This is news that will be of interest in most homes where the South Bayview Bulldog get a look every now and then. The Conservative government has told the CRTC to reverse itself on its decision to permit usage-based Internet billing, or the government will do it for them. Who knows. Maybe there’s an election coming. Story here.
Visa, MasterCard “premium” cards
by •
Retailers know how Visa and MasterCard fees cut into revenue. But now Visa and MasterCard are taking a cue from American Express. Amex has for years persuaded card holders that they get tangibly more (so-called rewards) for using American Express. You know who pays for the rewards. Until now merchants have been able to avoid such charges by simply refusing to accept American Express cards. In the end, they lose no business because, after all, everyone has a Visa or a MasterCard. And that’s where these two card companies see an opportunity to increase fees. They want to offer Amex-like cards which carry much highers costs paid for by the merchant. The kicker is that Visa and Mastercard are insisting on an all or nothing deal for the right to swipe any Visa or Mastercard. A retailer would not be able to accept any Visa card without accepting the premium cards. Thus they would be forced to endure charges similar to those levied by American Express. The battle rages between the Federal Competition Bureau, which opposes this, and the card companies. The Canadian Federation of Indepdeent Business has had the courage to organize a campaign asking retailers to ask for payment by cash or debit.
Racing to beat the big snowstorm
by •
These carpenters were racing to beat the snowstorm late Tuesday as they closed in the roof of this Rumsey Road renovation. While most people were well on their way home, these men were up in the bitter cold, hammers ringing. At right, carefully tethered, one man climbs down the mansard with an automatic nailer to secure the sheet of wood. The latest forecast is for up to 15 cm overnight, with an additional 15 cm Wednesday morning. The snow is expected to taper off in the afternoon.Tattoos: Vamp or tramp?
by •
This blog entry by British TV anchor Kate Burley deals with a raging issue of the day — tattoos. It’s even a hot topic here on sedate South Bayview. Many men seem to think they make a woman look like a member of a bike gang. But, they have their advocates. Interesting reading.
A&W features self-serve kiosks
by •
It’s been a long time since girls on roller skates balanced burgers and root beer as they served up A&W fare to patrons. Now perhaps the ultimate opposite to that. A&W is rolling out automatic kiosks where you can order your lunch without speaking to anyone. It’s one of the features of A&W’s thrust into the busy and affluent business districts of our big cities. They’ve opened them in Vancouver and Calgary. Last Friday they opened one on Yonge Street north of College in Toronto, a so-called urban concept place designed to catch downtown burger diners. In fact, these restaurants serve a variety of dishes and also offer conventional counter service. Groms holding inventory liquidiation
by •
Groms, the young peoples sports clothing and equipment store, is holding a dramatic looking liquidation sale at its shop at 1707. Everything is papered over with signage declaring 50% off everything in the store.
Like it or not, Hyundai is moving up
by •
You can say what you like about Hyundai, but there is just no doubt that the once funny little car company has changed its style. and it has changed minds. The South Korean firm has worked its way up to a new level of acceptance. Once known for making vehicles that didn’t meet everyone’s expectations, Hyundai now has a track record for setting the standard for reliability, quality, safety, convenience, technology and owner loyalty. It’s factual. You don’t have to like the Hyundai to acknowledge it. The 2011 Equis luxury model above is an example of the new wind blowing across the Pacific from Seoul. Among other things, Hyundai seems to understand location. It will be a brilliant coupe for Hyundai if it can locate on Laird Drive, where Gyro Mazda is now trying to place a Hyundai showroom opposite its existing dealership. All previous Hyundai posts.VW will build super efficient XL1
by •
It may look a bit like a sea mammal out of water but the Volkswagen XL1 concept car is going to make it to the production line. No one thought it would. And it will be the most efficient production car anywhere, the company says. Volkswagen’s Formula XL1 Concept is a plug-in hybrid, meaning that it’s capable of running on battery power alone for awhile, and then if you need the extra range, it’s got a tiny two cylinder diesel engine that can extend its range. Reportedly, it gets a staggering 260 miles per gallon. Volkswagen says that it will be producing about a hundred XL1s, to be made available first in Germany and later in the U.S.Meeting to discuss Laird Drive plan
by •
Notice of a meeting has been given for public comment on the project known as 85 and 115 Laird Drive. This is the commercial development that would see the area once home to the Canadian Northern Railway yard transformed into a complex of eight new buildings dedicated mainly to retail purposes, plus a plan for the “adaptive re-use” of the locomotive shop for retail purposes. DATE: Wednesday, February 16, 2011. TIME: 1.30 pm. PLACE: North York Civic Centre Council Chambers, 5100 Yonge Street. Earlier post.
Boys reported robbed on Bessborough
by •
From 53 Divison Police Incident Report: Two males, 12 years of age, report that on January 27, 2011 at approximately 1600 hours (4 pm) they were in the area of Bessborough Drive and Rolland Road, when they were approached from behind by two male suspects. One of the suspects indicated that he had a handgun, although no weapon was seen and patted the victim’s down. The suspects removed a cellular telephone and fled the scene heading westbound on Bessborough Drive. The victims did not sustain any injuries. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, 15 to 16 years, muscular build, short black hair. Suspect #2: Male, 15 to 16 years, 5’1” to 5’4”, thin build.
Sharon’s Collection still seeking space
by •
Sharon’s Collection is still looking for a new home. The shop has until the end of February to find accommodation. Sharon’s Collection has been at 1643 Bayview for some two years.
Rye High radio gone — will anyone notice?
by •
CRTC yanks CKLN license. It’s a rather curious story of how the student station had, among other problems, “limited involvement from Ryerson’s student body” according to the attached Globe and Mail story. Otherwise, a grown up’s cynical view will find the shenanigans at CKLN to have a distinctly comical quality. The phrase “Will anyone notice” comes to mind. Here’s an excerpt from a student story written in 2009. When Ashley Stanhope walked into CKLN’s office for the last time, she wasn’t expecting a confrontation with police. After attempting to start her weekly one-hour show Wired for Sound, a woman barged into the studio, yelling erupted between other volunteers, two people barricaded themselves in a room and police were brought in to break up the debacle. “It seems bizarre when you think of it,” Stanhope said. “This would never happen at CHUM FM, it would never reach that point. It seems people are on this power trip when it comes to college radio.” For nearly two years, CKLN has been embroiled in fierce internal fighting with two groups of people claiming power over the station.
