Police report break-ins near Glenvale Blvd, Roselawn Ave

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Police at 53 Division have issued a neighborhood alert about break-ins in the Glenvale Blvd area of Leaside (north of Eglinton and South of Sunnybrook Hospital) and in the area between Yonge and Bathurst Sts. near Roselawn Ave. This appears to be a case of thieves assessing homes by knocking on doors to see if anyone is home.Police recommend that if unknown people come to your door to turn on a light and speak to them only through the door (without opening it) to send them away. This, as the police say, makes it clear there is someone home. They also advise homeowners to lock and secure doors and to employ a security alarm.

Matlow vision for Yonge and Eglinton is green and open

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Josh Matlow (Ward 22) was surveying the state of things at Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. this Thursday morning (March 19, 2015). As is known, Mr. Matlow is an energetic proponent of parkland and green space in the ward and the City. He recounted how he had, in his first few days in office in 2010, begun to lobby for a public square or similar open space on the southwest corner of the two thoroughfares.  Since then City Council has approved this concept but of course any such work is undefined and probably at least five years away. The southwest block is a dingy mix of abandoned TTC bus bays, storage, the tired-looking Canada Square building and certain facilities along Berwick Ave on the south. Matlow noted the work that has been done to retain public space on both the northwest and northeast corners where heavy construction is underway. A similar challenge is ahead he said for the southeast corner where a 60 storey building has been proposed to replace the structure now known as One Eglinton East, where the CIBC branch is located. Listen to the councillor’s ideas above.

CRTC wants to know how TV pick and pay news got leaked

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It has been leaked today that the CRTC will require cable companies to let subscribers “pick and pay” their choice of TV channels. A basic set of channels would be mandatory for $25. The idea for pick and pay is that a customer can then select only the few or several others that he wants and somehow save money. It has been argued there is no such bargain to be had. That remains to be seen. But now the CRTC is asking just who leaked this news. It was supposed to be confidential until the markets closed. Now the story is out two or three hours early.  We don’t know the snitch but any schoolboy would tell the Ottawa mandarins to check with the boardrooms of the big cable operations. They are the only ones who are told about it and it seems clear that some sneak with a media connection (CTV in this case) whispered something he should not have. The drama.  CBC

Unstable pavement at Eglinton West LRT tunneling

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Crews have begun to drill down at the site of the unstable roadway at Eglinton Avenue W. near Keele Street. The best information available suggests a leak of some kind that has undermined tunneling work for the Crosstown LRT. According to some reports there is little chance of a sinkhole opening up. With the many drill  holes and underground work needed for this project we may expect more unstable pavement from time to time, it seems. Among concerns at this location is a collapse below ground which might severe a high-pressure watermain which serves Black Creek Drive.

 

Tory hip to SXSW but doesn’t appear on Lie Witness News

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Mayor John Tory is having fun at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. We’re sure he is learning things that will be of use back in Toronto. He told Canadian Press that he has a renewed desire in making Toronto “even more hip” than it already is. Meanwhile that great friend of Rob Ford, Jimmy Kimmel, has also moved into Austin where his nightly program has once again featured Lie Witness News  That’s where Mr. Kimmel’s sneaky helpers get excited people to tell silly lies. In the video below they swear they know the music of non-existent bands. We may be sure that Mr. Tory, straight-shooter that he is, will not be telling fibs about his visit to SXSW.  He also figured out a while ago he was doing the City no favours by delivering himself into the hands of Kimmel. Tory has so far seen performances by Toronto-based hip hop artists Blake Carrington, Grand Analog and Socrates. He has met with representatives of technology company AMD to discuss the role of Austin’s music scene in helping it attract the best employees and grow its business.  Then he attended the Canadian Blast BBQ (hey, you gotta eat)  which included performances by a number of Canadian artists including Toronto’s July Talk. Hmm. July Talk. We’re pretty sure they really exist. Among those commenting on Mr. Tory’s trip to Austin is Joe Warmington of the Sun, a friend of Rob Ford, who wonders if the money is being well spent.

 

Starbucks in U.S. invites staff to discuss race with customers

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The initiative is intended to start a national conversation — presumably a good one — about race. From what one sees in television there aren’t too many nice ones. But the owner of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, is a very activist man. He calls his idea Race Together.The idea has been met with support, ridicule and consternation. Someone noted most of the Starbucks are in white neighborhoods. Anyway, it doesn’t apply in Canada. according to reports. All leads   #racetogether

Historic hotel in Unionville struck by noon-hour fire

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Markham residents are lamenting the fire damage done today to one of the town’s historic sites, the Queen’s Hotel at Main St. and Carlton Road. A blaze which is now under control broke out about 12.30 p.m. Firefighters were at the scene within seconds and have fought the blaze through the day to limit damage. Many on the street have voiced the hope that the hotel can be restored. Photos on the right were tweeted. The top photo was snapped by Dave Tucci just as the fire department turned on the water. Numerous units attended the scene. Six pumpers, two aerial units, two command units and an air-light unit were called out. Around 36 firefighters were on the scene to deal with the blaze. “They’re having difficulty because it’s concealed spaces, it’s an older building,” Chief Phillip Alexander told the Toronto Star. Some people were inside the building when the fire broke out, Alexander said. But everyone was able to get out, and no one was injured.The Queen’s Hotel was built in 1871 when railways first reached the village. It was a major social centre in the area for decades, before eventually being converted to retail and executive offices. It is surrounded by several historic buildings, including the sites of the former post office and general store.