One World Trade Centre Observatory opens to public

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Burnside sees community centre in re-named Leaside Park

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Councilor Jon Burnside says he is working toward a “fully-functioning community centre” which he would like to see located in a re-named Leaside Park, just off Overlea Blvd near Millwood Rd. He has reviewed the high percentage of young people in this largely immigrant neighborhood. As much as 26 percent of the population is said to be under the age of 14. Thorncliffe Park needs more attention, the councillor says. The Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre is housed in the same building as the Thornclffie Public Library at 48 Thorncliffe Park. It is always busy as is the seemingly quite dynamic Valley Park Middle School at 130 Overlea Blvd. Its cricket field is an enormous attraction. No doubt more could be done but it must be said the young people of Thorncliffe Park seem by and large to be a credit to the community.  The Councillor correctly says however that it is essential that the City provide sufficient programs and facilities to engage our youth. He asked that those with suggestions for a name for Leaside Park call his office at 416-392-0215. All ideas will  be considered.

Premier Wynne says she will act to end strike if necessary

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Premier Wynne says she is prepared to take whatever action that she needs to take to get students back to school as quickly as possible. The declaration came as reporters peppered the Premier with questions about back to work legislation.  There are two judgments of a kind to be delivered before the Premier is likely to act. The government has sought official advice from the Education Relations Commission on whether the students’ academic year is at risk, usually the first step in the process of legislating workers back on the job. No word yet from the ERL so far. Then there’s the petition by three school board to the Ontario Labour Relations Board claiming that the secondary school teachers are on an illegal strike in Durham, Peel and Rainbow (Sudbury) District school boards.

News conference with Mike Babcock courtesy CBC

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Some “Doors Open” sites are right around South Bayview

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The annual Doors Open Toronto opportunity is a being held this weekend. It is a fine chance for the curious to see inside well-known and important buildings. Locally, you can investigate a number of places in South Bayview. We have listed them below. Two businesses of interest are Sky Zone and Amsterdam Brewers in Leaside on Esandar Drive. The Branksome Hall Wellness and Athletics Centre on Mt. Pleasant is an exciting new complex. Here is the list.

Letterman finale: “Our long national nightmare is over”

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Babcock promises Leaf fans hard work, pain and fun

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The new coach of the Maple Leafs has promised fans a period of hard work, pain and fun as he labours to re-build the team. He said he was thrilled and excited for the journey ahead. There was almost a snicker — not quite but almost — when the first question to Mike Babcock was “Why the Maple Leafs.” Every mind was thinking that $50 million dollars is not chicken feed. But the new coach went on to talk sincerely about an admiration for the management and the franchise, and for Toronto itself. It appears he will enjoy living here, as most people might. He called the City fantastic and suggested that he and his “married partner” of many years would find it a great home. In the end, Babcock referenced his “straightforward and honest approach” to all his dealings and the long-term commitments he has made in the past in Spokane and Detroit. He arrived in Toronto Thursday morning aboard the private jet of his new employer and was sped downtown to Air Canada Centre for the 11 a.m. news conference.

French Open hurries to catch up with other tennis leaders

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The absence of a roof for its premier court and no lights (remarkable) has caused the French Open to get busy with a makeover for the Roland Garros Centre to compete with the other three tennis majors, U-K, U.S.and Australia.

Ontario approves York-Seneca Campus in Markham

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Simona Chiose, Globe and Mail 

Talking with Dave Stickney for 100 Years Inside Leaside

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Filmmaker Anthony Regan has made available clips from an interview done with the late Dave Stickney during the 2013 preparations for the video 100 Years Inside Leaside.

Mike Babcock scoops richest NHL coaching job in history

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bab-500 The plaudits are rolling in for “the best coach in the NHL” and fans are catching their breath at the enormous treasure he has won. It is an eight year contract worth $50 million U.S., the richest ever for an NHL coach, it is said. It was won in a down-to-the-last-minute series of bargaining which left the Buffalo Sabres locked out at the last second and the Detroit Red Wings, his employer until mid-morning, begging Babcock to stay. The twitter giddiness is palpable but older heads say there is no guarantee of anything. and if Babcock can deliver for the Leafs, he will have earned every dime.

Large public art space available at St. Clair and Yonge

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1 St. Clair looking east to Yonge

The owners of the building known as 1 St Clair West have sought the offices of Josh Matlow (Ward 22) for an enormous piece of street art for the blank wall of the structure that faces west. The idea comes to light in Mr. Matlow’s current newsletter in which he speaks of recently being presented with this opportunity. To get things started he has issued a call for feedback and ideas for the project. He notes that future opportunities for community feedback regarding theme will be available to those interested in contributing further. Also in the Matlow newsletter are a number of items of interest including a new $350,000 playground at Deer Park Public School, a meeting May 28 on the future of the Lawton Parkette and a meeting on Rail Safety. This  latter is sponsored by Rail Safety First and will be held at the U of T, somewhat outside the neighborhood.  Matlow letter