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The art installation the Watertable under the Gardiner Expressway.

Dario Franchitti at the Canadian Motorsports Expo

Some of the top racers in the world joined fans at the 2011 Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME) including IndyCar and Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti. The IRL driver signed lots of pictures and other racing memorabilia before joining media for a round table discussion and later one on one interviews. Dario is a favourite of Toronto fans for his win at the 2009 Toronto Honda Indy as well as his second place finish at the 2010 race, his great Scottish accent and his lovely wife - actress Ashley Judd. I look forward to seeing Dario putting the pedal to the metal in this years edition on the streets of Toronto.

Joining the motorsports superstars was also Canadian and race champion Ron Fellows (below).

For the stock car enthusiast there were plenty of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers taking part in a Q&A session along with an autograph signing. The drivers were Howie Scannell Jr, Don Thomson Jr, Jason White, DJ Kennington (2010 NCTS Champion, pictured below), Caitlin Johnston, Jason Hathaway, Mark Dilley, Shawn McGlynn and Robin Buck.

Sports media personalities did there best to pick out some of the highlights and predictions for motorsport racing. The Toronto Star's Norris McDonald always provides plenty of great stories gathered over a lifetime of watching and reporting on drivers and races. In the photo below, from left to right are Russ Bond, Erik Thomas (Race Line Radio), Tim Miller (Hamilton Spectator), Norris McDonald (Toronto Star), Todd Lewis and Gerald Donaldson.

There were some Drag Racers displaying their rockets on wheels - Cassie Simonton (pictured below) had her car at the show.

Hooters girls and other models provided some beautiful atmosphere which was just perfect for a car show - see the ladies and some pictures of the motorsport show after the jump.

James joins some of the models (photos by Fresh Joe)

Building demolished on Yonge Street

The historic building at 335 Yonge St (at Gould) fell apart, then burst into flames and as punishment the bad structure was spanked and now they are taking it down. You can still see the scorch marks in the bricks at the top of the picture. The police say they are looking for a person of interest in the ongoing fire investigation - you can see the fuzzy little video here. I loved the one comment "That's Justin Bieber. Now where's my reward money?" Police and Fire Marshal's entered the site on January 4th, 2011 under a criminal code search warrant to investigate the cause of the fire.

The April 16, 2010 brick facade failure may have been caused by renovations and a lintel "removal" but I think a pre-tremor from the June 23, 2010 magnitude 5.0 earthquake was the culprit. Then a delay from the aftershocks ruptured a gas line and, boom, the fire starts. The figure in the video, shuffling along in black looks suspiciously like a Sasquatch (aka Bigfoot). We can only hope that Mulder and Scully get to the bottom of this case.

 So much for that piece of the past, onwards and upwards, lets get on with the next demolition which coincidentally is next door at the old Sam the Record Man building.

Sam the Record Man has been demolished and construction is started on the new building.

The old Sam the Record Man.

Winter in Toronto

The temperatures are starting to hit a shocking -25 degrees Celsius (forecast for overnight on Sunday the 23rd) during the cold winter nights in Toronto (the average high temperature at this time of year is -2). Steam rises from the TD Canada Trust Tower in the early morning, above photo. Damn, that is pretty chilly - I am tempted to wear my Snuggie around the city. To check the Toronto weather forecast check the appropriately named website Weather Network.

Instead of walking in the cold, wet streets getting salt on your clothes, instead walk through the PATH underground system, take a Beck Taxi (416-751-5555 always there because we're everywhere - long line of taxis along snow covered street, above) or join the crowds on public transit with the TTC (streetcar on Queen Street East, below).

Procession for fallen Police Officer Sgt. Ryan Russell

A multitude of Police, Emergency Medical Services, TTC, Conservation Officers  and Dignitaries pay last respects to Toronto Officer Sergeant Ryan Russell – thousands in uniform parade down University Avenue heading towards the Service for the fallen officer.

Police forces from around North America - such as the Clevland Police Honour Guard, attended the tribute to one of their own with the funeral service to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - the Centre is required to hold the immense number of visitors that will attend the sad event.

See more photos, including at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre during the Service, after the jump.

Officers call out the marching cadence to keep in formation and in step.

The Cleveland Police Honour Guard

Flags hung at half mast at many locations.

Later at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre the police and those attending the funeral service fill the available space at the south building.

Lines of Funeral buses wait on Lower Simcoe Street beside the convention centre.

An exclusive peek inside the south building of the convention centre as the pipers disperse. The pipers led the funeral procession. The service is underway in the halls below this entrance.

Mounted police units wait patiently to escort their charge on Bremner Boulevard.

Toronto Police Sergeant Ryan Russell's funeral

Update: See my photos of the Jan 18 procession and at the Convention Centre on my post here.

Toronto Police have released details on the funeral service for fallen Police Sergeant Ryan Russell, the "funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at 1 p.m., at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard."

From information provided by the police: Shortly after 6 a.m., on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, a 52 Division officer was involved in a theft−of−vehicle investigation in the Dupont Avenue/Davenport Road area.
The officer who was struck and killed during the investigation has been identified as Sergeant Ryan Russell, 35, an 11−year member of the Service. Sergeant Russell joined on October 26, 1999, graduated on March 24, 2000, and was assigned to 54 Division. On May 8, 2006, he was assigned to the Gun and Gang Task Force. On May 24, 2010, Ryan Russell was assigned to 31 Division. He was promoted, on August 30, 2010, to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to 52 Division. Sergeant Russell is survived by his wife and two−year−old son.

Officers will marshal at University Avenue between Dundas and College Street (just south of Queens Park) and will march southbound starting at 11 a.m.  They will continue west on Wellington Street, south onto Simcoe Street and then west on Bremner Blvd, arriving at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (south building). Emergency Services (in uniform or with ID) can ride GO Transit for free when they are attending the tribute and services for Officer Ryan.

 The public is invited to join the funeral and reception - arrive between 10 and 11:30 a.m. The funeral service will consist of the following.

Service led by: 

Reverend Walter Kelly - Chaplain Toronto Police Service

Assisted by: 

Reverend Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea 

Volunteer Chaplain 51 Division

Father James Hannah, Volunteer Chaplain 53 Division

Staff Superintendent Jeff McGuire, Toronto Police Service

Processional 

O Canada -  Police Constable Melissa Elaschuk

‘Act of Remembrance’

Welcome and Greetings - Staff Superintendent Jeff McGuire

Opening Remarks & Pastoral Prayer - Reverend Walter Kelly

A  Policeman’s Prayer

Scripture Reading - Book of Wisdom 4:7-15  

Reverend Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea

Tributes

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Minister Julian Fantino

Ryan’s Song 

Composed & performed by Kimberley Plaseski Dunn

A Policeman’s Prayer

Another day, Lord to do my work, 

unsure of what lies ahead. 

It may hold the chance to help those in need, 

and that would be my desire. 

I pray that you will empower me to be a 

peacemaker to all I come in contact with. 

To the helpless, may I be a helper, 

to the distressed, may I be a comfort. 

To those who plan evil, may I be a deterrent, 

and to those who have carried out their plans 

may I be a sword of justice so they will no longer 

prey on the weak and hurting. 

I humbly ask that you surround me with your angels, 

and a wall of fire for protection. 

And if, in the course of your plan, 

I find this day to be my last, 

the concern of my life is that you would be 

the Father to my children and, 

the provider to my wife. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Yonge Street still closed for fire investigation

The 6 alarm fire that consumed most of the heritage building at Yonge and Gould Streets is still causing a headache for traffic as Yonge Street is still closed for the fire investigation. The Ontario Fire Marshal's office is looking into what caused the fire and will have to demolish the building to do the investigation and Toronto Police 51 Division has made the following announcement.

As a result of an ongoing investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office and the Toronto Police Service, road closures have been put in place for safety and evidentiary reasons. Until further notice, both sides of Yonge Street are closed to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, from Edward Street Street to just north of Gould Street. Vehicular traffic on Yonge Street is closed between Dundas Street West and Gerrard Street. The west side of Yonge Street, from Dundas Street to Edward Street, is open to pedestrians, who will then be directed west on Edward Street. The east side of Yonge Street, from Dundas Street to just short of Gould Street, will also be open to pedestrians. Victoria Street has since been re−opened.

Besides the loss of an old building with plenty of character everyone seems to miss the old Salad King Restaurant.

YouTube: I passed a million views of my videos!

I was happy to see that I going into 2011 with over a million views of my YouTube videos. Speaking as a media giant I am eagerly awaiting a call from CNN as I slowly take over the internet. I figure if I hit the next Toronto World Naked Bike Ride and film it I will be on my way to two million YouTube views.

By the way the next Toronto World Naked Bike Ride is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011 - join in at 12 noon and leave Coronation Park at 1pm. For the 2010 pictures just check out the link to the top right of this page.

Inside Track: Canadian Motorsports Expo 2011 is coming

Thank goodness for racing and women - two things to chase away the winter blues. Inside Track Motorsport News is sponsoring the 5th annual 2011 Canadian Motorsports Expo through the January 21 weekend at the Toronto International Centre. You can visit the main show website to pick up coupons for the show. Headliners include 2009 Toronto Honda Indy winner, 2010 finalist and IndyCar Series 2010 Champion Dario Franchitti and Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion. Don't forget the Honda Indy Toronto is scheduled for July 8-10, 2011 and the tickets are already on sale for the race weekend.

Dario (#10) at the post race press conference above and on the podium at the 2010 Honda Indy Toronto race.

See more information and photos, including some Hooters girls, after the jump.

The show will run from Friday, January 21 (1-8pm), Saturday, January 22 (10am-9pm) to Sunday January 23 (10am-5pm), 2011. Adult tickets are $18 and the parking is free. What else are you going to do on a cold, winter weekend?

Our own NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion DJ Kennington will be on hand along with fellow Canadian race champ Ron Fellows.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers at the 2010 CME.

Champ DJ Kennington.

Besides the drivers and fabulous race cars I am sure there will be some Hooters girls and hopefully some other beautiful models that help to make the show a winning combination.

Hooters girls at the Honda Indy Toronto.

Hooters girls at the CME.

See my 2009 pictures and 2010 pictures with Paul Tracy and the rest of the 2010 CME fun.

Early morning fire at Yonge and Gould

An early morning fire on Monday, January 3rd closes down the Yonge and Dundas area as the Toronto Fire Department battled with a major fire in the empty heritage building at the intersection of Yonge and Gould streets. The building, across from the Ryerson University campus, has been sitting empty after a wall collapse in early 2010 which resulted in the partial closure of both the Yonge and Gould roadways adjacent to the heritage structure (http://torontogp.blogspot.com/2010/04/bricks-on-gould-impact-on-yonge-street.html). The Toronto Fire Services reported that today’s fire was a 6 alarm level with 61 units deployed with the initial dispatch at 4:05:19 am (http://www.toronto.ca/fire/cadinfo/livecad.htm).

See part of the walls collapse under the pressure of the water on my YouTube video here.

Crews were still pouring water into the destroyed shell of a building, which is just one block north of Dundas and the Eaton Centre, during the lunch hour as clouds of steam and smoke continued to rise from the rubble. Reports were that two firefighters had fallen through the roof and were rescued later after suffering minor injuries. Ryerson remains empty of most students during the Christmas break. Over 100 firefighters were involved in trying to get the fire under control which was difficult as the roof of the structure collapsed.

Only streetcars on Dundas Street are being allowed to cross the area as the emergency crews and equipment continue to fill the streets. Luckily the vehicular and pedestrian traffic in Toronto is very light today as the bank and other holidays have a lot of stores and businesses closed and no injuries besides to the firefighters have been reported.

Mist from the fire freezes on the Ryerson University signs.

See more photos of the dramatic event after the jump.

Smoke rises from the wreckage.

CP24's reporter Sue Sgambati reports from Yonge and Dundas.