Reader Gary Slippoy has recorded the last phase of the McDonald’s demolition. Depictions of the new “Leaside” (not Bayview) LRT station are few and it is known that Metrolinx wants to go up, up, up at this corner. We shall see.
ROSEDALE: Giant tree finally gives it up on Rowanwood
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Restoring power to 66 Rowanwood
It was a big one — who knows how many years old — but last night it finally gave up. This huge tree collapsed across sidewalks and driveway on Rowanwood Ave. near Cluny Drive. No one was hurt.
Thousands flee homes as Fort McMurray faces destruction
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This is terrifying scene through the windshield as one family fled Fort McMurray
Thousands of residents of the northern Alberta town of Fort McMurray have fled through flames leaping at them across the only highway out of town as a wildfire seemed set to destroy the community. The local hospital was said to be on fire and many homes and camp grounds have been wiped out. Brian Jean, the member of the Legislature for the area, said flames were encroaching on the city centre and the city’s evacuated hospital was on fire. “Our hospital is on fire, where my children were born,” a sombre Jean told The Canadian Press in an interview. “My home of the last 10 years and the home I had for 15 years before that are both destroyed. “I’m just hoping that the home I grew up in isn’t, but I’m afraid it probably is.”He said businesses that have been in his family for three generations have been destroyed. “It is a devastating impact but I’m hoping that we’ve had no loss of life,” he said. Spectator Global
New rules for taxis and like-taxis leave anger, confusion
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City Council has created a legal category for UberX and given some of the most unpleasant aspects of that business — like arbitrary pricing — to the taxi industry as well. At the end of a rancorous day-long “debate” in which Mayor Tory fandangled more than 100 changes to staff plans, there seems to be mainly anger and confusion. Uber spokespersons said they were pleased to be legal but were not clear what all the new rules really mean. Uber drivers will have to submit their records and photos to the City, not just their employer. But they don’t, apparently, need to take driving lessons and things like the English language are lost somewhere. Cabs can now charge so-called surge fares, so don’t get caught in a crowd outside a theatre. It will cost you. Things like cameras in hired cars has gone without much discussion. No one seems to know where it stands. It is a profound safety element. City Council adopted the massive set of regulations contained in 20 pages and introduced by Tory late Tuesday night. Now it seems that the actual impact of what has been done will be learned by the public in the form of little surprises day by day. Toronto Star report of Wednesday, May 4, 2016 includes concern for future of taxi industry and passenger safety.
York cops find owner of wrong-way car, but who was driver?
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York Regional Police have identified the owner of a car seen speeding the wrong way in Markham but they are still uncertain it seems as to who was behind the wheel. The car, a beige Toyota Corolla,was hurting along 16th Avenue, just east of Markham Road, in front of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School. Based on the video of the car an informant told cops the vehicle plate number. On Wednesday, police located both the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle but they say they are still looking to identify the person who was behind the wheel.
Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig to film on Astor Avenue?
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Excitement is running high on the Leaside Chit Chat Facebook page tonight after Anthony Regan posted word that Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig are filming in Leaside. It is apparently true according to Hollywood websites that the two will star in the movie Downsizing to be made in “Toronto, Canada” but Anthony says he thinks it is going to happen on Astor Ave. All these streets — Astor, Rolph, Bessborough and others are favorite locales for movies and commercials. They’re so — well — middle American. Anyway, the cracks are flying as Regan adds that extras who are willing to appear naked are being solicited (if you will pardon the expression). Here is some of the repartee on Leaside Chit Chat Tuesday night.
South Bayview Pixies plant Purple Beauties Phlox
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A dedicated sisterhood of the Bayview-Leaside BIA’s Pixies is committed to keeping the business district beautiful. Tuesday they were planting Creeping “Purple Beauty” Phlox They are (not necessarily in this order) Helen Godfrey, Kerin Frye, Deborah Kuchme, Joanne Davis and Maggie Rogers. Thank you ladies.
Doors Open event May 28, 29 has many sites close to home
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The 17th annual Doors Open Toronto presented by Great Gulf returns on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2016, offering free and rare access to more than 130 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city. The South Bayview Bulldog has prepared a list of interesting buildings close to home. The Doors Open Toronto 2016 theme of Re-used, Re-visited and Revised will explore the adaptive re-use of buildings throughout Toronto’s architectural history. For more go here
Some locations handy to South Bayview:
The Anglican Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury
1847 Bayview Ave.
416-485-2656
More InformationGlendon Campus, York University – Glendon Hall
2275 Bayview Ave.
416-736-2100
More InformationGlendon Campus, York University – Centre of Excellence
2275 Bayview Ave.
416-736-2100
More InformationCanadian Film Centre (CFC) – Historic Windfields Estates
2489 Bayview Ave.
416-445-1446
More InformationTodmorden Mills Heritage Site
67 Pottery Rd.
416-396-2819
More InformationRichard Johnson Gallery
894 Broadview Ave.
416-755-7742
More InformationBridgepoint Administration Building – Historic Don Jail
1 Bridgepoint Way
416-461-8252
More InformationIsmaili Centre Toronto
49 Wynford Dr.
416-646-6965
More InformationAga Khan Museum
77 Wynford Dr.
416-646-4677
More InformationToronto Botanical Garden
777 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-397-1341
More InformationUpper Canada College
200 Lonsdale Rd.
418-488-1125
More InformationThe Masonic Temple – The Concert Hall
888 Yonge St.
844-618-3192
More Information
Google Chrome squeaks by Explorer as boss browser
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According to web tracker Net Market Share Google Chrome garnered 41.6% of all desktop browser traffic in April, up from 39% in March. Internet Explorer’s share of the market dropped to 41.3%, down from 43.4% This is the first time Chrome has surged ahead of its rival for the top spot says Net Market Share. Firefox follows behind at third with 9.7%, then Safari with 4.9% and Opera commanding a tiny 1.89% share. This accomplishment has no doubt been aided by Google’s ever-present influence in our search for everything but it is still very impressive considering that IE comes bundled on all Windows machines. Those who prefer Chrome have to download it.
INVICTUS: “Good sport” Prince Harry through British eyes
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Man seriously hurt in crash with truck on Oakwood Ave.
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Wreckage at Oakwood and Glenhurst — Tony Smythe Twitter
A motorcyclist estimated to be in his 40s was seriously injured early Tuesday in a crash with a pickup truck on Oakwood Ave. at Glenhurst Ave. north of St. Clair Ave West. It happened about 6 a.m. Oakwood will be closed from St. Clair Avenue West to Conway Avenue for “an extended period”.for accident reconstruction.
She says Drake used song “Too Good” without permission
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Drake has been accused of using a song written by a young singer and presenting it as his own on the new album Views. Singer Keayana Coke says she wrote the song Too Good and that she sent it to Drake’s father, musician Dennis Graham, in a direct message on Instagram.com in February asking for his opinion.