Summer of discontent as Ash trees die

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For those who wish to treat their Ash trees against the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle (or EAB) the summer of 2012 is now or never. That’s especially true in the South Bayview  neighborhoods (inset)  where no signs of morbidity have yet been spotted. Elsewhere in the City, trees are dying in large numbers and its too late to save them. Toronto’s Urban Forestry Branch says it has to assume that the City is pretty much fully infected and it’s just a matter of time  before the killer EAB takes down all the Ashes. The treatment is a deep injection of chemicals known as  TreeAzin  But it’s expensive ($250 each for as many as three shots per tree) and it has a mixed reputation as to how it ultimately affects the tree. The City’s website has a lot of information and advice for those concerned about maintaining the shade and beauty of our neighborhoods. Urban Forestry Branch.

Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France

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Here is a genuinely fascinating series of light shows being mounted in Lyon, France at the annual Fête des Lumières

British prepare for possible Greek exodus

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The British have begin to talk about mass immigration as an aspect of a European depression. Home Secretary Theresa May says the government “work is ongoing” to restrict European immigration in the event of a financial collapse. People from throughout the EU, with the exception of new member countries such as Romania and Bulgaria, are able to work anywhere in the single market. It seems possibly that many countries, including Canada, might be targets of hard pressed workers if the job market collapses in places like Greece. The British appear to be concerned that if Greece was forced to leave the euro, it would effectively go bankrupt and millions could lose their jobs and consider looking for work abroad. The Telegraph newspaper says any possible  crisis could spread quickly to other vulnerable countries such as Spain, Ireland and Portugal. 

“Cold Pressed Juicery” gets a sign

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The sign went up at the premises of Jus de Vie Friday morning. Inside, a gang of people appeared to be going through a training process of taking orders, making and serving the product.  Jus de Vie is known, as its sign says, as a Cold Pressed Juicery. It’s at  1627  South Bayview between The Sentry and Whatever Lola Wants. According to those on the scene, Jus de Vie may be open within a week. 

“Most wanted” nabbed at Mt Pleasant and Eg

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A senior member of a global Balkan crime ring who’s been sought by the FBI for three years has been arrested in Toronto. His detention follows a police chase through five countries, officers say. Kujtim “Timmy” Lika, 44, originally of Albania, whose crime spree was aired twice on America’s Most Wanted TV show, was arrested on yesterday outside an apartment in the Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton Aves. area, where he had been hiding, said Det. Rick Mooney, of Toronto Police fugitive squad.  Toronto Sun.

Romanian weatherman fakes a windstorm

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A Romanian TV weatherman has been caught faking a windstorm to juice up his weather report. The reporter was filing a story about heavy winds along the Black Sea coast, which were gusting at more than 60 mph. At least, they were blowing that hard before the weatherman began filing his report. But by the time he went live, the winds had apparently died down. So in an attempt to recreate the stormy conditions, the reporter had a production assistant begin kicking sand in his direction. The reporter then told viewers, “The wind blows with incredible power; there are moments when it is impossible to stand up here. The wind blows the sand at over 60 km per hour. It blew away the beach umbrellas and the tourists had to leave in a hurry.” However, the production assistant is caught in the frame kicking away to create his “special effect”.  And this guy is working for the right station. His boss hasn’t reprimanded the pair. Instead, they released a statement claiming the footage “was not doctored” but that the whole affair was nothing more than “a bad joke made by the cameraman.” No shame. 

140 Dinnick Cres. decision an injustice

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Timothy and Charlotte Stanley bid up the price of 140 Dinnick Crescent to $1,875,000, in order to get the property. They had checked and found there would be no impediment to demolishing the 1930 house. It  sat on a large lot which would be perfect for their dream home. But the Stanleys now know that despite one’s best efforts to avoid getting stuck with a heritage building, it can still happen. One day after the City of Toronto issued a demolition permit to them it rescinded the permit. That’s because the North York  Community Preservation Panel sent a letter objecting to the demolition.  This week North York Council endorsed the objection and declared the building, known as Langdon House, to be a heritage building. The Stanleys will make a last ditch stand before the Ontario Municipal Board. We hope they prevail. The property at 140 Dinnick is said to be valued because it has “architectural and contextual” significance. Maybe. But there doesn’t appear to be anything much about it that is very unique. Nothing of any consequence occurred there. The previous owners, members of the Langdon family, raised no concern that it be retained. There are many ways to preserve the character of a neighbourhood by making new buildings conform.  Most of all, there has been a serious injustice done to the Stanleys. It should be reversed.  Read reasons given for saving 140 Dinnick

U of T student pays off a $114,000 loan in cash

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 Great story. Yahoo News.

Charles gives DJ routine a whirl

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UK Press Associationn — The Prince of Wales dropped some beats as he tried his hand at being a DJ in Canada Charles got behind a pair of decks mixing and scratching vinyl records at a community project teaching skills to disadvantaged youngsters in Toronto.The royal was working with Sean Roman, writer of the track, Lick. Mr Roman is one of the instructors from the Uforchange initiative that teaches a range of arts programs to young people. Charles looked a little apprehensive at first and when he inquired if he had to wear the headphones another instructor, DJ Loquenz, real name Fayola Leach, made the invited guests laugh when she said “you do if you want to progress to the next level”.The instructors took him through the basics of mixing, telling the heir to the throne to count the beat of the record “One, two, three, four” and scratch as he went along before letting the record go so the track would play. Charles got a huge cheer when he tried and got it right first time, and the soulful house boomed out from the speakers. He also mastered switching between the two tracks, creating a club atmosphere that had the instructors singing his praises.

UN “writer of reports” says Canada is smug

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It seems a challenge to imagine anyone whose views about Canada would be less valid than Olivier De Schutter.  Mr De Schutter is the United Nations writer of reports (rapporteur) on food and human rights. He is part of the European apparatus of the UN and advises the European Parliament on its many saintly concerns. Recently, Mr. De  Schutter (left) concluded that Canada is “smug” about its efforts to address the enduring issue of poverty in the aboriginal population. Beyond that, Mr. De Schutter didn’t have much to say. Just that we should be doing better and that we’re smug. The whole thing  so upset the Health Minister, Leona Aglukkaq, that she told Mr. De Schutter where to get off. Unlike UN  report writers, Ms Aglukkaq (right) is the real thing.  She is an  aboriginal who has practical work and like most Canadian politicians, Liberal and Conservative, has laboured at solving the intractable nature of poverty among some of the native peoples  Mr De Schutter may well be a nice man to meet. Maybe when he has a day off  he volunteers at the Paris Food Bank. But the verdict on his professional activity is that he’s hardly working.

Street robberies on Mt Pleasant, Douglas Dr

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Police are reporting two incidents from last Sunday, May 20, 2012. The first occurred at approximately 8 pm. when a woman reported she was in the area of Mount Pleasant Road and Eglinton Avenue East when she was approached by a male suspect. The man produced a knife and made a demand for cash. The victim complied. The suspect then fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police request the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 20-25 years, 5’4”-5’7”, 110-150 pounds, thin build.
Douglas Drive and Astley Ave.
The police service reports that a 15 year old boy says that on Sunday night at approximately 11.45 pm. hours he was in the area of Douglas Drive and Astley Avenue when he was approached by three male suspects. One suspect made a demand for the victim’s property then produced a knife. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene with the victims Blackberry in an unknown direction. 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, 14-17 years, 5’10”, black hair, medium build. Suspect #2: Male, white, 14-17 years, 6’3”, short brown hair, thin build. Suspect #3: Male, black, 14-17 years, 5’9”-5’10”, black hair, medium build.

Electrician Tim Schell wins $50 million jackpot

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RELEASE — After a long weekend spent house hunting, Toronto resident Timothy Schell can now buy the house of his dreams. Early this morning, Timothy discovered that he is the winner of the $50 million jackpot from the Friday, May 18 draw. Soon after arriving at work early this morning, Timothy and his colleague decided to check their numbers online. “We both got our tickets out and I read through the numbers one by one. I was in total shock when my ticket matched all seven numbers. I said to my colleague, ‘No way . . . Stuff like this doesn’t happen to people like me,'” said the 34-year old electrician.
Shell station at Bayview and Sheppard
Timothy bought his lottery ticket on a whim after much coaxing from the cashier at his regular gas station, the Shell outlet at 2831 Bayview.  Although the fact that he’s now a multi-millionaire is still sinking in, Timothy knows one thing for certain – the house he does eventually buy will have a huge garage. “I’m a hot-rod man – I love fast bikes, muscle cars and big trucks,” he said. “I also look forward to visiting all of the major bike and car shows around the world.”