Is the NDP too angry, too hairy or too orange?

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The next general election is at least 18 months away but the smell of urgent vote-grabbing is in the air. Homeowners in Toronto-Centre received this orange card in the mail Friday, four days after the byelection that elected Chrystia Freeland. Its colour makes it look like it’s from the NDP but of course it is not. The “registered agent” of the Liberal party, whoever that is, sent it along. Seems like Linda McQuaig came a little too close in the byelection. This card was to remind you that Thomas Mulcair is “Too Angry.”  They might have added too hairy as well, but that would be politically incorrect in more ways than one. Linda McQuaig, said the card, wants to tax you up to 70 percent and “”break up” the country. Then there’s Stephen Harper trying to woo the Jewish vote by addressing and playing for those attending the annual Negev dinner. Outside, a renegade Jewish group called Harper down on everything from Palestinian lands to the environment.  Always remember however, that Justin Trudeau, champion of the Middle Class, is not in favour of the Political Class. How sweet of him to pick us instead of those dreadful, pooey political people.   

132nd Scouts tree sale at Leaside Presbyterian

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The 132nd Toronto Scouts remind us of their Christmas tree sale this weekend at  Leaside Presbyterian Church, Eglinton Ave. E at Hanna Road. It goes Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from  9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here’s an interesting feature. The Scouts offer home delivery of their trees. Samples prices: a Balsam fir,  6 to 8 ft is $55 and a Fraser fir 6 to 8 ft. is $70.  Delivery will be made to your home in Leaside and area on December 7, 2013. You can email orders to johnmasterson@rogers.com

Constable John Zivcic still fighting for his life

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Update: PC John Zivcic, 34, has died of his injuries at about 12.35 p.m. at St. Michael’s Hospital with serious head injuries. PC Zivcic’s injuries were said at that time to be life-threatening. PC Zivcic, who is not married and has no children, was responding to an incident on traffic duty in an unmarked police car when the collision happened. The woman driver of the other car was taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and then released.  The policeman’s Ford Taurus cruiser was effectively disintegrated in the accident. The evidence of the force with which it struck a nearby tree is revealed on the trunk, now stripped of its skin. A deep crevice in the driver’s side of the vehicle is testament to the impact.  a utility pole was also knocked down. Bits of the car are scattered across Bloor Street at Neilsen Drive. Zivcic’s family, including his mother and brother, who are at the hospital, are “devastated,” said Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack. He also has a sister. As to the circumstances when the two cars crossed paths yesterday, police have said nothing. They will  be required to find out and make public whether the stealth cruiser was speeding, what emergency lights or sirens were being used and the status of the traffic lights at the intersection.  Previous post with picture 

Baby dinosaur skeleton discovered in Alberta

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The well-preserved remains of a baby dinosaur have been found in the fossil-rich earth of Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park. It is said to be some 70 million years old. A thrilling discovery by any measure. It’s story is told on the CBC site. (Picture courtesy of Philip J. Currie, Robert Holmes, Michael Ryan Clive Coy, Eva B. Koppelhus)

Mr. Parker talks about density in Bennington Hts

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John Parker

John Parker (Ward 26) has written a brief article for PostCity.com on the concern in Bennington Heights about builders (and property owners) doubling up on lots to increase density. Mr. Parker makes the point that the official plan designates certain areas as “neighbourhoods” whose character is to be maintained. “We value our neighbourhoods,” he states. “Official plan policies thus call for the character of neighbourhoods to be preserved. The character of Bennington Heights is that of a community consisting almost exclusively of single family dwellings. To the extent that I have a say in the matter, the provisions of the official plan will be invoked to keep it that way.”  It will be a question, as it is in Moore Park and elsewhere, just what single family dwelling really means. On the record, it would seem to permit the division of lots creating a two or three for one density jump. It is this tendency which seems to be an important source of concern for the group known as Save Our Bennington.  And, as homeowners know, Toronto’s policy of “in-fill” — while different from lot subdivision — states the City’s density objectives as a matter of tax and transit goals. These things are understandable but people with homes on larger than normal lots find it all quite sinister. They are suspicious that these goals will also colour applications to subdivide lots. PostCity  Previous post — Bennington density

Actor Paul Walter dead at 40 in single car accident

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“Fast and Furious” star

Actor Paul Walker, known for his roles in the “Fast and the Furious” movies, died on Saturday in a car crash in Southern California, his publicist said. “Sadly, I must confirm that Paul did pass away this afternoon in a car accident,” Ame Van Iden, Walker’s publicist, said in an email. A message linked to Walker’s Twitter account, “@RealPaulWalker,” said Walker, 40, died as a passenger in a friend’s car while attending an event for a charity organization. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that there had been a car accident involving two fatalities in Valencia, a community in the city of Santa Clarita, at about 3:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. ET). When deputies arrived, they found the vehicle engulfed in flames. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said. The office did not provide the identities of the dead, and said the cause was under investigation. Reuters

Sheer Hell as police cruiser wrecked in crash

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This shot tweeted by Tom Podolec shows the side of the unmarked Toronto police car following an accident at Bloor St. West and Neilson Drive in Etobicoke. Constable John Zivcic. a seven year veteran, was responding to a traffic call when he was in collision with another car. The driver of that vehicle, which is just visible on the left through the wreckage in the above picture, was a woman. She is said to have escaped with minor injuries. From the appearance of things, the impact of PC Zivcic’s vehicle with a utility pole and a tree, after contact with the other car, hurled the policeman out of his cruiser and onto the pavement. He has undergone surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital and is said to have injuries which are life threatening, His car, a Ford Taurus, was painted dark gray and was equipped with large rubber bumpers at the front. Parts of the car were strewn over the intersection, including a detached rear wheel.

Remember when the CNIB bridge was roofless?

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Top, bridge before 1972
As many people will know, the venerable (built 1956) pedestrian bridge at the CNIB  is now undergoing necessary renovations and will be open again in the Spring of 2014. It’s not a moment too soon really because the bridge records close to 5,000 crossings a month, most of which are made by vision impaired people. For the first 16 years of its life, those who used it did so out in the open. In 1972 a roof was added. By 2011, the old bridge needed work and was closed. A recent grant of $880,000 from the federal government has made its renewal possible. Any way you look at it, the bridge is a necessary facility for those who use transit to come and go from the many medical services now housed in the new complex on the east side. The growing residential community located east of Bayview also uses the bridge. In November there was a turning of soil by Don Valley West MP John Carmichael and others to mark the beginning of work. When finished, the whole facility will be an asset of which the community can be proud. It will feature an elevator on the west side of the bridge that will employ high contrast, Brailled buttons with audio accompaniment and a ramp on the east side of the bridge that will replace the current stairs to provide fully accessible access from the bridge to the building’s entrance. There will be lighting active during the day and evening and  tactile surfaces throughout the bridge structure to assist with navigation and orientation. 

GTA arena needs the “Markham Millionaires”

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The Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti is showing off what he says are commitments which will effectively pay for the $325 million GTA arena entirely with private money. At least that’s what the plan calls for. Skeptical ratepayers aren’t so sure. At a news conference Saturday Scarpitti said the undertakings come in the form of two so-called memorandums of understanding (MOU). One is between the City and GTA Sports and Entertainment, the long-time organizers and drivers of the arena concept. The other MOU  is with “developers”. There is a meeting at Markham Council Monday night to approve these ideas. The residents of Markham have mounted a large and sustained opposition to the arena, not because they don’t like the idea of a facility, but because they are cynical about who will really pay in the end. There is that thing called the Skydome (now Rogers Centre). It had to be sold off at a fire sale price to private interests when Toronto and the province found they just could not make it pay. and of course, there is no NHL franchise. Mayor Scarpitti says don’t worry, that isn’t necessary. Many people just don’t buy this.  And if the enormous money behind GTA Arena is able to overcome the resistance of the Leafs, Sabres and Red Wings to create the Markham Millionaires (or whatever) what do they say to the poor people of Hamilton and Niagara, who have waited decades for a team. What do they say except maybe “Drop Dead!” 

Turn yourself in, cops tell BMW hit-run driver

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Turn yourself in
Police are telling the driver of a hit and run, dark blue BMW to turn himself in. “It’s only a matter of time (before) we’re going to come knocking on your door,” Sgt. Lawrence Zimmerman warned the driver. Police have video of the car that struck and seriously injured a 12-year-old boy in Willowdale Friday about 4 p.m. The boy was crossing Willowdale Ave. at Pemberton Ave with two friends when he was hit.  The other children were not hurt. The boy is in Hospital for Sick Children with serious but not life threatening injuries. Police say they have video of the wanted car taken by the dash cam of a police cruiser which was heading to the hit and run scene. Witnesses told police the BMW had no license plates and police believe the vehicle has damage to the front end. Zimmerman said police have a dashcam video that may help in leading to an arrest. “One of our in car cameras in one of our scout cars that was responding to the call captured a vehicle matching that description going in the opposite direction,” he said. He’s going to be in hospital for a little bit, but should pull through OK,” 

Bay close to putting Saks at Bloor and Yonge

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As widely guessed, Hudson’s Bay Company is looking closely at replacing its store at Bloor and Yonge Sts with a Saks.  Bay officials are quoted as saying the final decision has not been made yet. But there is definitely a plan. “Not confirmed” were the words used by the Bay. It’s been seen as a fairly inevitable move since Hudson’s Bay announced its $2.9 billion (U.S.) takeover of Saks Inc. last summer. The deal was finalized three weeks ago.