There will be a meeting of the steering committee of the new Bayview Business Improvement Area today. Members are said to be excited to get a plan for the new BIA. (Wednesday, January 21, 2015)
Tory budget contains big stealthy service taxes
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Fees and separate taxes for ice rinks, sports fields, tap water and garbage pickup — all part of a new agenda of having those who use the service pay the full price sooner rather than later. Things which in the past have been subsidized by property taxes will more and more require separate payment. Property taxes may be used for we dare not ask what. Marcus Gee
Gunmen terrorize Kington Road Esso station
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Toronto Police would really like to round up the two bad actor seen here threatening customer and staff at the Esso station on Kingston Rd and Scarborough Golf Club Rd on Thursday, December 21, 2014. He stayed by the front door, pointed the gun at customers and employees, demanding money, and robbed one of the customers. The other man went behind the counter and removed cash and cigarettes Both men are described as black, 20-25, 5’5″-5’6″, with thin builds. The man with the gun was wearing black pants and a black hoodie. The other man was wearing a dark coat with two white stripes around the waist and cuffs, and a bandana on his face.
Vita Sociale, formerly Centro, closed in distress
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The Italian restaurant known as Vita Sociale has closed its doors with a notice on the door indicating rent owing of some $348,964.22. It is a tough business and the restaurant’s owner, Annando Mano, defied the odds in a previous incarnation as the celebrated Centro. The allure of Centro captured a generation as the place for romantic twosomes and family parties during the 80s and 90s.
Plan for property, garbage and water tax increases
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It is essentially John Tory’s plan, intended for discussion by City Council in weeks to come. City of Toronto
Passwords are for gaining access to booze cans
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Matthew Sparkes of the Telegraph newspaper in London has written a story about the most common passwords in 2014. It’s a giggle because the most common one was 123456. This sorry effort is condemned everywhere as simply stupid. But in the end, the most important thing about a password is that we remember it. It is interesting how little we reflect on what a dopey trap we have created for humanity with the computer password. We are doomed to failure by our pre-historic brain. Contrary to every faceless demand from the ether, the most important thing about a password is not that it is impregnable but simply that we can remember it. Passwords mostly make sense when used to gain entry to a booze can or similar fun locale. If the password is hotcha no one demands that you add a special character like a dollar sign. Anyway, the story is enjoyable. Telegraph
Pope: “Catholics don’t need to breed like rabbits”
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Pope Francis is developing a way with words as well as some new ideas. Catholics (and others) will read with interest. CBC
Is money-losing Indigo like a gift to Canada?
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| Yonge and Eglinton |
Indigo Books will shut down a Chapter’s store in Vancouver because the landlord has imposed a large rent increase. The store is on Robson Street. Indigo calls it a “very significant rent increase”. Well that’s Vancouver and this is South Bayview where most of us who patronize Indigo do so through the door of the Yonge and Eglinton complex (inset). As many will know, Indigo was created in 1996 and continues to be run by Toronto book and retail maven Heather Reisman. Indigo is stunningly unprofitable. In 2014 Indigo reported a net loss of $31 million. It is a tradition there. The company said at the time: “In an industry which is world-wide experiencing meaningful sales declines, we are pleased with the customer response to all our transformation efforts, with the sales performance, and with the potential for further growth and profitability moving forward.” And that’s fine but anyone would be forgiven for thinking that Indigo is more like a benefaction bestowed on Canada by Ms Reisman and her wealthy husband, Gerald Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz is the boss of Onyx Corporation, the money-making mining conglomerate. Schwartz and Reisman are celebrated as generous givers to any number of important charities and institutions (like Mount Sinai Hospital). How the finances of Indigo and Onyx might be woven together is unknown but it would be revealing to know. See you at Indigo.
COBs Bread to re-open Saturday, February 7
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COBs on Bayview Ave. will re-open on Saturday, February 7, 2015. The store is under renovation for this period. The Bulldog previously published incorrect information which we regret. Facebook
New Jersey: Tractor trailer spin-out from Hell
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For up close a personally terrifying truck spin-out this one may take the prize. It happened on the New Jersey Turnpike two days ago and has more than a million hits as of this morning (Tuesday January 20, 2015). This spectacle is blamed on black ice. Note the ominous ticking on the video — maybe its the hazard lights. When the truck finally stops moving, the car driver says: “It’s a go. Saw more trucks behind me.” Amen brother. Get out of there.
Parents crowd Lea Room for Summer Camp Fair
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There was a lively gathering at the William Lea Room at Leaside arena tonight (Monday January 19, 2015) for the annual Summer Camp Fair. It was a crowded meeting of parents, kids, camp owners and counselors as some 21 camps set up their booths and talked camping. The opportunities for summer fun ran the gamut from downtown day camps like Ryerson and Mooredale to old and established live-in camps across Ontario’s hinterland. Among the participating camps were (Co-ed Residential) Onondaga Camp, Camp Kandalore, Camp Muskoka, Camp Wenonah, Camp Tawingo, Canadian Adventure Camp, Youth Leadership Camps of Canada, Camp Otterdale, Camp Tamarack, Camp Celtic (Girls Residential) Camp Tanamakoon, Camp Northway, YWCA Camp Tapawingo, Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da (Boys Residential) Camp Hurontario, Camp Wendigo (Day Camps) King Day Camp, Ryerson Summer Day Camps, Mooredale Day Camp, Pawsitively Pets Kids Camp, Camp Tournesol.