Breathtaking video of Venus across the Sun

This amazing video of Venus across the Sun was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), the most advanced spacecraft ever designed to study the sun. Some quibblers complain that the high definition is blunted by the upload to YouTube and yet the scenes revealed are frankly breathtaking.

Meeting Monday about Wicksteed site

There will be a meeting Monday, June 7, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the William Lea Room at the Leaside Arena, 1073 Millwood Road. The subject will be the huge, 147,000 square foot retail development proposed for the lands to the north of Wicksteed Avenue. This is an extension of the SmartCentres development of recent years to the south of Wicksteed. It’s odd shape has won it the name of the Salamander. It features a sinister box-type building of some 83,000 square feet — more or less perfect for a new style Walmart. There’s no confirmation of this tenant but as organizers say, the developer is being cagey about who he is talking to. The meeting is being held by Unite Leaside and the Leaside Property Owners Association (LPOA). Several informed speakers will explore the nature of the planned development, describe the process for City approvals and highlight concerns about traffic, density and other local issues.  Go to the website for information.

Modella Ladies to open at 1579 Bayview

Modella Ladies Wear, a small chain of women’s wear stores, will open at 1579 Bayview Ave. shortly.  Modella is known outside Toronto for its stores in places like Dundas, Hamilton (Westdale) and Oaville.

Greeting card sale at Homefront

Right now, there’s a greeting card sale at Homefreont. Buy four cards and get 20% off all four.  Homefront, 371 Eglnton Ave E.
 (416) 488-3189

Cyclist hit by bus at Bayview-Roehampton

A man on a bicycle was struck by a TTC bus in at Roehampton and Bayview yesterday. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. The CBC reported that the cyclist was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. It’s not clear what happened although he area around Bayview and Eglinton Ave E. is extremely busy with cars, trucks and buses. 

Walters sorry for conflict of interest

Barbara Walters has apologized for a conflict of interest in trying to further the career of an aide to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.  Britain’s Daily Telegraph reports that Ms. Walters tried to help Sheherazad Jaafari, 22, the daughter of Syria’s UN ambassador and a top press aide to  Assad. The paper says she attempted to secure Ms. Jaafari a place at New York’s Columbia School of Journalism as well as an internship with Piers Morgan’s CNN program. Ms. Walters and Ms. Jaafari first came into contact when the broadcaster was trying to get an interview with Mr. Assad, said The Telegraph. Ms. Jaafari helped prepare Mr. Assad for the interview.More

Court artist renders likeness of accused

Work of alert court artist Kagan McLeod offers first look at a likeness of Christopher Husbands in the National Post.

Story on the 13-year-old boy shot Saturday

Very moving story on condition of the 13 year old boy shot at Eaton Centre.

Ontario drivers license computers down

Computers which process drivers licenses in Ontario are out of service today (Monday). Those phoning ServiceOntario headquarters in Kingston or attending a ServiceOntario office in Toronto were turned away without being able to do any business. Clerks said they do not know when service is likely to be resumed.

Space shuttle passes under Liberty’s eye

A picture for the history books as the shuttle Enterprise is towed past the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline on its way to the Intrepid Air and Space Museum.

3 a.m. robbery at Millwood and Bessborough

Toronto Police Service report: A 29 year old male reports that on June 3, 2012 at approximately 0320 hours, he was walking in the area of Millwood Road and Bessborough Drive when he was approached by six male suspects. The suspects made a demand for cash. The victim complied. The suspects then fled the scene westbound on Millwood Road towards Bayview Avenue. 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, 5’10” to 5’11”, 150 pounds to 154 pounds, thin build. Suspect #2: Male, black, 5’6” to 5’7”, 134 pounds to 141 pounds, thin build. Suspects #3- #6: Male, black.

Man wanted for downtown shooting surrenders

A man sought by police for the Eaton Centre shootings Saturday night has given himself up. He apparently came to 52 Division Station on Dundas Street West with a lawyer early today. There is a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. today with details. There is an excellent review of the incident here in the National Post  which includes an informative graphic image showing where the individual victims were shot.