Carols, schools, the TNO and new Dutch-cuisine restaurant

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Upper left, we see carol singing from the 2016 Carolling in the Pines at Northlea United Church. This year’s gathering is Sunday, December 10, at 7 p.m. among the church’s lovely urban tree stand at 126 Brentcliffe Rd. There will be lots of hot chocolate and it’s an outside event lasting about 45 minutes so dress warmly and bring a flashlight. (Bad weather location is inside the church) To the right, the Leaside United Church Choir under Carol Beckstead will perform carols on Sunday, December 10 at 7.30 p.m. Middle left, Angela Kennedy, Chair of the Toronto Catholic District School Board, was tweeting her enthusiasm for the re-make of the St. Anselm School playground happening soon. Good luck and Godspeed with that task. Then a reminder that the The Four Men Sing on December 8 at Manor Road United Church. Below right, fantastic looking Dutch-style hash with a poached egg and sausage is on the menu at the Netherlands cuisine eatery Borrel at 1333 Danforth Ave. Check their Instagram pictures. Lower left, the kids in Room 102 at Davisville Public School were making “empathy creatures” this week. Take a look. And the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, long-known as TNO, will also henceforth be known as just The Neighbourhood Office, also TNO.

LeDrew yanked by Bell for “Two-Spirit” remark on Fox

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Stephen LeDrew, the outspoken commentator of CP24, has been suspended for saying that so-called Two-Spirit people are confused. For those who may not know, a Two-Spirit is a “pan-Indian, umbrella term used by some indigenous North Americans to describe certain people in their communities who fulfill a traditional third-gender (or other gender-variant) role in their cultures.” It’s not a term you will hear often on Bayview Ave. But on Fox News with Tucker Carlson, the former Toronto mayoral candidate and a former president of the Liberal Party of Canada, was somehow engaged to taker part in a discussion of “LGBT inclusivity” and at one point said the term Two Spirit referred to people who are “confused” about their identity. “Two Spirit sounds like there’s someone they don’t know whether they’re fish or a fowl, they don’t know whether they’re frick or frack,” LeDrew said. “So they’re clearly confused.” LeDrew was subsequently suspended by Bell Media for “his violation of the CTV News Policy and Code of Conduct,” according to the company’s vice president of communication, Scott Henderson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=TN957NjgqhU

Creeds Coffee to open at former Second Cup on Bayview

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Creeds Coffee Bar on Dupont St. has confirmed that it will open at 1595 Bayview Ave in January. Sources also confirmed that the new Creeds will accept dry cleaning at the Bayview location. The unusual combination of coffee, confections and dry cleaning is a formula seldom seen. Creeds has become a well-known and frequented hang-out for Annex and west end residents. Creeds Coffee Bar is run by the descendants of the legendary retailer Eddie Creed, the patriarch of the Creed family. They tell a story on their website that Mr. Creed was in Italy a few decades ago finishing up dinner one evening. “As was typical after a nice meal, he was hankering for some decaffeinated coffee and ordered a Sanka. For those of you who don’t remember, Sanka was a brand of instant decaffeinated coffee (one of the first to market). The waiter was a bit confused that Eddie wanted Cinque coffees but when asked to confirm the order, Eddie repeated yes Sanka. A few moments later five espressos landed on the table and laughter ensued as Eddie realized that he’d accidentally ordered five coffees. Eddie always loved coffee and this story is a favourite for retelling among the Creed family. It seemed fitting to name our new custom coffee roast after him. And from one travellers experience at a small café in Italy “Cinque x Creeds Coffee Bar” was born.”

Re-making residential roads safer for cars and pedestrians

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Residents around the funny Y-shaped intersection at Regal Rd. and Springmount Ave in the west end have said for a long time that there was just too much pavement for the cars and too little room for people. This corner northwest of Davenport and Ossington isn’t safe for kids to cross. So as outlined by City News above (and as seen in the composite photo on the left) residents changed the corner with chalk and leaves. You see it before and after along with an artist’s rendering of what it would like with grass in that triangle. It is a reminder of the massive re-work of pavement and greenery at the corner of Randolph Rd. and Kenrae Rd. (right) you have seen recorded in The Bulldog in recent days. Return again to Leaside’s freshly-made spaghetti sidewalk

Sunnybrook Plaza residential units to be 100 percent rental

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The redevelopment of Sunybrook Plaza, which may still be two or three years away, will see the new 16 and 11 tower residential complex offered solely as rental apartments. There will be about 332,000 square feet of such relatively high-end accommodation built into the project along with some 43,000 square feet of retail space. The subject was raised Wednesday at the Leaside Property Owners Association meeting by Councillor Jon Burnside. Sunnybrook Plaza has operated for many decades under the ownership of the RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust Company. Earlier this year, RioCan sold a half interest in the redevelopment to Concert Real Estate Corporation. On completion of the new complex, Concert will operate the residential side of the business and RioCan the retail side. Councillor Burnside said the rental option might give area residents an opportunity to stay in the community after selling their homes without having to buy a major asset.

Josh Matlow in Scarborough calls one-stop subway a crock

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The Video Wheel begins with Ward 22 Councillor Josh Matlow at an LRT meeting in Scarborough where he again challenges the mayor, fellow Councillors and the public in his opposition to the Scarborough subway. Two things are apparent. First, Matlow is right that the proposed one-stop wonder is a wasteful crock (our word). Second, he has exactly zero political downside in these outspoken appearances. If he ever decides to run for mayor, the story may be different. Then in New York, the chancy business of what the eyewitness says and whether it is remotely close to what happened. Take a look.  Below that, a mother directs her underage son to steal the pieces she wants as they sneak around in a jewellery store. And finally, harrowing video of base jumpers leaping off a mountain and winging it into the open door of an aircraft. Crazy for sure.






Dow up 286, Toronto, 99, in explosion of energy euphoria

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The Dow Jones industrial average smashed the 24,000 mark and then some as an abundance of news from Washington, world economies and the US national economy sent the index to a 286 finish. Toronto closed up 99 points with Enbridge leading the way. The Dow was up 359 points at midday Thursday and the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index was having its best day since March. Markets responded positively to reports that Republicans were making progress on President Trump’s legislation to reduce corporate taxes. News reports that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was backing the plan gave supporters hope that the GOP may get enough votes for passage. Carl Icahn issued a warning about the stock market on Thursday. “I really think even though earnings are going to be very good … I just think this thing has gotten into a euphoric state,” he said.  But the investor did acknowledge there is a lot of underlying strength to the market. “It’s run away and there might be a big correction but I can’t say it’s insane.”

GM SEES ELECTRIC CARS AT RETAIL BY 2019

General Motors said on Thursday it expects the commercial launch of self-driving vehicles in dense urban environments in 2019. The No.1 US automaker views electric and autonomous vehicles as the keystones of future transport. It said it believes government regulations will support development of self driving cars in the coming few years.

 

 

Tickled in Leaside, easy parking and where did 7-Eleven go?

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The Leaside neighbour at upper left is the internationally recognized children’s book illustrator Michael Martchenko. He is famous for work like that to the right from the Paper Bag Princess by author Robert Munsch. Mr. Martchenko is perfectly tickled with Leaside just as he tickles millions with his delightful art. Thank you sir. Below that on the right is some carefree parking captured by Frank Alberts at the Leaside Library and posted to Leaside Community. Lower left, regular customers at the 7 Eleven at store #25705 at 975 Danforth Ave. at Donlands Ave. have been stunned to find the place boarded up. Kicked out by Starbucks?  See the East York Chronicle  Middle right is a notice from Wilmar Kortleever asking residents to patronize the 132nd Toronto Scout Group by getting one of their fabulous Christmas trees this Friday through Sunday. First come, first/best choice at Leaside Presbyterian Church on Eglinton at Hanna. Below that is a shot of 141 Davisville Ave. where another Tower-in-the-Park apartment from the 70s is up for additions that cover the park. Ugh. And lastly, take a look at the new gallery along the wall of Avenue Bistro on Bayview Ave. Nice.

 

How Bossy E Syllables help CGS kids learn about words

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Seven-year-olds learn best when they are on the move and Jordan Morneau, Grade 2 teacher over at Children’s Garden School on Eglinton Ave at Hanna Rd. is having a great time creating active learning games for her students. The children have been learning about Open, Closed, and Bossy E syllables. Understanding syllables helps children understand how the order of letters affect vowel sounds. This understanding aids greatly in a child’s ability to decode words when reading and spelling when writing. To better understand Bossy E Syllables, the students were given syllable cards and asked to keep them a secret and then spread out around the room. They then tried to ask different students what their syllable was and match up to make one of their phonics words. Once the students found their match, they came to the carpet to present the full word to the class. Each student took turns explaining and identifying their syllable. The Grade 2s beamed with excitement as they found their partner and explained their syllables like pros. Well done Grade 2s. For more information about CGS programming contact Kelly Scott, Director of Admission, at kscott@cgsschool.com or 416 423 5017 x 43. Check out the CGS blog here.

Eye-catching condo proposed for Mortimer and Broadview

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Applications for an Official Plan Amendment and rezoning were submitted to the City of Toronto last week, seeking approval for a 10-storey condominium development to replace the Whistler’s Grille restaurant at the intersection of Broadview and Mortimer in East York. Proposed by Verton Developments Inc., the plan for 995 Broadview Avenue calls for a striking mid-rise designed by Quadrangle, with an angular jewel-like massing and a randomized window pattern. Urban Toronto and thanks to reader John Spence.  Whistler’s closes after 36 years at Broadview and Mortimer

Lost in BC woods for 36 desperate hours, woman tells story

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Annette Poitras is telling her harrowing story after 36 desperate hours lost in the woods on Eagle Mountain north of Coquitlam last week. She could see the helicopter looking for her but it could not see her. Then, a shocking scene in a war crimes courtroom at The Hague when a convicted man drinks poison and dies after he was sentenced. Below that, huge relief in Tampa as a serial killer is captured. And finally, this flight attendant has been on the job for 60 years and she still loves it. The American Airlines veteran is 81.






“Nightmare LRT work bringing drastic change to Leaside”

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The Ontario government growth plan mandates drastic change ahead for Leaside and there is not much the community can do about it, Jon Burnside told residents at the Leaside Property Owners Association Annual General Meeting Wednesday night. This bitter truth seemed to be both well understood and a deeply resented by many present. “I guess the LRT is going to be a wonderful thing but it is a terrible nightmare, no ifs, ands or buts,” said the Councillor for Ward 26. “The construction nightmare and what comes with higher-order transit is going to drastically change the neighborhood,”  he said. Burnside referenced the “provincial growth plan” which hopes to funnel the 30,000 people who move to Toronto each year mainly along or near those higher-order transit lines like Eglinton Ave.

12,000 PEOPLE AROUND LRT STOPS

He said the planning department applies a formula for density which he stated as 160 people (or jobs) per hectare within a 500 metre radius of a high-order transit stop or station  He said there are 70 hectares within that radius. Thus the population mass is about 12,000 people (or jobs) at each station. “That’s why we’re stuck with development. It’s not a not a matter of stopping it. It’s a matter of managing it.” Burnside noted that the large developments planned for the LRT route across Leaside in Ward 26 have resulted in about eight million dollars in so-called Section 37 funds. These monies are essentially taxes although members of Council often talk about them more like an inheritance. Developers pay for getting variances and creating density.  Mr. Burnside said that the money may be used to build a community centre within the development at 939 Eglinton that RioCan will build on the southeast corner of Eglinton and Laird. This is now known as Leaside Centre.

LPOA

The LPOA AGM was chaired by Carol Burtin Fripp and Geoff Kettel who spoke briefly of the many accomplishment and tasks of the association  Ms Fripp reviewed traffic concerns related to traffic passing through Leaside from the west on the way to the new Costco on Overlea Blvd. The meeting heard from Staff Sergeant James Hogan of 53 Division regarding traffic. Among those seen in the Lea Room at Leaside arena were Vanessa M. Rose and Jon Kieran, the PC candidate in Don Valley West