Rainfall predictions are varying wildly Wednesday afternoon as to what the evening and Thursday will bring. Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the GTA and much of southern Ontario with warnings of as much as 50 to 80 millimetres of rain within one to two hours. The Weather Channel, which may be more focused on Toronto, is predicting more like 15 to 20 mm between now and Thursday morning. Be prepared.
Costco application heads to City Council Oct. 8
by •
The application to amend zoning to permit the construction of a Costco store at 42 Overlea Blvd. is finding its way through the municipal process. Yesterday (Tuesday September 10, 2013) the report from City Staff was reviewed by North York Community Council. It will be on the agenda of City Council for Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Staff has recommended a public meeting for consultation with those in the neighborhood to be held no later than the second quarter of 2014. Community Council heard by mail from Geoff Kettel, Chair, North York Community Preservation Panel about his concerns that the 1965 Coca Cola office building which would be demolished by this application is a fine example of “mid-century Modernist architecture” and is included in the city’s inventory of heritage properties. Mr Kettel also said that the property is home to a number of “magnificent Magnolia trees” and he asked that these be “protected.”
Christopher Peloso found near rail tracks
by •
George Smitherman’s husband, Christopher Peloso, has been found by the main rail tracks near Lansdowne Ave, and Dupont St. CP24 showed aerial video of an EMS crew carrying a man on a stretcher to their ambulance. Mr. Smitherman has tweeted a message thanking the police and expressing his happiness that Mr. Peloso has been found alive. It has also been reported that police were able to target the area by tracing a “ping” off a cell phone tower in the area. The Smiherman tweet ran as follows: “Thanks to @TorontoPolice, Christopher is alive+ safely in the hands of TO Western Hospital. Love and Thank you to all. George, Michael and Kayla”
Northlea blood clinic will be held October 8
by •
Here’s a reminder that the 22nd annual Northlea School blood donor clinic will be held on Tuesday October 8, from 2 to 8 p.m. As organizers say, the need for blood never ends. The clinic will be in the North Gym at Northlea Elementary and Middle School, 305 Rumsey Road
Possible planned outages during Project Millwod
by •
Toronto Hydro is planning to re-build the electrical system in an area west of Bayview Ave. between Manor Rd on the north and Belsize Drive on the south. The westerly boundary of this area is Mt. Pleasant Rd. The work, which is said to include both overhead and underground construction, will include the upgrading of transformers and replacement of hydro poles. The work will begin by next month (October 2013) and is expected to last until March 2014. Hydro says there may be power outages during the work but they will be planned and notice will be given. Notices have been circulated to homes and business owners as of today. The contractor is Powerline Plus.
Wong-Tam raises money for Bixi bike scheme
by •
Writing in the Toronto Star, Daniel Dale says that Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) has persuaded three companies planing high rise condos, to put a total of $1 million toward the expansion of the cash-strapped Bixi bicycle sharing program. There are 80 Bixi stations already in Toronto and the $1 million could pay for about 20 more. Ms Wong-Tam is quoted as saying, “In a short period of time we will have allocated a million dollars. And that’s just this tiny little ward. If everybody else used this, and there was a consistent policy across the city, we could probably bring Bixi into North York, into Scarborough, into Etobicoke. It could be everywhere.” The Bixi program has struggled for money and has been called a failure by some.
Pam Wallin puts Manhattan apartment on market
by •
Facing an imminent deadline to pay back more than $100,000 in expenses improperly charged in her position as Senator, Pamela Wallin has listed her Upper East Side Manhattan (Plaza Tower) condominium for sale. The smart unit at 118 East 60th Street surveying Park Avenue is described as an over-sized studio apartment. The listing says, “The home is is both functional and charming with a custom high end renovation. (The) living room at 22 x 14 feet is multi-functional with built-in Murphy bed hidden by double door book shelves. One wall of mirrors enhancing the space and a pass-through to the kitchen. The man room has terrific northern light with open city views. Three closets provide ample storage space — one has a built-in seven foot oak cabinet with shelves and drawers and there is a walk-in closet too. The kitchen is lovely with granite counter tops, solid walnut cabinets, large under counter Marvel refrigerator. Mile 2 burner cook top. GE profile Advantium convection microwave and dishwasher. Bathroom has been renovated with an open walk-in shower and glass top sink.” Asking price is $349,000. A nice little pied-a-terre for the Senator and a far cry from Wadena, Saskatchewan.
Apple sells coloured phones for big money
by •
iPhones are being marketed a lot like cars these days. Apple introduced two new ones, the 5C and 5S, today and the high-end one, the 5S model, comes in three prestigious colours (those on the right). Everyone will know that you have the expensive one because of its colour. Wow. Anyway, the Globe and Mail has made an attempt to add up the said-to-be exciting new features. The market was unimpressed. Depending on the model and memory load these two phone will cost anywhere from about $200 to about $400.
Leaside Wildcats Hockey begins its 40th season
by •
Girls can learn the camaraderie and fun of hockey in a safe environment playing Toronto Leaside Wildcats Hockey. Learn details from the website for the 2013-2914 season just getting underway. Programs start from three and a half years. You may click picture to watch an informative video For older girls, the Wildcat competitive league is a source of fulfillment. Every year the league organizes and hosts an Ontario-wide tournament. 2014 will be the 40th anniversary of Toronto Leaside Wildcats Hockey.
Mac’s floats beer-filled balloon for Christmas
by •
The Mac’s convenience network is owned by the largest corner store chain in North America. It’s the famous Couche-Tard (Night Owl) mammoth from Quebec. Their Ontario boss, Tom Moher, unrolled his Christmas list today at the Toronto and Region Board of Trade. All he wants for Christmas is the freedom to sell beer in his stores. And if he gets that, Mr. Moher will be a very, very good boy. We’re colouring this up a bit but Mac’s promises to open 27 new stores (presumably across Ontario) and hire 1800 more people if it gets permission from the Ontario government. Well, we’re sorry, but we have to play the proxy Grinch in this tale. Mac’s has almost no chance of getting any such thing. The Premier will decide you know. That’s how we do things here. The Leaside lady of Liberal Party things that are good-for-you will find it hard, we think, to entertain more readily available beer, especially in the hands of (yeww!) private operators. No, no, no. We’re guessing her sensibilities in such matters are similar to her feelings about gambling. And you know how that worked out.
Neiman-Marcus Inc. now part of your CPP
by •
The Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board has become a part owner of Neiman-Marcus Inc, the 41-store luxury retailer based in Dallas. As telegraphed below in last night’s post, NM changed hands for $6 billion U.S. with other half of the new ownership being Ares Management LLC. The transaction includes not only the 41 Neiman Marcus stores, but also two Manhattan-based Bergdorf Goodman stores and 36 discount Neiman Marcus outlets named Last Call. There is also an online division of the company that operates alongside these businesses. Previous post.
“Smashed” film shown to Leaside High kids today
by •
From Mothers Against Drunk Driving MADD: The word “smashed” will take on a whole new meaning for students who see MADD Canada’s 2013-2014 School Assembly Program. Emotional and realistic, MADD Canada’s new program, called Smashed, demonstrates just how easily and quickly a night of partying can turn to tragedy when someone makes the wrong decision. MADD Canada and Ontario provincial partner LCBO officially kicked off the Ontario tour of Smashed today with a special screening for students and staff of Leaside High School in Toronto. Thanks to the support of LCBO customers and staff, 1,050 presentations of Smashed and its French companion program, Impact, will be delivered to a half million students in schools throughout the province, at absolutely no charge to the schools. Smashed shows how characters Natalie, Pete and Kelly ditch a school dance to go to a house party with Johnny. Once there, Natalie starts drinking. When Johnny, who has also been drinking, leaves the party to get pot, a drunken Natalie makes the terrible decision to go with him. Kelly and Pete do everything they can to stop Natalie from getting in the car but she won’t listen. Kelly calls 911 and then she and Pete get in her car to follow their friend. What happens next is a nightmare that none of the young friends could ever have dreamed. The fictional story is then followed by real-life stories of three people who are victims of impaired driving