The South Bayview Bulldog

Paul Hahn & Co. is the locale for a fascinating photography exhibition called Black and White this month. Opening night took place Wednesday with a substantial turnout present to meet photographer Barrie Wentzell, and see his work. Wentzell is an entertaining British-born photographer, who from about 1965 to 1975 chronicled the world’s leading pop and rock musicians. His camera caught the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Jimmy Hendricks, Johnny Cash and many others. His work will be on display at the Paul Hahn store at Yonge St. and Gibson Ave. until May 31, 2014 as part of the city-wide Scotiabank Contact Photography Exhibition.  On Wednesday night, Mr. Wentzell, who has lived in Toronto for more than 30 years, unveiled an image of Elton John that has never been seen before. The evening also featured a short performance by Elton Rohn, billed as “North America’s most celebrated Elton John tribute artist.” The display is curated by Lucia Graca of Analogue Gallery. The Paul Hahn store celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Wentzell, who is 71, got his start as a music photographer when he shot an appearance by the young Diana Ross at the BBC in London. The photos were picked up by Melody Maker, the pop music magazine of record in Britain at the time. The shoot led to a staff job and a new career. Story and  pictures courtesy of Yonge and Roxborough.  Black and White page on Contact site  Previous on Paul Hahn Pianos 

The Globe and Mail is said to have paid $10,000 for three still pictures of Mayor Ford allegedly smoking crack cocaine in the basement of his sister’s home early Saturday morning. Greg McArthur,  a Globe reporter, told CP24 that the video was sourced through connections of the newly-hired Robyn Doolittle. Ms. Doolittle was previously a reporter at the Toronto Star where she worked on the first Ford crack video revelation. It appears that, as at the Star, Ms. Doolittle is working in a team, as efficiency and security might suggest is sensible. McArthur spoke of how his partner obtained a phone call from a drug dealer to say there were videos for sale. She and McArthur arranged a meeting. Ms. Doolittle, said McArthur, had to sit in his child’s car seat as they drove to the meeting. At the meeting there was much discussion, a viewing of sorts and a transactional back and forth about a sale price of “six figures” for  the tapes. In  the end, it was agreed that the newspaper would pay $10,000 for three still shots and in a subsequent meeting this amount was exchanged. Presumably it was in cash but McArthur did not say that nor was he asked. He seemed to suggest that there are many leads in this field being pursued by he and Ms. Doolittle.  Photos: Greg McArthur, Robyn Doolittle

It’s a cheeky thing to say, but The South Bayview Bulldog is ready to say it again. John Tory and Rob Ford together are the most important men in Olivia Chow’s bid to become the mayor of Toronto. Residents saw that today (Thursday, May 1, 2014) as Ms. Chow refused to call on Rob Ford to resign immediately. It is a consummation that most voters would certainly say is devoutly to be wished. Time for this utterly unfit man to go. John Parker (Ward 26) had it right when he said the mayor should call it a career. Last night, Mr. Tory served the best purposes of his campaign by saying Ford should quit immediately. Tory should be so lucky. The polls all show that there is more than enough support among right and centre right voters to put Mr. Tory in the mayor”s office if Mr. Ford gets out of the race. Similarly, it seems necessary for Ms. Chow (the front runner) to keep Mr. Ford in the race as the ultimate spoiler for John Tory. Chow was asked four times during a news conference Thursday morning if the mayor should resign. On all occasions she said only that the voters should decide.