Aldo Settimi on Omni TV

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Aldo Settimi was right at home in front of the microphone today at the Mad Italian. Settimi has a long and distinguished political career in Italy as a member of the Democratic Party, a major centre-left movement. He was President of the Province of Rome and a member of Parliament for two terms from 1994 to 2001. He has held numerous other public positions. Today reporters were seeking his view on the news that Prime Minister Berlusconi may face trial for his meetings with various young women, including a 17-year-old dancer. Berlusconi is leader of the People of Freedom political movement which he founded in 2009. It is generally centre-right.

Drilling down 300 feet on Bessborough

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The recent post on the Geothermal conversion taking place on Bessborough Drive has proven to be one of the most popular in recent days. A return visit found work in full swing. Three holes have been bored 300 feet into the earth. The contractor, Four Seasons Geothermal of Mississauga, says it might have gone down 600 feet if the property had permitted a larger drill. But, three holes at the shallower depth will provide lots of heat in the winter to keep the home warm. The contractor also spoke of cost, and the time required to return one’s investment. At $15 per square foot, it may take ten years. But if the property is heated with electricity at present, the time to return the cost will be more like five or six years. Anyone can do the arithmetic to find an estimated cost of this conversion by multiplying the square footage of his house by 15.

Mass exodus at CTV as Bell takes over

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Clockwise from upper left, Ivan Fecan, Susanne Boyce, Paul Gossling, Dawn Fell, Paul Sparkes, Alon Marcovici

Five high-profile members of CTV ‘s management will follow chief executive Ivan Fecan (upper left) out the door as BCE gets ready to take over. They include programming guru Susanne Boyce (upper centre) according to an internal memo obtained by The Globe and Mail. Mr. Fecan announced last summer that he will be leaving the company once BCE’s $1.3-billion deal to buy CTVglobemedia closes in early April. The departing executives are chief financial officer John Gossling (upper right) executive vice-president of corporate affairs Paul Sparkes (lower centre) Ms. Boyce, president of creative, content and channels; executive vice-president of digital media Alon Marcovici (lower left) who was promoted to an executive role less than six months ago; and Dawn Fell (lower right) the executive vice-president of human resources and operations. Wendy Freeman remains as head of news and current events programming, a position she was promoted to in January; and Chris Gordon stays on as head of radio and will be handling “a significant new radio initiative” in the spring, possibly the launch of the long-rumoured TSN branded network of stations. A BCE import and the new chief operating officer of CTVglobemedia, Kevin Crull, made the announcement about the changes to his team in an e-mail on Tuesday.

KIA’s “One Epic Ride” our favorite

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There were many winners among this year’s Super Bowl commercials. But for sheer sweep of story-telling and non-stop surprises, KIA’s One Epic Ride gets our vote for best of game commercial breaks. Follow the Optima sedan through an adventure which is really too good for a mere car. See it on a special page at our associated blog Yonge and Roxborough.

Union gets notice re private trash collection

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The City has taken the first necessary step to privatize garbage collection. Mayor Ford said at a noon hour news conference that he has officially notified the Civic Employees’ Union that the City intends to recommend seeking competitive bids for curb-side pick up west of Yonge Street, to the Etobicoke border, plus privatize more of the litter vacuum operations and litter and recycling pick up in parks. The notice given today is required under labour legislation. More.

EmmaZ closed, Lampe Berger next door

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With the closure of EmmaZ, 1697 South Bayview, at the beginning of the year, the Lampe Berger line of catalytic lamps has moved next door to Smokin’ Cigar. The stores are associated. Lampe Berger is a moderately popular product originally said to have some medicinal quality but it is now used simply as an air freshener. There is no indication about the status of the EmmaZ premises although there is a fair amount of merchandise and things remaining in the shop indicating perhaps that the lease has not yet expired.

South Bayview bus lines remain unchanged

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Cutbacks to certain local bus routes announced Friday will have no impact on the important South Bayview lines. These are the Bayview 11, which passes through South Bayview heading north from the Davisville station and south from Steeles Ave. As many riders will know, the No 11 goes into Sunnybrook Hospital as does the short turn Sunnybrook bus No. 11C. The rush hour service No. 28 to Bayview Ave at Belsize Dr. remains untouched. And the busy South Leaside lines, 88 and 88A, which find their way from St. Clair station to Thorncliffe Park, also remain untouched. The affected lines are 56 Leaside which will see service end at 10 pm each day Monday to Friday and at 7 pm Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. There will be no service west of Laird Drive to Eglinton Station Sunday or holiday daytime. The No. 74 Mount Pleasant service will end at 7 pm every day. And the No. 103 Mount Pleasant North service will end at 10 pm on Sundays and holidays.