The South Bayview Bulldog

Loblaw Companies released statement today (Monday, March 9, 2015) that it has plans to build as many as 50 new stores in Canada this year, part of a $1.2 billion investment that will create 20,000 jobs.  The investment includes construction projects for new and existing stores, e-commerce expansion, and continued investment in supply chain and IT. “True to our strategy, our investment will create better access to fresh food, wellness solutions closer to home, e-commerce convenience, and a family of stores that elevate grocery, pharmacy, apparel and banking experiences,” Loblaw president Galen G. Weston said in a release. The release does not specify which  markets are likely to be targeted by Loblaws but The South Bayview Bulldog has long speculated that sooner or later Loblaws will want to bring its hidden store on Redway Road back out onto the street where it will attract more traffic.

This video from The Telegraph newspaper in London presents data from the University of Chicago. We’re not sure it’s not an ad for Match.com which gets mentioned but it purports to be a scholarly accounting. It is fun to watch though just the same.

Kathy McLachlan tweeted a charming picture which she took today on one of her regular walks around South Bayview. She observes correctly that there was a pretty light in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The winter sun and deep snow seems to work together on that. You can see the whole picture by clicking on the re-tweet of Ms McLachlan’s tweet in the column at the left. Other people commented on Twitter (Leaside) on what a pleasant day it was for a walk.

In Baltmore, weather forecaster Candice Dold was left hanging when she threw to the station weather character, Traffic Jam Jimmy. Jimmy was not ready to say anything except “Can I get a fish sandwich?” at the McDonald’s window. Jimmy explained that he had been on the road for hours and was famished.

Fiona Boylan’s COBs Bread was more than neighborly with this seasonal treat

COBs Bread was sharing Hot Cross Buns with friends and neighbors over the weekend. Here are some of the happy recipients.

Bell Media says the big U.S, cable companies and networks should be banned from cable delivery into Canadian homes. Kevin Crull, president, said these big signals have no business on Canada’s cable systems. Globe and Mail 

Alan Redway received friends and supporters Saturday as he signed copies of his book Governing Toronto, Bringing Back The City That Worked. He spoke briefly and told those present he wishes to create a political groundswell in Toronto to have the provincial government review the effectiveness of the present structure of the provincial capital. Mr. Redway, a former mayor of East York and one-time MP for what is now the riding of Don Valley East, said that the present “mega-City” created in 1998 has not delivered the savings which were given as the reason for the amalgamation of the six municipalities of the then Metropolitan Toronto. It is to this model that Mr. Redway looks in his desire to create a “political groundswell” He noted that before amalgamation the provincial government reviewed the Toronto government every ten years. He noted that former premier Dalton McGuinty said this would  be like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. He also recalled that Kathleen Wynne was among the most vigorous opponents of amalgamation 17 years ago but wondered whether by now she might have “toothpaste reverberating in her ears.”  Mr Redway’s own review of how Toronto works told him that City Councillors were burdened with agendas that inundated them in local business from distant wards and distracted from metropolitan issues. He recalled the amalgamation of Montreal in 2000 and subsequent decision to restore local independence to separate cities. He noted community councils.  Amalgamated Toronto started with six in 1998 but that was shrunk to four.  Among those present at the Walter Stewart Library on Memorial Park Drive was Ward 29 Councillor Mary Fragedakis.

The Greater Toronto Hockey league has voted to ban body checking from the Bantam A category of players ranging in age from 13 to 17. CBC is reporting that the ban will be phased in over a four-year period starting with the younger players. CBC reports that league members voted 60 percent in favour of the ban.

There are complicated explanations to explain why you may feel crummy for a day or two after setting the clock forward. Not everyone does, by the way. But look, just go to bed as early as you can. Here are some tips

• Avoid sleepiness on Sunday by getting to bed at a reasonable hour Saturday.
• Get some exercise on Saturday to ensure you sleep well that night.
• Avoid caffeine and excess alcohol for four to six hours before bedtime, since both can disrupt sleep.
• Avoid bright light before bed, including TV screens and handheld devices.
• Sleep in Sunday morning if you like, but by no more than an hour.
• If you need to take a nap Sunday afternoon, that’s OK, but make sure it’s not too close to bedtime.
• For parents of small kids, start making the transition a few nights ahead of time, moving bedtime ahead by 15 minutes each night.

Eerie spectacle as CN freight train burns near Gogama

Several cars have caught fire after a CN Rail derailment Northern Ontario. Residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid consuming water from local sources. OPP said 10 cars derailed four kilometres southwest of Gogama and there were no initial reports of injuries. Gogama is located 580 kilometres north of Toronto, 191 km north of Sudbury and 114 km south of Timmins.