The Bulldog

See you in September: Northlea blood clinic in Fall 2015

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The Northlea Middle and Elementary School Blood Clinic is over for another semi-annual period. It returns in the Fall. Today’s event had a goodly turnout but there was room for anyone who wished to give. If you were not able to make it this Spring, please keep the idea in your mind for the Fall. It is among the most worthy events in our community. Think about saving a life. Thanks. The South Bayview Bulldog will have a report on the accumulated supply soon

Peewee Gold Flames showdown with Ted Reeve Tornadoes

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There will be ding-dong battle between the Leaside Flames Minor Peewee Gold team and Ted Reeve Tornadoes on Tuesday, April 21. 2015 when they meet in a winner-take-all game. The Flames scored with 2 minutes remaining in last night’s game to beat the Tornados and force tomorrow’s showdown. It’s at 7 p.m. at Victoria Village Arena. The Flames got off to a rough start in series losing the first game 3-0 but bounced back in games 2 and 3 by tying and then beating the Tornadoes to force game 4. Good luck to boys Tuesday night.

The foremost four: Was your school Fraser razor-sharp?

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rank-500How has your high school done in this year’s ranking by the Fraser Institute? It is a statement about something that schools in what we call South Bayview always do well. Good teachers? Smart kids? Smart parents? You may wish to figure these angles for yourself.  Here’s the foremost four: Lawrence Park C.I. had 8.5 out of ten for the year 2013-2014, compared to 8.3 for the previous year. North Toronto registered 8.1 against the previous year’s 8.5. Leaside High School had 7.8 versus 8.0. That put LHS at number 86 among the provinces 749 high schools just to give a sense of where the better Toronto schools stand among all schools. Northern Secondary School scored 7.5 and 7.3.  By comparison, East York Collegiate scored 4.9 and 4.3  Fraser Institute Report Card

New chief: Being black does not give me super powers

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The new Toronto Police Chief, Mark Saunders, was introduced to the City at 10 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2015. He has received congratulations from Mayor Tory and others. The new chief is a 32-year veteran who is a vigorous 52-year-old father of four. It appears that Saunders was the choice of the retiring chief, William Blair, and the so-called rank and file of the service. In responding to questions the chief designate said “being black does not give me super powers.” The mayor and others in the civil authority of the police service appear to have favoured Deputy Chief Peter Sloly. This division was more than hinted at in the Toronto Star story by Royson James last night when news of Saunders win was broken. Both men are very capable but it was suggested that Sloly, a fast rising star and a youthful 48, did not know enough about the challenges of being an ordinary cop. This morning Tory spoke of how difficult it was to choose among good candidates but the issues behind the choice was not brought up. Saunders bio

Monday morning dose of housing market concerns

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Business writers this morning in the Financial Post and the Globe and Mail are finding lots of reason to worry about the steady upward march of house prices. The Post  recalls that the Bank of Canada predicted a soft landing (whatever that might mean) but the market isn’t listening. At the Globe and Mail they are quoting the Economist Magazine that housing prices are over-inflated by 25 percent, But everyone also says they see no sign of a slowdown.

 

Star says Saunders is new chief: drama as “they cave”

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Police Chief Mark Saunders

The Toronto Star is reporting that Mark Saunders, 52, will be the new chief of the Toronto Police Service. It was well-known the experienced 32-year veteran was in the running. But it seems, according to the Star, that the civil authority of the City  “caved” to pressure from Chief Blair and the police union around issues thus far vague. The Star story, written by Royson James with Wendy Gillis, appears to be based on sources who are supporters of Deputy Sloly.  It  outlines purported fears among the rank and file that Sloly was too young at 48 to understand the average cop’s job. Toronto Star  Saunders bio  Globe and Mail 

Moore Park author has new novel for fall of 2015

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Even as award-winning author Terry Fallis (inset) prepares to attend the Stephen Leacock Award Luncheon April 30, 2015, where he is short-listed again, the Moore Park author is finishing up a new novel for release this fall. Today there were more tweets of congratulation across South Bayview following the decision by the Leacock judges earlier this month to place Fallis’ current work. No Relation, published in May 2014, on their list. Fallis first book The Best Laid Plans was self-published in 2008 in the typical circumstances of yet-to-be established writers.  As is known, The Best Laid Plans went on to be a huge success and according to a Wikjpedia entry “it won the 2011 edition of Canada Reads as the essential Canadian novel of the decade, where it was defended by journalist Ali Velshi. In 2013, CBC Television announced plans to adapt the novel into a six-part television series, The Best Laid Plans, which debuted in January 2014. The Best Laid Plans is also in development as a stage musical by Touchstone Theatre in Vancouver.”  Fallis says on his website that it is hard for him to believe that each of four novels has been a finalist for the Leacock judging. “I offer my humble gratitude to the judging panel. I’m over the moon and look forward to attending the Orillia luncheon on April 30th, not just to find out who wins, but also to hang out with the warm and friendly guardians of Leacock’s Legacy. Deep thanks all around and my congratulations to my fellow finalists.”