The South Bayview Bulldog

We might all guess that Rob Ford could easily live with the knowledge that 50, 60 or even 75 percent of the City’s population just plain hates him. Surely what distresses the Mayor more is that no one — not one person much less a group — has said “Here is palatable alternative plan for balancing the City’s budget.” Why? It’s because there is no such alternative plan. Any solution to our debt will require sacrifices. So it doesn’t matter whether we like Ford, or find him too fat, or mouthy, or blunt or uncouth. He is not the issue. The issue, just as it is for Greece, is overwhelming debt. In Greece they have a wonderfully debonair and intellectual prime minister in George Pandreou. But that hasn’t helped the Greek debit crisis. Just as in Toronto, it isn’t about the guy who is carrying the can, it’s about the can.

The Rotary Club of Leaside’s annual corn roast was held under a brilliant September sky this day. Trace Manes Park was thick with families enjoying the games for children and just hanging out. Top, a good-natured lady let us take a picture. Upper right, a mean looking hot dog. Lower left, it’s shoes off for a twirl on the bouncy-bouncy (or whatever). Right, two ticket takers find this important job can also be tedious.

Residents of Southlea Ave must feel like they’ve been transported to some sort of Road Warrior World as gas main replacement crews have descended on them. The normally quiet little street is undergoing some local renovation as well. Altogether, we just respectfully say that it’s a bit of a mess.

A number of Rosedale ratepayers associations hosted a provincial election candidates debate Friday night at Rosedale United Church. The event had a very Rosedelian flavour. A number of questions dealt with the ownership of Mount Pleasant Cemetery that seems to be an ongoing concern of some people. The current MPP Glen Murray has obviously been involved and had a few exchanges with questioners. Cathy Crowe, the NDP candidate, was ill and could not attend. Her campaign manager made a brief statement on the party’s behalf.

From left: Martin Abell, PC; Mark Daye, Greens; Glen Murray, Liberal, and Cathy Crowe’s campaign manager. The debate was hosted by: Moore Park Residents’ Association, North Rosedale Ratepayers’ Association, South Rosedale Ratepayers’ Association, Summerhill Ratepayers’ Association, Governor’s Bridge Ratepayer’s Association. All are in the Toronto Centre riding. The election is on October 6. Courtesy Yonge and Roxborough News

Mobilesyrup.com, a mobile news site, says that Loblaws is poaching talent from Best Buy. It notes that Loblaws has moved on from the simple marketing of earlier and appears to be heading for a full-scale mobile phone division. Loblaws is aggressively selling phones and service on a website where the electronics are served up with fruit and vegetables. “Chew on this” says one pitch. Mobilesyrup says the new concept gives potential customers the option to choose from nine wireless carriers: Bell, Solo, Virgin, Fido, Virgin, Public Mobile, Wind Mobile and TELUS. Mobilesyrup suspects that the “heavy duty poaching of new talent” all taken from Best Buy Canada is to help Loblaws set up a mobile “store within a store”.

The little plaza on the northwest corner of Bayview and Millwood was busy Saturday as Dr. Jennifer Hittner and Dr. Jessica Kudlats (right) held a promotional event offering free ice cream from Baskin and Robbins. In return, a donations jar was placed outside where anyone could make a donation to the Leaside Arena expansion. An innovative idea from these two dentists who began their practice in January on Wicksteed Ave. just east of Laird Dr.

The product is a very smart-looking lunch bag, but suitable for other uses too. They’re the work of Megan (left) who from her Oakville home contracts fabric makers in Tennessee and a factory in Mississippi to make these clever bags. We found Mags-Bagz outside Whatever Lola Wants on South Bayview. Magz-Bagz