Peter Lougheed, the 10th premier of Alberta, has died. He was 84. Lougheed became known not only as a dedicated Albertan but also a firm Canadian. Tonight Prime Minister Harper praised Mr. Lougheed as a great Canadian. He served as Alberta premier from 1971 to 1985.
Couple pursues man to reclaim stolen bike
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A compelling video (see it here) has been posted on YouTube showing a young couple tracking a man who was riding a $1000 bicycle stolen from their garage two weeks ago. Dave Park and Vanessa Crossley were in their car in west-central Toronto when they spotted the distinctive bicycle beside them at a traffic light. The couple began a careful pursuit of the bike and its rider. Finally they were able to pull up beside him in a laneway. All the while Ms Crossley had her phone cam video rolling. As you watch the video on our free-standing page, listen to the couple. “My heart’s beating,” says Ms. Crossley as they close in on the bike and rider. Then follows a spirited exchange in which the young couple demand the return of their bicycle and the rider contends that he got the bike “from my buddy.” The debate comes to end however when the owners produce a police report on the theft of the bike from their garage. The rider quickly hands over the bicycle and goes on his way on foot.
“Big White Fella” migrates to the antarctic
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Meeting Sept 24, 2012 about old postal site
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The City has scheduled a meeting regarding the seven-storey condominium proposed for the address known as 2 Laird. The site is the former Postal Station R. The vacant building is still standing. It was purchased by Knightstone Capital from the government earlier this year. It sits between Krawchuk Lane and Malcolm Road with Millwood on the southeast side. Understandably residents are very concerned that their low-rise single family homes will be overwhelmed by the 98 unit condo. The meeting is set for September 24, 2012 at 7 p.m. at St. Anselm’s Parish Hall, entrance off Macnaughton Rd. Previous post All posts pdf of the City’s notice
Royal Bank barbecue September 29, 2012
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Mortgage Specialist Luciano Guarino at the RBC Bayview and Belsize branch will hold a public barbecue on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the branch between 11 am and 2 p.m. We’ll have a brat!
Thief in and out during 30-minute window
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The timing of a break-in at a Forest Hill home should alert all residents to be wary of hit-and-run type thieves during the day. In this case, a Dunvegan Road resident tells police that on Monday (September 11, 2012) someone forced the rear door between 4 and 4.30 pm and stole a quantity of jewellery.
CTV news anchor Christine Bentley after 35 years of service
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Christine Bentley
Here is a memo sent out today announcing to staff the retirement of CTV News anchor Christine Bentley. This is a significant day in the history of our newsroom. After 35 years with CTV News, Christine Bentley has decided to step down from the anchor desk, and take on new projects outside of CTV. Christine will make the announcement on air in a few minutes from now, and this Friday’s 6:00pm newscast will be her last. Christine wanted you all to know about her decision before she makes it public. In 1977, Christine joined CFTO as an ambitious young reporter, fresh out of Barrie. She worked her way up to the Queen’s Park beat, eventually joining Ken Shaw at 11:30 PM on what was then known as Nightbeat News. Years later she and Ken re-teamed at suppertime, on Toronto’s #1 newscast. Today, Christine is a household name from Oshawa to Hamilton, and she is one of the most recognizable personalities in our city. She marks this career milestone knowing that she has helped keep CTV Toronto as strong as ever; both in quality and in the ratings.
Artisan Olive Oil has taken 1705 Bayview Ave.
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The premises at 1705 Bayview (formerly Groms) has been leased by a company called Artisan Olive Oil and it promises an opportunity for oil and vinegar tastings. Sounds like fun. Things are moving right along and it appears that the shop might be open within a few days. No. 1705 is next door to the Academy of Culinary Arts. We’ll let you know.
Bulk Barn open in Leaside but who owns it?
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Bulk Barn in the Leaside Village has opened for business today. Bulk Barn sits facing the Longo’s across a driveway and is easy to find in its bright yellow dressing. Bulk Barn is frequently the source of speculation that it is owned by Loblaws. This appears to be not true but there may be an association. Shoppers will notice the No Name brand appearing at Bulk Barn. No Name is owned by Loblaws, so how does it get into Bulk Barn? Here is background from an informed source: “Bulk Barn is a privately held company controlled by the Ofield family of Richmond Hill (and Sarasota Florida). As a private company they don’t have to disclose or report much information. It seems they have a business relationship with Loblaws which may have included them licensing the No Name trademark from Loblaws but there does not appear to be an ownership relationship. If Loblaws owned more than 10% of Bulk Barn they would have to disclose this in various public company filings. It’s theoretically possible that one of the Westons personally could be one of Bulk Barn’s private shareholders but that seems unlikely. It’s also possible that in some cases Loblaws owns some of the Bulk Barn franchises but again, there’s no way to authoritatively know that.”($3) Dollarama profit leaps 32% in Q2
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Dollarama is just flying as it announces another upward curve in profit. This time the net profit of $49.8-million in its second quarter, leaping an astonishing 32% from the comparable period last year. Dollarama plant to open stores and raise prices is clearly paying off. The profit was 66 cents per diluted share in the 13 weeks ended July 29, up from $37.6 million or 50 cents per share in the comparable period last year. Dollarama’s revenue was up 13.8%, rising to $441 million from $387.5 million for the corresponding period last year. Dollarama originally sold products for a dollar each but now offers items of up to $3 — a move that has helped boost its revenue and margins.
Nordstrom to tap 4 cities in English Canada
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Nordstrom, the high service department store from Seattle, will open stores in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver — all of them at Cadillac Fairview malls in those cities. In Toronto, it looks like Sherway Shopping in Etobicoke will get the Nordstrom outlet. Toronto Star
Hoardings go up at slow-moving Dollarama
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The much-awaited Dollarama store at 1531-1533 Bayview Ave is disappearing behind some very well constructed hoardings. Here you see them on Tuesday. Looks like the kind of permanent wall that might be built anywhere. But they will be temporary. They are not, as one wag said, a special Dollarama type of patio. Guess this means there is a lot of work to be done at the front of the store, and this Dollarama will have a very spiffy new front for sure. Still, as workers today confirmed, the work seems painfully slow. Inside, the musty old interior seems to have changed very little since the update we brought you August 14, 2012. In fact, said our source, there seems little urgency to get the place finished for Christmas. Of course, it may be open, but then again don’t count on it. Odd. What was that deal that took place involving the landlord, Shoppers Drug Mart and Dollarama?