“Flower boxes” surprisingly lengthy

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This morning brings the appearance of “flower boxes” as part of the sidewalk replacement on South Bayview. These boxes will come as a surprise to many merchants, although there was a whisper of something about three days ago. It frankly isn’t clear how these large grade-level rectangular boxes will be used. There will be four or five of them between Millwood and Fleming and the longest are 25 metres. Some workmen say there will be “metal grates” placed on the boxes. For trees? Don’t know. What about getting in and out of your car? At 25 metres you might wish to cross them rather than walk around. Don’t know.

New $100 bills begin circulation tomorrow

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Beginning tomorrow, banks will start circulating the new $100 polymer bills. Following, that, the $50 plastic banknotes will begin circulating in the Spring.. They will be followed by the $5, $10 and $20 bills over a period of months through to the end of 2013. Although it has not been said, the gradual process may be part of an attempt to smooth any electronic errors occurring when the new bills are used at paper money machines, such as those in parking lot pay stations and elsewhere. The Mint has acknowledged transition issues may arise but has not specified what they might be,. In the meantime, the new bills appear to be very similar to the old ones, except for feel. The $100 bill is still adorned by Prime Minister Robert Borden and the fifty by Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King. They are said to be almost impossible to effectively counterfeit.

Long line to enter St. Cuthbert’s Fair

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Organizers report that there was a lineup of 203 people waiting for the St. Cuthbert’s Christmas Fair to open at 11 am Saturday. The traffic was busy through the day and this year’s results were the best yet achieved. The church issued thanks today to neighbourhood merchants who supported the Silent Auction. Many happy people left with their “finds”.

Teen injured crossing Mount Pleasant

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The accident on Mount Pleasant Road late last month in which a teen girl was injured is a reminder that funeral processions are perhaps more dangerous than they may seem. In this case, the girl and a friend were crossing the street when she was brushed by a police cruiser. It’s believed her injuries are not serious. How did it happen? Well most likely the police cruiser was travelling from the back of the procession to the front in order to leap frog another unit. The police move fairly quickly to get into position at the corners with traffic lights. For those venturing to run between the cars in a funeral procession there is always the possibility they may collide with a police car speeding to the front..

Stately brick Leaside house gets makeover

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A large and rather stately looking brick home at the corner of Hanna and Crandall Rds is getting a big makeover. It’s a pretty good sized lot that contains an older kidney-shaped in ground pool. On the rear the owners are adding a large addition that overlooks the pool. It has a nice eastern exposure which will catch the morning sunshine. The renovation is being finished in bricks which match up well with the original. No doubt they will be identical after a water wash when the heavy work is finished.

Community Council approves Hyundai bid

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Toronto and East York Community Council has approved the application to build a Hyundai dealership on Laird Drive between Commercial Rd and Industrial Street. The location (above) is directly across the street from Gyro Mazda and will be owned by the same principals. All that remains now for the work to begin on the dealership is City Council approval. The dealership will be large. It will boast a showroom and 10 service bays. As reported earlier by The South Bayview Bulldog Hyundai has wisely been trying to gain access to the generally under serviced central neighborhoods. This article notes how other car makers have fled our area leaving potential customers up for grabs.