This happened in Manhattan. Note the cook who still has his sense of humour. “This was the most important 20 minutes of my life,” he says.
Concern for “employment land” in plan for 36 Overlea Blvd.
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A lightly-attended meeting in the William Lea Room Wednesday (January 13, 2016) heard concerns about a proposal to convert the land of the Add Ink firm at 36 Overlea Blvd to commercial and retail use. It is now zoned loosely as “employment land” and it sits next door the future site of the Costco store which will be built on the former Coca Cola lands at 42 Overlea. A representative of the owner explained that the intention is to build about 70,000 square feet of space much of which, it may be assumed, will be designed for retail tenants.
SUBURBAN
The meeting revealed long-established concerns by the Leaside Property Owners Association (LPOA) and others about the loss of employment lands. One speaker called it an effort to avoid becoming suburban. For many others, however, the concept of employment lands is elusive if not obscure. The planning act describes such usage as suitable for manufacturing, warehousing, office, retail as related to manufacturing or warehousing and “facilities that are ancillary to uses mentioned in the foregoing.”
LAIRD DRIVE
The concern would seem to be that this part of East York might become something like the Golden Mile. Whether this is a realistic likelihood is an open question. Laird Drive has seen a lot of retail development but it continues to house businesses like Rack Attack, Leaside Plumbing, Laird Auto Body and other “employment” type enterprises. These types of workplaces are attractive as a source of variety and service for residents. Could Overlea develop more like Laird Drive? It might be difficult. Many Laird businesses are housed in buildings that seem ultimately destined for redevelopment. Many local figures were at the meeting: Councillor Jon Burnside was seen as were Carol Burtin-Fripp and Geoff Kettel of the LPOA.
Shocking case of “dangerous offenders” against children
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This is a deeply troubling story from Newmarket about three young adults — a man and two women — involved in a conspiracy to abuse children. They are sentenced and now being reviewed for permanent status as dangerous offenders. CBC
“Jerkpot” breaks window at baker’s Powerball giveaway
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A man broke one of the front windows of the World Class Baker’s shop on St. Clair Ave West today as dozens of people waited at the shop to get a free Powerball Lottery ticket with their purchase. This video records the moments immediately after the strange unexplained attack and shows the culprit walking away, and then being arrested. We would like to take credit for the inspired tag of “Jerkpot” for this person but we can’t. Video was shot by the Weather Network.
Goodly crowd at Phillips Square to greet Trudeau, Tory
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CP24 story recounts visit to Toronto City Hall by the Prime Minister. Video @drider on Twitter via YouTube.
Mystery of “Blue S” on stores between Sutherland and Laird
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Blue S on door, Mr. Kortleever
Wilmar Kortleever offers a challenge to inquiring minds as he asks on Leaside Chit Chat Facebook who is putting obscure notices on the front of Eglinton Ave. storefronts which simply read: “S” in the colour blue. Wilmar (inset) says this started four or five days ago between Laird and Sutherland on both sides. The simple pieces of paper are taped to windows. He says: “Only saw them today (Wednesday) triggered my curiosity, had a rare minute to kill between engagements, so inquired a bit. Turns out most (if not all) business owners have no clue what they mean, or who put them up. Two people suggested it had to do with Metrolinx, but that could be the logical automatism for all the mayhem happening around here. The most specific suggestion I got was that it signified some kind of ‘being safe’. Which is actually somewhat worrisome, because safe from what? And who is not?”
POWERBALL MADNESS: $2,143,650,000 Canadian
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Wheel-Trans bus hits man, dogs on Kingston Rd. sidewalk
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A man and two dogs were knocked unconscious by a Wheel-Trans bus when it veered onto the sidewalk at Kingston Rd. and Main St Wednesday. morning. The man as taken to hospital and the dogs were being treated at an animal hospital, police said. They are not sure what caused the Wheel-Trans bus to go out of control. Paramedics said the pedestrian seemed to have life-threatening injuries and a second man, the driver, was also taken to hospital. One dog was found on scene without vital signs.. Rescuers had to be careful because the bus struck a hydro pole and brought down wires. Photo by Ian Caldwell via Twitter
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Bully and the Beanstalk funny, thoughtful for CGS children
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CGS students get the joke at performance of Bully and the Beanstalk
CGS students had a special treat this week when the school’s Parent Association engaged Michael McMurtry of Merry Tale Theatre to present his one man show Bully and the Beanstalk to the whole school. This creative children’s theatre featured Jack of the original Beanstalk fable in a stage presentation that was funny, thoughtful and inspiring. (picture above shows some of the funny part). Jack learned how to be brave and stand up to the bully Brandon with a little help from a great cast of characters. Two CGS students and one staff member were part of the action. Well done Grade 4 students, Isabella and Elie and Grade 1 teacher, Jordan.
PARENT ASSOCIATION
The CGS Parent Association sponsors a special event/workshop for the children every term. This one counts among the best events to date. The children learned about why bullies may behave as they do and strategies to use if you are being bullied, all while being incredibly entertained. Michael’s story empowers children on both sides of the issue to ask questions and show empathy. If you have a chance to see this show or invite Micheal to your school, take it.
Michael McMurty of Merry Tale Theatre
Instructive moment from Bully and the Beanstalk
CGS teacher Jordan (right) helps tell Beanstalk fable
Woman dead in head-on crash with truck on the QEW
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NEWS BRIEFS: Western doctors transplant a hand
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Doctor of the University Health Network working at Western Hospital have transplanted a forearm and hand in a procedure that lasted about 14 hours. The transplant recipient is a 49-year-old woman who had lost her arm below the elbow in an accident years some The surgery was led by Dr. Steven McCabe, director of the Toronto Western Hospital’s hand and upper extremity transplant program. He was part of a surgical team in Louisville, Ky., that performed the world’s first successful hand transplant in 1999. There have been more than 110 hand transplants worldwide but this is the first in Canada.
TWO TRACKS have reopened on the Lakeshore West GO Transit line and regular service is resuming after a person was struck near the Port Credit station Tuesday afternoon. GO Transit says the person, who was struck on the westbound line, has died. Peel Paramedics could not confirm the age or gender of the victim.
MAYOR TORY AND PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU will meet privately for 45 minutes before the two hold a news conference at City Hall Wednesday. .Hope is higH there will an announcement about funding for the Smart Track project. Before his meeting at City Hall, Trudeau will be at the MaRS Discovery District where the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) says “a major announcement with a global impact” will be made.
Man sees business spiral for “Muddy Mutts” dog pants
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