The South Bayview Bulldog

John Tory wants to be mayor. The talk show host on NewsTalk 1010 has told his fellow employees there that he will file his nomination papers for inclusion on the ballot Monday morning  (February 24, 2014). He does so on the same day that another candidate, former TTC Chair Karen Stintz, will file her papers. It might be coincidence, but it’s more likely scene stealing. The millionaire former cable executive, head of the Progressive Conservative Party and 2003 candidate for mayor, says he wants a livable city and a “new tone” at City Hall. The tone thing should be easy. The livable city seems like a rather vague wish for things that cost money, and which in the end may not be universally popular. We have to see what they are. Does John Tory, for example, think a roaring La Guardia style airport on the island will make Toronto more livable? The unlamented bridge to the island airport is generally thought to have been an issue in his defeat when he lost by 36,000 votes to David Miller eleven years ago. Miller ran an effective campaign against the airport. This time as well, Mr. Tory is talking about “congestion” — the devil or bogeyman of city life, depending on your view.  He wants to “get the shovels in the ground” for the so-called Yonge Relief Line. Tory says he also wants to keep taxes low, especially property taxes. He wants to have the city government work in a way that makes people proud.  He will have lots of time to say this to the face of mayor Rob Ford. “You can have the greatest plan in the world, but if you can’t get it through the city council because you’re not possessed of the right skills or determination to work with other people, well then, it won’t matter as much,” Mr.Tory told NewsTalk 1010.  The joker in the pack for many observers is Olivia Chow, the NDP MP for Trinity Spadina and widow of the late Jack Layton. Her benign expressions of love for Toronto and the lingering feelings of sympathy for the passing of Mr. Layton will be a potent force in the October general election if Ms. Chow decides to run.  Tonight Mayor Ford’s brother, Doug Ford, welcomed Mr. Tory to the race and in questioning by CP24 went on to suggest that the radio commentator isn’t really a Conservative and can’t make up his mind. 

Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews scored to give Canada a 3-0 victory against Sweden for Olympic gold Sunday morning. Canada’s size, talent and speed were clear throughout. It is a huge national triumph when added to the hockey gold won by Canada’s women’s team. Tweet below is a chuckle. Safe to say the Swedes have upped their game in the meantime.

Not really. It’s a hilarious commercial twitting us all for our obsession with the teeny little phone screen that now runs out lives. It plays to our guilt that our behaviour in this regard is terrible, The ad purports to offer a solution in the form of an enormous “social media guard” which looks a lot like a dog cone. Very funny and inventive ad. 

Canadian ref Kelly Sutherland

The Swedes are damn angry about the fact that the four referees for Sunday morning’s big game all live in Canada. How did that happen? According to Olympic officials, the four are the best guys available for the job. They are three Canadians and an American who lives in Calgary. All are top NHL referees and no one can really question their skill. Yet, as the Toronto Star is saying tonight (Saturday February 22, 2014) the optics are terrible. Peter Forsberg, the penalty-shootout hero of Sweden’s 1994 gold-medal victory over Canada at the Lillehammer Olympics, reportedly texted an angry (and vulgar) complaint to a Swedish newspaper. The offcials in question are Brad Meier, an American who makes Alberta his home, Kelly Sutherland of Richmond B.C., Derek Amell of Port Colborne and Greg Devforski of Guelph.  However odd the officiating crew may seem, they certainly bring a lot more credibility to the sport than  figure skating judges. As anyone can tell, it’s simply not possible for referees to fix a hockey game.  Even if a ref were prejudiced, the chance of an effective fiddle with the outcome is a huge long shot fraught with the prospect of raging fans all over the ice. Here in South Bayview, we wish you a happy hockey happening. If you are not going to watch through your toes in bed, the doors at McSorely’s open at 6.30 a.m. and you can be settled with a brew and breakfast when the puck drops half an hour later in Sochi for the Canada-Sweden gold medal hockey game. Things are timed nicely for you to get to church right after the game too. Oh yes, you can only have Molson Canadian, not Tre Kronor  

Merton Street between Mount Pleasant Rd and Yonge Street is the most handy east-west shunt north of the cemetery. As locals know, the street has changed profoundly in 15 years. It is now populated by new condominiums and apartments. Those whizzing by may wonder what people are paying for places in these new buildings. The always interesting Toronto Star feature What They Got reports that a two-bedroom unit at 253 Merton St was listed for  $569,900 and sold for  $565,000. It had sold previously for $437,000  in 2007. At  1,117 sq. ft. it also has two baths and one owned underground space plus locker. Maintenance fees are $899.25 per month.

Benny, a 4-year-old Wheaton Terrier is one lucky guy, all things considered. On Tuesday he fell 12 or 15 feet down an old well or septic tank beside his home and he’s been there until today. This afternoon (Friday, February 21, 2014) he was rescued by the fire department and animal control officers in a nearly three-hour project. Above we see Benny (left) with his much-relieved owner Audrey Fantauzzi. She was tipped to Benny’s location when a neighbor’s dog began digging at the site. The photo centre reveals Benny down the filthy hole, frightened and tired. The image was captured from video taken with a small camera belonging to CTV.  Fire personnel attached it to a pole and were able to spot the dog’s location. Right, a capture of Benny freshly out of the hole, still wearing the rigging used by rescuers to pluck him from the tank. Benny has now been fed, washed and checked out. All is well. This happened at 136 Spears St. near Weston Road and Humber Boulevard North. Nice job everyone. Dog owners and lovers are burning up Twitter with their joy.