This brief video (with sirens be warned) catches the flavour of a short visit to Bayview Ave Wednesday between Millwood Rd. and Belsize Drive. There was a smell detected that might have signalled fire but such was not the case. Trucks cleared almost immediately. Occasionally the aroma of the fresh Montreal style bagels cooking over the wood fire at the The Bagel House will prompt a moment of panic (and not just that we will eat two instead of one).
Karen Anne Duff
This obituary was published February 28, 2015, in the Toronto Star –Ed. It is with profound shock and sadness that we announce the sudden loss of Karen, at the age of 58, after a brief illness due to a rare and aggressive cancer on February 21, 2015. Devoted wife of Graeme for 34 years, loving mother and tireless advocate for Cameron (Cam) and the late Emily (Emmy), beloved daughter of Ken and Judy Gillis, dear sister to Nancy (Bruce), Sandy (Mike) and Scott (Emma), caring aunt and loyal friend. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Karen began a promising career in banking at the Bank of Montreal. When it became apparent that Cam required more support, she gave up her business career without hesitation. She worked tirelessly to address Cameron’s many needs and provided him with her love and unwavering dedication. Over the years that followed, Karen threw her dogged determination and boundless love into supporting Emmy through her medical challenges. Her persistence and attentiveness ensured that Emmy got the best possible care throughout her journey. More importantly, she gave Emmy the wings to become a resilient and compassionate young woman who, like her mother, never complained about the inequities of life. Karen was a devoted volunteer and supported a variety of causes including Centennial Infant and Child Centre, Variety Village, Canadian Association for Riding for the Disabled and Northlea United Church. Despite the many challenges life threw at her, Karen always found time for others. Friends and family enjoyed the results of Karen’s talents in the kitchen. She loved to read and was constantly ready with book titles or information tidbits.
Day One of the trial of Mike Duffy on charges of fraud and bribery has begun in Ottawa to much excitement and speculation. But there has been nothing new so far as the Crown and defense present their cases. Click picture for all leads Photo CBC
In Truro, Nova Scotia, an exchange of words at a pizza shop leads to lives seriously damaged.
A family of four from Delaware is back home after their villa in the U.S Virgin Island was apparently fumigated while they were in the building by the Terminix firm. The chemical used was a deadly agent, methyl bromide, something that would never be used for such a purpose. According to reports, the teenage boys, ages 16 and 14 are in comas, in critical condition at a Philadelphia hospital after suffering seizures. Their father is conscious, but cannot move, and their mother has been released. Methyl Bromide is used in farming and insect control in the U.S. and is a highly restricted substance, but is not illegal. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, high exposure to humans can cause central nervous system and respiratory failure.
A harrowing experience like that of a three-year-old girl at the St. Clair West subway station Monday can usually be avoided by showing care when at the bottom or top of an escalator. This is where the steps disappear and loop back under the mechanism. They pass through the teeth of a finely-calibrated guard called a comb. It is closely machined but it isn’t perfect. You can see what they look like in the photos. The damaged shoe shown in the upper photo was caught when it slammed into a comb. If the rider had stepped over the comb, as is advised, the accident would not have happened. Low-hanging clothing is a peril as well. This appears to be how a Montreal woman died last year. It began when the fringe of her long-hanging scarf slipped into the comb. Children don’t know any better and must be watched. They frequently sit down on the lifts, creating a lot of opportunity for clothing to be trapped. Pictures taken by Arda Zakarian of CP24 show the site of the child’s entrapment at the St.Clair West station. There is a lot of chewed up and damaged clothing but it had to start with one little piece. The CBC report says the child was sitting on the steps and her sleeves finally slipped into the comb at the bottom. Earlier reports said the little girl’s hand had been trapped but this was not the case. An alert citizen turned off the escalator and for that act deserves recognition.
The intersection of Spadina Avenue and College Street is a mess, just the latest in the enormous cost paid by the people of Toronto for the inconvenient streetcar dream that the City has indulged for decades. The question superimposed on the picture above can be heard echoing through homes, offices, on the street, Twitter and no doubt on the pillow before drifting off. Why? The most obvious reason is that we own the streetcars. But why do we own streetcars? Who can begrudge those with nostalgia for our past? We do not. But we are living with a kind of madness on the streets that surely must come to an end as soon as possible.
New green bins are said by the City to be on the way and they are supposed to be racoon-proof. We will believe that when we see it. But if that’s true, the question that comes to mind is a bit puckish perhaps, but are hungry racoons dangerous? There are thousands of them you know. Let’s hope they don’t decide to join ISIS. We say this in jest but it is no joke that the real problem is the pampered Racoon Nation, not the bins. Toronto Sun
