Summer cycling and your safety

Cycling is a thriving activity in South Bayview for work and pleasure. With the nice weather however comes concern that everyone cycle safely. The Star recently published an editorial making the point that cyclists are often quick to criticize motorists, but many on bikes casually disregard the traffic rules. The Star also notes the jeopardy faced by both cyclists and pedestrians when bikes are used on sidewalks. It’s worth a thought or two. Inset an unusual sight here as a cyclist is ticketed on Yonge Street this week. Picture Courtesy Yonge and Roxborough News

Lioness tries to eat kid through Plexiglas

The You Tube video is embedded here. Hope you haven’t seen it already because it has been viewed three and a half million times since April. But it’s quite compelling. Taken at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Parents are roaring with laughter only because their child is protected from 400 pound beast by two inches of Plexiglas.

TV anchor anointed “digital news evangelist”

Global news anchor Kevin Newman has jumped over to Bell Media where one of his major roles will be “digital news evangelist”. The title is certainly snicker fodder. The cracks about being anointed and full of God’s truth seem inevitable. This, even though Newman is a serious man who doubtlessly has a lot to contribute. The assigned duties are unclear but Gary Anderson, head of Bell Media Digital, said in a release that Newman is a social media enthusiast and brings both news and digital knowledge to the new role. More conventionally, and related to the bottom line, Newman will co-host of the political program Question Period. He will begin August 29, 2011.

Staff guessing Overlea Zellers gone by Sept.

Zellers employees at the Overlea Blvd store feel certain that the store will close before September. They have been given no indication of that, but it seems unlikely to them that the new tenant, Target, will wish to let a Christmas shopping season go to waste. The Overlea location is one of six Toronto area Zellers slated for immediate conversion to a Target. Any employee wishing a job with Target will be required to re-apply.

Hey Gloria, your barbecue awaits you

The spiffy barbecue on display outside COBS on South Bayview has been won by a customer named Gloria. At this writing (2.30 EDT) they were waiting for Gloria to check in to take the good-looking cooker home. To qualify, it was only necessary to buy a bun combo from COBS and then wait. The draw was made this morning at the bakery.

Hyundai station next! Hyundai is next!

“Next station Hyundai! Hyundai is next!” We forecast very few things here at the South Bayview Bulldog but simple prudence insists that someone try to imagine what it will be like when the TTC enacts its new policy of permitting corporations and institutions to name subway stations. They actually approved the plan just the other night. Will car makers get control of the PA system to urge commuters off the subway and into a comfortable Elantra? Some dreamers say Ryerson University should put its name on the Dundas Station. But can Ryerson pay? This is about money. The serious money will come from the banks. Who will be the first to grab the King Street stop? Or will the Five Sisters all have to go together — “Attention please: CIBC-BMO-Royal-Scotia-TD stop.” The consequences seem overwhelming. What if more money can be made by selling the name of the whole subway line? “Attention northbound Proctor and Gamble riders. There is a delay for track work at the Starbucks-Rosedale station. The track work is sponsored by Target.” And what if the TTC takes to selling names serially, like the theatres? We’re still looking for the Canon. Picture courtesy Yonge and Roxborough News

Pictures of “Operation Duck Family”

ducks
Here are a few more pictures taken by Leaside resident Terri Reid of what we are calling Operation Duck Family. The mother and six ducklings were discovered Saturday on Hanna Rd. near Parkhurst Blvd. fearlessly marching along the roadway, much as we see them in the shot at the top. A growing body of residents began a lengthy operation of trying to help the ducks out of what would surely be a dangerous situation for them. Someone struck upon trying to lure them into a dog cage with bits of bread. Lower left, the process begins. But as Ms Reid observed to the South Bayview Bulldog, it isn’t easy trying to capture a duck, especially when she has six little ones. The residents were successful however in getting the duck family into the cage, still complete with Fido’s bone (lower right). The ducks were then transported to Wilket Creek where they were set loose in their natural habitat. There is a picture of that and a link to Danielle Milley’s excellent story in the post below.

“Canada has the best banks in the world”

British financial analysts and politicians are full of cosy noises about what a sensational place is Canada. Right you are, old boy. A blog post by Liz Phillips of the Telegraph (London) casts this appreciation of our economy in the glow of the Royal Visit. But really, it’s a matter that is both complicated and simple. Complicated if bankers lose their heads. Simple if they don’t. In the end the first principle of banking is: Don’t lend to people who can never, ever pay you back. The second principle is, well, read the first principle.