The South Bayview Bulldog

Melissa Sheppard

The woman known as the Internet Black Widow was spotted by chance in a Halifax library on the Internet yesterday, something she was strictly forbidden from doing by the terms of her recent parole. Now she is accused of breaching the conditions of her peace and has been told to stay out of libraries. When she was released less than a month ago officials said she was at high risk to re-offend. That would suggest the finding of an unsuspecting elderly man and doing who knows what to him. The 80-year-old Melissa Ann Shepard was released under 22 court-imposed conditions. Keep your fingers crossed. Canadian Press 

Worthwhile little story about the junky little upstairs-downstairs strip on Yonge St at Helendale Ave just south of Postal Station K, now under redevelopment. The plaza will be demolished and learned voices are quoted saying the architectural trick of pretending that the basement was the first floor (see Yorkville) is a failed concept. Correct again professor and there’s one on South Bayview as well at the corner of Belsize.  What a blessing to see that perpetually vacant lower level disappear.  By the way, CBC calls Station K by the wrong name. It’s K.  CBC

Summerhill Market at 446 Summerhill Ave has received approval to demolish two buildings to the west of the store and create more parking as well as an outdoor market and decorative gazebo. Barring an unexpected objection, the plan could go forward this year. It will increase the number of parking spaces for the busy food store from 24 to 38. The City’s concern about too much flat land prompted the store to propose a seasonal market and add touches like the gazebo. The plan also calls for a renovation of the store itself. The buildings to be razed are the former Royal Bank branch (now closed) and  a run-down storefront which most recently housed an ice cream vending venture by Summerhill known as Scoops.

Loblaws has announced that it will build 50 new stores and renovate at least 100 existing locations in an expansion program that will add 20,000 jobs through staffing and construction. All of Loblaws store flags including Shoppers Drug Mart will benefit from this expansion, the company said in a statement. There are no details of where stores will go but the plans seem to be fairly urgent, set to get underway this year. Local business handicappers have often guessed that Loblaws would like to be stronger on Laird Drive, perhaps replacing the hidden store on Redway Rd. with one that is on the street. Time will tell. Nor is there any way of knowing what might be in store for the venerable location of 301 Moore Ave. A continuation of Redway to the Bayview extension might permit the closing of the dangerous (but convenient) piece of Pottery Road that runs between Loblaws and the Rexall strip mall at 320 Moore. Such an extension of Redway is bitterly opposed by many but would speed traffic east during rush hour. CNW

An unexpected but very welcome group of students and their teacher from the Toronto French School at 306 Lawrence Ave East helped swell the ranks of donors at the Leaside blood clinic Tuesday at Northlea School. As many as a dozen kids made the trip to the school’s auditorium on Rumsey Road in the late afternoon although because of testing standards not all were able to give blood. Teacher Krista Bryndza was quickly persuaded by her Grade 12 students to join the contingent and is seen giving a pint. Regulations permit students 17 and older to donate. Organizers report that the clinic met its target if 72 units.

What seems to be a medical marijuana dispensary of some type will open at 562 Mt. Pleasant Rd. The South Bayview Bulldog confirmed the planned location but was unable to learn much more from employees working at the Green Room Society store at 402 Spadina Ave. Call back later was the best that an unnamed person at that store could offer. Still, the Green Room organization seems ready to sell by whatever letter of the law it can, that good old-fashioned Mary Jane from its Midtown “pharmacy.” The law aside, the Green Room Society is a fast growing chain using as its brand image, the green cross so familiar as the symbol of pharmacies in Europe.  The state of marijuana law in Canada is in serious flux with governments making policy statements and then reversing them, or just backing away from stated future policy. Doctors may prescribe marijuana for medical use although the College of Physicians and Surgeons has told its members to be sure the diagnoses are reliable. It appears that smoking marijuana for personal use has been de-criminalized but the sharing of amounts of weed seems to be problematic. In any case, as indicated above, there is no information from the Green Room Society as to the who, what or when of activity at the Mt. Pleasant location which sits on the west side between Belsize Drive and Penrose Ave. It appears however that the place will be heavily defended at least by bars. That is the way the other locations (two in Vancouver) and on Spadina appear.

Green Room Society store at 562 Mt. Pleasant

Bryan Charles Vickers

Bryan Vickers, the well-liked former history teacher at Leaside High School, has died at the age of 82  Mr. Vickers is survived by his wife Elizabeth and children Janet and Bruce and their spouses. Pierre and Lina. Bryan Charles Vickers dedicated his life to teaching, a profession he followed for 30 years, most of them at LHS.  His passion was history and he co-authored a book on American history from a Canadian viewpoint. In retirement, he was appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada where he spent four years presiding over several cases. He continued to travel and led several seniors groups to exotic locations around the world. He also enjoyed golfing, tennis and following sports (especially cheering on the Blue Jays and Leafs)   His obit is in the Star.

The CBC reports that the Toronto Parking Authority’s new bike sharing operator will sell it 1,000 new bikes and 120 new stations this year. PBSC Urban Solutions is the new supplier, an international company that already provides cities like Montreal, New York, Washington, San Francisco and London with bike-sharing systems. Just as interesting is the combative reactions of readers about the cost and value of bicycles. Representative remarks include this one from Patishere: “Love the bike sharing plan, I see plenty of tourists taking advantage and expanding the service will get more on board for a healthier community.” Honestly comments: “Nothing new here, complete waste of taxpayers money. This has been, and will always be, a complete waste of taxpayers money.” CBC

The Annual General Meeting of the South Eglinton Residents and Ratepayers Association (SERRA) will be held Wednesday, April 20 at Manor Road United Church, 240 Manor Road at Forman Ave. Organizers are eager to see as many homeowners as possible at this important gathering to increase awareness about condo and commercial activity and the planning department’s Midtown in Focus program. There will be an update on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and remarks about what’s happening at City Hall from Josh Matlow (Ward 22). Doors open at 6.30 and the AGM begins at 7 p.m. Residents are invited to come early and browse information booths and meet the executives and Mr. Matlow. 

Hey, it’s going to be 12 today according to the Weather Network. And there are warming temps predicted all week. It won’t be long before the trees on Bessborough Drive (below) and all over South Bayview turn green.

Clare Dietrich and her husband had a scary moment or two Sunday evening as they walked along McRae Dr. near Randolph Rd. That’s when an impaired driver barreled down McRae from behind them heading toward Laird Drive. Apparently she wanted to turn left at Randolph but overshot the corner. She wheeled back and bounced over the northwest curb then dipsy-doodled across the northwest corner and along the sidewalk dinging a Lexus SUV as she went. Police were called (they received a number of complaints) and say the woman was stopped before she got too much farther.