Now he wants to talk. Mayor Rob Ford was eager to answer questions yesterday at Metro Square only a day after he refused to comment on the recent TCHC news or the federal election at his graffiti-removal photo-op. About the recent hiring of Gordon Chong? Ford says he's the best man for the job. Ford also stood behind deputy Doug Holyday's plan to tighten the city councillor expense policy. "There will be no more $12,000 retirement parties, bunny suits, all the other nonsense that I call it, just a waste of taxpayer money," he said. But Ford again stayed away from the federal election, refusing to endorse any party. Asked what candidates should do to sway Toronto voters, Ford was hesitant. "I'm not going to pass the buck. I'm responsible for our city and I'm not going to blame the provincial or federal government. Whatever they can do, whatever they think is the appropriate measure, I appreciate it."

Toronto's waterfront has fallen behind other global cities like Vancouver and London — it's car-dependent and lacks a certain "oomph". But architect Moshe Safdie, who's working on one of Toronto's most exciting condo projects, wants to change all that by looking to the East, like China and Singapore, for progressive inspiration. He talks with the Globe and Mail, saying he wants Toronto politicians to start dreaming big about their architecture.

Lacking a certain stealth, or classiness, that most art thieves seem to possess (or at least they do in the movies), artsy thieves simply smashed a storefront window and took off with the artwork inside. According to police, an alarm went off at the Odon Wagner Gallery, at 196 Davenport Rd., in the upscale Yorkville area early on Thursday. The stolen paintings, valued at an estimated $73,000, are Wild Fields by Greg Harris, Still Life With Flowers by Weidong Wang and Seated Lady With Fan by Zhao Kaolin.

I don't even know what constitutes "suspicious looking meat" but obviously it's important if the police are called in. Peel Regional Police are investigating after a Mississauga man, while walking his dog on Culham Trail, came across what was believed to be some suspicious looking meat. Police say it appeared as though the meat was deliberately placed on the walking path for some reason. If anyone has information about this "strange" meat, despite the vague description, they're to call Crime Stoppers. Is anyone else getting hungry now?

IN BRIEF:

• Tastier street foods coming to Toronto
• 45 Reasons Leafs Fans Have Reason to Hope--for next year
• Assault at York University being called "homophobic"

Photo by Greg Vassie in the blogTO Flickr pool.