Pilot survives crash of his plane near Trenton

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Ouch!
A pilot has survived a rough landing in his small plane on a highway near Trenton Sunday evening. It seems very god luck that he was able to land without hitting other vehicles. Police say that the plane also took down some powers lines. Police report the pilot was taken to Trenton Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. About 160 customers in the area are still without power this morning. Reports from the scene say the pilot avoided a crash landing in the Bay of Quinte just a few metres to the south. The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, August. 17, 2014 in Trenton.. A section of the Loyalist Parkway (Hwy. 33) remains closed. Transportation safety board inspectors were on their way to the scene Sunday. Photos via Twitter by Eric Kuglin of the Whig.com 

Russia has no criticism of Putin and he is idolized

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In countries like Canada and the United States, it is almost impossible to imagine the high esteem in which ordinary Russians hold President Vladimir Putin.  He is seen as a hero, “the most polite of people” according to one slogan on shirts for sale in Moscow. Our politicians are reviled daily by millions of critics on all sides. Those in office are subject to public nagging and outright abuse. Putin is serenely untouched by such things. His image is everywhere and there no criticism of him heard in the controlled media. This video from Reuters reveals just how differently his countrymen see the man who is cast in the West as a thug and imperialist.

Open Streets has no traffic control of bikes

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The Open Streets experiment on Bloor and Yonge Streets has gotten off to a curious and somewhat sparsely populated start. The first of two closings took place today (Sunday, August 17, 2014) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. As few as they were, those on foot had to watch out for bicycles and the occasional skate boarder. There was clearly no traffic control. Cyclists swung from one side of Bloor to the other. A woman heading south on her bike traversed the intersection at a speed of perhaps 30 km/h. The purpose of the street closure was hard to find. In the Starbucks on Yonge just north of Bloor the baristas were bemoaning the lack of business. “It’s so slow,” said one. Out on the street, a few couples and families walked mostly on the sidewalks looking a little bemused by the empty thoroughfare. A lively band played to a handful of onlookers outside Zara on Bloor. Nonetheless, with all the hoopla preceding it, Open Streets was de rigeur for mayoral candidates. Sarah Thompson and her workers were dressed in cheery red and white. They hustled potential voters fairly aggressively but found limited opportunities. Olivia Chow and John Tory made an appearance. Kristyn Wong-Tam, (Ward 27) was present. It is an open question if any of today’s open streeters, even those on bicycles, made it from end to end of the blocked off roadway. The much ballyhooed “connection” of neighborhoods seemed moot.  

Union Station TTC open Monday? Hope so

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They’re saying the new platform at Union Station TTC subway station will be open for Monday-morning service. Hope so. This is apparently how it looks this weekend. For those who use the station the new platform should provide a lot more elbow room. But there will be a fence between the old platform and the new. The skinny old quay will be for passengers on the University trains only and the new platform will be for Yonge traffic. Police will be there to sort out confused riders. Sounds like fun. 

Mohawk band unhappy with outsiders: writer

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Emily Chan of CTV writes a quiet little story about how Mohawk pure bloods want to kick “outsiders” off the reserve even though they’re married to genuine aboriginals. In any other context, this kind of  thing would have the country up in arms. Some might use the R-word. Not so much in Mohawk land. Emily Chan, CTV News 

Yonge, Bloor Streets to be closed Sunday

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Here is a good summary of street closures and transit problems in effect this weekend.  CTV

KISS Demon and daughter give makeup tutorial

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Sophie Tweed-Simmons, daughter of legendary KISS “Demon” Gene Simmons gets made up by her dad for any who wish to have a KISS Me! face for now or later, say Halloween. 

Gen-Cor Furniture to open at 1661 Bayview

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Gen-Cor Furniture Limited is getting ready to open at 1661 Bayview Ave. That’s the former home of Vescada hair salon. As readers will know, the operators of Vescada have moved across the street and re-named the business P and P Hair. Welcome Gen-Cor Furniture Limited.

Car detailer won’t say what he did with client’s car

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Carlos Tomas took his Mazda RX-8 to “Mikey” in Scarborough to get it cleaned and detailed. When it came back, it had 449 more kilometres on it than when Tomas last saw it. A few days later, Tomas got a bill from Highway 407 showing the vehicle was driven on the highway during the time it was in Mikey’s possession. The Toronto Star liked the story and accompanied Tomas to the detailing garage. The above undercover video is revealing as Mikey brusquely takes the position that he doesn’t have to answer any questions.  

Yonge St. closed between Belsize and Manor

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No Allure

Yonge Street will be closed all weekend between Belsize Drive and Manor Road so that the large crane used to help build the Allure Condominium can be removed. The closure has business owners steaming. Miguel Cardinal of Aut Lit bed linens says his business will suffer. The crane has been on location for the best part of two years to finish the structure of the Allure. It appears Josh Matlow (Ward 22) tried to help. He told the Toronto Star he was able to negotiate a “pause” after merchants received notice from the developer and All Canada Crane Rental Corp. informing them of a planned closure last weekend. “I was able to work quickly on this and at least improve their communications. But in the future this should never happen again,” he said. It is however a frequent but seldom thought-of peril for retailers on City streets. There is an uncountable number of reasons why business may be effectively halted or slowed ranging from re-painting lines on street to a movie shoot. Many retailers suspect that some contractors and organizers prefer to give less notice as long as their permits and licenses are in order because more notice creates more resistance from store owners.  Toronto Star

Doctors too busy to write “postal notes” says CMA

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Canada Post’s vague plans for getting the mail delivered even after it stops delivering the mail continues to surprise. A comment over the last couple of days that CP may require a doctor’s note from residents who say they are unable to get to neighborhood boxes has sparked a backlash. The Canadian Medical Association has fired back that doctors are way too busy to write such notes. The CMA calls the idea “totally irresponsible”. For its part, Canada Post is pressing on with the idea of somehow getting you to deliver your own mail from wherever they leave it. Could be in a box or maybe they’ll give it to your friend. The agency is losing money of course but this only sharpens the question of why Canada Post just doesn’t get out of the business. There are people who say they can deliver the mail and make money. CBC  Toronto Star

Triple-cooked chips an English deep-fried treat

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The cooler weather and the CNE opening makes minds to turn to heartier food. The English favorite of chips (french fries to some) take on special quality when they are made by the triple-cooked method explained here by British celebrity chef  Heston Blumenthal. He recommends a couple of varieties of potatoes but we’ll venture that “yellow and waxy” taters make the finest chips.