Wireless Code is online for smart phone users

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CRTC Wireless Code. Here what it lets you do.

  • Terminate your wireless contracts after two years without cancellation fees, even if they have signed on for a longer term. 
  • Cap extra data charges at $50 a month and international data roaming charges at $100 a month to prevent bill shock. 
  • Have their cellphones unlocked after 90 days, or immediately if you paid for the device in full. 
  • Return your cellphone, within 15 days and specific usage limits, if you are unhappy with the service. 
  • Accept or decline changes to the key terms of a fixed-term contract (i.e., two-year), and receive a contract that is easy to read and understand.

Madison on Eglinton E. has 2015 completion date

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The Madison is still just a pretty big hole in the ground as shown in this picture taken by our man today (Monday, June 3, 2013). There was certainly work going on in the big pit. The twin condominium structures of 33 and 30 storeys have a completion date in 2015 so there’s lots of time to meet that target. The attractive idea of a Loblaws store on the retail mezzanine of the Madison has been a focus for many people. The promotional material online contains this picture but the text refers only to “a proposed major grocery store.” That’s a rather odd way of putting it. The Madison sits on Eglinton Ave. E. between Dunfield Ave. and Lillian St. on land which was previously a mix of retail and commercial including, as many will remember, the York Theatre. 

Wireless contracts cut to two years in length

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The CRTC will require phone companies to let customers cancel their contracts after two years, it was announced this morning (Monday, June 3, 2013)  The decision may have the effect of making two years the standard length of contracts in this country where one of the most widespread complaints has been the length of phone contracts. It is said that Canada has suffered from longer contracts for these devices than any other place in the world.  It is notable to The South Bayview Bulldog that the vaunted advantage of competition in the phone and wireless industry has not achieved any voluntary reduction in the length of these contracts by the individual companies.     

Overlea 1965 Coke buildings now a heritage site

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Coke properties on Overlea 

At a meeting in early May city council approved a recommendation to declare the now vacant Coca Cola buildings at 42 to 46 Overlea Blvd. as part of Toronto’s inventory of heritage properties. The buildings include a dilapidated looking bottling plant and an office building which were built in 1965. The office building is said to have certain desirable architectural features in the Midcentury Modernist style. The buildings sit on a huge property which held all the vehicles associated with Coke’s business, including its fleet of trucks. The notation came forward from the North York Community Council which is a hotbed of heritage recommendations. It expresses a concern that a request for a demolition order may be forthcoming. It seems impossible that the very large space will not be altered to permit its exploitation on behalf of the Thorncliffe Park neighborhood. Some have said the space was suitable for big box retail use. This is unlikely to be welcome in “Leaside across the tracks” to the west. On the other hand, development might also introduce many more economic opportunities for the people actually living in Thorncliffe Park.  

Deer Park kids raise $14,500 for cancer research

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Deer Park kids tackle a real Triathlon
On May 24, Deer Park Public School organized a Triathlon at their school. With their generous sponsors the kids raised $14,500 for kids with cancer. It was the first ever Triathlon for a junior-middle school in Ontario. More than 300 Grade 4 to 8 students braved unseasonable temperatures and completed three consecutive endurance events: the Swim Leg (8 min), followed by the Run Leg (12 min), and finally the Bike Leg (20 min). Although the fitness demands tested the students, the weeks of training in Phys. Ed and Aquatics classes paid off. The day culminated with Closing Ceremonies in the gym where students were awarded medals based on fundraising, spirit and performance both as individuals and as teams. They were also able to collect on some cool fundraising initiatives including the “top class being exempt from a test”, a sport contest of choice against the staff, and a free lunch party. Stationary bikes were provided by The Inside Ride which was the charity used in conjunction with the Coast-to-Coast Against Cancer Foundation. Organizing teachers, Jeff Mann and Kyle Thomas were extremely proud of the students at Deer Park who can now boast that they have completed a Triathlon before the age of 15. From Deer Park Public School and the South Bayview Bulldog. 

34 percent a hard base of support for Ford

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The Ipsos-Reid poll of Toronto voters seems to show that many are still more concerned about their money than the municipal embarrassment caused by Mayor Ford.  The poll is said to show that 34 percent of  voters would re-elect Rob Ford in 2014, despite everything. Even in downtown wards, four in ten are still ready to vote for Mr. Ford. For the other 66 percent of the voting population this may seem almost unbelievable. The explanation may lie in the capacity of the 34 percent to compartmentalize matters of public spending versus the mayor’s personal conduct. It would be a very long shot for the mayor to get re-elected today, but his core support suggests that he has something to build on. More than that, these days it isn’t easy to say out loud that you would vote for Rob Ford. There may be a number of crypto-Ford voters in that 50 percent of the voters who say they believe the mayor’s version of the crack cocaine saga. Still, the mayor faces what must be enormous personal pressure and it will be an uphill battle for him to carry on. Sources as disparate as the Toronto Star and friends on council have urged Mr. Ford to admit that he needs rehab. But it isn’t in the code of this tough and stubborn mayor. 

New health food store to be called Q Living

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New sign at 1622 Bayview 
It appears that the new health food store at 1622 Bayivew Ave will be called Q Living. The store is still being finished inside and the windows remain papered over. The term Q Living or qliving seems to have some currency in places like Denmark and the Netherlands both for health food and related services as well as real estate.  It stands possibly for quality living. 

Summer Sizzle at St. Cuthbert’s June 16

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Do Anglicans have more fun? It’s a cheeky question perhaps from a frankly cheeky blog. We’re going to guess the fun quotient may be about the same regardless of denomination. But seriously, St. Cuthbert’s Church  will sizzle on the weekend of Sunday, June 16, 2013 when the Summer Sizzle On The Green will take place. All are welcome at this fundraising dinner for the church which will feature “Southern Food and Entertainment” and a cash beer bar. Sounds like fun to us. The dinner begins at 5 p.m.and kids under six are free. For tickets call (416) 485-0329 

Noggin Knots sell well on South Bayview

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Outside WLW on Bayview Ave. 

Private enterprise was alive and well on South Bayview today (as if you didn’t know). These girls were selling Noggin Knots, an ingenious Canadian-made towel-like device that captures and holds wet hair. The Noggin Knot has a button on one held of its irregular length and a button ‘hole on the other. Each button is different, the sales experts were to quick to note. Noggin Knots were selling well at $15 a piece when we went by. You may be able to pick up more information from the owner of Whatever Lola Wants at 1625 Bayview (647) 350 1833. 

Knaidel: a small ball of dough worth $30,000

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Arvind Mahankali

Arvind Mahankali, 13, has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling ‘knaidel’, a small ball of unleavened dough. Arvind, who lives in new York, defeated ten other finalists to win the $30,000 prize. He told reporters that the victory means he will retire on a high note.  The boy wants to become a quantum physicist. It may not be too difficult for him. Knaidel is a German Yiddish word. Arvind’s successful spelling of it breaks what he called “”the German curse” because he had been eliminated from the bee twice previously when he misspelled German words. 

Did killers target wrong man in Scarboro hit?

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Surendra Vaithilingam

Toronto police have released surveillance video which shows three men approaching the home of  Surendra Vaithilingam, 38, on Mantis Road in Scarboro. The camera loses the men for a period of less than 15 seconds before it shows the three fleeing the home in the direction they came. In that brief period, they went to the home’s backyard and shot Mr.Vaithilingam. Police said he was at home laying interlocking brick to make a place for his four-year-old son’s birthday party. A four-door North American sedan with faded, medium-blue paint that was parked on Bobolink Avenue was seen fleeing the area. Police are appealing for local residential video, in and around area that may have captured this car entry and escape of the area.  Police are appealing for local residential video, in and around area that maybe have captured this car’ entry and escape for the area. Police tonight have said they are so far unable to link the killers to the victim and are at least considering the possibility that they shot a man who was not their intended target. 

13,000 cyclists will Ride for Heart this Sunday

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Sharp at 2 a.m.Sunday morning, both the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway will be shut down to make way for the Becel Ride for Heart bikathon. As many as 13,000 cyclists participate in the ride, a charity to fight heart disease and stroke. The closure will go right out to  the Humber Bridge. Both routes will be reopened at 2 p.m. Sunday. Organizers are advising motorists to use Lake Shore Boulevard as an alternate to the Gardiner. and (yes, we guessed)  Bayview Avenue. The TTC is also advising riders of diversions along the following routes from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday: 29D Dufferin (Exhibition Princes’ Gates) will be turning back at Dufferin Gate 316 Ossington 329 Dufferin The Ride for Heart begins at Exhibition Place, with start times for cyclists varying by route.