The Guardian newspaper says that the Vatican has sent a survey to every national conference of bishops worldwide in order to learn more about what ordinary Catholics are thinking. The poll was sent out in mid-October by Vatican co-ordinator Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri with instructions to the bishops to “share it immediately as widely as possible to deaneries and parishes so that input from local sources can be received”. The survey reflects the pope’s pledges to move away from what he called a “Vatican-centric” approach towards one in which local church leaders are more involved in decision-making.
261 Donlea Drive sells for $880,000 in two days
by •
 |
| 261 Donlea Drive |
The detached home at 261 Donlea Dr. has sold for $880,000. It had been listed at $890,000. This is a 1,200 sq. ft. home built in 1949. It also has a 600 sq. ft. basement on a lot that is 34 by 135-ft. A single-car garage is attached with a private drive Taxes: $5,614 (2012) Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Days on the market: The home sits a south-facing lot near Brentcliffe Rd. Main floor has: living room with hardwood floor, fireplace and crown moulding; dining room with hardwood floor, crown moulding and walkout to deck; kitchen with halogen lighting and vinyl floor. On the second floor are: master bedroom with hardwood floor and closet; second bedroom with hardwood floor and double closet; third bedroom with double closet and hardwood floor; four-piece bathroom. Basement is finished with: recreation room with broadloom floor, pot lights and above grade window; three-piece bathroom; separate entrance
Leaside Orthodontic Clinic will open shortly on Bayview Ave
by •
As reported in October, an orthodontic practice will be opening shortly at 1600 Bayview Ave., former home of the Sleuth of Baker Street. The practitioner will be Dr. Emel Arat. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry in the Department of Orthodontics. Dr Arat is also a resident of Leaside, where she lives with her husband Arin Arat, P. Eng., and their three children. Dr. Arat is planning the most modern of clinics at her Leaside Orthodontic Centre. It is scheduled to open in February. Dr. Arat says she is thrilled to be a part of South Bayview with its many independent shops, restaurants and professional offices. Welcome Dr. Arat.
Winners of Leaside-Davisville pumpkin contest
by •
Here are the winners in the Leaside and Davisville Pumpkin Carving Contest sponsored by Charlene Kalia. Left, first prize (Creative) goes to Pam of Davisville. She wins a $250 RBC Visa card. Centre is Amanda of South Leaside’s second prize winner (Scary) winning a $100 Gift Certificate at Scholar’s Choice. Right, the third place winner (Funny) the work of Rachel and Jason of South Leaside They win a $50 gift certificate at Cineplex. Congratulations to all.
KFC lot at Merton-Mt Pleasant zoned for condos
by •
The Kentucky Fried Chicken property at Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Balliol Street is named in a Post Magazine story as land zoned “multi-use” — a designation that permits condominium development. The article’s author, Angela Hennessy, says such construction would represent unprecedented development for the area. This might be truer of the east side than the west, where a number of fairly high condominiums and seniors homes stretch north from Merton Street to Davisville Ave. The address is 415 Mount Pleasant Rd. and is owned by Plazacorp Retail Properties. It is 6,000 square feet in size and as such is not very big, a point made by Greg Russell, president of the South Eglinton residents and Ratepayers Association (SERRA). The land sits north of another somewhat nondescript parcel, however, the Hudson Plumbing Supply firm.Playing games on planes from gate-to-gate
by •
The U.S. air safety authority will allow airlines to relax rules on mobile devices to permit the use of laptops and tablets gate-to-gate but not the making of phone calls. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has apparently concluded that most commercial airplanes — those made by the likes of Boeing (BA) and Airbus — can tolerate radio interference signal from personal electronic devices like smartphones and tablets. That determination came after consultation with manufacturers, passengers, flight crews and the mobile technology industry. Some critics say however that although there is a probability that the move is safe, it does not eliminate the chance that interference might at some point cause trouble for airline electronics. The eased restrictions are expected to roll out on most flights sometime next year, though Delta Air Lines (DAL) and JetBlue (JBLU) both said on Thursday they are attempting to become the first carrier to allow mobile device use even earlier. Delta said its approval could come as soon as November 1 for flights operating under 10,000 feet.
Media sensation in Toronto’s civic tragedy
by •
The world-wide appeal of the drug-scented police probe of Mayor Ford and his friends is apparent in the front pages of many newspapers. The New York Post has splashed it across the newsstands of Manhattan. The Toronto Sun has published an afternoon edition which was handed out on the street and in corner stores. At the Toronto Star, their reporter Robyn Doolittle says, it’s a happy day. As one of the reporters who wrote the original “crack video” story she may feel a little more sensitive about this matter than most. She seemed very concerned about people who said they didn’t believe the story. The Toronto Star has nothing to fear from those skeptics and a more decent theme would seem to be the human tragedy of Rob Ford. He may not be Shakespearean in greatness, but his term in office is a serious sadness. And that is how it is seen by most politicians. Even the most partisan of players, like St. Paul’s Carolyn Bennett, said she hoped for the mayor’s rehabilitation.Take care tonight as kids, parents go door to door
by •
The city is offering safety tips for a wet Halloween in Toronto Take extra caution when travelling and trick-or-treating tonight. Heavy rain and high winds are forecast, and with shorter daylight hours at this time of the year, visibility will be limited while children are out. Drivers will need to drive slowly and with extra caution throughout the day and evening. Motorists should also drive slowly through any areas of ponding, especially near sidewalks where pedestrians are present. Transportation Services staff are working today to keep catch basins clear, particularly where there have been problems in the past. Residents are asked to assist in cleaning catch basins on their streets if possible. The police are warning parents to stay within a short distance of kids and to make sure that children do not enter homes. Residents able to bring their treats to the the doorstep.
Video of police chief’s news conference October 31
by •
Police Chief Blair’s conference October 31 in which he reveals that computer forensics experts have found a “video file” which apparently shows Mayor Ford. The file is said to be consistent with the so-called crack video about which the Star and others wrote earlier this year. The file was extracted by forensics on a computer on October 29, 2013, two days ago at this writing. Previous post below.
Video of Mayor Ford rage outside his home
by •
Mayor in screaming confrontation with reporters
by •
A huge release of documents — some 300 pages – by a provincial court reveal an elaborate police investigation apparently inspired by stories about a video which was said to show Mayor Ford smoking crack cocaine. Many documents and pictures reveal police stake out observations of meetings between Mr. Ford and Alexander Lisi in service stations in which packages or bags were exchanged between the two. In some instances, the two friends did not acknowledge each other even though they were in the same station. Police recorded more than 100 occasions when the two men met. Mr. Ford left his Etobicoke home this morning in a fury, and it may fairly be said, behaved in a frightening and distracted fashion. He screamed at reporters to get off the property. He then drove away in his Cadillac Escalade, a vehicle which is frequently seen and mentioned in police surveillance material released this morning. At City Hall, Shelley Carroll (Ward 33) has called for the mayor’s resignation. Ms Carroll says the mayor “clearly suffers from some form of drug abuse”. The unfolding story is on television Thursday morning. Police Chief Blair had scheduled a news conference for about 11.30 a.m. The continuing revelations on TV describe no criminality but consist of enormous detail of interaction between the mayor and Mr. Lisi. The meetings and phone calls between the two and calls made by Mr. Lisi to a person trying to sell the alleged video of Mr. Ford, are evidence of furtive activity which would raise the curiosity of any reasonable citizen. In one instance, the mayor is said to have stayed in a service station washroom for an hour. The Premier, Kathleen Wynne, was questioned about these events and said she had no comment. It was a police matter, she said.
Something for all as “Senate 3” soap rolls on
by •
There is pretty much something for everyone in the “Senate 3” soap opera. It was on again today. Newspaper writers are prepared to predict the immediate destruction of Stephen Harper, or forecast it will all go away. Chantal Hebert thinks Nigel Wright has it within his power to destroy Harper. Not only that, she thinks that daily assertions by the PM about Wright may prove to be a provocation that only a saint could withstand. If he yields to his hurt feelings, suggests Hebert, Wright would cause the conservative leader’s immediate demise. That could happen but Wright might have to lie to do it. Hebert doesn’t know what happened and neither does anyone apparently, except Wright and Harper. It also assumes Wright’s capacity for hurt feelings is far greater than one would expect in a tough businessman who has made millions in the market. William Watson in the National Post observes that if regular medicare coverage isn’t good enough for Mike Duffy, it isn’t good enough for anybody. Watson reminds us again what a fat gang of entitled hacks is the Senate Chamber of Sober Second Thought your dog’s tail. This sounds like something John A. Macdonald dreamed up at a Belleville public house when he wasn’t so sober. Pictures clockwise from top, Harper, Wright, Hebert, Duffy, Macdonald,Watson.