TPS report: On May 29, 2012 at approximately 0258 hours, a fire was discovered in the Bull and Firkin, 1835 Yonge Street. Toronto Fire Services, main pumper A321, attended under the command of Platoon Chief Halls. Fire Command C20, Toronto EMS buses ESU 7 and ESU 2 were also on scene. Yonge Street was closed in both directions between Davisville Avenue and Merton Street due to the severity of the incident. The fire was extinguished and determined to be accidental, possibly caused by saw dust combined with oil rags. No injuries were sustained. Damage to the building and contents is estimated at $150,000.00. At approximately 0530 hours, Toronto Fire Services Platoon Chief Halls cleared the scene and Yonge Street was re-opened in both directions.
Mulcair snared by the Dutch Baloney Detector
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NDP leader Thomas Mulcair says Canada is infected with some ailment known as Dutch Disease. Dutch Baloney we say. The NDP leader’s vague concern for what might happen when the oil runs out (a hundred years from now?) is just drivel. No one expects the course of Canada’s economy to be perfect. We live in the real world like everyone else. We will deal with it. But this dithering about what might happen some day is foolish. We’re reminded of the late astronomer Carl Sagan who concluded that there was an epidemic of irrationality loose in the world . We needed baloney detector kits to protect ourselves, he said.
OMB reverses NY Council on 140 Dinnick
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The Ontario Municipal Board has directed that a demolition permit be issued for 140 Dinnick Crescent in Lawrence Park. In a written decision dated May 29, 2012, the vice chair of the Board, J de P Seaborn, noted that in February 2012 the City decided to revoke an earlier demolition permit even though it had already issued a building permit for the site. This was contrary to law, the vice chair found. The property at 140 Dinnick was purchased by Tim and Charlotte Stanley in 2011 for the purpose of using the lot to build a new family home. The Board’s report followed a time-line in which the couple had their plans revised to conform with the City’s bylaws and worked with their new neighbors to that effect. It was also noted that at no time prior to the posting of a demolition sign at the site did anyone raise any concern about the heritage status (if any) of 140 Dinnick Crescent. A letter from North York Community Preservation Panel was sent at the very last minute within the time period for the expressions of concern about the demolition. This was, the decsion said, the first time anyone had raised a heritage consideration. The Stanleys are now required by the terms of the OMB’s decision, and after they obtain the demolition permit, to knock down 140 Dinnick and build their new home within a period of two years from the issuance of the second permit. The Stanleys were represented by Amber Stewart. The furor now on-going about the demolition of 140 Dinnick Crescent gives testament to the motivation of North York Community Council on this matter. The council’s concern about heritage status for this rundown 1930 house was well mixed with a potent political element. Let’s just say votes are every bit as important to any councillor as preserving the history of Lawrence Park. The neighbours are shocked and outraged — at least some of them are. Others, perhaps more sensible, understand that 140 Dinnick had doubtful claim to heritage status and most importantly, the City had delivered a serious injustice to the young owners of the property, Tim and Charlotte Stanley. They purchased the house in 2011, having looked carefully into any possible impediment to its demolition. There was none. Zero. The Stanleys were given a demolition permit which, incredibly, was revoked the very next day. This was done on the basis of a letter, which for the very first time in the whole long drama, made claims about heritage status. It was shameful and when the Stanley’s appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board was heard, the City’s flimsy pretense was blown away. Now we have an outcry worthy of a plan to demolish 24 Sussex. We say hooray for the Stanleys. They will make a fine contribution to Lawrence Park by building a new home at 140 Dinnick Crescent. OMB reverses NY Council on 140 Dinnick
Ginkgo Renovation heads toward completion
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The place we called the Ginkgo Renovation seems finally to be heading towards completion. It was nearly a year ago we spotted this wonderful Moore Park home whose beauty is made even greater by the two mature Ginkgo trees flanking the front walk. They are heavily hoarded up these days (inset right) to protect them but their distinctive leaf is readily apparent Previous post.makes reference to the impressive window lintels which we knew would be saved in the renovation. And they were.
Re-dedication of Rosedale Park
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This wonderful old picture of the 1909 University of Toronto Squad was part of the memorabilia on display at the re-dedication of Rosedale Park Field, 20 Schofield Ave. The venerable playing field was where the first Grey Cup game was held 1912. The Cup it appears was in existence for a year or two before the formal annual event began. The CFL held a morning ceremony with many dignitaries, players and local families in attendance.
Bull and Firkin at 1835 Yonge hit by fire
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Fire struck a popular bar at 1835 Yonge Street north of Merton Street. Fire crews has to break in to the Bull and Firkin to deal with an electrical fire just before 3 am. The place appears to be seriously damaged. The Bull and Firkin is one of a chain of pub type restaurants throughout Toronto. They number in excess of 30. A firkin incidentally is a small wooden barrel or covered vessel suitable for serving beer.
Meeting at Original’s to pursue Bayview BIA
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There will, apparently, be a meeting at Original’s Santa Fe Saloon on Wednesday night to seek a positive vote for a Business Improvement Association for South Bayview. It is said to begin at 6.30 pm. So far as is known, this will be the first meeting regarding a proposed BIA since the rancorous meeting of last year. At that event, those in favour of a BIA and those opposed passed cross words. Details of this meeting have been slow to trickle through to many. Until late today, some did not even known the location. The sentiment with regard to a BIA has been divided among those who feel that South Bayview can be made sufficiently active to generate materially more business, and those who find the BIA to be an unnecessary and expensive structure unsuited to a neighbourhood like South Bayview. Original’s is at 1660 South Bayview. Taste-of-the-Danforth Fever.
Crane replacing a/c blocks Davisville Ave
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A crane replacing air conditioning equipment blocked Davisville Ave today. It also required the closure of the exit from Tremblett’s parking lot (right). The 11 Bayview was detoured along Millwood rd.
Dramatic spike in numbers of babies, toddlers
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South Bayview moms and dads are among those to thank. The many families with infants and toddlers in our neighborhoods are part of a rather amazing 11 per cent spurt in the number of children aged four and under in Canada’s population. The increase is recorded today in figures from the 2011 Census, just released. The jump is measured from the previous Census in 2006. This the highest growth rate for the young age group since the five years between 1956 and 1961, the trailing edge of the baby boom. And though the increase is not nearly as large as the spike in births that followed the end of the Second World War, Canada’s baby bump is definitely showing: it’s the first time in 50 years that Statistics Canada has recorded an increase for that age group in every province and territory. In addition, Canada is aging
OMB decision on 140 Dinnick this week
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The Ontario Municipal Board will hand down its decision this week on North York Council’s proposal to make 140 Dinnick Crescent a heritage building. The OMB heard an appeal from Amber Stewart, lawyer for a couple who who purchased the run down 1930 house in Lawrence Park in the belief that they would be able to demolish it and build a new family home. As posted earlier, they were issued a demolition permit which was immediately withdrawn because of a claim that the building had historic qualities. Subsequently, North York Council voted to approve heritage status. At a meeting Wednesday, OMB first heard a motion by the City to adjourn the hearing until full City Council makes a final decision. The Board refused that motion and the hearing proceeded. The OMB’s decision is expected this week. A reader has said that a number of heritage nominations for local homes has been made by one “crusading preservationist.”
Star brings Hollywood theme to City Hall caper
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Meaningless but quite amusing caper with Robyn Doolittle apparently inspired by cat burglar films. She may have a future.
Police make arrest in inheritance scam
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One of the most persistent of frauds has resulted in the arrest of a man for pretending to have a huge inheritance for an Ontaro person. In this case, a woman from the Peterborough area lost some $217,000 and was subject, police say, to losing more. The accused, who has the alias of Andrew Morgan, had a suitcase full of blank paper disguised on the outside as real American money (right). The inheritance scam is a difficult to control fraud in the day of the Internet. In fact, there will hardly be a person with a computer who has not received mail from a person saying that there is a large sum of money waiting for him if only he will pay some up front cost.