The South Bayview Bulldog

A resident of Scarth Road (Rosedale) reports to police that between 8.30 and 10.30 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2014, a mink coat was removed from a restaurant in the area of Yonge Street and King Street East.  This is not a nice St. Patrick’s thing to do. 

Mayor Ford has had another one of his “You may be perfect but I’m not” moments outside City Hall Saturday. He was blithering away and unloading vulgar verbal stink bombs in front of kids. The story is all complete from reporter Natalie Johnson except to say that whatever the mayor’s bleeped outburst some bystanders found it hilarious, as you can tell from loud guffaws off camera. It’s instructive that the lady whose 13-year-old shot this video opened her shouted remarks to the mayor by saying she thought he was “awesome.” Certainly. And the mayor used his “I guess you don’t drink” trick on Ms.Johnson but she didn’t fall for it. We were only a moment of petulance away from — all together now — “You may be perfect, but I’m not.”  

Josh Matlow (Ward 22) has announced that Toronto has signed a ten-year lease on the Hodgson Senior Public School Ice Rink on Davisville Ave. The rink is one of a few artificially supported outdoor rinks in the city and has been out of use this season– at least officially — because of needed repairs to the aging facility. But with the Toronto District School Board’s agreement to lease the rink, the City will now proceed with an estimated $2 million in repairs. It expects to have Hodgson Rink back in service for the fall of 2014. The lease also has a two year notice clause which means it seems likely that the rink will be in service for at least 12 years. It sits on TDSB property and Hodgson is an aging structure. Built in 1915, it’s nearly a century old. The future of the present school building probably can’t be predicted much beyond the term of the lease. Any decision to replace it or make major changes would probably mean the end of the rink at that site. 

Three are dead and two in hospital after apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in a Brampton Home. Propane heaters were brought into the house to keep it warm after the furnace stopped working over the weekend. CBC

A Lawrence Park home on Daneswood Road was broken into March 15, 2014 between the hours of 6.24 p.m. and 8.28 p.m. Those precise times suggest an alarm system recorded comings and goings. Let’s hope there’s a video capture. Removed was a quantity of jewellery and watches.  Also in 53 Division, a resident of Hillhurst Boulevard reports that between March 7, 2014 at 1 p.m. and March 14, 2014 at 6 p.m. entry was gained to the premises by forcing a window. Removed was a quantity of computer equipment and watches.

The Tea Emporium is downsizing from the large premises it has at the corner of Eglinton Ave. W. and Braemare Ave. west of Avenue Road (inset). The company will move to a smaller storefront at 369 Eglinton West. The Tea Emporium is a retailer and wholesaler of tea. It’s Eglinton location has also operated as a tea shop for about a decade. The company had a location on Bayview Ave. where Tori and Cates Cupcakes now operate.  Many people will know the Tea Emporium from their location in the Loblaws complex on the ground floor of the old Maple Leaf Gardens at College and Church Streets.   

The Rosedale Main Street Business Improvement Association has announced it will repeat its successful Rosedale Art Fair. The fair will be held Saturday, May 31 from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, June 1 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.. The event will feature the work of emerging artists at participating Rosedale stores and restaurants. The location is Scrivener Square where as many as 40 artists will be featuring their work.

So China abstained on the UN vote to condemn the Russian referendum in Crimea.  It declares its support of Ukraine territorial integrity. What a surprise. In fact, the Beijing politburo doesn’t give a fig about Ukraine. It does care (obsessively) about anything that permits parts of countries to secede. Canada never has to worry about China having a democratically-elected Quebec separatist for tea in the Middle Kingdom. No, no. You only have to mention possible separation of (insert a name) to give the un-elected big boys in China a terrible rash. 

A poll by Forum Research gives Olivia Chow the support of 36 per cent of respondents. Rob Ford has 28 per cent and John Tory 22 per cent. Karen Stintz is said to have received 5 per cent and David Soknacki 2 per cent. Seven per cent were undecided. The poll was conducted Thursday and seems to have been skewed somewhat by Ms. Chow’s adoring kick-off meeting at St. Simon’s Anglican Church the day before. Early indications bear out the perception of many people that Ms Chow is an enormously sympathetic figure. Her poor immigrant origins and status as Jack Layton’s widow are compelling.  For those who would not vote for Ms. Chow the mayoral campaign so far has been a bit like watching a traffic collision unfold in slow motion. They see Ms Chow winning the election with a run down the middle between Mr. Ford and Mr. Tory. Karen Stintz’s single digit result also squares with this armchair strategist’s analysis. Stintz is a smart, attractive and thoroughly likable person. But she has limited name-recognition and little charisma. It is a long campaign and sympathies will change. But Ms. Chow is playing with factors that can persuade women to vote for her. One woman who is not so persuaded is columnist Christie Blatchford. She feels that Chow has “nothing to say.” As stated here on Wednesday, Ms Chow frequently seems vague. Will Toronto electors cast their ballots merely to commiserate with Ms. Chow? 

The Nail Studio at 1693 Bayview Ave. will shortly be moving one door north to 1695, the premises formerly occupied by the store known as Marmalade Skies. The Nail Studio is run by Kim and the small business is pretty busy. It was standing room only today (Saturday, March 15, 214). Right next door to the north, at 1699, is Alex and Bev Simmons shop, Dolly Jewellers.