Grading and staking is well underway on the lands slated for development into a commercial and retail centre on Laird Drive.
Johnny Cash and the Plymouth Savoy
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In one of the many junk yards east of Laird Drive lies the 1954 Plymouth Savoy pictured above, centre and right. No one recalls today that Johnny Cash did a commercial for Chrysler (owner of the Plymouth brand) in 1954 when he was getting started. In that ad he called the Plymouth “the best car I ever owned.” This was remembered by the ad executives at Chrysler. In 1972 Cash was hired to take part in a Chrysler promotion in which the world was asked to “Help us find the best car we ever owned.” The winner of this contest was Mrs. Ray Hild of Tacoma, Washington (shown at the left with Cash) whose 54 Plymouth had but 14,500 miles on it. This means that Mrs. Hild was putting barely 800 miles a year on her Plymouth. Wonder where it is today? Certainly not rusting on Esandar Drive in Leaside.
Long black dresses on South Bayview
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These two ladies made a brief visit to South Bayview Friday afternoon accompanied by two gentlemen. As we can see, the ladies wore long black dresses on a C24 degree afternoon.
Baseball camp for kids at Howard Talbot
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Howard Talbot Park will be the scene of a baseball camp for kids this Summer. A story is published in InsideToronto. The camp starts at $350 per week, with rates going down $50 every week for kids who stay in the program. You may sign up and make inquiries by writing to leasidebaseballcamp@live.com or calling 647-338-3596.
Firemen investigate odour of gas
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Firemen went door-to-door on a short stretch of South Bayview yesterday to check on the source of the odour of gas. Apparently the odour was noticed on the street opposite Homefront by a citizen. The investigation ended without any action being taken. LinkedIn frenzy sends stock to $122 a share
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LinkedIn shares hit a staggering $122.70 today on the New York Stock Exchange before sliding back a little. The frenzy to buy the newly available stock has made analysts nervous.
Rae says he won’t run for Liberal leadership
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Toronto Centre MP Bob Rae says he doesn’t want to be party leader, but maybe he’d accept interim party leader. This was the gist of Mr Rae’s remarks on a conference call today with supporters. He is quoted as saying he would not run a third time for leader of the party. But, it’s suggested, the interim job is a “substantial one” that will give the person in that position nearly two years to reshape the party. Stay tuned.
Flying Dragon bookstore will close June 30
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The Flying Dragon bookstore at 1721 South Bayview will close for good on Thursday June 30, 2011. In their touching farewell published on their website, Flying Dragon associates reference “technological advances” without further reference to that impact on their business. Here is a portion of the farewell.“We have in recent months explored opportunities to embrace the technological advances that have presented themselves with such rapidity in our industry. But at the end of the day we realized that for us, it was all about the books and the tactile, sensory experience they provide. It is bittersweet that we have just received the 2011 Libris Award for ‘Specialty Bookseller of the Year’ from the Canadian Booksellers Association. While we can’t imagine not being able to walk into the magical world of The Flying Dragon on a daily basis, we know that our futures hold wondrous adventures and we wish the same for all our loyal customers and our colleagues in the publishing industry. We want to end the way we started, by talking about the books with you, our fellow booklovers. Please join us for Nina’s Summer Reads on Friday, May 27th at 9:30am.” The Star published a nice artcile on Friday, May 20, 2011.
Your ATLV 4300 Diesel at work
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Ever wonder about the ATLV 4300 Diesel? Yep, that’s it outside Peaches and Green on South Bayview yesterday looking for bits of trash to vacuum. Now these little babies are made in Minneapolis, it seems, where the special price for cities like Toronto is US $28464. The ATLV isn’t exactly sporty but it is more fun than a broom and a trash bag. Private trash pickup helps Bayview too
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The privatization of trash collection west of Yonge street will have a positive effect on all garbage pickup, east and west. That includes South Bayview and areas around it. With private collection to the west, it will be much less likely that city workers to the east will cause a work stoppage. But even if they do, the presence of private collection in place to the west will be a distinct advantage to homeowners. It will be possible for example to simply move your garbage to a pickup point on the other side of Yonge St and have it removed immediately. No more garbage piles in the parks. It remains to be seen how the new system will work but it seems to offer a chance for more efficient and functional garbage collection. The vote incidentally was 32 to 13 in favour.
Ready for the 100 best restaurants?
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Is South Bayview ready for the 100 best restaurants in Toronto? Is there time to read the list? Is Chai in there? Is Rosie’s? Olde Yorke Fish and Chips? Never mind, the free magazine box is once again bursting with the improbable proposition that you care about 100 restaurants somewhere. The list is compiled by the secretive Joanne Kates, a reviewer who has made a lifetime of hiding in the shadows as she ticked off the high and low lights of restaurants. It’s always said she remained unidentified so that a restaurant couldn’t give her special service. On the other hand, if the staff recognized her they might just slam the door. “Sorry Ms. Kates, we’re closing early. Bath night, you know.” But really, how does this matter? Why not a list of The Nine Best Bank Managers. Much more believable. We know there aren’t many. CGTA article on a Visa scam
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There is a notable story for retailers in the current mailing of the Canadian Tableware and Gift Association (CGTA). It tells of a nearly successful scam on a Stratford firm, Bradshaws. Many will know of Bradshaws from their visits to the Stratford Festival. The gist of the tale is that a scammer tried to order a large shipment of goods using a Visa which appeared to be valid, but ultimately was found to be invalid. Fortunately, Bradshaws got wind of the problem before they shipped. The CGTA story is vague however on just how the transaction was performed. If a Visa is tendered through an established acquirer like Paymentech or Monex, the cash should be in the retailer’s account the next day. If the Visa is invalid for any reason, it would be rejected on the spot. This part of the story is not well explained. You can read the article here.