The Bulletin is Downtown Toronto's Best Read Community Newspaper

Volume IX No. VIII

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

News Index


	Top Stories
	Local News
	Editorial
	Columns & Views
	Inspiration & Motivation
	Bruce Bell
	Letters to the Editor
	City Politics
	Downtown Seen
	Local Business
	Arts & Life
	Restaurant Reviews
	Local Sports

Calendar

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Letter to the Editor

Local Business

Cabbagetown BIA holds 2009 AGM

The BIA held its annual general meeting in the Dr Joseph Rizal Hall at the Filipino Centre on Parliament St. this month. It was a very well-equipped facility and the staff worked hard to ensure that the event went along smoothly. The meeting went like clockwork with business and ... Full Story

Our Market improves

In November, St. Lawrence Market celebrated its 205th anniversary in addition to Toronto’s 175th birthday. As Torontonians took the opportunity this year to mark the city’s developments and achievements and look forward to Toronto’s future growth and change, the Market’s festivities focused on celeb... Full Story

Toronto bids a fond farewell to the Carlton Cinema

It's been the gathering place for Toronto cinephiles for the last three decades. Now the Carlton Cinema, which opened in 1981, has drawn its curtains for the last time on December 6, putting an end to a great and storied history. One of the last remaining shoebox multiplexes, the Carl... Full Story

Designers take a dare for foundation

Queen West residents and designers Chris Tyrell and Jim Searle of Hoax Couture took part in the Dare to Wear Love fashion show on Oct. 23.The show featured gowns with a Western design but made out of fabrics sourced from African communities. Over 25 designers and celebrity models took part.The Steph... Full Story

CIBC branch at Bay & College celebrates 50th anniversary

In celebration of 50 years of providing banking services at Bay and College, the CIBC branch at 790 Bay Street is showed its appreciation by hosting an open house on Oct. 1 for clients and the general public. To mark the 50th anniversary, CIBC donated $3,500 this morning to support a local after-sc... Full Story

Visit our Kitchen

I realize that I’m biased when I say that St. Lawrence Market is one of Toronto’s greatest public spaces. I know that I’m not alone in knowing that we have, right in our own backyard, one of the world’s best markets.What makes our Market a celebrated destination is that it’s more than just a place t... Full Story

Natural smoking cessation by needle

Every Sunday at 1 p.m., Downtown resident, acupuncturist, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Anastasia Cohen offers a community ear acupuncture program for those who wish to quit nicotine or other addictions, improve sleep and manage stress. The drop-in group sessions are $10 and space ... Full Story

GP welcomes new patients

A much-needed new walk-in general medical services clinic opened Downtown in August.The Compass Medical Centre is located in the Metro Centre at 200 Wellington St. W., Concourse Level, Suite 450. Dr. C. Joanna De Los Santos, MD, CCFP, presides.Dr. De Los Santos is a family doctor who recently finish... Full Story

Having ruined canola, Monsanto threatens alfalfa

Eighty groups including farmer associations and food businesses from across Canada joined the growing call to stop the introduction and field-testing of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa.The alfalfa in question is genetically modified by Monsanto to be tolerant to the company’s brand name herbicide ... Full Story

Tories want to cripple Canada with anti-pot law

Supporters of cannabis law reform will be rolling into Niagara Falls on Saturday, April 18, to bring attention to the need to end the expensive and destructive policy of cannabis prohibition, and in particular to Conservative “get tough” drug legislation that would, for the first time in Canadian hi... Full Story

A new twist on 'Who's on First?'

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their famous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this: COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den an... Full Story

Canadian doctors spurn hazardous fluoridation of water

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) does not support fluoridation of drinking water for the following reasons. 1) The decline in caries in communities that are fluoridated has been highly significant -- but so has the decline that has occurred in non-fluoridated communi... Full Story

St. Lawrence Market N'hood BIA wins Green Award

The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) and Toronto Association of BIAs (TABIA) Business Improvement Area presented their annual awards at the 2009 National BIA conference held at the Delta Chelsea in Toronto on Tuesday March 31st, 2009. The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA (S... Full Story

Lifelong learners give George Brown top marks

George Brown’s continuing education program scored high marks in a recent CCI Research provincial continuing education survey.The college's continuing education division took top honours in quality of instructors, quality of courses, overall ease of registration, and classroom or lab equipment, amon... Full Story

Author visits Rose Ave PS

Children's writer Charis Cotter (above) is shown with a very small sample of the kids who attended a highly energized Family Reading Day to celebrate Black History Month at Rose Avenue Public School in St. Jamestown last month. The event was organized by the office of George Smitherman MP, the St. J... Full Story

Park plans take root

The city unveiled ambitious plans to connect two Downtown parks with an elaborate boulevard at a recent community meeting Feb. 3 at Metro Hall.Clarence Square Park, located at Spadina north of Front St., and Victoria Memorial Square are set for makeovers that will drastically change the esthetics of... Full Story

St. Jamestown youth bound for D.C.

The Yonge St. Mission and Banyan Youth sent five members of the St. James Town Youth Council to the exciting PowerShift 2009 idea-sharing event in Washington, D.C., from Feb. 26 to March 2.In Washington, they participated along with 10,000 other youth from across the continent in PowerShift 2009, an... Full Story

Harbourfront honcho named

Carl Carter was named executive director of the Queens Quay Harbourfront BIA on Feb. 9.“QQHBIA is fortunate to have Carl as our newly appointed Executive Director, particularly as we embark on a number of new strategic initiatives,” said board chair Kevin Currie. “He has a solid track record of achi... Full Story

Monster media stealing our Internet

In the coming days the federal communications regulator will issue a landmark ruling that has huge implications for Canadians' access to the Internet. The CRTC decision will determine whether Bell, Rogers and other big telecoms can continue to "throttle" Internet service. Please take a few seconds t... Full Story

Cabbagetown BIA examines proposals for change

The BIA has engaged David Orsini, a landscape architect from Sunarts Design, to prepare a master plan for future change on Parliament, Carlton and Gerrard. He’s looking at the physical features in these areas in order to make them friendlier for pedestrians, more inviting for shoppers and greener an... Full Story

Whistling up biz award

Ernst & Young recognized Greg Taylor and Cam Heaps, co-founders of Steam Whistle Brewing, as Entrepreneurs of the Year in the consumer products category. The brewery, located in the John St. Roundhouse, was lauded for their “singular focus: to make one beer of exceptional quality that Canadians... Full Story

Local gem gurus shine at awards

Downtown resident Gillian Batcher (left), co-owner of Jewel Envy studio on Spadina, was presented with an Excellence in Design award from the Design Exchange on Nov. 25. Fellow co-owner Andrea den Elzen (right) of Leslieville has also earned accolades as a finalist for a Niche Award in the gold jewe... Full Story

Front Street juice joint gets squeezed out

When fitness adherent Paul Vorvis carried over his father’s fruit juice and health-drink business from Yonge Street to Front and Jarvis in 2000, he planned to stay until he retired many decades later. At 47, that retirement from the juice business —at least temporarily—may start Nov. 13. That’s wh... Full Story

Local experts turn skills into seminars

Island resident Christopher Pinheiro is one lucky guy. He’s managed to turn his passion for food into a paid gig teaching one of Harbourfront Centre’s fall workshops. Pinheiro, owner of Yum Scrum Mum on Toronto Island and a devout foodie, is leading a tour-cum-course called “Explore Toronto's... Full Story

BIA hires private security guards to patrol Chinatown

The Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA) has hired the guards to patrol the neighborhood and keep a watch out for the small crimes that Toronto police are often too busy to deal with - things such as trespassing, shoplifting, pickpocketting and loitering. Stephen Chan, chair of the BIA... Full Story

Local shops speak out at the OMB to save their livelihoods

In an attempt to stop Smart!Centres’ application to rezone 19 acres of employment land to retail with 1700 parking spots, east end business owners will begin to give testimony based on their own direct experience. John Rait, owner of Pentimento on Queen says, “all over North America it’s b... Full Story

Wing Machine cleans up notorious Cabbagetown corner

Wing Machine has moved from their small takeout location near Carlton to a bright new spot at Parliament and Spruce. They’ve cleaned up a site that was previously plagued with disruptive drunks and drug dealers plus they’ve turned a shabby corner into an inviting new eatery. The... Full Story

Resale housing sales ease in March, TREB

Low inventory levels kept the Greater Toronto Area resale housing market brisk but well off record levels last month, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill announced today."Overall sales in the GTA declined 22 per cent compared to March 2007, 27 per cent in the city and 18 per cen... Full Story

Toronto Entertainment District announces new BIA

The poll results are in, and the Entertainment District is now home to Toronto’s newest Business Improvement Area (BIA). Local business and commercial property owners voted to approve this BIA, which will allow them to work together on beautification initiatives, capital improvements, busin... Full Story

Safety order issued against First Canadian Place

The city has issued a work order against First Canadian Place to remedy unsafe situations after a marble panel on its exterior wall fell. To ensure public safety, the Toronto Police Service closed streets adjacent to the building including King, Bay and Adelaide.The city, police and First Canadian P... Full Story

Sony buys naming rights to Hummingbird Centre

The board of directors of the Hummingbird Centre and Sony Canada have announced a partnership agreement, commencing September 7, 2007, for the revitalization of the Hummingbird Centre that attracts over 400,000 patrons per year.This $10 million, 20-year title sponsorship will re-energize the enterta... Full Story

Yes! Those signs are coming down!

The Bulletin’s history columnist Bruce Bell gets a glad tiding from RBC bank manager Caroline Homann during the bank’s grand opening at Jarvis & King in historic St. Lawrence Hall. Bell has learned that RBC executives have responded to some in the neighbourhood who complained that their modern R... Full Story

Toronto's Harris Institute makes global inroads

The private Canadian college has established international education opportunities, its faculty and graduates are receiving global recognition and it will go online in 2008. A partnership with the University of Paisley offers Harris graduates scholarships to complete degrees in eight months in Sc... Full Story

Biz: Mark's marks Leslieville opening with clothing drive

Mark's Work Wearhouse will launch its Clothes That Work for the Community charitable clothing drive to support United Way of Greater Toronto during the new Leslie and Lakeshore store's grand opening weekend Nov. 1-4.The Clothes That Work for the Community campaign was initiated as a way for Mark‚'s ... Full Story

Muddy York Yuletide announced as first Toronto Christmas tree ornament

The Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation (PLEDC) is pleased to announce its First Annual Toronto Christmas Tree Ornament, a living icon of Toronto's past and a symbol of hope for its future.Yuletide in York is the first in what will become an annual drive to raise funds for economic and... Full Story

REALTORS® disappointed that public opinion on land transfer tax ignored

Toronto's REALTORS(R) are concerned about the potential impact of the City of Toronto's recently approved second land transfer tax and disappointed that the public's opinion of this tax was ignored."REALTORS(R) have been working hard to provide the facts about this unfair idea and the public re... Full Story

$99 Storefront renovations in Parkdale

The Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation (PLEDC) is pioneering a new way of attracting business; make a street so beautiful you won't want to leave.Beginning in July of 2007, PLEDC initiated an ambitious program dubbed 'Operation Storefront.' The idea is to renovate storefronts and wind... Full Story

Cabbagetown survey results are in

Doug Rowlands is the treasurer of the Cabbagetown Residents Association. Last December he proposed a Parliament St. survey of the commercial hub of the district including part of Wellesley, particularly Carleton and part of Gerrard streets.1140 surveys were hand-delivered in the area from Parliamen... Full Story

Don’t wait to head abroad for treatment, local firm warns

Long wait times for surgeries and appointments with specialists in downtown Toronto are leaving Canadians frustrated, and could be compromising their health. Evelyn Pagkalinawan, a promoter of medical tourism in the Phillipines, says Canadians are looking abroad for faster life-saving treatments and... Full Story

TD Canada Trust keeps growing in downtown Toronto

As part of its commitment to building a stronger presence in Canada's many diverse and growing communities, TD Canada Trust announced the opening of its branch located at 80 Front St. East in Toronto, across from the St. Lawrence Market, on July 23. The new branch offers a wide array of personal an... Full Story

Realtors launch Toronto home buying tax info site

Toronto’s REALTORS® have launched a web site (www.nohomebuyingtax.com) to help the public calculate what the proposed Toronto land transfer tax will cost them and to easily allow the public to let Mayor Miller and City councillors know what they think.“As REALTORS®, it’s our job to give information ... Full Story

Kennedy steps in for Lord at chiro clinic

Dr. Tricia Kennedy will be joining the Lord Chiropractic team while Dr. Stephanie Lord is on maternity leave. Kennedy is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. She has been practicing chiropractic in the GTA for the past 5 years. Kennedy is a wellness ... Full Story

Biz: New TD branch in Leslieville

As part of its commitment to building a strong presence in Canada's many diverse and growing communities, including many transforming urban neighbourhoods, TD Canada Trust announced the grand opening of its branch located at Leslie Street and Lake Shore Blvd. E. on Oct. 1.The new branch will offer a... Full Story

Biz: Harris Institute ranked best student debt performer

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has ranked Harris Institute as the best performing post secondary institution in Ontario in its annual "Key Performance Indicator" for Student Loan Default Rates. With a 0% default rate, Harris tied with Medix School in Scarborough out of... Full Story

Downtown designer tries for unique market

Small town girl Courtney Roy is destined to make beautiful clothes—if she can find her way in the fast-paced city.Originally from Sioux Lookout, which is known more for a blueberry festival than for fashion, Roy brought her dreams to Toronto. She graduated from the fashion design course at the Inter... Full Story

Subway ad sparks second career in philosophy

Most nights of the week, groups of men and women gather in a beautiful, large Annex home at the School of Philosophy, eager to leave their busy world behind and explore the meaning of their lives. Many are adults with established careers who are seeking something beyond the rat race and its emphasis... Full Story

Cabbagetown resto owner agrees to license delay

Selling alcohol in a new restaurant will bring crack dealers and hookers in the front door. That’s what people in one downtown Toronto neighbourhood seem to think.Residents and business owners in Old Cabbagetown are blocking a liquor license application made by the Tender Trap restaurant, a newly-op... Full Story

Harbourfront resident, manager makes a 'difference'

Amid a recent spate of surveys and editorials alleging "systemic" discrimination in Canada against almost anyone who got here later than you did, it’s refreshing to meet someone who sets the common wisdom on its head and suggests that Canada is indeed a pretty good place to be successful i... Full Story

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