Arena lot now short cut for through traffic to Leaside Bridge

The huge traffic back up on Southvale, Millwood and Laird because of construction on the intersection has prompted many drivers to use the parking lot at Leaside arena as a short cut past the corner. Mostly they enter off Southvale scooting by the long line of vehicles waiting in single file for the red light where there used to be a Yield curve. Sometimes they enter through the exit off Laird Drive and go the other way. The entry off Laird is illegal but it’s not clear that through drivers heading toward Thorncliffe Park (and beyond) are breaking any law. The City is (in its words) doing this to “improve” the intersection which will have audio assistance for the partially sighted and eliminate the Yield curve. The City doesn’t like Yield signs. We can hardly wait.

Harvest moon shines on Maurice Cody outdoor movie night

Thursday evening was lovely and the parents, children, teachers and friends of Maurice Cody School had a double treat as they enjoyed the Belsize Drive school’s outdoor movie night under a magnificent Harvest Moon. The name of the movie was kept a secret but no doubt we will be able to bring it to you in due course. The moon is no secret however. This full moon is given its name because it falls closest to the autumnal equinox (which occurred this year on September 22). And thanks to the photographers on the job. They are Councillor Josh Matlow at the movie and Bruce Murray tweeting the shot of the moon taken at about 7.45 p.m. as it rose over the lake.

Metrolinx staff directing pedestrians at Eglinton/Bayview

Metrolinx staff was out Thursday morning directing pedestrians through the new configuration of construction blockages at Eglinton and Bayview.. There’s lots to learn. To the right are a couple of reminders. Healthy Kids Community Challenge East York wants you to know that October is Walk to School Month. And below that, Daniel Rotsztain’s charming exhibit consisting of more than 100 colouring book sketches of local historic sites and artifacts is on at Todmorden Mills on Pottery Rd. until Oct. 15. The big picture at the bottom says that the Amsterdam Brewery Barrel House on Laird Drive in the Leaside Village is open and rolling (like a barrel). Try it.

Women on Council key to defeating Rob Ford stadium vote

Council voted 24-11 against renaming the stadium at Centennial Park after former mayor Rob Ford. Twelve of the no votes were cast from among the 13 women on Council. Frances Nunziata (Ward 11) was the lone woman to vote in favour. The vote was called because Mayor John Tory recommended the Ford dedication in a letter issued to Councillors on Sept 27. Whatever their individual feelings, it seems clear there was much resentment remaining over Mr. Ford’s chaotic administration. Some put their resistance to the motion in a more distant expression about the naming protocol in general. Jon Burnside (Ward 26) is quoted extensively by CP24: “I do appreciate the generous intent of this motion,” he said. “Unfortunately, I can’t support it. This is obviously a very polarizing debate in regards to Centennial Stadium. However, I think the question is actually bigger than one person. To me, we need to shift our focus and do more to recognize everyday citizens – people who have dedicated hours of their lives to make our City better.”

Result: Lost Majority Required – CC32.12 – Recommendation 1 only
Yes: 11 Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, Mark Grimes, Jim Hart, Stephen Holyday, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza, John Tory 
No: 24 Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Michelle Holland, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Neethan Shan, Michael Thompson, Kristyn Wong-Tam 
Absent: 9 John Campbell, Josh Colle, Justin J. Di Ciano, John Filion, Michael Ford, Jim Karygiannis, Giorgio Mammoliti, James Pasternak, David Shiner 

Couple hit by car as they ran to catch cab on Yonge St.

A young man and woman, both believed to be 21, have been struck and injured as they tried to run across Yonge St. north of Lawrence early Thursday to catch a taxi which was waiting for them. Paramedics say the woman has critical injuries and the man serious non-life-threatening injuries.

East York flag to fly on street signs across former borough

City Council has voted 26 to 11 with seven not voting to approve the use of the 1967 East York flag on street signs in the former borough. The motion was brought by Janet Davis (Ward 31) and Mary Fragedakis (Ward 29). That decision was followed by a vote to extend the sign-privilege to all parts of the City that were described in the debate Wednesday as “legacy Cities”, or those that were amalgamated into the new City of Toronto in 1998, should they so desire.  The motion carried 28-9.  City Council will debate East York flags on street signs

Glass recreation of 1871 fire hall to join original hose tower

Urban Toronto has unearthed plans recently submitted to Toronto’s Planning Department which would create a glass representation of the 1871 fire hall along with the original bricks and mortar hose tower that remains at 484 Yonge Street near Alexander St. Urban Toronto

Northlea blood clinic sees more donors than it can accept

For the first time in recent memory, the semi-annual Leaside Blood Clinic at Northlea school has seen more donors than it is able to accommodate. By 5.30 p.m., with all chairs full, and many donors being processed, it was not possible to accept more walk-in donors, staff said. A count of units collected will be available in the coming hours.

How do you like trying to get to the Leaside bridge now?

Work has begun on the re-make the corner of Laird Drive and Millwood Rd accompanied by seemingly unprecedented traffic backups Wednesday on Millwood, Southvale and Laird. The project, as reported earlier by The South Bayview Bulldog, will eliminate the Yield curve for traffic headed toward the Leaside bridge and points east. Instead, the greatly touted “improved” intersection will stop all traffic at a three-way set of lights. It’s not clear whether there will be a right turn on red permitted onto Millwood southbound/eastbound from Millwood/Southvale. This project seems to come at a particularly bad time in the context of LRT construction. There are no routes out of Leaside to the north or east that are not blocked with construction. There is a belief among many that City Hall has an unstated policy of eliminating Yield signs where it can, especially at intersections where pedestrians may cross. The Yield sign at Millwood/Laird is as good as gone, although it still stood in isolation Wednesday.