Moving to former Gears at 109 Vanderhoof

Sports Swap moving out of 1541 Bayview

Cycling sales and service locally are in flux as Sports Swap at 1541B Bayview Ave has announced plans to move to the recently vacated premises of Gears Cycle at 109 Vanderhoof Ave. It’s been ten years since Sports Swap moved from 1440 Bayview (at Balliol) to 1541B.  The Bulldog archives have yielded a composite photo (below) of the proud day workers readied to open there. Finally, word is posted Saturday at Leaside Community that Cyclebar at 1866 Bayview at Broadway Ave is closing permanently.

Proud day in 2011

OPP Constable Scott McNames found Jude Walter Leyton

The incredible Easter story of a three-year-old boy who was found and rescued after 72 hours in Eastern Ontario bush is being told this Good Friday. Kingston Standard

Jude catching up on lunch and dinner in hospital

Then some sleep

Ontario is shutting down most businesses in the province with what is called a “provincewide emergency brake” amid surging C-19 case numbers and record hospitalizations. And politicians are seen to be at odds with doctors. The 25 physicians appointed by the government to advise on such matters say more is needed — mainly a full stay-at-home order.  The move, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and remain in place for at least four weeks, will force all restaurants across the province to close for in-person dining. That means that patios, which were just permitted to reopen in Toronto and Peel on March 22, will be shut down once again. Gyms will also have to close in the regions where they were permitted to operate and outdoor fitness classes, which were allowed to resume in Toronto this week, will no longer be permitted. Essential stores will remain open at 50 percent capacity and non-essential retail can operate at 25 percent capacity.

Millwood and Laird showing construction at 33 Laird

Glenn Asano’s interesting piece in Leaside Life seems to tip-toe around how to get traffic quickly in and out of the long-stalled commercial development at 33 Laird. The Bulldog got disoriented (as dogs will) by suggestions of a connection with Thorncliffe Park possibly by extending Canvarco Rd (now a dead end). At any rate, Mr Asano also says the best solution to ending 33 Laird’s isolation to motor traffic is for the City to purchase the whole place. Please no. Let tax-paying private property lie. The answer to accessing 33 Laird is a four-way intersection at Millwood Rd and Laird Drive. This would provide much incentive for residents in south Leaside and beyond to toddle straight into any new commercial site from Millwood. Northbound traffic could easily right-turn into the site and the intersection is wide enough to create a left-turn lane for southbound cars. Then Organic Garage, the grocer whose cute name rivals Farm Boy, will be able to offer its healthy produce to millions.

Soapy dipping sauce only an April Fools dream (thank heavens)

Sauce-flavoured ice cream not so very hard to believe.

Another April, another series of corporate jokes to get your attention. Above we see Swiss Chalet’s annual nod to its dipping sauce. Unlike the 2019 jape, which was sauce flavoured ice cream, bath bombs are beyond far-fetched. Check the CNET link for many more. We especially like the Blue Kazoo 100,000-piece all-blue jigsaw puzzle. Funny. CNET

McDonald’s at Pape and Cosburn

For those wondering if McDonald’s at Pape and Cosburn Aves is about to be demolished — fear not. City work permits reveal that the long-time burger haunt is being enlarged and will reopen this Spring or Summer. These days the Pape restaurant is shrouded in steel fencing. Since the loss of McDonald’s at Bayview and Eglinton, fans of the Quarter-Pounder and Filet-O-Fish have struggled to find a handy outlet.

Proof that McDonald’s will be back

The City said Wednesday that College St will be closed for as much as eight weeks between McCaul Street and Huron Street because a sewer dating from 1873 has collapsed. This occurred Friday. The old brick sewer has created a void/sinkhole approximately 25 feet deep and up to 20 feet in circumference under College at Beverley and St. George Sts.

It’s unknown which ad agency or other source conceived April Fools Eve, but it has appeared in 2021 for the first time, so far as we know. April Fools fans and perpetrators will call us humourless but we go forward in good spirits to laugh at funny stuff free of public trickery. As for AF aficionados, beware of hoaxes on the way. Volkswagen got an early start.

The hoped-for freedom from C-19 restrictions seems u8nlikely this Spring as the virus continues to spread and strain hospitals. Premier Ford said Wednesday even more lockdowns may await the province.

Pzifer study shows 100% effectiveness on kids 12 to 15

Scary highway scenes from Alta snowstorm