The South Bayview Bulldog

John Candy and Dave Thomas/Facebook

The 25th anniversary this week of the death of John Candy at age 43 in 1994 has caused renewed interest in the comedian. Mr. Candy grew up in East York and will be inducted into the East York Hall of Fame on Friday, June 14. “We look forward to celebrating the life and contributions of John Candy this Spring and we’re so pleased to confirm that his son and daughter, Chris and Jennifer Candy, will be making the trek north to accept his induction award,” said Justin Van Dette of the East York Hall of Fame. “East York is looking forward to honouring one of their most accomplished citizens.” Several friends and colleagues are scheduled to be in attendance including Toronto Mayor John Tory, who served as CFL Commissioner when Mr. Candy owned the Toronto Argonauts and Mike Pinball Clemons. John Candy grew up in East York, attended Holy Cross Catholic School and worked as an usher at the old Donlands Theatre while playing hockey with the Leaside Hockey Association. While being a busy Hollywood actor, he found time to love his city and his favourite sport as a co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club.

Residents near Bathurst and Richmond Sts. are rallying to house and help fire victims in whatever way they can. A five-alarm blaze swept building at and near 160 Bathurst St  Monday killing one man. Then, York Regional Police track a dead-drunk driver to his ditched car with the motor still running. A cautionary tale. Below that, a snow plough falls through a bridge in New Jersey. Must see. And finally, it looks like Rami Malek vs Daniel Craig as the 25th James Bond movie goes into production. The silver anniversary opus is called Shatterhand.

Jane Philpott has resigned from her role as Treasury Board President in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s federal cabinet, saying that she has lost confidence in the way the government is handling the ongoing SNC-Lavalin scandal. In a statement posted to her MP website, Philpott said that the recent events, including the SNC-Lavalin scandal, “have shaken the federal government in recent weeks and after serious reflection, I have concluded that I must resign as a member of cabinet.” — CTV

Ontario Provincial Police have issued a warning after arresting a man for allegedly selling fake auto insurance. They say 38-year-old Sherif Aly faces two counts each of fraud under $5,000 and false documentation. The fraudulent coverage came from Reef Car Insurance. Cops believe that there are victims who do not know that their insurance is not valid. They urge people to check the validity of their car insurance and contact police if they have any concerns.

Leia Carrico, 8, and sister Caroline Carrico, 5

Eid Aljazairli

Lauren and Erin Davis

At the left are two lucky and resourceful kids, Leia Carrico, 8, and her sister Caroline Carrico, 5, who were rescued from deep forests near Sacramento Sunday after having been lost for 44 hours. The astonishing tale of how they were finally traced by boot prints and discarded granola bar wrappers is told by ABC. At centre is Eid Aljazairli, a Syrian refugee who with barely two years in the UK has become a competitive swimming sensation. Listen to his heartfelt thanks to his hosts and coach. Lastly, Erin Davis talks to CityNews about the loss of her daughter Lauren back in 2015. She spoke on the occasion of the publication of a book about this life changing heartbreak written with her husband. The cause of Lauren’s death at age 24 has never been determined.

From unit above/KeepThemHonest @Ward3Toronto

Scene about 8.15 a.m. at 160 Bathurst/Toronto Fire Service

Height of blaze/Toronto Fire Service

Scene from above/Rob Williams @me_rob

April Engelberg @AprilEngelberg tweeted that her neighbor took picture and thanked firefighters for bravery

One person is has died and another is in hospital after they were pulled from their basement apartment at 160 Bathurst St. near Richmond St. before dawn Monday. The fire moved quickly through the old buildings and finally reached the roof. The fire gutted the building where it started, including Corrado’s Barber Shop, which has been at the site for over 50 years. “From 17 to 72, I never stopped working a day,” Owner Corrado Accaputo told CP24 at the scene. It is said Mr. Accaputo was visibly shaken and was told to go home because there was nothing he could do at the scene.

It’s the first week of March right? Winter isn’t over of course but the polar temperatures coming this week are certainly unseasonal. The Winter of 2019 seemed determined to stage a big finish.

St. Anselm ambassador/St. Anselm

Baby’s Breath/Bulldog

Doors of Leslieville/Facebook

Studied homelessness/Bulldog

J Davis House/Twitter

This young ambassador of St. Anselm Catholic School (upper left) is seen in a video asking friends to donate to a renovation fund for the school’s playground. It seems very few could say no to her because a GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $200,000 of the $250,000 needed to complete the job. Jaye Robinson (Ward 15) says she’s been told by the TCDSB that the makeover is coming. Upper right we see some pleasantly scented Baby’s Breath at Longo’s. Took some home.  At lower left are the Doors of Leslieville as seen in a happy print being offered by Diane Walton. At centre right, is one man’s studied practice of homelessness. We won’t say where it is but his affluent Rosedale neighbors seem to have helped with things like a tent and shovel. He is there in the most brutal cold. God bless him. Lastly, the so-called J. Davis House is rising on Yonge St. between Belsize Dr. and Millwood Rd. A wonderful old bank building was sacrificed for this condominium but the original J. Davis post office still stands (as a Starbucks) at Yonge and Davisville Ave.

David Ambroski may be right but most ratepayers would prefer an honest examination of spending. The term World Class slips off the Ryerson wonk’s tongue easily and it may well be a lovely status. Do we know what it is? Those keenly interested please note the video is preceded by commercials.

The Toronto District School Board has decided not to take any chances with Momo, a creepy looking “doll” found on the Internet which is alleged to make self-destructive suggestions to children. “This ‘challenge’ is found online and allegedly encourages children, through social media messaging apps, to carry out dangerous tasks, such as harming themselves or others. Quite frankly, we are receiving conflicting reports over what this ‘challenge’ truly entails or if it is even real,” John Malloy, director of education for the board, states in the letter to parents. At the same time, others are saying Momo is just a malicious hoax. These stories may true but they have holes in them. Where did Momo originate and if it is a hoax why should it get a pass. Another wretched case of “just joking.” Also this.

Into utility pole at 3.30 a.m./CityNews

Police say a woman sustained minor injuries in a two-car collision early Sunday at Jarvis and Carlton Sts. One vehicle then struck a utility pole.

No winning ticket was sold for the $5 million jackpot in Saturday night’s Lotto 649 draw. However, the guaranteed $1 million prize was won by a ticket holder in the Prairies. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on Mar. 6 will be approximately $7 million