Kevin O’Leary quits CBC, heads to BNN, CTV

Not together again
Entrepreneurial television tough guy and Rosedale denizen Kevin O’Leary has jumped ship at the CBC to go back to CTV’s Business News Network, the  National Post  reports. It leaves the CBC’s Lang and O’Leary Exchange with only Amanda Lang still in place. The two made their earliest reputation in business news at BNN and then resigned to join the CBC. In 1999 Mr. Leary sold a software firm, The Learning Company, to Mattel in a $3.8 billion stock swap. TLC did not prosper and the deal is often cited as an example of the tech boom folly of many large companies. Over the years, some snickered at the Lang and O’Leary brand because frequently the program had neither Lang nor O’Leary at their on-air desks. CBC says the program will be re-branded somehow to feature Ms. Lang. She is the daughter of Otto Lang, a Liberal party MP and federal cabinet member during the 1960s and 1970s.  Her stepfather, Donald Stovel Macdonald, was also a federal Cabinet minister.

Star cartoonist has premonition of the CNE

Toronto Star cartoonist Theo Moudakis is looking ahead to that rite of Autumn, the Canadian National Exhibition. He conjures up some wonderful new CNE attractions. His cartoon, published today, cites the Rob Ford Truth Twister, the TTC Streetcar Sardine Squish, the GTA Ebola Scare (we like that one) and the Pan Am Games Super Thriller Zzzz. Yes. See cartoon here on Twitter

Study: we pay more on taxes than necessities

According to the Fraser Institute, as published in the Globe and Mail on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, the average family earned $77,381 in 2013 and paid out 41.8 per cent of it in taxes while spending 36.1 per cent on necessities such as food, clothes and housing. Fraser Institute compares that to 1961, when the numbers were $5,000, 33.5 per cent and 56.5 per cent, respectively. Arresting numbers but the story is quite vague as to what is included in taxes and necessities. In 1961, Canadians paid cash out of pocket for their health care. Now we have that thing called OHIP. Is its cost considered as tax by the Fraser Institute? Now we pay separate municipal taxes to have our garbage recycled. In 1961, pooey, out the door. In so many areas, the things that vex us now seemed to be essential as we added them. Every new bureau, task force, department, privacy commissioner and ombudsman is paid for by you. Globe and Mail 

Forecast 10 mm of rain brings flood concern

It appears we are in for something like a day-and-a-half of on and off rain. The Weather Channel indicates an accumulation of as much as 20 mm by Wednesday morning with possibly 10 mm tonight alone. Let’s hope not because we don’t need that much for the gardens and 20 mm seems likely to bring the risk of flooding on the lower DVP and Bayview extension. 

Girl, 7, beats back leukemia with help of friends

Toronto Police are telling a story they know well. It’s how seven year old Samantha (Sammy) Sirbos has fought her way back from leukemia twice and is now at home with her loving family. They know it well because Sammy’s dad is PC Chris Sirbos. We see  the family here with Sammy (at right) and sister Ava, four, with mom and dad Maria and Chris.“When you’re waiting, every second, every minute, every hour and every day seem like forever,” says Chris. The family waited a month for a bone marrow match, never leaving the Hospital for Sick Children and, in a month, the doctors came in to tell them the good news. They had found a match – a 24-year-old man from Europe. “Even though you exhale, you know there is a hard road ahead of you,” says Chris. The purpose of making this public is to assist the life-saving blood collection that helps leukemia patients. This project puts police, fire and EMS staff in a friendly battle to collect blood. They call it Sirens for Life. Good work guys. 

Net worth growing on home, investment values

Canadians with a little stash of cash and property did pretty well last year. Around South Bayview, those resident burghers (not the beef kind) probably did even better. Data from Environics Analytics indicates that family net worth in Canada grew by nearly eight per cent on higher real estate and investment values. It estimated the average net worth per household last year grew by 7.7 per cent to $442,130. Consumer debt was flat and real estate performed more predictably compared with recent years — increasing six per cent over 2012. So although many Canadians still face higher-than-normal unemployment, the country as a whole is  bouncing back strongly from the 2008 economic downturn. Stock portfolios are growing, savings are on the rise and mortgage debt has ticked up only modestly. The report includes 121 financial and investment statistics from a variety of sources, including the Bank of Canada and Statistics Canada.

Super Moon over Mount Hope Cemetery

This is the second of three super moons this summer glistening in the sky over South Bayview Sunday night (August 10, 2014). According to NASA, the super moon occurs when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon. “The moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few per cent at such times,” NASA says. This picture was taken by Sue Byford, co-publisher of the South Bayview Bulldog from the driveway of her Sherwood Park area home. We’ll call it Moon over Mount Hope Cemetery.  Science of the Super Moon 

How Others Live: India installs water ATM’s

The Indian government is in the process of installing 500 solar-powered water ATMs across Delhi to serve the water-starved slums and resettlement areas of the capital.  This BBC report shows how users will tap or swipe their ATM cards in much the same way we here in South Bayview pay for groceries. It is expected that the plan will provide clean, affordable water to the city. The ATMs are supported by tankers which bring regular re-fills  More How Others Live

Icewire Makerspace opening at 1560 Bayview

An innovative business has opened on the third level at 1560 Bayview Ave and Belsize Drive. It is called Icewire Makerspace, a place with tools, software and people where things can be made. One Internet description defines a Makerspace as “a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors and expertise.” The owners of Icewire say the concept is still evolving but for them it means “a place that unlocks potential by providing an optimal environment for creation.” Icewire Makespace is said to be equipped with  electronics (hardware and software), robotics, and 3D printing.  Welcome to Icewire Makerspace and good fortune. Website 

Tori and Cate’s now offering all-day breakfast

Tori and Cate’s Cupcakes is now providing a nice additional service. Their new Bakery Cafe has the delights of the all-day breakfast from a menu that includes eggs, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, coffee and cupcakes. The grand opening is Thursday, August 14, 2014. Tori and Cate’s is at  1592 Bayview Ave. Email: info@toriandcatescupcakes.com