Category: Uncategorized

A full length LRV can hold more than 490 customers – significantly more than buses can carry. (Metrolinx photo)

At Laird Station, the interior has made significant progress. (Metrolinx photo)

Full-length vehicles for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT are hitting the streets! The three-car testing began in early July, as part of project-wide testing. The aim is to not only debut the three-car trains, but also to test the signaling and train control system. During this phase of the project, the LRVs and train control system run together from end-to-end. Full Metrolinx Update: https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/07/21/full-length-vehicle-testing-starts-for-eglinton-crosstown-plus-station-updates

Up to 1,000 motorcycles are expected to roll through Toronto on Thursday. Toronto Police warn of traffic delays as the Hells Angels and other motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to hold a memorial procession through the city. Police Supt. Scott Baptist says the ride is expected to happen sometime between 11 a.m. and noon, and police anticipate 800 to 1,000 motorcycles. The procession route is expected to travel south on the Don Valley Parkway from Highway 404 before heading eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard. The route is expected to end at a location on Carlaw between Lake Shore and Eastern Avenue. More.

There are currently two Environment Canada weather alerts in effect for Toronto.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail. Damaging wind gusts up to 100 km/h; Nickel size hail possible, late this afternoon and this evening. Thunderstorms are expected to affect the area beginning late this afternoon. The main hazard will be damaging wind gusts. There is some uncertainty as to how far east the risk of severe weather will continue this evening.

Hot and humid conditions are expected today.
Daytime high temperatures reaching near 31 degrees Celsius with humidex values in the upper thirties are expected again today. Tonight’s overnight low near 20 degrees Celsius will provide little relief from the heat. Slightly cooler temperatures are expected on Thursday. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm. For more information: http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html

The Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan (LNTP) will identify, prioritize and recommend near- and longer-term improvements to traffic operations and road design to support safety for all modes of transportation, including people walking, cycling and driving. This plan will address:

• road safety for vulnerable road users (e.g. seniors, school children, people walking and cycling)
• excessive speeding
• cut-through traffic from outside the neighbourhood

The project area is located between Bayview Avenue to the west, Glenvale Boulevard/Kildeer Crescent/Rykert Crescent to the north, Don River/Laird Drive to the east and the rail corridor to the south. (City of Toronto)

Class # 66 “Cirque du Soleil” A Floor Design 1st prize

Class # 66 “Cirque du Soleil” A Floor Design 2nd prize

Class # 66 “Cirque du Soleil” A Floor Design 3rd prize

Class #68 “Balancing Act” 3rd prize

Class #73 “Acrobatics” A Multirhythmic Design 3rd prize (V)

Thank you to Bea Singh, Member Programme Committee, Milne House Garden Club for submitting this detailed recap of the Milne House Garden Club’s Annual Flower Show.

After a pause of two years due to Covid-19, Milne House Garden Club celebrated its first in person Annual Flower Show at the Toronto Botanical Garden, on May 19, 2022. And what a show it was!

Of the 54 members, 12 entered 175 exhibits in the Horticultural Division of the show and 18 members entered 40 exhibits in the Design Division of the show. Each exhibit was judged by an accredited and/or certified judge in good standing.

Competition was stiff, but the rewards were sweet for everyone whether they placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or received an ‘honorable mention’ for their exhibits. Special awards were also handed out for first place entries such as Best in Show, Judge’s Choice or Best Fresh Miniature.

The theme for this year’s Annual Flower Show was ‘Cirque du Soleil’.

Read more →

Baskin-Robbins, 1530 Bayview Ave

Leaside Pets, 1542 Bayview Ave

Leaside Pets, 1542 Bayview Ave

La Diperie, 1559 Bayview Ave

Hollywood Gelato, 1640 Bayview Ave

Hollywood Gelato, 1640 Bayview Ave

Craving a chilly treat to beat the heat? Bayview has you covered! Visit Baskin-Robbins, La Diperie, Hollywood Gelato or try the new ice cream panini at Chocolate Messenger to satisfy that craving — and don’t forget to stop by Leaside Pets for a frozen goodie for your canine companion.

(Kindel Media/Pexels)

City of Toronto extending hours at select outdoor pools to help residents cool off

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following news release, July 19, 2022 – To help Toronto residents keep cool during the current heat warning declared by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): (https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on61#1433412341332405681201907030503ws1171cwto), the City of Toronto is temporarily extending pool hours at seven outdoor pools. City staff will continue to monitor ECCC reports, weather conditions and available resources to determine whether hours will be extended beyond tonight and will post operational updates to www.toronto.ca/swim and City social media channels.

The following seven outdoor pools will be open, weather permitting, until 11:45 p.m. tonight:

• Alex Duff Memorial Outdoor Pool, 779 Crawford St.
• Giovanni Caboto Pool, 1369 St. Clair Ave. W.
• McGregor Park Outdoor Pool, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
• Monarch Park Outdoor Pool, 115 Felstead Ave.
• Parkway Forest Outdoor Pool, 55 Forest Manor Rd.
• Smithfield Park Outdoor Pool, 175 Mount Olive Dr.
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

A heat warning does not automatically result in extended pool hours. Decisions to extend pool hours are made daily while a heat warning is in place, based on weather risks and resource availability. Up-to-date information on extended pool hours, pool locations and regular operating hours is available by calling 311 or visiting www.toronto.ca/swim. During the summer season, from May 15 to September 30, the City activates a hot weather response plan to ensure that residents – especially those particularly vulnerable to the heat – have access to cool spaces. This year, the City has once again activated its Heat Relief Network, an approach that supports an all-summer response to heat to better help residents stay safe and maximize City and community resources.

The Heat Relief Network is comprised of more than 300 locations throughout the city, including libraries, community centres, civic centres, drop-ins, and several private and non-profit organizations, including some shopping malls and YMCA locations. The network also includes shelters and 24-hour respite centres that are available to individuals experiencing homelessness. An interactive map is available to help those looking to cool off locate a Heat Relief Network location near them: www.toronto.ca/coolspaces.

*NEW: Heat Warning issued for Tuesday/Wednesday including #Toronto pic.twitter.com/4cF4RX9yty

— 680 NewsRadio Toronto Traffic & Weather (@NewsRadioTO) July 18, 2022

A heat warning was issued at 15:05 Monday, 18 July 2022 for Toronto. “Hot and humid conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime high temperatures reaching near 31 degrees Celsius with humidex values in the upper thirties are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday’s overnight low near 20 degrees Celsius will provide little relief from the heat. Slightly cooler temperatures are expected on Thursday. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.”

Across the pond, “Raging wildfires have scorched around 35,000 acres of forest in France and Spain, while Britain is set to face its hottest day on record”.

Raging wildfires have scorched around 35,000 acres of forest in France and Spain, while Britain is set to face its hottest day on record.https://t.co/CMNoLqdrNC

— CNN (@CNN) July 18, 2022

Royal Unibrew is reported to be buying Toronto-based Amsterdam Brewery for $44 million. (CP24, The Star) Amsterdam was founded in 1986, and announced they were relocating to Esander Drive in the Leaside Business Park back in September 2012. They have been a welcome addition to the neighbourhood, a multitude of local events have been hosted at the brewery since 2012. In the spring of 2022, the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society unveiled their very own brew, “The Leaside Heritage Lager”, in conjunction with Amsterdam.

https://twitter.com/Councillor_Jaye/status/1547280086700785664

The Young Ravine Leaders (YRL) program is a free, four-part, educational and training program designed to provide an in-depth overview of Toronto’s ravines, community stewardship and career development to youth (ages 18 to 29) who are exploring opportunities in the environmental field. Participants are not required to have any experience within the environmental field in order to apply. The Young Ravine Leaders Program is funded by the City of Toronto. Website.

NASA has shared the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the early universe ever taken.

This first image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. Known as Webb’s First Deep Field, this image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. Thousands of galaxies – including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared – have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time. This slice of the vast universe covers a patch of sky approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length by someone on the ground.

👀 Sneak a peek at the deepest & sharpest infrared image of the early universe ever taken — all in a day’s work for the Webb telescope. (Literally, capturing it took less than a day!) This is Webb’s first image released as we begin to #UnfoldTheUniverse: https://t.co/tlougFWg8B pic.twitter.com/Y7ebmQwT7j

— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) July 11, 2022

New CafeTO curb lane installation outside of Darna. /Bulldog Photo

New patio enclosure at Charcoal Biryani. /Bulldog Photo

Our lawns and gardens aren’t faring as well as Bayview’s patios so far this summer. Very little rain, and a lot of warm sunny days have been a boon for restaurant patios throughout the GTA. The Bulldog spotted what appears to be a new CaféTO installation for Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen (1613 Bayview Ave.) on the northbound curb lane. We were also pleased to see a lovely new patio enclosure at Charcoal Biryani (1595 Bayview Ave). Bon appétit!