According to the Fraser Institute, as published in the Globe and Mail on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, the average family earned $77,381 in 2013 and paid out 41.8 per cent of it in taxes while spending 36.1 per cent on necessities such as food, clothes and housing. Fraser Institute compares that to 1961, when the numbers were $5,000, 33.5 per cent and 56.5 per cent, respectively. Arresting numbers but the story is quite vague as to what is included in taxes and necessities. In 1961, Canadians paid cash out of pocket for their health care. Now we have that thing called OHIP. Is its cost considered as tax by the Fraser Institute? Now we pay separate municipal taxes to have our garbage recycled. In 1961, pooey, out the door. In so many areas, the things that vex us now seemed to be essential as we added them. Every new bureau, task force, department, privacy commissioner and ombudsman is paid for by you. Globe and Mail
Forecast 10 mm of rain brings flood concern
by •
It appears we are in for something like a day-and-a-half of on and off rain. The Weather Channel indicates an accumulation of as much as 20 mm by Wednesday morning with possibly 10 mm tonight alone. Let’s hope not because we don’t need that much for the gardens and 20 mm seems likely to bring the risk of flooding on the lower DVP and Bayview extension.
Harrowing seconds as stroller rolls onto tracks
by •
Girl, 7, beats back leukemia with help of friends
by •
Toronto Police are telling a story they know well. It’s how seven year old Samantha (Sammy) Sirbos has fought her way back from leukemia twice and is now at home with her loving family. They know it well because Sammy’s dad is PC Chris Sirbos. We see the family here with Sammy (at right) and sister Ava, four, with mom and dad Maria and Chris.“When you’re waiting, every second, every minute, every hour and every day seem like forever,” says Chris. The family waited a month for a bone marrow match, never leaving the Hospital for Sick Children and, in a month, the doctors came in to tell them the good news. They had found a match – a 24-year-old man from Europe. “Even though you exhale, you know there is a hard road ahead of you,” says Chris. The purpose of making this public is to assist the life-saving blood collection that helps leukemia patients. This project puts police, fire and EMS staff in a friendly battle to collect blood. They call it Sirens for Life. Good work guys. Net worth growing on home, investment values
by •
Canadians with a little stash of cash and property did pretty well last year. Around South Bayview, those resident burghers (not the beef kind) probably did even better. Data from Environics Analytics indicates that family net worth in Canada grew by nearly eight per cent on higher real estate and investment values. It estimated the average net worth per household last year grew by 7.7 per cent to $442,130. Consumer debt was flat and real estate performed more predictably compared with recent years — increasing six per cent over 2012. So although many Canadians still face higher-than-normal unemployment, the country as a whole is bouncing back strongly from the 2008 economic downturn. Stock portfolios are growing, savings are on the rise and mortgage debt has ticked up only modestly. The report includes 121 financial and investment statistics from a variety of sources, including the Bank of Canada and Statistics Canada.
Super Moon over Mount Hope Cemetery
by •
This is the second of three super moons this summer glistening in the sky over South Bayview Sunday night (August 10, 2014). According to NASA, the super moon occurs when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon. “The moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few per cent at such times,” NASA says. This picture was taken by Sue Byford, co-publisher of the South Bayview Bulldog from the driveway of her Sherwood Park area home. We’ll call it Moon over Mount Hope Cemetery. Science of the Super Moon
Jays outlast Detroit Tigers 6-5 after 19 innings!
by •
Six hours and 37-minute marathon is longest in Jays history Twitter Motor City Bengals Ken Fidlin
How Others Live: India installs water ATM’s
by •
 |
The Indian government is in the process of installing 500 solar-powered water ATMs across Delhi to serve the water-starved slums and resettlement areas of the capital. This BBC report shows how users will tap or swipe their ATM cards in much the same way we here in South Bayview pay for groceries. It is expected that the plan will provide clean, affordable water to the city. The ATMs are supported by tankers which bring regular re-fills More How Others Live
Icewire Makerspace opening at 1560 Bayview
by •
An innovative business has opened on the third level at 1560 Bayview Ave and Belsize Drive. It is called Icewire Makerspace, a place with tools, software and people where things can be made. One Internet description defines a Makerspace as “a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors and expertise.” The owners of Icewire say the concept is still evolving but for them it means “a place that unlocks potential by providing an optimal environment for creation.” Icewire Makespace is said to be equipped with electronics (hardware and software), robotics, and 3D printing. Welcome to Icewire Makerspace and good fortune. Website
Tori and Cate’s now offering all-day breakfast
by •
Tori and Cate’s Cupcakes is now providing a nice additional service. Their new Bakery Cafe has the delights of the all-day breakfast from a menu that includes eggs, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, coffee and cupcakes. The grand opening is Thursday, August 14, 2014. Tori and Cate’s is at 1592 Bayview Ave. Email: info@toriandcatescupcakes.com
No Ebola in Brampton as test results negative
by •
Reasonable caution has brought a satisfactory result in the case of a man feeling poorly as he returned from a visit to Nigeria. His test shows that he is not suffering from Ebola, the Health Ministry says. CBC
“Taste” is the food festival that ate the Danforth
by •
Unless you’re signing on from Bolivia, you will already know that the Taste of the Danforth is on this weekend. Or as one celebrant put it, “Taste takes over three subway stations, yeah!” The Greek festival again carries the name Krinos in front of its long-time title. Krinos is a Greek food maker and now a sponsor of the festival. That’s fine. Many prefer to enjoy the Taste of the Danforth vicariously by way of TV or nowadays Twitter. There is no shortage of observations and some of them, like the guy hoping for some peace in his apartment (see below) are more refreshing than the “official station of” stuff that frequently dominates the airwaves. Hey, the Taste is a great cultural and business event. Still, some people like their Greek dining when they can at least fight their way to the door the restaurant. Just saying.
