Want a short commute? Move to Thunder Bay

by  • 

It’s sometimes hard not to laugh over the apparent expectations of “congestion” experts for commute times. Today its reported that “all those stuck on the Gardiner Expressway (and) the Don Valley Parkway” should know that their time in transit is “the longest among Canada’s big cities.”  Statistics Canada puts the average trip at  32.8 minutes. Shorter than New York and Washington but not much. Then, seemingly with a straight face, writer Bruce Campion-Smith, in the Star, adds that among Canada’s “metropolitan areas” Saguenay, Thunder Bay and Moncton have the quickest average commute at 17 minutes. This would seem to say it all.  If you want to flit to work in mere moments, go to Thunder Bay or maybe get a position down the street.

Jack will march Monday in his RCN uniform

by  • 

Young Jack Aldred
Jack Aldred of Cosburn Ave. will march in the Canada Day Parade in his 1940s issue Royal Canadian Navy uniform this coming July, 1 — and it will be legal. The RCN has apologized for an order to WWII vets, like 89-year-old Jack, that they needed official permission to wear their uniforms. Of course that’s not what the Navy intended to say.  As reported in the Star: “Apologizing for the “confusion” and “insult” it may have caused to veterans, the Royal Canadian Navy has clarified an order that seemed to require vets to obtain permission to wear their uniforms. In a letter written Monday, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman said “wartime patterns, historic headdress, medals, and uniforms that are no longer in use” were not intended to be included in the Navy order. “Their use in celebrating previous service and sacrifice should continue and be encouraged,” he wrote. Read about Jack Aldred and his plans for Canada Day.

John Tory “considering” a run for mayor

by  • 

Barbara Hackett and John Tory
John Tory has told Stephen LeDrew on CP24 that he is “considering” another run for mayor of Toronto. Mr. Tory said he had had so many people tell him to run that he just couldn’t help but think about it. The accomplished 59-year-old lawyer and talk show host is still youthful-looking with a full head of hair.  His wife, Barbara Hackett, is a strong  and congenial public wife. It is whispered around Toronto that Mr. Tory and Ms Hackett’s recent vacation in Turkey was an opportunity for the former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party leader to persuade his wife to join him in another dive into politics. She had been a huge support during his loss in the 2003 mayor’s race to David Miller. In 2007 Tory faced the defeat of his own party and personal defeat in the riding of Don Valley West. He lost to Kathleen Wynne. It is said that Barbara Hackett felt that her husband should give up politics for good. But today, it seems, there is at least a chance that we may yet see John Tory back on the municipal ballot for mayor.  

RBC to finance new stock exchange for Toronto

by  • 

The Royal Bank is a major player in a plan to start a new stock exchange in Toronto. The exchange would compete with the dominant TMX Group and it would prohibit so-called high-frequency trading, one of the most contentious issues for small traders. The new exchange operator, Aequitas Innovations the new exchange is expected to launch in late 2014. It will solicit business from retail and institutional investors who complain they have been short-changed by predatory high-frequency trading practices.  Reuters

Int’l locations, Apple shops in-store says Indigo

by  • 

Indigo Books and Music has a two-part strategy to try to make the beleaguered chain a profitable business. One of these schemes is to open store fronts outside Canada in about two years.  Chief executive Heather Reisman had no details on which markets the retailer is considering. Also, the annual meeting was told, Indigo will partner with Apple and  begin selling products such as iPads and Apple TV in 40 stores in 2014. The company has already begun selling some of its products at its store on The Queensway.

Closing on Leaside Town Hall set in May 2014

by  • 

The old Leaside Town Hall at 235 McRae Drive has been sold after more than six months on the market. The new owner is not yet known. So far there is no price revealed nor is the new owner giving out a name. All inquiries at the agent, Seligman Commercial, and at the building itself, are met with refusals to say who is taking over this heritage building from Leaside’s past. The present tenant of 235 McRae is Kelley McTernan Lavoie, an interior design firm which has done work for Four Seasons International, Deloitte National and other well known firms. A woman in the office said “the neighborhood will be pleased” with what the new owners are going to do with 235 McRae But she would not say who the owner is. Adding to the mystery is the odd closing date — nearly a year from now on May 4, 2014. The secrecy is not impenetrable because this information is required by Ontario land registry legislation but that’s after the deal closes next year.  Let’s hope it leaks out sooner. Previous post

“All Chi Wrote” — Blackhawks take the Cup

by  • 

The Chicago Blackhawks scored a thrilling and totally unlikely Stanley Cup victory last night by popping two goals into the Boston Bruins net in 17 seconds to win the game 3-2.  There was only 76 seconds left in the game and the Hawks looked like losers with Boston sitting pretty with a 2-1 lead.  So sudden and late was Chicago’s rally that even the Blackhawks seemed not to believe what they had just seen. Milan Lucic put the Bruins ahead, 2-1, with 7 minutes 49 seconds left in regulation, seemingly forcing a Game 7 in Chicago on Wednesday. But then lightning struck. With 1:16 left, Bryan Bickell finished a feed from Jonathan Toews, knocking the puck past Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask and tying the score at 2-2. With 59 seconds to go, Dave Bolland beat the sprawling Rask after a rebound off the goal post, and just like that, the Blackhawks were ahead. Courtesy NHL

Mt Pleasant “Restaurantacular” is Wednesday

by  • 

News release (edited) — On Wednesday, June 26, 2013, the Mount Pleasant Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) will sponsor the second annual food festival, Restaurantacular. Last year the event attracted food lovers of all ages and walks of life from around Toronto. There will  35 food booths participating with residents having a chance to taste $2, $4, and $6 appetizers and small plates from participating restaurants and specialty shops along Mount Pleasant Rd. between Eglinton Avenue East and Davisville Avenue. It all gets going at 2 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m.  Here  is the list of participating restaurants and cafes

Bits and Bites had South Bayview bopping along

by  • 

Sure hope you made it to the Bits and Bites event on South Bayview last Saturday. Here are a few of the lovely people that Bulldog co-publisher Sue Byford met and photographed along the way. Upper left to right: Nora and Frank from Rosie’s Kitchen, coquettish cowgirl from Wild Wing place, happy mom and sweetie with balloon scuplture hat. Lower, Zoe the master balloon sculptress and dress up lady, “four brothers” swinging like Woody Herman outside Chai on Bayview and four masked rascals from Leaside. 

MOH issues Extreme Heat Alert for Toronto

by  • 

Dr. Barbara Yaffe

Toronto release (edited) — Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Toronto’s Associate Medical Officer of Health, has upgraded the Heat Alert to an Extreme Heat Alert for today. It is forecast to hit a punishing 31 degrees this afternoon. The Extreme Heat Alert will be in effect until further notice. During an Extreme Heat Alert, the public is encouraged to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Other groups at risk include people with chronic illnesses, limited mobility and with certain mental health illnesses, infants and young children, people on certain medications and those who are homeless. In addition to air conditioned shopping malls, local libraries and neighbourhood community centres, cooling centres are open during Extreme Heat Alerts at the following seven locations:  The City recommended that those who don’t have air get into a mall or public building. there are official “Cooling Centres” listed here.  Take it easy everyone. 

  •  Metro Hall – 55 John St. (24 hours) 
  •  East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Ave. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  •  North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) 
  •  Driftwood Community Centre – 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) 
  •  Etobicoke Civic Centre – 399 The West Mall (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) 
  •  McGregor Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  •  Centennial Park Community Centre – 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Roxy reader snaps Black Camel sandwich crowd

by  • 

It is always fun to see a happy crowd milling around a restaurant or bar. It evokes remembrances of London where lunch and dinner always produce a social mob of patrons on the sidewalk. Jay, a reader of our sister blog, Yonge and  Roxborough News, has sent this picture of the lunch crowd on Crescent Rd across the street from the Rosedale subway station. The popular sandwich place is called the Black  Camel. The simple goal of the Black Camel, as stated on its website, is “to prepare good tasting, high quality food, to deliver it quickly and to price it fairly.”  Roxy blogger Peter Rehak comments that older readers may remember Camel cigarettes in which prominent pitchmen (and women) would say “I’d walk a mile for a Camel.”  Much better to get a sandwich than a cheroot, we add.