The South Bayview Bulldog

Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly will be at Sleuth for a  brief appearance tomorrow (Thursday, December 10) from Noon to 1 p.m. He will be promoting his latest novel, number 20 in the Harry Bosch series. This one is called the Crossing ($34).  Sleuth of Baker Street is at 907 Millwood Road at Sutherland Drive. (416) 483-3111. Mr. Connelly is an American author of crime fiction notably those featuring LAPD Detective Bosch (Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch) and criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller. Connelly’s books have been translated into 39 languages and have won him many awards. Michael Connelly was the President of the Mystery Writers of America from 2003 to 2004

Many people are enjoying the apparent El Niño warmth of today’s weather. There is more to come as the Weather Channel forecasts a warm weekend. There is a downside as it becomes harder to keep outdoor rinks open.

A brief mention on Twitter notes that Leaside Wildcats forward Cynthia Cavanagh has committed to play for the University of Waterloo Warriors in 2016-17. Cynthia is a prolific scorer having accumulated ten goals in her 51 games with the Wildcats since she joined the team in 2014.

Stephen Poloz

What is a negative interest rate? It sounds scary to many people. But the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz, is musing about it publicly. One account online runs this way:

“During deflationary periods, people and businesses hoard money instead of spending and investing. The result is a collapse in aggregate demand which leads to prices falling even farther, a slowdown or halt in real production and output, and an increase in unemployment. A loose or expansionary monetary policy is usually employed to deal with such economic stagnation. However, if deflationary forces are strong enough, simply cutting the central bank’s interest rate to zero may not be sufficient to stimulate borrowing and lending. negative interest rate means the central bank and perhaps private banks will charge negative interest: instead of receiving money on deposits, depositors must pay regularly to keep their money with the bank. This is intended to incentivize banks to lend money more freely and businesses and individuals to invest, lend, and spend money rather than pay a fee to keep it safe.”

All guys are invited to the 12th Annual Leaside Guys Night Out Toy Drive at the Leaside Pub, Laird and McRae, Thursday, December 10, 2015. The toy drive is in aid of the children of Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park. Everyone is encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or $20 to attend. There is a 50/50 draw and raffle prizes as well as a live auction with the prize of a dinner for eight from Andy Elder’s Grilltime. Worth looking in.

New Circles Community Services at 161 Bartley Drive in East York is offering to assist Syrian refugees access to its gently-used clothing program. The charity, which is widely known for its prom clothing event for young people in Flemingdon Park, says the new arrivals can pick out their own clothing at the organization’s free department store.  “They can come here twice a year for the next two years, and pick up clothing spring, summer, fall, winter to make sure their needs and their families’ needs are met,” New Circles executive director Alykhan Suleman told CBC Toronto News. CBC

Thousands of cabbies will converge on Queen’s Park Wednesday morning  to protest the apparently illegal daily operation of Uber Taxi. It may make driving downtown a little difficult. As many as 2000 drivers from across the GTA are expected to meet at four points across Toronto and make their way to both Queen’s Park and City Hall.  Drivers  are demanding that politicians enforce city bylaws. The city is working on new rules that will reduce regulations for the taxi industry and introduce regulations for ride sharing services like Uber. That’s expected in next year some time but in the meantime the taxi industry is calling on city hall to enforce the current bylaw, which Mayor John Tory has said means that Uber is operating “outside of the law.” The protest will begin at 7:30 a.m. with drivers meeting at Yonge and Queen’s Quay, 427 and Rexdale Blvd, Victoria Park and Sheppard, and Yonge and Steeles. Drivers have been advised by the iTaxiworkers Association to keep moving and not deliberately slow traffic, but with so many extra vehicles in the already congested core, the demonstration is sure to have an impact on local traffic.

Large house on west side of Southlea Ave.

This large home on Southlea Ave. is a busy place as builders work to get it closed in before bad weather. It isn’t clear whether it is a “square” home but its height so far might suggest that.

Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat talking again about the future of  Eglinton Ave E. in a panel discussion at the Canadian Urban Institute. CBC

The Mexican restaurant is busy re-vamping food supply and handling systems after a six-state E-coli outbreak.  Consumerist (fixed)