Urban decoder

Miscellaneous

I’ve heard you can buy shares in that giant new wind turbine near the Exhibition. Is that true? —Sandy Donovan, Lawrence Park

Newscasters often talk about the police in 52 Division making an arrest. What’s the origin of the number 52? How many of these divisions are there in the city? —Emmett Meringer, Riverdale

Planted along the Broadview Avenue edge of Riverdale Park are 20-odd numbered green posts. What are they?

My voice mail is inundated with messages from Boris of Best Price Movers. How do I get off his list? — Gina Kim, Forest Hill

Those high-altitude window washers seem pretty radical. How can I get into this intriguing profession? —Chris Cunningham, High Park

I’ve noticed several residential co-ops springing up in my area. What exactly is a co-op? —Tabitha Raudseps, Church and Wellesley

An alarming number of billboards and radio ads feature Leeza Gibbons gushing about the Backstreet Boys. What is she doing here? —Jorge Dos Santos, Bloor West Village

For years, a ship’s boiler stuck out of the water beneath the Scarborough Bluffs east of Bluffers Park. Can you tell me any more about it? —J. Craig Freeman, Etobicoke

I was strolling along the Leslie Spit when I spotted a revolting sight: hundreds of snakes writhing maniacally in a rocky open area. What was going on? —Penelope Little, Moore Park

Most Friday afternoons, at the corner of King and Bay, a bagpiper plays to end the week for all of us downtown core workers. Is he employed by a nearby financial institution, or is he just a bonny busker? —Nancy Bramm, The Danforth

What was the Lake Guardian, a ship displaying the insignia of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, doing in Humber Bay? —Stan Bowen, Etobicoke

Who is Geoff Rytell, and why does he write so many letters to the editors of various newspapers and mags?—Wendy Blasko, Moore Park

While driving down University Avenue lately, I’ve noticed huge lineups in front of the U.S. Consulate. What is everybody waiting for? —Rob Barnes, Riverdale

At the corner of Queen and Pape, there’s an independent gas station called Stohos that advertises “biodiesel.” What is it? —Basil McCrae, East York

Several friends have spoken of strange things happening to them at night along Old Finch Avenue, just north of the Toronto Zoo. Is it true that someone is haunting that stretch of road? —Jeff Chong, North York

Every time I use Bell’s automated 411 service, I inevitably end up having to repeat the name and address to a live operator. Do any callers actually get the information they seek on the first go? —Manny Vourinen, Etobicoke

Dear Urban Decoder: I’ve noticed that many Japanese restaurants feature decorative porcelain cats, smiling with one paw raised straight up, as if saluting. What’s the deal?

During runs through Sunnybrook Park, I’ve noticed several old homes that appear to have people living in them. What gives?

Lately, my spam has had weird, cryptic blocks of nonsense text at the top (stuff like “Story it not and try the toga in cryotron”), before the spiels on erectile dysfunction. Why the gibberish?—Sanjay Chanda, Bickford Park

I recently observed a police officer directing traffic in and out of the parking lot at Pusateri’s, the chi-chi groceteria on Avenue Road. Will the cops do this sort of thing for anyone, and is there a fee?

I’ve been hearing rumours about a swing located in a cramped alleyway somewhere near Queen and Spadina. What’s it all about, and can I try it out? —Maria Illing, Trinity Bellwoods

Several years ago, there was persistent talk about a new downtown, east-west line on the subway. What happened? —Kip Wotherspoon, Bedford Park

How do people living on the Toronto Islands get their utilities—electricity, sewage, Internet and so forth? —Martin Levi, Forest Hill

There seems to be a large number of stray cats loitering in the vacant lands around SkyDome. Where did they all come from, and can anything be done to help them? —Tim Deacon, Harbourfront

On a recent trip to Indigo on Bloor, I noticed that they keep certain “rebel” authors—Jack Kerouac, Vladimir Nabokov—behind the counter of the help desk. Is there a plan afoot to protect young readers from crazy beatniks and other literary nonconformists? —Tom Maclaughlin, Summerhill

Dear Urban Decoder: I’ve noticed that many Japanese restaurants feature decorative porcelain cats, smiling with one paw raised straight up, as if saluting. What’s the deal?

I’ve been hearing a rumour that there are cougars living in Scarborough’s Rouge River Valley. Should I be frightened?—Elizabeth Khan, Scarborough

I recently noticed a paramedic driving a tractor tricked out like an ambulance. I know budgets are tight—but surely not that tight.—Robert Marcell, The Junction

Why does the Idomo guy have such a long beard?—Alana Shin, Port Credit

I’ve tried everything to dissuade raccoons from attacking my green bins— to no avail. Any suggestions? —Nigel Howard, Seaton Village

Is it typical for parking lots to change their rates hourly? Is there a limit to what they can charge? —Lisa Carter, Oakville

Am I imagining it, or do fire trucks sound different these days? —BENOÎT MARTEL, WEXFORD

What's up with all the "Firkin" pubs?—James Patel, Moore Park

We’ve had a couple of years with the suicide prevention barrier along the Bloor viaduct. So who was right? The city, which said it would cut overall suicides, or the critics, who said suicidal people would just go somewhere else?—Gary Krupa, Midtown

How many security cameras are there in downtown Toronto? What happens to the footage? —Marie Kim, Birchcliff

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed many squirrels, especially around U of T and Queen’s Park, with large bald areas. What’s wrong with them?—Sarah Bratanek, The Annex

Someone told me that all those liquids and gels discarded at Pearson’s security checkpoints go to charity. Is this true?—Frances Agnew, Rosedale

Dear Urban Decoder: What’s the deal with Captain John’s, the restaurant-on-a-boat at Yonge and Queens Quay? I’ve never seen anybody go in or come out.—Karen Lin, DOWNTOWN

Why does my cellphone get such good reception in the underground PATH downtown, but not in the subway?—Ivan Marks, Liberty Village

If I leave something in a cab, can the driver charge a fare to return it?—Marc Josephson, Brampton

Did Honest Ed actually have a potato effigy of himself at his funeral?—Alan Gasser, Roncesvalles

The zoo has a new exhibit where you can touch stingrays. Isn’t that dangerous?—Alexis Brebner, East York