Rod Robbie was chief designer of the SkyDome
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Rod Robbie, the man who spearheaded the design of SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre) has died at the age of 83 in Toronto. The building has been a hugely popular success and an international landmark. But the Globe and Mail obit contains revealing information from his daughter Caroline about how the building became a source of grief for Mr. Robbie because of galloping cost.
Budget meetings for Ward 26 this month
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There will be two public information meetings this month held by Councillor John Parker. The meetings will deal with the City’s 2012 budget. They are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, January. 10 at the Ontario Federation of Labour building, 15 Gervais Dr. and Thursday, January 12 at Leaside Gardens, 1073 Millwood Rd. Both meetings will run from 7 to 9 pm.
Scott Thompson to run Yahoo
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Yahoo will hire Web whiz kid Scott Thompson to lead the fight against Google and Facebook. Yahoo has been run by interim CEO and former Chief Financial Officer Tim Morse. Thompson has been running PayPal, the online payments unit of eBay, since early 2008, and was previously its chief technology officer. PayPal processed $29 billion in payments in the third quarter of 2011.
FP hints Stymiest will chair RIM board
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The Financial Post is suggesting that Research in Motion is preparing to shake up management at the company by appointing Barbara Symiest as Chair of the Board-of Directors. She is already an independent director who joined RIM’s board in 2007, Stymiest was CEO of the Toronto Stock Exchange before moving on to become chief operating officer at the Royal Bank of Canada. . CBC.caItalian Orso Bianco jump into the Tiber
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You’ve seen the New Year’s Day Polar Bear swims. Now watch some Italian Orso Bianoc do their thing. But into the Tiber River? Yecch!
The new 19 Bessborough nears completion
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It was just in July that we woke up to find 19 Bessborough Drive (and the house door too) torn down and slated for redevelopment. Now 19 Besasborough ( right) is just about fuinished. The original building (centre) was sold in 2010 for $895,000. It will be revealing to see what the new 19 Bessborough fetches.
What’s next at Hortons? How about “Hurry up”
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Just before Christmas, Larry Vander Schaaf, writing in Canada Free Press (online) noted a change in the greeting at Tim Hortons. It is a distinct move away from cordial service. Vander Schaaf says Hortons has eliminated the greeting “Hi, welcome to Tim Hortons, my name is Sally, how can I help you?” In its place is the cold (but naturally much shorter) “Sally speaking”. Ugh. Vander Schaaf first thought the change was a bone-headed decision from American management. But he tells the South Bayview Bulldog it was really a bone-headed decision by Canadian management. Either way, it moves Tim Hortons a step away from the warm place that Canadians have come to expect.
Rob Ford’s first year
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A critical assessment of the mayor by National Post pundit Chris Selley. Well worth reading. Here.
Lai Toh Heen decided not to renew the lease
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Champagne and pork dumplings pleased celebrants tonight at Lee Wah Heen on Chestnut Street. But it was a bittersweet moment for those who used to patronize this restaurant’s sister establishment Lai Toh Heen at Mt Pleasant Rd. and Soudan Ave. As we told you in October, Lai Toh Heen has closed. It has not been clear why until now. The management decided that business conditions did not merit renewal of the lease. In other words, insufficient business.
2012 marches in around the world
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Revelers have brought in 2012 in Tokyo, Beijing, New Delhi, Athens, Rome, Paris and London at this writing (7.50 pm EST). Still to come are New York and Toronto, with great centres like Vancouver and San Francisco more or less last. Above is an arresting picture of a fireworks effect in Hong Kong. Rockets appear to be shooting out of this high-rise office.
Nature’s frosting on South Bayview
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Overnight snow and drizzle formed a crystal covering for area trees. This is Donegall Dr..