The South Bayview Bulldog

Be my Valentine

Ann Brown is recalling today (Saturday, February 13, 2016) the thrill and the “sweating” not to mention the “agony boastfulness and discouragement” of trading home-made Valentine’s cards in public school. It was, as Ann recalls, a huge risk as it required kids to send their cards, unsolicited, to the boy or girl who made their hearts go pit-a-pat. It is a charming recollection and may be seen here on Leaside Chit Chat

The #PolarVortex will play a part in the dangerously #cold air ahead this weekend. Here's what you need to know.https://t.co/XvzNVX2H3b

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 13, 2016

Good morning. What can we say except please try to keep warm.

Home Hardware, the Canadian franchise hardware store network, says it is determined to remain Canadian in the face of growing U.S. domination of the hardware market. CEO Terry Davis was on Bloomberg TV Canada saying that the St. Jacob-based firm will maintain its independence no matter what. These are brave words and welcome in the aftermath of  the takeover of Rona Hardware by Lowes.

FUTURE OF SUNNYBROOK HARDWARE

Locally, there is really no substitute for the small hardware store which normally carries an amazing minutia of bolts and bits that are seldom found at Canadian Tire. But it is a tough business. Time has seen the disappearance of  the Home Hardware on  Bayview Ave (Tru Value remains) and the end of hardware retailing on Mt. Pleasant Rd. The Home Hardware in Sunnybrook Plaza is very good. Where will it go beyond the end of business at the plaza when redevelopment begins? There are apparently a few years left for businesses at the plaza. Maybe as many as four. By far the best Home Hardware store within driving distance is Dickson Home Hardware at 2028 Avenue Rd., near Dunblaine Ave. It is a double store with a lower level full of metal components that is a repairman’s happy hunting ground..

HOME HARDWARE CULTURE

In his interview,  Mr. Davis said that Rona had wanted to buy out Home Hardware. “They have a different culture than we do. They used to have the very same culture we did, before they went public. It’s just a whole different business model, different culture, culture change, and no, we’re not for sale.”

Kostaki Papakonstantinou

They will be pals forever if fate permits after one seven-year-old, Kostaki Papakonstantinou, clung to the clothes of his young buddy, also seven, to keep him from falling 40 feet from a ski lift at Lakeridge Ski Resort in Uxbridge. Kostaki is being called a hero by police for tenaciously holding his friend long enough for resort staff to set up a safety net below. The boys were on a class trip at Lakeridge  The boy turned in his seat to look back when he slipped off the seat and began to fall. “He slipped out of the chair lift then he got back on. Then he slipped again,”  Kostaki  told CTV  “I was worried that he would fall on the snow and they wouldn’t be there in time,” he said. “I was holding him until they were ready and then I let him drop into (the net).” The boy fell into the net and then bounced onto the hill. The boy was airlifted to Sick Kids hospital and he’s expected to make a full recovery.

The Canadian International Auto Show has dozens of fascinating exhibit vehicles like the Toyota small delivery vehicle the U2 (U squared) and  the new concept truck from Hyundai — the Santa Cruz.  CBC

The BBC is claiming that the little-known secret setting for Facebook Groups is being used by various people to trade  and show child pornography. It says the groups category has three settings — open, closed and secret. Facebook is quoted as saying it removes solicitation for  sex and other similar material from groups. The BBC suggests that the activity there would be actionable under most criminal legislation. BBC

Basketball fans lined up for hours in frigid weather this morning to be the first through the door of a Michael Jordan pop-up store on Yonge Street.The store just north of Dundas Street West opened at 6:23 a.m. but hundreds of fans had been waiting in line all night, and in some cases for days, in temperatures that dipped to -15 C.CBC

News Release – February 12, 2016  Today, the City of Toronto announced its contingency plan for service delivery in the event of a labour disruption involving members of the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union (TCEU) Local 416 (CUPE) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79.

“We remain very much committed to reaching negotiated settlements but we must also be responsible in preparing our operational contingency plans in advance of a potential labour disruption,” said City Manager Peter Wallace. “As always, there is a high priority on maintaining public safety and ensuring the delivery of as many critical services as possible.”

In the event of a labour disruption, Toronto Police, Fire Services, Paramedic Services, Long-Term Care Homes and Services (Homes for the Aged) as well as the TTC, Toronto Community Housing properties and most Toronto Public Library branches would not be affected. The City remains prepared to respond to emergency situations. The City’s water supply and sewage treatment systems will also continue to function within established safety and quality standards.

In the event of a labour disruption, there will be significant impacts to services and programs. Residents and businesses are asked to be patient as the negotiation process continues.

The City’s contingency plan and any future updates will be posted on the City website http://www.toronto.ca/labourdisruption. Residents and businesses with questions about the contingency plan may also call 311.

The City’s approximately 4,200 outside workers represented by CUPE Local 416 will be in a legal strike position and the City will be in a legal lockout position as of 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Friday, February 19. Additionally, the City’s approximately 21,000 inside workers represented by CUPE Local 79, will be in a legal strike position and the City will be in a legal lockout position as of 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Saturday, February 20.

The City has been at the table with its bargaining agents since the fall and remains committed to negotiating new collective agreements that are fair and reasonable to employees and residents and that allow the City to respond effectively to the needs of Toronto residents and businesses.

City Manager Peter Wallace will speak at 1 p.m. Friday about contingency plans for service delivery in the event of a labour disruption involving members of the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union (TCEU) Local 416 (CUPE) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 79.  Mainly that’s what do you do with your garbage.