For some time now, our fields here at FWIS have lain fallow, as we've pursued pursuits that have frequently found us frolicking fulsomely outside the boundaries of our little Duchy-by-the-Don.

And, faithful readers, there hasn't been much to comment on about Doings in the Duchy, seeing that on the overall, there hasn't been much doing, other than the occasional moan emanating from the heritage deprived areas of King-by-the-Don.

And there, as Corktown Bubbles might say, is the rub. In our travels to The Other King (and Queen) west of Yonge, we've seen something that's missing from our little neck of the woods: Signs of Life. Why, One can walk down King or Queen here at any time of day or night, and see little more than the occasional wanderer. East (Riverdale) and west of us, the streets are a throbbing, tempestuous, tumultuous tumescence of activity. (continued...) »

Local lady of the night Corktown Bubbles trudged into the offices of The One recently. with a tale to tell (as opposed to some to sell). The surprisingly sombre strumpet seemed more pensive than usual.

"I was happy with my life of wanton harlotry, until my beloved father "Pop" Bubbles told me, on his dying bed, that I was overdeveloped! This was his dark secret." I didn't knew what was going on then, but soon enough, things were popping up all over!

"Next thing you know, people were flocking to the Duchy from all over the place. I became a popular destination, as it were. Who woulda' thunk it?" she said, her mood brightening. (continued...) »

Inquiring minds want to know where members of the CRBA - our reigning parliament in the Duchy - were when the newest park reno - on the island at Trintiy and Eastern - opened yesterday. Like the previous event at Percy Street, it appears they donned their Cloaks of Invisibility for this one.

Despite some fanfare and a pre-opening flyer distributed in the area, relatively few local denizens turned up for the occasion. Councillor McConnell was there, however, and we can imagine she'll occupy considerable time in the eventual broadcast of this event next year on HGTV. Good free publicity considering the reno was pad for completely by private/advertiser contributions, we understand.

Come to think of it, these same inquiring minds are wondering what's up over at the parliament, or if it still exists, given the recent exodus of Duchy parliamentarians, gradual declne of their flagship website (more like cobwebsite, we say), and recent questions about CRBA activity on the CPLC.....

Various local rags & blogs have been covering the recent and inexcusable collapse of Walnut Hall, Toronto's first apartment buildings.

We're pleased to note that council - thanks to Kyle Rae - will be discussing a motion to protect heritage buildings by requiring "minimum standards of upkeep" Having said that, though, Walnut Hall has been an issue since at least 1997, when it was given historic designation - what took so long, and why has so little been done?

As our dentist said to us recently "Show me some teeth, your Oneness" A proposed fine of up to $5000? mir einen Bruch geben Give me a break!

$5000 is nothing to a developer The One notes that this cost could be recouped by the sale of a condo locker, bicycle storage, or a granite kitchen counter. As a developer I'd probably be saying "Thanks"

If council were really serious about this, penalties would be significantly more severe - we like foreclosure, denial of building permits, or significantly higher fines for a start.

Good idea Kyle, but too little, too late.