The annual event known as Thorncliffe Park “Neighbors Night Out” will be held tomorrow, Sunday, July 8, 2012. Overlea Boulevard will be closed from Thorncliffe Park Drive West to Thorncliffe Park Drive East from 11 a.m,. to 10 p.m. and the event itself will go off between 2 p.m.and 8 p.m. Overlea closed
Howie Bernie to receive Queen’s Jubilee Award
by •
Gutted for reno on Glenvale Blvd
by •
Here’s a great house on a lovely street that is undergoing the most extreme renovation possible. With it all, however, 66 Glenvale Blvd will, it seems, continue to reflect the character of the original homes along this North Leaside street. In fact, it appears to be following very closely the plan used for the house next door to the east. It has a large addition out the rear but retains a pleasant modest look at the front. In the case of No. 66, we can see that there will be an addition and a new basement throughout, no doubt with much more headroom. Dear Transport Canada: Please stop forgetting
by •
Wait a minute. Transport Canada “forgot” to tell the City of Toronto that if, as required, the 60-year-old island ferries were upgraded, they would lose their grandfathered status to carry passengers. The cut, as it turned out, was from nearly a 1,000 a load to just over 500. Honestly, these boats are either safe or they’re not. They seem pretty solid and they are operated to a strict safety regime. They don’t travel into open water. Transport Canada has now backed off its demand to slice the load in half but Ottawa has a responsibility to make itself clear. Are these ferries safe? If so, would Transport Canada please shut up. And stop forgetting.
Sales down, prices stable in latest home stats
by •
Make what you will of it. June-to-June comparisons apparently show a decline in Toronto-area house sales. This contrasts with a very buoyant Spring in Toronto sales. According to figures printed in the Star, home sales declined 5.4 per cent across the GTA last month, lead by a 13 per cent downturn in sales in the City of Toronto over June of 2011. Statistics come from the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB.) Realists note however that it’s not a buyer’s market until prices come down and that hasn’t happened yet.
Arrest made in threats on Scarborough teacher
by •
Toronto Police have arrested a teen boy and allege he is part of a gang of teenagers who have been launching attacks and various harassment at Scarborough teacher Mike Greer. The incidents have ranged from a Molotov cocktail thrown into Greer’s driveway to drive-bys with kids screaming threats at Greer. The teacher apparently has aroused this behavior because he complained about rowdy all night activity in the school yard next to his house and has also tipped off police to a break-in he witnessed. Toronto Star
West Nile mosquitoes near Bayview, Lawrence
by •
The waters feeding the green and leafy countryside near Bayview Ave and Lawrence Ave E have apparently been spawning mosquitoes that have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Toronto Public Health has announced that a number of the pests were found in the area around the Glendon College Union (inset). Laboratory results indicating the virus was present were sent to Toronto Public Health on Tuesday. Although frequently those infected hardly know they have it, the virus is potentially deadly. In 2002 there were 163 known cases of the disease and 11 deaths. Since 2005 there have been no deaths. There were 71 cases reported in Ontario last year with no deaths. Health officials counsel mosquito repellent, long sleeves and avoiding the early morning and dusk periods when mosquitoes are busy looking for uncovered skin.
Julian Fantino appointed to replace Bev Oda
by •
Julian Fantino has been promoted to the cabinet as Minister of International Co-operation replacing Bev Oda. It was one of two changes made very quietly by the Prime Minister today. The second was the appointment of Bernard Valcourt as the junior defense minister. The elevation of Fantino, the member for Vaughan, is not particularly surprising. The former chief of police for Toronto and the OPP has been made to wait while favour and status worked their way through the system. With the abrupt resignation (dismissal) of Ms. Oda, Fantino’s time had come.Leaside Lawn Bowling fundraiser this month
by •
The Leaside Lawn Bowling Club has scheduled a fundraising evening every Thursday in the month of July The regular event will raise funds to assist in research of Cystic Fibrosis. InsideToronto.com
Yonge between Millwood and Imperial
by •
On the dynamic section of Yonge Street between Millwood Rd. and Imperial Street, there’s lots going on. The old TD Bank (upper left) is being used for filming purposes. They seem to have a lot of stories so it isn’t clear just what’s going on. Must be an industry secret. We hope that elegant old bank structure is headed for something better than that. Right, the place we call the best LCBO store we ever had, is in a hiatus of sorts. Half of it has been torn down, the other half stands. Some cultured gentlemen who are connected with the project said it was destined to be a bank. “A Bank of Montreal, I hope,” said one. Sounds a little tentative. Across the street is the grand new TD Bank and lower right the now divided up Rogers store as that company junks its video rental business. The back half of the store will go up for lease when Rogers lease runs out. The same rationalization is going on at the Rogers store in the Sunnybrook Plaza.
Michael says “See You in September”
by •
Seems that when it gets this hot some people just want to go away. That appears to be the case with Michael, genial owner of Horticultural Design at 1610 South Bayview. Michael has once again made his seasonal getaway leaving a large sign reminiscent of the Beach Boys refrain — See you In September. Okay Michael, whatever you say. But the rest of us are still here.
Gyro Hyundai aiming to open early next year
by •
An important addition to Laird Drive is the planned auto dealership at the corner of Laird and Industrial Street. Signs have gone up giving us a rendering of Gyro Hyundai, a new car showroom and service centre owned by the principals of Gyro Mazda across the street. The signs say Gyro Hyundai is intended to be open sometime early in 2013.