In what would appear to be a precedent-setting application to the Ontario Municipal Board, the owner of the home 67 Roxborough Street West in Summerhill has appealed a decision of the City’s Committee of Adjustment to deny a parking pad in front of the house. The application was turned down in response to opposition by many residents, the ABC Residents Association and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam. The ABCRA is planning to oppose the request again before the OMB. Roxborough St residences like homes in much of Summerhill have restricted parking. Most residents park on the street, But an early 20th century laneway runs behind 67 Roxborough and the owner has already been given permission to build two garages back there. Opponents think it is piggy to want to park on property at the front as well. The parking pad is a sorely frowned-on phenomenon at City Hall, where most Councillors want them banned completely. Some say they take up curbside parking because the access curbs to pads are required to be kept clear. On the other hand, there seems little question that a parking pad is safer for the vehicle and contributes to off-street parking. Fewer cars parked on the street make traffic safer many contend. The ABCRA takes its name from boundaries west of Yonge St. being Avenue Rd., Bloor St. and the CP tracks.
Friday morning sky a symphony of pink, orange and blue
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That curious glow of pink from the east as eyes were first opened this morning packed quite a wallop when early risers saw it straight on. More wonderful pictures from the CBC and from Twitter at Toronto Sky
SAILOR’S WARNING?
Of course the old English Channel rhyme that declares Red Sky at Night, Sailor’s Delight, Red Sky in the Morning, Sailor’s Warning will not be critical to our survival. Fishermen used to count on it to keep them safe. Sadly, however, the pattern is true. There will be rain later Friday.
Nut-case Kim triggers bomb because China disses girl band
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The exploits of Kim Jong UN-stable get crazier by the day. Now it is said he was prompted to set off (or try to) a Hydrogen Bomb because officials in China dissed his hand-picked girl band. The Chinese are furious but they look like fools for protecting North Korea for so long only to find their creepy nut-case client has turned on them.
Ward 16 meeting to hear revisions to 1912 Avenue proposal
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1912 and 1914 Avenue Road at Brooke Avenue
Ward 16 Councillor Christin Carmichael Greb is inviting residents to a community meeting to receive feedback on the revised development proposal for 1912-1914 Avenue Rd. The corner building at Brooke Avenue would be demolished and replaced with a five-storey complex. The matter has been referred to the Ontario Municipal Board and a date of February 24, 2016 has been set for that. In the meantime however, the Councillor’s meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 6.30 at Armour Heights Community Centre at 2140 Avenue Road. Ms. Carmichael Greb says the developer will make a brief presentation which will be followed by questions and comments from the public. The development has been opposed by the South Armour Heights residents Association (SAHRA).
Curious Snowy Owl gives highway traffic camera a fly-by
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This thrilling picture of a Snowy Owl in flight has been captured by a Transport Quebec traffic camera along Montreal’s Highway 40. The image is a capture from a video in which the great bird can hardly be seen because of its speed. It was tweeted by employees at the highway department today (Thursday, January 7, 2015). The CBC quotes Barbara Frei, the director of the McGill Bird Observatory, that this young female was probably looking for a place to perch. The snowy owl is a large, white owl of the typical owl family. Snowy Owls are native to Arctic regions in North America and Eurasia. Younger snowy owls start with darker plumage, which turns lighter as they get old
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Red Mulberry health food store on Sutherland to close
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They’re showing a closing sign at Red Mulberry, the little health food store at the corner of Sutherland Drive and McRae Drive.
Former Tori & Cates Bayview storefront still for lease
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The former Tori and Cates Cupcakes storefront is still for lease. Updated
Bike falls off front of TTC bus, causes report of cyclist hit
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Toronto Police Operations was told a cyclist had been struck at Eglinton Ave. East and Mt. Pleasant Rd. Thursday morning but the only casualty it seems was the bicycle that fell of the bus rack on the front of the vehicle. It is a happy clarification but a possibly a costly ride for the cyclist. Traffic was heavily backed up on both streets.
JOANNA LAVOIE: East-enders vexed by “Leslieville Hum”
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An excellent story has appeared in the Beach Mirror by well-known local reporter Joanna Lavoie about a mysterious, pulsating hum that is said to be bothering some east-end residents. It has been named The Leslieville Hum and Ms. Lavoie’s extensive investigation has produced many first-hand accounts of its distracting impact on life in Leslieville, Riverdale and the Beach. No one seems to know where it comes from and the Councillors for Wards 30 and 32 say they have no idea where it originates.
Toronto Zoo releases video of polar bear cub feeding
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Here is another little insight into life at the Toronto Zoo with this video released to the CBC showing a 2-month-old polar bear cub feeding. She does this six times a day. At 2.8 kilograms she is quite a lot of fun to watch.
CES: Washer warns you if you leave phone in clothes
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The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegan has not disappointed for 2016 — and certainly not in the realm of things that make you wonder whether you need such creations. The combination clothes washer and drier (in one unit) will warn you somehow if you leave your phone in your clothes. We hate it when that happens. And what about the car that comes with a drone that permits you take a selfie at the wheel? Ye gods and little fishes. Then there is HDR television. That would be High Dynamic Range. It is said to make television brighter and easier to view, cleaning up dark spots automatically sort of like a colour-adjusted photo.
Shoeless karate boy, 6, loses parents at Rolph and Southvale
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For a few brief minutes around dinner time Wednesday police and residents were searching for the parents of a 6-year-old who was out on the street at Rolph Rd and Southvale Drive in his karate outfit and bare feet. It did not take long to find his home as police tweeted “all in order” from TPS Operations. Proving again that 6-year-old karate kids can usually find their way home.