Mats Sundin a first-time father at 41

Ex-Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin and his wife, Josephine, became parents for the first time when a daughter was born Monday in Stockholm, Sweden. Mother and daughter, whose name has not been revealed yet, were released from hospital on Wednesday. Toronto Sun.

When you’re in Manhattan go to Italy is Eataly on Fifth Ave.

A great place to visit in Manhattan is Eataly at 200 Fifth Ave at 23rd Street. The name is actually Italy is Eataly. This  cavernous but charming old building was recently converted to a showcase of all things Italian, especially food. There are all sorts of little take-away places as well as home grocery fare. Sit down and stand up tables fill the many wide halls of this one time office main floor. As you can see, the imagination of the entrepreneurs is stimulating. Lower left, the bread concession shows the flag  Lower right, select cuts of  pork and beef. This place also makes fresh mozzarella. It is the successful dream of two food businessmen, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. Visit the Eataly site for a closer look. And oh yes, this was one of the places that Homefront employees played hooky from their work at the New York International Gift Fair.  http://eatalyny.com/

Bayview Buckets volunteers ready to go

This public spirited group were present for the inauguration of the adopt-a-tree program known as Bayview Buckets. It’s a sensible and easy way to keep the trees on South Bayview leafy and green. Left to right, Paula, LEAF Volunteer (graphic designer – brochure and  info-cards); Amanda Gromm, LEAF Manager of Volunteers and Community Engagement; Josh Matlow, Councillor Ward 22; Helen Godfrey, LEAF Volunteer and Tree Tender Graduate; Joe Godfrey, Helen’s husband.  Those who adopt a Bayview tree may also from time to time venture a little grooming and weed removal. Congratulations to all.  LEAF strands for Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests    

$2.5 million wireless fraud suspect nabbed here

Toronto Police Service: On Monday, August 20, 2012, members of the Toronto Police Service Fugitive Squad and the Canada Border Services Agency located and arrested a wanted man. Brian Ray Dinning, 47, is wanted in the United States on 25 counts of wire fraud offences. The State of Virginia issued a warrant for Dinning’s arrest on Wednesday, June 6, 2012.It is alleged that: since 2005, the accused defrauded victims of approximately $2,500,000 in the U.S. and Canada Brian Ray Dinning was located at a home in the Queen Street East/ Hammersmith Avenuearea. He is being held in custody awaiting immigration proceedings

Wine bar, pharmacy, Starbucks inside Longo’s

In the days to come, people will have a chance to explore the new Longo’s store in the Leaside Village at Laird Drive and Esandar Road. It opened yesterday. But a release sent out by the company Tuesday makes note of some useful non-grocery features which are worth noting. There is apparently a wine and beer bar known as Cork’s. Customers can eat prepared food and have a drink with it. Guardian Pharmacy is said to be located in the new Longo’s. The release speaks of a pharmacy service to the “customer base” through a partnership with this drugstore. And as previously posted here, Longo’s has struck a deal to place a Starbuck’s in this store. A few things perhaps that you had not heard.

Prince Harry’s R&R gets a bit raunchy

Prince Harry is said to be back in Britain tonight after his rest and recuperation visit to Las Vegas turned into a naked publicity nightmare. Newspapers in the U-K are playing the story of Harry’s cavorting differently. Some say the British public is unfazed while others say they have been warned by Buckingham Palace about using the pictures  Here, the Mailonline has many pictures of a pool party at the MGM Grand where the prince had a private bungalow to which he invited many friends and acquaintances. There are pictures it is said of the prince naked while he embraced and was hugged by naked girls. Later, there was a game of strip billiards at a suite at the Wynne Hotel. It was from this gathering that pictures of Harry, having apparently lost the billiard game, were published on the Internet.  Mailonline

Launch event of Bayview Buckets program

A Tweet from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) indicates that there is a launch occasion of the adopt-a-tree program Bayview Buckets. It was scheduled to begin at 10 am in front of EPI Bakery at Bayview and Millwood Rd.  

Global TV notes opening of Longo’s on Laird

The television service carries a brief story to mark the official opening on Wednesday August 22, 2012   Global TV

Body parts victim a Toronto mother, 41

A 41-year-old motherhas been identified as the victim of a killer who dismembered her body and left it strewn across parts of Toronto and Mississauga. She is Hua Guang Liu, who at one time ran a spa in east end Toronto.  Friends say they last saw her at the spa on Eglinton Avenue East near Kennedy Road on Friday, August 10. The National Post identified the spa as Forget Me Not and said the City had had complaints from neighbors that it was not legitimate in some way. It said Ms. Lui was a holistic practitioner and body rubber.  It is also reported by CTV that police have executed a search warrant on a room at the Scarborough Inn near Kennedy Rd. and Sheppard Ave and asked the inn owner about a man who briefly took the room.   Story published about 10 pm Tuesday is here.

Fireman Litherland asks for driver co-operation

Leaside area firefighter Grant Litherland has made a fireman’s plea for drivers to get out of the way when they hear a rig coming down the road. He was interviewed in the Toronto Star recently and  mentioned a “huge problem” for anyone in his work, or for any emergency services worker: “Cars just don’t get out of the way when these people are rushing to an emergency. What part of the sirens and flashing lights don’t they understand?”  Enough said Grant. We’re sure everyone will try to do better.

Search warrants executed in body parts case

CBC.ca

Helen Godfrey started Bayview Buckets project

Helen Godfrey
As a further note on the project known as Bayview Buckets we have a link to a posting by Helen Godfrey, in which she talks about her inspiration to start an adopt-a-tree program for South Bayview (west side for the time being). Here is what Ms. Godfrey writes: “Street trees are often neglected and I have long felt that communities should take some responsibility for their care. In my neighbourhood, on Bayview Avenue north of Davisville subway station, there is a four-block commercial strip that thrives – but unlike the businesses, the trees aren’t doing so well. The west side is lined with trees in concrete planters but the east is presently without any greenery due to sidewalk reconstruction. The difference between the two is stark and so I decided to attempt a tree care project. More.