The South Bayview Bulldog

Cycle Don Valley Midtown’s Fall Family Outing

These happy members of the Cycle Don Valley Midtown are inviting you to get involved in the New Year. Right now the meetings are in virtual mode but we can hope. All are welcome to connect up and hear about safe cycling and recreational plans. The meetings are Wednesdays as follows: January 27, February 24, March 31, April 28, May 26, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27 and November 24.

A 1979 O-Pee-Chee rookie card of Wayne Gretzky with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1978-79 season fetched $1.29 million at auction Friday, the first hockey card to sell for more than $1 million. The card was rated in perfect Gem Mint 10 condition. According to Heritage Auctions, the Dallas-based house that sold the card, there are only two in existence that are rated Gem Mint 10. The same card sold for $465,000 in August 2016, the previous record for a hockey card.

Writer Barbara Kay a Queen’s Gambit spoiler

The National Post writer bravely reflects on her gender’s status among world chess champions. The glaring flaw of The Queen’s Gambit that no one wants to mention

Coach banned for life for hitting boy after loss

This video comes with a warning about the shocking behaviour of a minor league football coach in Florida. He is now banned for life from such coaching.

Two people have died in the partial collapse of a building collapse in London, Ontario. The incident occurred shortly before noon Friday at a four-story building under construction on Teeple Terrace, near Wonderland Road South and Springbank Drive. The collapse occurred as workers filled the site, trapping at least two for a period of time. The update seen in the tweet at the right below says one victim’s body is still trapped in the debris.

Leaside sunset/Karen Keay

The simple joy of a beautiful evening sky prompted more than one Leaside resident to take a picture. These two are the work of Karen Keay (top) and Kathryn Whaley. Ms Whaley notes that her photo was taken in the Canadian Tire lot. Thanks to all.

Kathryn Whaley photographed sky outside Canadian Tire

Few things reveal the deep chasm between authoritarian regimes and democratic governments than the arbitrary confinement of another country’s citizens. And it is now two years since China grabbed and locked up Micheal Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Then, the heroic rescue of a boy, 4, from a narrow water well in Mission, Texas. Below that, it is 60 years since the enduring soap opera Coronation Street debuted on ITV. Finally, the CBC is in the backyard ice rink along with many kids these days.

As reported earlier, the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for public use with injections to begin as early as next week. Also from Ottawa, a projection from Health Canada that if all goes according to plan, every Canadian will be vaccinated against C-19 by September 2021.

Thorncliffe schools to remain closed

The school board has decided to keep Thorncliffe Park School and Fraser Mustard Early Learning Centre next door to it closed until at least next week. Headline compilation here.

Police officer in bad form

A Winnipeg police officer has displayed bad behaviour when he’s politely asked why he isn’t wearing a mask. Well trained police know the difference between their duty and their authority.

Toronto 58th Scouts has received a final load of 100 Christmas trees for sale online and at the parking lot of the Church of the Transfiguration at 111 Manor Rd. Many will prefer contactless purchase and pickup at the lot  The lot is staffed Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Toronto Police say many break-ins are occurring in both 53 Division and adjacent 13 Divison to the west because of unlocked doors. Remarkably, some of these break-ins occurred when residents were home and at night. Homeowners were only aware of a problem when they got up in the morning. No one was hurt in any of the burglaries but property including purses, wallets and clothing were taken. Residents are asked to remain vigilant and make sure their doors are locked. The two divisions are seen in the map below. They stretch from Dufferin St across Midtown and into South Bayview neighborhoods like Davisville Village, Moore Park and Leaside.

Burglaries are taking place in 13 and 53 Divisions

Why is this door unlocked?

Explosion at tent fire at Lamport Stadium/Meg Kerr

A man was burned in a fire and explosion as flames ripped through three tents at a homeless encampment on Fraser Ave. at Lamport Stadium on King St West. The call came in about 5.30 p.m. Tuesday and as passerby Meg Kerr filmed the blaze on her phone, a loud explosion caused her gasp (see tweet below). Screaming and shouting can be heard from the camp. CP24 said it was told by cops that “people were reportedly throwing propane tanks into the fire.” Just what the motivation for that might be is not stated. Steven Stinson was also filming as the fire service arrived.