Elmer Safety Elephant Statue Saved From Trash
Published January 25, 2010 @ 10:10 in Memories, Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

A few years ago, I shared my memories of Elmer the Safety Elephant. Elmer was a character who would visit my primary school back in the 80s to teach us about bike safety, not walking on train tracks and such.

I just received the following email regarding Elmer the Safety Elephant.

Hi Mike, just read your article on "Elmer the Safety Elephant". Excellent. I noticed a picture of the flag and Blinky, but none of the Elmer statues that used to grace our schools in the good old days. Just wanted to let you know that I am in possession of one of the original 8 statues (8 being the number of districts in the Toronto area at that time). I know 1 statue is in the police archives, and the rest are probably in safety officer's basements. I saved one from going into the trash as it needed some repair to the trunk and was to be disposed of. It is a beautiful sight to see, all original paint etc.

Here are pictures of this rare Elmer statue.

The person who saved this statue wishes to remain anonymous, but he would like you to know that Party Boy DJ Services is "very good and in-expensive compared to most companies". Just remember.... safety first!

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TTC Sleeper Hit of the Season
Published January 24, 2010 @ 16:22 in TTC ~ Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

I waffle between loving the TTC and hating the TTC. On any given day you can find me singing the TTC's praises or wondering why a world class city like Toronto is so under served by its public transit system.

Here's a nice YouTube video sendup of the infamous TTC sleeper. The TTC sleeper, who appeared on the cover of Friday's Toronto Sun, has been revealed as George Robitaille. George, an almost 30-year TTC vet, claims his nap can be explained by "health issues".

[via @JimRichardsShow]

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Anne Mroczkowski Valentine's Day Card
Published January 19, 2010 @ 14:37 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

Anne Mroczkowski was let go by Rogers' Citytv yesterday. Two years ago, I had this idea to create Toronto-centric Valentine's Day cards. I started with four and the plan was to add to the collection until I had a dozen or so.

One of my initial four featured Anne Mroczkowski and Gord Martineau. It was modelled after the infamous "fu*king bint" episode.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Free TTC on New Year’s From Midnight to 4am
Published December 30, 2009 @ 10:55 in TTC ~ Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

For those Torontonians planning their New Year's Eve festivities, don't forget that the TTC is offering free service from midnight to 4am.

I'm pretty sure other transit systems in the GTA have free service as well. GO Transit, for example, is free from 7pm on December 31 until 2:10am on New Year's Day, and Mississauga Transit is free from 7pm to 4am.

Note how the TTC makes you pay to get to the party whereas everyone else is taking you to and fro free of charge...

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It's Like Hoth Out There
Published December 22, 2009 @ 12:08 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

Toronto weather is currently Hoth-like. See for yourself.

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Toronto's Video for UN's Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen
Published December 9, 2009 @ 12:01 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

Mayor Miller will be in Copenhagen to represent Toronto as Chair of the C40 at the Climate Summit for Mayors. This video is being shown at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. This is what our city is doing to fight climate change.

Is it enough?

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Maple Leaf Gardens Reborn
Published December 1, 2009 @ 14:01 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

I have fantastic memories of attending Maple Leaf games at Maple Leaf Gardens. As a kid in the 1980s, I'd get to one or two games a year, usually against bottom-feeding Norris Division teams, where's I'd sit in the Greys and cheer like hell. I loved that old barn, so I'm glad they're bringing it back to life.

A $60-million partnership between Ryerson University, Loblaws and the federal government will bring Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto "back to life."

On Tuesday the federal government announced a $20-million contribution from its infrastructure fund to get construction started.

Another $20 million will come from Ryerson students, while the final $20 million will be raised in partnership with Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

"We're bringing Maple Leaf Gardens back to life," university president Sheldon Levy told a morning news conference announcing the renewal project.

The iconic building at the corner of Church and Carlton streets will become a multi-purpose facility. Part of the building will be a Loblaws supermarket, while other parts will be turned into an athletic centre for the university.

"This new centre will be a 150,000-square-foot space for Ryerson students and the public to use," said federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. "Once completed it will include an NHL-sized skating rink, a running track, basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness centre and more."

I can't wait to take my kids skating at MLG.

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First Snow-Free November in 162 years - Let's Make It So
Published November 30, 2009 @ 12:26 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

I like records. Toronto's going for a pretty awesome one today. If we can make it to midnight without a snowflake falling from the sky, it will be our first snow-free November in 162 years.

(David) Phillips said that besides the lack of snow, this November has been warmer, drier and has had about 30 per cent more sunshine than ones in the past.

Temperatures have been about three degrees above the seasonal average and we have had about 45 per cent of normal precipitation, he said.

Those facts, plus the lack of smog means November was "the best month ever," he said.

The new numbers come from the oldest weather station in Canada, currently located at the University of Toronto campus.

We can do this, Toronto!

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Lee's Palace Facade Comes Down
Published November 26, 2009 @ 18:24 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

You know how much we Torontonians love our signs. I previously examined our love affair with signs after Ed Mirvish passed and I wondered what would happen to the Honest Ed's sign when that property is eventually re-purposed. Prior to that, there was the united cry to save the Sam the Record Man sign and the City TV truck and relief when they saved the iconic CHUM sign from demolition.

Now I've learnt the mural outside concert hall Lee's Palace was torn down Tuesday. The piece by street artist Runt was created in 1986, before he re-did it in 1992.

Thankfully, he'll be doing it again in the spring. "It's going to be comical, it's going to be cartoonish, maybe a little bit ..... I don't know," he said. "It's going to be absolutely fantastic."

Image from daily dose of imagery.

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Toronto's Ghost Signs
Published November 25, 2009 @ 11:42 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus

A mondoville tweet led me to a fantastic Flickr photoset from Dave Till entitled Toronto ghost signs.

Before the invention of modern billboards, sign painters used to paint advertisements and company names directly onto building walls. These gradually fading painted signs are known as ghost signs.

Here are a few of my favourites.

See them all at http://www.flickr.com/photos/davetill/sets/72157594474186564/.

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