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Car makers need a new service concept

Too many residents of South Bayview land know how difficult it is to get a car conveniently serviced. Brennan Pontiac, Lawrence-Yonge Toyota — the carcasses of mid-town auto dealers litter the area. Affluent drivers from Lawrence Park, Leaside, Bennington Heights, Moore Park and Rosedale are forced to drive their cars to Scarborough or down to the waterfront perhaps, to get service from an authorized dealer Why is this so? In previous decades car companies understood the need to have authorized service located in smaller locations like service stations. But then they figured they could consolidate service at their dealers and force owners to drive whatever the distance. It’s time for a change. As we noted some days ago Hyundai Canada is trying to get a location on Laird Drive. If it does, we will see just how smart this is. Potential buyers will be placed miles closer to an authorized dealer.

Student survey says no to cells in class

A survey of Ontario High School students has found that most of them (27.9% to 72.03%) are against the idea of using cells phone as a resource in class. Leaside High School student Zane Schwartz (inset) helped create and run the survey in his capacity as a Toronto District School Board student trustee. It is the first ever Ontario wide survey of high school students. It found a thoroughly reasonable understanding of how cell phones distract from concentrated work. Of course there’s still that 27.9% — actually closer to 32% in Toronto. The survey ranged across a spectrum of topics including sex education (kids want more) to bullying and the value of starting school at 10 a.m. There was a split decision here. This story from the Spectator is quite good. See also The South Bayview Bulldog post from last September when the Premier was ruminating about cell phones in class.

Scenic on Eglinton a massive development

The mid-rise condo project in the post below is of course the Scenic on Eglinton, a project that has been many years in the works. Scenic on Eglinton will contain both condos and townhouses. The project is by Aspen Ridge Homes. It will stand near Eglinton Ave E and Brentcliffe Road at an address set to be 35 Brian Peck Cres. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012. One of the towers will rise 16 storeys, the other 12 storeys with what is being called a “pod” connecting them. It looks like a tower too.

Thorncliffe Park incident reported

From the Toronto Police Service major news reports: A 20 year old male reports that on February 17, 2011 at approximately 2200 hours he was sitting in a vehicle in the area of Thorncliffe Park Drive and Overlea Blvd when he was approached by two male suspects. One suspect produced a firearm, held it to the victim’s head and made a demand for his vehicle. The victim did not comply. A struggle ensued, and the suspects fled the scene empty handed in an unknown direction. The victim sustained minor injuries but declined treatment. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, long brown hair. Suspect #2: Male, black, short black afro.

Molson, Coors ink $375 M deal with NHL

I’ll drink to that!

The National Hockey League reached a new seven-year endorsement agreement with SABMiller Plc’s MillerCoors and Molson Coors of Canada, marking the largest corporate sponsorship in league history. The agreement, which begins with the 2011-12 season, is said to be worth $375 million. Financial terms weren’t disclosed by the NHL in a news release announcing the partnership. Molson Canadian will replace Labatt as the official beer of the NHL in both the U.S. and Canada, the NHL said. Coors will share some of the sponsorship in the U.S., according to the league.

Two tower condo rises over Brentcliffe

A huge two tower condominium with three levels of underground parking is set to rise near the intersection of Eglinton Ave E and Brentcliffe Road. The condominium has an irregular foundation and in pictures posted above you can see the shape as it will look above ground. In the top left photo you can see the Park Lexus dealership and the old Inn on the Park tower in the distance. This is a view which will be had by residents of the north side of the condo. A hammer head crane, designed to rise with each succeeding floor of the condo now towers over the site. These pictures were taken looking north from the end of Aerodrome Crescent. .

Feds investigating Moneris practices

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is under orders from Finance Minister Flaherty to look into the practices of Moneris, the retail acquirer owned by the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank of Canada. The investigation stems from a complaint by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. CFIB is concerned about how Moneris is notifying thousands of merchants about upcoming changes to the fees it charges for processing credit cards. The CFIB accuses Moneris of leaving retailers in the dark about whether the changes, which come into effect in April, will amount to an increase in their total fees.

Sport Swap post draws great interest

We’re able to keep track in general terms of how many people take a look at each of our posts and this month, our February 8 mention of the move by the Sports Swap has garnered close to 200 page views in less than two weeks. We’re certainly happy to have passed on some real news and have to think this bodes well for that business at its new location. Oh yes, Sports Swap will be located at 1541B South Bayview, just south of Starbucks and next door to de la Mer.