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 

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.

Google veteran jumps to Yahoo as CEO

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Marissa Mayer
It’s an executive choice guaranteed to get attention. Yahoo has persuaded a woman of brains and beauty to leave Google, a company she served since 1999,  to become Yahoo’s new CEO.  Analysts are counting up the accomplishments of 37-year-old Marissa Mayer during her eleven years at Google. She is the fifth person to take the helm at Yahoo in five years. Mayer had been responsible for some of Google’s most popular features, including “the famously unadorned white search homepage, Gmail, Google News, Google Images” and Google Maps, according to a New York Times report. “I am honored and delighted to lead Yahoo, one of the Internet’s premier destinations for more than 700 million users,” Mayer said in a statement, according to the Wall Street Journal. “I look forward to working with the Company’s dedicated employees to bring innovative products, content, and personalized experiences to users and advertisers all around the world.”  It can be fairly said that Yahoo needs Ms. Mayer’s best shot to bring Yahoo back from a fate as an Internet antiquity.

Gymboree new tenant at Bayview/Moore

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Updating our post of yesterday, the worldwide chain of children’s play and learn centers known as Gymboree will be the new tenant in the retail block at Bayview and Moore Aves. Large signs went up today. (inset) From Wikipedia, information which is apparently posted by the company describes its operations thus: “Gymboree Corporation is a San Francisco-based corporation that operates a chain of around 900 specialty retail stores of children’s apparel in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada. It has nearly 500 Play and Music centers worldwide. Bain Capital acquired the company in 2010.” Gymboree Play and Learn website

Eglinton Ave after the LRT goes through

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This story from the Town Crier about a meeting at the Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd., that tried to envision the shape of Eglinton Ave post LRT. There was a lot of gung-ho stuff apparently and it seems quite clear that there will be immense pressure to go up in what are being called “employment hubs”. a term that goes without much explanation, at least in the story. Condos that are eight or more storeys are mentioned. Someone is said to have called for the “widening” of Eglinton and the elimination of street parking so traffic will go faster. The wisdom of this seems doubtful but merchants in particular will see the end of their businesses if street parking is eliminated. Funny how shoppers prefer their cars to transit. No more parking would make the shops along Eglinton almost worthless and easy to buy for redevelopment too. There was an assurance given to a Leaside woman that Eglnton will not be widened between Bayview and Laird. They would have to knock down houses to do so, it would seem. The term “mobility hub” is said to apply to an intersection like Yonge and Eglinton. It looks like the sky will be the limit as far as development is concerned there. Feel better?  Town Crier

Ralph Lean to support Mayor Ford in 2014

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Ralph Lean, a somewhat legendary backroom figure in Toronto politics has said that he will raise funds for Mayor Rob Ford at the next election. In 2010, Mr Lean worked for George Smitherman.  As quoted in the Globe and Mail this morning, Mr Lean says that he feels Mr. Ford has gotten the “big things” right, leaving aside the numerous issues and/or quibbles that some people have with the Mayor. Ralph Lean, a senior partner at the law firm of Cassels Brock, has been a sought after person by candidates of almost all political stripes over the years. He is known to be fairly apolitical in choosing his candidate. Logically, he seems intent on picking someone who can win office. Globe and Mail

Midnight mugging at Glen and Beaumont

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Toronto Police Service report: A 27 year old male reports that on (Friday) July 13, 2012, at approximately 0030 hours he was walking in the area of Glen Road Bridge and Beaumont Road when he was approached from behind by two male suspects. The suspects grabbed the victim by the throat, kicked him about the head and removed a wallet, cellular phone and jewellery from his person. The suspects fled the scene southbound on Glen Road. The victim sustained minor injuries and will seek his own medical attention. 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, 25 to 30 years old, 5’10”, brown eyes. Suspect #2: Male, black, 30 to 35 years, 6’0” to 6’2”, brown eyes, short black hair.

Noon hour robbery at BNS Eglinton/Laird

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Toronto Police Service report: A female teller for the Scotiabank, 880 Eglinton Avenue East reports that on (Saturday) July 14, 2012 at approximately 1156 hours a male suspect entered the premises demanded cash. The suspect then approached the wicket and jumped over the counter and removed a quantity of cash from the til and also removed a quanity of cash from a lower drawer. The suspect then fled the scene in an unknown direction. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 20-30 years, 6’ to 6’1”, thin build, brown eyes.