The Coalition Avenir Québec (or Coalition for Quebec’s Future) has won the Quebec general election Monday. CAQ won 74 seats out of 125 with the Liberals (31) and the two separatist parties (total 19) being laid low. There is much astonishment among writers at the outcome, citing the measure of change after a 15 year Liberal reign. The CAQ has the word coalition in its name but seems less like a coalition than a fresh mainstream movement, centre right and focussed on the economy. It was founded by former Parti Québécois (PQ) cabinet minister François Legault and businessman Charles Sirois; Legault serves as party leader. The party membership includes both Quebec nationalists and federalists. Legault has said it will never endorse a referendum on sovereignty, but more autonomy if necessary — with Wikipedia
Rapper, motivational speaker inspires CGS kids and parents
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The CGS community was entertained and enlightened by rapper, YouTuber and motivational speaker Anthony McLean last week. McLean has delivered presentations across Canada, the US and Australia. He combines powerful teaching, practical strategies, and Hip Hop music for a high-energy presentation that audiences love. Anthony’s favourite topics are leadership, mental health, and bullying. It was a great way for CGS families to begin the school year. He spoke to the children at CGS about bullying and conflict (and how they aren’t the same thing). The children learned strategies to deflect hurtful situations and people. They were told to always ask themselves if they are helping or hurting in any given situation. They learned that “it starts with me.”
PARENTS AS COACHES
For the parents, Anthony focussed on raising children who possess the life skills to be move into the world with confidence and the ability to function independently. Anthony used the analogy of a “baby elephant.” In this era of helicopter parenting, the message was incredibly timely. Anthony urged CGS parents to think of themselves as “coaches” training their children to be independent. If you ever have the chance to hear Anthony speak, or you are looking for a dynamic presentation at your school, find out if he is available. Learn more here.
LHS grads meet 40 years later at Amsterdam Barrel House
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Carol Wrigley has posted pictures to the Leaside Chit Chat Facebook page of the 40th anniversary (class of 88?) Leaside High School Reunion gathering over the weekend. She thanks Mike and Simon for helping to put the event together at the Amsterdamn Barrel House. Steve Young came all the way from Vancouver to attend. School spirit. Stand faithfully one and all.
Tory meets tot on Bayview, Sarah and Claire Longo’s launch
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Mayor Tory took a stroll along Bayview Ave. Saturday and had this talk with a tiny constituent. It was a very nice Apple Fest Day. Upper right, Mark Jordan was along with daughters Sarah and Claire Sunday at Longo’s. They set up in the familiar corner of the store where the pizza is made. Yum. Mark reports they sold out of Longo’s Neighbour-In-Need Bags in aid of the Daily Bread Food Bank Drive. Below that, glorious gourds abounded at Summerhill Market Monday as that pumpkin time of year approaches. At bottom right a reminder of the Leaside Property Owners Association all-candidates meeting Tuesday night at Leaside Arena. At bottom left, get ready for the Leaside Block Party on Saturday, October 13.
Lawrence Park garage hit with bikes, scooters taken by teens
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A Lawrence Park resident, Tamara Gottlieb, has told Post City that her garage was ransacked and bicycles and scooters stolen over the dinner hour on Saturday, September 8. The door had been left open after a day of play and gardening. The garage was unattended for about 30 minutes. A check of a neighbour’s surveillance video revealed two boys checking out the garage and then returning moments later with seven or eight others. The neighbor said she had been menaced by the boys as this occurred. There are apparently many witnesses to the boys riding about on the stolen bikes and scooters. Through witnesses and other videos the boy were traced to the McDonald’s at Avenue Road and Roe Avenue. Witnesses there recognized descriptions of the boys and identified two of the scooters that were stolen from Gottlieb’s garage by their sparkly aqua-blue hue. The story does not say if police were called but the entire matter is within 53 Division.
Feeling just a bit disenfranchised in Moore Park, Rosedale?
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The affluent neighborhoods of Moore Park, Rosedale, Deer Park and Summerhill may yet again find themselves outvoted, this time in the municipal election. These areas are now part of Toronto Ward 11, known better as the federal riding of University-Rosedale. U-R, as it known, stretches from the streets of Governor’s Road on the east, across Moore Park and then down and west all the way to Ossington Ave. There are eight candidates declared in the riding, most notably incumbent Mike Layton from the old Ward 19 and proudly endorsed by the Toronto and District Labour Council. He is very likely to be strongly supported by voters in U-R living in the densely populated neighborhoods west of Spadina.
DEBATE SET FOR OCTOBER 3
Otherwise, candidate Nicki Ward is working hard to achieve a profile. She will be one of three candidates invited to a debate October 3 at Rosedale United Church. Also present will be Mr. Layton and candidate Marc Cormier. Many in the east half of U-R had looked forward to being part of the unborn Ward 34, which paired it with the Danforth. That was not to be when the number of wards shrunk from 47 to 25. In previous elections, Moore Park and Rosedale were part of the long ward stretching south to the lake. The Councillor, Kristyn Wong-Tam, had (and has) many friends in the north end, but it was not her natural constituency. And so it seems possible the winner in this election will once again rely on neighborhoods outside of South Bayview for a victory.
Ward 15 candidates meeting set for Leaside Arena Tuesday
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The five candidates for Councillor in Ward 15 (Don Valley West) are invited, and expected to be present, at the Leaside Property Owners candidates debate at 7:30 p.m Tuesday (October 2). It will be held in the William Lea Room at Leaside Arena. Interest will be high in hearing the incumbent candidates, Jon Burnside and Jaye Robinson. Others running are Tanweer Khan, Minh Le and Nikola Streker. The LPOA debate format requires questions to be asked in writing. The moderator culls them to avoid repetition. This format also prevents members of the audience from making a speech. It has been known to happen. Wilmar Kortleever writes to remind us that there will also be opportunity to meet the candidates for school board trustee, including Leaside resident and parent, Rachel Chernos Lin.
Boy’s wallet found at corn roast can be claimed via Facebook
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Lyn Malion writes to The Bulldog, and in Leaside Chit Chat, that a wallet was found last Sunday at the corn roast at Trace Manes. She reports that it is blue, has a chain, cash and a boy’s name inside it. The first name starts with N. She adds: “If you know the boy who lost it or the parents of the boy please dm me so that I can put you in touch with the very lovely lady who found it. I am posting this on her behalf.”
Hot car death, fearing Facebook, unrepentant chicken eater
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Kailyn Pollard, 29, forgot her one-year-old daughter as she went to work, leaving the child in the back seat in the hot fall weather of Seminole, Florida. It is not the first time distracted adults have done this. The girl was dead when found. At the centre is Matthew Braga of the CBC. He offers a whirlwind of insider dope on how or why we should be concerned that Facebook has been breached. Keep in mind that the problem is you. Using Facebook is like wearing a sign on your back that says “Cash in pocket.” Then at the right, Hezron Springer with a kissy kissy report from the BBC which could have been written by British chicken farmers. But that’s okay because like Springer, the Bulldog is quite partial to cooked chicken of all kinds.
Citizenship honour to Sharon Beckstead for service to LUC
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Sharon L. Beckstead, the musical director of Leaside United Church, has been honoured with the Member of Parliament Citizenship Medal at a social evening Friday at the church. Ms. Beckstead has retired from 25 years of service to church and its choirs. Sunday she was honoured at the morning service, which was conducted by MP Rob Oliphant. Sharon Beckstead has been the Music Director at LUC since 1993. She has overseen and conducted the Chancel Choir and Junior Choir continuously. She is past president of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, completing her six-year term in 2004. In addition to her church duties she has taught piano and organ privately and is Manager, Member Services for the Canadian Snowbird Association.
Nuit Blanche annual stay-up-all-night art, dance festival
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City-wide Nuit Blanche, seen above on Bay St. and the Scarborough Town Centre was a reliable stay up late and dance yourself silly event. All seems to have gone well. One Nuit hashtag that has lots of pictures and videos is here.
No winning ticket sold for $33 million Lotto 649 jackpot
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No winning ticket was sold for the $33 million jackpot in Saturday night’s Lotto 649 draw. The guaranteed $1 million prize was claimed by a ticket holder on the Prairies. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on Oct. 3 will be approximately $40 million.
