Enjoy the rain, love the mud, who needs bus shelters in North Ajax anyway?

Well another year has gone by and the residents if North Ajax continue to enjoy the great outdoors. It amazes me that we want residents to take transit, yet don’t spend any money to encourage it. At least in Toronto there are proper shelters and some planning. With the taxes that are paid by North Ajax residents you would think they would be afforded the courtesy of a shelter and at least a bit of pavement to stand on. It actually fascinates me to see riders standing in a residents driveway, in the street or almost in a ditch on Westney and Tauton Rd. But let’s face it, urban sprawl has caused this, right? We cannot blame city planners. They assumed that we would just continue driving our cars and enjoy our large homes. Who needs the basics anyway? So as gas continues to rise and costs go up, be encouraged. You will continue to be taxed and enjoy the outdoor elements. So yes, while your waiting for that bus, in the rain, in your fancy new dress. When that car drives by and nearly takes you out. Or better yet on that wonderfully paved mud platform, enjoy. Smell the exhaust, and at least your not back in Toronto, right?

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The house that garbage built in York Region – rental mayhem 101

What comment can I offer on the lack of care for rental homes in York Region? What’s sad is home owners who buy rental properties, in fairly nice neighbourhoods, are turning them into rental ghettos. It’s said to see how individuals can come into a area and treat it with no care. Now there are some basic considerations to home ownership, but one that seems to allude G.T.A residents is the basic decency to keep their neighbourhood clean. Why do you put out garbage and leave it on the curb for a week; knowing it won’t be picked up until next week? Now I know what you are thinking. Maybe they are on vacation right? Wrong! I have seen this time and time again. Homes that are rented out and garbage left on the street; including glass, paint cans, and other items. Unfortunately with an interest rate hovering at the lowest in many years this problem can only get worse; with investors trying to make a quick buck. What’s interesting is this type of issue rarely happens in an area like Leaside, Unionville, Whitby, Oakville, Woodbridge or other portions of the city. Why? Maybe it’s because residents care and want to ensure that their investment remains intact. There is little tolerance for individuals who buy a home and don’t maintain it. It’s sad because I am not sure if this problem will ever be fixed. We take the taxes, but forget the neighbourhood. In some areas people don’t care and I am not even sure why. Maybe they just like it that way?

Related articles

• Challenges await new GTA immigrants (cbc.ca)
• Housing Starts Slide In Latest “Housing Recovery” Disappointment; Permits Rise On Expectations Of Rental Surge (zerohedge.com)

I forgot to mention Makimono Sushi Restaurants Pickering location

In an update to my previous post on “The Best Sushi in the GTA” I forgot to mention Makimono’s other location in Pickering. In case you are in the Pickering Town Centre area just take a quick walk arcross the street to 1790 Liverpool Road, just north of the 401. It’s also a great location for Sushi in Durham Ontario. The location is sometimes busy during lunch, however it’s also has a great atmosphere and staff. Of course, being that it’s an all-you-can eat location, you may want to leave a lot of room to “expand”. Otherwise you may need to take a quick nap afterwards. We all love good eats and if you have other locations, please be sure to share them with us. Happy eating!

Related articles

• Sushi can be a healthy meal – if you choose wisely: The Dish (healthzone.ca)
• Jiro Dream of Sushi (mawenlin.wordpress.com)

Good burgers in Pickering come from the Big Boys!

Tried out the burgers and poutine, the other day, at the Big Boys Burger joint in Pickering. I have to say that it was pretty good. Staff was extremely friendly and the locale is quite unique. If you are hungry, and I mean hungry, check them out in the plaza at the corner of Kingston Rd. and Whites. You will not go home hungry!

705 Kingston Road, Pickering
HOURS: Mon. –  Sat.  11 – 9  •  Sun.  12 – 8

http://bigboysburgers.com/PICKERING.html

Bravo the Best Bakery in Durham Ontario – A Hidden Gem in Ajax!

If you are looking for a hidden gem, you need to visit the Bravo Italian Bakery in Ajax Ontario. It is the best little charm in North Ajax and will hopefully be for years to come. Go taste and see! In my opinion you will not be disappointed!

Bravo! Italian Bakery

81 Middlecote Drive
Ajax, ON L1T 0K3
(905) 428-3105

Open Tue-Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 9am-4pm; Sun 9am-3pm

The Best Sushi in the GTA – Ajax, Ontario in Durham

I do not normally comment on food, however today I will make an exception. I just had some of the best sushi I have EVER tasted. If you are a fan of sushi / Japanese food you will not be disappointed. It is located at 50 Kingston Road East in Ajax (beside Casey’s) with Dine in / Take Out & Party Trays. In case you are not sure they are in the RioCan Durham Centre in Ajax.

www.makimono.ca

The service is awesome and the prices are good!

Andy MJ / a.k.a the G.T.A Patriot.

Five reasons Chrome will take over the world!

After all the polished promises of a streamlined new way to tame the web, the blogosphere was ready to predict Chrome would inspire everything from the end of Firefox to the demise of Microsoft itself.

silicon.com spoke to industry experts and Google’s new rivals to find out why Chrome matters and whether the browser reality can deliver on the hype.

Bye bye Microsoft
Chrome carries shades of an OS in a browser’s clothing and Google’s latest encroachment on Redmond’s turf must have a few Microsoft execs sweating.

The way Chrome will allow users to run and manage applications without an OS’ intervention could mean the beginning of the end for the days of Vista’s bloatware.

David Mitchell, VP for IT research at analysts Ovum, said: “What you are seeing is the language of the browser coming very close to that of the operating system, with services provided at the browser level rather than the OS level.

“If some of the OS functionality is within the browser then there will be a demand for a more anorexic OS running underneath.

“It is a big step towards telling people like Microsoft that they are not so popular after all.”

read more | digg story

GTTA and the MoveOntario 2020 Plan – Phase 2

It looks like the GTTA has received funding for the following projects. Maybe I am still in disbelief until I see shovels in the ground? I am not in favour of all of the plans listed, but this definitely will be some good news for once for public transit in the Greater Toronto Area. What seems to be lacking is funding for Transit City, other than the head start funding. What is interesting is the Durham BRT funding, which will be a definite boost to transit in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.
By: Andy MJ (a.k.a “The G.T.A Patriot” / Toronto, Ontario)

MoveOntario 2020 Foundation Investments Total: $791.3 million

• Hamilton A-Line, James-Upper James corridor and Airport connector – $6.9 million
• Hamilton B-Line, King-Main corridor – $17.4 million
• Hamilton James Street North GO/VIA Station – Gateway to Niagara – $3.0 million
• Halton Region Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – $57.6 million
• Bolton GO Transit service improvements – $600,000
• Dundas and Hurontario higher-order transit corridor development – $26.5million
• Mississauga Transitway Hub: Airport-Renforth Gateway – $39.0 million
• York-VIVA Highway 7, Pine Valley Drive to Kennedy Road – $62.0 million
• York-VIVA Yonge Street, Richmond Hill Centre to 19th Avenue – $19.0 million
• York-VIVA Yonge Street, 19th Avenue to Newmarket – $29.0 million
• Toronto-York Yonge subway extension to Richmond Hill (Phase 1) – $423.7 million
• Toronto-TTC Transit City Light Rail Transit (LRT) head start – $7.1 million
• Toronto Yonge Finch-Steeles BRT – $17.3 million
• Durham-Highway 2 BRT Spine – $82.3 million

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See more information from the link below:

http://www.urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=7454

2007 Ontario Election: Have we forgotten the 905ers and 289ers again?

Polling is an interesting subject. Over the weekend the Toronto Star published the various polls, which seem to indicate that the Liberals will be victorious on October 10, 2007. However, what is more interesting is the 905 region. There are a lot of, dare I say, extremely close ridings. Who knows how the vote will swing now that the faith-based issue is off the table. The Conservatives have a lot to gain in these ridings and we really do not know the “mood” of the public. It will definitely be an interesting night indeed. The spread in predicted Liberal seats, based on the polls below, will definitely be something to watch on election night. Another item that has been overlooked is Toronto and the NDP. Are people angry enough with Dalton McGuinty to cause them to lose seats? My gut tells me that the NDP will steal some ridings from the ‘Grits’ on Wednesday, but that is to be seen. If the Liberals come out as the winner, they will definitely get a “bloody nose” from the electorate.

For poll and predication information, on the October 2007 vote, go to http://www.democraticspace.com