There was lots fun of Friday midday on the southwest corner of Bayview and Eglinton Aves. as multiple bucket trucks from Hydro One performed unknown adjustments. On the ground however, there was a happy police presence for those heading to Tim Hortons. Coffee and doughnuts lunchers were practically under police escort as they approached. This to keep them out from under the constantly moving buckets. Once inside, coffee and doughnuts. Wild and crazy.
Developer and builder Shane Baghai has given $250,000 to the fund to renovate the playground in Trace Manes Park, a place which was much-loved by Georgia Walsh. Georgia, 7, died in 2014 when hit by van as she ran home from the playground. Her mom, Jillian has created and driven a campaign to raise $1.2 million to convert the 1950s playground into a modern, safer and more entertaining place for local kids. Plans include rubberized tiles underfoot for safety, a modern splash pad and many other improvements. With this addition, the fund to rebuild the playground stands at about $850,000. The goal is within sight but there is more work to be done. A home-stretch fundraising campaign between now and December 31st is underway. Everyone is asked to give what he/she can by going to the Remembering Georgia Walsh website. The donation from Mr. Baghai, whose firm is applying to build a condominium on the land known as 3-5 Southvale, was announced by Jon Burnside (Ward 26). He said the developer did this out of “the goodness of his heart”. The development on Southvale is apparently not large enough to force the Section 37 fund donation usually required of builders. In addition, said Burnside, Baghai donated $50,000 to the Bayview-Leaside BIA to be used as it sees fit. City of Toronto Planning
UPDATE: (8:40pm, November 18, 2016) The van with 16 dogs inside stolen in downtown Toronto Friday morning has been located, Toronto police have confirmed. Apparently all of the dogs have been accounted for, are being reunited with their owners. The van had been left running to keep the air conditioning going while the walker went to fetch another dog. The Bulldog loves a happy ending!
https://twitter.com/shannonlovestv/status/799680099465334784
Here are two stories to make you believe in people again. A Phoenix grandmother has responded to a text from an absolute stranger to by inviting him and his entire family to her U.S.Thanksgiving dinner. Below, the wonderful story of how a Bencia, California cop was touched by the hard work and tough times of a young man and what he and his colleagues did about it. .
The Toronto Police Board has adopted new rules for the practice known widely as carding. That’s the stopping of citizens — usually young men — to ask what they are doing. It can’t be fun for those who are stopped. On the other hand, is it the life-changing trauma so many critics of carding claim. The police have long insisted that carding “follows the crime.” It goes where there are break-ins and thefts. It is said to be welcomed by many people who live in such areas. But this is an argument that has no traction with those opposed. And so it seems carding will continue to be a battleground with the police insisting that there are real advantages to the practice.
The much-loved Yule fundraiser of Rosedale United Church will open again this year at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the church. It is at 159 Roxborough Drive at Glen Road. All are welcome to this joyous event. Come early if you want to catch some of the famous egg salad sandwiches for lunch. Last year’s notice is here: Rosedale’s Holly Berry once again graces South Bayview
Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada have unveiled two plaques this week at the Eglinton Theatre, now the Eglinton Grand, honouring the Art Deco pinnacle of architecture as rendered by the legendary theatre-design firm of Kaplan & Sprachman Architects of Toronto. The theatre itself is now a National Historic Site. It opened in April 1936. The event and some history of the Eglinton are recorded by Urban Toronto and fun to read. The Eglinton is a repository of wonderful memories for millions of people who passed through in its 80 years of life. When it opened it was known as the Showplace of Toronto
Opening Night 1936 — You can smoke in the Loge Circle
Newly paved Eglinton Ave. the place to visit a modern movie theatre
Donald Trump has astonished many journalists and others by asking Mitt Romney to meet him this weekend. Equally surpising, Romney accepted. The 2012 Republican candidate was among the earliest and most bitter of opponents of Trump as the 2016 nominee. Now, says CNN, the two men are set to meet to discuss “governing moving forward” and potentially a role for Romney in Trump’s Cabinet. Some have mentioned Secretary of State.
Canadian Forces website hacked, redirecting to State Council of China https://t.co/JaCVTaOKl7
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) November 17, 2016
Chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat is touting her scheme for grass between the train tracks on the above-ground portion of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. That would be nice, especially if it works. Today Keesmaat tweeted pictures of how it is done in Paris where such rights-of-way exist. In articles online they call the green stuff turf. Astroturf? Apparently not as they also installed sprinkler systems. It’s not unknown. In the past, as in the New Orleans antique line (below) there was grass. But it is hard to keep it from turning to mud as the photo shows. In her tweet, the planner says “This (Paris) is our design for Eglinton — and they said it couldn’t be done!”
Paris tramway grass would make a landscaper green (ahem) with envy
New Orleans antiques a tourist attraction but grass is under pressure
There is enormous interest no doubt generated by that transit mega hub to be built where subway and LRT meet. Towers already announced make some wonder if we know what we are doing.
Wow! According to @metromorning there are more planning applications at Yonge & Eg than entire City of Boston. Staff Resources: 2 vs 12
— Richard Joy (@RichardJoyTO) November 17, 2016
