Starbucks has applied for permission to serve wine in the evening at locations at 3079 Bloor West in The Kingsway, 446 Spadina in Forest Hill and 1740 Avenue Rd. near Lawrence Ave. It is part of the plan to bring the so-called Evenings concept to Canada. This is a program of wine and snack food like nuts and olives to be served after 4 p.m. “Just as each customer is unique, so are our stores and we consider a broad range of products and experiences for each neighbourhood,” said Starbucks spokesperson Madeleine Lowenborg-Frick in an email to CBC News. Starbucks has many locations nearby including Bayview Ave., Eglinton Ave E and Laird Dr., Mt Pleasant and Soudan, Laird and Kenrae Rd. and in both the Smart Centre and Leaside Village (Longo’s).
“See something, text something” new anti-terror watchword
by •
The insidious nature of people who are able to commit hurtful acts against the public has prompted U.S. law enforcement to ask the public to text suspicious things they see on social media — Facebook or Twitter mostly.
Agnes Macphail Award nominations are open for 2016
by •
Agnes Macphail
Geoff Kettel has sent mail to his many contacts reminding them that nominations for the Agnes Macphail Award are open for 2016. Agnes Macphail was Canada’s first woman Member of Parliament (elected in 1921) and later served in the Ontario Legislature for the riding of York East, which included Leaside. For a number years, Ms. Macphail lived at the corner of Millwood Road and Donegall Drive. The award in her name is given annually to a resident of the former Borough of East York who best embodies similar volunteer spirit in the field of social justice. The former Borough of East York includes East York, Leaside, Thorncliffe Park, Governor’s Bridge, and Bennington Heights. The deadline for nominations is midnight on Thursday January 28, 2016. The award will be presented on Agnes Macphail’s birthday, Thursday March 24, 2016. The Awards Ceremony and celebration will be held at the East York Civic Centre starting at 7 p.m.
Cops warn Nigerian car ring may still have use of stolen data
by •
Toronto Police are warning that data stolen by a corrupted Service Ontario employee may still be available to potential thieves even though police have broken up the gang with the arrests announced last week. Police also say that car thefts appear to have dropped significantly with the sweep of raids that ended Project CBG. The 53 Division Facebook page asks however that homeowners in South Bayview and elsewhere “continue being vigilant in protecting your vehicles and your property. The information which was shared about vehicle registration by the suspects prior to being taken into custody is out there. Although there is no new information going out to identify new luxury vehicle location, the existing information might be used by others who are in possession of the files.” The police ask owners to protect keys both while in use and at home. If possible, place the car in a garage. Also report suspicious behaviour in the community and if you have further information about vehicle theft contact police.
Police arrest Rohinie Besisar in stabbing investigation
by •
Police have arrested Rohinie Bisesar, the woman wanted for a stabbing in the City’s underground PATH shopping lanes last Friday. Previous post
Kringlewood party raises 400 lbs. of food for Daily Bread
by •
Amy Westin, organizer of the Inglewood as Kringlewood street party, says it looks like the event brought in 400 lbs of food for donation to the Daily Bread Food Bank. The target was 300 lbs. It’s a credit to the generous gang which crowded Inglewood Drive in Moore Park Sunday evening. Previous post
FREE ZONE: No beer at grocery stores in South Bayview
by •
Just to give you a smile, the epic leap to beer sales in Ontario grocery stores has leaped right over South Bayview. The CP24 store list is here but will be of slight interest to most people. In fact, the status quo seems fine here in both Don Valley West (Her Premiership’s riding) and the adjoining neighborhoods in all directions. It seems Leaside, Davisville Village, Moore Park, Lawrence Park and other nice places will carry on somehow. There’s always the Beer Store.
HISTORICAL NOTES
Ms. Wynne is said to have made history by buying a six pack at an event in the Loblaws on Leslie Street near the Lakeshore Tuesday morning. No such thing has happened since the end of prohibition in Ontario (1925). Maybe not even then. It may add context that it was once a concern that Ontarians might buy groceries in a grocery store — at least with a credit card. In the early days of such things (when Visa was called Chargex) the Ontario Government refused to permit grocery stores (Dominion, Loblaws, A&P) to accept credit cards for grocery purchases. It was suggested that feckless card holders would over-buy on things like tomatoes and baloney.
TPS Ops tweets 3-vehicle accident at Millwood and Airdrie
by •
About 10.15 Tuesday morning Toronto Police Operations (TPS Ops) tweeted news of a three-vehicle accident, apparently not too serious, at the corner of Millwood Rd. and Aidrie Rd.
New Zealand will vote on which of these flags to salute
by •
New Zealand will vote on whether to change its flag in March after a run-off competition produced an official contender. It has a blue and black background with a white fern and the traditional four red stars representing the Southern Cross. Opinion seems to be widely divided in the island nation with as many as 49 percent of the electorate coming out to vote on which contender would be the final choice against the current New Zealand flag. The issue for a sizeable number of New Zealanders is the inclusion of the United Kingdom’s Union Jack in the dominant upper left hand corner. It has been the flag since colonial beginnings and throughout New Zealand’s self-governing lifetime. Turnout was around 1.5 million. Many people are unhappy about the cost of the project, some NZ$26 million (about $24 million Canadian). The election will no doubt be watched by the many New Zealand expatriates living in Toronto.
Bamboo Bay ornament crafting Saturday Dec. 19, 2015
by •
Bamboo Bay Arts and Crafts School for Children is holding a free ornament crafting session this Saturday, December 19, 2015, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event coincides with the BIA Christmas Shopping period. Owner Carrie Laureola will offer free coffee, tea and treats from COBs Bread. Bamboo Bay is located upstairs at the northeast corner of Bayview Ave and Millwood Rd. (416) 901-1255
$100 gift cards a stunning windfall for a few U.S. poor
by •
A man who calls himself “just a middle-aged guy from New Jersey” has taken to giving away $100 gift cards from Toys R Us in recent Christmases. He calls it Project Veronica after his unidentified inspiration for this kindness. His reason for doing it is explained in the report. But the insight into the poverty of the mothers with children here is quite moving.