Police at Yunnan’s annual mud festival are smeared by partying locals and tourists. See it now or miss it. Report by Sam Datta-Paulin
Whole Foods to open at 1860 Bayview site
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It’s been announced that Whole Foods will open a store in the commercial development at Bayview Ave and Broadway Ave. Whole Foods is a large natural foods firm with a store in Hazelton Lanes. Scheduled for completion in conjunction with the rest of the development, the 4,600-square-metre store will be located at 1860 Bayview Ave., just north of Eglinton Avenue. The property, next door to Mount Hope Cemetery, was the former home of Brennan Pontiac. The Austin, Tex.,-based grocer has more than 300 locations worldwide, including seven Canadian stores, all of which are in Vancouver or the Greater Toronto Area. It was founded in 1980 to sell upscale natural and organic foods free of artificial ingredients and hydrogenated fats. It has been subject to criticism however when unsuspecting shoppers are unable to purchase favorite brand names like Coca Cola and Becel margarine. (#whole)
Spectre of a Walmart on Wicksteed Ave.
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The spectre of an 80 to 90,000 square foot Walmart store on Wicksteed Ave. has been raised in material published by Councillor Parker based on his discussion with the owners of SmartCentres. Link at johnparker.ca Mr Parker makes it clear that he does not know to whom the largest space in the so-called Wicksteed Salamander site will be leased. The operative words, as we read it in his remarks, are as follows: “What we do know for sure is that the largest building proposed for the project is 80,000 sq ft. (It could well turn out to be smaller if we manage the application strategically.) Meanwhile, as far as I know, the smallest store operated by the celebrated retailer from Bentonville Arkansas whose name starts with W is 90,000 sq ft” Mr. Parker goes on to state his opposition to big box retail in Leaside and gives a brief history of zoning concessions which encourage such businesses. Walmart will be facing competition in Canada from Target, which will open a store in the East York Town Centre in 2013.
Polymer $20 bills unveiled, circulating now
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The new tougher to forge Canadian $20 bills were revealed today. They go into circulation immediately. The new polymer bank note features an updated design of Queen Elizabeth II and Canada’s National Vimy Memorial and incorporates the latest know how in fighting counterfeiting. Polymer versions of redesigned $100 and $50 bills are already in circulation, and new versions of the $10 and $5 will follow by the end of 2013. The $20 note is the most circulated denomination in Canada, according to the Bank of Canada. Like the old cotton paper notes, they can go through the wash without being harmed.Starbucks showing “Bomb Damage Chic”
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Starbucks on South Bayview has re-opened with work to the renovation mostly done, but not completely. The patched up walls and wainscoting has prompted various smart remarks from customers and staff alike. Bomb Damage Chic, Doppio Demolished and so on. The painting and final touches are to be done soon overnight. The new furniture is very nice however.
Mayfair has a movie theme this year
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| Parade Route |
The annual Mayfair will take place Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Rosedale Park. Residents of Moore Park in particular will be familiar with the early morning children’s parade that snakes along Hudson Drive and over the tracks as it heads down to the park. Here is a report from the website of Mooredale House, sponsors of Mayfair.
It’s the date of the year as far as your children are concerned! The date of the event that battles in their hearts with their birthdays for being the most fun ever! Mayfair is on Saturday, May 12th this year. Mark it on your calendar now. This year’s theme is “Mayfair at the Movies” where Mayfair will celebrate all generes of movies: comedy, action, cartoons, sci-fi, and romance. Time to have fun dressed up as your favourite movie character. Mayfair takes place in Rosedale Park and it starts Saturday morning with the Mayfair Parade which collects Rosedale and Moore Park kids and arrives in the park at 9:00 a.m. Mayfair is a day-long event with rides for all ages, games and prizes, races, bingo, home baking, a climbing wall, Tiny Treasures table and Silent Auction, an art tent, wacky hair, face painting, live bands, a beer garden and a food court… and more! Of course, all this happens only because over 1,000 volunteers make it possible. We’ve started the planning, and it would be great if you’d join our team to help make this Mayfair a real winner! If you can volunteer at Mayfair please call our Volunteer Hotline at (416) 922-3714 ext 310, or email our Volunteer Liaison, Jalyn Anderson, at volunteer@mooredale.on.ca. We’ll be delighted to hear from you!
Events of condo meeting held last Monday
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Residents of Krawchuk Lane and Malcolm Road say they are keeping an open mind about the development known as Leaside Terrace, proposed for the postal site at the address now known as 2 Laird Drive. It is the old Postal Station R, which closed earlier this year. A story in My Town Crier on the events of a meeting last Monday at Leaside Library revealed continuing objections to the seven story plan. Mr Papetti is quoted as saying “The height of it and the density of it is a bit … intense for the Leaside neighbourhood in comparison with other developments that have happened in terms of residential. The design is said to have units fronting onto both Malcolm and Millwood. There is a three-level underground parking garage to hold a maximum of 114 cars. The residential streets immediately surrounding the site are most single-family homes. Mr. Papetti says residents are keeping an open mind.
Summer Celebration on June 23, 2012
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South Bayview merchants will have a Summer Celebration on Saturday, June 23, 2012.. There will be more to come here but mark the date.
“Occupy” headed for Queen’s Park, Chinatown
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Maybe you will want to give these places a pass today.
Mugging incidents near Yonge and Eglinton
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Incident # 1
A 23 year old male reports that on April 29, 2012 at approximately 0020 hours, he was in the area of Eglinton Avenue East and Yonge Street when he was approached by ten male suspects. One suspect made a demand for the victim’s iPhone and the victim complied. All the suspects then fled the scene westbound on Eglinton Avenue East. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 23-24 years, 5’7”, medium build. Suspects #2-#10: Male, black.
Incident # 2
A 19 year old female reports that on April 29 2012 at approximately 1500 hours, she was in the area of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue West when she was approached by a male suspect. The suspect removed a cellular phone from the victim’s person and then fled the scene northbound on Yonge Street. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 23 to 28 years, 5’9″ to 6′, medium build.
Postal site meeting tonight at Leaside Library
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An open meeting for residents of Leaside will begin this evening at 6.15 tonight (April 30, 2012) at the Leaside Public Library. It’s all about the contentious application to build a seven storey condominium on the site of the now closed Postal Station R at the corner of Millwood Rd and Malcolm Rd. Artists concept from the developer Knightstone Capital at right. Members of the Leaside Property Owners Association and Councillor Parker will be present this evening to review the rezoning application filed by the developer. The following is a previous post on this subject: There has been an application filed to build a seven storey condominium on the site of the old Postal Station R at the address known as 2 Laird Drive. Members of the community are messaging as many people as they can to organize resistance to this development, one which they say is not at all in keeping with the neighborhood. An approval would change the zoning from Commercial to Residential, Multiple Dwellings. The permitted height would go from 12.2 metres (40 feet) to 26.4 metres (86.6 feet). The sense of emails zooming around Leaside tonight is that anyone who wishes to stop this development should contact the Councillor, Mr Parker, as soon as possible. The now vacant building which for nearly 50 years housed Postal Station R at 2 Laird Drive was sold for $3,050,000, according to land registry records. The new registrant was KCAP Laird Inc It is a statement on our history that the property in question was purchased by the government in 1959 for $115,000.
A few more lifeboats on this one please
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Many smart remarks will no doubt greet news that Australian billionaire Clive Palmer (right) is going to construct a replica of the Titanic in a Chinese shipyard and put it into commercial service. We’ve noted the first concern to come to mind in the headline above. And honestly, no cruise ship can put to sea without enough lifeboats now. But the possibilities are endless. Does the orchestra know something other than “Closer My God”? Can I book guaranteed arrival? Might we be sure the skipper isn’t related to Captain Smith? (far right) Will Leonardo and Kate be aboard?