The South Bayview Bulldog

Chef Victor Barry (?: pianopianotherestaurant.com)

?: pianopianotherestaurant.com

Post City Magazines has confirmed that Piano Piano is getting a second location uptown. Chef Victor Barry confirmed to Post City that the new restaurant is slated to open this October. The location will be 623 Mt. Pleasant Road, the former location of the recently shuttered Birch Bistro. Piano Piano describes itself as “the Italian restaurant you always wished was just around the corner. Sophisticated and fun, Piano Piano serves deeply satisfying food that comes in just the right size. The menu features traditional Italian fare that’s been elevated to its most delicious self. If there’s a common thread that runs through Piano Piano, it’s a deep-seated soulfulness and sensuality that’s at once warm, welcoming and just plain fun.”

Prices up for all properties

Canadian Press reports that the Toronto Real Estate Board GTA home price index was up 4.4 percent in July as the supply of properties for sale tightened and the number of sales jumped 24.3 percent from July last year. The TREB said Tuesday the overall average selling price for properties in the Greater Toronto Area was up 3.2 percent year-over-year to $806,755. The number of properties sold increased to 8,595 from 6,916, with sales of all four categories of housing up by double digits.

Officials at London’s Heathrow Airport and a union representing 4,000 workers have averted a two-day strike at Europe’s busiest airport during the peak of summer travel season. The strike, which had already been called off for Monday, will also be suspended Tuesday so that the workers, including security guards, firefighters, engineers and drivers, can vote on a package offering improved pay. Heathrow and Unite the Union both confirmed the news on their Twitter accounts; however, the union said it was keeping its planned strike for Aug. 23-24 on the calendar until it learns the result of the vote

Thanks guys

Canadian basketball players apparently have no interest in playing for Canada. Along with Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who already was ruled out, several other prominent Canadian players won’t play for Canada, including Denver guard Jamal Murray, New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson, Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the New Orleans Pelicans. CBC

• A Rebrand Will Soon Remind People That Instagram and WhatsApp Are ‘From Facebook’

Is a municipal cull of raccoons in order?

Woman complains of filth

Many members are responding to a concern by a Leaside resident on the weekend about raccoon filth and the need to control it. As is known, municipal legislation seems to view the raccoon nuisance as stray6 cats. Is it time for a municipal cull of raccoons?

Colin Dowler

Nishan Duraiappah

Sam Springsteen

Faces of survival, the burden of command and youthful public service. Colin Dowler (left) was well on the way to being eaten alive by a grizzly bear in BC when he remembered the little knife he had in his pocket. A single stab to the neck of the beast caused it to stop tearing away at his leg and permitted Dowler to escape. At centre is Nishan Duraiappah, new chief of the Halton Regional Police effective October 1. Deputy Chief Duraiappah said he and his Halton team  “look forward to serving this remarkable and diverse community for many years to come.” At right is Sam Springsteen, 20, youngest son of Bruce and the newest member of the Colt’s Neck New Jersey fire Department.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival – Grand Parade
Lake Shore Boulevard West will be fully closed from Bathurst St to Colborne Lodge Dr starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday, August 3 until 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 4.

Veld Music Festival
All road closures and restrictions for this event are on streets within Downsview Park on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4. Residents travelling around Downsview Park on major roads including Sheppard Avenue West, Allen Rd, Dufferin St, Keele St., and Wilson Avenue are reminded to expect delays and plan their travel in advance.

GO adds service to get you there and back for Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival’s Parade and other August long weekend events

A new Service Ontario storefront will open in the Flemingdon Park Shopping Centre, 747 Don Mills Rd., on Tuesday, August 6. A release from the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services says the centre has many accessible features including an automatic door opener, barrier-free access and accessible parking. Hours of operation at what will be called the the Leaside ServiceOntario Centre will be: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enter at Gateway Blvd.

Heavens to betsy, holy kamoley, son of a gun, is that a pig with wings I see out my window?