Category: Uncategorized

Like deep space in Davisville, Leaside at minus 20

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There’s a term for it. “Chill on the house” was no doubt a common expression as we reluctantly threw back the blankets across South Bayview on this coldest morning of the year so far. As reported by the Weather Channel it was a deep space-like -22.1 C at Pearson International Airport, with wind chill values near -33 C. The coldest morning prior to this one was on Jan. 13 when the temperature hit -21.2 C and a wind chill of -32.

Still space at bamboobay for PA Day Art Camp

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(416) 901-1255

Parents looking for nice way to  keep the kids busy on tomorrow’s PA day should give Bamboo Bay a call (416) 901 1255. Bamboo Bay (bamboobay) is a fun environment and conveniently located at the corner of Millwood Rd. and Bayview Ave. Carrie Tse’s school of creative expression has bright offices above the shops on the northeast corner. Look for Write Impressions. Carrie is a dedicated teacher of art and a mom herself. She has stocked her classroom with quality paint, paper and crafts  Bamboo Bay 

UK-made Cadbury’s chocolate still on sale here

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Americans are waking up these mornings to find that they are unable to buy Cadbury chocolate that is actually made in the United Kingdom. The outcome of a lawsuit has given Hershey, the Cadbury name-holder in the U.S., authority to tell importers to stop bringing in Cadbury-labelled goods. The unexpected prohibition has raised questions — if not alarm — in Canada as well, where many people say they can tell the difference between Hershey-made Cadbury and the real thing made in Blighty. For those who want British-made Cadbury there is Uncle John’s Candy Shack at 635 Mt. Pleasant Road. Dina Vander Beek, wife of Uncle John himself, was telling the South Bayview Bulldog she has the real thing. The English Cadbury chocolate is produced under a different recipe (the first ingredient in U.K. Cadbury chocolate is milk, while the first in American-made Cadbury chocolate is sugar, according to the New York Times). 

Matlow motion reveals deeply split City Council

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Josh Matlow’s motion to refer the question of the Scarborough subway to Executive Committee has revealed a City Council that appears to be deeply divided over the wisdom of the project. The vote among those present was 21 to 21,  causing the motion to fail on a tie. Three councillors, Augimeri, Peruzza and Filion were  absent for the vote, prompting speculation among Twitter watchers that the motion might have passed had they been present. Matlow (Ward 22) is pursuing an investigation into the true cost of the subway and its value for money in light of what kind of traffic it might carry. His efforts have been greeted by a territorial response from Scarborough Councilor Glenn de Baeremaeker who said it was time that his part of the city got its “fair share.”  He made it clear he thinks Matlow and others are out to switch the city’s planning back from a subway to an LRT system. The issue has been put in focus in recent weeks by an analysis done by former TTC general manager Michael Warren. He wrote a column giving reasons why the subway as planned is poor value for money. He offers criticism of both Mayor Tory and Premier Wynne for  pursuing the subway. He cited Wynne for acting on Liberal Party strategy to elect members in Scarborough and Mr. Tory for  currying favour with Wynne. In the past Tory has said he did not wish to poke a stick in the eye of Queen’s Park on this matter. Among South Bayview area councillors, the split on the Matlow motion looked like this. In favor: Wong-Tam, Burnside, Carmichael. Robinson, Fragedakis, Matlow. Opposed: Colle

Yes: 21 Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Cesar Palacio, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Kristyn Wong-Tam

No: 21 Paul Ainslie, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Rob Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory Absent: 3 Maria Augimeri, John Filion, Anthony Perruzza

Angry residents demand stop to Laird project

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They were angry. Owner after owner of homes on Randolph Rd rose at a crowded meeting Monday night at the Leaside arena to condemn the project known as 146/150 Laird Drive. It calls for two buildings, seven and eight storeys to be owned and run by Viva Retirement Communities. Randolph sits behind and to the west of the proposed project and would be shaded by it.  Residents also complained about the “100-foot wall” that would greet them in their backyard and the hundreds of balconies looking down on them. Dozens of speakers directed attacks on the size and height. Re-zoning from the legal limit of 12.2 metres to 32 metres is required. The rhetoric was impressive. Carol Fripp of the Leaside Property Owners Association said Laird Drive had to be saved from any more “Kremlin-shaped buildings.” Others spoke of a “tsunami” of such buildings that would line Laird as developers “did violence to the bylaws.” More than 400 people have signed a petition to stop the project in its present form. The anger generated by the development prompted a number of speakers to rail against developers in general, traffic and the change being brought to Leaside by the Eglinton LRT. There was also bitter futility as well because the Ontario Municipal Board might have the final say. Councillor Burnside took the floor to concede that developers have more influence than they should . He noted the annual land transfer tax yielded $430 million. It was a situation he said in which “developers have been getting away with things.”  In conclusion the Councillor said he did not oppose development within the bylaws and rules set out. And then he turned to the developers and spoke directly. He challenged their opening remarks about wanting to be part of and integrated into the community. Clearly, he said, the community didn’t want this development. He left no doubt there is a fight ahead. (Monday, February 9, 2015) 

Matlow doubts value of Scarborough subway

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Josh Matlow (Ward 22) may or may not like a fight but he is correct to raise the many disturbing issues surrounding the Scarborough subway. His plan is widely construed in the media as a challenge to the mayor and so it may be. Tuesday (February 10, 2015) Matlow will be getting answers to vital questions of how much money the city will waste if it builds Rob Ford’s full out subway and whether the traffic that will board the subway can possibly justify its cost. These questions were put in a compelling light by the former chief general manger of the TTC in a Toronto Star column some weeks ago. Michael Warren was the Andy Byford of his day and he knows something. He contends the subway is lousy value for money and is being pushed forward by Mayor Tory and Premier Wynne for thin political expediencies.  David Nickle, City Centre Mirror  R. Michael Warren

Midtown Yonge BIA to choose executive Feb. 23

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The first annual general meeting of the newly-formed Midtown Yonge Business Improvement Area is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2015. The executive will be chosen at that time. More information will be available in a few days. The new BIA fills a gap among the many BIAs on the long street. Midtown runs north from the Kay Gardner-Belt Line trail at Merton Street to the Soudan/Berwick Avenues boundary.  

Mayor visits Leaside Select Hockey Tourney

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Mayor Tory and Councillor Jon Burnside visited the Leaside Arena this afternoon (Sunday, February 8, 2015) as the Select Hockey Tournament was booming right along on its final day. In the  main picture, Mr. Tory drops the puck for one of the championship games. At top from left, Tory and Burnside with Laura, a volunteer at the Cops and Kids Pro Action League from Flemingdon Park, centre the mayor has picture taken with a young Leaside Flame and on the right enjoys some of Andy Elder’s Brisket Chili. These pictures were taken by the mayor’s office and there are many more on Twitter. 

Toronto a Smart City? Not til we swab the subway

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Scientists in the United States have begun to swab subway and transit systems in an attempt to prepare an overall plan to protect the public health. Dr. Christopher Mason of the Weill Cornell Medical College is seen in this PBS interview speaking of a desire to create a Smart City (are you listening Mayor Tory?) that among other things would permit New York to “contextualize a bio-terrorism event”.