The South Bayview Bulldog

CTV News reports that the new multi-modal roadway at Queen’s Quay is turning out to be rather dangerous. There have five accidents and uncountable infractions in the few days following the opening. CTV quotes PC Clint Stibbe of Toronto Traffic as saying that unclear signage and careless driving are making the new thoroughfare one of the most dangerous traffic routes in the city. “Essentially, it is becoming very dangerous for an individual to use the area because they’re not following the rules,” said Stibbe. The most common infractions are illegal left turns and cars crossing streetcar tracks where transit has the right of way, police said. Part of the problem, Stibbe said, is that the rules aren’t very clear. (That would do it)  “It’s sort of like anarchy on a small scale,” said nearby resident Harry Pasternak who has taken several photos of cars performing dangerous and illegal maneuvers. Waterfront Toronto, the company who unveiled the redesigned Queens Quay, says it is concerned and is looking into making changes to the signs and land markings to make the area safer for all those passing through. Police are asking drivers to be particularly careful when driving through the Queens Quay area.

LHS alumnus Ben Carlson is starring in “The Taming of the Shrew” at Stratford this season oppposite his real life wife, Deborah Hay. The pairing on stage has persuaded many former Leaside High classmates of Ben and other friends to make a trip to see the play. Ben has played Hamlet, Macbeth, Brutus and other roles in Chicago and Stratford.

Former classmates Nadia (right) and Sophia have teamed up to start the Drink Juice Co. a new in the former antique radio shop location on Manor Rd behind Hollywood Gelato. They will be open soon.

Bloor West Village home gets unexpected hydro pole

As contractors to Toronto Hydro work across South Bayview installing new poles, an incident in west end Toronto has raised an issue that many homeowners fear. It’s the sudden appearance of a hydro pole in front of the house which was bought partly at least because it didn’t have one. It’s a fact that some find a home more valuable without  a pole and/or fire hydrant out front. In this case, Hydro installed the pole in December, about a year after the utility warned residents that such a pole could be installed. Nevertheless, the family said they didn’t know until the pole arrived. They bought their house more than three years ago and would like the city to move the pole six feet over so it’s between their property and the adjacent one. But Toronto Hydro says that’s difficult to do for safety and technical reasons. The is in Bloor West Village which is an established neighbourhood where the location of poles would have been fixed years ago. This is the case in Davisville Village, Moore Park and other South Bayview areas getting new poles. No reason has been offered why hydro needed an additional pole after years of delivering electrical service without it.

Celestin, James Bailey’s estimable restaurant at Mt. Pleasant Rd and Manor Rd. will open a small butcher shop in the space adjoining the restaurant on Mt. Pleasant. It is said to be the project of his brother Ivan Tarona. For many years this space was a bakery. Today (Wednesday, June 24, 2015) Celestin was serving its Restaurantacular fare out of the space. As usual for this annual snacking event, Celestin offered $2 oysters on the half shell. There was also a delicious freshly-made porchetta to be had on a slider bun for $4. According to a source at Celestin, the new butcher shop should be open within about a month. It will be a nice addition to Mt. Pleasant.