A welcome soaking of lawns and gardens occurred Monday after 3 p.m. as clouds rolled across Toronto Meteorologists warned of possible severe thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts and hail but as of 3.30 p.m. South Bayview had seen only rain.
NE Ontario on fire as hot, dry weather lays across province
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The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says that as of Sunday night 42 forest fires were burning in northeast Ontario, 19 of them out of control. Parry Sound 33, the fire that has burned for three weeks, is now some 113 square kilometres, and remains the most dangerous. Hot, dry, windy weather this weekend helped fan the flames, however, despite the challenging conditions the ministry says crews made excellent progress in ringing most of the fire’s perimeter with hose lines.
Customers say Harvey’s at Wicksteed Home Depot will close
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Harvey’s restaurant at Home Depot Leaside
Customers of the Home Depot store at 101 Wicksteed Ave. say they have been told that the Harvey’s restaurant at the front of the store is about to be closed by Home Depot management. A decision is said to have been taken to use the Harveys space for other purposes. Harvey’s serves hamburgers and assorted fast-food dishes like poutine, salad bowls, fish and hot dogs to an apparently loyal clientele. It has been there since Home Depot opened in about 1990. The franchisee is said to be very upset. This news began emerging late last week. Tuesday will bring a new opportunity to learn more.
Vaughan cancels Soul of Calypso concert on short notice
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The City of Vaughan cancelled a concert of Caribbean Soca (Soul of Calypso) music Saturday evening on about two hours notice. It appears there were complaints to the City, or Councillors, but not to police. Vaughan issued a statement saying the organizers failed to comply with all conditions. No further explanation was given. Soca is a genre of music that originated within a subculture in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970s and developed into a range of styles by the 1980s and later. Soca was created by legendary Calypso musician and composer Lord Shorty who died in 2000. Machel’s Toronto concert cancelled after venue permits pulled
Driving devilry in the details as sharrow “sharing” still vague
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MacLennen and Garfield
Not much traffic
The so-called sharrow symbol has now appeared on supremely quiet residential streets in Rosedale and Moore Park. Above, the corner of MacLennen and Garfield Aves. would put most car-counters to sleep. But there they are, Shared Lane Pavement Markings, with implied instruction for both cyclists and motorists about how to behave when you see or are near one of the others. These are near the Whitney Public School zone. Sharrows are a reminder to share the road of course but any well-informed driver who has read the Highway Traffic Act knows that. What does the sharrow symbol mean in precise terms? Driving devilry will be in the details. At corners like MacLennan and Garfield, does it mean cyclists can overtake cars to “occupy” the stop, requiring cars to line up behind? It seems clear that sharing does not mean that cyclists have to wait behind a car although that question is not asked nor answered in writings online. Bicycles are permitted to overtake cars for lots of reasons. Cars and bicycles are frequently seen in line at the narrow (sharrowed) portion of Moore Ave. approaching Welland Ave. Bikes travelling to Mt. Pleasant however are more likely just to mount the sidewalk at the end of the bike lane.
Toronto high of 33 Sunday, some Europeon cities, 47 and 48
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Toronto is hot but Europe is hotter. There is a predicted high of 32 here at home for Sunday but Lisbon and other Mediterranean capitals are hitting highs of 47 and 48.
Woman, 38, boy, 5, apparent drownings in Brampton pool
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A woman, 38, and a boy, 5, have apparently drowned under so-far unexplained circumstances at a backyard swimming pool on Hilson Court in Brampton. They were found Saturday night. The investigation continues.
She mows down utility poles on Bathurst Sunday morning
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Whoops/Arlene Berman Twitter
A woman is said to have escaped serious injury Sunday morning when her car jumped the curb at Bathurst St. and Bainbridge Ave. to take out two utility poles. The scene is opposite Earl Bales Park. Police are sorting it out. Photo tweeted by Arlene Berman.
Caribbean Carnival sunny, saucy, socko at Exhibition Place
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Saucy Cloglo, Dancing Queen/Instagram
Love these guys/Bigzooks Instagram
Gonna bite ya/Adrian Cheung CBC
The entertaining blow-out called Caribana — the Toronto Caribbean Carnival — took place Saturday at Exhibition Place. Carnival Invasion On The Lake goes on Sunday. Here are some photos and a video link to the talents of a saucy lady with the Instagram handle of Cloglo. Somewhat related is the appearance of Shaquille O’Neal appearing as a DJ on Polson St.
High Summer of 2018 and the things some of us are doing
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Leaside friends visit Danforth/James Carter
Best Kid/Bulldog
Hello Summer on Bayview/Bulldog
375 Belsize Dr./Bonnie Byford Real Estate
Can you resist?/Bulldog
Leaside United Church
Opening soon/Bulldog
Upper left, these Leaside gents wanted to support neighbors on the Danforth in light of the dreadful shooting two weeks ago. They dropped by at Louis Cifers. As recorded at Leaside Community they are Alex Lofthouse, James Carter, Lev Glick, Russ Sutherland and Rich Baxter. Below that is Pierce Goulimis outside his pop-up store with Lucas Flemming on Bayview. They sell very pleasant novelties like the Now Playing Best Kid Ever picture frame. Below that, maybe you can resist an Apple Berry Danish from COBs but The Bulldog could not. Centre left, 375 Belsize at the corner of Cleveland is for sale. It has a garage on the street. A nice amenity. Lower left, the inventive friends at Leaside United Church explore Reel Life. “Themes from 2018 films and how they speak to our lives and our faith questions. What is it about superhero movies, heist films, and other blockbusters that captures our society’s imagination (and box office sales)?” Worth asking. Finally at the right, the new computer and electronics service shop near Scotiabank on Bayview Ave. is called F5. That’s the name of the Refresh key on your keyboard. Opening soon.
Me Cave Man, you mere 2,000 lb. bison with killer horns
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The video shot in Yellowstone National Park Tuesday has now been viewed more than seven million times. It shows a macho man taunting a bison which is wandering the road. The Toronto Sun story Saturday calls the man an “idiot” while CTV is restrained with “foolhardy.” All of that. The video was shot by Lindsey Jones (thank you) and shows the man beating his chest and taunting the bison. The creature charges him twice but he evades it. Children are heard happily shouting “Come on Buffalo. You can’t let them boss you around.” Bison are the largest mammal in North America. Male bison (called bulls) weigh up to 2,000 lb. and stand as tall as six feet
$10 million Lotto Max jackpot winner in Ontario Friday
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A single ticket sold in Ontario claimed Friday night’s $10 million Lotto Max jackpot. The jackpot for the next Lotto Max draw on Aug. 10 will again be approximately $10 million — CP.