Tory sees no end to Toronto’s holiday-shopping crazy quilt

by  • 

Mayor Tory was running away from the holiday shopping embarrassment that confounds Toronto each summer statutory holiday. Mr. Tory was interviewed by Don Peat of the Toronto Sun. The authority to permit retailers to open — as City staff has recommended  — rests entirely with City Council. The province transferred the power a couple of years ago. Instead the City struggles under an incredible crazy quilt of zones and exceptions (including the much loved taped-off space in grocery stores) on each such holiday. The mayor calls it a disadvantage but apparently has no interest in opening up the debate maybe because he has lots of other things to do. Don Peat 

“Good things happen when you hit the ball hard”

by  • 

The visitation for David Stickney was scheduled to start at 4 p.m. in the William Lea room but the staff of the Humphrey Funeral Home was busy well before 3.30 with the arriving mourners  The large meeting room was crowded for fully two-and-a-half hours before things began to thin as the clock neared 6 p.m. No doubt there would be an after dinner representation as well. The superb presentation of pictures, sports apparel and memorabilia was scheduled to be there until 8 p.m.

On this loveliest of days — some might have called it baseball weather — hundreds of people paid their respects to Mr. Stickney and his family. It was clear as well that many found comfort in the company of others who loved Dave Stickney. Youthful teen faces and those with somewhat less-young faces mixed with men and women of the 1940s and beyond. Countless former students and members of the Leaside softball team he had coached had different memories from those held by his buddies. But everyone had a common assessment of this honourable man who had graced their lives.  All present seemed to find strength in their shared knowledge of the coach who died at the age of 71 watching a baseball game a week ago.

There were many recollections. A young pitcher now graduated from Stick’s softball team recalled the friend and mentor who told her: “Good things happen when you hit the ball hard.” That, of course, is what Dave Stickney did with his entire life. The memories evoked from the display of Stick’s jackets and wind breakers over the years were vivid even for those who had not lived through those times. The Boy Scout shirt of the 82nd Glenmoore Troop, a name that serves to this day we believe. A well-worn cold weather zippered coat proudly said the wearer was a congregant of Leaside United Church. Mr. Stickney’s funeral will be at that much-loved old church next Monday, May 25, 2015. The U of T Engineering jacket, Year of 1965, seemed to shine with professional pride. Family members had set out some of the favorite music Stick had shared. Albums by Johnny Cash and Fats Domino told of the fun of that time.

Sunday’s reception seems to have come as close to being a general meeting of the community of Leaside as you are likely to have. The thick book of remembrances was filled more than half-way at 4.30 p.m. and the lineup went around the west wall of the Lea Room. Councilor Jon Burnside was seen entering about ten after five. It was a stand up event, as was proper. Oh yes, there were chairs for the elderly but most people wanted to move, share and seek the warmth of their friends,  acquaintances and like-minded people. (Monday, May 18, 2015)  

Walk With Israel event reveals 2015 election undertones

by  • 

Thousands of people are legging it out by simple steps or by gallops this Monday (May 18, 2018) in the Walk For Israel event. The starting signal was given at Coronation Park in Scarborough at 10 a.m. The Walk is an important fundraiser. The pictures to be seen at this Twitter address reveal a political undertone. St. Paul’s MP Carolyn Bennett was among a number of Liberal Friends of Israel taking part and Finance Minister Joe Oliver (also MP for Eglinton-Lawrence) appeared cheery as he and other Conservatives laced up.

Goose bumps tweet by tweet on Don Valley Parkway

by  • 

 

goose tweet

The habits of geese are well known to be unpredictable when it comes to road crossings. This morning (Sunday, May 17, 2015) when a gaggle tried to traverse the Don Valley Parkway the police closed the highway and tried to shoo the birds across. This apparently did not work and at least some of the tweets at the link ahead say coppers just hustled them along the side of the DVP and into the brush. That works. There is a pleasant tweet from Toronto Police Operations in which they report that the geese have been “cautioned appropriately.” Twitter 

Operation Duck Family 

As a bonus to this story, we are re-publishing a favorite from 2011 which chronicles Leasider Terri  Reid’s successful efforts with friends to rescue a family of ducks. Enjoy “Operation Duck Family”

ducks
Published July, 2011: Here are a few more pictures taken by Leaside resident Terri Reid of what we are calling Operation Duck Family. The mother and six ducklings were discovered Saturday on Hanna Rd. near Parkhurst Blvd. fearlessly marching along the roadway, much as we see them in the shot at the top. A growing body of residents began a lengthy operation of trying to help the ducks out of what would surely be a dangerous situation for them. Someone struck upon trying to lure them into a dog cage with bits of bread. Lower left, the process begins. But as Ms Reid observed to the South Bayview Bulldog, it isn’t easy trying to capture a duck, especially when she has six little ones. The residents were successful however in getting the duck family into the cage, still complete with Fido’s bone (lower right). The ducks were then transported to Wilket Creek where they were set loose in their natural habitat.

Sisters find each other by chance in university writing class

by  • 

sister-2

Sisters Katie (left) and Lizzie

Two sisters who had never met have found each other by chance in a creative writing class at Columbia University in New York. They were born to the same teenage mother but adopted separately and raised in different parts of the U.S. Lizzie Valverde and Katy Olson, both in their 30s, met in January 2013 on the first day of the class at Columbia University, the New York Times reports. When the students introduced themselves, Olson was shocked to hear Valverde tell of her background, which matched many details of her own, according to the report. Though they grew up under very different circumstances, one in New Jersey and the other in Florida, both women decided to move to New York around the same time and pursue their careers. Through her research, Olson knew she had a sister but not much more. Valverde knew their mother had a rocky past and a criminal record but had no idea she had a sister. Valverde will graduate Monday. Her sister and their birth mother, Leslie Parker, are expected be in attendance.

Thrilling Preakness cranks up Triple Crown excitement

by  • 

American Pharoah won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, becoming the 14th horse to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown since 1978, the year of the last Triple Crown winner. In pouring rain, American Pharoah claimed the race in dominating fashion. He was the third Preakness favorite to start from the rail since 1950. No horse had won from the rail since 1994. At the Belmont Stakes on June 6, American Pharoah will try to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Courtesy Preakness