Mayor Olivia Chow's Toronto

[Admiral Beez]

'I should have been there': Toronto mayor says she regrets not being at Oct. 7 vigil

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is expressing regret for not attending a massive vigil held earlier this week where the city’s Jewish community commemorated one year since the October 7 terrorist attack. But her explanation isn’t adding up, event organizers say.

toronto.ctvnews.ca

While I can understand the participants' disappointment, especially as Chow seems to show up at every festival or community event, I don't see why the mayor needs to go to the Oct 7th memorial event. I need my mayor to make sure the city works, to keep my sewers, utilities, transit, bike lanes and roads working, to enforce by-laws and overall run the city. Do that I and I won't care if you skip Remembrance Day, whatever cultural days, community festivals or memorials, etc. Just run my city well.

 

[generalcanada]

“Even giving benefit of doubt that the Mayor’s office accidentally unsubscribed, the fact remains that we did reach out directly to Mayor Chow’s office and extended an invitation for her to participate personally to her staff."

"never attribute to malice what could be equally explained by incompetence

 

[picard102]

While I can understand the participants' disappointment, especially as Chow seems to show up at every festival or community event, I don't see why the mayor needs to go to the Oct 7th memorial event.

Because she'll be dragged through the mud for not attending.
Personally I agree, and I'd wish my councillor would spend more time on running the city well than writing threatening letters and fear mongering.

 

[zang]

I like Pizzaville the most. Their walk-in specials are inexpensive. Just don't ask for a salad.

It was a rainy day in pizzaville… they’re decent. Though my fav local chain is Pizzaiolo. They remind me of what Amato’s was on Saturday nights after a night at Reverb on Queen. That is until it was discovered old man Amato was stiffing his employees to line his own pockets.

I still like Pizza Nova as well, they seem to have stepped the quality up in the last few years. Pi Co. makes a decent neapolitan, but Libretto still wins in that arena.

 

[Richard White]

They remind me of what Amato’s was on Saturday nights after a night at Reverb on Queen

That's a name I haven't heard in years...

Does Amatos still exist?

 

[evandyk]

It's now "Amato Gyro" at that location on Yonge St. They may still make pizza, though, there's a link to order pizza online.

 

[Towered]

It was a rainy day in pizzaville… they’re decent. Though my fav local chain is Pizzaiolo. They remind me of what Amato’s was on Saturday nights after a night at Reverb on Queen. That is until it was discovered old man Amato was stiffing his employees to line his own pockets.

I still like Pizza Nova as well, they seem to have stepped the quality up in the last few years. Pi Co. makes a decent neapolitan, but Libretto still wins in that arena.

As far as mainstream chains go, nobody touches Pizzaiolo. It's not even close.

 

[Northern Light]

As far as mainstream chains go, nobody touches Pizzaiolo. It's not even close.

For slices particularly.

Greater variety, more flavour, fresher.

When getting scratch made, there is a bit more competition, but not from other 'big boys'

 

[DSCToronto]

Those Brits! https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkd7861xgro

 

[DSCToronto]

Notice of Intended Procurement
Posting Title :Request for Proposals for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Guidelines for Right-of-Way Encroachments

Issue Date:
October 15, 2024 at 12:00 Noon
Submission Deadline: November 12, 2024 at 12:00 Noon

Solicitation Document Description:
This RFP is an invitation by the City of Toronto (the “City”) to prospective suppliers to submit Bids for The Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Guidelines for Right-of-Way Encroachments, which will establish design, placement, and performance standards for HVM measures that are installed by private property owners and encroach on the public right-of-way. The successful vendor will work with relevant City staff to develop these standards, which will align with existing City policies, procedures, and objectives, and define the process through which property owners may seek approval to encroach in the right-of-way for HVM installations. The successful vendor will develop materials to communicate these standards and procedures to private property owners and to inform them about the range of HVM approaches and product types that align with City requirements, as further described in Part 3 (Requirements for Deliverables):

 

[Towered]

Sad to see all the CafeTO patios disappear again just for the benefit of cars. I wish they could be made permanent.

 

[picard102]

For the cars? Or because people are not sitting outdoors in the winter for a meal?

 

[Northern Light]

For the cars? Or because people are not sitting outdoors in the winter for a meal?

While I appreciate that people are generally not likely to be found on an open-air restaurant patio from November to March or thereabouts........

In some areas, where is a critical mass of patios, the space allocated to them could be made permanent public realm, such that when dedicated patios are pulled down for the year, and/or radically downsized (I can see a coffee shop being able to sustain 3 to 4 bistro tables outside for much of the winter, with them pulled in during extreme weather)..........

That the space could still be appealing to pedestrians (some streetscaping); perhaps some public modular seating could be put in that people could enjoy on warmer days until the patios return, etc.

I don't think its strictly and either/or proposition.

Also, if the spaces were converted from parking, to permanently part of extended sidewalk space, they could be far better designed and laid out for purpose, with attractive vehicle mitigation/ornamental fences, a permanent and raised cycle track where applicable, etc

***

Edit to add. I do think October 15 is a bit early to pull everything. I think November 1st would be more reasonable. In the same way, the City's goal is have the program mostly up and running by mid-May each year, and I think May 1st would be a preferable target.

Many patios might be used less in these shoulder seasons, particularly in the evening when its dark and cooler.

But I think the current weather is perfectly fine for lunching outside in sunshine with temperatures of 10-14 degrees C

 

[PinkLucy]

For the cars? Or because people are not sitting outdoors in the winter for a meal?

Maybe not on the coldest days, but I was in Europe in early spring when it was definitely chilly ... the patios there are open and well used, with the restaurants providing blankets. People just bundle up and enjoy the patios! (The prevalence of smoking and vaping there may be a contributing factor.)

 

[txlseries4]

For the cars? Or because people are not sitting outdoors in the winter for a meal?

This feels like a chicken-and-egg situation. I've seen winter patios in Vienna, Stockholm, and Copenhagen just before Christmas. Some have blankets draped on chairs for people to use, and might feature additional heating. In Toronto, some patios use heaters and plastic sheeting. I think it's bizarre that as a country known for their winters and winter activities, it's assumed we won't tolerate sitting outdoors to eat. Last year Toronto's avg temp in Dec was 3C, the avg temp in Dec over the last 5 years was 1C. The popularity of the Christmas market in the Distillery District shows there's an appetite for things to do in the winter. I think if some restaurants started doing this in tourist heavy parts of the city, like on Front to capture people coming in for Leafs games, their success would catch on and spread.

Copenhagen, 6C. So warm at the tables people took off their coats.

Copenhagen, -3C

Bloor near Ossington, Feb 2021 from Google Maps. We've done it here, albeit haphazardly.