The hopelessly unwanted Masonic Temple seemed to have found a real use when CTV purchased it in the 90s to have a “downtown” location like CHUM. Now CTV is owned by Bell Media and Bell owns CHUM’s jewel at 99 Queen Street West. Who needs the Sonic Hall any more? So the Sonic (as it came to be known) at Yonge St. and Davenport Rd. will go into moth balls at least for the time being. Story
Huge crane lifts generator to roof of RioCan office
by •
The redoubtable real estate and management firm RioCan may be feeling a little vulnerable to the electrical service. But in any case, they had a very big crane out on Eglinton Ave. W. at Yonge Street Saturday for the purpose of lifting a diesel operated generator into place. This unit will provide uninterrupted power in the event of Hydro outages like those the other night. RioCan is, as many will know, the owner of the Sunnybrook Plaza and the Leaside Centre at Eglinton Ave. E and Laird where Canadian Tire is located.
Hundreds on Heather’s Walk in South Bayview
by •
Several hundred happy people marched through South Bayview Saturday morning in Heather’s Walk for Homelessness. It was a heartfelt response to the life and work of Heather Scholer, a supporter of the advocacy body known as Raising the Roof. It is dedicated to ending homelessness. Their target was to raise $10,000 and it appears they were well on their way by this morning. Each walker wore a Heather Button (inset). Here was see three friends as the group passed through Moore Ave at Orchard Green. The whole route went from the Granite Brewery at Eglinton Ave. E. and Mt Pleasant Rd. southbound to Carstowe Rd. and through Moore Park via Maclennan Ave. and Welland Ave. to Moore. Thence the walkers went up South Bayview, and back along Eglinton to the starting point. Healthy. Return to Standard Time 2 am Sunday
by •
Daylight Saving Time ends tonight. Clocks are scheduled to “Fall Back” one hour at 2 am. Sunday.
Bloomberg forced to call off New York Marathon
by •
A revolt by ordinary citizens and political supporters has forced Mayor Bloomberg to cancel the New York Marathon. New Yorkers have been revolted by the idea of police and city staff assigned to build tents, keep order and provide generators for the big run at the same time people in the New York suburbs are freezing in the dark.
With your help, churches collect food for needy
by •
This month will see the 41st annual food collection organized by the churches of Leaside and Rosedale. Food is donated under the auspices of ten local churches and distributed to the Evangel Hall, Flemingdon Park Food Bank, Toronto Christian Resource Centre and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Collection and packing will take place at Leaside Presbyterian church, Eglinton Ave E and Hanna road on Saturday, November 17, 2012 and Saturday, November 24, 2012 with work going on between 9.30 and noon each day. Organizers say they need about 300 helpers on each day and invite you to join in wnd bring your family too. St. Anselm’s, St. Augustine’s, St. Cuthbert’s and St. Simon’s, Leaside Presbyterian, Leaside United, Northlea United, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rosedale Presbyterian, Rosedale United
BMO says online service partially restored
by •
Bank of Montreal has said that it has partially restored the probem with its online banking service. Customers are now said to be able to use ATMs and various cards too make pirchases. Starting about 10.30 this morning all online banking service was disrupted. Debit, credit cards and ATMs are said to be unusable CBc.ca
Mrs Park’s holds open houses next Monday
by •
One of the oldest and most respected kindergarten and nursery schools is having an open house next Monday. Mrs Park’s School in the Leaside United Church (LUC) and St. Cuthbert’s Church will be throwing the doors open. At LUC, 822 Millwood Road, the open house will be in the evening from 7 to 9 pm. At St Cuthbert’s, 1399 Bayview Ave., the open house will take place in the morning between 9 and 11 am. Mrs Park’s makes the pledge that classes are never more than 12, with one teacher and assistant. For inquires call (416) 424-2136
Kathleen Wynne to run for Liberal leadership
by •
Don Valley West MPP and Municipal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne will run for the Liberal leadership. As a necessary first step, Wynne resigned from the cabinet this morning. The ambitious and well-liked Wynne has long been known to have an eye on the premier’s job. As noted here in October, she is likely to be part of a mixed gender field, although so far there are no official candidates. The leadership will be decided at a Toronto convention on the weekend of Jan. 25. Other Liberals who have yet to rule out joining the race are former Environment Minister John Wilkinson, former Economic Development Minister Sandra Pupatello, Health Minister Deb Matthews, Labour Minister Charles Souza, Colleges and University Minister Glen Murray and Children and Youth Services Minister Eric Hoskins.
Dog attack wounds man near Avenue-Davenport
by •
A 52-year-old man lost a testicle after being bitten by his girl friend’s 70-kilogram American Bulldog named Bully, the Toronto Star reports. The attack occurred in the Avenue Rd. and Davenport Rd. area on Tuesday. Toronto police Det. Murray Barnes said the man was feeding the dog treats when the 3-year-old bulldog attacked his face, neck and groin. “The animal had to be beaten off him with a mop,” said Barnes, “and it was eventually secured in a bedroom by the owner.” Paramedics were called and the man was treated for his injuries. He is well on his way to recovery, police said. The dog was removed from the home and placed under quarantine for 10 days and an investigation is underway. Toronto Public Health will gather details about the incident and the animal to determine if the animal is rabid. When there are issues related to animal neglect and abuse, enforcement officials can take custody of the animal and a court order to permanently remove the dog from its owners could be filed.
Mr. Christie, You Used To Make Good Cookies
by •
The 65 year-old “Christie’s” factory on the Lake Shore beside the Gardiner Expressway is about to close. The international group controlled by Kraft food said today the place is just too inefficient to renovate . Some 550 employees have been given notice of up to ten months. Their jobs are not likely to be transferred. The plant, originally built by the Canadian firm Christie, Brown is located at Lake Shore Boulevard and Park Lawn Road. It has seen the company change hands and its products, mostly cookies, were the subject of one of the most enduring promotional catch lines ever created — Mr. Christie, You Make Good Cookies. City Councillors say there is plan to build condominiums on the property.
Repairing old roof damaged by Oct. windstorm
by •
Updated December 10, 20112: Work is underway to repair the badly damaged roof of the home on Heath Street E just west of Welland Ave. It was hit by a huge trunk of a Red Oak which came down in October’s windstorm. You can see here and from the inset shot that the mainstay of the roof has been replaced but much work remains to repair the broken roofing and supports caused by heavy branches attached to the trunk.