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Newsstand: April 7, 2015
All news, all the time. Here is what is happening in our fine city: a proposal to review dog bylaws, the TSO cancels an appearance by a controversial Ukrainian pianist, and the hunt for a purple and gold statue in the Beach.
City councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19,Trinity-Spadina) has proposed some reforms aimed to help curb violent dog attacks. His motion calls for the review of existing policies and procedures in order for the City to be more proactive about dogs who display violent behaviours. Layton has also proposed an awareness campaign geared toward Torontonians so they can be more aware of policies that are in place to protect them. Chris Yaccato of Toronto Beaches Dog Association says that enforcement must also be part of the debate about dog bylaw reform, since many people do not abide by current bylaws.
According to president and CEO Jeff Melanson, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has cancelled an upcoming appearance by Ukranian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa due to “ongoing accusations of deeply offensive language by Ukrainian media outlets.” Following the announcement of her cancelled performance, Lisitsa posted a statement to her Facebook page on Monday that accuses the TSO of caving to pressure from a “small but aggressive lobby claiming to represent [the] Ukrainian community.” In her social-media missive, Lisitsa claims that TSO brass were presented with evidence of her “inciting hatred” on Twitter, and did not provide her with an opportunity to defend herself before cancelling her appearance. The TSO says that Lisitsa’s scheduled performances of Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” on Wednesday and Thursday will go on with Toronto pianist Stewart Goodyear at the helm.
By chance, did you purchase a purple and gold statue of a Buddhist deity from a man named Harry for the bargain price of $80 a few years ago? If so, we know someone who is looking for you. Lois O’Neil began a campaign over the weekend to find the colourful statue that once sat in the ornate garden of her brother Harry’s home in the Beach. Although the home was replaced by a mid-rise condo four years ago, longtime Beach residents remember Harry’s vibrantly coloured residence as somewhat of a local attraction in the years that he lived there. When it was sold to the condo developer, Lois says that Harry—who passed away in 2012—donated most of his garden’s water features to the local fire station, and sold the statue to an unknown woman. She started a Facebook event to raise awareness for her search, and is offering $250 to the person who is willing to part with it so that she can be reunited with one of her brother’s cherished belongings. So far, leads are slim, but one Facebook commenter says that the statue is rumoured to be on Curzon Street.