Builder is busy at home and on the job site

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Vince Le Donne

Vince Le Donne wants to build homes in Leaside. And building them he is. The young father of two lives on Leacrest Road with his wife and kids while he builds a new home for his family on Airdrie Road near Hanna Rd. Even here, Vince is making friends with neighbors and potential customers who may some day need his services. “It’s so important for me to learn about the community and meet people here,” Vince says of his adopted community. With his company, Ivy Glen Homes, building two more homes on Sutherland Drive, Vince acknowledges that his preferred business is to contract with residents. They may wish to bump up or enlarge a present Leaside home, or perhaps replace it altogether. But like all businessmen, Vince is ready to do the job that needs doing. One of his Sutherland projects, 472, is being built for a client, but over at 302, he will sell the finished product himself. There’s no other place like Leaside  for this booming activity, and Vince knows just what a good place he has picked. Vince Le Donne is a home-grown builder, learning his trade at Humber College and then earning a degree is architectural technology at Ryerson.  He spent five years working for another Leaside building firm making drawings of projects in the office, before striking out on his own a couple of years ago. All of this plus the blessing and responsibility of a 4-year daughter and a one year old son. It keeps Vince Le Donne busy at home and on the job site.

Thieves return statue to College St. church

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Thieves have had a change of heart after stealing a statue from outside of the Church of Saint Stephen-in-the-Fields (Anglican) on College Street. The status, known as “Whatsoever You Do”, by the artist Timothy Schmalz, was taken off of a plinth outside the church sometime around November 30, 2013. On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, it was discovered that the statue had been returned by unknown persons to the church premises. The statue was accompanied by as note: “I’m sorry, it seemed like a good idea at the time, ” the scribbled message said. The sculpture is one of the most popular and commonly displayed pieces of art in churches. It embodies the lesson of Matthew (25.40): “Whatsoever you do for one of my least brothers or sisters, you do for me.” 

Mt. Sinai to double the size of emergency dept.

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Mount Sinai Hospital has announced that Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz, archetypal philanthropic power couple, will donate $15 million to re-build and expand the emergency department that is already named after them. That’s because Reisman and Schwartz were the hospital’s patrons in its previous renewal some 20 years ago. The two live in the heart of west Rosedale and are known for the retail presence that is Indigo and for Onex Corporation, the fabulously well-financed private equity and investment firm. Mount Sinai said today the project will will double the size of its emergency department, transforming it to serve an aging demographic with chronic illness and complex needs. The hospital aims to become the first North American facility to support research into the fast-growing specialty of emergency medicine to find solutions to long wait times and system bottlenecks. Such a worthy goal. 

Chocolate Messenger opens second location

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The Chocolate Messenger at 1645 Bayview Ave. writes to say that the company has recently expanded to Bowmanville.  It`s a factory and retail store.  Nice to see a local retailer doing well.  Richard, the owner, adds a thanks to The South Bayview Bulldog for “a great source of local info.” Thank you!

Outlook for stranded whales in Florida “not good”

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Wildlife officials fighting to save some 41 stranded pilot whales say they are not optimistic about getting the great mammals back out to sea. Dozens of short-finned pilots are stranded in shallow water off Florida Everglades National Park. It is a phenomenon of nature that baffles scientists. The grim assessment came as the number of dead whales climbed to 10, including four euthanized by wildlife officials after being found in “poor condition.” An attempt earlier in the day to herd the whales out of the park’s remote Highland Beach failed. Rescuers have been using five boats to create a blockade of sorts between the whales and the beach as part of the effort to keep them from beaching and simultaneously encouraging them to make their way back to the Gulf of Mexico

Bridge pillar “compromise” caused GO delays

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GO Transit officials say the out-of-nowhere delay on the Lakeshore East line were caused when pillar near a bridge close to the area was “compromised during regular maintenance work being conducted by the City of Toronto.”  

Executive reps vote solidly to delay jet decision

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Toronto’s executive committee has voted to defer any decision on the proposed Porter Airlines expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The motion to defer the item until January passed 11-2. Mayor Rob Ford and Peter Milczyn (Ward 5) voted against the deferral.  Deputy mayor Norm Kelly said waiting a month would allow staff more time to get more information so that the committee and council can make the decision. The vote sets out the stark difference between what councillors are hearing from their constituents and a recent poll that said the public favours the jets. Outside executive, a fractious scrum involving Porter airlines CEO Robert DeLuce.  Representatives of No Jets Toronto were present.  Here is the vote break-down:
Defer 11: Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Frank Di Giorgio, Norman Kelly (Chair), Peter Leon, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza, David Shiner, Michael Thompson
Proceed  2 :  Rob Ford, Peter Milczyn
Absent  0.

Andy Elder’s Grilltime has new local condiments

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Manning and Elder
Among the food vendors at Wednesday night’s Winter Wonders fundraiser at All-Canada Self Storage was Andy Elder, owner-operator of the Grilltime specialty meat shop. With him at his sales table was a supplier to his shop, Christine Manning. Ms. Manning is an enterprising businesswoman and cook from Scarborough. A few years ago she decided to apply her knowledge and cooking skills to creating a line of jams, condiments and pickled preserves  She called her company — wait for it — Manning Canning. We like it too. While Christine offered samples (and sold jars) of her delectables, Andy served up thinly sliced tenderloin on crostinis. Manning Canning has one of the finest zucchini relishes we’ve tasted. Christine’s preserves are available at only about a dozen or so shops in Toronto so far.   

GO trains east and west seriously delayed

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Delays of up to three hours are being reported on the GO Transit systems along the Lakeshore. The most serious delays appear to be between Union Station and Aldershot Station in Burlington. But trains to the east are also delayed, some by as much as an hour because of a “bridge inspection” in Scarborough. Metrolinx has offered very sketchy information on just why and how the delays have occurred. GO Transit service updates 

Winter Wonders an entertaining fundraiser

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Wine tasting, racquet cover

The Winter Wonders event organized by Bessborough Public School Home and School Wednesday night was a lively and entertaining experience. Dozens of independent retailers and small entrepreneurs purchased sales tables down the hallways of the All-Canada Self-Storage facility on Laird Drive. Early indications showed a good turnout. Inset, a medley of pictures show the eclectic variety of goods. We hope the Winter Wonders is a success and comes back next year. Here are the vendors who took part: Eliza Perry Jewellery, Snapdragon, The Prepped Shoppe, Wild Poppy, Dotty Dress, John Lorimer Agency,, My Boyz3, Carol Walker Jewellery, Valentine Rouge, Ladybugs, Susan’s House of Cards, YWCA International Boutique, Andy and Elle, My Little Craft Crate, Serano Meats, LumaeSweets, David’s Spices, Jamberry Nails, Arbonne, Barebottom Shoes, The Lash Bar, Grill Time, Alex Farm Cheese, Little Miss Henna, Creature Comforts, Original Organic Artwork, Intution Ladies and Menswear, lia sophia, Holmes 4 Homes, Little Miss Henna, Twig, Usborne Books and Sentaler Coats

Savour the goodies at Winter Wonders today

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Many readers have noted elsewhere in the South Bayview Bulldog that the Bessborough Public School Winter Wonders event goes today at the All-Canada Self Storage facility on Laird Drive.  It’s opposite the arena.  Andy Elder, owner of Grilltime on Laird and Leaside’s senior statesman of catering, points out that he will be there carving thin slices of beef tenderloin onto crostini as samples. Andy says that to  make things even more interesting he has invited a local manufacturer, Christine Manning of Manning Canning, to join his table. Together, they will be using her savoury jams and other goodies to take the crostini up a notch. In addition to showcasing products, Andy will  have handouts of his take out/catering menu and Christmas turkey/ham program.   Christine will be selling her jams and other products directly as well.  Should be fun as well as informative. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. 

Denis, Rinaldo and Dube among women honorees

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News release — edited –– Bell Canada is congratulating four of its leaders recognized by the Women’s Executive Network with the Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award: Mary Ann Turcke, Bell’s Executive Vice President of Field Operations, inducted into the WXN Hall of Fame this year; Marilyn Denis  (left) and Sandie Rinaldo (centre) recognized in the Arts & Communications category; and Michelle Dubé (right) awarded in the Future Leaders category. Release