Google Trike can spy under your buttons

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The Google wonks know how to spin a story their way, alright. The tricycle camera platform (it has nine high speed snappers) that hit Toronto yesterday is a good thing because — because why? It reduces pollution? Sure but that’s incidental. It won’t add to traffic? Nope. Friends, the reason the Google trike is just great is that it can sneak around laneways, patios, parkettes and parrot perches like no four-wheel vehicle can do. It can wheel down Wally Crouter Walkway with ease and probe what’s happening in the parking lot of our Lady of Perpetual Help School. Hey, the world wants to know.

Early-morning mugging of woman on Overlea

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From the Toronto Police Service: A 26 year old female reports that on July 18, 2011 at approximately 0648 hours, she was in the area of Overlea Boulevard and Thorncliffe Park Drive when she was approached by five male suspects. One suspect grabbed the victim’s purse and they all fled the scene 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, white, 16-19 years. Suspect #2: Male, south asian, 16-19 years, 5’5”, 161 pounds, thin build. Suspect #3: Male, 16-19 years, 6’0”, 169 pounds, thin build. Suspect #4: Male, white, 16-19 years, 5’6”, 161 pounds, medium build. Suspect #5: Male, white, 16-19 years, 5’6”, 150 pounds, medium build.

Sidewalk repairs coming to South Bayview

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Those graffiti-like white scribbles on the wide sidewalks of South Bayview are the sign of repairs just a few weeks away. It appears from all we can learn, that only portions of concrete which have been broken by the asphalt of this Spring’s work will be repaired. One source said it will all be finished in a week.

Bayview Clipper, Paradox closures

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The long time South Bayview shop, Paradox, has hung a sign saying that it is having a closing sale. The business recently changed hands and it appears the new owners are not prepared to carry on. Meantime, the Bayview Clipper (inset) an established local name, has passed on. The Bayview Clipper was located on South Bayview for many years and later re-located to 864 Millwood Road. A new salon is operating at this location now.

New 100s start rolling off the presses

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Consumers and retailers will wish to become familiar with the features of the new plastic Canadian money. The new bills are similar in general design to the old. The new 100 continues to bear the picture of Robert Borden, a Toronto lawyer and businessman who was prime minister during WWI. The bills will last much longer than the paper bills and be harder to counterfeit. The 100s go into service this Fall followed by other denominations in 2012.

Baby caught in ambulance accident

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Paramedics transfer a baby in an incubator from a damaged ambulance (right) to another on South Bayview at the noon hour Tuesday. The ambulance was apparently in a collision with a Canpar truck, although the precise events are not known. Crew members made a decision to call another ambulance to take the child to hospital rather than risk driving the damaged vehicle, which had a broken side window. This scene was recorded outside Rosie’s restaurant.

Canada anxious to extradite man to China

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Canada is showing frustration with the refugee system that has permitted one of China’s most wanted men to stay here for 11 years. Foreign Minister John Baird today made it clear he has no doubt about the guilt of Lai Changxing (inset) who is accused by China of a multi-million dollar smuggling operation in the southeastern city of Xiamen. As many will know, a principal of Canadian extradition requires the government to receive assurance that the receiving country will not execute the individual. While compassionate, many criticize the idea that Canada should routinely tell other countries who they may execute. It is also said to have made Canada a haven for serious criminals. China has until recently executed those found guilty of many crimes which would not bring the death penalty in countries like the U.S. or other lands where execution is still legal. And although executions have been frequent, there has not yet been a documented case of a miscarriage of justice. Reuters.