Leaside Home Depot checkout cams “miff” some

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Home Depot in Leaside has installed mirror cameras at the self-checkout computers. They are getting mixed reviews as they did in the U.S. when they were installed there a few years ago. No one seemed to mind much when the The South Bayview Bulldog visited Home Depot recently, but Margaret‏@TorontoViewer tweeted Saturday that three people were “miffed” by mirror-cams. She said one man asked for the manager. A typical reaction in other stores is the man who said the camera, which presented him staring back, “creeped me out.” You have to wonder if it would be better if the camera were hidden. There’s something about your own image that is distracting. But Home Depot may feel it is doing you a favour. At least you know there’s a recording. In law, this is quite all right. Even though the camera has a much better memory than the average store clerk (needless to say) the principle of no privacy in a public place applies. None of us has privacy unless we are in our homes. 

Power out Saturday south of Mt. Hope Cemetery

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Some residents north of Eglinton Ave. E. and west of Bayview Ave. found themselves without power on this bright Saturday morning. The blackout lasted about two hours between 8.a.m  and 10 a.m. It appears to have been related to installation of new hydro poles in this area of South Bayview. Power was restored along Broadway south of Mt. Hope Cemetery.  

New-era Eglinton may be a slight squeeze #TOpoli

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The plan to re-make Eglinton Ave. (both east and west) into a far, far better place had the Toronto Star’s Tess Kalinowski fairly swooning as she reported on a meeting at North Toronto Collegiate the other night. The drawings, which are lovely, have been circulated to BIAs and others for more than a year. They often came with a little questionnaire asking what one might like to see on the street — restricted bicycle lanes, non-restricted bicycle lanes — that sort of thing. Who knows exactly what the planners have concluded. Except that from the things mentioned at the North Toronto meeting, as reported by Kalinowski,  the City may have to start making trees, benches, cars and bicycles out of silly putty. We’re are going to get, said Planner Matthew Gerry, buffered bike lanes, wider sidewalks, large tree pits, street furniture and parking lay-bys. (Parking lay-bys anyone?) All of this and four lanes of traffic. It’s many years off of course but to be fair to simple arithmetic, it seems like a stretch. Or maybe a squeeze. Toronto Star.

Jazz, art, wine and cheese in Davisville Village

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Father Giff  (David Giffen) has tweeted an invitation to  an evening of live jazz wine, cheese, and art created by local artists. You can’t be late because its a drop-in event — 7 to 10 p.m. It’s at the Church of the Transfiguration  (Anglican) on Manor Road just where  Redpath Ave. joins “in the heart of Davisville Village.”. The date is Friday, April 25, 2014. Sounds like fun. 

Cabinet friend and doctor in bid to save Flaherty

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Kellie Leitch, the Minister of Labour and a medical doctor at the Hospital for Sick Children, tried to save Finance Minister Jim Flaherty as he was dying yesterday. Leitch, the MP for Simcoe-Grey, has an apartment in the same Cumberland St. building in Ottawa as the late finance minister. She was apparently made aware of the emergency in the building and rushed to perform CPR on Flaherty but was unable to save him. Surrounded by MPs wearing green ties, sweaters and jackets in honour of Flaherty’s Irish heritage, Leitch said everyone in Parliament benefited from the friendship, devotion and commitment to Canada of “the short Irishman.” “He loved his country and served it with a heart as big as the country itself,” Leitch said as she fought back tears. Leitch, a pediatrician, recalled how Flaherty had convinced her to get into politics at a time when she wasn’t particularly interested in doing so. “He loved his country and served it with a heart as big as the country itself.”

Yonge line down for Saturday a.m. track work

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Yonge St. subway service will be delayed until at least noon  on Saturday because of track work near Davisville Station. There will be no service between Bloor and Eglinton stations. Thirty-five shuttle buses will be operating on Yonge Street until the closure is lifted, the TTC says. While that stretch is closed, subway service will begin as scheduled at 9 a.m. on all other portions of the system.

Profile reveals Jim Flaherty’s close family ties

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Among the reflections being published on the life of Jim Flaherty is a profile of his close relationship with his wife and children. She is Christine Elliott, deputy leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. They have 23-year-old triplet sons, Quinn, John and Galen. The couple are said to have been partners in every sense of the word, according to the story published today in the Hamilton Spectator and sourced through TorStar. Elsewhere, a remarkable gesture of respect for the late finance minister as the elite of global finance paused during a gathering of the G-20 members in Washington to pay tribute to  Mr. Flaherty. The body opened its doors to a private dinner so the media might hear the remarks of those who spoke about their colleague. It was the first time in nearly a decade such an event was attended by a Canadian finance minister other than Flaherty. The new minister, Joe Oliver, said his predecessor would be remembered as a great Canadian statesman for his influence on policy, and also for his role among decision-makers who steered the world through the post-2007 financial crisis. “I also want to say how much I appreciated Jim’s personal kindness and assistance when I was a candidate, and later a cabinet colleague,” Oliver said. Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, now chairman of the Bank of England, spoke of the valuable guidance he had received. Photos by Bernard Weil, Toronto Star: top, Jim Flaherty and Christine Elliott, with sons Quinn (l), John (2nd rt) and Galen (r).  Spectator  

Bright and mild weekend for South Bayview

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South Bayview and all of Toronto is looking forward to a bright and mild weekend. Click the weather icon above for the details. A reminder that the Toronto 10K run will clog streets Sunday morning. 

“Tears in the air” among MPs mourning Flaherty

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CTV has produced a selection of comment and tweets from members of parliament on the passing of Jim Flaherty. The cause of his death has not been released but many are saying they believe Mr. Flaherty died of a heart attack.  CTV

Jim Flaherty died suddenly says a shocked prime minister

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NASDAQ tribute
Jim Flaherty

The NASDAQ sign over Wall Street flashes the news and a tribute to former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty following his death today. The stunning information has been felt here in Toronto, all corners of Canada and in countries around the world. The family released a statement saying Mr. Flaherty had been in Ottawa at the time of his death. There is no cause known for the passing of the 64-year-old Conservative. Prime Minister Harper spoke briefly to say that his “partner and friend” had died very suddenly. The PM was clearly shocked by the death. His wife Laureen was seen to be crying. A police news conference said only that a 9-1-1 call had been received about a man in difficulty.

Declared dead in Ottawa apartment

Mr. Flaherty was declared dead in his apartment on Cumberland Street in Ottawa. Flaherty stepped down as finance minister a few weeks ago, citing personal reasons and a desire to leave public service and head back to the private sector. He suffered from what was called a painful skin condition which was not fatal. He had long been a key player in the Harper government, especially when it came to fiscal policy. He has been the only Tory to serve as finance minister under Prime Minister Harper, having served the same role in Ontario at the provincial level before running federally. In retiring, Mr. Flaherty said he was planning to take work in private business. The family statement said: “Christine Elliott and her triplet sons, John, Galen and Quinn would like to make Canadians aware that her beloved husband and father passed away peacefully today in Ottawa. “We appreciate that he was so well supported in his public life by Canadians from coast to coast to coast and by his international colleagues. “The family asks for privacy at this time.”

Stephen Colbert confirmed to replace Letterman

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A new triumvirate of late show laugh-masters is formed as CBS announces a five-year deal with Stephen Colbert to take the prime late-night slot being vacated by David Letterman   Left to right: Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel. The New York Times say that Colbert will essentially change his act for CBS. He will be,  in one way, an all-new talent for CBS because he will drop the broadly satirical blowhard conservative character he has played for nine years, and instead perform as himself. Mr. Colbert became the immediate front-runner for the position both because of an increasing recognition of his talent — his show won two Emmy Awards last year — and because he clearly wanted the job. His representation had ensured that he would be available to CBS by syncing his recent contracts with Mr. Letterman’s.  CBC Twitter

Better make me safe or I’ll sue you big time

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Annie Malik, 19, says she feels betrayed by York University because of the shooting on March 6, 2014 at York. Maybe, but the $20 million lawsuit she and seven other students have launched against the school over this incident has the smell of mindless greed on it. We’re sorry for Ms Malik’s trauma and her injuries, but the idea that a university could hire enough security guards — 10? 40? 300? 1000? —  to make sure no one ever gets hurt by a random shooting incident is stupid.  Sean Tepper, Toronto Star