Halloween should be calm and mostly dry across South Bayview although the forecaster can’t rule out the possibility of sprinkles. But costumed children and their moms and dads will be spared the blustery weather that normally accompanies this time of year.
GET A GLOWSTICK
Be careful. Drop into Bonnie Byford Real Estate at 1536 Bayview Ave. and grab a free glowstick or two for the kids. It keeps them visible on dark streets. Some kids, both big and little won’t get to go door to door. The Jr Wildcats will be playing game seven of their PWHL season against Barrie at Leasde Arena. And at 6 p.m. the South Bayview Bulldog squad of the Leaside Hockey House League will meet Forest Hill Orthodontic. Go Bulldogs.
This is a well-done report on the personal hardships, tragedies perhaps, suffered by aging Chinese who are effectively without young people to help them or even for company. China announced today that it is easing the single-child rule for families to permit two children instead.
Blue Jays jocks everywhere are shaking their heads over the departure of Alex Anthopoulos as general manager of the team. Anthopoulos would not discuss exactly why but there is no shortage of whispers about criticism of the team for giving away too much to get the players who fuelled the Jays to their first playoff chance in 22 years. Or, you can hang your hat on the stories that the new CEO, Paul Shapiro, will not be as laid back as Paul Beesston. He might want to be CEO and general manager some say. CBC
According to the civil service budget chief Stephen LeClair, Ontario will be in even “worse” financial shape after the Wynne government sells off part of Hydro One. LeClair says the writing is on the wall. “In the years following the sale of 60 per cent of Hydro One, the province’s budget balance would be worse than it would have been without the sale.” At present, the Ontario debt is closing in on $300 billion and is said to be the largest non-sovereign debt in the world. Spectator
Dr. Bradley Lands and wife Jennifer with their children
South Bayview Orthodontist Bradley Lands has an inventive Halloween idea which pay kids for their extra candy collected on October 31 and also supports the Trace Manes Park Project in memory of Georgia Walsh. Dr. Lands calls it The Halloween Candy Buy Back. Parents and children sort their sugary loot and decide what to keep. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 3 and 4, 2015, they visit Dr. Land’s office on the fifth floor at 1670 Bayview Ave. (at Hillsdale) and redeem the candy at $5 a pound. Don’t worry, the candy will be contributed to Sarah’s Food Drive for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Here’s the best part. Dr. Lands will match every dollar paid to kids with his own donation to the Trace Manes Park Project. This is an ambitious plan to re-make the playground at Trace Manes. For every dollar paid to kids, Dr. Lands will match it with a donation to the playground fund. They need a million dollars so there lots of work to be done. What the new splashpad might look like
There was a good turnout of residents, parishioners and interested parties at Manor Road United Church Wednesday night to hear about changes to the 90-year-old place of worship and community hub. As has been reported, the easterly half of the church’s property has been sold to the City as a public park. The sale was deemed the best solution to tightening conditions for the church. It is believed the investment of the proceeds will sustain Manor Road well into the future. The sale of the land will require the demolition of the large gymnasium building to the east. It has accommodated many church activities as well as the Montessori school in the basement. To make up for this loss, the original church will be renovated to accommodate sacred services in the sanctuary as well as meeting spaces, a kitchen and washrooms. The old pews will be removed and moveable chairs will be purchased for all seating. The chairs will be stored when the church holds public events such as its pancake breakfast and fall fair. (Those pews might be hot items for collectors of church furniture).
REVEREND SCHNEIDER
The gathering heard from Reverend Debra Schneider who said she would miss the gymnasium as the scene of so many happy events. She recalled that it was built through the efforts of the community and it seemed suitable she said that the land be returned to the community in the form of a park. The reverend asked that residents support the church at a Committee of Adjustment meeting set for December 2, 2015, required by certain minor variances. Reverend Schneider particularly thanked parishioner Neil Jacoby, chair of the church’s redevelopment committee for his informed assistance during negotiations. The meeting heard from architect Janet Harrison. She set out the changes to doors and walkways. Also present was Josh Matlow (Ward 22) who advised the church and assisted in the sale of the land to the City, and MP-designate Rob Oliphant,. newly-elected in the riding of Don Valley West, and a United Church Minister.
The City has issued a notice that some raccoons have become infected with the canine distemper virus (CDV). It says the virus is present in the raccoon population but at low levels. Distemper cases in raccoons tend to spike in the fall. It says that raccoons with distemper may approach people, or curl up to sleep in open areas in close proximity to people. They generally act disoriented or lethargic, but can become aggressive if cornered, and may have seizures. CDV is a viral disease affecting animals in the canine families, in addition to some other mammals. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Raccoons, dogs and skunks can be infected. The disease is most often fatal and animals that recover may display permanent neurological damage. The notice says there is no risk to human health although it is not stated what injury may occur from an aggressive animal. Dogs that have not been vaccinated for distemper can become infected if they come in contact with a raccoon with this viral disease. Residents are asked not to approach or feed raccoons. Instead, if they notice a raccoon displaying abnormal behaviour, they should contact Toronto Animal Services at 416-338-PAWS (7297).
Here is a study that finds Toronto City Councillors vote “no” much more often than councillors in cities like Ottawa and Hamilton. The think tank Manning Centre says Toronto Councillors take four times as long debating items as those others places and vote no 11.2 percent of the time compared to 0.1 percent in those other places. Are they awake? Okay that’s unfair but it is not necessarily a bad a thing that we get a goodly number of no votes. Some of the ideas are really bad. CP24
The South Carolina cop who upended a desk and dragged a misbehaving student out of the classroom has been fired. Authorities said deputy Ben Fields, was dismissed after an internal investigation concluded that he had violated department standards. See it here.
Since November 2014, police have responded to reports of thefts of gas in the city’s east end. An investigation has uncovered a security camera image of the man believed to be responsible. He is described as white, with dark hair, 35-40, 6’0″, 180-200 lbs. He is driving a dark, possibly grey, Mazda 3. He may be using various Ontario licence plates, including BTSJ 194 and BSXV 201. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Here is a hilarious study from Oxford University that has concluded that when it comes to touching a stranger, it is best to err on the side of caution. No kidding. The above CNN episdode on kissing, and air kissing, is fun too. Below is part of a so-called Guide to Touching that purportedly shows how prepared we are, men and woman, to be touched by various levels of relatives and friends or strangers. Not sure about some of this but you can look at it here.
