The South Bayview Bulldog

Blew insurance payout in two visits

The Windsor Star has updated the long-running attempt by roulette addict Tarwinder Shokar of Toronto to have his 2013 losses of $342,000 returned to him by an Ontario court. Mr Shokar’s story nearly defies belief. It includes an earlier losing fling at Casino Brantford. He came out of the building and threw himself in front of a truck. The suicide attempt failed but he was left with serious injuries, for which he subsequently received a sizeable insurance payout. He set out almost immediately to find a casino to gamble the cash. Shokar, who is also an alcoholic, was already banned from several gambling establishments for past behaviour. He got into Caesar’s in a group tour organized by a travel agent. In two short visits in late October 2013 he blew $342,000. Windsor Star

Car door “brushed” his vehicle/TPS

Nina stab this guy/TPS

Surveillance pictures of a suspect in a stabbing incident have been released. The matter dates from November 25 at about 1:30 a.m. outside a laundromat at Markham Rd and Ellesmere Rd. A man is said to have “brushed” the door of another car enraging the apparent owner of the vehicle. In the course of an escalating confrontation, the suspect shouted to a woman in the car: “Nina, stab this guy” The woman did so, striking the victim in the arm.  The suspect man is in his 30s, 5’10, muscular build, with short black hair, and a beard. He was wearing black track pants and a blue and black Viggen Jacket.

Here are recent offerings from Leslieville nature and pet photographer Colin Mcconnell from his Dogs in the Hood category. That’s a good looking boxer on the beach at left and two playful canines on the right. A Facebook post has captioned that one: “Okay team, if we keep playing the way we’ve been playing we’re going to win this game.”

Pre-Christmas ice storm of 2013

Anthony Reagan has posted his 2015 video to Facebook showing scenes from the devastating 2013 ice storm. Power was off across large parts of Toronto for two days, longer in the case of homes isolated by damage to lines entering the building.

Mohican enjoys snow on farm north of Toronto

At play

Mohican, a Canadian steed owned by Bulldog co-publisher Sue Byford, leads a line of riders through enchanting snow-covered woods north of Toronto. With this happy scene, we too wish you Merry Christmas. The Bulldog will resume posting late Boxing Day. Thank you again for reading our neighbourhood record of news and advertising.

Millwood Rd. sidewalk restored/Bulldog

Contractors installing trees and benches on City property next to Wild Wing at Millwood Rd. and Bayview Ave. re-opened the Milwood sidewalk. The work is part of the beautification project of the Bayview Leaside BIA.

A number of shoppers have been injured in the rush to catch and break prize-filled balloon at a Sydney shopping centre. Hundreds of shoppers tried to grab the balloons during a marathon Christmas shopping event. There were children among those injured in the crush and several were sent to hospital.

Christmas car wash lineup at Esso station on Village Station Rd./Bulldog

Croissants at EPI/Bulldog

Sven Walker invites you to skate/Sven Walker Facebook

Poinsettia at Longo’s

Bayview and Millwood/Bulldog

Loading up for the feast/Bulldog

December 23 shopping and general preparation for Christmas was at full pitch Monday. Among unusual local offerings was an invitation from Sven Walker offering neighbors a chance to take a spin on his excellent backyard rink. The weather for Christmas week will be slightly balmy with a high of 4º Celsius for Santa. Happy Christmas all.

Friday evening performance

Alice Hail

Brian Hotton

Meghan Smith, manager at the Eglinton and Laird Starbucks, has been keeping an Instagram record of her Friday evening music events in the former TD bank building. As a coffee house, the place offers a gracious club-like atmosphere for young musicians of varying reputation. Alice Hail, a singer and songwriter, is a regular there. Hear her on a recent YouTube upload.

Lad wanted graffiti treatment in his personal space/Facebook

This is the recent renovation of a Leslieville lad’s room. His mom said he wanted some graffiti similar to so many Toronto alleys and, according to a post on Monday, the results have pleased the whole family.