The South Bayview Bulldog

As many as 320 Toronto elementary students may be suspended this week because their immunization records are incomplete. Without complete records, the Department of Education has no way of knowing if these kids are fully vaccinated.  Toronto Public Health has mailed about 5,000 suspension orders to elementary students born in 2008 for whom records are incomplete. Suspension orders will continue to be mailed out to 584 elementary schools up until Monday with some suspensions having begun last week.

The frenzy by marijuana-related retailers to open shops may be making the federal government a bit nervous.  Reports tell of a Liberal discussion paper warning that legalizing marijuana won’t necessarily do away with the black market for weed. The paper points out that organized crime — including possible infiltration of the new system — is a problem  the government must face. Canadian Press obtained a copy of the December draft through the Access to Information Act.  The Liberals have said they will introduce legislation next year to remove marijuana consumption and incidental possession from the Criminal Code, and create new laws to more severely punish those who provide pot to minors or drive while under its influence.

STOREFRONTS OPENING

All across the country and in all neighborhoods stores with presumed intentions to somehow deal in marijuana are popping up. Three have appeared in recent weeks on the Danforth. There is another on Mt. Pleasant Rd. at Penrose Rd. But there is no legal function for such places. TO pot shops set to “milk the green rush” 

An alert traffic cop in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou sees that the asphalt is sinking before his eyes and quickly runs to get some rubber traffic cones. Not a moment too soon as the road begins to collapse, creating a sinkhole nearly two metres across. The Bulldog says this is the best use ever seen for the normally bogus traffic cones, frequently employed to secure parking outside Starbucks for utility crews. Just kidding. Maybe.

It may be hard to imagine that anyone other than Sleep Country and The Brick are selling mattresses at retail these days but now here comes CT Canada Mattress to take the empty corner store (formerly Mac’s) in the Sunnybrook Plaza  The RioCan owned strip mall can use tenants. Across the street at the wild and crazy intersection of Eglinton Ave. E. and Bayview Ave the demolition of the McDonald’s continues. It is taking a while because that place was built from a lot of poured concrete.

Police in Toronto and Peel Region are comparing notes related to the use of pepper spray in three theatres in recent days. Two instances occurred at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga and at the Trinity Common Mall in Brampton. A third took place last week at Scarborough Town Centre theatres. All of the cases required evacuation of the theatres and caused several people to be sick. In reporting on this, the Toronto Sun says it remains to be seen whether the three attacks were coordinated by the perpetrators or coincidental.

The pet store chain that operates Pets Unlimited, Petculture, PJ’s Pets and Oliver & Pets Co is closing 27 of its 39 stores across Canada. One is in Toronto at 3291 Yonge St. at Brookdale Ave. “We are saddened to say that we are closing our doors after almost 50 years of serving the pet community across Canada,” said Brad Hamilton, vice president of PJ’s Pets, in a news release. The 27 stores that are closing include one in Newfoundland and Labrador, one store in Prince Edward Island, six in Nova Scotia, three in New Brunswick, 11 in Ontario, and five in British Columbia. A detailed list of locations can be found here. A March 2016 report by Price Waterhouse Cooper says the company employs 427 people. The stores that are closing are offering discounted prices on pet merchandise, including pet food, accessories and supplies.

Ari Ofsevit was pushing himself to better his time at last Monday’s Boston Marathon. His harrowing story is told by Millika Marshal of WBZ Boston. She’s looking for the man she kissed during the Boston Marathon

The ASLAN Boys Choir will be heard in concert again Sunday, April 24, 2016 at St.Cuthbert’s Church, 1399 Bayview Ave. The boys are said to be singing better than ever with Benoît Boutet (tenor), Matthew Li (bass) and Asal Iranmehr (accompanist). Admission is $15 and $5

They call it milking the green rush, but don’t ask exactly what they’re doing. Shops are popping up all over Toronto — including Mt. Pleasant Rd — and three in a row on the Danforth. .

Toronto Raptors have lost the fourth game in their playoff test against the Pacers to tie the series 2-2. Sportsnet says the team was outhustled and embarrassed by the 100 to 83 loss in Indianapolis. The loss was a deep disappointment to loyal fans who had travelled to Indiana capital. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange lashed the Raptors. “With a chance to win three straight playoff games in the same series for the first time in franchise history and the chance to take a 3-1 lead in a series for the first time and – most importantly – a chance to come home to the Air Canada Centre with an opportunity to clinch their first-round series at home, the Raptors fumbled and stumbled and looked like the moment was too big for them”.

Magical Midways with its carnival rides and games of chance is back in Thorncliffe Park outside the East York Town Centre. There are the traditional rides like Go Gator and Tilt-A-Ride. The Snocones and Cotton Candy booth was busy as Saturday, April 23 saw a good crowd. Magical Midways is here until Sunday, May 1, 2016.