House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers will be named Canada’s ambassador to Ireland. It seems a fitting appointment for the 58-year-old soldier and civil servant for his distinguished career spanning nearly 30 years. It was Vickers who put a decisive end to the rampage of terrorist Michael Zehaf-Bibeau on the morning of Oct. 22, 2014.  Mr. Vickers actions that morning were no less than death-defying.

As daybreak nears in France, police continue to conduct raids across the northeast region in and near the ancient town of Riems for two brothers wanted in the massacre of 12 people at the weekly satirical magazine known as Charlie. They are Cherif Kouachi, 32, and Said Kouachi, 34. One accused, an 18 year-old, has turned himself in to police, reports say. And once again, as in the Boston marathon killings and many other acts of terrorism, the perpetrators are well-known to authorities. In the shock of such atrocities, the anonymity of those responsible seems to make the event even more fearsome, if that were possible. But following history, the brothers Kouachi were on record with security specialists, including in the U.S. One of them has previously been convicted in France and jailed for terrorism. They are both French nationals of Algerian extraction. In the linked Reuters account, it is recorded (as posted here six hours ago) that police in France had an enormous stroke of luck when one of the terrorists left some form of identification behind in an abandoned vehicle. It is feared the brothers may finally go down in gunfire when they are located. Reuters

It’s been confirmed to The South Bayview Bulldog that the large double store at 1685 Bayivew Ave will be taken by the macFAB home accessories and fabrics group. For many years macFAB has sold collections of fabrics and related products, plus many home decor items, from its own store on Queen Street E (Leslieville) and through other retailers. The design pattern which is inset is from the popular Terra Cotta woven placemat sold on Bayview Ave. for many years by Homefront. The new store is expected to be open in February. The space on Bayview is a choice location for macFAB. Welcome and good luck.