South Bayview Bulldog Admin

Visa debit cards won’t process in some shops

by  • 

Some Starbucks locations continue to have trouble accepting the new Visa Debit cards issued by Canadian banks. This sign was in an Eglnton Ave. W. Starbucks on Sunday (May 26, 2013) where the staff said they are having the most difficulty with the TD Visa Debit. The move by the banks to collaborate with Visa against their own Interac system has caused much confusion and in some areas more than a little resentment. In the early going, it was found that transactions were being settled over the Visa system rather than Interac, costing merchants more to process them. Many are concerned that this is the beginning of the end for Interac, regardless of what the banks claim. It is the most efficient and inexpensive debit system in operation in North America. And incidentally, is that a credit card or a debit card you have there?

Thorncliffe Park a feline enclave in dog dominion

by  • 

We know that the affluent neighborhoods that lay all around South Bayview love — just love — their dogs. It must be said however that they can also afford them. Overall, with the exception of two areas, dogs outnumber cats by almost two to one in Toronto. Data from Toronto’s open data site shows this.  Both the apartment-heavy Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood and the tiny-condo area of the financial centre in the downtown core are both cat country. The rest of the city, though, belongs to the dogs. 

Gypsy moth spraying delayed again in Moore Park

by  • 

The planned aerial spraying of Gypsy Moth larvae in Moore Park which was scheduled for this morning has been delayed until Monday morning because of the winds, it has been  announced.

South Rosedale dedicates gate into neighbourhood

by  • 

The Gates to South Rosedale were dedicated this afternoon (Saturday. May 24, 2013) in a pleasant and sunny ceremony on Crescent Rd. just east of the subway station. The formal pillars signifying the gate were the donation of South Rosedale resident Ray Cowling. He is seen with Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27) at the upper right and also cutting the ribbon on one of the pillars with Councillor Wong-Tam and David Townley, president of the South Rosedale Residents Association. Lower right a festive on-looker from among the 125 or so people present.  The councillor spoke briefly to thank Mr Cowling and compliment the community.  Mr. Townley said there may be some further details added to the pillars such as lighting on the top. 

School choir singing with the Stones tonight

by  • 

It’s the thrill of a young lifetime for members of the Cawthra Park Secondary School Choir in Mississauga as they perform with the Rolling Stones tonight (Saturday, May 25, 2013). at Air Canada Centre. They will be back for another appearance with the venerable rock band on June 6, 2013. Their role will be to set the soaring tone of the Stone’s favorite You Can’t Always Get What You Want. For a certain generation the music is the more memorable because it was the theme of The Big Chill — a 1983 movie about a re-union of boomers at the funeral of one of their gang. Cathraw Park Choir is made up of Grade 11 and 12 year olds who won’t remember that but are very excited by their opportunity. The Stones make it a practice to find accomplished young choirs to back them up during the performance of this song in most cities where they appear. Cawthra music director Bob Anderson said the kids reacted with “lots of loud screaming” when they were told of their assignment. See/hear them rehearse 

Four-click pick offers something for the soul

by  • 

In Sydney the down-under autumn weather matched chilly Toronto for the opening day of the city’s annual light show Vivid Sydney. It runs until June 10. Heading clockwise, deception specialist Apollo Robbins has some fun showing us a couple of neat table tricks. Be careful with the one where the knife and fork are joined. A good restaurant may kick you out. Below that is a tasty little cup of news from the Taylor Street Barista in London.  The cup of cappuccino in the opening shot looks good enough to drink. Finally Yo-Yo Ma renders the prelude to the Bach Cello Suite No. 1. Something for the soul.

Ford says he does not use crack, is not addicted

by  • 

Mayor Ford has made a statement to reporters in which he says he does not use crack cocaine nor is he addicted to crack cocaine. He did not say that the cocaine accusation made by two reporters from the Toronto Star is  a calculated  lie nor that the two journalists were duped by a video which is a fraud.  Instead,  Mr. Ford said he cannot comment on a video which he has not seen or which does not exist.  This statement is widely seen this afternoon as inadequate. Reasonably, the mayor knows whether he is the one seen with two individuals shown flanking a person who bears an identical appearance to Mr Ford in a photograph from the alleged video. He has not denied that he is the person in the picture. He is readily able to so this if he is not the person shown. He also knows from his own conviction whether the video, as described, is a fraud. 

426 Manor Rd. E on market for $1,349,000

by  • 

A Manor Rd. town-home style residence which will be familiar to South Bayview readers is now for sale at the asking price of  $1,349,000. It is 426 Manor Rd E. just west of Bayview Ave. The Star has a promotional spread which focuses on the attractive addition which was built onto the 1929 home in 2001. 

Tools, truck stolen from DEL on Laird Drive

by  • 

Toronto Police Service report:   DEL Equipment Limited, 139 Laird Drive, reports that between May 21, 2013 at 1700 hours and May 22, 2013 0600 hours, entry was gained into the premises by forcing a door. Removed was a quantity of tools and a pick up truck

Holyday again tells Ford to make full statement

by  • 

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday has held an impromptu news conference today (Friday, May 24, 2013) saying that members of executive committee will be releasing a letter to Mayor Ford asking him to make a clear statement about the allegations that there is video showing him smoking crack cocaine. Mr. Holyday’s statement coincides with media reports that he and other allies of the mayor on council are preparing to run the city in Mr. Ford’s absence if for any reason he is unable to perform his duties.  The mayor has not directly addressed the drug-use allegations publicly. Also Friday morning, the mayor’s chief of staff Mark Towhey is reported to have given the mayor a choice courses. They are: go to rehabilitation, resign or make a definitive denial of the allegations. As posted below, Mr. Towhey was fired yesterday. 

Ford fires chief of staff Towhey over “advice”

by  • 

Mayor Ford has fired his chief of staff Mark Towhey. Towhey was escorted from City Hall today at which time he said  “I am no longer the chief of staff. I did not resign. I’ve given the mayor my advice. He can take it or not take it,” Towhey said.. A brief statement from Ford’s office gave no reason for Towhey’s firing but said that deputy chief of staff Earl Provost will take over Towhey’s job. Provost had served as interim chief of staff. Toronto Sun

Moth spraying in Moore Park moved to Sunday

by  • 

The aerial spraying to combat Gypsy Moth infestation in Moore Park will now take place on Sunday, May 26 between 5 and 7:30 a.m. The city had previously announced that spraying would take place on the morning of Friday, May 24. Late Thursday however a new schedule was released moving the work into Sunday.