The South Bayview Bulldog

There was much excitement at Toronto Airport as the Prime Minister and the Ontario Premier were present to welcome a small number of the Syrian refugee families and family members arriving Thursday night. One case covered by CP24 tells of the warm reception received by two young women from their Canadian cousins. The sponsor, Christine Youseff, is quoted as saying: “I’m going to show them the Canadian way — I’m going to make them Canadian.” We might pray for a similarly auspicious placement for all those now headed to Canada. CBC

This story is republished from our sister blog, Yonge and Roxborough News. The recent Roxborough West unsuccessful parking application triggers a reminder that parking can be a hot and emotional issue in Toronto. Take the case of a condo building at 2 Ridelle Avenue in the Bathurst and Eglinton area that has 44 units and only 32 parking spaces. As reported by the National Post, the dispute began some years back over an Audi with flat tires in parking space number 20. A resident noticed that the car was not being driven regularly and alerted the building’s board of directors. “Please be advised that … if you wish to retain the right to rent your parking space, you are required to bring the car into good repair, insured and with active plates,” read the memo to resident Paula Couture. If Couture didn’t get the car in order, read a subsequent letter, it would be towed to “allow other deserving residents” to take the spot.

OWNED SPOT FOR 24 YEARS

Couture claimed that the spot had been hers for the past 24 years, and she retained “exclusive use of my parking spot” regardless of what was in it. The board, in turn, shot back that she had no basis to question its “exclusive authority to assign parking spaces” and advised her to seek a lawyer. To pay her maintenance fees, Couture kept cutting cheques that included her $50 a month rental fee for the disputed spot. The condo board refused to cash them and then placed liens on Couture’s unit as it went into arrears.

SHE WINS $15,623.05

It’s at this point, Ontario Superior Court Justice Frederick L. Myers noted that the dispute passed beyond anything resembling “amicable, businesslike or neighbourly” behavior. In her lawsuit against the condo board, launched in September, Couture had sought a declaration that the condo board had wrongly taken away her parking spot, monetary damages and an injunction to forever bar the condo board from treating her in a “harassing, harsh, burdensome and/or unfair manner.” Couture, however, won only the $15,623.05 she incurred as a result of the liens. The story by the NatPost’s Tristin Hoppe (subscription)

Mechanical Santa man does a mean Jumping Jack at Pagnello

South Bayview is well into the Christmas shopping season and the mood on the street is positive. The presence of West Coast Kids and manager Karen Becker is like an old friend on South Bayview. Merchants are putting on their best faces, from the traditional pajama parade (our term) in the window of Tzatz to the wild and hilarious leaping Kris Kringle at Pagnello Antiques. See him in action below. He is for sale at $250. Many shops like The Source Men’s Wear and Paul Carreira Casuals are showing great selections. The new BIA has done yeoman work on short notice of giving the street a pleasant green and Christmas feeling.

CHARITABLE WORK

Through some doors there is a genuine goodwill. At Bayview Orthodontic Clinic you can leave a toy for the Toronto Firefighers Toy Drive. At Bonnie Byford Real Estate, Sue Byford and her dad Richard are sorting and folding hundreds of pieces of clothing donated locally. The Byfords will deliver it all to The Sanctuary Street Outreach and Drop-in on Charles Street by Christmas. Sue notes that amomg the most urgent items are men’s underwear, deodorant, razors, women’s underwear, women’s feminine hygiene items.

SPACES FOR LEASE

There are spaces for lease but this is frequently so. The business cycle seldom sees every space occupied. One recent closure for unspecified reasons is Tokyo Sushi and it appears that this is permanent even though there are no signs indicating what is happening. The former TD Bank space beside Second Cup is a superb space for a big chain restaurant like McDonald’s. If Bayview is right for a large Starbucks, it ought to be right for a McCafe. We can speculate. Enjoy the leaping Santa and send us your Bayview stories at news@bayview-news.com

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The analysis by KPMG says the police department might be better — and certainly cheaper — if it had fewer cops, stations and cruisers, plus more civilians. No promises, mind you.  CP24

This entertaining report from CBS News may or may not contain very good advice. Few sensible people would want very much money tied up in handbags even these beauties. At least not as an investment. But it is fun to think about. Meg Baker is the reporter.

Many warm welcomes and much kind-hearted effort to see to their needs await the planeloads of Syrian refugee families. It is an enormous undertaking in a very short period of time. It strains our capacity physically, politically and socially. Like most new Canadians, the newcomers will surely find the wealth and standard of living quite amazing. Some say we must be careful not to treat these arrivals as celebrities. The most effective integration will be a quiet one.

The annual Manor Road United Church Santa Pancake Breakfast will be cooked up this Saturday, December 12, 2015, at the church between 9.30 and 11 a.m. The price is $5 per person. There will be crafts for the children, a bake sale and carolling as well as the happy presence of the St. Nicholas man himself who will be available to consult. The church reminds you to bring the camera. RSVP: Please let them know you are coming by writing at  manorroadunitedchurch.com or call (416) 483-0695. Manor Road United Church is at 240 Manor.

Mayor Tory focussed not so much on the continuing illegality of UberX operation but rather on the clear risks and inconvenience represented in the taxi drivers demonstration. The drivers seems to think that the police department can stop UberX. The mayor pleaded with demonstrators to stand down. But was he speaking to them and those who believe UberX is runing roughshopd over the City? It seems an open question.

In a place where even the head the new Duke Heights BIA admits his area has a “spotty reputation” the re-branding of this North York neighborhood may be just what is needed. Wags were suggesting Duke of Earl Heights would really lift the image of the industrial reaches ranging between Dufferin and Keele Streets  It worked for Gene Chandler. Duke Heights locals are investing a lot of hope in transit projects coming to this sprawling area of workshops, warehouses and low-end retail. Ward 8 Councillor Anthony Perruzza has told CBC News the name change is only the beginning of what is to come for the neighbourhood with major projects on the way including the nearly completed extension of the Yonge-University subway line, the construction of the Finch West LRT beginning in 2016 and the main rail line west. It has Mr. Peruzza thinking his ward might become the transportation centre of the GTA.  Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of  Earl.

Elgie House seen with one of the new homes that will flank it.

The mediation in 2014 that resolved whether there would be new homes on the cul-de-sac of Bessborough Drive required that the pioneer Elgie House be located on the very spot where it was built 130 years ago. This bit of heritage punctilio was at first used to try to prevent the construction of homes by builder Matthew Garnet. The result of the saw-off, put together at the OMB, can be seen today as work proceeds on the new homes which will flank the old brick homestead. For the new occupant of Elgie House (to be determined) it will mean the backyard is in the front yard. It seems quite unlikely the sensitive placement of the house will mean much to anyone else. It is a nice thing that Elgie House remains with us, however.