The South Bayview Bulldog

There is a a really charming story in InsideToronto.com about a mother duck and her six ducklings who were found on the street near Parkhurst Blvd. and Hanna Rd. As reported by Danielle Milley, various neighbors, including Terri Reid. banded together to rescue the ducks and see them safely placed into Wilket Creek. Over a period of time the growing neighborhood rescue team devised a plan to capture the duck family. They lured the creatures into a portable dog house with bits of bread. Then, on the advice of the Toronto Wildlife Centre they were transported in a family van to their natural habitat (above). Very lovely story with much decency reflecting on the resident rescuers. Picture Courtesy Terri Reid

Eglinton and Bayview is a big, wide intimidating intersection. Add the hills and it’s downright obscure. But it was worse before city engineers fixed the westward-facing stoplights. The issue arose for eastbound motorists as they descended the hill toward Bayview. The west-facing stoplight just disappeared behind the east-facing light.The traffic wonks fixed this by placing an additional light for eastbound traffic on the back of the west facing light (inset). Believe it or not, this post is less confusing than trying to drive through the intersection without being able to see the traffic lights,.

A new veterinary is moving into the TD Canada Trust building at Laird Dr. and Vanderhoof Ave. Leaside-Eglinton Pet Hospital indicates by a sign that it will open soon. There may be others, but the two other vets who comes to mind are both on South Bayview, although there are dog groomers elsewhere.. The new one will be occupying space, as is the TD, in the old Pease Foundry offices and factory. This attractive building in Art Modern style still has some spaces for lease. Read comment from S which informs this post a little.

The “bungalow streets” in east Leaside have long been a happy hunting ground for builders and homeowners wanting to bump up in a nice neighborhood. But it seems as if the pace has quickened over previous years and especially on Vanderhoof Avenue. Left is 79 Vanderhoof, we believe. To the right a picture of an original one storey home and beside it the bump up at 75 Vanderhoof which we told you about April 12, 2011

We have a special treat for you today. Here are some genuine pieces of South Bayview graffiti. Don’t you care for them? Would you like to see them gone? Especially off of your garage? Then friends you are subject to the same appalling middle class authoritarianism that afflicts the new municipal administration. The trendiest foreboding says that Rob Ford and his mad wall painters can’t tell art from artichokes. Many fears have surfaced. One struggling artist said that if they prevent him from painting on freight cars no one in the U.S. will see his work. Okay, let’s get a grip. When Rudy Giuliani was elected Mayor of New York in 1996, he was reviled for saying he would clean up the streets and subway. He did it and was revered for his efforts well before his heroics on 9-11. New York survives as the art capital of the Western World. You can find all sorts there, even our crossover category of doubtful art, graffarti. The great, the giddy and the gruesome. Just not on your garage.