Two writers from Canadian Press were at Sears stores today to see if the liquidation deals amounted to much and they came away unimpressed. Armina Ligaya and Maija Kappler are published in the Star late Thursday saying many shoppers found the deals underwhelming. “While signs suggested discounts of 20 to 50 per cent off — with a note that exceptions apply — relatively few items at a Toronto store appeared to be offered at half off,” the two women write. “Some big ticket items such as snowblowers and treadmills were only 10 per cent off.” It is a known tactic in such closures to begin liquidation with prices as high as possible and then lower them. It’s a contest in which buyers engage in a war of nerves to get goods at a price they accept before others take everything.

Halloween at Horticultural Design

New entry and exit at 1860 Bayview

Women’s Dinner at St. Cuthbert’s

The Four Men at MRUC

Upper left, Michael Renaud of Horticultural Design at 1610 Bayview Ave. poses with some charming Halloween novelties for the approaching feast of ghostliness. Upper centre, it is now possible to enter and exit the parking garage at 1860 Bayview by way of the Broadway Ave door. This was banned until now and the process by which it changed is unknown. But the change makes it much easier to get into and out of the garage considering the traffic crisis that exists for several blocks on either side of Eglinton. Top right, a reminder of the Fall Fair set for Saturday at Manor Road United Church, 240 Manor Rd. Down below left, the St. Cuthbert’s Women’s Dinner is Friday night. The men will serve and all are welcome. Finally, lower right, a distinguished-looking event under the auspices of the United Church of Canada will take place at Manor Road United on December 8. The Four Men will entertain with songs of love, hope and inspiration that Friday night. Sounds nice.

As many as 18 cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported related to the consumption of Janes brand name frozen breaded chicken, the Public Health Agency of Canada says. New cases were identified in British Columbia and Alberta after a warning was issued Tuesday. One person has died but it is not verified that salmonella was the cause. Two Janes brand chicken products were named. They are:

• Janes Pub Style Chicken Burgers – Uncooked Breaded Chicken Burgers
• Janes Pub Style Snacks Popcorn Chicken – Uncooked Breaded Chicken Cutlettes

Both were sold in 800-gram packages across Canada. The burger packages carry a date code of 2018 MA and the popcorn chicken package reads 2018 MA 15. They were distributed by Sofina Foods Inc.

Road closures for Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon have been announced.

• Bay Street, from Queen Street West to Dundas Street West, will be closed from Saturday, October 21 at 11 a.m. to Sunday, October 22 at 8 p.m. to accommodate the start/finish line activities for the race.
• A series of full road closures will take place on Sunday, October 22 from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the race. These closures will occur in the area bounded by Bloor Street West in the north, Victoria Park Avenue in the east, Lake Ontario in the south and Windermere Avenue in the west. Other roads in this area will be closed periodically to accommodate the event. More information about the race is available at torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.

Leaside awoke Thursday to a discussion of Freshii, the Canadian casual salad and healthy food restaurant chain, and  whether anyone wants to be a delivery person for this company. A local franchisee, John V Hickey, got it going by asking if a retired person preferably with an SUV or van wanted to deliver food. Who knew they delivered? It went on from that with Mr. Hickey saying that another Freshii will open at MGH, which we take to be Michael Garron Hospital (was East General). There are many comments in the Freshii files at Leaside Community

Leaside physician Dr. William “Art” Beairsto should be stricken the rolls of Ontario physicians and required to pay some $16,000 for the therapy of a patient, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has said. Bearisto allegedly touched a patent intimately and suggested she would make a good lover. Bearisto, 69, is not practising. Previous

The long running debate about whether Muslim women must uncover their faces when required do so for official business such as swearing an oath or passport pictures is alive again. It comes this time in the form of Quebec’s new religious neutrality act, intended to ensure such openness in official business. The headgear known as the niqab covers the face of presumably devout Muslim women for reasons related to their faith and culture.  It is eschewed by many Muslim women however. Politically it is endorsed by the federal Liberal Party as an expression of personal choice. The opposition, typically expressed by the Conservative Party, say the niqab should not permit the disguising of identities. Many members consider it  demeaning of women who wear it. In Europe, a number of countries including France have banned the niqab outright.

Cara Operations has bought the Pickle Barrel Group of Restaurants, best-known locally for the long-standing location in the Yonge Eglinton Centre at Yonge and Eglinton. Pickle Barrel was founded in 1971 and has 12 corporately-owned restaurants along with a catering business across the Greater Toronto Area.  Pickle Barrel generates approximately $50 million a year in sales through its 11 Pickle Barrel restaurants and 1 Glow Fresh Grill & Wine Bar.  It also has a significant catering business through Pickle Barrel catering as well as through a 50% interest in Rose Reisman Catering.  Rose Reisman Catering is a menu development, catering and individual meal delivery business that is focused on health and wellness – it has been a popular and growing alternative in the GTA. Cara  owns a long list of restaurants among them are Harvey’s, Kelsey’s Neighbourhood Bar & Grill, Milestones Restaurants Inc. (74% ownership), Montana’s Cookhouse, Prime pubs and Swiss Chalet.

Satay on the Road

Out of line

Bayview Ave. Wednesday

Police say a school bus tangled with a car on Bayview Ave. beside Satay-on-the-Road at 1572 Bayview with a subsequent crash into the restaurant patio Wednesday afternoon. No one appears to have been hurt.

Gord Downie, Tragically Hip’s frontman, has died at the age of 53 from an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma. It was discovered after a seizure in December 2015. A Facebook message was posted from his family.

“Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by.

“Gord knew this day was coming – his response was to spend this precious time as he always had – making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss… on the lips.

“Gord said he had lived many lives. As a musician, he lived “the life” for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No one.

“We would like to thank all the kind folks at KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord’s bandmates, management team, friends and fans. Thank you for all the help and support over the past two years.

“Thank you everyone for all the respect, admiration and love you have given Gord throughout the years – those tender offerings touched his heart and he takes them with him now as he walks among the stars.

“Love you forever Gord.

“The Downie Family”

Map of area

Friday October 13

An image of a burglar has been released by Toronto Police from a break-in in York Mills off Bayview Ave. midafternoon this past Friday. It occurred  at Nomad Crescent and Sandfield Road area. A woman returned home to find the home in disarray. Items within the home had been stolen A van described as a silver or grey Chevrolet Uplander had been seen in the area. The man in security video is described as wearing a black hat, with a white symbol on the front, and a blue and white striped sweater.