The South Bayview Bulldog

The heavy rain warning issued earlier Sunday has now been called off for the GTA. Heavy rain is still expected to the north. It will be some what soggy here according to the Weather Network, but much more manageable. Current forecast below.

The championship game between Peewee AA girls teams in the Females for Hockey Nova Scotia league had to be called off Saturday after a staggering seven periods of overtime when it was unable to break a 1-1 tie. Parents and officials were concerned as the marathon match went on and on that the young players — 10 and 11 years — were at the limit of their physical and psychological capacity. The league declared co-champions and sent everyone home. Peter Twohig, regional director for Females for Hockey Nova Scotia said  “I’ve seen a lot of triple overtime games, but I’ve never seen anything like I watched today.”

DUCKS VS SELECTS

The game was for the Peewee AA championship between the TASA Ducks of Tantallon and the Pictou County Selects. The game started at 11 a.m., and was finally called at about 3:30 p.m., after the seventh 15 minute overtime period. “It was amazing to me to watch throughout overtime. They were playing with heart and determination. They’re really exceptional athletes,” said Twohig. There had been no scoring since the second period. The girls were given oranges and other sustenance to keep them going through each 15-minute period, but eventually parents and coaches began to worry about the girls’ safety, Twohig said. “By the time it got to the 7th overtime, it was getting clear to me a lot of the girls were at their limit — their physical limit, and also their psychological limit too.” Hockey Nova Scotia has no rules on how to handle such circumstances. Twohig consulted with league officials, and they decided to end the game after 10 periods. Stephen Murray, director of female hockey in the province, said they initially thought they would schedule another championship game later.

SHOOTOUT VS OT

“We’re not going to settle it by way of a shootout, it just doesn’t seem fair to these kids,” said Murray. That’s a judgement not shared by minor hockey organizations elsewhere. Shootouts are the accepted way of deciding a match in Ontario minor hockey. At the recent March Madness Tournament sponsored by the Wildcats Hockey Association, Atom teams (10 and under) from Nepean and Leaside battled to a 1-1 tie after three regular periods and an overtime period of five minutes. It then took three shootout rounds for Nepean to win 2-1. The emotional toll on some of the Leaside girls was evident. They were all fine a few minutes later at the silver and gold awards but parents would probably conclude that the game ended when it should have.  It’s tough to lose a game in a 3-round shootout

The former TDSB director received $272,000 in salary and a payout for unused sick days of $315,000.  CBC

The mystery resignation of long-time MPP for Scarborough-Rouge River Bas Balkissoon continues to baffle observers at Queen’s Park and the public in general. Paul Bliss, CTV’s Legislature ferret has discovered more than his share of secrets but he too is stymied. He notes in a tweet that the pace of Premier Wynne’s replacement plan is swift. The party has begun nominations for the seat already. A by-election must be called within six moths. It is a bit telling perhaps that Mr. Balkissoon was an MP for eleven years and never even got a try-out for the cabinet. Telling, we mean, not necessarily of the man but of the state of his importance to the two Liberal administrations of which he was a small part.

https://twitter.com/blissblogs/status/712693075731226624

It takes a lot of work to plant 500 eggs for kids to find at Easter but Lesley Stoyan of AppleTree Markets was up the job this weekend. Ms. Stoyan and her husband Chris Trussel are owners of the outdoor market that lives in June Rowlands Park in the nicer weather. Saturday, March 26, 2016 several dozen children with baskets and parents watching gathered at the playground area of the park for this first annual such hunt. It was a chilly but sunny adventure and the anonymous Easter Bunny was more than stoic. Thanks sir. We know this because Stoyan “guessed” that it was a male rabbit but perhaps she had inside information. Well done all.

The self-involved mental state of ISIS big shots is verging on delusional it seems. In videos crowing about the Brussels slaughter the producers also suggest a stop to the strategic killing of ISIS leaders in exchange for peace. Sure fellas, sounds great. One of two videos features Belgian militants, speaking in French apparently from northern Iraq. One of the men makes what seems to be a call for an end to strikes against ISIS for which the world gets “peace”. Seems like the targeted killing of high-level terror bosses is beginning to wear on their nerves a bit.

A plan by Starbucks to donate unsold food to the needy is being implemented in the U.S,. and is being considered for Canada. It sounds a lot like the practice of some South Bayview and area businesses — like COBs — where unsold food is taken to the Flemingdon Community Food Bank by volunteers of the Anglican Church. Starbucks plan is called FoodShare. It promises to use refrigerated vans to pick up unsold food from its 7,600 U.S. company-operated stores and distribute it through food banks.

(New Video) Pensioners and teens filled Havana’s downtown football field to hear the once forbidden music of  the rock group that is as old as Cuba’s government — and that’s old. Jumpin Jack Flash got it started and the story linked below recalls how such music would once have been cause for committal by the Castro authorities for “ideological deviation.” CBC

The second issue of Neighbours of Leaside and Bennington Heights has been delivered to homes in the neighbourhood. It features an informative story by writer Ann Hall on the Elder family, Andy and Jan and their grown up children Sarah and Graeme. Andy Elder is the owner of Grilltime at 62 Laird Drive. As reported previously by the South Bayview Bulldog, the magazine is the work of Leaside resident Carol Eby in association with Best Version Media, a company specializing in such neighborhood publications. Cover photo by Storey Williams Photography.   

This is a longer piece prepared by staff writer Chris Herhalt based on an interview done by Stephen LeDrew with Doug Ford, Rob Ford’s older brother. As reported earlier, the former mayor will lie in repose at City Hall Monday and Tuesday. Services for Mr. Ford will be at St.James Cathedral on Wednesday.  CP24

At Cornflower Blue

The South Bayview business district will re-open Saturday after Good Friday closures. Cornflower Blue has loaded in its Spring merchandise and is showing a smart check ensemble in the window. That’s at 1606. Across the street at 1625 Bayview, the premises has been taken until Monday by the sign of the Skier for its annual clearance pop-up sale. Elsewhere on Bayview, merchants and residents continue to hang fire about the future tenant at 1591. The location is still as a mouse and the leasing agent has suggested it may be May before the public is told who is going in there. At COB’s there are Hot Cross Buns to be had. At 1632, Vital Bloom Acupuncture and Wellness has opened (see ad on this page). At 1661 Bayview plans go  forward for the opening of an optometry business.

The former Caffe Doria at the northwest corner of Yonge St. and Roxborough St. West is to become a Food Dudes location with cafeteria style serving at a moderate price. The long-standing Rosedale coffee and lunch spot was sold about a year ago and habitues had hoped it would carry on. Owner Rosa Agostino had run the Doria for 15 years. But the new owners apparently didn’t like the concept as a business. As a location the little space has everything to appeal to neighborhood walk-ins but precious little parking for those who come further. The Food Dudes are proportionally adept restaurateurs and food truck operators. They have moved from their Carlaw Ave location to 8 Wellesley St. E.  Rosa Agostino sells Rosedale landmark Caffe Doria