Bayview area MPPs contest Liberal leadership

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MPP Glen Murray has declared himself in the contest to become leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Mr Murray (left) is the member for Toronto-Centre (Rosedale). He joins his Bayview area colleague Kathleen Wynne (right) in the political joust to take over the minority government left behind by the resignation of Dalton McGuinty. She is the member for Don Valley West which includes Leaside and areas to the east and north.  Mr. Murray made his announcement a day after stepping down as minister of training, colleges and universities. The event was a lively gathering held at  Maple Leaf Gardens. The candidate is a former Mayor of Winnipeg and was elected to the Legislature in a 2010 byelection. Ms Wynne resigned from the cabinet last week in preparation for an announcement expected this week. Other possible candidates include former cabinet minster Sandra Pupatello. Previous post 

PM Harper on his way to India trade mission

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The prime minister has taken off for trade mission to India, the second visit Mr. Haprer has made to that country. He is accompanied by Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), and Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), as well as representatives of the business and cultural sectors The trip will also see stops in the Philippines and Hong Kong before arriving in New Delhi.

Creaky old “Sonic” hall goes back into mothballs

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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

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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

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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. 

Bloomberg forced to call off New York Marathon

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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

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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

Mrs Park’s holds open houses next Monday

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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

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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.