PM’s book on hockey for sale in November

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Book publisher Simon and Schuster has released the front cover and title of the Prime Minister’s forthcoming book on the history of hockey. In it, Mr. Harper profiles the evolution of the “forgotten” era of the amateur game into the phenomenon of professional hockey. The book is titled  A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey. It will be released November 5  according to S and S. Stephen Harper’s fascination with and love of hockey was formed, as it is with most Canadian young men, when he played the game as a boy. In this case, his earliest years in that regard were with the Leaside Lions.

Hoping for new toilets at Trace Manes field house

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The Community Centre at Trace Manes Park will be closed this fall for a minimum of two months beginning September 30, 2013. Sadly, tennis players will lose the use of the versatile 1967 building for part of the season but probably hardy racqueteers will carry on until the snow flies anyway. And two months is an optimistic estimate from staff today (Wednesday September 4, 2013) who feel that if things are done quickly there might be a chance of a Yule season bridge game in the handy and well-used field house. But the first order of business, say staff, are things like new windows and “environmental”  items. How like Toronto. Well, it’s all good but we have observed that the washrooms are  looking a little “green” as well, if you catch our meaning. So far no guarantee of new porcelain. The wish list is long. Let’s hope for some new plumbing fixtures for Christmas.

Cleveland kidnapper found hanged in his cell

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A wretched end, it must be said, for a wretched iindividual. Ariel Castro may have acted on remorse, but more likely he was merely feeling sorry for himself.  CNN

Nearly edible! Android OS to be called Kit Kat

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In what may be a master-stroke of catchy branding, Google’s Android has decided to call the latest version of its operating system — Android 4.4 — Kit Kat, after the Nestle’s candy bar. And when you think about it, yeah, there’s something for both companies in this unexpected naming. As part of the appeal to youthful phone cultists Nestle’s will produce 50 million specially branded chocolate bars and distribute them to 19 markets, including the U.S, U.K, Canada and the Middle East. When you buy the bar, you will be able to enter to win Google prizes, including the Nexus 7 tablet. According to Nestle’s press release, they will also make a limited number of robot-shaped bars. Just like a real-life Willy Wonka.

TPS report break-ins on Ridgefield and Parkhurst

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Toronto Police Service reports break-ins on Ridgefield Road and Parkhurst Blvd.  On Ridgefield, in the Bayview Ave. and Blythwood Rd. area, a resident reports that between 1 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2013 and 2 a.m, on Sunday, September 1, 2013, entry was gained into the premises by forcing a window. Removed was a camera, a quantity of jewellery, clothing and purses. On Parkhurst, it’s reported that between 11a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2013 and 4.30 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2013 entry was gained into the premises by unknown means. Removed was a quantity of jewellery, a computer and artwork.

Old arena open, new ice pad set to debut Oct. 6

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The original ice pad at Leaside Gardens Memorial Arena has re-opened for the season after being closed for renovations. That word from arena board chair Ray White who also stated in a release today that he expected to new ice pad to be “open for programming” by Sunday, October 6, 2013.

That was the August that was in South Bayview

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Did you know that in August that the plans for a Costco on Overlea Boulevard have been published in The South Bayview Bulldog? It’s the only place you will find them. Would you have been intrigued to see how South Bayview local councillors voted on the burning issue of whether there should have been a byelection to replace Doug Holyday? The results might surprise you. How about being tipped off to the break-ins on Rumsey and Airdrie Rds, or the arrival of the new trees on the east side of Bayview, or Councillor Matlow’s war against signs selling unapproved condominiums? If you checked the South Bayview Bulldog every day, it was all there. We told you about the quirky way Toronto Life looks at Leaside and Davisville Village, about the arrival of the new stationery shop, Essance du Papier at the former Country Store location and about the alarming crash of a car through the front window of the Pharma Plus at the Sunnybrook Plaza with injuries. When we say that there was even much more, you just have to know that we are not kidding you. It’s why so many people say, “Better check the Bulldog”

Unused bikes needed for kids of Thorncliffe Park

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On Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 1 until 4 p.m. there will a very public spirited collection of used bicycles for the kids of Thorncliffe Park. It will take place in the parking lot of the East York Town Centre on Overlea Blvd. This important initiative is being made by the Morning Glory Cycling Club and the cycling service Gears. Notices sent out this week to indicate that used bikes may also be dropped off at any one of Gears three locations. Morning Glory points out that Thorncliffe Park is home to more than 30,000 people and that nearly 25 percent of them are under the age of 14. The goal is to find 100 bicycles for these children. They don’t have to be in perfect working condition because Gears will tune them as a public service.

Minister promotes all-day kindergarten study

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The Ontario government was out this morning (Tuesday, September 3, 2013) promoting full-day kindergarten (FDK). The Education Minister Liz Sandals was at Ogden Public School in the Spadina Chinatown area to say that a study has shown what what seems to be huge improvements in the ability of children to learn as a result of this program. A news release from the government says that over two years (2010-2012) the FDK program reduced risks in social competence development from 10.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent. It also reduced risks in language and cognitive development from 16.4 per cent to 4.3 per cent and  risks in communication skills and general knowledge development from 10.5 per cent to 5.6 per cent. The study was conducted jointly with McMaster University and Queen’s University on a group of nearly 700 children divided among those who went to FDK and those who did not. The categories above are apparently created by the United Nations.The full report has not been released but the extracted information provided this morning states that parents can save up to $6500 a year in private child care costs. It does not mention the cost to taxpayers however. An aspect also untouched in the promotional material is the differences between immigrant and foreign language children as opposed to those who come from English-speaking homes. 

B.C. addict’s narcotics scam lasted five years

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Ms Gettings and Oxycodone
A CBC expose has shown that it seems much easier for addicts to scam for Oxycodone and other prescription narcotics in B.C. than in other provinces. In this case, two sisters somehow permitted an acquaintance to access personal information and use it to get narcotics over a five-year period. The fraud artist and addict, Audrey Gettings, was finally caught when she recklessly started to shoplift drugs in the pharmacy where she was waiting to get a prescription filled. The matter is clearly serious and has revealed that at least two members of the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons were doling out Oxycontone in a way that seems impossible here. In recent years, the Ontario Government has put the fear of serious consequences into both the Ontario college and its members. Pharmacists are similarly facing rigorous rules and scrutiny. Records show that one B.C doctor, Michael Davidson, prescribed 80 Oxycodone pills to Gettings and then gave her another 60 two days later.  Both physicians and pharmacies in Vancouver are said to have supplied Oxycodone to patients they did not know without a health card. The CBC story is not as complete as it might be because if Ms. Gettings did not steal a card, it is nothing short of astonishing that she was able to string out a five-year fraud without one. What this case shows is the apparently stark differences between provinces where the doctors, pharmacies and the health systems are regulated provincially not nationally.

Parker to stage outdoor movie night Friday

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Weather permitting, John Parker (Ward 26) will stage an outdoor movie night in R.V. Burgess Park for constituents in Thorncliffe Park this Friday (September 6,. 2013). The feature will be the Draculinian animated comedy Hotel Transylvania. This Sony Pictures production enlists the voices of dozens of Hollywood notables and is a quality kids movie.  Hope the weather hangs in for them.  Information

Back-to-school but we should spend carefully

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Amy Judd of Global News has written one of the many back-to-school articles appearing today (Monday, September 2, 2013). Her research raised a useful point about just how much one should spend to get kids functional again for class. Among the ideas she heard was waiting a couple of days to see what is really needed.  Forty-eight hours is not going to make a difference with teacher and it gives you an opportunity to get a clearer picture and winkle out better deals.