A truly remarkable performance from the Leafs in St. Louis Saturday even as they remain dead last in the Atlantic Division and the Blues lead the Central Division.
Heartsick chat mourns Florabunda, victim of rent increases
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There is a rather heartsick discussion underway at the Leslieville Facebook page regarding the closing of popular florist Florabunda at 1131 Queen St. East. The long thread laments the shop’s closure after ten years because of rent increases. Now the sterility of what comes next. It’s been replaced by Domino’s Pizza. No doubt some want pizza but it is boring beyond belief. The issue is well known to affluent Midtown neighborhoods but apparently less virulent in small business districts like South Bayview. FB
Florabunda now closed at 1131 Queen St. East
Survey says don’t plug nickel even if it’s only worth 5 cents
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A survey of Canadians says we should save the nickel even though it may not be worth much. Unlike the penny, which was eliminated in 2012 when it became more expensive to make one that it was worth, plug nickels are still valued. By the way, the term “plug nickel” comes from a time when coins were valued for their metal. A plug nickel was one that had had the centre punched out by a thieving metal felon.
Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen is now open at 1613 Bayview
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Marwan Carmi
Inside Darna, 1613 Bayview Ave.
Darna by night
Darna has opened at 1613 Bayview Ave. and congenial owner Marwan Carmi is hoping his eclectic take on Middle Eastern cuisine will appeal to local diners. Marwan brings a wide range of experience to Darna, a name meaning Our Home. It conveys the care and goodness of home cooking says the owner. Marwan was persuaded to leave his home in Jerusalem and move to Toronto after a visit here with his wife Nadine. She is studying child care at the University of Toronto. It was a big decision to quit his position as the financial manager of the Belgian consulate in Israel. His father runs a long-time souvenir business in the Holy City. The menu at Darna is inspired “by authentic flavours across the Middle East” including Lebanon, Isreal and the territories. The restaurant has a beer and liquor license and is open for lunch and evening dining
233 Inglewood grows larger, acquires round Roman arches
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233 Inglewood before/Google
Round Roman arches will grace the front of the renovated home/Bulldog
The front door moves to the east side off of the driveway/Bulldog
Masons at work on an arch on Saturday/Bulldog
Inglewood Drive is famous for fine homes and its annual profusion of electrically lighted and fan-inflated Santas/Bulldog
Among the many fine homes in Moore Park is 233 Inglewood Dr. at the top of Maclennan Ave just west of Welland Ave. The current renovation is the work of Rosedale Fine Homes and architect Lorne Rose. A large matching brick addition has been added at the rear but the most striking changes are at the front. Round Roman arches will replace the original windows. The front porch on the west side is now enclosed with an arch window that matches those out front. The front door, it appears, will now be on the east side off of the driveway.
Eglinton re-opened after collision closure near Brentcliffe
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Five-hour snarl on Eglinton near Brentcliffe Friday night/680 News
A collision on Eglinton Ave E. of Brencliffe Rd. Friday at supper hour snarled traffic along the street for nearly five hours. Shortly before 11 p.m. the street was re-opened and TTC buses on the 34 Eglinton East, 51 Leslie and 54 Lawrence East routes returned to normal.
Public-spirited anchor Ken Shaw to retire from daily news
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Public-spirited anchor of CTV News
To retire January 6
As seen in an early 1980s broadcast
Ken Shaw will retire from his long-time anchor position on the CTV Toronto 6 p.m. newscast on Monday. January 6. He has been employed as a reporter and anchor with CTV and previously with CFTO-TV Limited since 1979. He became known early in his anchoring career as a committed servant of the community, involving himself daily in charitable and public-spirited endeavors. While announcing his decision during Friday evening’s six o’clock newscast, Ken Shaw thanked viewers across the City and province. “There have been so many changes over the decades and I’ve been privileged to have a front-row seat for all of them,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the trust viewers put in our team to document the stories of their lives. Although I’m leaving the day-to-day duties of the anchor desk, I’m excited to work on a number of special projects at CTV News.” CTV
Silver Spitfire crew home safely after 30-country world tour
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Two British pilots have landed back in the UK after flying around the world in a newly restored Silver Spitfire. Steve Brooks, 58, from Burford, Oxfordshire, and Matt Jones, 45, from Exeter, Devon, took four months to circumnavigate the globe in the first trip of its kind in a Spitfire, which involved stopping off at 100 locations in 30 countries. The project, called Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight, started and finished at Goodwood Airport the base of Boultbee Flight Academy in Sussex. It’s the first-ever school for Spitfire pilots. Facebook
Family heirloom decorations given away with artificial tree
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Car break-ins continue in Leaside even during snowstorms
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Leaside car break-ins continue even in the snow as a woman reports on Leaside Community Facebook Friday. This occurred near Donlea Drive and Laird Drive. FB
QEW victim thought dead, still on life support in hospital
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Westbound QEW at Dorval Rd/Jeremy Cohn @JeremyCohnTV
A woman who was reported dead in fact remains on life support in hospital, OPP report. She was struck by a large truck while on foot after apparently leaving her car on the QEW near Dorval Rd. at Oakville. OPP were called to the scene about 10 p.m. Thursday night near Dorval Road. It’s unclear why the pedestrian was on the highway although speculation will run to possible car trouble. The truck driver remained on the scene and is cooperating with police.
Prodigy hunt, Elder Ale and the MRUC pancakes breakfast
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What talent will be revealed Friday at Lawrence Park Community Church?/Crescendo Competitions
Andy Elder gives name to Amsterdam brew/Grill Time
Profusion of poinsettias/Bulldog
No turns out of Moore Park/Bulldog
Pancake Breakfast is Saturday
Davisville Public School in the snow/DPS
At the upper left, Friday will see many aspiring musicians trying out for the Crescendo International Competition auditions at Lawrence Park Community Church at 2180 Bayview Ave at Dawlish Ave. Crescendo is an international volunteer agency dedicated to finding and helping talented musicians. Upper right, Andy Elder, congenial owner of Grill Time meats on Laird Drive, is the inspiration for Amsterdam Brewery’s new Elder Ale. It’s on tap at Amsterdam’s Barrel House in Leaside Village during Steak Fest until December 29. The steaks are from Grill Time. Below that is a profusion of poinsettias in many colours including scarlet, pink, fuschia and white. See them at Longo’s on Laird.
Enforcing rush hour no turns in Moore Park
Centre-left we see the 53 Division gang at work Wednesday evening enforcing the evening rush-hour no right turn from Welland Ave. onto Moore Ave. Frankly, it seemed rather dangerous as cyclists, trucks, buses and (on this night) ambulances competed for limited pavement. Centre-right, a reminder about the Manor Road United Church Pancake Breakfast coming up Saturday morning. It’s always a great family event. At the bottom, fun in the snow for Davisville Public School kids in the second year at their temporary home on Vaughan Rd. It will be 2021 before the school returns to its new Davisville/Millwood home.