The South Bayview Bulldog

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

Tomorrow will be a nice day to do almost anything. Most of us will  say hello on Bayview or Laird. Others with little ones may whip over to Rowlands Park between 1 and 2.30 for the Easter Egg Hunt. Honestly, it would be too soon to rake the garden but that can’t be delayed for long. Is this Spring we see before us? You bet.

This Canadian Press story notes that Mike Crawley, the CBC correspondent at the Legislature, could not get the Premier to answer a question on whether she would soon prorogue the house. That is the arbitrary, but legal, forced holiday on sittings and all the messy things that go with them, like Question Period. Such a nuisance that QP. CBC

A poll by CIBC finds that home ownership is just as important to millennials as it is to most Canadians. They agree with the concept by as much as 86%, very near the average for the population as a whole. It is interesting as a measure of this generation born variously on either side of Y2K, but not hugely surprising to many. For as long as records have been kept, home ownership has been the way to invest efficiently (you live in it while it appreciates) as well as a foundation for retirement. Before the MLS, people used to say things like “Safe as houses.”