All the Pope’s world was on Copacabana beach

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The Pope’s world seems to have gathered on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro Saturday. As many as three million people were there for the last service of the pontiff’s visit. This remarkable picture spans the humanity as demurely garbed nuns walk briskly by a would-be pin up model. The nuns are wearing what appear to be the cornet headdress of the San Tanco Nunnery (and others) worn by Sister Bertrille (Sally Field) in the Flying Nun.

Smoked and Cracked has hot and cold lobster

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Pick one

Long-time reader Susan J has written to suggest that those who love lobster might like to visit Smoked and Cracked at 516 Mt. Pleasant Rd.  Susan points out they make lobster rolls both hot and cold. And the restaurant and catering service specializes in many other lobster dishes. From their website and other online links, it seems that the owners, Michael Kash and Ron Raymer, started Smoked and Cracked in December of last year. They have a fairly elaborate catering service as well.  Smoked and Cracked is on the west side of Mt Pleasant just north of Millwood Rd.  This suggestion arises from the McLobster posts of recent days. Previous post. 

Jay’s Tom Cheek honoured in Cooperstown

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The late Tom Cheek

The Blue Jay’s first play-by-play announcer, Tom Cheek, has been honoured in a ceremony at Doubleday Park in Cooperstown N.Y.  Cheek’s widow, Shirley Cheek accepted the Ford C. Frick award for broadcast excellence.  Cheek died in 2005 with a record 4,306 consecutive Blue Jays games to his credit, including opening day in 1976. He called the team’s two World Series victories. Tom Cheek is frequently remembered for his exuberant and heartfelt call of Joe Carter’s World Series-winning home run in 1993. “Touch ’em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life.”

Hot or cold lobster and crab are on our menu

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Reader and genuine down-easter Patrick Rocca (and others) have commented on the South Bayview Bulldog’s preference for lobster as a hot dish. This arose (post below) on our observation that the McLobster was a disappointment because we were expecting a hot dish.  Expectations are so important. It was no doubt careless to anticipate something like a luscious Hot Lobster Roll (left) when we hit the Bayview-Eglinton McDonald’s. And we certainly should not have expected it at $6.79. There are just so many hot lobster dishes that it seemed natural to expect it.  Ever tucked into Lobster Cantonese style?  As to cold seafood, those who have been fortunate to visit Joe’s Stone Crab (right) in Miami will have been whisked to tongue-tickling heaven when they eat this delicacy with a little lemon mayonnaise. Late add: A reader writes that a small plate of stone crabs at Joe’s is now $30. 

“Gridlock” is not the same as rush hour traffic

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Not Leaside

As Toronto sets out on a $300,000 traffic study of Leaside it would be helpful not to get carried away with exaggerated ideas about the nature of  traffic. The only real solution to less traffic is fewer vehicles. That doesn’t seem likely. There is always going to be rush hour traffic. Journalism has burdened this discussion with the spectre of the dreaded  gridlock.  In fact there is almost no gridlock in Toronto.  Gridlock occurs when vehicles interlock at an intersection to prevent forward motion. It’s against the law for drivers to let this happen. Don’t block the box and all that.  Moreover, rush hour isn’t just about drivers. Residents, like those along Southvale Dr. would be pleased to see fewer cars on their street. John Parker (Ward 26) has told the Post magazine that the extension of Redway Drive over to the Bayview extension is needed. Maybe. In the past, residents of Rosedale have lobbied against the Redway extension. In this regard, the traffic study would do well to find out how many drivers really want to drive south on the Bayview extension. We suspect many of them prefer Mt. Pleasant and the extension into the heart of mid-town. But that’s a slow crawl for motorists because of the long-standing no turns that control traffic through Moore Park.  Homeowners pitted against motorists. This thorny issue will haunt the Leaside  traffic study, you may be sure. Some such ancient battles are now largely forgotten even though their outcomes continue to bless and bedevil. Few remember the epic fight conducted to save the wide sidewalks of South Bayview. In the end, our little high street was saved from the fate of Mt. Pleasant Rd.  But the traffic is worse. And we love it. Study that! 

Laird Drive Husky station being renovated

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The Husky service station at Laird Drive and Millwood Road is undergoing ten days or so of renovation, including new pumps for new blends of gasoline and to permit the sale of diesel. It was in the fall of 2010 that the Sunoco station at this location was sold to Husky because of a directive from the competitions bureau in Ottawa. Sun Oil had purchased Petro Canada and it was decided that it owned too many outlets. Thus the Laird Drive station, along with hundreds of other PetroCans, was sold to Calgary-based Husky. The station should be open again in a week. 

“Boulevard crisis” is likely to be manageable

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Bessborough at Field 
The “boulevard crisis” is not likely to upset too many people in Leaside and other parts of  the one-time un-amalgamated city. A relatively new bylaw which tidied up responsibility for mowing boulevards has now tossed that job to homeowners who previously had the work done by the municipality. That was true except in Toronto and York where even before the 1997 union of the city homeowners had to tend to the boulevards.  Homeowners in all South Bayview are pretty house-proud and able to have the grass cut. There is a concern for the elderly and disabled which might require the city to cut lawns, much as it now shovels the snow of those who are physically unable to do that. It is obvious however in parts of Leaside and elsewhere, the size of those beautiful boulevards makes their care a big job. Above is a section of the boulevard on Bessborough Drive by Field Ave.  From the well-cared look of it,  we can probably thank the residents of  the street for its appearance. In Davisville village, even though its in the old Toronto, the wide divider boulevards on Belsize Drive probably need some definition. The one west of Mt. Pleasant is Glebe Manor Park. It is definitely the purview of the city. To the east however is a divider and park-like boulevard which has no name. Who is supposed to care for it?

New arena and parking lot near completion

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The new $11 million  Bert F. Grant Arena at Moore Ave. and Millwood Road is looking a lot like a finished hockey centre these days. It is amazing what the grading of the land along both streets has done for the visibilty of the hockey complex. Equally amazing is the huge new parking lot nearing completion. There is much work still to be done, but it does make us wish for a chance to peek inside this important new addition to the community and to Toronto. Bert F. Grant

Legalize marijuana Trudeau tells B.C. gathering

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Liberal Leader Trudeau says Canada should legalize marijuana. He made the remarks during a tour of British Columbia where he has been received in some quarters like a Hollywood star. The suggestion to legalize marijuana takes Trudeau out in front of his party, certain parts of which have called for the decriminalization of marijuana. The quotes being used on line from Mr. Trudeau are: “I’m actually not in favour of decriminalizing cannabis. I’m in favour of legalizing it. “Tax it, regulate. It’s one of the only ways to keep it out of the hands of our kids because the current war on drugs, the current model is not working. We have to use evidence and science to make sure we’re moving forward on that.”

Bulldog sadly finds the McLobster comes cold

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Our flash post on the McLobster early Friday morning drew a good many readers so The South Bayviw Bulldog decided to grab one at the McDonald’s at Bayivew Ave. and Eglinton Ave. E.  At the counter, Christian told us that while the McLobster had arrived at the restaurant earlier this week, ours was the first he had sold. We were careful to check those yummy publicity shots up above with the prices. They often make the offerings look better than the real thing. When our McLobster arrived in its little blue box it was smallish we thought but not unappealing. But here’s the thing. It comes cold. Somehow, cold lobster salad is just not the same as hot lobster. The flavour gets lost. Shrimp salad is okay. Shrimp has a delicate flavour too but it is more assertive than lobster. In the McLobster, the sense of the white and red crustacean meat is frankly lost. At $6.79 plus tax ($8.99 in combo) it’s not really what we call a lobster experience. The quarter pounder or even a filet-o-fish (at $3.99) seems like a better value and they’re hot. McLobster
Patrick Rocca has commented: A true Maritimer will tell you lobster flavor is better when it is cold!..the McLobster is served cold out east…Just sayin..:)  

Consumer Reports picks the Chevrolet Impala

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Consumer Reports magazine has chosen the 2014 Chevrolet Impala as best car of the year. The honour breaks a 20 year reign of foreign cars in the CR most-favoured position. The Impala is said to be completely redesigned and in dealerships but a few days. CR says: “It has been transformed from a woefully uncompetitive and outdated model that was to be avoided even as a free upgrade at the rental-car counter into a thoroughly modern and remarkably enjoyable vehicle.” Also enjoyable is this review (right) from Real World which includes a great review of past Impalas.