“Canada has the best banks in the world”

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British financial analysts and politicians are full of cosy noises about what a sensational place is Canada. Right you are, old boy. A blog post by Liz Phillips of the Telegraph (London) casts this appreciation of our economy in the glow of the Royal Visit. But really, it’s a matter that is both complicated and simple. Complicated if bankers lose their heads. Simple if they don’t. In the end the first principle of banking is: Don’t lend to people who can never, ever pay you back. The second principle is, well, read the first principle.

Duck family rescued by Leaside residents

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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

Stoplight fix at Eglinton and Bayview

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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,.

Leaside-Eglinton Pet Hospital opening soon

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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.

Royal, TD raise residential mortgage rates

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Royal Bank and TD Canada Trust announced Monday they are raising regular and special rate mortgages, effective July 5, 2011. The changes were in the range of 0.10 to 0.15 percentage points and affected fixed-rate mortgages.Both banks raised the trend-setting five-year closed rate by 0.15 percentage points to 5.54 per cent. Postmedia News

Bungalows tumbling on Vanderhoof

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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