Modern medicine has created a stunning phenomenon as an elderly, but healthy couple in their 70s has conceived and given birth to a baby boy. The implications make the mind swim. They will be pushing 100, if they live, when the boy is in his teens.
Drums enliven Hotspot reception at Aga Khan museum
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The City’s Hotspot program of events and places to see over the summer held a lively reception at the Aga Khan Museum on Wynford Drive Wednesday. Here we see the Nagata Shachu taiko drummers at work. Lots of fun. Hotspot site.
Mississauga City Council finds the backbone to ban Uber
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Mississauga has banned Uber outright, at least for the time being. There does not appear to have been any hand-wringing similar to that in Toronto about how the community will carry on without Uber, or fear of a technology that will somehow eat the City. Seriously, in a vote of 10-2 on Wednesday afternoon Missy Council said that all ground transportation carriers must “obtain a broker licence and operate using only licensed taxi and limousine drivers, operating licensed taxi and limousine vehicles.” No tears, no fears. No surge pricing
TORONTO CABBIES REJECT SURGE PRICING
Speaking of which, eleven Toronto taxi brokerages say they will not implement surge pricing similar to Uber despite new rules that will allow them to do so. The new ground transportation rules that were approved by City Council last week allow taxi companies to increase their fares when demand rises, so long as the higher fares are only charged to customers who use an online app and not those who hail cabs on the street or order one over the phone.
Airbnb rental turns into an airhead party-central horror
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The sharing society keeps getting burned when owners rent their homes to people they haven’t even met, much less checked out. The linked CBC story tells of nightly blowouts with garbage and noise on a previoisly quiet Mississauga street. It’s an Airbnb special but why be surprised? Before the sharing society (that was about ten minutes ago) landlords checked tenants carefully. Such a lot work. Here
Wicksteed funeral home and police launch safe driving blitz
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Toronto Police will be at McKinnon and Bowes funeral service at 162 Wicksteed Ave. Wednesday morning to launch campaign against distracted driving. At the same time, traffic service officers will be stopping vehicles in the Eglinton Ave. E and Laird Drive area between 8 and 11 a.m. to remind drivers that: “It’s True: Risk-Takers Meet Undertakers” 2016 campaign. Many other businesses, groups and government agencies will take part in the program as follows: Accident Support Services International Limited, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, Canadian Tire Corporation, Insurance Bureau of Canada, LCBO, Molson Coors Canada, Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals, Ontario Funeral Services Association, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Smart Serve Ontario, The Beer Store, Toronto Blue Jays, VIA Rail Canada, Yada
“FUNERAL HOME”
A fictitious ad on the Garden claims to from the Wathan Funeral Home. But it doesn’t exist.
APPLE PAY? Maybe if your phone is your whole life
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The deal struck with Canada’s five big banks — Scotia, TD, BMO, CIBC and Royal — to accept Apple Pay is no doubt a breakthrough for the phone maker. The banks decided to control as much of the Apple business as possible in Canada by agreeing to a deal rather than making war. It is notable, as reported by BNN, that customers personal information remains in the hands of the banks in such transactions, not to be further exploited by the iPhone mammoth. Good thing. But will this payment option swamp the reliable and easily understood payment methods already in place? If it were somehow perilous or time-consuming to tap one’s MasterCard, maybe. But it isn’t. Analysts count on the quirky need to be fashionable among some as a possible way for Apple to grab a larger share of the market. In surveys, only 11 percent of Canadians say they would consider using it. Apple Pay? Maybe if your phone is your whole life.
The Jack condo will sit on Yonge between Rosehill, Jackes
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The project is nominally numbered 1331 Yonge and includes low-rise properties on the east side including the former CHUM premises BuzzBuzzHome says construction will begin this summer.
CF SELLS PROMENADE
BuzzBuzzHome also says that the Yogen Früz-founding Serruya brothers will buy Promenade Mall in Thornhill from Cadillac Fairview
Bayview project back for discussion at meeting May 16
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Image of “revised” project at Bayview and Hillsdale
A meeting is set for Monday, May 16 at 7p.m. at Hodgson Senior P.S. gymnasium at 282 Davisville Ave to hear from the representatives of the Brown Group about a proposal to build on Bayview Ave. between Soudan and Hillsdale Aves. This project has been around for more than a year. Earlier meetings were met with opposition to the nine-storey height of the mixed-use concept. Josh Matlow (Ward 22) reports that the developer has made revisions to the original proposal and is prepared to discuss them. This revised proposal has yet to be submitted to City of Toronto staff for review. City Planning staff however will be present to answer technical questions pertaining to the revised plan.
Rare Shetland Pony race to mark Queen’s 90th birthday
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There has been a rare Shetland Pony race at Royal Windsor Racecourse to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. The ponies were named after the Queen’s succesful racehorses. Report by Conor McNally.
Kim McCullough wins nod as PWHL Coach of the Year
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Kim McCullough (c) with Wildcat stars Maria Hinds and Kristin Della Rovere
Leaside Jr Wildcats’ head coach Kim McCullough has been named the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Coach of the Year for her efforts throughout the 2015-2016. The Jr. Wildcats had the best finish ever, finishing sixth in the 20-team league. The Wildcats improved by 20 points in the standings (from 33 points in 14-15 season to 53 points in the 15-16 season). This was Coach McCullough’s second year as a PWHL coach and with a team that has been in the PWHL for just four years.
NATIONAL TEAM TRY OUTS
Jr. Wildcat alumni Kristin Della Rovere and Maria HInds have been named to Team Canada’s 2016-17 National Women’s U18 team summer strength and conditioning camp. The two are now in Hamilton with other hopefuls for Canada’s National Women’s Program for conditioning camp.
MAY 14: Jump to it for this major Spring weekend
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The second weekend in May is time-honoured as the functional start of Spring — planting and nice weather events make us jump to it. The weather looks okay so let’s get out there gang.
SHARON AND BRAM
Saturday will see the opening of the new music garden at June Rowlands (Davisville) Park with a concert at 1 p.m. by the Sharon and Bram. They will remember their departed friend Lois with music from the remarkable career they all shared. Josh Matlow (Ward 22) has shepherded this one and his staff is ready to answer questions at (416) 392-7906
COMPOST DAY
John Burnside (Ward 26) will hold his annual Compost Day Saturday, May 14 at Leaside Memorial Gardens. Compost is going to those who have their own shovel and pail between 9:30 and noon. Arrive early while supplies last to make sure you don’t miss out.
AWESOME SALE
Leaside United Church will hold its Awesome Sale this weekend and as usual it comes in two parts — Friday afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9 to noon. There will be thousands of pre-sorted household items and goodies to buy. As always, proceeds go the church’s outreach program.
ROSEDALE MAYFAIR
This wonderful Spring Fair will once again fill Rosedale Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with music, rides, food and fun for kids. As in recent years, the organizers,, Mooredale House, also plan a Mayfair’s Eve Preview on Friday with rides, food and a beer hall. .
LEASIDE LAWN BOWING CLUB
And the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club throws open its doors both Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.and Saturday from 10 until 2. Website
STICKNEY AVENUE
The official unveiling of signs to mark the naming of Stickney Ave. will take place at noon on Sunday, May 15 at the corner of Laird Drive and Stickney in the parking lot of Gyro Mazda. The name change honours the late Dave Stickney, a much loved teacher, leader and friend who taught at Leaside High. City re-names Markham to Stickney Ave.
Leaside Gardens wants 11 metre sign on Millwood Road
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It appears from material issued by the City that the board of Leaside Gardens is collaborating with a sign company to install a large digital sign (it will be at a height of 11 metres and contain two sign faces displaying electronic static copy, each with sign face dimensions of 10.67 metres horizontally and 3.05 metres vertically) to make money. It would have two sides blinking away to the north and south. Otherwise, Leaside Gardens is not hard to find. In any case, there is a meeting to hear from the public on this application to be held at the Gardens on Thursday night May 12, 2016, at 7.30 p.m.
GARDENS LETTER
The board of Leaside Gardens has issued letter to make its case. The old sign is just out of date and the proposed sign would afford the arena and the community many benefits. It gives three reasons why it is propsoing the sign:
- Increased Revenue: The new Leaside Memorial Community Gardens sign will generate 4x the revenue for the Gardens at no cost to the Gardens or the community. The money generated will significantly impact the financial well-being of the Gardens and be used to off-set our ice costs.
- Showcase our Community: The sign will have two sides; one dedicated to advertising (this side will be facing the railway tracks) and one side exclusively for community and Gardens events and announcements (this side will be facing North into Leaside). The custom designed 10’x10’ digital sign can be used as a communication tool within our community and as such, the community, user groups at the arena as well as other community organizations will have access to this space, free of charge.
- Landmark for the Gardens: Currently, the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens does not have an identifying sign on Laird Avenue. The new sign will have the arena name (similar to the sign on the east facing the wall of the arena), identifying the building and making it easy to spot while driving on Laird Avenue.