The South Bayview Bulldog

A long-time organic food retailer and juice bar on Danforth Ave. is under scrutiny tonight from Toronto Public Health Department over an a case of hepatitis A on the staff. The public health and the store are warning customers about a possible risk of infection. In a news release Saturday they said that while the risk is low, those who consumed juice at the Big Carrot, located at 348 Danforth Avenue, between March 17 and April 2, 2015 could have contracted the liver disease virus. “Toronto Public Health is asking anyone who consumed organic fresh juice at the organic juice bar during these dates to monitor for signs and symptoms, practice thorough hand washing and contact their health care provider if concerned,” the release stated. Symptoms of hepatitis A can begin 15 to 50 days after becoming infected and include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea/ vomiting, dark urine, stomach pains and jaundice. Officials say the vaccine for the virus is most effective if you receive it within 14 days of exposure. Toronto Public Health says it will be holding a free hepatitis A vaccine clinic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12 at the East York Civic Centre, located at 850 Coxwell Avenue, for anyone who may have been exposed to the virus at the organic juice bar.

These seemingly nice people weren’t too dug in about vaccination but they did harbour what seems like worrisome conspiracy fears that needles were just a big pharmacy scam. Fascinating story and a brave public confession. Ottawa Citizen

Retailers are trickling into the Canary District, that civic experiment at the bottom of Bayview Ave. Some might call it south, south, south Bayview. And as they reflect on it, maybe South Bayview storekeepers will quietly say “better them than me”. Toronto Star 

Celebrated author J K Rowling says there is always a possibility of another “Harry Potter” book.The popular fantasy novel series ended with the seventh instalment, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”.Rowling spoke about the future of the series in a conversation with the “Today” show’s Matt Lauer.”I’m afraid I haven’t been writing the next Harry Potter. Well, you know, I keep saying that I feel I’ve wrapped Harry’s story up and you gotta know when to… Look, I’ve always, I have always said, ‘Never say never’?well not, ‘Never say never.’ I’ve always said, I’m not gonna say ‘I definitely won’t’ because I don’t see why I should say that,” Rowling told Lauer. “But I think Harry Potter 8, as in, what happened next to Harry, Ron and Hermoine…I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Rowling continued. “See, now, I heard that answer and I thought there’s hope,” Lauer told her. “‘So you’re not saying ‘no’!” Rowling said, laughing.

Two women, one from Canada, have collided on steps on the Great Wall of China with the older woman, 73, suffering fatal injuries from her fall to the walkway. The Canadian, 38, was apparently running to catch up with members of her party.  The victim’s husband told local media that the Canadian was chasing someone down the stairs when she collided with his wife. Reports say the woman was immediately knocked unconscious after striking her head on a corner of the wall and stopped breathing soon afterwards.

There are open houses this weekend in South Bayview.  A beautifully cared-for detached home at 128 Banff Rd. is listed for $829,000   It is open both Saturday and Sunday from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. It has a number of amenities including a modern eat-In kitchen with large bay window, main floor family room with stunning floor to ceiling natural stone gas fireplace, walkout to patio and manicured secluded garden. There is parking or two cars. And at 147 Brentcliffe Rd. there is a detached bungalow for sale listed at $1,189,000. The open house is Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m.

The pastor of Lawrence Park Community Church has cancelled the concert that was never really scheduled. John Suk says he  has no idea how anyone thought they had permission to have a concert at the Bayview Ave church.  But word was sent out somehow that contentious Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa would be performing a free concert there. “Normally, before you advertise an event, you ask the people if you can have it there,” Suk said Friday. “No one did any of that. We’re totally blindsided by this. We gave no permission and next thing you know, the phone’s ringing off the hook.” The church is at 2180 Bayview at Dawlish Ave.

A stunning IPO for Cara Operations Ltd. on the TSX as its well-established and winning businesses Swiss Chalet and Harvey’s rode a huge wave of interest to raise more than $200 million dollars. It is the best Canadian IPO since 2007.  Clearly the Warren Buffet rule was at work. Easy to understand and well-established with a proven record of profitability. Yeah. The restaurant company opened at C$31.26 in its first day of trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, up from its initial public offering price of C$23 a share. It finished up $10 on the IPO opening price.