There are a number of subtleties in a case of racial profiling by an employee of Shoppers Drug Mart that has recently been disposed of by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. For many, the most striking aspect will one that is not subtle — the rather rude behaviour of the employee. But the tribunal found that there had been racial profiling “consciously or unconsciously” without it seems any language or specific act (apart from rudeness) that might have led to such a decision. It happened in the evening at the Shoppers Drug Mart Bloor St and Spadina Rd. in 2011. Metro News
Josh Matlow comes out for South Bayview Liberals
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Josh Matlow (Ward 22) is one of a number of municipal representatives who have decided to make public his support of certain candidates running for federal office. His alignment with the Liberal candidates in Don Valley West and St. Paul’s isn’t a surprise but it reveals a small political divide among City members who technically carry to no label. Jon Burnside (Ward 26) is shown as specifically not supporting any candidate. You must guess. Interesting little exercise by Global News
Watch Blue Jays in a crowd at Nathan Phillips Square
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A Jumbotron of sorts has been installed at Nathan Phillips Square to permit mass viewing of the post-season Jays games late this afternoon and beginning at noon Friday, October 9. It is, as anyone with a memory knows, 22 years since the birds broke into after season play. We love this miracle. “It’s an exciting time for Toronto. Let’s come together and cheer on our Blue Jays at Nathan Phillips Square,” said Mayor John Tory. “See you in the #BirdsNest!” The first two home games take place in the afternoon on Thursday, October 8 at 3:30 p.m. and Friday, October 9 at 12:30 p.m. Food trucks will be on the Square to give viewers a stadium-like experience.
Australian medical miracle reattaches toddler’s head
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This is a deeply moving story. We can only stand in awe of the science and human hands that saved this lad. The video was posted by the CBC.
Canadian sitcom “Man Seeking Woman” shooting here
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The Canadian situation comedy Man Seeking Woman is being shot in Leaside at several locations in Leaside. Just Wednesday there was activity on Bayview north of Fleming, the parking lot of 321 Moore Ave and outside Leaside United Church where there is a huge collection of trucks and equipment. This was the scene Wednesday afternoon. Toronto Star
One of Bayview’s great personalities, Marie Pyzyna, is gone
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South Bayview veteran, Marie Pyzyna has passed away. The diminutive storekeeer presided over Globe Toy and Variety at 1538 Bayview Avenue for many decades. If you have been a South Bayview resident long enough, you will remember buying lottery tickets, chocolates, tobacco and greeting cards from Marie, and on occasion, her late husband Stan. She spent much of her spare time, walking up and down the street checking on the state of affairs, chatting with neighbours and picking the occasional weed from our tree boxes. Her death was announced by Humphrey Funeral Home in the Globe and Mail Wednesday, October 7, 2015. They are holding a private service in their facility. After Marie retired, she sold her business to a young family who continued to operate the variety store. When they moved on to pursue other careers, the variety store closed for good. It was converted to a money exchange for a short time. The fire that destroyed Leaside Cleaners in October 2011, caused enough smoke damage to the premises to prompt the money exchange business to move on as well. It is currently the happy home of Sport Clips hair cutting business.
Candidates meeting in Lea Room Wednesday night
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The candidates debate was underway Wednesday night at the Lea Room of the Leaside Arena. It featured the incumbent, John Carmichael, Liberal Oliphant and NDP candidate Syeda Riaz. There will be further post on the debate Thursday.
Signs outside the Lea Room as candidates gather
Man is celebrated for simple plan to reduce homelessness
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Sam Tsemberis
This story is compelling reading even though it leaves some questions around the edges. Sam Tsemberis is being celebrated among municipal officials in the U.S. for bringing the level of this phenomenon to zero in many places. His system involves finding buildings, apparently suitable for flats, renovating them and then simply giving them to the homeless. There are certain rules which follow by way of medical treatment as needed and responsible conduct. But the magic element appears to be the ready access to housing without the execution of these conditions beforehand. One can see how the investment would pay off, even though there no accounting given of costs versus benefits. Most important, if this story tells the germane facts, it has accomplished the realisation of getting homeless people off the street regardless of their various mental and social baggage. Worth a read. Washington Post
Costco vote at NYCC was an unrecorded show of hands
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Those interested in knowing how Councillors voted at North York Community Council (NYCC) yesterday may be able to find out Friday when an official record is issued. In the meantime, there is no information available except from the members as to how the vote result was composed. The 3-3 split in which sent the matter automatically to City Council was unofficially unrecorded. Councillor Burnside moved the motion on a show of hands. Those present were Carmichael Greb, Minnan-Wong, Augimeri, Filion, Robinson and Burnside. The other five members of members of North York Community Council were not present for this item although we don’t know if this means they were absent or simply not in the chamber. .
CTC gives 5,000 office workers day off to watch the Jays
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Fat cat writers can’t recognize first rule of journalism
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That would be to tell the truth. Lying was considered an abuse of the public trust (and dishonest too) back in Journalism 1a6 and it still is. This week a lot of reporters seemed to think that lying to the public was just a lark. That’s when the charity Raising the Roof decided to dupe unsuspecting people on Bayview Ave in order to obtain just the right kind of responses for their project. What was that? Carolann Barr, executive director of Raising the Roof, calls it dispelling the myths about homelessness. Apparently it’s only possible to know authoritatively how misguided people are by lying to them. And what better place to do your lying than in that utterly misguided and uncaring place called Leaside. It makes it easier when fat cat writers purr correct responses. One scribbler snickered about Sleepy South Bayview being thrown into a state of hyper local hyperbole. Is that so? If Mr. Sleepy South Bayview had done what Raising the Roof did he would most likely now be unemployed. At Global News they ventured that Bayview Ave has been the scene of an “elaborate trick”. Actually, it was the scene of rank dishonesty not a surprise party. The further theme running through these stories was that some people don’t think enough about homelessness. Of course comfortable television and newspaper reporters are constantly reviewing what they can do for the homeless. It was all catch phrases. Myths needed to be dispelled, conversations kick-started and similar blather. Dispelling myths. Pinocchio should have tried that one.
Movie shoot blocks parking on east side in north block
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The parking will be a little rocky on Bayview today as a movie shoot has cleared out parking on the east side north of Fleming. Wouldn’t it be nice if the City made them pay the shopkeepers something? Also on South Bayview, a disabled vehicle. It was hidden in front of the police car.