Will the earth move when Drake gets the Key to Toronto?

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Drake and Mayor Tory flank The Key

Mayor Tory will present the human phenomenon known as Drake with the Key to City Friday night.  Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham is famous for his music, for loving Toronto and for being famous. It’s nice but don’t expect the earth to move at Millwood and Bayview. The presentation of the key will take place in front of thousands of fans at Ricoh Coliseum as part of NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto.

SERRA sets seminar for March 9 on renovation planning

The west of Bayview ratepayers group SERRA will hold a two-hour seminar next month designed to help people in South Bayview avoid disputes with their neighbors when they renovate. This free event will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Greenwood College School, 445 Mt. Pleasant Rd. at Davisville  Ave. It is set to begin at 6.45 p.m. Ferris Varini of SERRA says it’s a chance to learn the planning process. This includes matters such as property variances, Committee of Adjustment and the Ontario Municipal Board. SERRA says these are concerns to residents in Davisville, Leaside and other neighbourhoods. The seminar will offer residents an opportunity to learn about ways to avoid conflict with builders and neighbours prior to and during residential construction.  Councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 22) Terry Mills, a professional planer and urban designer and construction lawyer Paul Hancock plan to be present. SERRA board members experienced working with Toronto’s planning process will also be able to answer questions. SERRA is the South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Association.

 

How a Syrian family was warmly welcomed in Toronto

This is a lovely CBC feature on a Syrian family who appear to be charming, and how they were helped in Canada by kids at Dewson Street Junior Public School and others.  Video would make you glad to see them move in next door.

Do cruise lines dump on passengers to save a few bucks?

Passengers are still steaming from the ocean voyage from hell they experienced on the Royal Caribbean liner Anthem of the Seas. The captain says he thought he could get past the Atlantic storm that pounded his ship but he couldn’t. Experts ask who willingly makes book on Mother Nature with a ship full of passengers? Another question is did orders come from head office? A spokesperson says no but experienced cruisers know that frequently vacations plans are  altered (not for the better) because the company decides to save a dollar or two off promised routing or departure times.

Oshawa-Whitby byelection today PC candidate takes lead

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Gong Hey Fat Choy as Atom B Wildcats beat NY 4-0

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Atom B Wildcats Leah Witten #17 and Kassandra Lee #63 take charge of the good luck dragon which was residing at centre ice while the teams warmed up Wednesday night at Leaside Gardens. Leaside defeated North York 4-0. Gong Hey Fat Choy.

Breathtaking Raptors practice centre at Exhibtion Place

Toronto Raptors have unveiled their breathtaking practice facility at the BioSteel Centre at  Exhibition Place and it is a beauty. Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri has confirmed that the $30 million centre will be made available to the public on an as-yet-unspecified basis. Greg Ross of the CBC was there.

Leaside and East York Hydro project on track for 2017

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Alternate routes from Leaside Transformer Station to Todmorden Jct

An information meeting at the William Lea Room Wednesday night (February 10, 2016) offered an opportunity for the public to learn of a Hydro One refurbishment project which will originate at the Leaside Transformer Station (LTS). The project in full will replace underground cable located between LTS and Todmorden Junction, as well as a second leg of underground service from Lumsden Junction and Main TS. Overhead shield wire used to protect lines above-ground from lightning be replaced between Todmorden and Lumsden Junctions.

TWO ROUTES ASSESSED

Hydro One is assessing two routes for the delivery of power from LTS. One would follow the existing but outdated underground line shown in black on the map. It tracks Millwood Road for quite a distance from the transformer station. The other, shown on the map in red, would descend into the ravine and take a more circuitous overhead route to Todmorden. This route would be less disruptive of street traffic but would require a right of way through some forested land. An assessment is being done.

MEETING IN SPRING OF 2016

Project Manager Dima Ostrovsky told the South Bayview Bulldog that the most likely start date is Spring of 2017.  Hydro One intends to have another public meeting in May or June of this year to again seek public input. The utility is inviting inquiries to:

(416) 345-6799

CommunityRelations@HydroOne.com.

Website

Book version of Harry Potter and Cursed Child in July

A hardback edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts I & II will be released on 31 July, the day after the play has debuted on stage in London. It sees Harry as a father and an overworked Ministry of Magic employee. The play is from an original new story by JK Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. BBC

 

De Baeremaeker declares UberX is illegal, unfair and unsafe

Municipal officials have been successful in persuading militant taxi drivers to postpone a demonstration against UberX taxis that would paralyze downtown during NBA celebrations this weekend. There has been a stream of statements from officials such as the Mayor and many Councillors, as well as taxi boses, against a demonstration. At the same, many have spoken out against UberX, and criticized the Mayor, who they feel does not have his heart in opposition to the renegade taxi firm.  This is what Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Ward 38) said at a news conference as he was flanked by drivers and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27)

Two men treated after blast at Siltech plant on Wicksteed

Two people have been injured in an industrial accident at 225 Wicksteed Ave. early Wednesday at the Siltech Corporation plant.  A man in his 40s received serious burns as a result of sodium bicarbonate and triflic acid. The other victim received minor injuries. Siltech is said to be a maker of silicone products.

Wartime sweethearts meet and embrace 70 years later

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Norwood Thomas and Joyce Morris got together again in Adelaide, Australia this week and gave each a hug just like the old days 70 years ago. That’s when “Tommy” was a dashing U.S. paratrooper getting ready to invade Europe, and Joyce was a sweet 17 London girl, who, as it turns out, Tommy would never forget. War being what it is, both went on to marry others. But now, single and with their memories, they fulfilled a growing desire to see each other again and recall the few weeks they shared back in 1944.