The South Bayview Bulldog

Day Two of the gas main replacement on South Bayview has seen a fairly efficient process of (upper right) digging the trench and (left) connecting the new plastic main before putting it in the trench. Lower left, the main is covered with a type of temporary concrete. This took place on the west side within a distance stretching from Belsize to a spot in front of the Bayview Dental Clinic. The narrowing of traffic led to trouble for a delivery driver (lower right) when he parked on the east sidewalk. There was no ticket. Work was finished by 3 pm. Work will now begin on the rest of Bayview. The main to be replaced runs from Millwood to Parkhurst Blvd. Residents there will wish to be warned that the contractor, Link-Line, is scheduled to replace mains all through Leaside, starting on Parkhurst. Interestingly, the old cast iron main is simply left in the ground. The foreman indicates that his crews will return to the newly-laid main at some point, breaking the temporary concrete and making the necessary connections to take the gas into buildings. He also suggested once again that the priority is such so that the City can lay new sidewalks on South Bayview this year.

The Globe and Mail has done a microscopic analysis of Leaside traffic, particularly on Laird drive. Apparently it’s pretty awful for pedestrians and drivers alike. (Let us know if you recognize the perplexed gentleman shown by the Globe). For those who have been finding their way through the funny little dog’s leg at Wicksteed and Macrae for decades it may all seem overdone. But, the story does contain information about how — someday – the intersection may have a shorter crossover for pedestrians. This will be done by changing the ramp like turn from Macrae south onto Laird. There is a reference in the story to a building in the way, and this would appear to be the old CIBC branch. Actually, it’s time for them to find a new location. Here is the Globe’s story.

Kapyong. We should remember the name. It’s the place where, in April 1951, a handful of Canadian and Australian troops made a stand against an entire Chinese Communist Division and stopped it cold. In the process, the allied troops blunted the Chinese drive south, saved Seoul from falling for a second time, and permitted the successful launch of the American thrust north. Now journalist Dan Bjarneson has written a fine book recounting the harrowing ordeal of these few hundred members of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. Kapyong is said to be a dusty little crossroads of no importance by itself. But history has made it profoundly important. It’s the place where Canada did its small part in saving the fledgling Republic of (South) Korea. That’s the little country that went on to become a thriving and prosperous democracy. South Korea is the place that put the lie every day to the “peoples paradise” of Mao’s China. And if you ever wonder if it was worth it, think about the quality of life and freedom of people in South Korea today. If the world had done nothing, they would be living like the North Koreans. Kapyong is a name Canadians should remember with pride.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday and the Link-Line gas contractors are finished their first day’s work on replacement of the old gas mains under South Bayview. It was a good sign for merchants as workers took down their no parking signs and let business on the west side return to normal. Cutting and trenching will go down the west side to replace the cast iron mains. We trust there will be steel sheets to cover the trenches and permit parking when work is done each day. This was the routine when new electric conduits were placed two years ago and it seemed to work fairly well. Later, it will be necessary to dig holes on the east side at various locations to connect the new main to buildings. See post below.

The energetic gang at Sport Swap was busy Saturday as they opened the new location at 1541B South Bayview. Sport Swap is a unique sports goods exchange and repair business that has operated for many years down the street, at Balliol. It features all types of sports equipment and bicycle accessories (like kid seats) and a repair shop in the rear. Welcome guys.

We know, we know. One must not assume the worst about such things but service vehicles have parked in prohibited spots with those official parking cones while the service folks went for a Second Cup. Above, we have a familiar scene on Fleming Crescent where a tight squeeze for through traffic is the order of the day.

The well-known and competitive curling group known as Team Hastings will hold a fund raiser this Spring to assist in furthering their success. The members are from left, Skip: Julie Hastings; Vice: Christy Trombley Second: Stacey Smith; Lead: Katrina Collins. Trombley and Hastings are twins. The four have played together for some 19 years, Ms Trombley was explaning yesterday to the South Bayview Bulldog. She is a member of the Leaside Curling Club. The team has become one of the top ten teams in Ontario. They’re goal is to qualify for the 2013 Olympic Trials. Those interested may send mail to Christy1@rogers.com

For those, if any, who doubted the impending gas main replacement work, take a look at Exhibit A piled beside the Behar building on Belsize at Bayview. Digging to replace the old cast iron mains was said to be scheduled for last Monday. It didn’t happen but the arrival of these babies means the actual work can’t be far off. Colour them yellow.