tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28872449207067985662024-03-13T05:17:15.984-04:00West Hill NewsProviding News and Opinion about the West Hill area of Toronto to the <a href="http://www.west-hill.com/">West-Hill</a> and the<a href="http://www.coronationca.com/"> Coronation Community Association of West Hill</a> websitesEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-26746452239697129042010-03-29T09:43:00.001-04:002010-03-29T09:45:04.442-04:00The Bridges of West HillThe West Hill Community can accurately be described as that area of Toronto surrounded by the Highland Creek Valley.<br /><br />Because we are largely cut off from the rest of the City by that meandering waterway, we have bridges to connect us to the greater community.<br /><br />Oh yes, we have bridges.<br /><br />In all shapes and sizes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From planks casually thrown across rivulets.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuTmUWOCMNy_4-TQdKF2JpBjqMgttZgB52h-eTRvL02Jy3E3SiQHlPyixXdMlqJFWxnl2Fy31J6FERpNBBdyqP7CJtrSS8Fv4JZzhkuiDnzt_ID6yCgK0BtTroGi6xqUDTppF55Fcr1g/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuTmUWOCMNy_4-TQdKF2JpBjqMgttZgB52h-eTRvL02Jy3E3SiQHlPyixXdMlqJFWxnl2Fy31J6FERpNBBdyqP7CJtrSS8Fv4JZzhkuiDnzt_ID6yCgK0BtTroGi6xqUDTppF55Fcr1g/s400/IMG_0300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452637234529870706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">To small walking and biking bridges.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBKkbQm-uuwNWGkgxXGFkJAfcTjXe-GaCOoYmKHRXJdhah4wq7huFqiGdLe9wjTElN21huG5ggH6E5s9XLg6BJFSrRL9tjkgHjMzz_n4byBYLx65-u4yapvA67bbdiV-xLP3XjIWIA_c/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBKkbQm-uuwNWGkgxXGFkJAfcTjXe-GaCOoYmKHRXJdhah4wq7huFqiGdLe9wjTElN21huG5ggH6E5s9XLg6BJFSrRL9tjkgHjMzz_n4byBYLx65-u4yapvA67bbdiV-xLP3XjIWIA_c/s400/IMG_0317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452637082195166498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVido3JAkmFUW1oBt6LCuoe_6PusQLmcBW3J-LmGfWCU0ofzjeeiZKjb-iihTKW25BT4o36iNas49ufm9jsdkUdB7NupBNNT5xQzpuuEebpyviRKFpvs-AzLhyphenhyphentaTdto8XcdadGBy1Is/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVido3JAkmFUW1oBt6LCuoe_6PusQLmcBW3J-LmGfWCU0ofzjeeiZKjb-iihTKW25BT4o36iNas49ufm9jsdkUdB7NupBNNT5xQzpuuEebpyviRKFpvs-AzLhyphenhyphentaTdto8XcdadGBy1Is/s400/IMG_0318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452636910771226802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To medium sized bridges just large enough to accommodate one lane of traffic going in each direction.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzOE6R4Btu-Ly9QLgLCE0XOyCNxIRHBdw5CJmWksU2FQCc-Ad-wvLS548dRPeg1uBiw-FSJfnBkA2ClkbJzHE4OVWMgJ50E-PWAVV_arTKrPSr8iJPalTcSruY9TjLFQhBYwZlU3jZUQ/s1600/IMG_0295.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzOE6R4Btu-Ly9QLgLCE0XOyCNxIRHBdw5CJmWksU2FQCc-Ad-wvLS548dRPeg1uBiw-FSJfnBkA2ClkbJzHE4OVWMgJ50E-PWAVV_arTKrPSr8iJPalTcSruY9TjLFQhBYwZlU3jZUQ/s400/IMG_0295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452636747160893122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzvbTAgmtGoPb30Xuqpw1I7rB5RoKzyCCSB-FOpjqNCWZDWaNxcp429PzrxHpk2EW7M58L3p5dLy_yvAv7D5bGEd9wIh-O1nr-XgbPO4pOqimxnkaLTpJOXImSJVk55E66yD7staPky8/s1600/IMG_0299.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzvbTAgmtGoPb30Xuqpw1I7rB5RoKzyCCSB-FOpjqNCWZDWaNxcp429PzrxHpk2EW7M58L3p5dLy_yvAv7D5bGEd9wIh-O1nr-XgbPO4pOqimxnkaLTpJOXImSJVk55E66yD7staPky8/s400/IMG_0299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452636569306076274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To major bridges supporting three of the City's mighty thoroughfares.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC4Q0e_0wWpLLKq9l79xNiwOZaXlt-BJLGfvoKKtFMbCk2_8qT_gdWyci_nXUa1jP58ebh7Ing4LKe3GWqAyo7x6X4HJFfBfr6m19S2SGS2qpNs3p3v8ZPCRy9kUmh46pL3HjbDwlk6Y/s1600/IMG_0306.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC4Q0e_0wWpLLKq9l79xNiwOZaXlt-BJLGfvoKKtFMbCk2_8qT_gdWyci_nXUa1jP58ebh7Ing4LKe3GWqAyo7x6X4HJFfBfr6m19S2SGS2qpNs3p3v8ZPCRy9kUmh46pL3HjbDwlk6Y/s400/IMG_0306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452636393540297090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUwr2ewQJe80-Mn9pLjRtdVbI81aWsbaTLLQ4TzeHPC2sDSqjDNG477XLxHEKC9EVZoGxI4j9XcRlXT7k6zPqxnGUYO9NYCDisEfc1eLj5RNWipPYI6ZPKipTH0xTI0FyGnlOtBhfMSo/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUwr2ewQJe80-Mn9pLjRtdVbI81aWsbaTLLQ4TzeHPC2sDSqjDNG477XLxHEKC9EVZoGxI4j9XcRlXT7k6zPqxnGUYO9NYCDisEfc1eLj5RNWipPYI6ZPKipTH0xTI0FyGnlOtBhfMSo/s400/IMG_0322.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452636192958933794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga99tctBXolBwARqdqicFW6msjEIF1RfLA6SgNL5s56DxoS9-M1wE545RbM6E4IBEGKnXPKVilAXI90M_4PSaGff61kCH53sS0Op7_ndXkh3-Zk1hCRabBKgTZL6x9umhF_Wym_Oy2n2s/s1600/IMG_0323.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga99tctBXolBwARqdqicFW6msjEIF1RfLA6SgNL5s56DxoS9-M1wE545RbM6E4IBEGKnXPKVilAXI90M_4PSaGff61kCH53sS0Op7_ndXkh3-Zk1hCRabBKgTZL6x9umhF_Wym_Oy2n2s/s400/IMG_0323.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452636029130295650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And even bridges that used to be, but are never spoken of any longer.<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVh4sIXlyVwkzK6CmBt_ZcoW5P-y_BGldOOZ4dCbDjjFee57vRW2h2ckBNu-VObPRbrlXE5dIm7j2VL1bphyA129mQjs-Z7zWwUsjpMNfU9qoHZe34lRKuTq4EniL1dt2IuvEaydRkRY/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVh4sIXlyVwkzK6CmBt_ZcoW5P-y_BGldOOZ4dCbDjjFee57vRW2h2ckBNu-VObPRbrlXE5dIm7j2VL1bphyA129mQjs-Z7zWwUsjpMNfU9qoHZe34lRKuTq4EniL1dt2IuvEaydRkRY/s400/IMG_0316.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452637364846073346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you have time and don't mind a bit of colour on a black and white themed day, here is a short video I shot back in May of 2008 of the new bridge that crosses Highland Creek just as it empties into Lake Ontario. Lindsay is along for the walk and will show us the way.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e5ZujjUdRrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e5ZujjUdRrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-80676666160880199742010-01-22T19:34:00.000-05:002010-01-22T19:35:39.326-05:00Sounds of West HillThe noise that first draws attention, is the sound of heavy machinery at work. Have I turned a wrong corner and ended up in Dubai? Multiple industrial cranes line the horizon..... but the sun coast of Dubai could never be this cold and dreary!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmdUmvOs6_BfXsV9ePcFXuofwfIgydxii7gRh5nqQraT7SduP-RIZXhxxoMgJEkAW8fjrP866ZBnj1ErgRUAeV3UJFbuxYpRAOhZC99nygjTVKDGltuVR2IA1l2tBWo32B2dt2dUWezA/s1600-h/IMG_0082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmdUmvOs6_BfXsV9ePcFXuofwfIgydxii7gRh5nqQraT7SduP-RIZXhxxoMgJEkAW8fjrP866ZBnj1ErgRUAeV3UJFbuxYpRAOhZC99nygjTVKDGltuVR2IA1l2tBWo32B2dt2dUWezA/s400/IMG_0082.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429368978540166274" /></a><br /><br />No, we are still in West Hill in January. Here, where the city's easternmost water filtration plant is being dramatically upgraded, the air is chill and the construction noise echoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtvwRYkVsuDpfrctffcB1Igdrc5q6pinNM5K8U9JuGVQAwMtexioRz66Kdu0IC0h9eM-uh4y926Q00hq8C_j1ByxV982PUdCv75-NAf-o0htjUg7gE2gVNZ2z5LJx8K-Y13sZ3YwoLy0/s1600-h/IMG_0085.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtvwRYkVsuDpfrctffcB1Igdrc5q6pinNM5K8U9JuGVQAwMtexioRz66Kdu0IC0h9eM-uh4y926Q00hq8C_j1ByxV982PUdCv75-NAf-o0htjUg7gE2gVNZ2z5LJx8K-Y13sZ3YwoLy0/s400/IMG_0085.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429369158542123106" /></a><br /><br /> A sudden familiar sound captures our attention! The distant ringing of bells at the gate, warn of the closing railway crossing behind us. The ringing is soon chorused by the clickity-clack of a train full of commuters, rushing into Toronto's bustling Union Station to their workday employment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcUuMlWDw7GaKdZaUCp5mZmfB9oz2J1hbShlHgujlgOKQAssYyCfXpav0jlJ6XMPCMseHWFY8gnyRK7F80K48CDbSViBZqxHaP51orxcWnqZ2uJufSgOmxnfFQY9nKjuYhl3v1VYjRBw/s1600-h/IMG_0072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcUuMlWDw7GaKdZaUCp5mZmfB9oz2J1hbShlHgujlgOKQAssYyCfXpav0jlJ6XMPCMseHWFY8gnyRK7F80K48CDbSViBZqxHaP51orxcWnqZ2uJufSgOmxnfFQY9nKjuYhl3v1VYjRBw/s400/IMG_0072.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429368783922095698" /></a><br /><br />In the silent stillness, following the train's passing, the giant extractor fans at a huge chemical factory on Coronation Drive roar to life, sucking fumes out of the plant, while beside them huge power pumps, blow heat into the massively, large building.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrskTLbmhPtlTO1zK0F-HYtsIqfxBCxaeVOibXoop4GrFqo7ZRwcQI8QaOpO48PAVXbCFOxjPfljQU0b8qOpU4s_af6Fb3Qpm2JVeNwgddwav-f3Xi6iswMIHzFI90MPAuyfDOQbZiRCE/s1600-h/IMG_0071.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrskTLbmhPtlTO1zK0F-HYtsIqfxBCxaeVOibXoop4GrFqo7ZRwcQI8QaOpO48PAVXbCFOxjPfljQU0b8qOpU4s_af6Fb3Qpm2JVeNwgddwav-f3Xi6iswMIHzFI90MPAuyfDOQbZiRCE/s400/IMG_0071.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429368585518360450" /></a><br /><br /><br />Everywhere along the road, trucks can be spotted delivering raw materials to the sight of the filtration plant construction. Other trucks arrive to pick up the chemicals the various plants in the area are producing. Their job will be to deliver these chemicals where ever they are needed across North America. The roar of the great diesel engine inside these trucks can be heard as a distant whine, while their 18 wheel undercarriage reverberates the ripping sound of the tires riding over the frozen winter pavement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ_7hNxr5JXy08fqS1jNw4bTlbXPuCLv7sGPakISnL7uyQbVwyOD1jwLmCgi-Wcnuw8D10MmV9BCESRix1sOH05tOw5QlKlGB6UjcMbpeDK1InzpwJ7AcsgKxfnz6ThasvF3LkYiZTQc/s1600-h/IMG_0069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ_7hNxr5JXy08fqS1jNw4bTlbXPuCLv7sGPakISnL7uyQbVwyOD1jwLmCgi-Wcnuw8D10MmV9BCESRix1sOH05tOw5QlKlGB6UjcMbpeDK1InzpwJ7AcsgKxfnz6ThasvF3LkYiZTQc/s400/IMG_0069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429368415523549810" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes, in the heavily laden winter air it isn't the sounds you really hear, but those you imagine that captures your attention and your heart. Not far from the clatter of the Industrial Park is a small green space with a large and very shallow pond. In the winter the local children clean off the ice and set up their goalie nets here. After school, the slap of hockey sticks, the scratch of skate blades slicing the thick ice covering of the pond and the happy cheers of the young voices gathered, will create a new sound. As their hockey game comes to life, the noisy construction and plant workers will close up shop and call it a day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xjDqIDNl6IrrU54Z5wtroweSShxWxZKHbqQVQ8LNeSqIZrPrMBVWxor4NC6zA0ucEfFILqw8lXGoeUNJVxCKnOe4EAkPGRCwg1WJXEOsJif-5-67QLDTiBnoFmjN2Ji-pvzLfcQmnDQ/s1600-h/IMG_0077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xjDqIDNl6IrrU54Z5wtroweSShxWxZKHbqQVQ8LNeSqIZrPrMBVWxor4NC6zA0ucEfFILqw8lXGoeUNJVxCKnOe4EAkPGRCwg1WJXEOsJif-5-67QLDTiBnoFmjN2Ji-pvzLfcQmnDQ/s400/IMG_0077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429368204362364610" /></a><br /><br />At this moment, the happy hockey team silently study in local schools and the factory noises have faded away in the distance. The only sounds around me now, are the occasional bark from Lindsay, and the whirring click of my camera shutter.Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-40632501527709705732009-12-11T09:43:00.001-05:002009-12-11T10:46:41.787-05:00Our First Winter Storm Of The Season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVKYN1ItPL1RyTqcZDrDBOyfijoAZvV5bsdWuR1374-EcL9Z_dRAMZOvHACTw60ydWk5bvL9kKlK5VU4d5QjN58At4ZdKXc4VoXu_v2Q25xunpaz4VCERTGurHEyOoldw97lseGdhpHc/s1600-h/DSC02177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVKYN1ItPL1RyTqcZDrDBOyfijoAZvV5bsdWuR1374-EcL9Z_dRAMZOvHACTw60ydWk5bvL9kKlK5VU4d5QjN58At4ZdKXc4VoXu_v2Q25xunpaz4VCERTGurHEyOoldw97lseGdhpHc/s400/DSC02177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413781150699416754" /></a><br /><br />It rose up out of the Pacific.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcfyGpC78-6VNNUJTtT4YcRAsqCU5aWi0AAfR9P3qfiGPFgtnC7T5w520vV_nBAwCG6PgQrXlQYKHnQ6B54MB4bPaRukYbkw0R585YH7HbEsqbsTXtSqxSTD_-rDdZJ43XyY9M_hm0io/s1600-h/DSC02179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcfyGpC78-6VNNUJTtT4YcRAsqCU5aWi0AAfR9P3qfiGPFgtnC7T5w520vV_nBAwCG6PgQrXlQYKHnQ6B54MB4bPaRukYbkw0R585YH7HbEsqbsTXtSqxSTD_-rDdZJ43XyY9M_hm0io/s400/DSC02179.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413780706680435826" /></a><br /><br />Joined forces with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2wSK3XZjpXuTKzXpSC653yfbB6Ml5so0-WCTi39GVjKW8KuMxviar7zh4vfAJgaXHx4848EVSFKWeYWhZ4734Ik9eRnIXq5q-mrliAjuX5PlZmfx-6qbzgcQvxx44oYK_nDqFx4rcwk/s1600-h/DSC02180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2wSK3XZjpXuTKzXpSC653yfbB6Ml5so0-WCTi39GVjKW8KuMxviar7zh4vfAJgaXHx4848EVSFKWeYWhZ4734Ik9eRnIXq5q-mrliAjuX5PlZmfx-6qbzgcQvxx44oYK_nDqFx4rcwk/s400/DSC02180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413780282090289522" /></a><br /><br />Formed a massive storm covering half of the Unted States. And then took direct aim at West Hill.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jf27GtJZBcoP4OVAs-JGnKjw_0HILeHpFyID1jaOctSAKDdTXFiHgcchjHDR_q9UXT2JqY0x_jNMw8hDmf1WFPsg14lI7hbla5gs1zP3YsTx2rDG9tLB19Mt15dZZqA4GXwQ5V5wqkk/s1600-h/DSC02185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jf27GtJZBcoP4OVAs-JGnKjw_0HILeHpFyID1jaOctSAKDdTXFiHgcchjHDR_q9UXT2JqY0x_jNMw8hDmf1WFPsg14lI7hbla5gs1zP3YsTx2rDG9tLB19Mt15dZZqA4GXwQ5V5wqkk/s400/DSC02185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413778280236918994" /></a><br /><br />Where we could see it coming from the top of the bluffs. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64OuuQip3TZoCEfWfzZN_f2kljfUiUN7I_K51-vD3b6sTDgiYQIMUZzvJXjtMoiDnSvQV4MqwEIbyUtv3IXayaZZItTGzUrwhO5gW9rv9YWCaeu8VFpmPNmlAVOamDHWH_KVvJMLHPmI/s1600-h/DSC02186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64OuuQip3TZoCEfWfzZN_f2kljfUiUN7I_K51-vD3b6sTDgiYQIMUZzvJXjtMoiDnSvQV4MqwEIbyUtv3IXayaZZItTGzUrwhO5gW9rv9YWCaeu8VFpmPNmlAVOamDHWH_KVvJMLHPmI/s400/DSC02186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413783016578372466" /></a><br /><br />But weren't able to duck.<br /><br />December 9, 2009. Our first snow storm of the winter.Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-29330119763811803082009-12-06T06:58:00.007-05:002009-12-06T07:27:50.520-05:00TTC Driver Saves Buddhist Temple<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOKkwgv1EOLp2Q4LIv11j62rdmiYuEyAoAecsjTf6daWfVa0TtOEYBsi37e0mtp2S1blAlVFSo_IAck_YOorEqE8-3m3JGbecW2pY8TkNDRj6Yr5_cDuAoRxHCojZHNEYk24j7OiaP4A/s1600-h/buddhist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOKkwgv1EOLp2Q4LIv11j62rdmiYuEyAoAecsjTf6daWfVa0TtOEYBsi37e0mtp2S1blAlVFSo_IAck_YOorEqE8-3m3JGbecW2pY8TkNDRj6Yr5_cDuAoRxHCojZHNEYk24j7OiaP4A/s400/buddhist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412091511194467282" /></a><br /><br />A passing TTC driver noticed smoke billowing from the porch of the Buddhist temple on Kingston Road at the Highland Creek Bridge and immediately notified authorities saving the wooden structure from serious damage.<br /><br />When firefighters and police arrived they discovered arsonists had left 23 bottles of gasoline on the Temple's porch. This is the second time this year the Mahavihara has been the subject of an attack by arsonists. A previous attempt was made last May.<br /><br />The last time the attempted arson was preceded by several telephone warnings. But not this time.<br /><br />While smoke migration was minimal, the fire department estimates the damage from the current attack to be in excess of $10,000.<br /><br />The fire was quickly put out and the Temple has announced plans to erect a fence around the property and install video cameras.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-77197213949905325092009-12-02T20:04:00.004-05:002009-12-02T20:09:09.672-05:00Humor or Great Marketing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkV09MPSDcRNWxEp9lIA6ZniqO5tg6rhymN_yPZTAUMo-Z1V9Nt1VlsJqT3Nyy-F0ck4iSy4HmQ4k86jM7hJDJFfcz2GX0Tq0YEmCyEZ8f45BeolIz7aCmx-XYO7P3BhFZqeXS7w0oQc/s1600-h/DSC02172.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkV09MPSDcRNWxEp9lIA6ZniqO5tg6rhymN_yPZTAUMo-Z1V9Nt1VlsJqT3Nyy-F0ck4iSy4HmQ4k86jM7hJDJFfcz2GX0Tq0YEmCyEZ8f45BeolIz7aCmx-XYO7P3BhFZqeXS7w0oQc/s400/DSC02172.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410809791172758034" /></a<br /><br />Was it a great marketing move that landed this Herbal Magic weight loss center a location immediately between two fast food restaurants at Morningside Crossing?<br /><br />Or a terrific sense of humour?Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-46127837873591741212009-11-26T15:39:00.008-05:002009-11-26T16:01:35.002-05:00New Royal Bank Location Now Open<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77CX0veQDUOuXldsew-nuSlo8423WU0Cq6DIggIE3VqyuSJWlJbYzY4Qc_iEmPGJw7Uc3bUrjoZMGNpzVnWvyTFnCl_CrEQ6ZODn7UN323Q15mp2Ym0aomRq8lDjbzf0GNO_WA7QfDgEr/s1600/DSC02142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77CX0veQDUOuXldsew-nuSlo8423WU0Cq6DIggIE3VqyuSJWlJbYzY4Qc_iEmPGJw7Uc3bUrjoZMGNpzVnWvyTFnCl_CrEQ6ZODn7UN323Q15mp2Ym0aomRq8lDjbzf0GNO_WA7QfDgEr/s400/DSC02142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408515197106439714" /></a><br /><br />RBC has moved from its previous location in the West Hill Plaza to its new home in the extensively refurbished former Pizza Hut building at Kingston Road and Lawrence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfO11mp6iCCuEcOeO2bj8_NFUUlwEd_Mtr4tnEiZxxNnOe7J1OFR_VOD61Ez2QIA7nye8uIFdtXRT5pQgByzQ8rhEULMzX6XGHfzMG1Ud4zsR2mACuVc_yZ-XzkBQ2u2F0LXCbtL4wieu/s1600/DSC02141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfO11mp6iCCuEcOeO2bj8_NFUUlwEd_Mtr4tnEiZxxNnOe7J1OFR_VOD61Ez2QIA7nye8uIFdtXRT5pQgByzQ8rhEULMzX6XGHfzMG1Ud4zsR2mACuVc_yZ-XzkBQ2u2F0LXCbtL4wieu/s400/DSC02141.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408515084906533458" /></a><br /><br />RBC joins Canada's other major banks in opening significantly larger locations in the West Hill area, making West Hill <i><b> the centre for banking </b></i>in south east Scarborough. The new RBC branch is now double its former size, offering state of the art banking services to West Hill residents.<br /><br />Of Canada's major banks, only Scotia Bank has decided not to upgrade its branch in West Hill preferring its coveted location at Morningside and Kingston Rd. over enhanced facilities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9rkcN8e2nHFgCEM_uhr-CoZCh-E0pLXv5SDXtzxT7nibuKxziOiLBZHlklAn4QfQDs_dzb7WmbuRfgd5ifvfaVOz_AtCt9Ch3ULF-LJJ7KlMvJ_85UcRmkp9fVZm4twP9MmsiygLnIqS/s1600/DSC02140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9rkcN8e2nHFgCEM_uhr-CoZCh-E0pLXv5SDXtzxT7nibuKxziOiLBZHlklAn4QfQDs_dzb7WmbuRfgd5ifvfaVOz_AtCt9Ch3ULF-LJJ7KlMvJ_85UcRmkp9fVZm4twP9MmsiygLnIqS/s400/DSC02140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408514964851659218" /></a><br /><br />The loss of RBC presents a challenge to the small West Hill Plaza who have also recently lost The Doctors Office, a drug store and The Source, all of which have relocated to the new Morningside Crossing Shopping Centre which opened last year.Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-50041753523122191312009-11-18T11:31:00.001-05:002009-11-18T11:34:22.039-05:00Adventures In Eating In West HillSome things are incongruous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYiV3WwO1PW1Gw_Y5eYMrrCJNjE7GXm_2g6jMuIVMDO2K1ePWaXbGbAIaOlbPUMYfMkjVdUZ3cYuKlHJY-MUOZ2KTgb57O0_kXpXyfrDcHdnRd-0YL8GZHuIYXLCPY_oOyfvEK9x7B_M/s1600-h/kfc.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYiV3WwO1PW1Gw_Y5eYMrrCJNjE7GXm_2g6jMuIVMDO2K1ePWaXbGbAIaOlbPUMYfMkjVdUZ3cYuKlHJY-MUOZ2KTgb57O0_kXpXyfrDcHdnRd-0YL8GZHuIYXLCPY_oOyfvEK9x7B_M/s400/kfc.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374966773947253890" /></a><br /><br />As unbelievable and incongruous as it may seem, no one with the rank of Colonel is working at our local KFC and not one of the chickens came from Kentucky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhmWwiLvqPG2jqpi36giekij5VviUO_oWJZ5dT01lu2xB8pnP_1hpuySu9gxFT6vMSk5vvYqvW8G6S7iBMnjEN603RxMqJLSTm3btXuYjbXM88oUr5RLgfUIcdSUYwkjOoDOJSeLOuKI/s1600-h/tacobell.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhmWwiLvqPG2jqpi36giekij5VviUO_oWJZ5dT01lu2xB8pnP_1hpuySu9gxFT6vMSk5vvYqvW8G6S7iBMnjEN603RxMqJLSTm3btXuYjbXM88oUr5RLgfUIcdSUYwkjOoDOJSeLOuKI/s400/tacobell.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374967983633584722" /></a><br /><br />Not one employee at Taco Bell was from Mexico. And on the day we visited, not one employee had even vacationed there. Believe It Or Not!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAj9aYKSH21LLkVT4OJq8BEbPhEGowc_ttqCexLD3KVUnD55qeIp2f5YjVlYRtIpGBOYCf_ZKda2fLIYF06-lGDexoMPjtQBB38Gdn5ya1LfME-e9OZk8oKowcQ-j-7Zb4UGz3A6f-IA/s1600-h/shoelessjoes.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAj9aYKSH21LLkVT4OJq8BEbPhEGowc_ttqCexLD3KVUnD55qeIp2f5YjVlYRtIpGBOYCf_ZKda2fLIYF06-lGDexoMPjtQBB38Gdn5ya1LfME-e9OZk8oKowcQ-j-7Zb4UGz3A6f-IA/s400/shoelessjoes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374968468625689650" /></a><br /><br />Shoeless Joe's Restaurant has a policy requiring all customers to wear shoes. And shirts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Hd4dxbq7uxF79gd2qkSl_QGPWkTjJD5vJFToMtf4cjKhMbIl5lYNxSMuhHJc3m4f2VYzb8lcuGei1YhBeYarXtrPRE8GaQ_-ox9zfA7-VWZcAviCp9qpFMWiGMGSBELsrSbPWriX2A/s1600-h/licks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Hd4dxbq7uxF79gd2qkSl_QGPWkTjJD5vJFToMtf4cjKhMbIl5lYNxSMuhHJc3m4f2VYzb8lcuGei1YhBeYarXtrPRE8GaQ_-ox9zfA7-VWZcAviCp9qpFMWiGMGSBELsrSbPWriX2A/s400/licks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374968880511124914" /></a><br /><br />And when Licks finally got around to opening their latest store in West Hill, I wouldn't advise licking any of their employees. Boy do they get mad!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6hBC6ywtX3miYMAKGanwoL2mgVmLx4XUt9XzmWV8GUu-7xJjHUkf0mBeeuX8YbBt2RgWabU2-ML6of6TXrGJNufLcCYDSAzSKHG03C1GgiUlWqCpOs4SpZSTVoVmCFMDElVW-GrGESY/s1600-h/swisschelt.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6hBC6ywtX3miYMAKGanwoL2mgVmLx4XUt9XzmWV8GUu-7xJjHUkf0mBeeuX8YbBt2RgWabU2-ML6of6TXrGJNufLcCYDSAzSKHG03C1GgiUlWqCpOs4SpZSTVoVmCFMDElVW-GrGESY/s400/swisschelt.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374969316072771314" /></a><br /><br />But most incongruous of them all, the Swiss Chalet Restaurant, not only has no Swiss employees, sells no Swiss Cheese, lamb or beer, but none of their clocks were made in Switzerland, instead they were all made by GE--in China.Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-3177310641337607042009-11-15T10:59:00.000-05:002009-11-15T11:19:25.736-05:00Wind Anemometer Platform Now In Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb7jL3Je50O9ZsbGZ-WmTLpkYxDRtJL05CSESV1O3Rs8sWMdIJ9TfIpvke3wRqa0LM_uPKAPJZqA0ulPIHRE6HYqxndN93MImjBcu9-Vdrf7H6pg_L0wcsR1JpqRJh6qoiYToliSyTQBt/s1600-h/DSC02122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb7jL3Je50O9ZsbGZ-WmTLpkYxDRtJL05CSESV1O3Rs8sWMdIJ9TfIpvke3wRqa0LM_uPKAPJZqA0ulPIHRE6HYqxndN93MImjBcu9-Vdrf7H6pg_L0wcsR1JpqRJh6qoiYToliSyTQBt/s400/DSC02122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404360889092185298" /></a><br /><br />It is ugly and it sits immediately off the shoreline of the Scarborough Bluffs.<br /><br />Where it will reside for the next two years.<br /><br />Despite strong opposition from a significant and vocal majority of Guildwood Residents.<br /><br />It s a wind anemometer, and if the wind blows significantly, it is the forerunner of a line of Wind Turbines destined to run from the Leslie Street spit all along the Scarborough shoreline.<br /><br />Toronto Hydro also claims that anemometers pose no health threats. Guildwood’s concerns were addressed in the studies done for the Ministry of Natural Resources. If there were any side effects the project would have been declined.<br /><br />Opponents however, believe Toronto Hydro is pursuing a “vanity project.”<br /><br />Guild opponents to the plan state they don’t want more money to be spent on the anemometer when they totally reject turbines in Lake Ontario,.<br /><br />Toronto Hydro reminds Guildwood the device is only for wind energy research and there’s no current plan to propose a wind farm. Somewhat disingenuously claiming that they are not proposing to build windmills, simply collecting data.<br /><br />The wind data will be collected for two years, then other factors will be studied, such as costs for construction and electricity grid connections, before a decision will be made concering the construction of the Wind Farm project.<br /><br />The platform is located 1.2 kilometres off the bluffs and is visible all along the Guild shoreline. If wind results and other factors prove satisfactory, the 60-turbine wind farm could stretch from Ajax to the Leslie Street Spit.<br /><br />Residents, however, will continue to oppose the project with more protests and educational campaigns.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6UaEvlWqwLwV2vtoNV1MXr-qlY49Qf376zkl2QBnaFP98W9hTm1_SeZSO3OXMuZFYLWOwc6QCm360_rOyKFDqlP6Tjne33bYekkNVxaUmougo8hkXeou79puB8_RpYKVio1NRaa6wJD6/s1600-h/DSC02124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6UaEvlWqwLwV2vtoNV1MXr-qlY49Qf376zkl2QBnaFP98W9hTm1_SeZSO3OXMuZFYLWOwc6QCm360_rOyKFDqlP6Tjne33bYekkNVxaUmougo8hkXeou79puB8_RpYKVio1NRaa6wJD6/s400/DSC02124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404361205177819090" /></a>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-85859167702631160252009-11-07T05:29:00.001-05:002009-11-16T09:32:27.818-05:00The Oldest Home In West Hill Is The Oldest In Scarborough<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2c7INV9yXm3PvRinOfoBIaAjWiGjiWRAmGbtb_oMK0Lk8qmXAv-R5f-nhyphenhyphenbbcwmPAELUjwriLBHcpEylPll0asZJGnfr7Mz7RYrsux7oJS3NFOY057Opc5CiUd0_7hhUpX-PAB9uTYc/s1600-h/DSC01744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2c7INV9yXm3PvRinOfoBIaAjWiGjiWRAmGbtb_oMK0Lk8qmXAv-R5f-nhyphenhyphenbbcwmPAELUjwriLBHcpEylPll0asZJGnfr7Mz7RYrsux7oJS3NFOY057Opc5CiUd0_7hhUpX-PAB9uTYc/s400/DSC01744.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380214076688985074" /></a><br /><br />It lies on the grounds of the Guild, not far from the top of the Scarborough Bluffs.<br /><br />It is the first European dwelling in the area and the oldest man made dwelling in all of Scarborough that still stands. When it was built George Washington was still President of the United States, Napoleon had just become engaged to Josephine and a 24 year old Beethoven was just debuting as pianist in Vienna.<br /><br />Click on the picture above to learn more about this unique Ousterhout Log Cabin built in 1795. Then go visit it yourself to touch a genuine piece of history.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBNgeFcoKd1KXWa37j-w66WE5avAoaZHSf2UTg_CtweAmvuPIlk7rJdNwnoWaVQ2anKkm3ltCiXg_sFKrjNPkHgibDwtsLeIqRObzF8pZ3Pp3Kn3ZzldfLfw1CBBQiF93zDPjqV-RzqE/s1600-h/DSC01746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBNgeFcoKd1KXWa37j-w66WE5avAoaZHSf2UTg_CtweAmvuPIlk7rJdNwnoWaVQ2anKkm3ltCiXg_sFKrjNPkHgibDwtsLeIqRObzF8pZ3Pp3Kn3ZzldfLfw1CBBQiF93zDPjqV-RzqE/s400/DSC01746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380215327544288146" /></a>Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-61745054527615078172009-11-06T17:09:00.001-05:002009-11-06T17:23:59.344-05:00Slow News Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnSmPA_WPBiPhjSL0y6xQWDYEwE3rmBPcIbxVHutD5ToIRUj1KGY57_01g5FRb2unmfAr4Fqpb1oWZ-bZap89HqForL5THACGYXYtlxsVHVB9lEWyHHFz-y-JU8OU2zioqA194AwdVys/s1600-h/DSC00904.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 356px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnSmPA_WPBiPhjSL0y6xQWDYEwE3rmBPcIbxVHutD5ToIRUj1KGY57_01g5FRb2unmfAr4Fqpb1oWZ-bZap89HqForL5THACGYXYtlxsVHVB9lEWyHHFz-y-JU8OU2zioqA194AwdVys/s400/DSC00904.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401117187068945394" /></a><br /><br />It's been quiet around here for several months.<br /><br />Although there has been no let up in the News, events and activities in the West Hill area.<br /><br />Sadly, there is a reason for this. The prime mover behind this site has been Barry Fraser, who was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in February of this year. As the year has progressed, so to has his treatment with all its related side effects. This has cut with increasing severity into the time and energy he has available to devote to this site.<br /><br />At no time, however, has it cut into his enthusiasm for this work and this community. <br /><br />Currently, Barry is feeling somewhat better and has some additional time at his disposal so you may see additional posts creeping onto this site.<br /><br />Thanks for your understanding.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-13507952301585243292009-06-23T07:29:00.000-04:002009-06-23T07:34:28.896-04:00How To Deal With Contractors & Home Renovations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18TWZUKd07RdoSUj2Ye60Tqk7AueehKn-FvUce0YOKzHFStRoUfiARg3LgXixZMcUpK5UtT5PVBP96I7OWdCofsDMvx3_wsw4b0oQwNAUCqnn-LSuq-AsobKDs1NfTIcYBOpd0tl3JWE/s1600-h/My+Photo+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18TWZUKd07RdoSUj2Ye60Tqk7AueehKn-FvUce0YOKzHFStRoUfiARg3LgXixZMcUpK5UtT5PVBP96I7OWdCofsDMvx3_wsw4b0oQwNAUCqnn-LSuq-AsobKDs1NfTIcYBOpd0tl3JWE/s400/My+Photo+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350483952597663826" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <br /> Thinking of doing any home or property renovations this summer? You might be able to take advantage of the federal government’s renovation rebate, which is a part of their Canada-wide stimulus package. You must have receipts for any work and/or materials. Up to $1350 can be deducted from your 2009 income tax filing, which would mean you would have to spend close to $10,000 in renovations to receive the maximum benefit.<br /><br /> <br /> But how do you decide on one contractor over another? Obviously, your choice will be influenced by cost. Which contractor can provide you with the best quote. What goes into the ‘best’ quote includes much more than price alone. Like the saying goes no job’s done until the paperwork is completed. You can bank on the fact that if you’re not satisfied with the paperwork, then the finished job is likely to be disappointing too! <br /> <br /> Here are some simple steps you can follow to help you choose a reliable and reputable<br /> Contractor. My list includes crucial steps which should assist anyone wanting a quality finished product.<br /> <br /> First step A). Check with friends for names of contractors they’ve used. Ask them how satisfied they were with the work? Was the job completed as scheduled or were unexpected delays? Did changes have to been made to the original job?<br /> <br /> If you don’t find anyone through friends, then the next place to check would be a professional association in your area; they should give you a list of contractors who are members. Find out what criteria is used for membership i.e. knowledge and skills, including training in that field. Ask if the association has a quality control component. You’ll need to find a contractor that has good credentials.<br /><br /> Once you find a contractor, ask them how much experience and training they’ve received in a specific area. Always ask the contractor to provide you with at least three referrals with phone no.’s. Make the calls and find out how satisfied other customers have been. <br /> <br /> Step Two B). Who will be doing the actual work? Is your contractor using subcontractors? For bigger jobs, if he’s not doing the work himself, then you will have to holdback 10% of the final payment, to prevent any liens being put on your house, in the event that a subcontractor is not fully paid.<br /> <br /> Step Three C)<br /> Find out if the contractor is fully licensed, insured or bonded? Do they have membership in the Better Business Bureau? Do they have any complaints lodged against them?<br /> <br /> Step Four D).<br /> Ask whether a written contract will be provided, along with a draft plan, including drawing and lists of grades, materials, colours that your contractor is planning to use?<br /> How will the terms of payment be handled? Do they require a 50 % deposit and when are the interim payments due?<br /> <br /> How much lead-time might they need? In what time frame can they realistically get the work done? What if the workmanship turns out to be poor and the materials come with defects? Does your contractor say in writing that he will be dealing with this if it happens? Does your contractor have any concerns with your putting a percentage of the final payment on holdback until a final inspection is done? This ensures that all the work has been properly completed. Also you’ll need to know if the contractor charges G.S.T. and/or P.S.T.?<br /> <br /> Step Five D):<br /> Permits. Ask if your contractor will be responsible for providing all the required municipal permits?<br /> <br /> Step Six E):<br /> Will your contractor provide you with a written warranty for the materials and workmanship?<br /> <br /> Remember there is a big downfall to choosing a contractor strictly based upon prices. You want to be left with a quality job, as well as one that’s done at a reasonable price. Having three quotes would be best, so you can compare apples to apples. These are the things to look-out for when picking a contractor. Make sure you understand the agreement fully, & have all your questions answered before you sign the contract. <br /> <br /> If you have any further questions, you can email me at howard.buchin@sympatico.ca.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-45471791094716050942009-06-19T04:23:00.001-04:002009-06-19T04:35:47.226-04:00Organic Farmer's Market Great Success<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXovOsZgWfA3qhhc7AhcOelnuN1pKWN5wx5QDBNwetNm7GZyPgF3wqxuBini6_SolWe05cqVEK-ibUY0lEw7AYlBVnaFAcm9gXNn5CE_lZ1l-VmPFsGtR9NpzKkInSlSYS1aeBLxHlys/s1600-h/DSC01351.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXovOsZgWfA3qhhc7AhcOelnuN1pKWN5wx5QDBNwetNm7GZyPgF3wqxuBini6_SolWe05cqVEK-ibUY0lEw7AYlBVnaFAcm9gXNn5CE_lZ1l-VmPFsGtR9NpzKkInSlSYS1aeBLxHlys/s400/DSC01351.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348951872272921154" /></a><br /><br />The new Organic Farmer's Market has opened in the Guild to great success. Located at the corner of Livingston and Guildwood Pkw, the market operates between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm every Thursday from June until September.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcVDJLmC1vCxnzLRbGc4FwRJEkcZTWIJ0ZvIek1ay5NbJ2MEqDVHi9bsG9iYPdgnJWpxeiB6TOtJ6XlvK1NLekM1ku5PwBe44GBbtRSAQVvRZjCbxnKgIUkbyyfMDakEon-8lPB-T7T0/s1600-h/DSC01353.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcVDJLmC1vCxnzLRbGc4FwRJEkcZTWIJ0ZvIek1ay5NbJ2MEqDVHi9bsG9iYPdgnJWpxeiB6TOtJ6XlvK1NLekM1ku5PwBe44GBbtRSAQVvRZjCbxnKgIUkbyyfMDakEon-8lPB-T7T0/s400/DSC01353.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348954390635994818" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgWHWKe1lrfcnO6uMQPS8Lo5I9i8BHF6Bv0oO52WDjoo2ln2aKxF8LquaRFSO8Xz9URwaL-LvaRyEog0a7AztvA8pP-P-NbUQHepSYv-gtJgBUiReEyrTbGIOyrk3Bk7N-jIX-OZV39Y/s1600-h/DSC01354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgWHWKe1lrfcnO6uMQPS8Lo5I9i8BHF6Bv0oO52WDjoo2ln2aKxF8LquaRFSO8Xz9URwaL-LvaRyEog0a7AztvA8pP-P-NbUQHepSYv-gtJgBUiReEyrTbGIOyrk3Bk7N-jIX-OZV39Y/s400/DSC01354.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348954247908465666" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIUA9lxFGbdtvNzU7-e869tmbHeFNrHvlNDmfUunmQ3DKoSUCDXxE9QYQrp7baK8ymvWcWPHkaTUScJina6qwaioD5bUPnTzDriQW_-fil7fS5pYUYlqIRfGdfYXXHfjUfyiDCX4kUIk/s1600-h/DSC01355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIUA9lxFGbdtvNzU7-e869tmbHeFNrHvlNDmfUunmQ3DKoSUCDXxE9QYQrp7baK8ymvWcWPHkaTUScJina6qwaioD5bUPnTzDriQW_-fil7fS5pYUYlqIRfGdfYXXHfjUfyiDCX4kUIk/s400/DSC01355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348954100578291954" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWXbRfrDa_e2L9YaIq-H-VPBf_wdcE7Zn30w6YOreOnDfYYYBJZm2CHM2Q0xY1lsN5kBaYUQU9WHkowc58CJTphMt0KdTD0_0xTNW8rhym0rOuPSdT3WpqwSaMOY2Eald2JwFvUVg_xM/s1600-h/DSC01357.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaImum7J9ovocvlq2nDJ0zka5vvFgGP2aO8z8W1juOKiPUFr6zJ1mRgxDSm557OnBEw3kXkDCznZueBi6vO1fUMh2MLrtLNxjdBDK4DGhRAZ3lYpRujb8DJEhP6hgDdDM4_HYvq6rtng/s400/DSC01361.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348953235973157234" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpSMVxBH0-wg-negNfm2ESGXEv6UudjGiBNjVsTvZylQYjbQ0BxjXE-89bhduAai14Zd-dBr2fLH7sem-1GxCb-mkndNrMN9oKSIS38BzKVnbr3TVc48DMLcPUu2luCBwLcllJAnteZk/s1600-h/DSC01362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpSMVxBH0-wg-negNfm2ESGXEv6UudjGiBNjVsTvZylQYjbQ0BxjXE-89bhduAai14Zd-dBr2fLH7sem-1GxCb-mkndNrMN9oKSIS38BzKVnbr3TVc48DMLcPUu2luCBwLcllJAnteZk/s400/DSC01362.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348953043607954786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXhlLOhWu6MlkLzWNu6Vx6pagcCRUCoZ9cPTgBao6FEwDugRV_TXhcT0z_QP04Y1EZCyTcjpeIAhPIP3eppkqXQdDG6wbjbkNkDvfq2SZpqQ_HiQ6TuXQOXyX77aQrC5OvP1LPgx7UAQ/s1600-h/DSC01363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXhlLOhWu6MlkLzWNu6Vx6pagcCRUCoZ9cPTgBao6FEwDugRV_TXhcT0z_QP04Y1EZCyTcjpeIAhPIP3eppkqXQdDG6wbjbkNkDvfq2SZpqQ_HiQ6TuXQOXyX77aQrC5OvP1LPgx7UAQ/s400/DSC01363.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348952807544939506" /></a>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-89583468644572890932009-06-06T17:47:00.000-04:002009-06-06T17:48:10.174-04:00Public Art In And Around West Hill<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jq9ZXTtyL44&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jq9ZXTtyL44&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-29822270134863851632009-05-17T10:33:00.000-04:002009-05-17T10:52:43.159-04:00Getting Around West Hill Without A CarThe truth is, being a suburb of a large city, we mostly drive. We haven't designed our suburbs well for getting around by any other means. Although there are other ways--<br /><br />We can still ride horseback.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vbNJjivszFdlCbPknZBCq_H1jAwldsXyA9UCvrinioC7VANh-PsONIu7C0eVxDpUjhGJdeOsjq9dES52nGJGBzZ7D7eLWfErMZzsF0fhuu7xyYwwWOQIZGLdEtal35eU38xMWEdCsfs/s1600-h/43bbq2007pethorses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vbNJjivszFdlCbPknZBCq_H1jAwldsXyA9UCvrinioC7VANh-PsONIu7C0eVxDpUjhGJdeOsjq9dES52nGJGBzZ7D7eLWfErMZzsF0fhuu7xyYwwWOQIZGLdEtal35eU38xMWEdCsfs/s400/43bbq2007pethorses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335988763772445986" /></a><br /><br />And get to fires on time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhlb9MEKD3glfs6HK_EPwl9-KyCcjs3TPJZ5RJdAJAG1KRF-UKssEvU2tNBjZxebDsNGY3syQbhQU-MH4S4DUIA08-r5jJ6MtUxJuoS5mQAYitj6WYAS3FnV5ZNa0hTSOm1YYv5f6FMM/s1600-h/43bbq2007horses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhlb9MEKD3glfs6HK_EPwl9-KyCcjs3TPJZ5RJdAJAG1KRF-UKssEvU2tNBjZxebDsNGY3syQbhQU-MH4S4DUIA08-r5jJ6MtUxJuoS5mQAYitj6WYAS3FnV5ZNa0hTSOm1YYv5f6FMM/s400/43bbq2007horses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335988584017208530" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes, it feels like we spend more time waiting than actually getting around.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSxFMttMI0lpotJ3ou7cb8bQnmihBmTLXKfB-sgYy-ItlOM_a6Z23G9imbjnt7qZ-_SFe2cDqxav9ZAUUvCJNC3-vjv2R7aFEAHE9JEwpd_l8l-V0thdRuwI5rGmWWDNosPGFypEUIvY/s1600-h/transport14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSxFMttMI0lpotJ3ou7cb8bQnmihBmTLXKfB-sgYy-ItlOM_a6Z23G9imbjnt7qZ-_SFe2cDqxav9ZAUUvCJNC3-vjv2R7aFEAHE9JEwpd_l8l-V0thdRuwI5rGmWWDNosPGFypEUIvY/s400/transport14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335988193166704802" /></a><br /><br />Although, eventually the bus does get there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKOSvzDm1F7OFtIrY_tWTkfm7Q38ETN41gpblRLPNEwyv383Pl8lnnlnNeJvdwxl8TjnTpznfDJ6zTQ3l4DRUfy_7en_ce8djIVbW5-WB9G0KjziSU5O9mJWUrjhRTPWZf0M_Ojh2Y50/s1600-h/transport2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKOSvzDm1F7OFtIrY_tWTkfm7Q38ETN41gpblRLPNEwyv383Pl8lnnlnNeJvdwxl8TjnTpznfDJ6zTQ3l4DRUfy_7en_ce8djIVbW5-WB9G0KjziSU5O9mJWUrjhRTPWZf0M_Ojh2Y50/s400/transport2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335987841717704338" /></a><br /><br /><br />If we want to get somewhere fast, both the local communiter GO trains and the trans Canada VIA train stop at our local Train Station<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzir0Uv8JJe5Tp_SUYwIhSyFO0uL3HqZD2O5sJPAVn32lWUCydnfEqJ-MlfzQimLyfhOib_xzRfJLJcF4e0d0T-VCeH9RU_dBMWkeDbqH57KMDn1qbxIlEbi4TJr4w_CwILl_ai_gXWQ/s1600-h/transport12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzir0Uv8JJe5Tp_SUYwIhSyFO0uL3HqZD2O5sJPAVn32lWUCydnfEqJ-MlfzQimLyfhOib_xzRfJLJcF4e0d0T-VCeH9RU_dBMWkeDbqH57KMDn1qbxIlEbi4TJr4w_CwILl_ai_gXWQ/s400/transport12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335993225812185890" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We make sure our kids get to school on time, even if we have to call a cab.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEixC52PV2K5dC7TYoLJKbo-SEr7ThwZJ6wnYfTWEMkNSws4Yimkyi2OmcWVPUHEu5LLYVPPKs6zNhmvoeVCn3PejqjLIrAAtRe09v9ZhYWtHnRDnSDpeycjmtOG5WqI1GVewEo6zcfI/s1600-h/transport1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEixC52PV2K5dC7TYoLJKbo-SEr7ThwZJ6wnYfTWEMkNSws4Yimkyi2OmcWVPUHEu5LLYVPPKs6zNhmvoeVCn3PejqjLIrAAtRe09v9ZhYWtHnRDnSDpeycjmtOG5WqI1GVewEo6zcfI/s400/transport1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335987705355506466" /></a><br /><br />Of course, we could always take the boat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnoGXkFNuTLTVxBhOSQseBKtfgkIwUHuFFKvH8wSAaayITvbyinQOECclIO1r3bDhoO-AcO4yOWP5mE75kHDGWQpW3iajEQqGmTcjIDcU-jWCmwF8LSnBUtG3Ogc7Mj9u0qbKnpv3uF8/s1600-h/transport5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnoGXkFNuTLTVxBhOSQseBKtfgkIwUHuFFKvH8wSAaayITvbyinQOECclIO1r3bDhoO-AcO4yOWP5mE75kHDGWQpW3iajEQqGmTcjIDcU-jWCmwF8LSnBUtG3Ogc7Mj9u0qbKnpv3uF8/s400/transport5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335987525379252818" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim83q2mW8J9lmffL5mDL0jseRAtYGwQFG0NMs9D70EiF-IWIo3kn7AANg8dkDKeBeHiBCvMCEYW9VUsXmvPvxRfh8c9Xt8eI4fqvAUorewYblVTsXGtgzDUdHWtprp1Oli0SXrEtDWNe0/s1600-h/transport4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim83q2mW8J9lmffL5mDL0jseRAtYGwQFG0NMs9D70EiF-IWIo3kn7AANg8dkDKeBeHiBCvMCEYW9VUsXmvPvxRfh8c9Xt8eI4fqvAUorewYblVTsXGtgzDUdHWtprp1Oli0SXrEtDWNe0/s400/transport4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335987154335161506" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3MJt2MbG3Zo1UYx76KsgfHeZsK6BYLdV-KKGByB6VdsDfJ7Ffiltn21o8L8Ne-wl5yoajLvsmeU4LXNV2Jedw1IGxJw9lylKxw8nlMtQxQXB2B-Ybn2wtLewAGDhKxnuXauqBgqz6XA/s1600-h/transport6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3MJt2MbG3Zo1UYx76KsgfHeZsK6BYLdV-KKGByB6VdsDfJ7Ffiltn21o8L8Ne-wl5yoajLvsmeU4LXNV2Jedw1IGxJw9lylKxw8nlMtQxQXB2B-Ybn2wtLewAGDhKxnuXauqBgqz6XA/s400/transport6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335987006285266882" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWlRzvsJ_4y9CEQUDFxxrPxd-DLQ-KHOd3voKTVzPN3XTgk0qFMCwt1FRj58Ay01N_f_JRVA2NbbbD3Qdhn4dTzavCjh7ZSsych7xlTfnzhRBzwFGpnlD47966lASGr8NPFlTq1YmKTQ/s1600-h/transport8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWlRzvsJ_4y9CEQUDFxxrPxd-DLQ-KHOd3voKTVzPN3XTgk0qFMCwt1FRj58Ay01N_f_JRVA2NbbbD3Qdhn4dTzavCjh7ZSsych7xlTfnzhRBzwFGpnlD47966lASGr8NPFlTq1YmKTQ/s400/transport8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335986849805517698" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtEiSRU5kBDuFjUKN9UbSAoUYITXTn8tDNHvWNK8c4KoRFZx00ECXISPzQfxfPavqMhJIPmehAobBHDuVvdPq0bLcE3gNUn_LUCZWYRswS2siwqNmaeQUoqdIAmmizsT9YdyHqlaYmnE/s1600-h/trnsport7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtEiSRU5kBDuFjUKN9UbSAoUYITXTn8tDNHvWNK8c4KoRFZx00ECXISPzQfxfPavqMhJIPmehAobBHDuVvdPq0bLcE3gNUn_LUCZWYRswS2siwqNmaeQUoqdIAmmizsT9YdyHqlaYmnE/s400/trnsport7.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335986694387181554" /></a><br /><br />Or just ride a bike; although that can get tiring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-xjwuQcMGm9RXNp91QpzKSvRoigIS5ZeIrlVgefVfZq2MmPm55FbK-kUeOoQ3fQglLnVxSQBSlddvMAah6Zr9Wh-FgtJRF7lFV_fegAK8j3UqLxnjT0P55x9MdvkdKf1mygYQswixaM/s1600-h/transport11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-xjwuQcMGm9RXNp91QpzKSvRoigIS5ZeIrlVgefVfZq2MmPm55FbK-kUeOoQ3fQglLnVxSQBSlddvMAah6Zr9Wh-FgtJRF7lFV_fegAK8j3UqLxnjT0P55x9MdvkdKf1mygYQswixaM/s400/transport11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335986309808968194" /></a><br /><br />Walking is fun too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc80UtUrhuKxQr9zrkZzHC6MDVlnfyCCTKrNPizOqqxX1lc5n76r6YfuZEIPuVPUXtrn2H7rUvLWVB-uE5DS_wZbIABROdCXf-Q8DqdG5tnYykQUXcnyJa-dm3TYsJ99AQkXcxfWZjixU/s1600-h/transport13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc80UtUrhuKxQr9zrkZzHC6MDVlnfyCCTKrNPizOqqxX1lc5n76r6YfuZEIPuVPUXtrn2H7rUvLWVB-uE5DS_wZbIABROdCXf-Q8DqdG5tnYykQUXcnyJa-dm3TYsJ99AQkXcxfWZjixU/s400/transport13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335986113337271794" /></a><br /><br />Although maybe our ancestors still had the best idea. West Hill has many murals on the sides of buildings depicting life in less frantic times.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhfgqOgSyMMDq0TgL-CmB1rVspUQT7PlnrWQqkGVdgaNXEHDhV5OjXE5l7vsVgV5Oqkeb2Fsb8Fwo0at8i_mYeJHYVHTrQXXNvHRE2DPHxUYZ_42cM8sGUia5xYRjNlPzVXuaiUxwPX8/s1600-h/transport9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhfgqOgSyMMDq0TgL-CmB1rVspUQT7PlnrWQqkGVdgaNXEHDhV5OjXE5l7vsVgV5Oqkeb2Fsb8Fwo0at8i_mYeJHYVHTrQXXNvHRE2DPHxUYZ_42cM8sGUia5xYRjNlPzVXuaiUxwPX8/s400/transport9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335988383602535890" /></a><br /><br />Although this might just be our future:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgt0KMX1iY3fT_H1P7LnUFu_lrddndGNi6bSXLLJZECG_TK9-7cjzNn836WBktkZ7F-_H13uWZALJc1jDEup4Ch8GXqhwbBKD_8aPAFzTd8A02vP2NpNLOGLWBD2nYzyS_tfxejv7YzA/s1600-h/739d794346a0b2df8cab1ce74599.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgt0KMX1iY3fT_H1P7LnUFu_lrddndGNi6bSXLLJZECG_TK9-7cjzNn836WBktkZ7F-_H13uWZALJc1jDEup4Ch8GXqhwbBKD_8aPAFzTd8A02vP2NpNLOGLWBD2nYzyS_tfxejv7YzA/s400/739d794346a0b2df8cab1ce74599.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336805157529734338" /></a><br /><br />Councilor Paul Ainslie is hosting an open house to discuss plans for a Kingston Road-Morningside Avenue Light Rail Transit line on Thursday May 21at at 6:30 pm at West Hill Public School.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-48573346492077523392009-04-14T06:21:00.000-04:002009-04-14T06:22:24.817-04:00West Hill's "Main Street"By a strange quirk of nomenclature, West Hill stands as the eastern most gateway to the City of Toronto. Most visitors entering the city via the Kingston Road exit from the 401 have their sights set on the massive towers of the downtown core. <br /><br />Lets take a moment to see what they may be passing by in their haste. <br /><br />Today, as always, West Hill has much to offer--- <br /><br />From the West, reaching out toward the very centre of the community is the "Main Street" of West Hill, the Kingston Road. The view here is from the railroad bridge at the Guildwood train station, looking toward where Kingston Road forms a triangular intersection with Lawrence and Morningside to form the Commercial Centre of the community. The City of Kingston was, for a time, the capital of Canada and West Hill was one small community along the long route there from the City of Toronto. The commercial backbone of the community, Kingston Road changes its personality several times as it moves through the heart of West Hill. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDP7PKyS28B-vXSgFcZeEqGoJv36vb-UW3vS0CjbCb9n_o_T8qii57brrHMt6zzRZGlpnfswkb43_Z3vqvrXsriavG37Z85WBWjN92ACTX_3A_UIzs_H-D9-YvRfxDSAOz0kBoGhd4zw/s1600-h/bridge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDP7PKyS28B-vXSgFcZeEqGoJv36vb-UW3vS0CjbCb9n_o_T8qii57brrHMt6zzRZGlpnfswkb43_Z3vqvrXsriavG37Z85WBWjN92ACTX_3A_UIzs_H-D9-YvRfxDSAOz0kBoGhd4zw/s400/bridge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323019517124351858" /></a><br /><br />Where the major thoroughfares of Kingston Road, Lawrence and Morningside Avenues intersect, the commercial centre of West Hill has grown. Here banks and stores, supermarkets and hardwares, florists and department stores have all found a home. The West Hill Shopping Centre is situated on the north east corner of Lawrence and Kingston Road.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGfTMdF9ENaKE6u8dG8MiqvEZncgF2jsZuufzdYomatwkwGJ8tfmcpo-Cbswlp_SuICoOhKk8WeMkUJwx4k00eirEzZiIaS53MNMjw5jjpAzsE6ZwMTYIAXqj1kLWUge9_iptQIDEork/s1600-h/triange1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGfTMdF9ENaKE6u8dG8MiqvEZncgF2jsZuufzdYomatwkwGJ8tfmcpo-Cbswlp_SuICoOhKk8WeMkUJwx4k00eirEzZiIaS53MNMjw5jjpAzsE6ZwMTYIAXqj1kLWUge9_iptQIDEork/s400/triange1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323018936917615730" /></a><br /><br />The heart of the triangle is inhabited by a major supermarket and its adjacent plaza. Now a No Frills, the supermarket was for most of its life, a Loblaws. It was here that I and many of my friends got our first jobs and worked our way through high school on Thursday & Friday nights and all day Saturday. The plaza is also home to a drugstore, Brewers retail, Chick'n' Joy, McDonalds and a Pizza Pizza among others<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2YUX2stPRzPtPEtf3sBhlA8LhWPu3sf7ERT8GOEXxnqgmuVJFkYxuyq0EWz7N8PlnhLl_Thcm2DOSDEGEDN_Pp9nq-sRTtBe7Koknq2ulldlC_3zNflHQ5Uj15_1XlqmXTF49YgUxF0/s1600-h/triangle2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2YUX2stPRzPtPEtf3sBhlA8LhWPu3sf7ERT8GOEXxnqgmuVJFkYxuyq0EWz7N8PlnhLl_Thcm2DOSDEGEDN_Pp9nq-sRTtBe7Koknq2ulldlC_3zNflHQ5Uj15_1XlqmXTF49YgUxF0/s400/triangle2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323018825409662386" /></a><br /><br />The new Morningside Crossing was completed on the site of the former Morningside Mall. The Mornigside Crossing proper was opened in the summer of 2008, anchored by Shoppers Drug Mart and a Food Basics Supermarket. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKzTb1ZY615g7QLr4Kzu4QcbpqLTK7lYBR2DSA-2w0GxWXiSn9g-pqm0cE1Knb4syrXv4LnvslNGnqYyVvnIdVPw3we4SmjmO3ZhU9Y9ztFf6dNBhgPQMg2Kts6IeM6Wu0WGXovB5DbQ/s1600-h/morningsidecrossing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKzTb1ZY615g7QLr4Kzu4QcbpqLTK7lYBR2DSA-2w0GxWXiSn9g-pqm0cE1Knb4syrXv4LnvslNGnqYyVvnIdVPw3we4SmjmO3ZhU9Y9ztFf6dNBhgPQMg2Kts6IeM6Wu0WGXovB5DbQ/s400/morningsidecrossing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323018695182587778" /></a><br /><br />Then commerce gives way to trees and lawns, churches, restaurants and motels. This is near the traditional centre of the community where the first homes in the area were constructed and where the West Hill Hotel provided the only social life for miles around. The hotel was torn down many years ago and, after remaining a vacant lot for decades, was replaced by a modern housing development in 2001. West Hill is the first glimpse of the City of Toronto for travelers from the east. Its motels provide an opportunity to rest up from the drive, while its restaurants offer a wide selection from elegant dining to fast foods.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lYJ7xd4CEpBOR9zvO9ZPqgD8bQANYo_qXarWyhuUuFkfjshTCguJHx_RXhO5JoCjYt7jVu35gAmoFC_xPDYDuvFRRr1NbbaFaS9zouxKPBs1OXxYWEhyvoflEVhagys5IU8TLnwiGKk/s1600-h/kingston3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lYJ7xd4CEpBOR9zvO9ZPqgD8bQANYo_qXarWyhuUuFkfjshTCguJHx_RXhO5JoCjYt7jVu35gAmoFC_xPDYDuvFRRr1NbbaFaS9zouxKPBs1OXxYWEhyvoflEVhagys5IU8TLnwiGKk/s400/kingston3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323016099067685618" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nI28bZnKQ96zDMnVaaedDFaZSqp_k2qWDyPpApstOZEiPPZjPblPRxRDyUHeuCxgFghCYYWFj6eQEBWEyrSMlCIUAfAWcrmOgsWV9Kq2w3OlSNAc-GvE3mZOjk9Yh0wZV22Mmfzub0A/s1600-h/DSC00942.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nI28bZnKQ96zDMnVaaedDFaZSqp_k2qWDyPpApstOZEiPPZjPblPRxRDyUHeuCxgFghCYYWFj6eQEBWEyrSMlCIUAfAWcrmOgsWV9Kq2w3OlSNAc-GvE3mZOjk9Yh0wZV22Mmfzub0A/s400/DSC00942.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323018310061685842" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzKWyVDhL6A_BMQ9vsC-Ws_OUxz9nGrUKJpizOynMmvXEbme_2z8fIGPxg-3pNz-_FQyDaM2FMxYetMeajleV2KGcDJDvg_qo02CtzAle_BTC-t28YgM2Mkg9V0C1eJGMaEWY4ne8rHo/s1600-h/andrews.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzKWyVDhL6A_BMQ9vsC-Ws_OUxz9nGrUKJpizOynMmvXEbme_2z8fIGPxg-3pNz-_FQyDaM2FMxYetMeajleV2KGcDJDvg_qo02CtzAle_BTC-t28YgM2Mkg9V0C1eJGMaEWY4ne8rHo/s400/andrews.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323016469543182898" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqBmkFizsIw0qhWVhnCWup4KVd27JUpad5REG4eg730Pa0ghdVoPJr9iLA0volGco9wfA619IhS5Pk99p59U9MfKG6HmlAjMQy-RMdYfuIKZMVJTlQvIL0Z9nBLbupVf3VYC_ZWomYsk/s1600-h/motel1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqBmkFizsIw0qhWVhnCWup4KVd27JUpad5REG4eg730Pa0ghdVoPJr9iLA0volGco9wfA619IhS5Pk99p59U9MfKG6HmlAjMQy-RMdYfuIKZMVJTlQvIL0Z9nBLbupVf3VYC_ZWomYsk/s400/motel1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323016309372868882" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Kingston Road bridge across Highland Creek is the most distinctive feature of the eastern most entrance to the City of Toronto from the 401 highway. And here our Main Street reaches its Easternmost end and we leave West Hill behind us, with a sad farewell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvac9mGNWfSdhV-td_Z-W8YQcpRC53Z2aN-LKdOMunNbETAGrrJ9ivsKF07T1mW6Ky9SQ-58DElPVt5xJHjX9FEqMmiwuGIHc8ZW7-wnMuIjb2fOKj2MzypQnUpq3QokxyHQLuOrABCk/s1600-h/kingston2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvac9mGNWfSdhV-td_Z-W8YQcpRC53Z2aN-LKdOMunNbETAGrrJ9ivsKF07T1mW6Ky9SQ-58DElPVt5xJHjX9FEqMmiwuGIHc8ZW7-wnMuIjb2fOKj2MzypQnUpq3QokxyHQLuOrABCk/s400/kingston2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323019132215282930" /></a><br /><br />But maybe you'd like to stay and party with us a bit longer? Here is a little video I shot of the opening ceremonies at Morningside Crossing last summer.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0CU3ScBHQGM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0CU3ScBHQGM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-74972161652205674862009-04-05T09:23:00.000-04:002009-04-05T09:25:58.228-04:00Tips For Joining Fitness Clubs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOX8ZtMQgbt7mk57KCudXcvPWzEJpjDkZpFhJiy1Wwd7lzSGOcQUL0PCVm24eE2yCGMUI2FoIRxBppVcQyHxXKaoWMgoxT0SEydi2j6Rv3mH_kn7F8cEIuxs14R24OY3hfsOp1LiBlvQ/s1600-h/My+Photo+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOX8ZtMQgbt7mk57KCudXcvPWzEJpjDkZpFhJiy1Wwd7lzSGOcQUL0PCVm24eE2yCGMUI2FoIRxBppVcQyHxXKaoWMgoxT0SEydi2j6Rv3mH_kn7F8cEIuxs14R24OY3hfsOp1LiBlvQ/s400/My+Photo+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321197536979160786" /></a><br /><br />Tips on Joining Fitness Clubs<br />By Howard Buchin<br /><br />Spring is here and many of us think that it’s time to get into better shape. Have you thought about joining a fitness club? Every day we receive flyers promoting numerous kinds clubs, with different kinds of fees, facilities and classes to entice you. Most clubs will need you to sign some form of a membership agreement. <br /><br />There are clubs tailored to adults only, or other clubs which allow children to attend.<br /><br />All fitness clubs are governed by the Consumer Protection Act, which means they must disclose any “hidden charges” before you sign with them. As the name hidden charges implies, you need to look closely at any membership agreement. There is usually an extra charge for towels, access to saunas, or exercise mats, or other specialized equipment areas. Make sure you prepare a list of questions ready to ask, in order to find out what your membership fees will include. <br /> <br />Most Clubs have lots of fitness machines such as stationary bikes, rowers, treadmills, weight training nautilus-type machines designed to improve fitness. These machines also help with strengthening and conditioning. You’ll need to decide if you require a fitness evaluation, or the assistance of a personal trainer. There are usually costs involved with testing, as well as fees for personal training sessions, which are sold in packages.<br /><br />Fitness clubs use various levels of personal trainers & instructors. Ideally the trainers are geared towards helping you to get to the fitness goals set for yourself. A personal trainer can get his/her qualifications from several places. Certification courses are offered by community colleges, and other training courses are offered via the Internet. Obviously, the Internet doesn’t compare to a college level of study. A question to ask might be: “How do your trainers/instructors get their qualifications”? If you’re involved with competitive level sports, you’ll want to work with a higher-level of trainers. <br /><br />Clubs have varying hours of operation, depending on their clientele. Be certain to enquire about what hours your club is open. Take the opportunity to visit the club at various times of day before you sign up, when you expect to be working out there. Check out if there is sufficient space to allow for the number of people there. Are the change rooms big enough to allow you to be comfortable when you attend?<br /> <br />The Consumer Protection law gives you the right to:<br />*Change your mind about joining (within 10 days after signing a contract). <br />*To cancel your agreement within the first year, if you believe you’re a victim of <br /> unfair business practices.<br />• The right to choose to sign a membership for one year, or renew on a monthly, or bi-monthly basis.<br /><br />Remember there’s always a possibility of unforeseen scenarios developing. A club can slip down with maintenance and upkeep of the premises. <br />What if unsanitary conditions do not get addressed? What are the terms and conditions if you want to cancel your membership? <br /><br />Clubs sales people will likely try to use pressure tactics with statements such as, “You can cancel at anytime for any reason” or “Don’t worry your not bound by the agreement should any unforeseen events such as injury or pregnancy occur.” Clubs generally do their best to protect the clubs own interests, and not yours. I asked to take the club agreements home to read, but the staff refused at both clubs I attended. Remember there are good reasons why the fine print is so difficult to read, quite simply, they acted as if, it would better appreciated if I didn’t read through the contract, or understand what it said. To me, this appears to be an unfair business practice, but it’s not necessarily ‘illegal.’ Remember that anything that requires you r signature, signifies that you have agreed to it. <br /><br />Initially a club offered a four-month free membership. They wanted me to sign on for a complete one-year membership, which I would have had to pay bi-monthly (from my bank account). They didn’t seem very interested in my paying in advance for the year. One club policy said it would suspend the fees for the time a member was unable to attend, but then tacked the time back on once the member was healthy and attending again. <br /><br />I noticed that the staff at the clubs I visited made many verbal claims about what would happen in the case of having to suspend my membership, but these weren’t backed up by their contract. Anything you agree to needs to be included in writing, within the membership agreement that your signing.<br /><br />The agents at the clubs I spoke with inferred that I had no worries by telling me, “You can trust us. We’re your friends.” In fact, the agreement wasn’t too friendly. The terms included late-payment penalties. ‘Failure to pay within 3 days would result in late payment charges.’ Another club had terms included which stated a ‘member would be given a 10-day window in which to pay his fees.’ How the clubs deal with late payments is often left up to the discretion of the club.<br /><br />If you do intend to join up with a fitness club, I advise the following,<br />- Do some serious research before hand, are there many complaints about the club. <br />- Read carefully any contract that you are expected to sign. If any verbal promises are made to you, then these need to be in writing, into the contract.<br />- Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.<br /><br />If you have any consumer issues you might need help with please email me at howard.buchin@sympatico.caEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-29021619736775303942009-03-25T06:37:00.001-04:002009-03-25T06:37:55.231-04:00Homes A Photo EssayThe First Nations peoples originally settled this land and built their homes on the banks of the Highland Creek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLhU_YeP8bmpf4u-RHlpRfh_GbKG4LNXAqST0w3qsr-BfeX1Ahsc2SUjXqKbU1wsfluvVZZD_kySILrJQ1OV49_vO8CsRJJEXuzBXTQ23wEnhzLNiBDwcupRFeGWjo6wGlH0e38D0U5E/s1600-h/crawfordlake2007007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLhU_YeP8bmpf4u-RHlpRfh_GbKG4LNXAqST0w3qsr-BfeX1Ahsc2SUjXqKbU1wsfluvVZZD_kySILrJQ1OV49_vO8CsRJJEXuzBXTQ23wEnhzLNiBDwcupRFeGWjo6wGlH0e38D0U5E/s400/crawfordlake2007007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315205792612871410" /></a><br /><br />The name "Iroquois" was given to the peoples of the six nations by their enemies. The Algonquin called them the Iroqu (Irinakhoiw) "rattlesnakes." After the French added the Gallic suffix "-ois" to this insult, the name became Iroquois. The Iroquois call themselves Haudenosaunee meaning "people of the long house." Iroquois villages were generally fortified and large. The distinctive, communal longhouses of the different clans could be over 200' in length and were built about a framework covered with elm bark. <br /><br />Evidence of two of their villages have been found long the banks of the Highland Creek. These villages were set well back from the creek, away from the flood plain and from the sight of their enemies. The village on the west hill is located near the Alda Motel, while the one on the east hill of the creek is on the Helliwell property. Descendants of the original peoples continue to reside on this land in the Gabriel Dumont community of West Hill. This reconstructed Longhouse is from the Crawford Lake reserve.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknDA0P3EueT6e9Im1t3iiu22XMw0bdnCTvJUe_ysG0sjC-6PeQ-lKpqg_zwFIxwhD7MjZZ3OJb0P4EeanchbSmDwfQlUj9L8hXobXZLf9jswcnjD3uTSD7i-ANnq4b8T9ArKMCByo2cU/s1600-h/oldkroad1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknDA0P3EueT6e9Im1t3iiu22XMw0bdnCTvJUe_ysG0sjC-6PeQ-lKpqg_zwFIxwhD7MjZZ3OJb0P4EeanchbSmDwfQlUj9L8hXobXZLf9jswcnjD3uTSD7i-ANnq4b8T9ArKMCByo2cU/s400/oldkroad1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315205686265811858" /></a><br /><br />More Myth than Reality, more Dream than Truth, the original village of West Hill can no longer be seen but only glimpsed. Hidden from direct view behind apartment blocks, shopping malls, major thoroughfares and sprawling subdivisions, the village of West Hill lives on, in small oasis of beauty between the encroaching bricks and granite of Canada's largest metropolitan area. Swallowed first by the City of Scarborough which in turn was engulfed by the City of Toronto, West Hill no longer exists on any map, yet can still be found when the light is right and guide is sure. Come, we will seek this small village together and let her peace and charm renew our souls and delight our eyes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRSI8P_PzHjS0_O9fuEDm-R-X771vl3p3LGautA1Lf2mQ_u0CY43xd7IB2AYh3rFpeGhXxU2cQBJ9cRTluejdc03hGsHt5h1MkzSub4YySS8_fjWaVnXFxKPWpB_ryqLAU0cS6QrHQ2k/s1600-h/whhouse1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRSI8P_PzHjS0_O9fuEDm-R-X771vl3p3LGautA1Lf2mQ_u0CY43xd7IB2AYh3rFpeGhXxU2cQBJ9cRTluejdc03hGsHt5h1MkzSub4YySS8_fjWaVnXFxKPWpB_ryqLAU0cS6QrHQ2k/s400/whhouse1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315205528044409778" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ1L-CdZovO0RGZXM-ZKI0SJE-q_ff6YkpgJpzF4LEV8G6nqjduGFulr_FAZVa1hrg7THLe6g1FU4AWW4oAijewmhIbTKpf3rsjubzLpnmoVURD2Pslyq1QbRUzH_prsNCxTFDKROiBs/s1600-h/whitehouse.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ1L-CdZovO0RGZXM-ZKI0SJE-q_ff6YkpgJpzF4LEV8G6nqjduGFulr_FAZVa1hrg7THLe6g1FU4AWW4oAijewmhIbTKpf3rsjubzLpnmoVURD2Pslyq1QbRUzH_prsNCxTFDKROiBs/s400/whitehouse.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315219178098951698" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnPYVXWv1FOLMGzepkfvWjDmlEeGmwHLzRuIBz8rQZG9Cwpgtxkgj-Gd8Jc_e4hByT78n5HACKul5kbwXYCu1fhrjmAW3JXyOJ2fESuUsd4s4bk1D88N0Fa-DDKc7IYdTauEws0tp0-w/s1600-h/indian+center.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnPYVXWv1FOLMGzepkfvWjDmlEeGmwHLzRuIBz8rQZG9Cwpgtxkgj-Gd8Jc_e4hByT78n5HACKul5kbwXYCu1fhrjmAW3JXyOJ2fESuUsd4s4bk1D88N0Fa-DDKc7IYdTauEws0tp0-w/s400/indian+center.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315219004542919538" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrSEBidyNBD14hE6GYKu5EJ-r3cuqGDQXV4izggIzL4iONJfnLtq-AjX6nWaEI34_22Ztjy_bCF3rxSziYlqCROFaKZejgZK7OGjUvfpyTpwItfkK4uJcrf1myGjwvE8EDzVqH9-arhs/s1600-h/DSC01037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrSEBidyNBD14hE6GYKu5EJ-r3cuqGDQXV4izggIzL4iONJfnLtq-AjX6nWaEI34_22Ztjy_bCF3rxSziYlqCROFaKZejgZK7OGjUvfpyTpwItfkK4uJcrf1myGjwvE8EDzVqH9-arhs/s400/DSC01037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315204180732459730" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r7QT5jboW8H4wH4Cc1oLifjQHvjVyIWiHII6R77WNE4zDtk1iQpPZYRLzzTfkMgce0BCOdHUgA2NreYStWASzcB_Qh4HajGCGA6Fmg6HHSiC7G9sZoViYjk5SuDW0xG8OH9yC5YqKpk/s1600-h/DSC01041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r7QT5jboW8H4wH4Cc1oLifjQHvjVyIWiHII6R77WNE4zDtk1iQpPZYRLzzTfkMgce0BCOdHUgA2NreYStWASzcB_Qh4HajGCGA6Fmg6HHSiC7G9sZoViYjk5SuDW0xG8OH9yC5YqKpk/s400/DSC01041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315201070624379730" /></a><br /><br />Originally the home of Colonel Bickford, The Guild Inn was owned by my great uncle Msrg. John Fraser from September 1921 to October 1924. He renamed the property the St. Francis Xavier China Mission Seminary. During World War II it became an official naval base and was renamed, HMCS Bytown and, later still, was transformed into a military hospital and renamed Scarborough Hall. The property later became the Guild of all Arts and became an major Arts Center. Now owned by the City of Toronto, and its future the subject of considerable controversy, the stately building has been boarded up and left to rot. <br /><br />Most recently Centennial College has expressed an interest in the property to house its International Relations Department.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpVyN7eif8jbuEtRxFiL4b7SYNVMku4jyPOGKlNEz8i4KTlUy0lQtqX9et1v42OfwSHX14ZNYcV2v8wUn6ZI02OKaETVNEQHzRnzAwuHHAAZgJg77cFKCk7mOVMrOdtp5pj7TNo4kCxg/s1600-h/DSC01039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpVyN7eif8jbuEtRxFiL4b7SYNVMku4jyPOGKlNEz8i4KTlUy0lQtqX9et1v42OfwSHX14ZNYcV2v8wUn6ZI02OKaETVNEQHzRnzAwuHHAAZgJg77cFKCk7mOVMrOdtp5pj7TNo4kCxg/s400/DSC01039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315210094071206994" /></a>Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-44929060020642402232009-03-22T12:14:00.001-04:002009-03-22T12:20:32.258-04:00CIBC Now Open On Sunday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaNKZP8rJapRdOSfBDGKb8r0sOV9RZq4Ab43KB5yH0NqVFCZiTuVMCHSjER9XkkQnM5WOM1azraESdRGbUewMeUaEGOUFgVSObe0jeMlumDqmfY0Na60h6QXSGPcPiHSh95UzUWoeO7w/s1600-h/DSC01057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaNKZP8rJapRdOSfBDGKb8r0sOV9RZq4Ab43KB5yH0NqVFCZiTuVMCHSjER9XkkQnM5WOM1azraESdRGbUewMeUaEGOUFgVSObe0jeMlumDqmfY0Na60h6QXSGPcPiHSh95UzUWoeO7w/s400/DSC01057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316046475786666274" /></a><br /><br />The unheard of has happened in West Hill.<br /><br />The new CIBC bank at Morningside Crossing has announced that it will open on Sunday. West Hill joins a select few other branches in Canada offering Sunday hours.<br /><br />The move is part of an expanded awareness of customer needs and a willingness to extend service to meet those needs. Not only are banks open later in the day, not only do they have more banking machines, but now CIBC has added Sunday service to its customers.<br /><br />It wasn't long ago that banks closed at 3 pm with additional hours only on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.<br /><br />At one point it was thought that internet banking and bank machines would make branches obsolete. Instead they have been modernized and made more customer friendly.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-44952506631803615512009-03-19T07:24:00.000-04:002009-03-22T08:40:02.076-04:00West Hill Churches (Part 2 of 2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLIUyqSuc-IY4UleNcO7m1NDh9hGmUYKcRN_DACkz6alDodTaMar6fX3-bOB89bI33ozDue0mUVPtb2jH1ZEEgnZW6tsez5Ux0pinRJs9UbsZOMVceroSyIHV3GhCj979xDZVwSxph0A/s1600-h/DSC01022-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLIUyqSuc-IY4UleNcO7m1NDh9hGmUYKcRN_DACkz6alDodTaMar6fX3-bOB89bI33ozDue0mUVPtb2jH1ZEEgnZW6tsez5Ux0pinRJs9UbsZOMVceroSyIHV3GhCj979xDZVwSxph0A/s400/DSC01022-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315990904582312322" /></a><br /><br />The Heron Park Baptist Church holds a hugely successful community picnic every summer. It is located at Lawrence and West Hill Drive. With a congregation of over 300 from a variety of Christian traditions, it is also active with a number of community partners including West Hill Community Services, the Toronto Children's Choir, and Philip Aziz hospice services.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4OiFYNbVwkXsbyLPPZmy7w60cuVEmG_hWLgjpFW9DPAWWv0EhvGttPgHMG1P8mfQs7T4mz84_MUefdd-Z3zMv8VcigiIt1B1XfQYRQJm5vcktzL1IZ6_Ha05Fo4ACw3aZNtl4hubFlI/s1600-h/seventh+day.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4OiFYNbVwkXsbyLPPZmy7w60cuVEmG_hWLgjpFW9DPAWWv0EhvGttPgHMG1P8mfQs7T4mz84_MUefdd-Z3zMv8VcigiIt1B1XfQYRQJm5vcktzL1IZ6_Ha05Fo4ACw3aZNtl4hubFlI/s400/seventh+day.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314860356491314226" /></a><br /><br />The West Hill's Seventh Day Adventist Chruch was also renovated and enlarged in the 1990's and is located at Kingston Rd and Poplar.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZUZG1ZrTSpF9gIgZ1we0-1pBhA1dU3CGM5U34HqCHKfUhsJTaR9RyM4JIosMPf8YImLbPWmRdsbymUnwaeF1uJ0hjGWvft20jyh9imGeDQ257ZPoxkLigNSewlGMgtenwGyZVz1ahaU/s1600-h/DSC01023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZUZG1ZrTSpF9gIgZ1we0-1pBhA1dU3CGM5U34HqCHKfUhsJTaR9RyM4JIosMPf8YImLbPWmRdsbymUnwaeF1uJ0hjGWvft20jyh9imGeDQ257ZPoxkLigNSewlGMgtenwGyZVz1ahaU/s400/DSC01023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314860245187571138" /></a><br /><br /><br />West Hill Gospel Hall was newly renovated and expanded in the 1990's. It is located at Morningside and Coronation.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-69654530926413589422009-03-08T10:17:00.000-04:002009-03-21T11:37:32.657-04:00The Churches of West Hill (Part 1 of 2)We have been challenged by Photojournalist, and former Associated Press Photographer, <a href="http://crisfieldnews.blogspot.com/">Patty Hancock</a> to post more photos of our Community. Patty has undertaken this project as a way for us all to get to know each other's community. Maybe you'd like to skip over to Patty's to see what the spiritual life in Crisfield Maryland looks like. There are links from her site to other communities joining in this weekly venture.<br /><br />West Hill certainly has a rich spiritual life and here is part one of a tribute to the churches of West Hill.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoZQmgFwtB5iC1D2wUU7_hQ88tSg80R4Xn06GdVndq2NVBcn5b8Z4Rx-v96gJksQRdTGLLO6fBFbWGGY_fHvkWVATvkHGh3ve3u_awQlPK-n_lSAM73n8w3PCk4O7hsi8-1wZO6F7zoM/s1600-h/buddhist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoZQmgFwtB5iC1D2wUU7_hQ88tSg80R4Xn06GdVndq2NVBcn5b8Z4Rx-v96gJksQRdTGLLO6fBFbWGGY_fHvkWVATvkHGh3ve3u_awQlPK-n_lSAM73n8w3PCk4O7hsi8-1wZO6F7zoM/s400/buddhist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310038774810681986" /></a><br /><br />A new feature on the West Hill landscape is taking shape among the evergreens on the banks of the Highland Creek at the Kingston Road bridge. A new Buddhist Temple of the Toronto Mahavihara Society, is evidence of the diversity of the spiritual life of the community.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPL4YkpcLR13a1vtgXbP7NtCwM69G6CYjmOby6FS9kRdbKufkO4TGcPMT5EPhO-sJ70B_lc9ANnIdAXR2uoM6i5Eh_htP_s99wTqLabLaWIrmVEsHaSl4Vh4DHdHe2KhG7wuw6oGgtoJ0/s1600-h/DSC01019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPL4YkpcLR13a1vtgXbP7NtCwM69G6CYjmOby6FS9kRdbKufkO4TGcPMT5EPhO-sJ70B_lc9ANnIdAXR2uoM6i5Eh_htP_s99wTqLabLaWIrmVEsHaSl4Vh4DHdHe2KhG7wuw6oGgtoJ0/s400/DSC01019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310038631383761666" /></a><br /><br /><br />The major Roman Catholic Church in the community is St. Martin de Porres. Erected in the 1960's and substantially enlarged in the 1980's, its dramatic architectural style and placement at the intersection of Morningside and Lawrence make it one of the most well known features of the West Hill landscape.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MkOcvhBWTklvhCDEyq2dhof7m6hmLpQFvMgKbauh5lAPi_AiHcDTJoeGYTgmLmdNKVO0wv8Utsq6s3P02xfJHePc4WxC-Ifv6mQPpTKxHJx0onEyfNumgLl9HOtly230KJFBQLKfK6M/s1600-h/stmargarets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MkOcvhBWTklvhCDEyq2dhof7m6hmLpQFvMgKbauh5lAPi_AiHcDTJoeGYTgmLmdNKVO0wv8Utsq6s3P02xfJHePc4WxC-Ifv6mQPpTKxHJx0onEyfNumgLl9HOtly230KJFBQLKfK6M/s400/stmargarets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310038232588449970" /></a><br /><br />Another historic Church, St. Margaret's in the Pines, has been a West Hill landmark for decades. St. Margaret's was the first parish in which Tom Harper, author and religious editor of the Toronto Star, served after his ordination as an Anglican Priest. Today St. Margarets reaches out especially to the Tamil community and to the elderly, with recreation and social programs for senior citizens running on a daily basis. The programs are run by West Hill Community Services and include transportation to and from St.Margarets.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7VJasMd-I8APFIX_Uodh9WB43LMvmEmz65X861yRocad5CLhy7IIubJs6yBhiBLZGUjz3uUoio_QGtmAxlVkiFA2SWLybqrntA1tgthDqpP06XbFX891oN94BjaPpE4MQBUf7gPTmz4/s1600-h/whchurchb1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7VJasMd-I8APFIX_Uodh9WB43LMvmEmz65X861yRocad5CLhy7IIubJs6yBhiBLZGUjz3uUoio_QGtmAxlVkiFA2SWLybqrntA1tgthDqpP06XbFX891oN94BjaPpE4MQBUf7gPTmz4/s400/whchurchb1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310038074007016754" /></a><br /><br />Among the oldest Churches in the area, the Melville Presbyterian Church stands on the very edge of the west hill of Highland Creek on picturesque Old Kingston Road. It is visually one of the most dramatic of the area's churches. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCJF0vysHUYTf9Y_DcsjMhBxMdmtbHLaWHYOP13GJh7O-g8I_6D-ye2UxSKzsYw6pkkg5hqWA8FN2IMeaoBKD7lAXIQihYyvUvEbcH0aQxy276ZDeeJ0U2e3OyhP_fm6p_1grORk6EfI/s1600-h/whchurch1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCJF0vysHUYTf9Y_DcsjMhBxMdmtbHLaWHYOP13GJh7O-g8I_6D-ye2UxSKzsYw6pkkg5hqWA8FN2IMeaoBKD7lAXIQihYyvUvEbcH0aQxy276ZDeeJ0U2e3OyhP_fm6p_1grORk6EfI/s400/whchurch1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310037836849174018" /></a><br /><br />Opportunities for a rich spiritual life are offered by the many religious centres in the community. Of these, only one carries West Hill's name. And it is likely the most controversial church in the entire country. <br /><br />The West Hill United Church stands at the intersection of Orchard Park Dr and Kingston Road and looks innocent enough at first glance. <a href="http://www.grettavosper.ca/">Reverend Gretta Vosper</a> welcomes visitors to her 1960s church. With a 230-family congregation, an average Sunday service has about 150 worshipers of all ages. The church has a youth group, a community supper program, and an outreach program that assists many charities. The church is currently creating more groups and programs. On Tuesday nights it houses Boy Scouts, karate and Narcotics Anonymous. The controversy arises from its being the only Church in West Hill, and maybe in the entire country, that has banned God. All mention of God has been removed from all Hymns sung and sermons preached. This is a Church for those who like their religion, "With Or Without God".Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-9996068825087127182009-03-03T08:59:00.000-05:002009-03-03T09:28:20.481-05:00Howard Johnson's Coming to West Hill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDUo5JIl2hYko13QeOyOMp59fd7n-6Nx1QbKIMvyjxdLk-opdR55YHOah9Kxn03Q1eN1brc23XjvBKxs0Uf8NzxRfKFGVc1_-cjoHs7B_cNiu0z-XSavhK6CMrAOiUOuyyON6v5mGEiU/s1600-h/DSC00942.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDUo5JIl2hYko13QeOyOMp59fd7n-6Nx1QbKIMvyjxdLk-opdR55YHOah9Kxn03Q1eN1brc23XjvBKxs0Uf8NzxRfKFGVc1_-cjoHs7B_cNiu0z-XSavhK6CMrAOiUOuyyON6v5mGEiU/s400/DSC00942.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308961098753583298" /></a><br /><br />By March 8th, Howard Johnson's Motel chain will establish an east end of Toronto presence in West Hill.<br /><br />Taking over the Gateway Motel at the Highland creek bridge, the international hotel chain will take a significant step in reclaiming the tarnished image of motels in the West Hill area. <br /><br />Once an important tourist destination for those on their way to the downtown core, the City's decision to use the motels in West Hill as Emergency accommodation began in the 1980s. It continues to the present day.<br /><br />Of the motels along the Kingston Road strip, only the Grand maintained its reputation as a family owned business catering to the tourist trade.<br /><br />Howard Johnson's is a chain of restaurants and hotels, located primarily throughout the United States and Canada. The name is derived from the founder of the original company, Howard Deering Johnson, who started the initial chain of restaurants and motels. Howard Johnson hotels are now part of Wyndham Worldwide, formerly a part of Cendant.<br /><br />Wyndham operates the Howard Johnson brand under many "tiers," based on price, level of amenities, and services offered. Howard Johnson Express Inns, Howard Johnson Inns, Howard Johnson Hotels, and Howard Johnson Plaza Hotels range from limited-service motels to full-service properties with on-site concierges and business centers. Howard Johnson recently has begun offering its "Rise 'N' Dine" continental breakfast.<br /><br />Howard Johnson's had a long history of providing service to the east end of the city having operated a motel at Markham and Progress for many years, until it was acquired as a student residence by Centennial College.<br /><br />Newly renovated and upgraded, the latest addition to the Howard Johnson chain will be opening its doors to the public in West Hill on March 8th.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-53537189694693509152009-02-16T11:02:00.000-05:002009-02-16T11:04:42.328-05:00Let The Buyer Beware<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK6nFm424JpvM44rd8bYFsSPd5h6xuFjKAUmOoK75YQg0FvmQH_UEOYRBlP_WmtdU4XcHQx7qWmwSqRIrxaMuEez4wlUyWcOSULMah-asXKvfZGuczW3OeW0twdTYLHmkVN59EVoV6F8/s1600-h/My+Photo+.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK6nFm424JpvM44rd8bYFsSPd5h6xuFjKAUmOoK75YQg0FvmQH_UEOYRBlP_WmtdU4XcHQx7qWmwSqRIrxaMuEez4wlUyWcOSULMah-asXKvfZGuczW3OeW0twdTYLHmkVN59EVoV6F8/s320/My+Photo+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303426688032082882" /></a><br /><br /><br />Caveat Emptor “Let the buyer beware”<br />By Howard Buchin<br /><br /> The term Caveat Emptor is Latin for “Let the buyer beware.” This maxim applies to just about every item that a consumer buys, and dictates that it is up to the consumer to be cautious prior to making their purchase. He must examine and investigate the merchandise being bought. If defects are found after the sale, it may be extremely difficult to hold the vendor responsible for any such defects or missing parts. Caveat Emptor began as part of Roman law, and was eventually adopted by British common law and tradition. In Canada, there have since been laws established (Consumer Protection Act, Sale of Goods Act) to counter this buyer beware mentality that exists<br /><br />The bottom line is that consumers get that for which they bargain. Today the average consumer is faced with many considerations prior to the purchase of items small and large. But this is especially true for big-ticket items that you might be contemplating.<br /><br />In the matter of a home sale, failure on the part of the buyer to have the home inspected prior to purchase can result in long-term costs and aggravation. To be safe, have a fully accredited home inspector carry out a full home inspection prior to such a large scale purchase. <br /><br />Years ago, we shopped at a popular furniture and appliance outlet in order to purchase a new refrigerator. After spending twenty minutes wandering around the showroom floor we decided to take the low-priced clearance (close-out – end-of-the-line) model that was being promoted. We paid using our visa card and signed a purchase agreement without spending too much time reading the fine print. After having second thoughts I returned to the store. I wanted to have another look at what we purchased. It seemed that the fridge was too small for us and I asked about changing for a different model. I was told that we couldn’t switch models since we had already signed a purchase agreement for the one we had chosen. They were not going to allow us to cancel the deal. After the salesperson directed me to look at my receipt, I found that at the bottom it said ALL SALES FINAL. NO CANCELLATION ON DISCONTINUED ITEMS. NOT SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE OR REFUND.<br /><br />Also we hadn’t thought about the how hard it could be in the future to find parts and or any technical support, since we were buying an end-of-the-line model. On closer inspection of the crisper drawers, it didn’t appear that they were built quite as well as other fridges.<br /><br />In spite of the fact that I returned to the store just 8 hours after we made the deal, the manager there wasn’t willing to give in to what we wanted. I had to fax several letters using references from applicable Consumer Protection Act 2002 sections and eventually, that same manager relented, and allowed us to change for another model.<br /><br />Under the law, a vendor is supposed to disclose to you anything that might affect any decisions whether to purchase. Unfortunately this is not what happens in many instances. <br />There are very few consumers with the time or resources to take these matters before a small claims judge. We hadn’t noticed that the fridge on display had not been plugged in. We were not able to view it running. <br /><br />If you’re buying a high-tech gadget such as a removable memory stick, or external hard-drive, you need to know if the model being sold is up-to-date, and compatible with your PC or MAC. Sometimes it’s a good idea to do an on-line check to see if there are any known issues with a particular model, before you even attend the store. A good website is www.ripoffreport.com, which has lots of feedback from consumers regarding products and experiences they had dealing with the companies they purchased from.<br /><br />When we purchased our digital camera I spent many days on-line investigating what was out there and what was the best camera for the money we wanted to spend. This can be a very time consuming action, but one in the end you’ll be glad that you completed prior to your purchase.<br /><br />Once you have settled on a particular brand and model then it’s time to start considering what kind of warranty do you wish to have. The original manufacturer’s warranty or store bought extended warranty. I’ve found that in almost every case when buying a computer it’s a good idea to have some form of extended warranty. Although, one particular extended warranty that I paid close to $100, did not give me much more than a phone number to call a service shop that was located a hundred miles away. A good question to ask is where do you need to go in case you need service. Do you need to pay for shipping and handling? I always ask to read over the terms and conditions of any warranty that I will be purchasing. It makes sense to know what your coverage is all about.<br /><br />Now whenever I am facing the purchase of a big-ticket item:<br />Research to find out which models are of interest prior to shopping,<br />take time to read the fine print before completing the transaction,<br />find out if and how protection is provided under the law, <br />just in case you wish to change your mind,<br />fully inspect and investigate the item(s) you’re purchasing, <br />& ensure everything is there and that it is working properly prior to buying it.<br /><br />Have you a consumer related issue that you need help with? Please email me at howard.buchin@sympatico.ca.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-31538475677086407402009-01-21T07:11:00.000-05:002009-01-21T07:24:10.640-05:00East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club Announces Expansion Plans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1_J0ZHFJuK2r-yXgBIOAvZKqPOOgS1_jqNhS4Ni_Hk5tYXoIQhg9NFrYadRB-h6ky21lLUJgTljHi4nvC15hhJu2q74JO9kJVsftLbF0HLcJ7LgJP8sGIHOyhXoLWnhSY9GVrJTMU1c/s1600-h/powwowhorse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1_J0ZHFJuK2r-yXgBIOAvZKqPOOgS1_jqNhS4Ni_Hk5tYXoIQhg9NFrYadRB-h6ky21lLUJgTljHi4nvC15hhJu2q74JO9kJVsftLbF0HLcJ7LgJP8sGIHOyhXoLWnhSY9GVrJTMU1c/s320/powwowhorse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293718908676879442" /></a><br /><br />East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club has announced a major expansion plan.<br /><br />Located at 100 Galloway Road in West Hill, the club has been part of the fabric of the community for over 50 years. <br /><br />With the current building limiting its capacity to provide sufficient services to the community, the club is proceeding with an ambitious building expansion. The current club reflects the building designs of the early 1980's, characterized by a square block design with no natural light and few windows. <br /><br />The proposed addition will allow in natural light to create a healthy atmosphere, including a walking course to encourage area seniors to utilize the club during inclement weather.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-41941375206791018152009-01-15T04:53:00.000-05:002009-01-15T05:08:58.725-05:00West Hill Site Considered for Telecommunications Tower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyC8LZ14MEV4UYy9b68fVrwve2UhoBIzlCjDvpYC8GJ4dlQA4FHhp9QMpxiKigmwvRY3BwezkfoWj8LKcDrFStk2r2BWRI0E9OYjiTVpefmHUOhN6i_3BYugbFyY4brK1VOJlv_SnYBw/s1600-h/ancillary.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyC8LZ14MEV4UYy9b68fVrwve2UhoBIzlCjDvpYC8GJ4dlQA4FHhp9QMpxiKigmwvRY3BwezkfoWj8LKcDrFStk2r2BWRI0E9OYjiTVpefmHUOhN6i_3BYugbFyY4brK1VOJlv_SnYBw/s200/ancillary.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291457500444803042" /></a><br /><br />Bell Mobility has made application to the Ministry of Industry to build a<br />telecommunication tower on the CNR property located near Galloway Road, behind the Boys and Girls Club. The tower will resemble a flag pole, 37 metres in height with a hut at the base.<br /><br />The City of Toronto does not have any legislative authority over the placement of these towers but does mandate that a community meeting take place for community residents. <br /><br />Bell Mobility are looking at the site as an alternative to the earlier proposed one at the Guildwood Presbyterian Church. Guildwood residents had raised objections to the Church agreeing to the placement of the tower on Church property, concerned about aesthetics and potential health concerns.<br /><br />In the past, the City of Toronto Board of Health have noted concerns that existing guidelines may not be health protective for continuous lifetime exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic levels and that several jurisdictions have adopted stricter limits than those in Canada. <br /><br />In 1999, the Board of Health recommended a prudent avoidance policy that RF waves from telecommunication towers and antennas be 100 times below Safety Code 6 in areas where people normally spend time. The Medical Officer of Health has recommended that the City collect data from cell phone carriers on predicted RF levels of proposed towers and antennas to allow the City to monitor the potential impact of proposed telecommunication facilities in Toronto.<br /><br />Bell officials reassured residents that testing done at the base of other towers showed the electromagnetic radiation is "thousands of times" lower than acceptable levels.Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887244920706798566.post-34131697884396762172009-01-12T12:05:00.001-05:002009-01-12T12:13:39.166-05:00How To Deal With A Run-Around<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TJf3F7yZ9lcIdMaolwaRVFLg9aSDXRMbwQHViOpNXuF1Qp-9vMBEZzzP_37-6piCQve-lXGYZhmfP4CDL5SDKUrZAbSuT-K_5Bwefq2Ntx-Dh1A7L4F5KI6Tl5LUn9YjqVxyEwMMeFY/s1600-h/My+Photo+.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TJf3F7yZ9lcIdMaolwaRVFLg9aSDXRMbwQHViOpNXuF1Qp-9vMBEZzzP_37-6piCQve-lXGYZhmfP4CDL5SDKUrZAbSuT-K_5Bwefq2Ntx-Dh1A7L4F5KI6Tl5LUn9YjqVxyEwMMeFY/s200/My+Photo+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290456584017334706" /></a><br /><br />Have you ever tried to contact a company that sold you something defective only to face the frustration and disappointment you feel when you realize you’re getting the<br />‘run-around’? <br /><br />Nowadays, I’ve found companies utilize many methods to complicate rather than solve consumer complaints. Issues you want addressed involving various types of product defects or services get muddled. Possibly your complaint has to do with the quality control of a product or service. In a perfect world competent personable staff would quickly handle these concerns. The reality is the front line workers are usually low – paid and poorly trained. They lack the authority or ability to make a decision regarding your concerns.<br /><br />In order to resolve a complaint decisions need to be made. You often find a lot of extraneous posturing and gamesmanship instead of reasonable approaches. You must remember the person you’re speaking to also reports to someone, and for any serious concerns they need clearance first. <br /><br />You may find that staff appears more intent on sweeping problems off their desk instead of resolving them. And as customer complaints do have a tendency to get confrontational & uncomfortable, you’ll need a manager to make a decision in order to fix what’s wrong. The front-line service representatives at some point will dissolve into the fabric as your matter moves up the company ‘chain of command.’<br /><br />For instance, Bell telephone created ‘Emily’, the all-automated customer service robotic voice service. My wife tried resolving our high long-distance phone bill, which resulted from an error on Bell’s part. She found, that after two months, Emily was totally useless. My wife explained the situation to me one morning, and seemed to want to rip the phone cord out of the wall. I decided to step in. I first wrote Bell a letter to outline what the problem was. In order to expedite this process, I called the Bell head office and asked for the head of the billing department.<br /> <br />Magically, on receipt of the letter, later that day, a Bell staffer called and the problem was resolved the following Monday. <br /><br />How do you know that you are getting the run-around? The signs are clear if you know what to look for. Excuses being made for work not done, i.e. “Oh Sir, now with the holidays it’s our busiest time. Could you call back say in January?” <br />If you’re given one story on a Monday, which someone else refutes on Friday, then your issues are being ignored. The company many times tries to wear people down in order to make them go away. <br /><br />Let’s face it, from the company’s standpoint, money can be saved and more profits earned by not replacing defective products under warranty, or fixing billing errors and mistakes that other company salesmen have made. In the long run, I personally don’t believe it’s a cost effective way to run a business, but many organizations are less concerned than they should be with goodwill!<br /><br />If after numerous phone calls emails or letters you continue to feel that you are dancing around in circles, not moving any closer to an answer, the following guide may help you.<br /><br />Here are the steps I use in the battle of the ‘run-around.’ <br /><br />1. Check your documentation, all warranties and other guarantees to see if anything is covered and what your options are. Check what exact rights you might have as a: new car owner, new homeowner, or purchaser of a service contract, etc. etc?<br /><br />2. Whenever speaking to a company representative ask for their name or last initial. If you call back and ask for ‘John,’ he may be hard to locate if there are more than one. <br /><br />3. Record the date, time and a brief description of what was discussed. This information may prove pivotal if the matter drags on. Why is it that you’re always told that everything you believe was just a big misunderstanding? You will need your notes of what statements were about that were previously made to you. <br /><br />4. You must make your complaint in a timely fashion. As you become aware that your product or service is unacceptable, it’s time to issue a letter and a telephone call. In your letter or email be as specific as possible, so it’s harder for the company to wriggle out of their obligations, be it warranty or other responsibility. <br /><br />5. As a rule, I find that things need to be put in writing. Lay out your concerns, and then explain what you expect to be done to resolve the issues. Be as reasonable as you can be. This way the issues are on the table and the company has a harder time denying any knowledge of your concerns. Most times you need to write out a letter after having a conversation with a company member. “Thank you Mr. Grubner for speaking with me this past Monday. It was my understanding that a multi-scrubber can only be replaced after three service calls have been made.” <br /><br />6. Don’t be taken in by any of the old lines, like “We’ve never had any complaints before.” It’s very important to do some of your own troubleshooting with the problem(s) so that you come across as if you know what you’re talking about. It is a lot easier to talk about having a defective hose-clamp than explaining the kind of noise the your unit makes when you turn it on.<br /><br />7. Always keep your cool, and aspire to be the reasonable party. Never show that you’re visibly upset, or risk the company saying they refuse to deal with a ‘hothead’. <br />Sometimes it might seem like the job of a front line worker is only meant to infuriate customers. Maybe this is a strategy designed to upset customer’s in order to get them to give up on the matter. <br /><br />8. Always ask for the head of the department, or manager/supervisor. Try to keep your voice at a serious sounding pitch. Let them know you are not fooling around. <br />You need to come across as the ‘reasonable person,’ who just wants to resolve things. <br /><br />9. It’s important to clearly state what the main problem is, and how you wish to have it corrected. Make sure the company realizes that you are not willing to spend an unlimited amount of time working on solving these issues. But on the other hand, if necessary, you’ll take things to the next level. This may mean the upper level of management or other consumer protection organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. After making a submission always follow up by contacting the company to see if your letter was received and if there is anything being done.<br /><br />Most importantly always stick to your guns. Once you’ve determined that your issue forms the basis for a complaint, or that something needs clarification, don’t allow yourself to be intimidated. At times the size of the organization may have you reconsidering whether to act. Sooner or later the company will start getting the message that you’re not going away until they deal with your concerns.<br /><br />My next column will deal with things to think about prior to making your purchase. If you have any issues that you would like help with email me at howard.buchin@sympatico.ca<br /><br />By Howard BuchinEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428986147495219868noreply@blogger.com0