The South Bayview Bulldog

Olympic swimmer Martha McCabe has added to her distinguished career accomplishments by winning the silver medal in the Pan Am Games women’s 200 metre breaststroke Thursday. She was bested for the gold by another Canadian Kiera Smith, who finished a mere 0.13 seconds ahead of McCabe. Smith’s overall time was 24.38 and both swimmers beat the Pan Am record of 2:25.41 that Smith set during the preliminaries. Martha is well known to local fans as an Olympic competitor and as Leaside’s Athlete of the Year  in 2013. She won a medal at the world championships and finished a solid fifth in the 200 breast at the 2012 London Olympics. Martha is the daughter of Joe and Nancy McCabe of Heathbridge Park in Bennington Heights and an alumnus of Leaside High School. She trained at the University of British Columbia. These days she lives and works in Toronto. Martha is a member of the RBC Olympian program and swims at the University of Toronto Aquatic Centre.

Bennington Heights Rachel Honderich has won the silver medal in women’s badminton at the Pan Am Games. She earned it in a hard-fought match with her friend and fellow Canadian Michelle Li who took the gold  Li had been the favorite going into the unusual all-Canadian event. She is 23 compared to Honderich’s 19. The match  late Thursday held enormous interest for South  Bayview residents and the many friends of the Hondercih family in Bennington Heights. Hugh Grant, head of the residents association and his wife Trudy messaged the following.

Rachel, you performed with great distinction at the Pan Am Games, and won Silver in the Badminton Singles Championship.
Your exploits were followed by many of our neighbours, and you should know that Bennington Heights is proud of you.
Thank you for being a fine representative of our community

There seems little doubt that Rachel Honderich is now poised to excel further in her chosen sport. She has leaped from a world ranking of 134 last November to her present 56.  Li, a Hong Kong born Canadian from Markham, is ranked 15 in the world. Curtis Rush of the Toronto Star has written an excellent article on the friendship and rivalry of these fine young women.  

It was well after dark Tuesday, July 14, 2015 when a 72-year-old woman was trying to cross Buckingham Avenue at Dinnick Crescent. It seems she was near but not at the corner. A 48-year-old man was driving a 2007 GMC Yukon, westbound on Buckingham Avenue, approaching Dinnick Crescent. The pedestrian was hit and fell to the pavement striking her head. She suffered life-threatening injuries and subsequently succumbed to her injuries.  As noted, the accident happened after dark. The call came in a 9.37 p.m. an hour after sunset. The woman was crossing from the south to the north side of Buckingham Avenue at Dinnick Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police traffic services at 416-808-1900.

Like a true Canadian, Mayor Tory takes part in a little self-deprecating humour.  Must admit, the Bulldog might have let out a little snort for this one. Nice going Mr. Tory.

Buckingham and Dinnick

A woman has died in hospital following an accident Tuesday night at the corner of Dinnick Crescent and Buckingham Ave. in Lawrence Park. Toronto police say she was crossing from the south to the north side of Buckingham Avenue at Dinnick sometime before 9:37 p.m. when she was struck by an SUV. It was travelling westbound on Buckingham  Police say the woman fell and struck her head on the ground.Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police traffic services at 416-808-1900.

The man who drove this car went to hospital with ankle injuries after he slammed into the utility pole at Jane and Annette Streets overnight. The area was closed this morning until police figured it all out and wiring was restored. The male driver of the vehicle was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The driver was said to be “in custody”.

Surveillance camera catches small plane landing on New Jersey Route 72 without incident. A skillful job and lucky too. Jeanne Moos report.

Yes folks, the Pam Am Games big finish will be provided by that rap snappin big guy Kanye West and (gasp) maybe a glimpse of Kim to. If so, Toronto will make her famous for being here. The mayor danced a quick correction today when he was told that West was going to end the Games. Mr Tory thought that West was a Canadian. Isn’t he? Oh sorry. Do we have a 10 mile wide generation canyon here? Just when we were beginning to get excited.