Execution bid at Yorkdale shows need for CCTV

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The amateur attempt at a mafia-like execution at Yorkdale Mall early this morning should make every citizen ask: Where were the CCTV cameras? And not just that. Where is the mandatory public and private program to require such surveillance in our trendy public places. It may not be true in this case,  but chic commercial places attract no-goods who like to pretend they belong to the gentry. In this case, it is said that a Honda CRV sped into the mall and stopped in front of the JOEY restaurant just after midnight. A guy got out and started firing through the window at a patron inside. One man was hit several times but is said to be in improving condition in Sunnybrook Hospital  This is the second shooting at Yorkdale in two months.  If Yorkdale cares about its customers — if the City cares about its citizens — this matter will go to the top of the agenda.  Business and government should act now and stop worrying about what some people will think. Such cameras are legal and fully within the rules of our open society.   

Food, games and prizes await at Mayfair 2013

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Mayfair 2013 will have a dry is somewhat cloudy day for events in the annual Rosedale Park festivities. Here we see five charming ladies leading off the traditional Saturday morning parade from Mooredale Park at Welland Ave. and Moore Ave. They are beside the great maple tree opposite 144 Hudson Drive. This year Mayfair celebrates cultures, costumes, and food from around the world. In recent times Mayfair festivities have been advanced to Friday evening in a type of preview. Typically this involves trying out and admiring the carnival rides under the lights. Today (Saturday May 11, 2013) however will feature the rituals of food and midway games, bouncy castle, face painting and many things of youthful interest.  Kids who dress up win prizes. 

Yonge subway closed Saturday for signal work

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The Yonge subway between Bloor and Union stations is closed today (Saturday May 11, 2013) to permit  signal upgrades. Trains will terminate at Bloor and Union stations. Bus service will operate between Rosedale and King stations. Buses are scheduled to run every three minutes to five minutes. The TTC suggests that riders heading downtown should use the University line south from St. George station.

Awesome sale opens at Leaside United Church

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They call it Awesome and fair-minded shoppers will agree. The annual Leaside United Church Sale opened at 3 p.m. Friday and will be humming until. 7 p.m.  Tomorrow (Saturday May 11, 2013) business continues from 9 a.m. to noon. The fare is excellent and we had a sneak look.  Clockwise from upper left, some lucky lady will grab this finely fashioned leather tote. Wonderful baked goods are here. Frankly, they are likely to be eaten by the time you read this. Those are June’s Buttermilk Scones and jars of Mint Imperials. Yummy. Another choice item is the green Gingham Doll near the jewellery department in the church’s little theatre room. A friendly kangaroo (maybe) is one of many cuddlies and finally an excellent display of bamboo garden furniture with a complementary screen. It’s a grouping that should go quickly. LUC is at  822 Millwood Road and McRae Drive. The Awesome Sale has split-shift hours, a rather unique marketing technique for such events. 

Woman survives Bangladesh collapse after 17 days

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Workers clearing the site of a collapsed building in Bangladesh rescue a woman from the rubble after seeing her wave her hand.Rescuers in Bangladesh have found a survivor in the rubble of a clothing factory that collapsed 17 days ago.The woman, identified only as Reshma, was shown being carried on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance as a rescue worker applied an oxygen mask to her face. She apparently survived essentially unhurt in the basement of the building where she found food stored in a prayer room.

FBI says accused wanted to kill 100,000 people

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     From CBC embeddable video 
The FBI have arrested a Tunisian-born man who has previously lived in Canada as a co-conspirator in the plot to blow up a Toronto to New York VIA train. The FBI alleges the would-be terrorist had even more terrifying ideas to help bring down civil society. The accused is Ahmed Abassi (seen above) and he is implicated with the two foreign-born men already facing charges in Canada. Among the homicidal plans allegedly discussed by Abassi was a scheme to somehow kill thousands of people with bacteria in the air or water. Authorities say the idea never got past the talking stage and in fact was ridiculed by Chiheb Esseghaier, a 30-year-old Tunisian living in Montreal who was recently arrested here. Abassi was arrested in New York on April 22, 2013, the same day as the Canadian  arrests were executed but the matter was sealed by the U.S. federal authorities apparently for investigative reasons.  CBC

May 11 a Saturday to Spring into Action

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  1. Leaside United Church Awesome Sale Friday May 10 3-7pm and Saturday May 11, 9am – noon
  2. Eighth Annual Spring Into Action! Saturday May 11, 9am to 1pm  Walk, Run or Cycle for Diabetes” in Sunnybrook Park. 2013 Spring Into Action.
  3. Leaside Garden Society plant sale Saturday 11 May 9:00 am – 12:00 pm At Trace Manes Park (Millwood & McRae)
  4. John Parker Free Compost day Saturday 11 May 10:00 – until all gone Loblaws Redway Road Parking Lot 

Shelter Sale is Saturday at Bayview and McRae

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Catherine de Vries reminds us that the annual Royal LePage Shelter sale for women in hostels and shelters is set to go again this Saturday monring at the company’s local office, 1391 Bayview Ave. at McRae Drive. There are three full PODS filled with furniture, house wares, clothing, kids toys and collectibles.  Donations have been plentiful and great quality Previous post

Gypsy moth spraying between May 21 and June 11

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Toronto has announced a window of dates during there will be aerial spraying to combat the Gypsy Moth infestation. This defoliating insect is considered a major pest and its appearance in strength this Spring has caused concern.  As reported in a previous post, Moore Park is a critical concern and will be sprayed. The dates provided are not area-specific. Residents of Moore Park may expect morning spraying between  Friday May 21 and Tuesday June 11, 2013.  The caterpillar, or larvae stage of the insect, eats the leaves of trees, making the trees more susceptible to disease and damage from other insects or weather related factors. The insecticide does not affect adult moths and butterflies, other insects, honeybees, fish, birds or mammals. It kills young caterpillars that are present at the time of spray. Spraying will take place between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. This list shows where spraying will occur during the date provided by the City today.

  • Princess Margaret Boulevard and Kipling Avenue
  • Thorncrest Road
  • The Kingsway and Edenbridge Drive
  • Valecrest Road and North Drive
  • Herne Hill
  • Royal York Road and The Kingsway
  • Moore Park
  • Tam O’Shanter Golf Course
  • Humber Valley Golf Course
  • Cherry Beach Park
  • Toronto Island Park

GM to build Cadillacs at its Shanghai factory

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General Motors will build Cadillacs in China it has been announced. GM’s fancy car that first cranked up in Detroit more than a century ago will now try to exploit a Chinese taste for luxury by building the top-of-the-line vehicle at its joint venture factory in Shanghai.  Plans call for the 8 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) factory in Shanghai to begin production in 2015 with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, according to GM spokeswoman Dayna Hart. GM sells imported Cadillacs in China but the luxury market is dominated by Germany’s Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi. GM intends to send the Caddy where the Buick has previously gone. Buick is among the best-selling cars in China and in Shanghai it is impossible to count the Buicks on the streets. 

Sheppard-Bayview is a seriously clogged artery

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Let’s face it, the intersection of Sheppard Ave. and Bayview Ave. is the size of a small farm — covered in asphalt. It’s also the most congested intersection in town, according to the City’s Transportation Service Committee.  Here’s the worst of the worst.  Toronto Star

  1. Bayview Ave. at Sheppard Ave. E. 
  2.  Yonge St., Highway 401 to Sheppard Ave.
  3.  York St., Front St. to Gardiner Expressway 
  4.  Sheppard Ave. W. at Allen Rd. 
  5.  Leslie St., Highway 401 to Sheppard Ave. E. 
  6.  Lake Shore Blvd., York St. to Bathurst St.
  7.  Kennedy Rd., Highway 401 to Sheppard Ave. E
  8. . Markham Rd., Highway 401 to Sheppard Ave. E. 
  9.  Dufferin St. at Finch Ave. W.
  10.  Black Creek Dr. at Lawrence Ave. W.