City installs “don’t bother” bus shelter

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So here we are at the corner of Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Broadway Ave,. outside the venerable Pik Kwik store. That’s just kitty-corner from Northern Secondary. This is where, thanks to the efforts of Jack Lakey, the Toronto Star’s “Fixer”, a new bus shelter has been installed. Except that this lovely shelter, Tuesday’s sunshine glinting off its aluminum-strutted roof, has no sides. No sides! The one that it replaced was wretched, but it had glass sides. It will be enough for most of us to know that the designer of these pieces, Astral Media, should have stuck to radio. The only solace we can offer to those who must gather on this corner when it is cold and windy is that there are two beat-up Bell Canada phone booths there. One of them looks like it would be pretty good as a wind-break.

We have to grow our great Avenues says planner

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She wants to grow main street

Toronto fledgling chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat cited five priorities for Toronto that will guide her tenure. Ms Keesmaat, who was appointed last year, spoke to the Board of Trade today. She said the city’s “Avenues” or great streets (such as Eglinton Avenue E above) needed to grow in such a way that jobs and work places were more closely linked. All these streets, St. Clair, Eglinton, the Lake Shore, have tremendous capacity for growth, Ms. Keesmaat said. With existing transit infrastructure and proximity to green space, they could accommodate new mid-rise buildings in a way that would not negatively affect surrounding communities. Ms Keesmaat criticised the political polarization at city hall, saying that conditions there are sometimes not pretty. It should be a priority to change this, she said. Other major goals: Fixing transit, the impact of climate change and the legacy of green space and land use.  National Post.

Boy 2 dead, his brother treated for influennza

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A morning call for EMS to an apartment on Ontario Street found a 2-year-old boy dead and his brother, who is thought to be two or three years older, with flu-like conditions. The brother was taken to Hospital for Sick Children where he is being treated for the flu. Police and EMS say the case does not appear suspicious.

Men of Carreira Casuals holding 50% off sale

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The well dressed men of South Bayview are selling their winter coats, sports jackets and sweaters for 50% off just now. We’re talking about the men in the window at Paul Carreira Casuals at 1563 Bayview Ave. Take a look. If you see Paul, tell him you saw it in the Bulldog. In other South Bayview notes, the owner of Smoklin’ Cigar says he is on track to complete his move to former Leaside cleaners at 1540 Bayview Ave. location by his mid-February target. 

Dates to remember this month and next

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Charlene Kalia has brought to our attention a couple of worthwhile events this winter. The first is January 31, 2013 in support of Leaside Unite. Friends will gather at the Fox and Fiddle, 190 Laird Drive for an evening of socializing and music. Leaside Unite continues to battle the extension as planned of the SmartCentre on Wicksteed Ave. The tickets are $25 which includes two drinks. The band Blue Nash will be playing. Then on February 22, 2013, Charlene’s Laugh Out Loud in Leaside Act 4. That’s at 7.30 p.m. at Fantasy Farm Banquet Hall on Pottery road. It features Yuk Yuk’s Comedy and music. There will be an oyster bar, silent auction and much more. The money will benefit the arena expansion. Charlene notes the fund is 400,000 short of its September 2013 goal. To purchase tickets please contact Charlene at charlene@charlenekalia.com

Nortel executives found not guilty on all charges

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Nortel Networks Corp. executives accused of defrauding the company and the public have had their charges dismissed in a Toronto courtroom today, making them free men. Nearly a year to the day after their trial began in Toronto the three men are cleared entirely of wrong-doing and free to go. They are (l to r) ex-CEO Frank Dunn, ex-CFO Douglas Beatty and ex-controller Michael Gollogly. Thy were all accused of manipulating financial statements at Nortel Networks Corp. between 2002 to 2003.  If convicted, each would have faced up to 10 years in prison. 

Vase stolen from Yonge Street antique store

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Police are investigating the Friday night break-in at the exclusive antique store on at 1262 Yonge Street. The crime occurred at Braem & Minnetti Antique French Furniture on Yonge between Summerhill Ave. and  Woodlawn Ave and it appears to have netted the thief a single porcelain vase with lid. It may be that police have video of the break and enter because there is a detailed description of the the suspected thief:  Male, white, mid 30’s, 5’11” to 6’1”, 161 to 169 pounds, brown/blond hair, thin build.

Art, personal accessories stolen on Forest Hill

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Toronto Police Services report: A resident of Forest Hill Road reports that between September 24, 2012 and September 27, 2012, unknown suspects removed a quantity of art work and personal accessories from their premises.

Did Jodie Foster out herself at Golden Globes?

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These and other pressing matters from the entertainment self-adoration fest as recorded in the National Post  By definition, the Golden Globes is an accolade bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association on the films and television industry, both domestic and foreign.  Good coverage. Lot’s of videos. 

Cute puppy Maymo hunts oranges, cabbage

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Maymo is a lemon beagle made famous by his extremely cute  activities. His videos have appeared on major television shows and websites. 

Internet prodigy commits suicide at age 26

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Aaron Swartz, an Internet savant who at a young age shaped the online era by co-developing RSS and Reddit and later became a digital activist, has committed suicide. Swartz’s body was found Friday evening in Brooklyn, said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman with the New York medical examiner’s office. The 26-year-old had hanged himself in his apartment. CNN

Heat wave on South Bayview as mercury hits 12C

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The temperature hit 12 Centigrade on South Bayview this afternoon, reflecting record-breaking warm conditions all across the region. This is unofficially the warmest January 12 ever. While other parts of the country are digging out from heavy snow, Toronto is enjoying a mid-winter springtime. By late morning the temperature had climbed above 9 C and it just kept on going. Environment Canada predicts more seasonal temperatures next week.