NASA unveils stunning deep space pic from Webb Telescope

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NASA has shared the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the early universe ever taken.

This first image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. Known as Webb’s First Deep Field, this image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. Thousands of galaxies – including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared – have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time. This slice of the vast universe covers a patch of sky approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length by someone on the ground.

Bayview patios are buzzing in this fabulous summer weather

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New CafeTO curb lane installation outside of Darna. /Bulldog Photo
New patio enclosure at Charcoal Biryani. /Bulldog Photo

Our lawns and gardens aren’t faring as well as Bayview’s patios so far this summer. Very little rain, and a lot of warm sunny days have been a boon for restaurant patios throughout the GTA. The Bulldog spotted what appears to be a new CaféTO installation for Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen (1613 Bayview Ave.) on the northbound curb lane. We were also pleased to see a lovely new patio enclosure at Charcoal Biryani (1595 Bayview Ave). Bon appétit!

“The vast majority” of Rogers customers are back online

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Phew! We’re back online! How was your Friday?

“If you love your cat, keep Fluffy indoors.” …or on a leash?

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Cat on a leash /Amber Kipp, Unsplash

Environmentalist and former Scarborough city councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker said “If you love your cat, keep Fluffy indoors.” to Toronto City Council Wednesday as a city committee discussed a plan that could prohibit cat owners from allowing felines to roam freely outdoors. The motion, moved by Councillor for Don Valley North, Shelley Carroll, is rooted in the belief outdoor cats can be a danger to local ecosystems, hunting bird and rodent populations, and are themselves at risk of being hit by vehicles or attacked by wildlife while roaming. CTV story.

Don’t look down! Man dangles from crane high above TO

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Screenshot from Instagram video /@my_s1

CP24 has shared a video showing a worker dangling in the air above a Toronto construction site at Front and Simcoe streets after accidentally getting entangled in a tagline attached to a crane. A 38-second video uploaded to Instagram, shows the worker clinging to a rope while he hangs several storeys high. PCL Constructors Canada, the company managing the construction project told CTV News Toronto the incident happened on Tuesday. The video does not show the worker safely get to the ground, but the company confirmed to CTV that the person was lowered and was not seriously injured. Phew! CP24 story.

12-storey proposal for corner of Eglinton Ave E & Cleveland

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Sierra Communities has submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment application to the City of Toronto for a 12-storey residential and commercial mixed-use building with 174 dwelling units and two levels of underground parking. In total, 80 parking spaces are proposed. Identified as 503 Eglinton Avenue East, on the southeast corner with Cleveland Street, the land assembly includes 383, 385, 387 and 389 Cleveland St plus 501 and 503 Eglinton Ave East.

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Parpar women’s clothing is now open at 1569 Bayview Ave

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Leaside Heritage unearths 1938 sketch of 106 Bessborough

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106 Bessborough Drive “then and now”

Browse the Leaside Heritage Facebook Group for little historical gems like this artist’s drawing of the residence at 106 Bessborough — including floor plans — before the house was built. The image appeared in the Toronto Star, July 15, 1938. The house is at the NW corner of McRae and Bessborough and still looks much like it did in this drawing from over 80 years ago. Visit Facebook for the full image and discussion.

Leaside Garden Society brings you Pesto Pizzazz! Sept 8th

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Guest speaker will be Yvonne Tremblay bringing you Pesto Pizzazz! on Sept 8, 2022 /Leaside Garden Society
Pesto Pizzazz /Photo by Photomix Company on Pexels

Leaside Garden Society 2022 Speaker Series will continue to be held online via Zoom. The next special guest speaker will be Yvonne Tremblay bringing you Pesto Pizzazz! on Sept 8, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Yvonne Tremblay who has a BA Science in Food and Nutrition is a former Associate Food Editor for Homemaker’s Magazine. Yvonne is a Food Consultant and Nutritionist, Educator, Professional Recipe Developer, Food Stylist and Food Writer. She is the author of Thyme in the Kitchen, Cooking With Fresh Herbs, prizewinning Preserves and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jams, Jellies & Preserves. Yvonne takes you from the garden to the table. She will share how to cook with fresh herbs including how to harvest wash, chop and store fresh herbs. Basil is a favourite. Yvonne will be doing a demonstration for making Pesto! Join them on Zoom for this exciting evening. New members and guests are welcome to join Leaside Garden Society and view the zoom meeting. Visit www.leasidegardensociety.org or email leaside@gardenontario.org.

Three towers, public park proposed for 849 Eglinton Ave E

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Here’s a collection of development updates that we think may interest Bulldog readers. All information from UrbanToronto, a website that contains an exhaustive wealth of data about GTA developments.

Three Towers, Public Park Proposed at Laird Crosstown Line 5 Station

View of proposed park from Don Avon Drive, image from submission to the City /UrbanToronto

The Pemberton Group has submitted Zoning By-law and Site Plan Approval applications to the City of Toronto for its 1.42 hectare site located it 849 Eglinton Avenue East. The developer is proposing a redevelopment of the site with three buildings including a 32-storey residential mixed-use building, a 21-storey residential building, and a 6-storey office building, in addition to a new public park and private road. The site is located on the south side of Eglinton, east of Laird Drive. It is currently occupied by a Mercedes-Benz car dealership and its associated surface parking. https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2022/07/three-towers-public-park-proposed-laird-crosstown-line-5-station

12-Storey Mixed-Use Building Proposed at Yonge and Roxborough

1086 Yonge Street, on the southwest corner with Roxborough Street. View looking south on Yonge Street, image from submission to the City /UrbanToronto

North Drive Investments Inc has submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment application to the City of Toronto to construct a 12-storey mixed-use residential and commercial building at 1086 Yonge Street, on the southwest corner with Roxborough Street, a short walk north of Rosedale Subway Station. https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2022/06/12-storey-mixed-use-building-proposed-yonge-and-roxborough

The Hampton Soars Onto Midtown Skyline
Have a look at the breathtaking image showing the view over The Hampton (89 and 101 Roehampton Avenue) by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Lamor. https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2022/06/hampton-soars-midtown-skyline-grows-over-roehampton-rental

31-Storey Proposal Would be a Record Mass Timber Height

Looking southwest to the proposed development, image by Icon Architects /UrbanToronto

Unix Housing Group have proposed a 31-storey rental building at 191 College Street in Downtown Toronto constructed with a mass timber structure. 154 Wicksteed Avenue, coined The Leaside Innovation Centre, was slated to be one of Toronto’s first mass timber buildings taking advantage of recent changes in the Ontario Building Code allowing the use of heavy timber structure up to 6 storeys. https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2022/06/31-storey-proposal-would-be-record-mass-timber-height

Gupta Settles With the City, Resubmits SPA for 4050 Yonge at York Mills

Looking north to the proposed development at 4050 Yonge Street, image from submission to the City /UrbanToronto

The Gupta Group has submitted a revised Site Plan Approval (SPA) application to the City of Toronto on behalf of the property located at 4050 Yonge Street in North York. The developer is looking to build a mixed-use complex consisting of condo, hotel, institutional, office, and retail spaces, within two towers connected by a podium upon land that is currently used as a commuter parking lot at York Mills subway station. https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2022/06/gupta-settles-city-resubmits-spa-4050-yonge-york-mills

One Delisle’s Jeanne Gang Talks to Alex Bozikovic About Designing Tall
‘How can tall buildings be good neighbours?’ a Fireside Chat between internationally acclaimed Chicago architect Jeanne Gang and Alex Bozikovic, The Globe and Mail’s Architecture critic and an UrbanToronto Forum contributor. https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2022/06/one-delisles-jeanne-gang-talks-alex-bozikovic-about-designing-tall

City of Toronto update on future of TTC’s Davisville Yard

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A photo of the Davisville Yard, facing northeast towards Yonge Street. (City of Toronto)

Next Stop: Davisville

The Davisville Yard offers an opportunity to reimagine a large site in the heart of the Davisville neighbourhood, with a signature public park and a mix of new land uses. The City Planning Division, in partnership with CreateTO and the Toronto Transit Commission, is launching Next Stop: Davisville – a Special Study to assess the feasibility of decking the Davisville Yard. The study includes an engineering review, identifying TTC facility requirements, a land use and built form review and a funding strategy to realize the project.

In May and June 2022, a short survey and a Social Pinpoint project page were available for people to give their feedback on the project Vision and Guiding Principles, and the future development of the Davisville Yard site. Staff will review and consider public feedback with other planning policy and stakeholder inputs in shaping the future of the project. This feedback will be summarized in a detailed engagement summary later this summer.

Virtual Community Visioning Session held on May 26, 2022

On May 26, 2022, the team held a virtual workshop with local residents and stakeholders. The meeting began with a review of the project background and existing site conditions in and around the Davisville Yard. This was followed by a discussion of the draft Vision and Guiding Principles, and a facilitated workshop to identify priorities for the site and potential scenarios for the future park. Thank you to everyone who attended and gave their feedback!

A Study Overview PDF is available, detailing the project background, the draft Vision and Guiding Principles, potential park scenarios and next steps.

A one-page event dashboard PDF summarizing the event is also available, providing a high-level summary of the meeting and the most discussed topics. This will be followed by a detailed engagement summary later this summer.

Coyote spotted in Belsize Dr parkette on Monday morning

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Coyote spotted in parkette this morning
Coyote spotted in parkette this morning

Just after 6:00am on Monday July 4th, a Belsize resident snapped a picture of what is likely a coyote in the parkette on Belsize Drive, known officially as Glebe Manor Square.

The City of Toronto website says that coyotes “generally do not pose a danger to people, but can pose a danger for pets. They are active during the day and at night, particularly dusk and dawn, and help to control rodent and rabbit populations. Coyotes thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter available. They do not hibernate and may be seen more often during winter months as they are not hidden by foliage. Coyotes will eat whatever food is available such as small mammals and birds, and improperly stored garbage.”

Glebe Manor Square (Google Maps)