It has been a while now since we’ve seen the Maurice Cody Halloween costume parade along Bayview Ave. The shots below are from 2011. The parade was scheduled, according to crossing guards, to take place but no one seems certain. Who saw it? Readers are asking if the teachers work to rule might have interferred.
Frank Eckert
It’s the time of the year when homeowners are often trying to fit in some outdoor repairs. That was the case on Bessborough Drive this week where licensed (and government certified) masonry contractor Frank Eckert was rebuilding a front porch. Frank’s story caught the interest of readers last summer and since then many have seen the outstanding reviews of his work on the HomeStars website Because of the weather-related nature of his trade, Frank is working to complete as much work as he can before winter shuts things down. Of course there’s next year. If you are in need of masonry, bricklaying or cement work for walkways, porches, fireplaces or any of the other jobs among Frank’s specialties, check out his Bulldog page with a further link to HomeStars.
Trick or treating came a day early at the White House. See who the president declared should get the “top prize” for best costume. Meantime, Toronto police have issued 13 excellent safety reminders for Saturday night.
SAFETY REMINDERS
1) Put strips of reflective tape on the front and back of the costumes drop into Bonnie Byford Real Estate at 1536 Bayview get some free glowsticks for everyone. While they last.
2) Your child’s costume shouldn’t drag on the ground — it’s too easy to trip over. Shoes should be well-fitting and sturdy.
3) Don’t allow children to carry sharp objects. Swords, knives, and any other accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.
4) If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eye holes large enough so that he or she can see.
5) Make sure that treat bags are light-colored for easy visibility. Decorate them with reflective tape (you can find it in hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods stores).
6) No child should go trick-or-treating alone. Always accompany your younger children; older children can go in groups.
7) Allow children to go trick-or-treating early but avoid the evening rush hour. It’s harder for motorists to see clearly during twilight than at any other time of day.
8) Give children specific neighbourhood boundaries for trick-or-treating. Set a firm curfew for your children.
9) Remind children to walk on sidewalks and be cautious when crossing streets.
10) Tell children to only go to homes and neighbors they know and only to houses with lights on.
11) Tell children to turn down all invitations to enter homes. Period.
12) Tell children to avoid even normally friendly neighborhood dogs, who can be startled by kids they know who are dressed in unfamiliar costumes.
13) Drivers: remember children may be preoccupied with trick-or-treating and may not be paying attention to the rules of the road. Keep vehicle speeds at or below the posted limits, and scan the road for children attempting to cross streets mid-block.
Bayview Ave. south of the River Street exit is a mess this weekend and may be closed for several days as crews work to repair the rupture of a 117-year-old cast iron water main. There are reports that the flooding is causing what might be the beginning of a sinkhole. This all happened about 2.45 a.m. Friday north of Queen Street when the corroded pipe gave way and sent water rushing towards the Don River. Bayview is closed in both directions between River and King Street East because of the break and it’s not yet clear how long the closure will last. The break also triggered concerns that the gas company, Enbridge,. has large mains in the area. All digging is subject to careful assessment. Toronto Water said machinery would need to be brought in to excavate the broken water main. There is also inconvenience for some residents who will be without water.
NosaAisien
There is a teasing quality to the Toronto Police appeal for help in finding Nosa Aisien, 31, for defrauding an unnamed “financial institution” of an unstated “substantial amount of money.” Nonetheless, the cops are intent of finding Mr. Aisien, as they appeal to members of the Nigerian community in Toronto for assistance. The release says he is wanted on a warrant in the first. It is also known as a first instance warrant. Police say the accused impersonated an employee of a company to negotiate a wire transfer defrauding a financial institution of a substantial amount of monies and also used the Internet to facilitate carrying out the offences (how intriguing). Investigators believe Nosa Aisien may be living under an assumed name in the Toronto area and is known to frequent locations and events attended by members of the Nigerian community in Toronto.
George Armstrong
The Leaside Sports Hall of Fame will honour Maple Leaf legend George Armstrong. Armstrong was known universally among fans and players as “The Chief” for his captaincy of the Leafs. He played 21 seasons for the team and scored the final goal of the original six era when Toronto won the 1967 Stanley Cup. The Chief turned 85 this year and will be in attendance for the event.
RESIDENT OF LEASIDE SINCE 1960
He has been a resident and homeowner in Leaside since 1960. The evening will be held at Leaside Arena on Friday, November 20 at 7 p.m.. and tickets are $25. Organizer Roanne Argyle says the whole community is welcome. Former Hockey Night in Canada host and Peter Puck creator Brian McFarlane will be the guest speaker. We’re told he will have some special words for Armstrong. Detailed information and inductees at www.leasidesports.com.
Canadian Cutting and Coring — a name to reckon with — has the job of cutting the sidewalk on Mt. Pleasant Rd. in nice circular little spots where the new utility poles will be placed. It is hard and tedious work and it has caused an all-day traffic jam — just like rush hour — for many weeks now. Good to avoid
Good report by John Lancaster of CBC Toronto.
Toronto moves the hour hand backwards one hour this weekend preferably just before you turn in Saturday night. Standard time is observed everywhere in Ontario even in the westernmost parts where clocks on set to the Prairie time zone, not Eastern.
Lower Bayview Avenue was flooded early Friday when a watermain broke in the vicinity of Queen Street. during the rush hour. Bayview was closed and may remain so River Street to Eastern Avenue. Toronto Water said machinery will be brought in to excavate the broken water main and the closure could last for an extended period.
Dennis Cibulka, owner of the semi-detached home at 313 Manor Road, seems to be coming to the end of the line in his attempt to stay in the home which has been the focus of fire, health and general nuisance concerns by the City and neighbors. Mr. Cibulka keeps things and over the years it has been necessary for municipal officials to clean out the home to make it habitable for Mr.Cibulka and safe for neighbors. One such event occurred in November 2013. Now the home is listed in a power of sale advertisement as having unpaid taxes of $71,854.24. If this amount remains unpaid, Mr. Cibulka will certainly lose the home, which was his mother’s previously, and which he has seemed determined to remain in. The back taxes issue runs against neighborhood assumptions that Mr. Cibulka is quite able to pay such costs, but these beliefs are far from confirmed. Previous stories
