Mayor Ford wants those convicted of gun crimes kept out of Toronto. It’s an enormously difficult concept. Legally impossible many will say. Remember the Charter of Rights and the Supreme Court of Canada. Others will say that it’s just unfair and wrong. Un-Canadian. Perhaps so. But how unfair and wrong is it — how un-Canadian– for innocent children and others to be cut down by flying bullets as they walk outside? Whatever becomes of Mayor Ford’s idea, it’s good to remember that it is born out of the public’s deep frustration at how to stop the criminal disregard for life. Empty talk and swagger will not do it. Something more is needed. Or are we prepared to let the gang slaughter go on and on? Toronto Star
Late evening mugging near Heath/Yonge
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Toronto Police Service report: A 36 year old female reports that on July 17, 2012 at approximately 2330 hours she was in the area of Heath Street and Yonge Street when she was approached from behind by two male suspects. One of the suspects made a demand for the victim’s cellular phone and indicated that he was armed, although no weapon was seen. The victim surrendered her phone and the suspects fled the scene eastbound on Heath Street. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 19 to 25 years, 5’8”, thin build. Suspect #2: Male, black, 19 to 25 years, 5’10”, thin build.
Hardware store space for rent on South Bayview
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Is South Bayview going to be a street without a hardware store? There’s a For Rent sign on the window of the last such business on the street at 1615. The property is owned by the family that ran the store for many years and who recently rented the north half to the Yeh! Yogurt franchise. Now it appears they are looking for a tenant to take over the south half. There is of course a very good Home Hardware in the Sunybrook Plaza for those who prefer not to wander the caverns of Home Depot.
“We love you Kelly” for convicted G20 rioter
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“We love you Kelly” rang out in court from friends as G20 rioter Kelly Pflug-Back was sentenced to 15 months in jail for her leadership in wrecking public and private property during the downtown riots. Justice John McMahon excoriated Pflug-Back for her unrepentant stance in the wake of her conviction. She was found guilty of wearing a disguise, intimidation, obstructing police and seven counts of mischief exceeding $5,000. During the G20 rampage, Pflug-Back instructed black bloc rioters to damage and torch three police cruisers and break the glass of five downtown stores. Court heard that the actions of Pflug-Back and her black bloc friends total $160,000 to property and the loss of business that resulted from the damages.
CEO and mom-to-be will make $70 million
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Talk about havng it all. Yahoo’s new CEO and mom-to-be Marissa Mayer will collect some $70 million in various types of remuneration over a five year period. Bloomberg.
Cast of 100s shoot Toyota spot on Bayview
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It certainly seemed like hundreds anyway. The tents, trailers and tripods stretched from Riz to past Parallele Interiors on the north end. The actual shooting was in the interior of the quaint old Leo’s Barber Shop near Smokin’ Cigar. Apparently it has an appeal suitable to the theme of the latest Toyota commercial. (No Toyotas in sight, incidentally) Below left, many happy people hanging out in the Riz patio. Customers or Extras? Script persons or production assistants? The warehouse of equipment (below right) is stashed under a tent in the door of the now vacant store once occupied by Groms.
Break in on Briar Hill Avenue
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Toronto Police Service report: A resident of Briar Hill Avenue reports that between April 25, 2012 at 1353 hours and June 18, 2012 at 1353 hours, entry was gained into the premises by unknown means. Removed was a quantity of sterling silverware.
New towers carry power in midtown corridor
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This picture, taken from beside the CP bridge on the Bayview extension, shows the contrasting style of the 80 year old towers and the new replacement towers being constructed across the bottom of Bennington Heights. The midtown power corridor which runs from Leaside Transformer Station (at Millwood and Redway Drive) via Birch Junction (Jct) to the Bridgman Transformer Station (near Castle Loma) was originally built in the 1920s and the first underground cable laid in the 1950s. The midtown area has experienced steady load growth as the result of land use intensification and redevelopment. An underground transmission cable located on the transmission corridor is nearing its end of life and the added growth in the area is putting a strain on this important infrastructure and on the reliable supply of power. With Toronto Hydro release.Leaside news from 1984 in Byford archives
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The discovery of a well-preserved copy of the Town Crier from July 17, 1984 is a true blast from the past. The newspaper was unearthed by Sue Byford in the archives of the family firm which operates Bonnie Byford Real Estate at 1536 Bayview Ave. The big news is splashed across the top of page one. Four homes are being considered for heritage status. We know them well. They are 201 Sutherland, 33 Heather, 322 Sutherland and 262 Bessborough. (33 Heather is still not officially listed and is for sale for $3.95 million in 2012). Also big news on July 17, 1984, an agreement to build a two level parking garage in the proposed Canada Trust (now TD Canada Trust) on the southeast corner of Millwood and Bayview. Still above the fold, a story that business is tough for Bayview merchants. Those hard-working folks had a recession to deal with. Other pages in the July 17, 1984 Town Crier tell the inspiring story of Leaside High School student John Gosling of Hanna Road who graduated from Grade 13 with an average of 98.7%. Where is John Gosling now? In the back of the paper was an ad for Kuzins BBQ Chicken Restaurant, 1213 Bayview at Moore, where the Hasty Mart is now located. You could get a nice businessman’s lunch for $4.99. Pdf of 1984 Town Crier
New Yahoo boss is expecting in October
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Marissa Mayer, the new CEO of Yahoo, is expecting a child in October. She said today that she had revealed this to the board of Yahoo before it hired her. She intends to take a few weeks of maternity leave and work pretty much throughout her pregnancy. Financial Post.
Toronto issues another hot weather alert
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With Toronto about to enter another stretch of hot weather, the city’s medical officer of health has issued another heat alert. Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures in the low 30s for at least the next week, along with a very high UV index. The alert issued by the city is aimed at making people aware of the dangers from excessive heat. “During a heat alert, call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are okay,” said a news release accompanying the alert.Tim Hortons downgraded by Goldman Sachs
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Tim Hortons Inc. was downgraded to sell at Goldman Sachs on concerns that more moderate recent same-store sales (SSS) trends are underpinned by declining restaurant traffic. Financial Post