3-alarm blaze at a seniors’ residence at Kennedy/Ellesmere

Crews were called to Kennedy Lodge, at Kennedy and Ellesmere roads, at around 11:50 a.m. this morning after receiving an alert from an alarm company. TTC buses have been brought in to shelter the displaced residents and paramedics have responded as a precaution as well. Toronto Police Services tweeted that no injuries have been reported. CP24

Canada’s first delivery of airmail was on June 24th, 1918

The Leaside Aerodrome Facebook page has posted an album commemorating a Leaside milestone. On this day in 1918, (June 24) the very first official airmail delivery sent in Canada landed at the Aerodrome at Camp Leaside, a training facility for RAF aviators. Captain Brian Peck was the pilot on Canada’s first official postal flight, which took place between Montreal & Leaside. The flight was planned as part of a publicity event to encourage wartime recruitment. The Leaside Aerodrome Facebook Page was created and is managed by Jeremy Hopkin of Hopkin Design.

Ford Nation thrash, Dyke Parade, Forky and Nick’s guitar

Are we diverse or what? There was Ford Nation Saturday coincidental with the Dyke Parade. The Pride march is Sunday. Then a look inside the making of Toy Story 4, in theatres this weekend. It teaches wonderful lessons. Finally, Nick Nurse is on guitar in an unlikely appearance with the Arkells, the Juno-winning band from The Hammer (Hamilton) formed way back in 2006.






Fury of three-alarm factory blaze captured in freelance shot

The fury of a three-alarm fire at Atlantic Packaging on Progress Ave. in Scarborough has been graphically captured in a freelance photo taken by Zakira Mir and submitted to City  News. The blaze at 333 Progress erupted at about 5 p.m. The blaze started in a compactor room and spread to the roof of the building. No one was hurt.

One dead, four injured in grinding collision in Scarborough

One person is dead and four others are injured after a grinding collision between two cars at Scarborough Golf Club Rd. and Lawrence Ave. Saturday evening. Police are trying to sort out just what happened.

Gov’t cancels July 1 event at Queen’s Park to save $400,000

The Ontario government has cancelled Canada Day celebration at Queen’s Park for this year in order to save some $400,000, an amount cited as its annual cost. Instead, the government will offer free admission to the first 500 visitors on July 1 at 10 Ontario attractions. They are:

  • Ontario Science Centre.
  • Cinesphere at Ontario Place.
  • Royal Ontario Museum.
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan.
  • Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.
  • Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay.
  • Huronia Historical Parks in Midland and Penetanguishene.
  • Butterfly Conservatory — Niagara Parks Commission.
  • Science North in Sudbury.
  • St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

Charitable squeeze, linen frock and convertibles we’ve seen

Upper left in this Saturday summary of South Bayview sightings are Jamie and Max, new recipients of the MP’s Citizenship Award for putting the squeeze on diabetes. MP Rob Oliphant conferred the honour. Upper right is a floral print linen frock from Aytac Fashion on Bayview Ave. for your summer and very nice too. Below that at centre right is a note from Wild Wing at Millwood and Bayview. When will we meet again? Then, a smashing 1959 Jaguar roadster departs Bayview with the proud owner at the wheel and a winning bouquet at the Leaside Garden Society show. Down below is an immaculate 1982 Buick Riviera convertible seen in the summer sun at Bayview and Balliol Sts.

Tweet invites public to find eggs “over easy” at 401 truck flip

A tractor-trailer carrying eggs rolled over on Highway 401 near Warden Ave. early Saturday. The clean up continues and one tweet from Stephanie Henry, traffic wonk at City News, found the analogy irresistible. Many might say a rollover is not over easy but apparently, the driver is fine.

Ceremony to dedicate Edna Beange Lane Tuesday, June 25

Councillor Robinson will dedicate Edna Beange Lane on Tuesday, June 25, at 3.30 p.m. Edna Beange was a devoted public official and friend who gave decades of service to Leaside and East York. She served three terms as alderman in East York and assumed countless other duties. Edna Beange died in January.  The ceremony will take place at the entrance to the lane which starts on the east side of Bayview Ave. south of McRae.  Afterward, refreshments will be served at the Stay-at-Home-in-Leaside common room at 1387 Bayview.

No winning ticket sold for $15 million Lotto Max jackpot

No winning ticket was sold for the $15 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next draw on June 25 will grow to approximately $20 million.

Turtles hatched in incubators re-conquer Rouge Valley wild

Most interesting report from Audra Brown of City News on how the endangered Blanding’s Turtle is once again populating Rouge Valley National Park inside Toronto.

Cushy jobs for acquaintences yanked, Ford chief of staff out

The Premier’s chief of staff, Dean French, has resigned the same day his boss revoked the appointments of two men associated with Mr. French to cushy “agent general” jobs in New York City and London. In a statement Friday, Ford’s office said the premier accepted French’s resignation in the early afternoon — shortly after the government revoked the appointments of Tyler Albrecht and Taylor Shields to the desirable positions in the world capitals. The Globe and Mail said Albrecht, 26, knows French and his two sons through their participation in lacrosse and that Shields is a second cousin to French’s wife. The government said James Wallace, formerly vice-president of Toronto Sun editorial operations, and now deputy chief of staff will run things for the Premier day to day for now.