blogTO | Posts by joshua

blogTO | Posts by joshua http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2009 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:00:16 PST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Slow Food Picnic Serves Fast Bites at the Brick Works Eco-gourmands descended upon the Brick Works Sunday afternoon to feast on slow food served up by some of Toronto's most prominent locavore chefs, inspired by the cuisine of countries far and wide. With more than 60 food stations - and a personal commitment to trying something from each one - it sometimes felt like a dine and dash to get to the next booth. OK, maybe that's the glutton in me talking.

But at an event like this, it's impossible not to stop and smell the food and fall into lively conversation with a chef, farmer or other guest. The free-flowing wine (15+ wineries) and beer helped too, conveniently intermingled amongst the food purveyors.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/09/slow_food_picnic_serves_fast_bites_at_the_brick_works http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/09/slow_food_picnic_serves_fast_bites_at_the_brick_works Eat & Drink Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:55:24 PDT Eat & Drink Joshua 2009-09-29T08:55:24 Morning Brew: Electric Bikes Given Thumbs Up, Expect Ripped Up Roads in 2010, Alternative to Plastic Bags Required?, No $17 million Community Centre, Lula Lounge Tries to Save Parking Spots, Leafs Lose Photo: "784" by skateboy075, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

E-bikes are now officially allowed on Ontario roads with all the same rules as regular bicycles (except riders must be 16 and wearing a helmet). We should have electric bikes on the streets but I'm not so sure they should be in regular bike lanes; with a top speed of 32 km/h they go substantially faster than most all pedal-powered cyclists. And as an aside, I had no idea that you have to have a disability or be a mail carrier or cop to legally operate a Segway in the province.

Coming Soon: Roadwork near you! Transportation Services is going on a spending spree with $82 million in federal stimulus money. Projects must be done by March 31, 2011 so the city is gearing up for 30-35% more roadwork next summer than usual, making it the busiest summer ever for road-paving. Sadly, those efforts will only account for a drop in the bucket of Toronto streets needing repair.

Are stores that only offer plastic bags - at a nickel per - obligated to provide a free alternative? Councillor Michael Walker says yes but city manager Joe Pennachetti says no. Retailers say they're confused. I'm having a hard time getting past the part where a store's obligation (or lack thereof) to offer bags at all is bylaw regulated. If a store doesn't want to offer any bags at all, that should be their right. Just like it's a customer's right to not shop at a store if they don't like the bag policy.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_electric_bikes_given_thumbs_up_expect_ripped_up_roads_in_2010_alternative_to_plastic_bags_required_no_17_million_community_centre_lula_lounge_tries_to_save_parking_spots_leafs_lose http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_electric_bikes_given_thumbs_up_expect_ripped_up_roads_in_2010_alternative_to_plastic_bags_required_no_17_million_community_centre_lula_lounge_tries_to_save_parking_spots_leafs_lose City Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:58:37 PDT City Joshua 2009-09-28T20:58:37 Morning Brew: Bussin Apologizes, Compost Processor Fired, SickKids Boss Paid $2.7 mil, Balsillie Down (and out), Bad News for Dogs, TTC Driver Breaks Mid-Route Deflating? Photo: "espresso @ Blondie's Cafe" by StartTheFStop, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

Councillor Sandra Bussin revealed herself as - and apologized for being - the "anonymous" Sandra who called into John Tory's radio show last week to defend the mayor - and slam Tory. Known as one of the mayor staunches allies, the move has some councillors salivating over the opportunity to punish Bussin. Seems to me that any councillor pursuing this further is wasting city time and money as much as they claim the Mayor is.

We've heard before that our green bin material often just ends up in the garbage, but The Star followed that compost on its direct route to Michigan. After showing that evidence to the City, garbage manager Geoff Rathbone fired the processor involved. Maybe Toronto needs to get some pigs to handle the organic waste?

Do you have a minute for sick children? Usually that question is followed by a request for money, but in the case of former SickKids Foundation president Michael O'Mahoney, he was given 2.7 million reasons to go away. O'Mahoney suggests he's received far less than the nearly $3 million reported, but at roughly $600,000 per year in salary while with SickKids, it looks like the sick kids themselves are getting the short end of this stick.

Some good news for cancer patients on Avastin in Ontario: ombudsman Andre Marin declared the cut-off for provincial coverage of the treatment arbitrary and unjust, even saying "this situation verges on cruelty." Health Minister David Caplan didn't sound so good trying to defend the current policy, but then again, how could anybody cutting off funding for cancer treatment sound good?

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_bussin_apologizes_compost_processor_fired_sickkids_boss_paid_27_mil_balsillie_down_and_out_bad_news_for_dogs_ttc_driver_breaks_mid-route_deflating http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_bussin_apologizes_compost_processor_fired_sickkids_boss_paid_27_mil_balsillie_down_and_out_bad_news_for_dogs_ttc_driver_breaks_mid-route_deflating City Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:57:52 PDT City Joshua 2009-09-28T20:57:52 Morning Brew: Use those Cell Phones While you Can, Strike Saves Money, Smitherman to Stay Put?, Cat Police too Powerful?, Sundin Retires and Body Worlds Returns Photo: "King Street West, One Headlight" by Toronto Creative, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

Be sure, while driving, to use those cell phones and other hands-on electronic devices while you can. Toronto Police have been advised to expect the new law banning their use while behind the wheel to kick in between late October and late November. It's the classic seat belt debate all over: should you stop using your phone because it's safer (then stop now!), or because it's the law (it's fine 'til November!)?

The so-called garbage strike seems like a long time ago, but the city figured out they saved $33.2 million on garbage - $36.1 million overall - giving councillors some money to argue about how to use. Most suggest the money should roll into next year's operating budget but Councillor Doug Holyday wants a rebate to all residents. By my math residents would get a max of about $14, which hardly seems worth it to me. He's probably just annoyed the city wants to raise garbage fees by a few bucks per household.

Well is he or isn't he? Premier McGuinty assured us yesterday that the mighty Minister Smitherman is "not going anywhere," something somewhat confirmed by Smitherman himself who says he's busy running two big government ministries. Somehow all this has just amplified speculation that the provincial heavyweight will be running for mayor in Toronto next year. Expect an announcement in January, and endless speculation about Smitherman's motives until then.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_use_those_cell_phones_while_you_can_strike_saves_money_smitherman_to_stay_put_cat_police_too_powerful_sundin_retires_and_body_worlds_returns http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_use_those_cell_phones_while_you_can_strike_saves_money_smitherman_to_stay_put_cat_police_too_powerful_sundin_retires_and_body_worlds_returns City Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:56:29 PDT City Joshua 2009-09-28T20:56:29 Morning Brew: Luxury Condos on the Rise, Ignatieff Hurting, Bagshaw Sentenced, No Smoked Meat at Caplansky's, and Instant Starbucks Photo: "Change Room at Night" by sevennine, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

More condos! The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton opened a presentation office, one of at least a dozen luxury condo developments on the go in Hogtown, suggesting this economy ain't so bad after all. I guess all the news about the recession being over is true... if you can afford a luxury condo.

The taxpayer-funded provincial Criminal Injuries Compensation Board is meant to award money to victims of crime, but the Star has found the money is doled out most readily - and perhaps inappropriately - to police officers. Joe Wamback's teenage son was nearly beaten to death in Newmarket but couldn't get any money from the Board; police officers have received money for getting bit not hard enough to break the skin, a fractured finger and more. It's not that these officers don't deserve consideration, but there's workplace insurance that already covers them; victims often need - and certainly deserve - financial support.

Thursday was to be Ignatieff's glory day, bringing down Harper et al and launching into an election he must have been sure he could win. Now that the NDP will support Harper - the government will stand - Iggy must be secretly counting his blessings as the Liberals have slipped in national opinion polls and the resignation of Denis Coderre as Quebec lieutenant and defence critic is a potentially crippling blow to the party. Ignatieff might just start to squirm in the leader's seat if he doesn't bring on more non-Torontonian advisors to his inner circle.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_luxury_condos_on_the_rise_ignatieff_hurting_bagshaw_sentenced_no_smoked_meat_at_caplanskys_and_instant_starbucks http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/morning_brew_luxury_condos_on_the_rise_ignatieff_hurting_bagshaw_sentenced_no_smoked_meat_at_caplanskys_and_instant_starbucks City Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:55:43 PDT City Joshua 2009-09-28T20:55:43 LCBO Coming to King and Spadina Buying liquor near King and Spadina will no longer mean heading to Liberty Village, Chinatown or the Financial District as the LCBO is preparing to open a big new store to serve the large condo district. If all goes according to plan the store will open in December.

News of this LCBO came over a year ago, when Councillor Adam Vaughan applauded the LCBO's decision to enter the neighbourhood but urged them to re-think the "fairly dead suburban-style frontage" that was planned in favor of a design that would mesh with the many little storefronts of the downtown location.

Now that the banner has gone up announcing the impending store opening, the LCBO has a plan that they think will suit the area.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/08/lcbo_coming_to_king_and_spadina http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/08/lcbo_coming_to_king_and_spadina Eat & Drink Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:10:16 PDT Eat & Drink Joshua 2009-08-28T12:10:16 On The Cutting Veg of Urban Farming The Cutting Veg has a bold goal - aiming to cultivate personal, social, environmental and economic health. But for Daniel Hoffmann and his farm, that's exactly the mission, and he's doing it through organic agriculture. With a farm just off Highway 427 in Brampton.

It's the rare professional farmer who can find himself waking up in a big city like Toronto and still be on the farm by 5:30am, but for Hoffmann it's all in a day's work. His large variety of vegetables, especially his 15,000 heads of garlic, grow well under the Brampton sun, and Daniel doesn't have to buy a whole farm - at least not yet.

Plus, he welcomes a veritable fleet of interns and volunteers to the farm, which is how I found myself waking up as the sun rose one Sunday morning, to go pick some weeds in Brampton.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/08/on_the_cutting_veg_of_urban_farming http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/08/on_the_cutting_veg_of_urban_farming Eat & Drink Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:50:28 PDT Eat & Drink Joshua 2009-08-24T14:50:28 LCBO Coming to Roncesvalles Area People love living in Roncesvalles and people love their beer, wine and liquor, but shopping at an LCBO will only require leaving the neighbourhood for one more year.

The LCBO has decided to open up shop in the plaza at the southeast corner of Dundas and Bloor, alongside a Loblaws and Zellers. If all goes according to plan, Roncesvalles residents will be able to walk for their wine in spring or summer of 2010 - most likely before their street is done being dug up.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/08/lcbo_coming_to_roncesvalles_area http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/08/lcbo_coming_to_roncesvalles_area Eat & Drink Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:41:42 PDT Eat & Drink Joshua 2009-08-12T23:41:42 Morning Brew: Councillor Receives Legal Aid, Champion Blue Jays Back in Town, 130 km/hr Over Speed Limit Photo: "swish" by tcp909, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

Councillor Sandra Bussin will get the legal aid she wanted from the city for her libel case, but she may be the only one, as the city also decided against making it an ongoing policy. Granting a councillor free access to the courts is a slippery and dangerous slope, but Councillor Girogio Mammoliti sees it differently. His sensitive skin is a bit too thin, his ego perhaps a bit too big.

There's no doubt in my mind that the best way to fly into or out of our city is on Porter, via the City Centre Airport. The only nuisance? Waiting on the ferry. So it's not too surprising to me that only 31% of Torontonians are opposed to a pedestrian tunnel. It's dated now, but the underground walkway at Chicago's O'Hare airport between United terminals was a destination until airport security rules changed and you needed a ticket to access the area. Besides, an amazing tunnel connecting the airport to the city will be a lot cheaper than the rail connection to Pearson.

The news that the economy is on the mend and the slow rebound of financial markets must be little solace for the 45,000 people who lost jobs in July and the 8.6% of the population overall who find themselves unemployed.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_councillor_receives_legal_aid_champion_blue_jays_back_in_town_130_kmhr_over_speed_limit http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_councillor_receives_legal_aid_champion_blue_jays_back_in_town_130_kmhr_over_speed_limit City Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:49:11 PDT City Joshua 2009-08-04T08:49:11 Morning Brew: Balsillie's Bid Back on Table for Coyotes, Union Station to Get Major Facelift, TTC Plants a Green Roof Photo: "DSC_1023 v2" by collations, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

The garbage strike and now the garbage cleanup just keep making the news. After hearing that no overtime would be authorized (although that was said with caveats), now we learn that striking workers have already been able to recoup 21% of lost wages via weekend cleanup overtime, with more to come this week. With unlimited refuse amounts being allowed at the curb, 20% more trucks are being used and workdays are roughly 20% longer. Some say it's necessary to rid the city of stinking trash piles. Others say it's an incentive to strike. I say all I know is that my block never smelled worse than it did yesterday after the collection truck came through.

He may still be skating on thin ice, but billionaire Balsillie is back bidding on the Coyotes. An Arizona judge decided that "any and all" bidders should be able to have a go at the financially-troubled hockey club on September 10th. ~~The NHL~~ Gary Bettman may not like Balsillie, but really, nobody will bid more for the team and nobody seems as likely to commit to putting a winner on the ice - and fill the seats each and every night.

The western Premiers may be facing an uphill battle to change EI qualifying rules the way they want. According to a federal analysis, the Premiers' plan to impose unified standards to qualify for EI across the country would backfire, with nearly half of Canadians receiving fewer benefits than they get now while 35% see more. Of course the Conservatives' plan may backfire too if they can't find common ground with the Liberals; if the last two weeks are a strong indication, Canadians can expect to go to the polls (again) this fall. Silly me, I didn't realize my Thanksgiving turkey was supposed to come with a side of election.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_balsillies_bid_back_on_table_for_coyotes_union_station_to_get_major_facelift_ttc_plants_a_green_roof http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_balsillies_bid_back_on_table_for_coyotes_union_station_to_get_major_facelift_ttc_plants_a_green_roof City Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:48:41 PDT City Joshua 2009-08-04T08:48:41 Morning Brew: City Council Moves Up Agenda Items, Electric Cars Jolted by Queen's Park, Garbage Refund in the Works? Photo: "storms will come, this we know for sure, tell me baby, can you stand the rain." by Aubrey Arenas, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

Anybody not stuck in a windowless (and soundproof) box yesterday noticed we got a bit of rain, but GO Transit commuters trying to access Mimico were particularly affected when a section of track got washed out - something that will affect riders today as well. Hopefully GO Transit has a more effective plan in place today to avoid the big backups and confusion of last evening.

A month and a half of no City Council meetings apparently puts some deals in jeopardy (go figure), so a $640 million plan to update Union Station is jumping the agenda queue - and bypassing committee - to be discussed at today's meeting. Also moved up on the agenda are several real estate matters: leasing the Guild Inn to Centennial College and land expropriations for Transit City projects. I can appreciate Council's desire to keep the deals in the air, but such big matters probably should still go through committee. After business was disrupted for so long, would it be so hard to rearrange the Council calendar to work in committee or general council meetings that allow for a more full review? Or are these just big ticket items getting rubber stamped?

A four alarm fire at an auto body shop west of Westlake, on the Danforth, last night is being ruled suspicious. Concerns of blazing chemicals led officials to evacuate the area, but I guess testament to the overly mild summer we have is that TTC buses were brought in to keep residents warm.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_city_council_moves_up_agenda_items_electric_cars_jolted_by_queens_park_garbage_refund_in_the_works http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_city_council_moves_up_agenda_items_electric_cars_jolted_by_queens_park_garbage_refund_in_the_works City Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:48:12 PDT City Joshua 2009-08-04T08:48:12 Morning Brew: NDP to become DP? More Listeria in Maple Leaf Meat? Do Toronto FC Have a Chance Against Real Madrid? Photo: "Biking in High Park" by thru the night, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

The garbage strike created a big mess (collection resumes today!) but perhaps even messier is the implementation of the Green Bin program. According to workers and managers, they have routinely been mixing green bin "compost" with garbage trucked to a Michigan landfill. The workers, fresh off their new deal, seem to blame the quantity of green bin material collected while admitting it's wrong to send it with regular garbage. Maybe the mayor needs to refocus his attention, clearing his mind of vacation banks.

The not-so-new New Democratic Party may soon simply be the Democratic Party. DP doesn't roll off the tongue like NDP but as part of an effort to rebrand the party, dropping the "New" from a nearly half century old name (and party) makes some sense. But are they trying to channel Obama and his Democratic Party? Safe to say there won't be a donkey - or blue - in any new look Dems.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_ndp_to_become_dp_more_listeria_in_maple_leaf_meat_do_toronto_fc_have_a_chance_against_real_madrid http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_ndp_to_become_dp_more_listeria_in_maple_leaf_meat_do_toronto_fc_have_a_chance_against_real_madrid City Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:08:19 PDT City Joshua 2009-08-03T21:08:19 Morning Brew: Garbage Goes Away, Civic Holiday Closures, Clubbing in the Annex Annoying Residents Photo: untitled by aggie_sai, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

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

Go on strike, don't get paid. That's the gist of how it works, the possibility of union-provided compensation aside. But striking Toronto indoor and outdoor workers were able to negotiate earning sick leave and vacation time while on strike. Although supposedly standard practice, it seems awfully good for the union to bank sick time while on strike when a major reason they went on strike was the issue of the city trying to cut bankable sick leave. But will the deal be Miller's "poison pill," or perhaps his successor's? Stay tuned.

Rain, rain, go away... err, trash, trash, go away [don't] come again another day... The trash piles are dwindling and city services are ready to get back to normal this week. I'll be interested to see just how big the trash piles are at the curb come collection day, or if most people used the dumps.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_garbage_goes_away_civic_holiday_closures_clubbing_in_the_annex_annoying_residents http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/08/morning_brew_garbage_goes_away_civic_holiday_closures_clubbing_in_the_annex_annoying_residents City Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:45:19 PDT City Joshua 2009-08-03T08:45:19 Roncesvalles Dug Up The new-look Roncesvalles Avenue is finally on its way, but from now until January the new look involves only one northbound lane of traffic, jack hammering construction, and general navigation challenges.

The view of Roncesvalles and High Park is already mighty different than it was two months ago, and although the show must go on, it's not clear to me how the Polish Festival is going to work this year.

But the issue right now is getting around the neighbourhood. Most intersections are still open and there are a few sections with parking and two-way traffic still available, but much of Roncesvalles from Dundas to Queen is one lane only and the busy Roncesvalles/High Park/Fermanagh intersection at the midpoint amounts to a big trench at the moment.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/07/roncesvalles_dug_up http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/07/roncesvalles_dug_up City Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:53:21 PDT City Joshua 2009-07-27T10:53:21 Queen West to Be Garbage Free The garbage is piling up and the strike continues so three Queen West BIAs have pooled their resources to keep Queen Street from University to Roncesvalles free and clear of litter. According to today's press release Mark the Litter Guy will be leading the effort, organizing a team of volunteers to do a sweep of one of Toronto's marquee streets. In exchange, Mark will receive at least 3 days pay each week and the thanks of a grateful community.

Two years ago in the wake of city cutbacks to the sanitation force Mark was collecting an average of 80 bags of trash daily. I can only imagine the quantity of bags Mark and his team will collect in the wake of a strike.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/07/queen_west_to_be_garbage_free http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/07/queen_west_to_be_garbage_free City Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:32:13 PDT City Joshua 2009-07-13T09:32:13