“No sick note” rests on belief (hope?) most of us are honest

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Some tenants named for development at 33 Laird Drive

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Depiction of frontage o n Laird
Map of proposed development

Redevelopment of the property at 33 Laird Drive is creeping closer and there is speculation about which businesses will become tenants at the approximately 80,000 sq. foot project. It sits at what is now the three-way-corner where Laird ends and Millwood Rd. turns southeast opposite the Leaside Arena. Traffic will come and go along Canvarco Rd. Broker David Brook has shared some of the confirmed tenants. They are Organic Garage (a grocery store) Dogtopia, a US-based dog care, boarding and spa service, a bath vanity shop called Happy Bathroom, Vivo Pizza/Pasta, Salons by JC and Glowzone, a recreational business that boasts glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. The update on progress at 33 Laird was prompted by discussion over the holidays that sources on Canvarco Rd. were saying two tenants would be Shoppers Drug Mart and Goodlife Fitness. But no tenancy for these firms has so far been confirmed. The property is designed by SMV Architects and is being developed by Quaestus Corp. Word has it that while a start date is not yet set it is “not too far out.”

No winning ticket for Friday’s $26 million Lotto jackpot

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No winning ticket was sold for the $26 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next Lotto Max draw on Jan. 5 will grow to approximately $35 million.

New Year’s events cut, “Night Mayor” boondoggle reappears

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The bitter cold afflicting Toronto, Ottawa and other cities has led to a decision to scale back New Year’s Eve parties planned for public places. In Ottawa, officials have scrapped most of the entertainment. What’s projected to be one of the coldest New Year’s Eves in Ottawa in nearly two decades saw organizers of the party on Parliament Hill announce Friday they will keep only the fireworks display and light show. Then, the reappearance of a misbegotten idea from the past that the City hire yet another expensive unelected person. This is the old Night Mayor boondoggle. Some say it is necessary for Toronto’s nightlife to blossom but if so, maybe the entertainment industry would like to pay him or her. Below that, a fan of electric cars keeps up his spirits in weather that can cut the battery life of a Tesla in half. Finally, speaking of entertainment, the United Kingdom will spend millions of pounds on drunk tanks across the land to hold plastered party-goers who are currently cluttering up hospitals.






12 dead in New York fire traced to boy playing with stove

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Flaming truck full of plastic bottles closes QEW at Grimsby

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The QEW is closed at Grimsby because of a tractor trailer fire. The blaze is fueled by a load of empty plastic bottles and is said to have damaged the road so severely is may need to be repaired before it is re-opened. Caught in the delay are many hockey fans who are headed to Buffalo for the USA vs. Canada World Junior Outdoor Game set to start at 3 p.m.

Park Rd. shut by water main break north of Rosedale Valley

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Park Rd. between Rosedale Valley Rd. and Collier St. is closed Friday as crews work to repair a watermain break.

Area resident says CAA refused her call because of backup

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As Toronto heads into what may well be the coldest New Year’s ever, South Bayview drivers are facing long waits for help to kick-start batteries on cars left outside overnight. On the Leaside Community Facebook page Friday, one member said she had been turned down by CAA because they are so overloaded. Seems extreme on their part. Another said she was on hold for three hours to get CAA to finally arrive an hour or two after that. One poster says that Beck Taxi will give a boost for $25. There seems to be little immediate respite from the cold although the Weather Network ventures a guess that in a week or eight days we may see daytime temperatures of minus 3.

SNOW NEAR LAKE

A Weather Statement Friday morning warns of lake effect snow from Lake Ontario hitting near the shore of the lake in Mississauga. This lake effect snow band may drift into the City of Toronto during the day.  Local snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 cm are possible mainly near the shore of Lake Ontario. Sudden very low visibility in bursts of heavier snow is possible as the lake effect snow band moves through.

40,000 lbs. of avocados a tasty dish of roadkill Guacamole

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Yes, but is it mild or spicy?

Some 40,000 lbs. of avocados spilled onto a Texas highway Thursday after a big rig carrying them crashed and caught fire. News helicopters from ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA captured images of firefighters hosing down the 18-wheel truck, which was full of crates of avocados. Police say the trucker survived. AP video

Shelter buses called as fire hits Yonge/Broadway apartment

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The TTC are providing shelter buses at Yonge St. and Broadway Ave as a fire has caused the evacuation of an apartment building. TPS Operations says one unit was “fully engulfed.” There are no reports of injuries. Toronto Fire Service has called it a two-alarm blaze in a residential high-rise. Later post: Broadway fire tops summary

Record cold keeping us inside, draining electric car batteries

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People are working hard at trying to stay cheerful and keep warm as Toronto struggles with the worst early-winter cold since 1960. A couple of City News reports include how Tesla performance is diminished by this draining deep freeze. In Calgary, exposure has taken the life of a newborn infant, abandoned by a woman who gave birth at Christmas. And an interview done with Barak Obama by Prince Harry has aired in the UK. It was done in Toronto when the two men met at the Invictus Games.






500-day gestation rewarded with a robust white rhino calf

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White rhino male calf born Christmas Eve/Toronto Zoo

There’s much excitement at the Toronto Zoo this week as a healthy white rhinoceros male calf is nursing well and seems quite robust. It’s mother, Zohari, 7 years, and baby are doing well, with the calf weighing 62.3 kilograms at birth. It is the first white rhinoceros to be born at the Toronto Zoo in 27 years. The gestation period for a white rhino is upwards of 500 days and usually only one calf is born at a time. The zoo says the Christmas Eve calf is big, strong, nursing more than expected and has very hairy ears.