The South Bayview Bulldog

“It’s like we woke up one day, here are all these seals,” says a resident of Roddickton, NL/CBC

The mayor of Roddickton, Newfoundland, has called on the federal government to deal with an invasion of harp seals that has seen the creatures blocking roads and wandering streets. Sheila Fitzgerald said there is a reasonable concern that the apparently disoriented seals might become aggressive if approached by humans. A CBC story this week suggested the invasion “was almost” reminiscent of Hitchcock’s movie The Birds. Yet the sight of seals crawling down the streets of the Great Northern Peninsula town is most unusual and has left some locals concerned. One expressed concern that the seals would not find their way back to the ocean, fearing they would head further inland and die. He was also concerned that people might unwittingly get too close to the animals which he worried might make the seals turn aggressive.

It is bitterly cold and will stay that way through the weekend. Toronto has issued an alert to residents to take measures to stay warm and to look out for those who may be vulnerable. Weather Network.

ICE THROUGH THE ROOF IN MISSISSAUGA

Leaside Ladies Night Out, the new charitable evening set for its first occasion January 24, has sold out all 175 places available and has a wait list as well. Ann Brown, one of the organizers, says the community has been very generous with donations for the silent auction. Brown says it is fun to hear committee members referring the “next year”.  The event takes place at the Leaside Pub. There will a full evening with a DJ (KoolTempo) and many other activities to raise  funds for the initiative, Sew for Success. This endeavor will support women in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood to set up their own home-based sewing/tailoring businesses. It will be a three-pronged approach to provide education on how to run a business, sponsor women to develop better sewing skills and provide supplies needed to run their businesses independently. The organizers also hope to encourage a liaison between Leaside and Thorncliffe women in order to ensure their success.

The danger to air travel has been writ large in the sky since the first commercial drones burst onto the world 15 years ago. Now the federal government has finally adopted stricter regulations to govern the use of drones in Canadian airspace, prohibiting them from flying near airports and emergency scenes, and ensuring those operating them aren’t drunk or high on drugs.

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Jessie Edna Beange

BEANGE, J. EDNA (nee LONGMAN) May 12, 1920 – January 7, 2019 After a rich and full life, Edna passed away on January 7, 2019, at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband, George Beange (1973) and son-in-law, Marc Paradis (2004). Survived by her children Donald Beange (Carolynn), Jean Paradis and grandson, Graham Beange. She will be sadly missed. Edna Beange was a woman of distinction with a commitment to service and a history of leadership. For over 50 years, she served on over 20 agencies, committees and boards working tirelessly so that seniors could remain independent with first-rate community health care. Meals on Wheels, Sharing, East York Community Care, Call-A-Service, Hospital Special Needs and SAHIL are all organizations that Edna founded, chaired or supported as well as Leaside Garden Society. She served 3 terms as East York Alderman (1975-88) and was the first woman on the Toronto East General Hospital Board of Governors. In 1999, she was appointed Honorary Director for outstanding service to the Hospital Board of Directors. In 1994, she received the Agnes Macphail award in its inaugural year for furthering women’s rights, senior’s fairness and access to housing, health care and education. In 2001, Edna received the Governor Generals’ Caring Canadian award from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Declining health in June 2018 required the support of a Palliative Care team, caring friends, neighbours and United Church parishioners. We are grateful for their support. A special thank you goes to the staff at Sunnybrook Palliative Care for their wonderful care and compassion. A service will be held on Friday, January 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Leaside United Church at 822 Millwood Road, followed by a reception in the church hall. Funeral for Edna Beange Friday at Leaside United Church

Crash / Closure – Caledonia Rd is closed both ways between Bowie Ave and Schell Ave. Van into pole with wires down. Driver in care of @TorontoMedics Hydro crews on scene. @Toronto_Fire guarding the scene and wires awaiting police. pic.twitter.com/VqCzU2hApl

— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) January 9, 2019

Conacher Drive fire/Bert Dandy City News

One person has been taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a home on Conacher Drive near Steeles and Bayview Aves. about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. It’s believed the fire started in the garage of the home. Some reprots say two residents were rescued off the roof. Injuries are said to be minor.

A long thread is growing longer at Leaside Chit Chat as members comment on the post of a resident near McRae and Airdrie Drives that the household is experiencing “large bangs that shake (the) house every once in a while. This has been happening for a few months and I think it is related to the construction, but am not sure. The bangs are loud enough to shake the foundation of the house and wake my dogs.” There have been a number of responses both serious and flippant (“Earthquake!”) but a couple of posts reference something called a “cryoseism.”  They say “Leaside is overtop of a high water table. (The sound) is a frost/ice quake.

SEISMIC EVENT

An ice quake or a frost quake, is a seismic event that may be caused by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice. As water drains into the ground, it may eventually freeze and expand under colder temperatures, putting stress on its surroundings. ”  Living is learning for those who have never heard of a cryoseism. They are also known as an ice quake or a frost quake. Wikipedia calls it a “seismic event that may be caused by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice. As water drains into the ground, it may eventually freeze and expand under colder temperatures, putting stress on its surroundings. This stress builds up until relieved explosively in the form of a cryoseism.”

The Saudi teenager fleeing her family has been thrown a lifeline by the Australian government Tuesday, which indicated it was likely to grant her a humanitarian visa. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, was planning to fly to the country on a tourist visa and apply for asylum but was detained by Thai authorities at Bangkok airport on Sunday. Australian sources told the media there that Ms. Alqunun would be refused entry on the tourist visa because it did not reflect the real reason for her trip. But her claim for protection is now being assessed by the UNHCR in Bangkok, which will then pass the case over to Australian officials. Many here will say bring her to Canada. Saudis tell Thais they should have taken girl’s phone to prevent Twitter campaign.

London’s Heathrow airport halted departing flights for about an hour Tuesday night following reports of drone activity. Europe’s busiest airport responded to what was called a “drone sighting.” “As a precautionary measure, we have stopped departures while we investigate,” Heathrow said. “We apologize to passengers for any inconvenience this may cause.” The location of the sighting meant arrivals weren’t immediately affected, according to a spokeswoman. A passenger, Garth Hutchins, tweeted the picture below.

Stuck on tarmac because of drone/Gareth Hutchins

Crowds watch and wait at Heathrow Tuesday night

“Sitting on the runway at Heathrow. If you think a drone is annoying, wait until you’re stuck on a non-moving plane with my two and a half-year-old for more than an hour. Pray for us,” he wrote.

J. Edna Beange, a pillar of East York and Leaside, has passed away peacefully Sunday night at her home in Leaside. She was 98. A funeral service will be held for Edna Beange on Friday, January 11 at 2 p.m. at Leaside United Church, 822 Millwood Rd. There will be a reception following the service.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is underway in Las Vegas. Artificial intelligence is ready to fold your sheets and change your name to Larry Huawei. You got a problem with that?