The South Bayview Bulldog

A Toronto cop, PC Nickolas Dorazioa, has been called on the carpet by the chief for cooking up a story for local TV that he had just been rescued from the stranded GO train down by the Don River a week ago Monday. It was all a load of baloney because Dorazioa never got any closer to the train than the sloppy verges of Bayview Ave. He was ordered there earlier in the evening along with hundreds of other able-bodied people to help in the rescue of those 1,400 passengers. The story as it was first reported was as murky as the water that swirled into the GO train. We were afraid that PC Dorazioa had elbowed little old ladies out of the way to get an early rescue from the train, so severe and worrisome were the news reports. And it almost sounds from the reaction at headquarters that they took it just that seriously. Chief Blair has called Dorazioa “shameful” for duping the poor TV types that way. And if you look carefully at the policeman’s face, it seems to reveal the mischief in his heart as he regaled reporters with a tale of being carried to safety by brave police officers. Well, he should not have done it, of course. Silly man. And if, as suspected, other coppers were egging him on, they too should get a tongue-lashing. Let’s keep in mind however that these men were in a stressful situation and that there were long waits with nothing to do. But they did not steal lifeboat seats from women and children. As a group they performed an honorable service. As for the chagrined TV reporters, we say get over it.

Pregnant women in Japan can now come face-to-face with their unborn baby, thanks to new technology which prints a solid 3D image, using data from a simple ultrasound scan. Associated Press. 

Dampening dust at Broadview-Gerrard

Police say it is expected that the intersection of Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East will be closed to vehicles until Monday, July 22, 2013. Pedestrian traffic will have access to stores and businesses in the area. Commuters are asked to check with the TTC for updated routes and schedule. This picture shows demolition workmen bringing down what’s left of the Cai Yuan Supermarket. The fire hose helps keep down dust. Local residents are finding this activity the best show in town with many of them watching from the steps of the  Riverdale Library kitty corner from the fire scene. Previous Post. 

This post was written before the announcement that Loblaws had purchased Shoppers Drug Mart. At first blush it’s hard to know whether Nutshell, the experimental store announced Friday by Loblaws, is for real or just a gambit to grab our attention. The Toronto Star story suggests the health-themed store will compete with Whole Foods. The Canada.com story elaborates on recruiting drives (poster inset) and the development of what appears to be an insider culture of Nutshell-ism. (Play with a real Nutshell cube).  Nutshell will open sometime this Fall in a loft-like atmosphere at 150 King St. West. It will feature ready-to-eat things, groceries, health food, vitamins, wellness seminars and a full pharmacy! Sounds like a cross between Tim Hortons and Shoppers Drug Mart. One can certainly see how Loblaws might like to throw a wrench in the big plans of  Whole Foods especially somewhere along Bayivew Ave. Whole Foods will open at 1860 Bayview sometime in 2015 and for a period at least it seems likely that the chic allure of WF clean-living will impact others in the market. That certainly applies to Metro’s big store at Eglinton Ave. and Bayview. Metro however is a seasoned price competitor and will throw everything its got at WF’s rather expensive image. You can also buy Coke at Metro. As for high-end customers, we’re thinking WF will have a tougher time weening them off  Summerhill Market and the Loblaws at 321 Moore. Location, location location. That’s it in a Nutshell for now.