We're nearing the end of Day 12 of the unionized city workers strike, and Toronto is neither in a state of total mayhem nor is it clearly on its way to becoming a diseased-filled cesspool. But things are definitely getting messy and stinky in some parts. Garbage is piling up at residents' homes and it's overflowing at some of the temporary dump sites in parks.

Not everyone has the ability to store their own waste. Not everyone has the time or the courage to cross picket lines, or the physical ability to take their garbage to one of the city's temporary garbage dump sites or the few larger, permanent transfer stations. This is where established private companies, and other, less established (some cash hungry opportunists, no doubt) come in.

Private garbage collection services are seemingly popping up in this city faster than poutine restaurants and construction pylons.

Last week's announcement by Kodak that they were discontinuing their iconic Kodachrome slide film made me wonder what's become of the Kodak lands where their Canadian factory stood for 80 years. The disappearance of Kodachrome is just one more milestone in the end of the film era of photographic history, but for me, the closure and demolition of Kodak's Mount Dennis plant four years ago was the one that rang the death knell resoundingly.

There's nothing left of the Mount Dennis plant but Building 9, though that might not be the case for much longer - the former home of Kodak's employee centre is a derelict hulk, open to the elements and the depredations of local kids who've smashed nearly everything breakable and covered the walls with graffiti tags. Metrus Properties, the developer who demolished the plant two years ago, has obviously put the preservation of the sole remnant of what was once called Kodak Heights at the bottom of their list of priorities, and it's hard to imagine it still being around when Metrus - or anyone - finally gets around to breaking ground.

As Toronto's transportation expands, many citizens are finding new ways to get from point A to point B. Whether it's on a bike, rollerblades or a long board, Torontonians are trading their gas-powered wheels for muscle power. With the weather improving to summer-like conditions in the past week, it's no wonder Toronto is seeing more alternative modes of transportation on its streets.

Surprisingly, the kick scooter is popularizing among Torontonians. Some of this may be attributed to warmer weather. Many overlook this simple 'toy', and some may even laugh, but on closer inspection, it tends to be an efficient piece of machinery. I was especially shocked when I saw a businessman on his blackberry riding down Bay St. He flew by all the other pedestrians on his shiny red scooter. At that point, I began to look at the toy as a serious way to get around, particularly when used for shorter distances. With that in mind, I borrowed my friend's scooter to see what all the rave was about.

Photo: "Riding in Style" by Gabi~, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

A fight that was caught on surveillance video near Yonge-Dundas Square on June 20th (and resulted in a man nearly dying and being knocked into a coma for over a week) also shows a number of witnesses who haven't come forward to help police identify the suspect. One witness even appears to be recording the incident on video on her cell phone. Hopefully she isn't saving the video for her friends' amusement or for a yet-to-be created Toronto Cell Phone Fights YouTube account.

A massive fire that gutted a Mississauga townhouse complex that was still under construction, causing over $10-million in damage, appears to have been arson. Surveillance video shows a figure dressed head to toe in black, lurking around the site before the fire began. The problem is that the still images from the video show nothing more than a figure dressed in black... not much to go on, unless witnesses with a better description can be found.

When an accident results in a radio station's helium-filled mascot flying away, and that mascot happens to be a pig, it makes you wonder if it was an accident or a clever publicity stunt. The media love telling stories that start with cheesy lines like "we all know pigs don't fly, but yesterday in Barrie..." There's a $1000 reward offered for the person that finds the runaway balloon.

Who would have thought that a group of unassuming, derelict buildings in Bowmanville, standing in the tall grass about an hour's drive East of Toronto, was once a Nazi POW camp which held some of Hitler's most notorious U-Boat commanders and captured officers? Several recent fires have partially destroyed this rare and beautiful property, which will soon most likely be razed to make way for a housing complex.

The historical merit of such a property was given in detail in a recent Toronto Star article. But I would like to show you Camp 30 as I saw it on a recent visit. These pictures remind us of the stories that remain here, stories which remain untold.

Photo: "Open For Business!" by dzgnboy, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

There are a number of things I like doing in the dark... like watching fireworks, catching fireflies, and... sleeping. One thing I've never tried (intentionally, anyhow) is eating in the dark. Toronto's first dining-in-the-dark restaurant has just recently opened. I guess the chefs at O. Noir need not worry too much about presentation, eh?

A St. Catharines man has been awarded $50,000 in punitive damages after a judge agreed that he'd been unjustifiably Tasered and falsely arrested back in 2003. The moral of the story? Don't yell "Hey, Baby!" to a police officer unless you want to get zapped and spend 6 years of your life fighting for your rights in court for a measly $50k.

Toronto police officers, especially those on bikes, have a problem with body armour in the summer - it's just too hot to wear it and remain hydrated, comfortable, and free of sweaty pits. Although current Kevlar vests are several times lighter than steel, they still create a dilemma for our boys and girls in blue. Until new technology comes about, I guess it'll continue to have to be a trade off - if you want protection, you have to be uncomfortable.