Toronto’s popular Caribbean Carnival will entertain thousands this weekend. It is now 46 years old, although the name had to be changed a few years ago for corporate reasons. It is an event that appeals to many as a one-time experience — to others it is an annual attraction and they come many miles to attend. Accordingly, the city will be in carnival mode or maybe just going about its business this long weekend. South Bayview will be conducting business and will welcome, as it frequently does, many visitors from the U.S. who come here for the carnival. Events are mainly on Lake Shore Boulevard where a winding, gyrating, colourful river of people will take over the roadway. Caribbean Carnival Toronto is a three-week string of parties for some leading up to the August long weekend and celebrating the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and neighbouring islands. It is sponsored by Scotiabank. Taxpayers also support the carnival with a $525,000 donation which from time to time raises the question as to whether there should be a modest charge to attend.
Premier Kath’s excellent consolation prize
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She would have had the outcome better but Premier Wynne could go to bed in Don Valley West last night with a consolation prize. She claimed two wins — Scarborough Guildwood and Ottawa South. Almost as tasty to her, she stopped the blue ambition at the western edge of Toronto — the PCs getting a win only in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Her best friend (if you will pardon the expression) Andrea Horwath may now come to those second floor Queen’s Park tete-a-tetes with two more seats. Under the surface however is a huge amount of discontent. The only candidate who really ran away with a race is the NDP candidate in Windsor. Election Ontario official results
New York balcony railing sends woman to death
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The perils of a sky-high balcony, not unknown in glass towered Toronto, accompanied the death of a bright young advertising executive in Manhattan Wednesday. Jennifer Rosoff, 35, was smoking a ciigarette on the balcony of her on East 57 St. apartment with a man she had apparently invited home. The woman casually stretched a leg out and propped her foot on a metal balcony railing at the corner of her balcony. The man later told police he offered the woman a warning that her position might be dangerous. Rosoff told him she did it all the time. A moment later the railing collapsed into a V-shaped killer that catapulted the woman off the balcony and sent her 17 floors to her death. She landed on first floor scaffolding. Fire and police found her male friend screaming and dazed on the street below.
What happens if the farmers are deadlocked?
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Ryerson University staff and students may find themselves comforted by the new sustainable food policy said to be in place at the school this coming year, but will they be any better fed? The proud boast may help sustain the caterer’s bottom line but it ‘s a mystery what it will means on your plate. Here’s what to check for if you have time after class.
Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.
Food that’s healthy for people. These days that could mean no sugar, no meat, no salt, no starch and no butter. Who gets to pick? It has to be healthy for animals too. Hey look, we’re pretty easy but are there going to be four-legged customers in the cafeteria? What does that mean for getting a ham sandwich? Altogether the food must be humane, fair, respecting of animals and enhancing of rural communities. Is dinner delayed until we hear from all the parties? Can we have half servings if the farmers are deadlocked?
When bad things happen to good maples
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It’s a challenge every time one of these big fellows comes crashing down and especially so when it happens in a backyard with no access to the street, not even a driveway. As reported by our sister blog Yonge and Roxborough News this tree came down a few days ago in a storm and in order to get it out, a giant crane had to lift it perilously over the rooftops. This happened at 52 Macpherson Ave an area of the city that was built in that twilight zone of history where there were no lanes between the fine homes. Left, great tree lays across the garden; centre, a flight into the unknown and right, close to terra firma and a meeting with the tree man’s buzz saw.
Feds say they can change Senate without premiers
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The newly-appointed Democratic Reform Minister Pierre Poillievre is taking on the big jobs first as he laid out the Conservative government’s plan for the future of the Senate. In a rather bold approach, Poillievre says the federal authority does not need the permission of the provinces to make the red chamber more democratic and to place new limits on terms. He also argues that the Senate can be abolished with the consent of seven provinces containing at least 50 percent of the population. These arguments will be heard and decided up on the Supreme Court of Canada. Fixing the Senate
Local lobster house conceived over two bottles of Guinness
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The way catering and restaurant veteran Ron Raymer tells it, he and Michael Kash came up with the concept for their new lobster and seafood house over a couple of bottles of Guinness. The two were brainstorming out a business and they settled on lobster. What good luck for all South Bayview and environs. This week Smoked and Cracked edges into its third month at 516 Mt. Pleasant Rd. We were there Monday to sample the Hot Lobster Roll and can mightily recommend it. Other members of the party equally enjoyed the Cold Lobster Roll. But there is a treasure of great dishes on the chalkboard. Pictured is a bowl of Clam Chowder for a lucky guest. The Smoked and Cracked team has a wide variety of services. Catering is second nature to them and with a week’s notice they will shuck, crack, boil, butter and whatever else your event to happy completion. It’s nice to see a couple of pros at work and there’s no doubt in our opinion that Smoked and Cracked will become a fixture in the neighborhood.
Dear old bungalows on Sutherland Drive
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For most of us its just a fact of life in Leaside (and adjoining areas). That’s the sale and demolition of 70 and 80-year-old bungalows to be replaced with more expensive two-storey homes. Contrary to some criticism, the replacement homes are not typically outrageously large. Most of them seem to fit the bill for modern family life. If they have a sameness, the trade in architectural aesthetic from those dear old bungalows seems a fair one. They are expensive, but the history of real estate is the struggle required to scratch together a down payment. Many astute homeowners, even those who must live through construction noise and dirt next door, will understand that the value of their homes is being increased. Most of us choose to think of this as simple economics rather than the worship of Mammon. In any case, it is happening again at 146 (left) and 151 Sutherland Drive south of Millwood Rd. It will be a busy Fall along this stretch of the street. Live streaming set for report in Sammy Yatim
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From YouTube: Newly released video shows the moments that preceded a fatal confrontation between a young man and a group of Toronto police officers on a downtown streetcar. The video shows the Dundas 505 streetcar coming to a halt, its passengers quickly exiting the vehicle and later the sight of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim falling to the floor when he was shot. The new video was captured on a security camera from a store facing the side of the streetcar where the doors were opening. It does not have audio.
Poll: Mayor Ford’s approval rating at 46%
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A poll done by Forum research shows that Mayor Rob Ford’s approval rating stands at 46%. That compares to a standing of 47% in a poll last month.
Bayview Ave. to be closed at River St. for 6 weeks
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Enbridge Gas has announced that the Bayview Ave. extension will be closed from River Street to Lower River Street for about six weeks beginning August 6. The stoppage will run from the River Street exit (left) down the length of Bayview past Gerrard, Dundas, Queen, King and Eastern to Lower River Street (right). Traffic will be re-routed. Work will be done on the Don Valley natural gas pipeline to avoid gas service disruption ahead of the fall heating season. For more information, visit www.enbridgeGas.com/donvalley or follow @enbridgegasnews on Twitter.
RioCan on track to acquire 1860 Bayview Ave.
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RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust has announced buoyant growth of 17% in operating funds from operations in first half of 2013 In its statement Wednesday morning RioCan, headquartered at Yonge St. and Eglinton ave. W., noted that it is still on track to purchase the development at 1860 Bayview Ave. at Broadway Ave. The statement says that Kingsett and Trinity Development Group “are currently developing a grocery-anchored centre on the site, and RioCan will acquire the site on a forward purchase basis in phases at an approximate purchase price of $58 million, at a capitalization rate of 5.4%. Once completed, the centre will consist of approximately 74,220 square feet of retail space and will be anchored by a 50,200 square foot Whole Foods. The initial acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2013, with the remaining portions to be paid on an earn-out basis upon completion of the project.”