their first stop here since becoming parents. It does not appear that the royal children George and Charlotte will travel with their parents.

The Sleuth of Baker Street at Millwood Road and Sutherland Drive will get a visit from writer Maureen Jennings on Saturday, August 13, 2016 to help launch her latest novel. This one is called Dead Ground in Between and is number four in the Detective Inspector Tom Tyler series. Come and meet the author between 3 and  5 p.m. She will talk about her novels, answer questions and sign copies. If you cannot make it to the signing but would like a signed copy be in touch with the shop and Sleuth will arrange it.

How long can the losses go on?  The Gossip email 1236 says:

Torstar losses get steeper just in time for the CEO to retire. The publisher lost a lot more money last quarter. But the plan is for Star Touch not to lose more in 2017, something that’s most easily achieved by closing it down (they’ve spent nearly $35 million on the tablet app so far). Departing chief executive David Holland claimed a commitment to it, even though the Star’s publisher, Torstar’s head of digital and the editor in charge of Star Touch all left the company in the year since its launch.

Toronto Star

Bonnie Brooks has been nominated by the Ontario cabinet as the new Chair of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). The appointment is automatic. Brooks was President of Hudson’s Bay Company from January 2012 to 2014 and Chief Executive Officer from September 2008 to 2012. The Bay announced in July that Brooks would retire in December. She is frequently called a  retailing renaissance woman with more than 30 years of leadership in media, marketing and merchandising. The 63-year-old Ms. Brooks holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, two honorary Doctorate Degrees (L.L.D.) from the University of Guelph and Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) from St. Mary’s University, Halifax. She was born in London, Ontario. Salut Bonnie

 

South Bayview’s own Art, Craft and Play school for children is advertising its August Art and Lego Summer Camp from Thursday the 4th to Friday and 12th. Bamboo Bay, at the corner of Millwood Road and Bayview Ave. will entertain kids during the hot days of summer 2016. They will explore fine art techniques and experiment with different materials. plus create amazing art projects and LEGO sculptures.  Reserve a spot by calling (416) 901-1255