The South Bayview Bulldog

Everyone knows that it is only the unwilling, unable and maybe the unconscious who run up charges on credit cards and fail to make even the minimum payment on time. This week’s mail brought news from the TD Bank that such people face punishing new penalties which will extend out over an entire year, even after their card is current again. A circular enclosed in monthly statements to all cardholders — including the ones who never carry a balance — announces cheerily that the bank is “making important changes” to your TD credit card account. The circular says that effective March 31, 2015 those who do not make the minimum payment will face a jump in the penalty interest rate from 21% to 24.99%. That puts the annual rate at five percent above the regular rate of 19.99% for carrying a balance on an up-to-date card. Furthermore, effective March 31, the bank will apply that rate to the outstanding balance for 12 months, even after you have started to pay on time. The present penalty period is two months.  It is a well-kept secret just how many people carry a bank card balance much less how many neglect to make the minimum payment on time. 

An Ontario Superior Court judge has cleared the way for Target store liquidation sales to begin as early as Thursday (February 5, 2015). Shoppers can expect the price slashing as the doors open. Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder told the Canadian Press discounts will take up to 30 per cent off regular prices. Already many Target stores have stopped carrying perishables like milk, eggs and frozen foods, Snyder said. The company is still clearing product out of its distribution centres, she added. The court had yet to decide late Wednesday whether Target can begin the sales of its real estate assets. In court today, landlords were concerned that Target’s liquidation sales would tarnish the image of their malls and take away business from other stores who are renting space. “I think all parties are exaggerating,” Justice Geoffrey Morawetz said. “And I mean that quite sincerely.” 

There will be meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at Greenwood College for Belsize Dr. residents regarding planning for the two large boulevard green lands known as the Glebe Manor Square East and West. They sit in the centre of Belsize east and west of Mount Pleasant Rd. The meeting is organized by Josh Matlow (Ward 22). Greenwood College is on the southeast corner of  Mt. Pleasant and Davisville Ave.  

This is a fascinating development. A volunteer parent (it’s not said whether a male of female) slaps a player on the bottom and squeezes her shoulders. It is unpleasant or uncomfortable for player. A complaint finds its way to league owner John Reynolds. He sends a memo declaring there is to be no touching of any kind by adults of the kids. Not even on the helmet. We’ve heard of girls complaining in the past about touching. Any man should certainly know enough to refrain from the slapping and hugging that the players give each other. Some observers are saying the no-touch rule goes too far. Read it. National Post 

The president of Starbucks Canada, Roseann Williams, has told The Toronto Star that its thousands of locations across Canada will be serving an “evening menu”  of wine, beer and tapas by the end of this year. There will also be a delivery service of some type. The story says this move is driven by flat coffee sales and a need to appeal to the 60 percent of the Starbucks clientele which is female. It is an interesting strategy and the questions abound. Many women arrive at Starbucks behind a stroller, even after six. The baby bottle is as common as a latte in a lot of places. Will that mix work? Then there’s the food thing. Tapas is a Spanish word meaning cold or hot small dishes. Most people are familiar with this type of eating. Ms.Williams mentions flat bread, olives, nuts and cheese. These seem to be cold dishes. No mention of hot. Recalling the Starbucks lunch, the company’s history with food has not been outstanding. The question will arise as to whether the tapas is being done on the cheap. Will it look as tempting as the dishes at Tinto Bar de Tapas? Read all about it. Lisa Wright Toronto Star   Globe writer dumps on everything, including the coffee. Hey, the coffee’s okay.  

There is very informative analysis here by CBC’s Adrienne Arsenault on the arrests made today related to recruiting of ISIS sympathizers in Canada. Recruitment has emerged as an ancillary threat which authorities would like shut down more effectively. This brief video expands understanding of how recruiters work.