Gypsy Moth spraying this May in Moore Park

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There will be aerial spraying of trees in Moore Park and nearby areas this spring to combat the recurring problem of Gypsy Moth infestations. It is the first year since 2008 that arbourlogists have detected a sufficient presence of moth egg masses to require spraying. The Moore Park Residents Association says the spray is likely to occur between May 15 and June 2 and be scheduled between 5 am and 7:30 am in order to minimize disruption. The Urban Forestry Branch will notify affected residents over the next few weeks by delivery of notices, signage, website information and media releases. The last outbreak of Gypsy Moth in Toronto in 2007 and 2008 was successfully suppressed through a combination of the build-up of natural enemies, integrated pest management measures and aerial and ground treatments of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Btk), a naturally-occurring bacterium having insecticidal properties. The same spray will be used in 2013. Since that time levels of Gypsy Moth have been very low. But this year there has been detection of the pest in Moore Park and ten other areas of Toronto, particularly near the intersection of Princess Margaret Boulevard and Kipling Avenue. This present level of infestation was not expected and is contrary to past population cycles throughout the Gypsy Moth’s present range. Gypsy Moth outbreaks typically come in a 7-10 year cycle and last for 2-3 years. It is likely that this level of infestation points to the beginning of another outbreak in these areas — with City of Toronto website information. 

Leaside Archival Exhibit opens at Library

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The Layers of Leaside Archival Exhibit opened Tuesday at the Leaside Library at 165 McRae Drive. The exhibit is a thoroughly entertaining display of old photographs and memorabilia.  The pictures are organized in a way that helps a visitor make sense of the numerous stages in the history of the community. It’s well worth a visit. Pictures we liked showed the long-gone octagonal house (top) built by William Lea in 1850 near the present site of Leaside Arena. The octagonal home, known as Leaside, burned in 1913. Someone was present on that day and captured this image as the house billowed smoke. Also (below) in the Leaside Exhibit is a picture of the 1902 John Edmund Lea home at 33 Heather Road. At lower right is the renovated Edmund Lea home where it can be seen the home has been extended to the south. It also got a third dormer and that elegant decorative window beside the porch. Tara Hatherly — East York Mirror 

Laureen Harper a savvy “political wife”

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Savvy wife

A story in the National Post about how to bring up kids in the political spotlight offers an insight into the wise mind of Laureen Harper. When the reporter asked her to give advice to Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire on this subject Mrs Harper adroitly sidestepped the invitation. Instead, she suggested that it would be presumptuous to say the least for her to give advice to a dynamic young couple like Justin and Sophie.  But she was not finished. For her next gambit Mrs Harper laid on the humility with a trowel. You have to admire her political savvy when she said she could probably take lessons from Trudeau and Gregoire. Finally, each will have to judge for himself  if this seems even close to the truth but for her ultimate bob-and-weave, the prime minister’s spouse said that people recognize Sophie Gregoire when she walks down the street but that they would never even notice Laureen Harper. This is what you call a clever political wife.

Holt Renfrew bargains still a long drive away

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South Bayview and all of Toronto are apparently going to be a long time waiting for the bargain concept from Holt Renfrew. The brand, called hr2, has just opened in the Montreal suburb of Brossard. A second store will open in May in the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre far from the original HR stores. All of which is fine for those who enjoy the action at Winners and Marshals. These long-time outlets in (and near) the Laird Drive SmartCentre are busy all the time. Reports from Montreal say the hr2 offerings do not duplicate inventory at regular HR stores on Bloor Street and in Yorkdale. HR does say that there will eventually be ten hr2 outlets across Canada but so far nothing more than that.  The  Brossard storefront is said to feature weekend casual looks, including a denim section with brands like Seven and Hudson Jeans, and a display of bright and tropical summer dresses. Prices boast marked reductions, like a pair of AG Premier Skinny-Straight mid-waisted jeans selling for $179 instead of $290, a turquoise Hawaiian dress by Alice + Olivia is $248 instead of $440, and a frilly navy number by Pink Tartan is $279 instead of $695. For more conservative shoppers, there’s a designated area for Giorgio Armani Collezioni suits.

Was Canada-U.S. Maple Leaf the al Queda target?

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Was the jointly operated train The Maple Leaf the planned target of a plot to kill Canadians and Americans in an al Queda terror attack? The Toronto Sun says its sources say the plot revealed today by RCMP targetted a train which runs from Toronto to New York and back. The Maple Leaf is an 875-kilometre (544 mi) passenger train route operated jointly by Amtrak and Via Rail from New York’s Pennsylvania Station to Toronto’s Union Station via Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. The train travels each way during the daytime hours and takes approximately 12 hours for the entire journey — with Wikipedia.  Post below

Dramatic video, reward posted to catch bandits

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A reward of $100,000 has been offered in the brazen bank robbery on St. Clair Ave West yesterday. Also, police have released security video of that robbery at a TD Bank in west Toronto. The reward is put up by the Canadian Bankers Association. Two suspects carrying a handgun and a rifle entered the bank near Jane Street just after 12 p.m. on Sunday. The men staged a “takeover” style bank robbery. Previous post. 

Reporter covers Sichuan quake on wedding day

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A reporter from a local TV station has interrupted her own wedding to cover the news of the earthquake that struck the city of Ya’an. Chen Ying was getting her make-up done at a local photographic studio ahead of her wedding ceremony when the quake hit. The poor bride looks a little surprised as camera operator and microphone approach but she is a trooper and does a report on the spot (inset). Ms Chen’s appearance went viral online, with many viewers calling her the “most beautiful bride in the world”. See video by clicking picture.

Armed men stage terrifying “takeover” bank job

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Police in northwest Toronto are hunting two men last seen driving a stolen green Honda after a terrifying bank holdup that wounded two people. In the linked CBC video clip below police describe how two men, one armed with a handgun, the other with a rifle, tried to “take over” the TD Canada Trust branch at 2555 St. Clair Ave. West near Runnymede Rd. Sunday morning. The gunmen leaped counters and demanded that customers in the busy branch lie on the floor. When one customer, a middle-aged man, didn’t comply fast enough, one of the bandits fired at him. The shot missed but struck a woman employee of the bank in the leg. She is said to be in satisfactory condition. The bandits fled the bank pursued by the customer. The customer was shot outside as he struggled with the robbers. He was shot in the stomach and is said to be in serious condition. Reports say the stolen car has been located but the bandits remain at large. Police describe details of the holdup and details on the wanted men.