Sitting silently just east of Toronto's Pearson airport is the derelict Regal Constellation Hotel. Built in 1962, this somewhat bizarre example of modernist architecture was geared toward conferences and trade shows, but due to corporate rearrangement, SARS, and a host of other unfortunate events, it has sat vacant for the past few years. This past weekend, I found myself at an international conference across the street (one that, ironically, used to be held at the Regal), and I could not help paying a visit to my old friend.

Photo: "fastlane" by tomms, member of the blogTO Flickr pool. ~ See it bigger ~.

What's happening in the GTA:

It's a classic case of they said and the police said different. Did Toronto police mistake a physically and mentally handicapped man for his brother? Was entering his bedroom and beating and tasering him more than once excessive? The courts will have to decide.

More than half of the hundreds of homeless people surveyed in Toronto suffer from traumatic brain injuries. This raises some important questions, for sure. Is brain injury be a risk factor for becoming homeless? Can the risk be reduced if detected and treated early?

The story is thin on details so far, but someone out there is a wannabe gangster, who actually pulled the "two slugs" routine by shooting the victim in both legs at a Mississauga bar. Not sure if the slugs took out the knee caps.

Photo: "Matrix" by aka dito, member of the blogTO Flickr pool. ~ See it bigger ~

What's happening in the GTA:

As many as 25 homes with signs expressing support for the Liberal party reported serious vandalism and potentially deadly sabotage. Did we wake up in Toronto this morning, or are we in Baghdad? Cutting the car brake lines of people supporting different political views is not something that should happen in a civilized democracy.

Nuit Blanche 2008 was a huge success, drawing a million people onto the streets of the city for an all-night contemporary art experience. It's a shame that we don't have a contemporary transit system or a more logical road closure plan to accommodate the crowds. Again this year many people are complaining about the difficulties getting around, and in a terrible accident, one woman even ended up pinned under a streetcar at Spadina and College.

I can't say I'm shocked by the news today indicating that home prices in the Toronto area have fallen for the first time in a decade. There were plenty of signs of a softening earlier this summer as conditions shifted from a seller's to a buyer's market. Bidding wars ceased and houses were (and are) sitting on the market for weeks if not months.

Looks like our own irrational exuberance has caught up with us and combine that with a tightening credit market and the subprime mess and all indications are the worst is yet to come.

Photo: "window washing @ Yonge/Finch" by Phil Marion, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Friday October 3rd, 2008:

Who's tired this morning? I am. And I suspect many of you are too, after watching both the Canadian leaders and the US Vice Presidential candidates debate last night.

Highlights of the four-on-one brawl Canadian leaders' debate: Dion promised "more fun for Canada", Layton wants to know if the Conservative platform is being hidden "underneath the sweater", May was feisty and finger-pointing and using the word "fraud", Harper's son is "learning to play the guitar" (i.e. he's an "artist"), and at one point Duceppe looked like he was going to jump over the table if Harper wouldn't say "reimbursable". And it was moderated by a familiar character. 9/10

In the Nascar race south of the border US VP debate, Biden was on and, for the most part, Palin was able to avoid crashing and burning (and giving Tina Fey direct quotes to use on Saturday). 7/10

The proposed arts centre at the base of the forthcoming "L Tower" at Yonge & Front has been axed due to lack of funding from the provincial and federal governments. What will we get instead? Retail space, a food court, a fountain, and condos. Sigh.

Disgusting crack pipes will be replaced by comparatively pleasant doggy doo. That's the change that developers, councilors, and residents hope the new off-leash dog area at Allan Gardens will bring about.

What's Your Story? features the different characters that roam the streets of Toronto. Every Monday and Thursday, a new person shares their story, likes and dislikes about the city, a little secret and more.