Cornflower Blue Fall collection is revealed

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The paper is down and the new season at Cornflower Blue is revealed again. Under a fresh sign at the little shop at 1606 Bayview Ave. these distinctive pieces are being displayed. They are definitely in the Cornflower Blue style.There’s a nice fresh new sign at Cornflower Blue at 1606 South Bayview.  Previous post: The shop was closed this weekend (but is now open) as prepartions are made for the fall reveal. Cornflower Blue website. Also new and of note on the street, Jus de Vie has installed a neat little patio outside its front door on the east side of the street.  

Can silent drone replace noisy police choppers?

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Aerial surveillance by the police is a hot topic. News that York Region Police are using a four-engine drone equipped with battery-driven engines has added even more interest locally. Toronto Police got into quite a controversy with night-time searches for fugitives over Mt Pleasant Cemetery and elsewhere. The choppers are noisy. York police say spotting things like marijuana plants from the sky is easy. They recently used a Canadian-made drone to locate 744 marijuana plants with a street value of about $1,000 per plant in a field in the north end of Milton. A good story in the National Post makes only passing mention of whether the drones are suitable for tracking moving targets like a criminal on foot at night.  However a York officer says the drone has been used for “a variety of purposes, including monitoring crime scenes, crash investigations and search and rescue.” Sounds good.  The drone runs on batteries that provide 25 minutes of flight time, according to the manufacturer, Aeryon Labs of Waterloo. The unit returns to its starting point when it detects that the battery is low.

Game on to name Bentley’s replacement

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CTV Toronto will announce the replacement for Christine Bentley on Monday, the company says. The much-liked Bentley has announced her retirement and Friday was her last day. Those guessing who might get the nod for the early evening anchor slot have many capable local news reporter/anchors to consider. Left, Tamara Cherry, a bright and young reporter who broke into her craft at the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun. Centre, Michelle Dube is a Franshawe College graduate who found her way to CTV by way of Hamilton’s CHCH.  Right, the durable and capable Andria Case is a CTV Toronto veteran who knows the role well. Of course, exercises like this are more like parlour games than the slightest glimpse into the minds of the Bell pashas who have made the decision. They may parachute a surprise personality into the chair. No need to say that Monday’s early evening news will be well-watched. 

Dozens of residents rally to save Postal Station

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Residents in the Yonge-Eglinton area met in a rally Saturday afternoon to protest any move to demolish the old Postal Station K at the corner of Yonge St. and Broadway Ave.  They expressed their concern that the building, which is still an operating post office, will be sold to a developer who will convert the land into a high-rise condo building. Much of the stated concern centred on the open space in front of  Postal Station K which is a natural  public gathering place and patch of green space. Previous post.

“Why so sudden?” say Christine Bentley fans

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As might have been expected, the post related to the retirement of Christine Bentley has been well read. Both here at the South Bayview Bulldog and across the Internet a theme emerged. Viewers were naturally sorry to know a favorite anchor was leaving, but almost as common was a kind consternation that it was happening so suddenly. The long goodbye type of departures seen in the retirement of anchors like Lloyd Robertson and weatherman Dave Devall seem the norm. Journalistic particulars aside, Bentley is easily as popular as any long-serving CTV anchor. Christine herself has not of course made any comment on this matter.  This will be her choice no doubt. 

160 Dinnick Crescent listed for $1,769,000

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Public information indicates that the handsome home at 160 Dinnick Crescent is for sale at a list price of $1,769,000. It is listed by Heaps Estrin Real Estate.  The home is located across the street from the property at 140 Dinnick. That was the site of an 82-year-old structure which has now been demolished after a legal dispute as to whether it should have been declared a heritage site. Previous post.  In this photo taken many months ago, you can see 160 Dinnick in the foreground and 140 Dinnick in the background. The selling price for 140 Dinnick when it was purchased for demolition was $1,875,000.  As the controversy over 140 Dinnick unfolded some neighbors on the street said they were concerned that their retirement plans would be seriously affected if their homes were to be declared a heritage site. 

Watchdog: You’re being tricked on texting cost

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The Competition Bureau is suing Canada’s big three wireless carriers and an industry association for allegedly misleading consumers about the cost of premium texting services. The allegation accuses Bell, Rogers, and Telus of allowing so-called third party operators to sell such things as trivia questions and ringtones in a way that makes it look as if they are free. The net impact on consumers is to mislead them into charges they didn’t see coming. The Competition Bureau is looking for a $10 million dollar fine from each from the wireless firms. The bureau notes that it can cost as much as $10 per transaction and up to $40 for a monthly subscription over and above standard texting plans. Bureau commissioner Melanie Aitken says the investigation showed that consumers are under a false impression with respect to the cost of texting plans. CBC.ca

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.