The South Bayview Bulldog

Ray White

Ray White, a hockey lover who has coached the game for 17 years,  has been appointed chair of the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management. He replaces the hard-working Brooke Biscoe.  In a first of no doubt many updates, Mr White is stressing unfinished fundraising for the arena expansion. In that regard, he reminds all of us about the 4th Annual Laugh out Loud in Leaside event on Friday, February 22, 2013 at the Fantasy Farm Banquet Hall on Pottery Road beginning at 7.30 p.m.  Mr. White thanked Brooke Biscoe who shouldered the job from January 1st 2010 until the end of 2012. Ray White said: “It was during this time that the Arena Expansion Project went from the dream of the community to the concrete and steel reality that is now rapidly taking shape beside the original rink. Brooke has put in countless hours during this time meeting with municipal officials, potential donors, architects, contractors and community members in a determined pursuit of building the second rink.”    Updating the arena expansion, Mr White said the community fundraising goal of $3.5 million is within reach but there is still just under $400,000  to raise between now and the summer. Donations in any amount will be gratefully received. There are a number of naming opportunities for those who may be considering a major gift, Mr White said. “As you may know, when the expanded Leaside Gardens opens in the fall, the original rink will thereafter be known as the Bert F. Grant rink in recognition of the major legacy gift made by his three children in his honour. The second rink has not yet been named. If you would like to have this new rink named for your company or in honour of a family member, please contact me or a member of the fundraising committee.”   Contact Ray White at raymond.white@sympatico.ca
Earlier post regarding fundraising events. 

A frequently asked question among friends of South Bayview is: What does this street really need? One very outside-the-box idea is a modern electronic bingo hall. We know, it’s Dollarama redux. Hey, the place seems busy. And we’re not recommending it but you may have noticed that Toronto’s government management committee has endorsed the use of electronic devices at local bingo halls to turn around a declining business and lure more and younger players. We’re just saying you have to keep an open mind because we guarantee you that Southeby’s International is not going to open bidding on any Renoirs here very soon, silly them. Paul Moloney

This afternoon brought blessed relief for families in the  southeastern Toronto neighborhood of Leslieville where everyone had been wearing winter clothes indoors. Power was off for some 12 hours in frigid temperatures. Late today, Toronto Hydro said that it had restored power to all but a few customers. They were working furiously into the night to get those homes back on line. Across the city, last night’s howling winds blew away garbage cans and paper boxes, knocked down electrical wires and brought down a few big trees. One of them blocked traffic on Rosedale Valley Rd all day (inset upper). On Blythwood Road (inset lower) Toronto urban forestry crews were summoned to get rid of a lofty Spruce tree. They stripped its boughs and then cut down the trunk.  Toronto Hydro tweeted that its crews “continue with power restoration efforts to last 100 customers who remain without power.”