Sandra Radcliffe of Leaside has complained to CityNews that the overgrown garden beds at Leaside Arena look like a “derelict area.” Ms. Radcliffe is identified by the television station as a Community Advocate. The late summer weeds are an issue for some residents although others like hockey mom Jennifer Brennan says she didn’t really notice. According to the CityNews story community efforts — that would be volunteers — were thwarted from cleaning up and replanting the beds because the union (CUPE) complained. Hey, did you think you owned the place or something? Councillor Burnside (Ward 26) says the parks department has been called in to cut the weeds. If they are as fast at yanking things out by the root as they are on the Moore Ave boulevard it won’t take long.
30 km/h limit: Alternate reduction idea is used in Winnipeg
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Those pushing for a 30 km/h speed limit on residential streets in Ward 22 and Leaside may wish to know about the seasonal (and time of day) speed reductions in Winnipeg. This week the local police outside schools are issuing dozens of tickets a day between 7 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. The program is in effect between October and June. Last year Winnipeg police issued more than 40,000 tickets. Here in Toronto, the Toronto and East York Council (which includes Ward 22) has voted to lower the residential limit to 30 from 40 km/h And Councilor Jon Burnside has told The South Bayview Bulldog that he will support such a change for Leaside if North York Council is in favor. But, as recorded in our story of June 23, 2015, there is more to making this a reality than just a vote at the local council. How will NY Council (and Leaside) decide on 30 km/h
Is moving man trying to fix this bicycle, or wreck it?
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That’s the question as a woman complains a moving company damaged her bicycle during her move from Kingston to Mississauga. The CBC contacted the firm and was told he was actually trying to fix the bike, which appears to have a bent wheel before he touches it. Take a look. CBC
Goins, Goins, Gone: Ryan wins it for Jays in the 10th
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Location, location: Tumbledown house fetches $1 million
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There is lots of expressed surprise that a home in “unlivable” condition would fetch a million dollars. But it seems to be a case of location, location, location. This particular house sits on mud on Kippendavie Ave in the Beach, desirably close to Queen Street E and the lake. A new house on this lot will certainly command a price in excess of $2 million. Hamilton Spectator
Black’s Camera now closed in the Sunnybrook Plaza
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Blacks has closed in the Sunnybrook Plaza with the once familiar shop at Eglinton and Bayview papered over and showing not a sign of its former identity. The closure is part of the shutdown of the entire Telus-owned chain announced in the Spring. The Canadian camera shop and film developing chain with the slogan “Blacks is photography” was a part of the lives of millions of people. Telus acquired Blacks in 2009 and tried to convert it to a high-service camera and specialty photo business. Sadly, there was not sufficient interest in the mobile world and last month all 59 of the companies stores closed. About 485 employees are affected by the closure. Telus promised to try to find new jobs for those employees with Telus or its mobile service Koodo.
Swiss Chalet giant Cara buys Toronto’s New York Fries
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Cara Operations has purchased New York Fries in a deal that keep the and other terms secret. Cara owns Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, Kelsey’s, East Side Mario’s, Montana’s, Milestones, Prime Pubs (Fionn MacCool’s, The Merchant), Casey’s, Bier Markt and Landing Restaurants, including Hunter’s Landing, Harper’s Landing and Williams Landing. It is said that the 30-year-old NY Fries will help diversify Cara’s portfolio of stores into shopping centers, where Cara’s existing brands have limited presence.
Bay, Adelaide re-opened after engineers checked antenna
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Bay and Adelaide Streets have been re-opened in the few minutes before this post. They had been closed while engineers checked the stability of the antenna tower on top of the Trump Tower. There has been no explanation of what they found but the street re-oepning would seem to speak for itself.
Mt. Pleasant planning meeting Wednesday, September 2
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Mount Pleasant Village will hold a public meeting tomorrow, September 2, 2015 at Briton House to discuss a new streetscape plan. Urban design company PUBLIC WORK will present an initial draft of what our street could look like in 10 years. The meting begins at 6:30. Briton House is at 720 Mount Pleasant Road at Manor Road.
Theft of the narcotic Oxyneo at O’Connor and Woodbine
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Police are warning about the theft of the drug Oxyneo a narcotic pain reliever. On Sunday, August 23 2015, two containers of Oxyneo 80 mg were stolen in the Woodbine Avenue and O’Connor Drive area. These pills could be fatal if ingested, especially to children. Anyone finding the medication is asked not to handle it, but to contact police at 416-808-5400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Canada has technical recession but saw a bounce in June
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Fines try to break through delusional habits on the road
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Drunk driving is certainly delusional but the assumption has usually been that impaired motorists at least kept their eyes on the road. But now impaired driving has been superseded by the staggeringly dangerous folly of reading one’s email while driving. The mobile phone experience as been a terrible blow to the our faith in the common sense of humanity. New fines are in effect today in Ontario to try to get the attention of such drivers. The penalty for using a mobile phone in your car while it is moving is now $490, maybe higher. Cycling is included in the new legislation. Whether fines for “dooring” and a requirement for vehicles to stay a metre away from cyclists will make that form of transportation safer remains an open question. Cycling is an inherently tricky experience. Riders sit atop a nicely balanced two-wheeled vehicle with no protection from anything they may strike or be struck by. That may or may not be delusional but blowing through stop signs and hurtling around blind corners certainly is. Such conduct may be seen daily in South Bayview. Many if not most cycling fatalities are caused by the cyclist. It remains to be seen if new fines are enough to break through our enduring delusions about road safety