Urban decoder

Environment

I recently noticed someone fishing in the Don River, near the Pottery Road bridge. Wouldn’t it be a death wish to eat a Don fillet? —Biagio DiMarco, Scarborough

The other day in Trinity Bellwoods Park, I saw a snow white squirrel with bright red eyes leaping around in a rather agitated fashion. Am I seeing things? If not, was there something wrong with it? —Meredith Abbott-Richards, Little Portugal

In all the years I’ve lived in this city, I’ve never seen a baby pigeon. Do they exist? —Paul Robineau, Harbourfront

I have Central American friends coming to Toronto for the holidays who’ve never seen snow. What are the chances they’ll witness a white Christmas in the city? —Helen Guttierez, North York

Am I tripping, or is there a jungle room in the Canada Life building on the main floor overlooking Queen? —Darlene Lorenowitz, Richmond Hill

As a transplanted Northern Ontarian, I’m confused and disturbed by the way southerners use salt instead of sand on slippery sidewalks during winter. Is there a ban on sand in Toronto? Why do people insist on using salt? —Jennifer Cram, Yonge and Eglinton

Why is it that after dark the city is overrun with yellow garbage bags? —Kelley Walker, Riverdale

Dear Urban Decoder: I’ve noticed that quite a few of the old trees dotting our sidewalks have been cut in half. Why remove only the top and not the whole thing? —Simon Leung, King West Village

On walks in the Cedarvale Ravine, near Spadina, I’ve noticed a circular entranceway with doors leading into the hillside. Are there hobbits living in the area? —Caroline Mayhew, Annex

I’ve heard that there are several buried rivers in Toronto. Where are they located and why were they covered over?—Alex Berry, Woodbine Heights

Why can’t I put certain kinds of plastic—such as toys or Styrofoam cups—in the blue box? —Howie Harnett, North York

While driving to work the other morning, I spotted a very large and very odd-looking plow, eating snow up with a big conveyor belt. What was it?—Judy McNab, North York

Why is the wind turbine at Exhibition Place sometimes turned off, even on the windiest days?—Stephen Straker, Leslieville

What happens to the rubble from such large-scale demolitions as Regent Park? —Robin Tully, Yorkville

How do the holidays and their gaudy light displays affect energy use?—Alexa Satke, Forest Hill

I heard that an Austrian airliner dumped some of its fuel over Lake Ontario when a malfunction forced it to return to Pearson. How often does this happen, and should I stick to bottled water?—Mark Mietkiewicz, Thornhill