A critical public meeting on the prospects for a BIA for the South Bayview business district will be held tonight (Thursday, July 3, 2014) at 7 p.m. at St. Cuthbert’s Church at 1399 Bayview at St. Cuthberts Rd. This and other meetings flow from a request from the Bayview Leaside Steering Committee to the City for such consultation. A Toronto news release says that with the assistance of Councillors John Parker and Josh Matlow, the Steering Committee was formed in June 2012, and held four meetings to establish a boundary for the proposed BIA and identify how a BIA might benefit local businesses. The Steering Committee believes a BIA will provide opportunities to improve area streetscaping and appearance; establish a brand or image for the area; promote festivals and events; and advocate for off-street municipal parking lots in the area. Thirty-seven business and commercial property owners attended the sessions. On May 28, 2014, members of the Steering Committee did door-to-door canvassing from 1489 to 1639 Bayview Avenue to advise businesses in this area of a proposed public meeting to be scheduled for July 3, 2014. The canvassers also provided background information on the City of Toronto’s BIA program. The majority of the businesses contacted seemed “very much in favour” of proceeding with a formal public meeting.
Liberals offer spending plus a balanced budget
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The new government at Queen’s Park will unleash the Throne Speech today. As set out by the skeptical Toronto Sun, the Liberals are offering us our cake to keep forever and to eat and enjoy as well. Many comments follow the story from fairly literate (and polite) fiscal conservatives that we are on the way to economic perdition.
Memo to CP24: Stop interviewing Rob Ford
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When Rob Ford says as he did today (and as he always says) “the only thing I can do is apologize” most reporters across the City sit and never say, “Well actually sir, it’s not exactly the only thing you could do. You could resign.” And if you think that’s just too impertinent for a reporter to speak, our advice to the media is to stay away from this discredited, self-pitying man. Stop interviewing him. TV can find something else to fill time. In the case of CP24, its poor tortured ethics have taken the station to an insane place. There is nothing the mayor deserves from the media, the City, the people or anyone else except guidance to the door.
Thornhill’s Raonic to face Roger Federer in semis
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Thornhill native Milos Raonic is the first Canadian in more than a century to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon. Now the hard-working Raonic must meet his nemesis, Roger Federer, at centre court. Federer has beaten Raonic in the court in the four times they’ve met previously. But today, Raonic defeated wild-card entry Nick Kyrgios of Australia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4), finishing with his 39th ace on the fourth match point. CTV
Mandarin lineup stretched forever down Finch
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One of the more mind boggling Canada Day activities was waiting in line at the Mandarin Restaurant for a holiday special meal of some sort. We say people should do what works for them. But can you imagine being the last man in line at this enormous queue at the Mandarin at 1027 Finch Av. W?
Eugenie advances to Wimbledon semifinals
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Globe and Mail Montreal’s Eugenie Bouchard has defeated Angelique Kerber, 6-3, 6-4.
Video: How Eugenie stays strong (click picture)
Pot clinic choosing space at Yonge-Eglinton
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Isabel Teotonio of the Toronto Star with the latest on local marijuana clinics. One just opened on the Danforth near Broadview Ave. and another is getting ready to set up near Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. E.
Grandparents forced to leave their home
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The mystifying case of little Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents, Alvin Liknes, 66, and Kathryn Liknes, 53, continues to shock the city of Calgary. this morning (Monday, July 2, 2014) the boy’s father, Rod O’Brien, has suggested he may offer a $100,000 reward for the recovery of his son. The boy, who is five, was on a sleepover at his grandparents. When his mother arrived to pick him up about 10 a.m. yesterday she found the home empty. Calgary Police issued an Amber Alert and the search has continued since. Police say evidence found in the Parkhill home suggests their disappearance may be suspicious. It appears the grandparents may have been forced to leave their home. They had been in the process of an estate sale at the residence. “When we went to the address and after speaking with family members, the home was not in the condition it typically would have been left in,” said Kevin Brookwell from the Calgary Police Service. He has blond, curly hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing peach-coloured shorts and a striped-blue hoodie. Global News
Rain-soaked E. York parade part of our greatness
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The full rich spectacle of East York’s chaotic rain-soaked Canada Day Parade is surely part of what make this land so great. TPS mounted police, motorcycle cops, the 236th Scout Troop of East York, Mayoralty candidate John Tory, sober Rob Ford and many other politicians, a Toyota dealership, helmeted, scarlet-trimmed and bicycle bell-ringing cyclists, the East York Historical Society, Mercy Marchers for God, Model T car owners and the East York Shriners driving little Shriner cars. There were kids, cats, canines and Maple Leaf flags just everywhere. And so it was that for the 57th consecutive year on Cosburn Ave. beside Dieppe Park the Canada Day parade was marshalled. Today the happy green space again belied the sorrowful battle of 1942 from which it gets its name. Last minute contingents or “units” as the parade marshall Christopher Salmond called them, herded their members from spot to spot as they tried to fit into the line already in place. “I’ll get ye in somewhere,” Salmond barked at a young woman representing who we’re not sure. It was a surprise to see Mr. Salmond present in this apparently traditional role. In recent weeks he has written online that his services were no longer wanted by the East York Canada Day Planning Committee. They had arbitrarily ended his term as “East York Canada Day Ambassador” he said. But there he was, as big as life. The parade and its revellers, headed off to Stan Wadlow Park for the day’s events in a drenching downpour that struck about 10.15 a.m. It is hot out there so to all those who celebrate our 147th year in that humidity, our best to you and Happy Canada Day from The South Bayview Bulldog. You make us great. Photos: top: bell-ringing cyclists, Mercy of God Church, Roller Girls consult, 236th Scouts. bottom: John Tory and friends, meet the (Ford) nation, Rob Ford, Parade Marshall de facto Christopher Salmond and supplicant
Whale lashes out with tail at sightseeing surfers
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Authorities in the Sydney suburb of North Curl had to use loudspeakers from shore to warn surf boarding sightseers to get away from a full-grown Southern Right whale that came coasting toward shore. The mighty mammal is fairly tranquil around humans but it began to get skittish as the surfers moved in close for a better view. One rather fooloish man had his son on his board with him. As seen in the pictures inset, and in the video, the whale lashes out at one of the surfers with its tail. It then moves quickly and lunges toward the same surfer. But the whale’s actions all seem defensive and it did not pursue any of the surf boarders. “To be honest,” said one witness, “they were harassing it a bit. They were so close it had no room to move. If I was the fish, I’d be harassed too.” By Australian law, surfers should stay 330 feet away from a whale. “I was pretty worried to see one guy out there with the kid on his board,” said Hansen. “It’s a big animal, one tail flick and we could have a death on our hands.” Southern Right whales can weigh up to 70 tonnes and grow up to about 50 feet long.Vaughan, Chan elected in Toronto byelections
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News services are declaring that Adam Vaughan and Arnold Chan, Liberal candidates in the Toronto area byelections, have won their races. In the Alberta riding of Macleod, the Conservative Party has retained the seat. In Fort McMurray-Athabaska it appeared that the Conservative candidate, as expected, had turned back a good challenge by the Liberal. With 60 percent of the vote counted, the Tory was maintaining about 35% of the vote which was said to be enough to win.
Loring and Wyle home on market for $4,800,000
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The old schoolhouse on Glenrose Ave. in Moore Park which for decades was the home of Frances Loring and Florence Wyle is on the market for $4,800,000. It seems like a staggering price for a home which is, to be sure, both historic and beautifully refinished inside. Still, the lot is 50 by 145 and large homes on the street could not command more than 2.5 million at the upper pinnacle of pricing. The building dates it is said from the mid to late 19th century and, in what has become local trivia, was not a former church even though it appears to be one. It was the original school of Deer Park United Church which at the time was a Methodist congregation. It became the home and studio for two subsequently famous sculptors and artists, Loring and Wyle, who fled their homes in the midwest United States to hide their love affair and became famous in Canada through much distinguished work. As celebrated as they were, the couple sometimes barely eked out a living. Some who knew them personally say the old schoolhouse was frequently dangerously cold for lack of coal to heat it. Loring and Wyle died within a few months of each other in 1968. The parkette at St. Clair Ave. and Mt Pleasant Rd. in the former streetcar turn contains a number of copies of Loring and Wyle sculptures. Most of the originals are in the national gallery in Ottawa.