Busy Saturday outside this weekend

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This early Summer weekend has a lot of family activities. Here are some events:
  
The Magical Gardens of Leaside . This is the Leaside Garden Society tour tomorrow, Saturday, June 22, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year’s self-guided tour includes eight gardens and provides the opportunity to meet the gardeners, ask questions and learn how these beautiful spaces were created. Among the spaces to be seen are koi pond with waterfall, a unique Irish shed, a pergola built by the gardener, garden art and a Japanese “stroll garden”. Also this year is a new perennial garden at the Leaside Public Library, donated by the Society in 2012 along with a garden bench and planter to commemorate its 25th anniversary.  Passports, which include garden addresses and a tour map, are $10.00 each (adults and children) and are available from the following local merchants: Gentry Clothiers- Sunnybrook Plaza Royal LePage- 1391 Bayview Avenue Stars- 900 Millwood Road Urban Nature Store – 939 Eglinton Ave East (at Brentcliffe) Write impressions- 1515 Bayview Avenue or for Mail Order (cheques payable to Leaside Garden Society) please call 416-489-5398. 
  
Bits and Bites on Bayview the innovative snacking event along South Bayview is on Saturday.
See previous post.

And the Mallory Crescent and Leacrest Road Street Sale goes Saturday as well  from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

The 8th Annual Neighbours’ Night Out – Open Streets in Thorncliffe Park Saturday between 1 to 9p.m.  There is free admission on Overlea Boulevard between Thorncliffe Park Drive West and Thorncliffe Park Drive East 

Historic flooding brings promise of federal aid

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Historically high water on the Bow and Elbow Rivers is causing catastrophic flooding in Calgary and a large surrounding area. Prime Minister Harper has promised Alberta Premier Alison Redford that she will have his full support for rescue and recovery. As many as 100,000 people are said to have been evacuated.  efforts as the province struggles to deal with heavy flooding. Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said, “I grew up here. I spent a lot of time on the Bow and Elbow Rivers and I have never seen the river that high or that fast. The Town of Canmore was shut down on Thursday after Cougar Creek burst its banks but officials say power has been restored and some residents are being allowed to return to their homes. Inset picture on Twitter is said to show the intersection of MacLeod Trail and 17th Ave. in Calgary,  

Same spot on Bayview Ave. three years apart

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Two pictures three years apart at the same spot on happy South Bayview. The spot is just outside Chai on Bayview, a favorite lunching spot. On the left we have the 2013 ministrations of the City to re-introduce a trace of greenery back onto the east side. Soon we hope. Right, the Impatiens of late spring bloom in the old concrete box planter under a long since cut down maple tree. Remember when?

Should we go back to the future on drinking age?

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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says the drinking age should be set at 21 in Ontario — again. The first time was during the rigid 40s and 50s when you had to have a  permit to buy liquor and women were not allowed to enter a bar alone. That thing called the Baby Boom brought millions of potential voters and drinkers along in the 60s and guess what? Politicians sensed that there might be a payoff at the polls if the drinking age started to slide. The legal  age for lifting a draft went all the way down to 18 before coming back to the present 19. Now the recommendation to raise it to 21 comes in a report released this week that outlines the strategies it says could reduce the harms caused by alcohol. Report author and CAMH senior scientist Dr. Norman Giesbrecht says alcohol use needs to be seen as a public health matter, noting about 22 per cent of Ontarians drink beyond recommended guidelines.

TSX Worry Market can’t get enough bad news

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These are the days that try men souls, and women souls too, if they are invested in stocks. The TSX has been falling for more than two weeks on fears ranging from the price of gold to a dawning that maybe the economy might be improving and that would mean an end to zero interest rates. It is a period of collective economic self-abuse that can be seen in markets everywhere. Unmeasured and unknown fears rule the market. Today (Thursday, June 20, 2013) it the TSX finished at its low, down 299.

Meeting held regarding new Costco store

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The meeting in Thorncliffe Park last night to discuss plans by Costco has apparently gone well. Tenants association contacts say the plans for a store and service station were well-received and that it appears there will be few “heritage” issues to the demolition of the 1965 Coca Cola office and bottling plant at 42-46 Overlea Blvd. Plans must go to North Community Council for approval and a recommendation to City Council.  The next North York meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Previous post. 

SCOC denies leave to appeal mayor’s acquittal

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Mayor Ford is finally clear form the fundraising issue that has dogged him since 2010. The Supreme Court of  Canada said today (Thursday, June 20, 2013) it will not give leave to appeal the matter as requested by Toronto lawyer Clayton Ruby. Mr. Ruby was acting on behalf of a client who launched litigation to have the mayor removed from office over $3150 raised for his football foundation. The court’s refusal was anticipated since it would have to have found important public issues in the case that might affect other jurisdictions. If it had granted the appeal the court would have left is deliberations hanging over the 2014 municipal election.  

Actor James Gandolfini dead at age 51

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His colleagues and show business people are expressing shock tonight at the death of James Gandolfini at the age of 51. Galdolfini  portrayed Tony Soprano on the series “The Sopranos.”  He died while on holiday in Rome.  “Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving.” HBO said in a prepared statement, “We’re all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family. He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us.”

George Christopoulos named media v-p of BILD

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George Christopoulos, who resigned as Mayor Ford’s spokesman , has been hired by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) in the newly created position of vice-president of communications and media relations. “Before joining the mayor’s office he was an integral part of the Toronto Police Service’s communications team for nearly a decade,” BILD, which has more than 1,400 members, said of Christopoulos. He starts July 2. Previously, Christopoulos was a Toronto Sun reporter.

Sport Clips hoists sign on South Bayview

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The Sport Clips haircut shop hoisted up its main signage today (Wednesday, June 19, 2013). They will be located in the former money exchange shop next door to the Smokin Cigar so we will have quite a macho stretch on the west side down by Byford’s Real Estate. Nonetheless, the  ladies will feel at home because the haircutters at Sport Clips are women. Is this all okay at Gender Neutral Central? Well never mind, you get a haircut and watch some sports. Sounds okay. The price list is yet to come.  Previous post 

Tears and applause for Bob Rae as he quits as MP

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Bob Rae is seen with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau at the Liberal party caucus this morning (Wednesday, June 19, 2013) where he announced his resignation from the House of Commons. His announcement was met by appleause and some tears. The member for Toronto Centre will become chief negotiator for First Nations in talks with the Ontario government about development of the Ring of Fire, an iron ore project in Northern Ontario. He is also going to tour the nine Matawa communities in the mining and resource-rich area this summer. Rae was Ontario premier from 1990 to 1995. His decision to leave the House raises the question of who might contest the important riding on the fringe of South Bayview. It will be greatly coveted by all parties in the 2015  General Election.  CBC

Badali’s Fruit Market 75th Anniversary Video

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This choice visit to last Saturday’s anniversary party at Badali’s is courtesy of Leaside film-makers Anthony Regan and Barry H. Samuel. Anthony and Barry are the producers of the centennial film 100 Years Inside Leaside. Here is their Facebook page.