Mt Pleasant and St. Clair a traffic choke point says City

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Frankly it’s easy to be a bit cynical about “the ten busiest intersections” in the City as Mayor Tory and officials have another news conference to talk about making traffic better. We don’t question the sincerity of the mayor or others in their desire to improve traffic speed. But the science behind these busiest intersections is totally absent. In a City like Toronto the idea that ten corners somehow stand out for special treatment — synchronized traffic lights and/or surveillance cameras is a stretch. One of these intersections is Mt. Pleasant Rd. and St. Clair Ave. E. which is certainly a choke point, especially for southbound traffic in the morning. Hope whatever is done truly makes it better.  MAYOR: Mt. Pleasant and St. Clair a corner in need of a fix  Here are the intersections listed by the City.

•         Yonge-Sheppard (Ward 23)

•         Black Creek-Lawrence (Ward 12)

•         O’Connor-Don Mills (Ward 29)

•         Kingston-Lawrence (Ward 43)

•         Finch-Victoria Park (Wards 33, 39 and 40)

•         Eglinton-Martin Grove (Wards 3 and 4)

•         Eastern-Carlaw (Ward 30)

•         Mt. Pleasant-St Clair/Moore (Ward 22 and 27)

•         Bloor-Parliament (Ward 27 and 28)

•         Yonge-Finch (Wards 23 and 24)

What on earth would TTC “microtransit” service look like?

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Out of nowhere it seems comes a discussion at the TTC set for this Wednesday (September 28) on the possible use of “microtransit” to complement everything from buses to subways. The report gives only fragments of the idea and isn’t clear whether the TTC might just hire Uber (ride-sharing) or contract a small firm to run minibuses. The report says that “microtransit” companies could be a solution for neighbourhoods that often go underserved by public  Some of the benefits of using microtransit outlined in the report include supporting people in “hard-to-serve” areas, reducing requirement of large transit vehicles and replacing private automobiles for some travel. The report also outlines several conflicts that could emerge should city council choose to push forward on micro-transit including increased congestion should this service be deployed widely, creating operational conflict with TTC vehicles, attracting ridership, and therefore revenue, away from TTC vehicles.

Fleet St. can’t snicker enough at Justin’s failed high-five

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The Prime Minister’s failed attempt to get Prince George to high-five or shake hands fell flat yesterday. The British media could not get enough.

Arnold Palmer embarrassed to order “an Arnold Palmer”

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Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer has died at age 87 in Pittsburgh near his place of birth. Palmer’s ascent from a greenkeeper’s son to championship player and model of the game is legendary. His legacy is recorded here.  The mostly temperance drink that came to bear his name was created entirely by accident and Palmer has said, as seen below, that he was embarrassed to ask for a drink named after himself.

Elsewhere in your world Monday morning, there is a fuss — no more than that we hope — over a car said to be designed especially for women. (Because it’s 2016?) And there has been a confrontation with some Russian men in Moscow at an exhibit by a U.S. photographer Jock Sturgess alleging that the nudity in his work is child pornography.

Man scalded as molten tar splashed at Danforth and Logan

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A 47-year-old roadworker has been burned by molten tar which was being used to repair the road at Danforth and Logan Aves. Monday morning. The horrifying predicament of this man found him coated in the searing heat of the tar even as it hardened on his body. His release and rapid transportation to hospital required several firefighters grind and cut the tar from his clothes and flesh. The prospect of such torture is unbearable. Nonetheless, the is in hospital and at least some of the opinion seems to think he will survive. The circumstances of the accident seem to defy common sense as sources say the open container of tar was in a moving truck. The vehicle had to brake abruptly and the hot tar splashed on the man, covering much of his body.  The system would seem to have an obvious flaw. “It took us about an hour to extricate him. It was quite an unusual and challenging extrication,”  Toronto Fire Platoon Chief Dave Denysek told Global News..

https://twitter.com/kristend__/status/780390199822053376

Scary Peeper gag yanked for making fun of voyeurism

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Home Depot has pulled the Halloween Scary Peeper Creeper window decoration from its shelves because it is said to make fun of voyeurism. It was mother and teacher Breanne Hunt-Wells who complained to the CBC about the scary mask. She says it is “inappropriate” and makes light of a “sinister, real-life issue that women face in our society.” She notes that voyeurism is a crime in Canada. There are, of course, many things depicted both at Halloween and elsewhere that are crimes in real-life. The CBC raised the issue with Home Depot in Markham and it was agreed that the gag decoration would be withdrawn. The video below is apparently from the maker and seems to show how men and women might react differently to the Scary Peeper Creeper.

 

Toronto solicits applicants for local “OMB” appeal board

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Wildcats battle to 2-2 tie against U.S. Wizards in Providence

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The Leaside Wildcats battled the Boston-area East Coast Wizards (U19) to a 2-2 tie in exhibition play Sunday in Providence, Rhode Island. The tie will partly salve the sting of that 8-1 loss to the Providence College Friars on Saturday. The Cats come home to a couple of practices in Leaside this week before their first game of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League on Friday against the Oakville Hornets. By then the Hornets will have five games behind them. Wildcats and Hornets meet at 8.30 in Oakville at Joshua’s Creek Arenas, 1563 North Service Road E. .

Much excitement as Royals arrive by seaplane in Vancouver

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William and Kate arrived in Vancouver from Victoria by seaplane Sunday and were greeted with giddy crowds at the waterfront. The royal couple visited charities.

Wildlife murals are dedicated at the Pottery Road underpass

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New Faces on columns of the underpass at Todmorden Mills

New murals were dedicated in a ribbon-cutting and sidewalk reception at the Pottery Road underpass at Todmorden Mills Sunday. Mary Fragedakis (Ward 29) and artist Drew Mosley were present to mark the occasion. The murals cover the columns that support the underpass and feature wildlife known to inhabit the Don Valley (depicted above). Pizza was served. The work is supported by the StreetARToronto program

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Mary Fragedakis and muralist Drew Mosley: “We are going cut that ribbon!”

“Hand’s off our shorts” say women protesters in Instanbul

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A protest in downtown Istanbul has seen women (and men) dressed in shorts as they protest an attack on a nurse who was riding a City bus in shorts. The issue arises as it has previously in an increasingly strict country which for many decades led the way for freedom for women.

Large crowds greet Duke and Duchess at B.C. assembly

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