Bennington School land may shrink to half

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The Toronto and District School Board has included a large piece of the property of Bennington Heights Elementary School in its proposal to sell school land. The plan is to put the school system on a sound financial footing. Bennington School sits at the east end of picturesque Bennington Heights Drive and consists at present of 6.37 acres. The board is proposing to sell off 3.28 acres or 51% of the present school property. Indeed, it is a large area and Bennington School sits in a park-like setting. It is a beautiful environment for children. The Bennington property is the only one of some 127 named which is in the South Bayview area.  Most lands being proposed for sale are in North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough.  It is estimated they would bring in more than $100 million to use for school renovations.All properties listed 

Storefront at 1538 Bayview is sold, will be leased

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1538 Bayview in 2008

It seems good news that the store at 1538 Bayview Avenue has been sold and will soon be put up for lease. In recent times this storefront was the location of the Leaside Express variety store (right) and then, in 2010, was completely renovated to house the NIMA money exchange. Sadly, fire at Leaside Cleaners right next door late the following year drove out the NIMA tenant. It has been vacant since. Perhaps now, with a new landlord, we will see a dynamic business at this address. There remains work to be done because smoke damage from the 2011 fire exists both downstairs and in the upstairs apartment. 

San Francisco votes to control public nudity

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San Francisco lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposal to ban public nakedness, rejecting arguments that the measure would eat away at a reputation for tolerance enjoyed by a city known for flouting convention and flaunting its counter-culture image. The 6-5 Board of Supervisors vote means that exposed genitals will be prohibited in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. Previous post.

OSSTF strikes deal with two school boards

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Tentative deals have been reached between the provincial teachers union and two large school boards.  They are identified in news reports as York Region and the Upper Grand River Board at Guelph.. Huffington Post 

TSX down somewhat after yesterday’s big win

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The Toronto stock market is slightly lower at the open following a sharp advance Monday.  Today’s pwssimism comes after France lost its AAA credit rating.  Canadian Business

Chic Edwardian “helmets” mark 2012 Mud Bowl

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The high sense of fun that inspired and helped execute the re-incarnation of the 1950 CFL Mud Bowl today is to be applauded. (The original game is on the left, the replay on the right).  However, it is like The South Bayview Bulldog to notice first and foremost not the slop but rather the high sports sense of fashion possessed by the many reporters and others who played in today’s re-enactment. The video on the right was produced by The Sports Network and features their reporter Monika Platek. On her head  (and those of the other players) is what appears to be a leather football cap similar to those used on the day that the Grey Cup was first awarded in 1909.  How come we are only now celebrating the 100th Gray Cup?  There was a three year interregnum during WWI 

San Francisco will vote to control public nudity

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San Francisco Board of Supervisors will vote on a motion to better control public nudity in the City by the Bay. The issue is mainly in the largely  Gay Castro district, but Gays say it is outsiders who are walking about naked on streets and in public parks. Worst of all, tourists have started to complain about it. It’s serious when that happens.   

BCE and Astral try again for CRTC approval

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Who believed all that silliness about how businesses would just go to ground after the CRTC rejected the proposed  takeover of Astral Media by BCE. The atmosphere would just be sooo chilling, we were told.  That must be why, less than a month later, BCE-Astral are back knocking on the government’s door with a similar deal in mind. Evidence again that there’s money to be made even in chilly weather.  CBC.ca

Knife point robbery in Yonge/St. Clair apartment

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Toronto Police Service report: A 61 year old female reports that between the hours of 1500 and 1534 on November 15, 2012, she was in the garbage room of her apartment building in the area of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue East when she was approached by a male suspect. The suspect brandished a knife and made a demand for cash. The victim complied. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction with a quantity of prescription drugs, jewellery and cash. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, 35 to 40 years, 5’5” to 5’6”, thin build, brown eyes, short wavy black hair.

Sides drawn up on Lawrence Park heritage bids

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Reporter Lisa Queen has written in the Star’s online publication Inside.Toronto about how the concerns of heritage advocates is at odds with that of homeowners. She recounts the contents of a letter from Geoff Kettel, chairperson of the North York Preservation Panel, lamenting the failure of the City to seek heritage designation for homes at 19 St. Leonard’s Ave., 102 Wanless Ave. and 105 Golfdale Rd. in Lawrence Park. The article includes the view of one  owner that attempts to designate his home constituted an “insignificant nomination.” The sides seem to be well drawn up on the issue and for those with a concern  either for the preservation of such homes or about their property rights and the value of their homes, this article is a good read.  Lisa Queen article    Previous post (140 Dinnick file)

Amsterdam Brewery open on Esandar, offers tasting days

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The new Amsterdam Brewery location has opened on Esandar Drive just behind Leaside Village shopping centre. The spacious new sales and brew tasting spot is in the industrial mall that stretches hundreds of feet along Esandar. The place is just getting organized so a grand opening is still a few weeks off. It may not happen until January, we’re told. But when it does, you should take a look. The facility will brew Amsterdam brands of course but will also have a special events section for rent. On Saturdays, this space will help accommodate the weekly brew tasting afternoons. That will be from 1 pm to 6 pm, strictly observed. A $10 fee applies, so it isn’t a bad deal. In the meantime, you can pick up a six-pack of your favorite Amsterdam brew any time.

St. Mike’s doctor sees bike lanes as “Global Issue”

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After a few days of delaying action by bicycle lobbyists, Jarvis Street will return to a five lane thoroughfare Monday morning. The reversible fifth lane (i.e. north or south) was a fixture of downtown commuting until it was removed to accommodate bicycle lanes. The depth of cyclist determination — and righteous indignation — is exemplified by Dr. Tomislav Svoboda, a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital.  He is interviewed by Jeff McArthur on 640 AM in the video on the left above about his sit-down protest in front of work crews.. He was apparently directed by police to stay away from protests on the street and is making this into a free speech matter. He also appears to connect up the bikes lanes with the environment and thus sees it all as as a “Global Issue”. On the right, is a video taken from a type of helmet cam of the Sherbourne Street bicycle lanes.. But apparently work is not finished there.. Happy motoring and cycling to all.