Five Guys will open in Leaside Village

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We’re told it’s just the hottest place for the gang to grab a burger. It’s Five Guys Burgers, a dynamic franchise operation from the U.S. which so far has three locations in and around Toronto. Now the signs announce that Five Guys is coming to the still-under-construction Leaside Village shopping development on Laird Drive. The picture inset is from the company and shows the trademark red and white checkerboard theme for the burger spot. Locations now open are on York Mills near Don Mills, Mississauga and  Scarborough at 800 Warden Ave.

Severe weather watch for Toronto

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Thunderstorms with strong winds, hail and very heavy downpours are possible in Toronto today. The storms are expected to affect the Toronto regions this afternoon and into the early evening hours. Some of these storms may produce strong wind gusts, hail and very heavy downpours.

Helium balloon flight terminated early

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A most thrilling adventure for two men who tried to fly from Oregon to Montana in lawn chairs hung from a cluster of helium balloons. They were forced down and landed safely in Montana on Saturday because of thunderstorms. They had been attempting to set a world record for two-person cluster balloon flight.  

Toronto Council thumbs nose at taxpayers

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City Council has voted to reverse the economies related to Councillors  expenses which Mayor Ford brought in on his election two years ago. The budget chief’s response to this series of votes was “These people are not serious about financial management.”  Toronto Star editorial

New tenant over Hasty Mart at Bayview/Moore

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There’s a new tenant about to occupy the upstairs space over the Hasty Mart store at Bayview and Moore Aves. The street address is 1213 Bayview. The first clue was the removal of the tired old Martin & Meredith sign that has been up there since the real estate firm moved out early in 2011. Chitter-chatter in the shop below says a “baby school” of some type is going in at 1213, but the story is vague. Just keep your eye on the empty light boxes up where the M&M signs used to hang. 

Approving but windy review of L’Avenue Bistro

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There’s an approving if somewhat long-winded review of L’Avenue Bistro at 1568 Bayview Ave. by Gina Mallett in the National Post. You have to get through a 1,000-word maunder on how odd it is to find French food on South Bayview to learn she liked it. Guess she’s never heard of Rahier and Patisserie de Cigogne. Gina Mallett

Post writer on Leaside as a place to raise kids

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The National Post has published a forum of opinion on the Deputy Mayor’s remarks about raising kids downtown. Matt Gurney, of the Post, comments on Leaisde. Other writers are of interest too. Full Comment here and Mr. Gurney’s remarks follow:
“But Leaside, for those who don’t know Toronto, is close to downtown, without being ALL the way downtown. You’re still a few minutes north of the start of the high-rise condos and office towers. It might be about as close as you can get to downtown before you’re in downtown. And one of the reasons it’s proven a popular area (again, Marni can speak to this better than I due to more recent experience) is that it is this weird little suburban-esque oasis near the core of the city. Best of the suburbs, close to downtown. You pay a hell of a premium to live that way, but for many families, it’s worth it”.

1938 Oldsmobile on Laird Drive in 2012

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If you spotted the 1938 Oldsmobile coupe sitting outside the Auto Service Centre on Laird leave a comment. For it’s age, the Olds coupe is in pretty good shape. Even inside, though original, it was clean and good-looking. We had to post the campy 1938 ad at the right for fun. You will note that the 38 Oldsmobile came with Rhythmic Ride. Click on pic to see. Rhythmic Ride sounds great. As good as satellite radio. 

Toronto to require car heat warnings

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Toronto Council  has voted 31-2 to require shopping malls to post signs that say “Heat kills children and pets in hot vehicles.”

Visa, MC in U.S. settle price fixing action

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Visa Inc, MasterCard Inc and banks that issue their credit cards have agreed to a $7.25 billion settlement with U.S. retailers in a lawsuit over the fixing of credit and debit card fees in what could be the largest antitrust settlement in U.S. history. Reuters

Bayview parking to go from $2/hr to $2.25/hr

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In a last final goodbye for the summer, City Council has voted to increase hourly rates for street parking. The vote was lope-sided to do it (25-7) and Mayor Ford said that although he regretted it the increase seemed fair after five years with no increases.  Toronto Sun

Ginkgo tree home a Moore Park showplace

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The splendid Moore Park renovation we have called the Ginkgo House is nearing completion. Today there were no fewer than ten men working at different tasks. The two mature Ginkgo trees (left) will now be surrounded by grass and shrubs as the homeowner opts to take the walkway up to his front door beside the new driveway. The carefully detailed work has been going on for a year. Among other things, the magnificent window lintels were reproduced in new synthetic materials because the old concrete ones were not able to withstand the renovation  The Ginkgo trees incidentally are about 25 or 30 years ago. according to an arborologist on the scene. As many will know, the Ginkgo does well if it can survive Canada’s harsh winters. It is an ancient species native to  China.