Email to City re our Sidewalk Solitude

The South Bayview Bulldog has written to the City’s 311 information service, which we know at least answers mail. Is anyone out there?
“We are writing on behalf of a few merchants on the South Bayview business distrrict. We were told with certainty in August that sidewalks were to be repaired or replaced. The work was to begin immediately and be finished by mid-September. Patios and street displays were ripped out at the direction of the contractors. Nothing has happened. Not a thing. We are unable to contact the supervisor Bruce Shaw on is cell phone. There is no response to messages. The company is A and F de Carlo.”

What the…? UBS trader loses $2 billion

Normally tranquil Switzerland is in turmoil today at revelations that a London-based rogue trader for UBS has created a $2 billion loss from what is said to be unauthorized trading. Kweku Adoboli, a 31-year old trader at UBS, has been arrested by City of London police in connection with scandalous losses. The matter is deeply troubling to local politicians and the worldwide economy as UBS has said it may be unprofitable in the third quarter because of it. UBS tumbled as much as 9.6 percent in Swiss trading following the announcement. The question being asked was how such an important institution could be so inept as to have allowed this large loss to occur essentially under the nose of the bank’s managers. UBS stands for Union Bank of Switzerland. The Telegraph.

Dollarama sales surge 12.8% in Q2

Canada’s $2 or less low-end product phenomenon Dollarama has produced another buoyant quarter. It announced an increase in sales of 12.8% in sales and sharply higher earnings.The quarter ended July 31, 2011. Dollarama, with 680 stores across Canada, said sales reached $387.5 million, up from $343.5 million a year earlier. Net earnings were $37.7 million, or 50 cents a share, up from $27.6 million, or 37 cents a share.

Moore residents share hosting for Friday debate

Here is a further note to the post (two below) on the all-candidates debate for Toronto Rosedale. As stated, it will be held Friday September 16th at 6:45 pm at Rosedale United Church. The debate is hosted by the following local ratepayer associations: Moore Park Residents’ Association, North Rosedale Ratepayers’ Association, South Rosedale Ratepayers’ Association, Summerhill Ratepayers’ Association, Governor’s Bridge Ratepayer’s Association

64 children in a van designed for eight

This video from China shows the on-going problems of overcrowding and risky practices. Police were staggered to find 64 kids in this van which had been adapted to hold these kinds of numbers. It was designed for a maximum of eight. Although the children were all right –many of them are smiling happily — the opportunity for disaster is obvious. Some 12 police cars were needed to take the children home.

Toronto Centre Candidates Debate Friday

The North of Bloor Ratepayers’ Associations has organized a debate among candidates in the Toronto-Centre riding for the October 6 provincial election.

DATE: Friday, September 16, 2011
6:45 – 9:00 pm
Rosedale United Church
159 Roxborough Drive

Participating Candidates
Cathy Crowe NDP
Martin Abell Conservative
Glen Murray Liberal (incumbent)
Mark Daye Green

Questions from the floor will be restricted to participating Ratepayer area residents only. Yonge and Roxborough News

Forget Bollywood, this is Bessborough

Tuesday saw a busy day on Bessborough Drive near Millwood as a full up crew was shooting a commercial for “a birth control product.” We didn’t ask further. But it’s always interesting to see the paraphernalia of film making including the brilliant artificial sunshine (left) and the nifty mobile green room for a moment of relaxation (right).