The Bulldog

Loblaws employees in Ontario vote 97% in favor of strike

Union employees at Loblaws stores like the one at 320 Moore Ave. have voted 97 percent in favour of strike action if they cannot settle their wage and working condition negotiations with the grocery firm. The strike votes at locals 175 and 633 took place after the union broke off talks on May 5. There does not appear to be a strike deadline. The two UFCW locals represent 28,000 grocery workers employed at Loblaws Great Food and Superstore, Zehrs, Zehrs Great Food and Superstore, and Fortinos. The locals say the main issues are wages, work schedules, benefits and they’re seeking improvements and limits on third party providers. Local 175 president Shawn Haggerty says with the strong strike vote, the workers are sending a clear message they support their negotiating committee. Negotiations are scheduled to resume on May 26.

Mike Bradwell calls it a day after 6 seasons with Argonauts

Jun 26, 2014; Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Mike Bradwell poses for a photo. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Mike Bradwell

Leaside’s Mike Bradwell has announced his retirement from the CFL Toronto Argonauts after six seasons as an excellent wide receiver and during which he helped the team win the Grey Cup. The news is on argonauts.ca. The story is also reported in Sports Illustrated which guesses that the decision “was likely a bitter-sweet one”  He said: “For the past six years I have been able to live out my dream for the Toronto Argonauts. I want to thank all of the amazing Argos fans and everyone in the organization, especially Scott Milanovich and Jim Barker, for giving me the opportunity to play CFL football. I am grateful to all of my teammates for making this game and this league truly special. Most importantly, I want to recognize my family and friends for their tremendous support throughout my career. I look forward to starting the next chapter but I will always cherish my time in Double Blue,” Bradwell said. The 28-year old first became involved with football in his last year at Leaside High School, before playing with McMaster University at the CIS level. He went on to be selected 13th overall by the Argos, in the second round of the 2008 CFL draft. Bradwell’s best season was arguably his rookie year, when he caught 25 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown. He finishes his career with 116 receptions, 1,240 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich spoke highly about Bradwell: “On the field, Mike was a selfless player who helped us win football games with his versatility, intelligence and toughness. SI notes that Bradwell clearly has a future since he is a civil engineer and a part-time model. No doubt many guys would be glad to trade with Bradwell in the macho man department. Below is a video done about a year ago of Aliya-Jasmine Sovani, Mike Bradwell and their dog, George Hamilton

Fired Hydro man sends apology to Shauna Hunt

CityNews is reporting that Shawn Simoes has apologized to reporter Shauna Hunt. Simoes was fired by Hydro One for his behaviour when he and others harassed Ms Hunt as she was broadcasting outside a soccer game. She confronted them, posted a video on YouTube and the story found international interest. The apology from Mr. Simoes is in the form of a written note which Ms. Hunt said she was happy to accept. CityNews quotes her as saying  “I appreciate Shawn reaching out with what I felt was a very genuine apology.”

 

Sherwood Park AGM set for Wednesday May 27, 2015

The Annual General  Meeting of the Sherwood Park Resident’s Association will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015. The meeting will appoint a Board of Directors and a review matters in the neighborhood. The meeting will take place at The Sherwood, 2567 Yonge Street. This is the Toronto Community Housing Centre just north of Sherwood Ave. Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25) and former East York mayor and federal MP Alan Redway will attend

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The Sherwood, 2567 Yonge Street

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Visitation, funeral and memorial for late David Stickney

The memorial page on Facebook for the late David Stickney has some dates that his many friends will wish to remember. There will be a visitation opportunity on Monday, May 18, 2015 between 4 and 8 p.m. in the William Lea Room at the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. For those outside the community, that’s at 1073 Millwood Road. Mr. Stickney’s funeral will take place  Monday May 25 at 1 p.m.at Leaside United Church, 822 Millwood Road at McRae Drive. A Memorial will take place May 25 between 3 and 8 p.m. at the same church.

Toronto Police run pilot project with body cameras

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Toronto police will run a pilot project using three styles of so-called body-worn cameras to obtain what they say will be an “unbiased, accurate account” of interactions with the public. Apart from the likelihood that the video record of interviews and incidents will provide accurate information. it has been found in the U.S. that frequently the cameras have a considerable desirable moderating effect on both the public and police officers.

Hey South Bayview, you are being Google-mapped

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Street view to you too

There is a busy, busy Google Street View Car in South Bayview. It was reported three times yesterday. Here we see it courtesy a Bulldog reader at 1750 Bayview at Eglinton Ave. E. Also, below, Google has announced Friday (May 15, 2015) that its self-drive cars with no controls whatsoever will be out on California streets this weekend.

Canada-U.S. link is The Gordie Howe International Bridge

The new international bridge between Windsor and Detroit will be known as The Gordie Howe International Bridge. Prime Minister Harper and Governor Rick Snyder made the announcement in Windsor Thursday afternoon alongside three of Howe’s children.

The bridge is estimated to cost $2.1 billion and will be the second bridge in the area linking Canada to the U.S. and is expected to be operational in 2020. The privately-owned Ambassador Bridge was finished in 1929.  Howe himself was not present.

He has been undergoing treatment after suffering a serious stroke. “Back in 2011, Gordie’s son, Marty Howe, told the Windsor Star that he wanted the bridge named after his father.“It would be a nice honour to have the new bridge named after Gordie as he was born in Canada,”

Marty wrote in an e-mail to the newspaper.“He crossed the bridge on his way to Detroit to start his long lasting hockey career.” According to the Detroit Free Press, the idea to name the bridge after Howe, now 87, came from an Ontario Trucking Association official, who suggested it at a hearing in Lansing, Mich., in the summer of 2010.

Pocket full of change still safest way to get a Starbucks

It isn’t nice to laugh at other people’s distress but the hapless owners of the Starbucks app must really wonder what they were doing when they got it. As told here, hackers can scarf hundreds of dollars from your bank account when you re-load your card. It remains a mystery to many why people want to load money up to fat-cat Starbucks for stuff its going to give them in a couple of weeks. Oh yes, Starbucks best advice to those still using the app is to create a stronger password. We love that. Let’s see, the closer to forgettable the better, right?  Or, you could just throw down a couple of loonies and get your coffee.