Men of Carreira Casuals holding 50% off sale

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The well dressed men of South Bayview are selling their winter coats, sports jackets and sweaters for 50% off just now. We’re talking about the men in the window at Paul Carreira Casuals at 1563 Bayview Ave. Take a look. If you see Paul, tell him you saw it in the Bulldog. In other South Bayview notes, the owner of Smoklin’ Cigar says he is on track to complete his move to former Leaside cleaners at 1540 Bayview Ave. location by his mid-February target. 

Dates to remember this month and next

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Charlene Kalia has brought to our attention a couple of worthwhile events this winter. The first is January 31, 2013 in support of Leaside Unite. Friends will gather at the Fox and Fiddle, 190 Laird Drive for an evening of socializing and music. Leaside Unite continues to battle the extension as planned of the SmartCentre on Wicksteed Ave. The tickets are $25 which includes two drinks. The band Blue Nash will be playing. Then on February 22, 2013, Charlene’s Laugh Out Loud in Leaside Act 4. That’s at 7.30 p.m. at Fantasy Farm Banquet Hall on Pottery road. It features Yuk Yuk’s Comedy and music. There will be an oyster bar, silent auction and much more. The money will benefit the arena expansion. Charlene notes the fund is 400,000 short of its September 2013 goal. To purchase tickets please contact Charlene at charlene@charlenekalia.com

Nortel executives found not guilty on all charges

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Nortel Networks Corp. executives accused of defrauding the company and the public have had their charges dismissed in a Toronto courtroom today, making them free men. Nearly a year to the day after their trial began in Toronto the three men are cleared entirely of wrong-doing and free to go. They are (l to r) ex-CEO Frank Dunn, ex-CFO Douglas Beatty and ex-controller Michael Gollogly. Thy were all accused of manipulating financial statements at Nortel Networks Corp. between 2002 to 2003.  If convicted, each would have faced up to 10 years in prison. 

Vase stolen from Yonge Street antique store

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Police are investigating the Friday night break-in at the exclusive antique store on at 1262 Yonge Street. The crime occurred at Braem & Minnetti Antique French Furniture on Yonge between Summerhill Ave. and  Woodlawn Ave and it appears to have netted the thief a single porcelain vase with lid. It may be that police have video of the break and enter because there is a detailed description of the the suspected thief:  Male, white, mid 30’s, 5’11” to 6’1”, 161 to 169 pounds, brown/blond hair, thin build.

Internet prodigy commits suicide at age 26

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Aaron Swartz, an Internet savant who at a young age shaped the online era by co-developing RSS and Reddit and later became a digital activist, has committed suicide. Swartz’s body was found Friday evening in Brooklyn, said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman with the New York medical examiner’s office. The 26-year-old had hanged himself in his apartment. CNN

Heat wave on South Bayview as mercury hits 12C

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The temperature hit 12 Centigrade on South Bayview this afternoon, reflecting record-breaking warm conditions all across the region. This is unofficially the warmest January 12 ever. While other parts of the country are digging out from heavy snow, Toronto is enjoying a mid-winter springtime. By late morning the temperature had climbed above 9 C and it just kept on going. Environment Canada predicts more seasonal temperatures next week.

Urban Nature a haven for birders, nature lovers

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Paul Oliver
The Urban Nature Store is nestled just east of  Tim Horton’s in the Dawsco mall on Brentcliffe Road near Vanderhoof Ave. Canada Post calls it 939 Eglinton Ave. E. but it’s really around the corner. Inside Urban Nature, Leaside shoppers are greeted with a near riotous array of spring and summer merchandise.  Here you will find a dozen varieties of bird seed, both conventional and squirrel proof, fat bags of peanuts and seed blocks suitable for feeding just about any fauna known to the Don Valley, heated birds baths, an ornithological subdivision of bird houses and what seems like a zillion  entertaining oddments for kids, including the original 6-sided bug puzzle. The genial boss here is Paul Oliver. Mr. Oliver and his partner Jeff Tekavcic are some 12 year into a nature and tree care business which extends to five GTA locations and an international mail order house facilitated by the Internet. By any measure, they are an admirable success story. Mr. Oliver tells his company’s story in deceptively simple style. Although he shrugs off the label of scientist it is clear that the two entrepreneurs have a grasp of their products that goes beyond that of most retailers. Urban Nature contracts with various firms to manufacture the seed and nutritional supplement that are sold in Canada and the U.S. They own the formulas and the names. It is an impressive accomplishment and the store is worth a visit even if you aren’t a birder or like to feed the deer in the wild.