CLRVs Retired from Active Duty

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Edward Brain

Today, December 29th 2019,  the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) officially ran their fleet of Canadian Light Rail Vehicles (CLRV) for the last time over a portion of the 501 Queen line.

Between Wolseley Loop on Bathurst St., just north of Queen St. W., to Greenwood (the Russell carhouse), the TTC ran six CLRV streetcars between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. free of chrage.  After that, only the Flexity Outlook streetcars will provide regular service for the TTC and most the remaining CLRVs will be scrapped, with a couple being saved by the TTC for charter service and a couple potentially going to museums. Continue reading →

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Condominiums Funding comes from Owners

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s discuss the questions raised:

QUESTION:  When I purchased my unit in a highrise condominium, there was a special assessment for the replacement of the condo windows. Are the windows not a common element? And if so, should the cost be borne by the corporation and not by the owners through a special assessment?

Continue reading →

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Team Canada Looks to Seek 16th Spengler Cup Trophy

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Edward Brain

Team Canada is looking to win its 16th Spengler Cup starting today.  The Spengler Cup, started in 1923, is held every year in Davos, Switzerland between December 26th and 31st.  Teams are invited to compete in the tournament.

Team Canada enters the torunament after being the runners-up last year and having won the Cup 15 times, with an additional 10 times when they were the runners-up.  Team Canada has been competing in the tournament since 1984. Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Edward Brain

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

May you spend your Christmas with family and friends and have a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas.

The year is coming to a close and I would also like to thank everyone who has read my Blog this year for all the support as it is very appreciated. Thank you. Continue reading →

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World Juniors 2020: Team Canada Ready to Compete

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Edward Brain

The 2020 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship (‘World Juniors’) is set to open on Boxing Day – December 26th 2019.  This year’s competition is being hosted by the Czech Republic with the tournament being held in the cities of Ostrava and Třinec

Team Canada is ready to compete in the tournament, and is looking to improve on their sixth place finish last year when Finland, the eventual Gold Medallists, eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs. Continue reading →

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CLRV #4178

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Edward Brain

For the last few months of operation prior to their retirement, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has decided to paint one of their remaining Canadian Light Rail Vehicles (CLRV) in a different paint scheme.

The CLRV chosed was #4178.  The streetcar was repainted on the outside by Jacquie Comrie and on the inside by Nicole Beno, Ryan Van der Hout, and Chris Perez.  The project was named “A Streetcar Named Toronto.”

The TTC has been operating the streetcar on different parts of the streetcar system as part of a farewell for the CLRVs. Continue reading →

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2019 Etobicoke-Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Edward Brain

On December 8th, 2019 Santa Claus came to south Etobicoke for the 2019 edition of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade.

The parade included the Toronto Police’s Mounted unit, the Toronto Police Pipe Band, the Streetsville Pipe Band, various floats, and of course Santa Claus. Continue reading →

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107th Grey Cup

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Edward Brain

The 107th edition of the Grey Cup goes down tonight at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta.  The game features Eastern Division Champions the Hamilton Tiger-Cats facing off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Tiger-Cats finished first in the East with the best record in the CFL (15-3), including going 9-0 at home – 10-0 when you count the Eastern Final (which they beat the Edmonton Eskimos.)  The Blue Bombers finished with a record of 11-7, good for third place in the West and beat out the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Continue reading →

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Remembrance Day 2019

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Edward Brain

Today, November 11th 2019, we mark Remembrance Day in Canada and the sacrifices made by our military during the many conflicts Canada has been involved in.

Canadians have a long tradition of joining its allies in conflicts when required and to successfully fight in many difficult situations in order that we all may enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Continue reading →

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Thaïs Soars in Concert at the TSO

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Edward Brain

I attended the second of two performances of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs at Roy Thomson Hall on November 9th, 2019.  The performance was by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, led by their Conductor Laureate, and Interm Artistic Director, Sir Andrew Davis.  The performance also featured Erin Wall (Thaïs), Joshua Hopkins (Athanaël), Andrew Staples (Nicias), Nathan Berg (Palémon), Liv Redpath (Crobyle), Andrea Ludwig (Myrtale), Emilia Boteva (Albine), and Stacey Tappan (La charmeusa).  The Toronto Mendelsson Choir also performed. Continue reading →

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