Joy as Curiosity lands, begins 2-year mission

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Absolute joy prevailed in the NASA control room this afternoon as the Mars Rover known as Curiosity landed exactly according to plan. Curiosity has a two-year mission ahead. Report by Geraldine Cooper. Minutes after the landing signal reached Earth, Curiosity beamed back the first black-and-white pictures from inside the crater showing its wheel and its shadow, cast by the afternoon sun. “We landed in a nice flat spot. Beautiful, really beautiful,” said engineer Adam Steltzner, who led the team that devised the landing routine. It was NASA’s seventh landing on Earth’s neighbour; many attempts by the U.S. and other countries to zip past, circle or set down on Mars have gone awry. Click picture. 

Shoppers, Dollarama lore still fascinates

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There’s an expression about being a fly on the wall, and many people would like to have had that chance during the horsetrading that went on between Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollarama and the landlord of the double space at  1531-1533 Bayview north of Millwood. It may be an urban legend but it’s widely believed that Shoppers was prepared to do whatever it took to make sure the space it was leaving when it moved up the street did not suddenly become a Rexall Pharma Plus store. Shoppers must have been stung when it moved into new premises a few years ago at 759 Mt. Pleasant Rd to find that two seconds later Rexall was setting up in Shoppers former premises across the street at 732 Mt Pleasant.  Now it’s true that a Rexall Pharmacy on Bayview would have left them with three stores in close proximity. There’s already one on Moore Ave beside the Loblaw and another in Sunnybrook Plaza. But who wanted to take the chance that Rexall might move in anyway if it had an opening? The enormous time that has gone by before Dollarama even began to set up, suggests something was afoot.

Rogers challenges “no dropped calls” penalty

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Interesting case now before the Ontario Superior Court will challenge the legal foundation of the Competitions Bureau to levy large fines for alleged false advertising. Rogers Communications wants the court to relieve it of the responsibility to pay some $10,000 in penalties for an advertising campaign in 2010 which assured consumers of  “no dropped calls.”  Canada.com

Nordstrom boss tells tale of customer service

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As they ponder opening stores in Toronto, the U.S,. retailer with a reputation for service, is working on polishing up that image. Nordstrom boss tells tale of customer service

Watch for Leo in the Toyota commercial

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The making of the Toyota commercial we showed you a few days ago is only a memory now at 1693 Bayview Ave. where it all happened. That would be Leo’s Barber Shop, a fixture on Bayview for decades. Today, the man himself was saying how the most notable thing he got out of the event was about 60 seconds of fame, of a sorts No Toyota, either. But he’s happy and we’re looking forward to seeing Leo in his support role in the next commercial for the car maker.  Making the commercial.

Friends remember Peter and Linda Hamilton

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Friends have installed a bench in Ramsden Park on Yonge Street in honour of the late Peter Hamilton and his wife Linda. Mrs. Hamilton predeceased her husband, who died in 2011. Mr. Hamilton was an award-wining architect and a great lover of dogs. The plaque on the bench reads: Peter and Linda Hamilton. Dedicated to Preserving Green Space. Always With Dogs, They Frequented Ramsden Park For 35 years.  Previous post.  With thanks to Yonge and Roxborough news. 

Loblaws to open in Madison Condo at Eglinton, Dunfield

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Note: This post was written in 2012: Loblaws is said to have taken a lease on the second level of the new Madison condominium on Eglinton Ave West between Dunfield Ave. and Lillian St. This concept image seems to show the corner of Eglinton and Dunfield. The pile drivers are just being put in place for the two tower 644-unit development which will rise 30 and 33 floors, with  53,600 square feet of retail space on two levels. As can be seen by the builders sketch, the street level has yet to be leased. The residences come in two forms, podium and tower. The podium units, which are nearer the street, have been sold out. To help move units in the top ten storeys, Madison has launched a so-called 10 percent down sale for those units.  The dynamic of a supermarket on the second level is fascinating. Loblaws certainly has the cornerstone quality to pull traffic and few other retailers would wish to be on the second level. Of course, the grocery store location is all the same for potential customers living at the Madison.

Leaside Lightning grads join Queen’s Gaels

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Two members of the Leaside Volleyball Club’s Leaside Lightning have been chosen to start for the Queen’s Gaels volleyball squad this fall. Becky Wilson and Ali Shamie have been tabbed by Gael’s head coach Joely Christian-Macfarlane to join three other newcomers to her championship team. Wilson is also in the provincial team system, and is regarded as one of the top libero prospects in the country. The Pickering native led the Lightning U18 win their first-ever Ontario championship last season, in the team’s first year of existence.  Ali Shamie is a  Havergal College old girl  (2012)  She, with Wilson, led the Lightning to the Ontario Championship. She also led Havergal to the Consolation Championship at the 2012 OFSAA AAA championship, after the Gators went 12-0 in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association. 

Rosie’s Kitchen, Unique Jewellery get face lift

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There is a bit of a face lift  going on at old favorite Rosie’s Kitchen and at the adjoining shop, Unique Jewellery, 1549 and 1551.Bayview respectively. The brick front of both these shops will be covered by a new stucco finish. Here we see workers putting up sheeting to hold the stucco at Unique Jewelry while Rosie’s frontage (to the right) shows bare brick which was under their old sign. Tell Frank and Nora at Rosie’s that you saw it here. 

Trimming the Locust tree at 34 Sharron Dr.

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It’s high summer and the vegetation is going crazy. This Locust tree in front of 34 Sharron Drive was getting a trim yesterday to the diversion of residents. The property is generally overgrown. The gentleman on the bicycle was asking the contractors about their license. Everything appeared to be in order. 

Erskine Avenue break-in on August 1

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Toronto Police Report: A resident of Erskine Avenue reports that on August 1, 2012 between 1145 hours and 1430 hours, entry was gained by forcing a door. Removed was a quantity of computer equipment, cameras, jewellery, electronics, cheques and cash.

Bessborough houses coming along

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It would be a challenge to tote up the value of all the building permits in Leaside and environs. Two houses coming right along are ( l to r) 63 and  58 Bessborough Drive. (Many thanks to an alert reader who corrected the numbering of one house).