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 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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
A large barn at Brooks Farm, a popular family destination in Mount Albert, has burned to the ground. No one was hurt in the conflagration. It started late Wednesday afternoon and members of the Brooks family posting news and video to Facebook about the misfortune. Paul Brooks told Star reporter Miriam Lafontaine that he realized the barn was in flames while he was making supper for his two children, ages 7 and 8, around 5 p.m. “No sleep,” Brooks told Lafontaine early Thursday morning. “I’m fifth generation here, and my kids are sixth, so it’s been an emotional roller coaster losing so many valuable things to us.” The Mount Albert farm he runs with his wife, Kelly, is known for its fruit picking, maple sugar festival and market visited by locals in the area. The barn that burned down was a 150-year-old “party barn” used for storage.
Bombardier has announced it will build jetliners at a new facility to be built at Toronto International Airport. It’s a good thing and cynics will no doubt see the hand of controlling owner Airbus in the decision to get down to serious business in Canada’s commercial capital. Then, complaints about Air Canada’s inaccessibility to ordinary passengers. It’s not new. The national carrier has been hiding from ordinary customers since the onset of the Internet Age. Below that, food prices are forecast to rise. Everyone from farmers to distributors to retailers are likely to find a reason. Finally, it is 75 years since Canadian soldiers entered Ravenna on their hard-fought march up the Italian boot against the retreating German army.
