The Bulldog

Tree lighting Saturday at Yonge-Dundas Square

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The tree-lighting activities at Yonge-Dundas Square take place this evening between  5 to 7.30 p.m. today (Saturday, November 15, 2014). They involve 52,000 LED tree and other light installations around the Downtown Yonge BIA.  The event is called Iluminite.  Why not. Aerial dancers will defy gravity, new costumed characters and a live band will keep things moving. Illuminite culminates with the lighting of the tree in the square. Could be good. 

Parliament killer’s browsing history wiped out

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This morning brings a glimpse into the Internet practices of  Parliament Hill killer Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. He used the online services of the public library system, a place where police say they cannot trace what the user has been doing. Even with a warrant scrupulously obtained the cops are still in the dark because library computers expunge all trace of what the user was doing the second he signs off. They say the library is a place known to be a hot spot for criminals, According to Postmedia, Zehaf-Bibeau registered for a library card in person at the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library on Oct. 2, the day he arrived in town by Greyhound bus.  It is, says Postmedia, well known by police forces, especially units that investigate child pornography, that libraries and other places that use unprotected wi-fi-hot spots such as coffee shops or fast food chains are untraceable points of access. It is nearly impossible to track the actions of someone who accessed the Internet from these public sites.  (Saturday, November 15, 2014). 

Traffic lights, Redway scissor lift, Click & Collect

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That old Bulldog favourite the South Bayview medley is here again. Left, at Moore Ave. and Bayview Ave. the Guild electric man fixing the lights remonstrated that he was “not pretty enough” for a picture. We’re saying nothing. Then the huge scissor lift out in front of the Redway Road Loblaws is part of that store’s recent renovation. Inside, they’re telling us that (right) they expect the Click & Collect trial to begin within a week or two. That’s where you buy online and pick up the groceries later. 

York Mills Place condo flooded as main breaks

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Residents of the York Mills Place condominium at the corner of Yonge St and York Mills Rd. are undergoing a flooding ordeal Friday (November 14, 2014). A broken mater main has inundated their garage, lobby and cut off electricity — so there are no elevators. Many occupants are said to be elderly. Toronto Police Service Operations desk is warning motorists to stay away as well. Traffic is backed up in all directions. CBC  Photos: CP24 via Twitter 

Events coming up in Mount Pleasant Village

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In Mount Pleasant Village there are some interesting events coming up. Tomorrow, there will a book launch at Canadian Fine Arts Gallery at 577 Mt. Pleasant Rd. The book is Impressionism in Canada by A.K. Prakash and the event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. On Saturday, December 15, 2014, Mount Pleasant Rd Baptist Church will host the Jubilance Singers and Orchestra (below). Mount Pleasant Village BIA

Santa Claus Parade comes to town on Sunday

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The 110th Santa Claus Parade comes to town this Sunday, November 16, 2014 with many road closures. Organizers say there are more floats this year than ever before. Always fun. The parade will start at 12.30 p.m. and follow an established route east on Bloor Street from Christie Street.  It should pass Bloor and Avenue Rd early in the afternoon.  Read details in police directions

Erica Stark (Bissinger) formerly of Leaside

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The following notice is re-printed from the Toronto Star obituaries where it was published this morning (Thursday, November 13, 2014)  Erica Stark (nee Bissinger) was killed when she was struck by a minivan a week ago today.  Previous post. 

ERICA STARK (nee BISSINGER) Aged 42, lifelong resident of Toronto. Much loved wife of David; mother of Dylan, Gavin and Matthew; daughter of Linda Bissinger and Ed Bissinger (Carol Stanley); sister of Sarah Bissinger (Craig Anderson); daughter-in-law of Jack Stark; sister-in-law of Andy Stark (Sylvia Proaño) and Laurie Stark; aunt of Lennox, Camilo and Evan; step-sister of Hilary McMahon (Colin) and Allan Stanley (Lynn Pacarynuk). Missed terribly by aunts, uncles, cousins and little ones on both sides. Taken from us suddenly, Erica lived life to its fullest: travelling the world with her family, teaching healthy living and empathy to her boys, inspiring others and being inspired and giving her time, love, enthusiasm and unstinting dedication to the Withrow community. Cozying up with good books, discussing them at her book clubs, fostering future dog guides, cooking, baking, snowshoeing, brisk walks, yoga, Zumba dancing classes and spending summers and work weekends at YMCA Geneva Park, we will remember Erica for these and other pursuits that reflect her strength and passion for life. Erica and David spent 22 wonderful years together and she adored every minute she had with their beautiful young boys–always mindful of their health, safety and well-being. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, YMCA Capital Campaign for Geneva Park or the Withrow Home and School Associationn Visitation will be held at Trull Funeral Home, 1111 Danforth Ave., on Monday, November 17, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral will be held at Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave., on Tuesday, November 18 at 10:30 a.m. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.trullfuneralsdanforth.com

Liquor, wine and the future of South Bayview

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The organizers of the yet to be formed Business Improvement Association on South Bayview have their work cut out for them. One looming problem is the likely disappearance of the LCBO store at 1524 Bayview at Millwood Road. Even when the easy-up, easy down plastic signs were being installed in 2013 (inset) workmen were laughing at how short this location was going to last. The LCBO is following its time-honoured policy of going to the malls, where parking is free, big stores kiss them and so do the landlords. In this case, it appears the Bayview LCBO will find its new home in what is being called the Whole Foods development at 1860 Bayview and Broadway Ave. The construction on the old Brennan’s Pontiac site is speeding along and Whole Foods is committed to a 2015 opening. An LCBO there will make a nice tit-for-tat arrangement between the 1860 Bayview landlord, RioCan, and the other lucky host to a local LCBO, Smart Centre, on Laird Drive. What to do? There is no business like a liquor and wine store to make a street “vibrant” in the parlance of BIA promoters. It may be good news that the local MPP’s name is Kathleen Wynne. Who knows? Does the Leaside Property Owners Association care about South Bayview? There are options to the LCBO. They’re not as good but better than nothing. Vincor International, owners of the Wine Rack brand, have sniffed around South Bayview more than once. And there is that appealing 21st Century solution seen in many U.S. states and all across Asia: the wine vending machine. Compact, secure, convenient and, dare we say, vibrant. Sadly, the LCBO just doesn’t want to know about this concept it seems. Last April’s much-trumpeted notion of liquor kiosks in supermarkets has been shown up as a tawdry election gimmick. Plans call for so few of the outlets you might drive miles to find one, if they are ever built. Grocers face long odds of LCBO Kiosk   Ontario should explore wine vending machines 

3-D bus shelter for Downtown South Bayview

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A crew from Bell Media’s Astral Out-of-Home Division was on the northwest corner of Bayview Avenue and Millwood Road this morning. When they were done, the neighborhood had a useful new bus shelter. It is described as three-dimensional which seems to mean that waiting passengers can get out of the weather on all sides. Some Astral shelters hardly deserve the name. They are canopy models and usually shoehorn onto narrow sidewalks. They have no sides or front and barely any top.