The South Bayview Bulldog

Paul ‘Boulos’ Rizk

Jesse Jack Breese

Nathan Hunter

Police have identified the man shot in a drive-by killing Monday evening at 80 Parkway Forest Dr. He is Paul ‘Boulos’ Rizk, 27, of Toronto (left). They say a small group of people was outside the community centre at the Parkway Forest address. A dark coloured four-door sedan approached. Shots were fired at the group. The sedan fled the area at a high rate of speed. Investigators believe there were many people in the area at the time of the shooting. Anyone with knowledge of this homicide is urged to contact police.

ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO

Police say that one wanted man, Nathan Hunter, 20, has surrendered after a reward was posted for his capture and conviction related to an armed bank robbery. Another man, Jesse Jack Breese, 21, remains at large. Bankers offer $10,000 for capture, conviction of these two

Enbridge has finally withdrawn a monthly gas bill for nearly $3,000 sent to a Toronto man after the CBC called the company to ask about it. But for nearly six months the gas firm has been demanding that Toronto condo resident Andrew Alcock pay the outrageous bill. He says he has spent hours of time both on the phone and in mental distress because of Enbridge’s stoney apparent indifference to what was clearly a mistake. CBC

• Audit urges Ford government to consider selling LCBO
• Scam alert! Criminals are posing as Toronto Hydro sending fraudulent texts/emails/letters.

Farm Boy

Organic Garage

Instacart

Empire Co., owners of Sobey’s has purchased the 28-store chain known as Farm Boy. Farm Boy, which began in Ottawa, and has what is called “a cult-like following” for its fresh produce selection, prepared meals and in-house brand products like lemon-garlic dressing, fermented garlic flowers and chocolate chip cookie chips. Empire’s last acquisition of the much larger Safeway chain in western Canada was an integration disaster. Analysts find this purchase a tastier morsel, including the price of $800 million and an exceedingly cute name. Farm Boy has stayed out of Toronto but has locations in places like Whitby and Oakville.

ORGANIC GARAGE

A smaller grocery store chain with a cute name is Organic Garage. It is scheduled to open in an 80,000 sq. foot plaza at the corner of Laird Drive and Canvarco Rd. known as 33 Laird. The timetable for construction seems elusive. Work was said to be set to start “soon” last December.  Other tenants of 33 Laird announced in December are Dogtopia, a US-based dog care, boarding and spa service, a bath vanity shop called Happy Bathroom, Vivo Pizza/Pasta, Salons by JC and Glowzone, a recreational business that boasts glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. Organic Garage has three stores. They are in the Entertainment District, the Junction and Oakville.

INSTACART

Instacart says Tuesday it will transform its Toronto office into a tech hub and expand it by 200 employees over the next several years beginning in 2019. The California-based company says the Canadian location will be the second one to focus on research and development. The first is in San Francisco. The online grocery app company already has more than 80 employees at its current Toronto office. The location of the “Toronto office” is unstated in news reports and is not given online. This is a common practice of service companies which mostly don’t want anyone to know where they are.

The New Brunswick general election Monday has produced a tight split, with the PC Party holding 22 seats and the Liberal government of Brian Gallant holding 21. The NDP won three seats and the right of centre People’s Alliance Party also won three. It seems to make for a tenuous few months whichever side forms a government. The Lieutenant Governor is expected to follow a protocol of first asking the Liberals if they can gain the confidence of the Legislature presumably with support from the NDP. But whatever is agreed, the Liberals would lack a majority. This may lead to a deal between PC leader Blaine Higgs with the People’s Alliance to form a one-seat majority government. Or there may be another election.

Parkway Belt Off-Leash Park

Georgia Pike

A girl of three is said to be recovering from as many as six lacerations on the back of her head in an encounter with a dog at the Parkway Belt Off-Leash Dog Park in Mississauga Sunday. The child was at the park with her mother, six-year-old brother and grandfather when she encountered a dog running free. Her mother said the girl, Georgia Pike, loves dogs. Her grandfather, who was closest to the incident, kicked the dog away from the girl. The family say the owner of the dog fled the park carrying his pet when he was asked for “his information.”

The Canadian Bankers Association has issued a $10,000 reward for the capture two men, Jesse Jack Breese, 21 and Nathan Hunter, 20, wanted in connection with the violent robbery at a bank in Scarborough. Two of the perpetrators are already in custody. It took place Thursday, May 24, at St. Clair East and Warden Ave. Four armed men (see video below) stormed into the branch and one fired a shot. Customers were herded together and forced the ground. A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Breese and Hunter. It specifies these crimes:

1) Robbery While Armed with a Firearm
2) Disguise with Intent
3) Discharge Firearm with Intent
4) Careless Use Firearm
5) Possession Weapon for Committing Offence
6) Use Firearm Commit Indictable Offence
7) Illegal Possession of Firearm with Ammunition
8) Unauthorized Possession Firearm
9) Possession Firearm Knowing its Unauthorized
10) Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence

Jesse Jack Breese, 21, is described as 6’3″, slim build, dark hair. He occasionally wears prescription glasses. He is known to frequent both Barrie and Toronto. Nathan Hunter, 20, is described as 6’0″, 150 lbs., dark wavy hair.

Wildcats Midget 3BB gold winners

Leaside SkatingClub “StarSkaters”

Bayview Leaside BIA Apple Fest this weekend

Pepper plants at Chen’s Passion Fruit

Needing a name at Toronto Zoo

Thanksgiving Menu Packages

Hey, look at those smiles (#1) as the ladies of the Leaside Wildcats Midget 3BB team win gold at the Oshawa Lady Generals 19th Annual Tournament over the weekend. But hang on because below that is look-at-those-smiles (#2) from the Leaside Skating Club’s StarSkaters after a workshop with Robert O’Toole on Saturday. Keep smiling you guys. To the right, the Bayview Leaside BIA Apple Fest event is coming this weekend, September 29-30. Plan to be there. Lower left is an autumn delight at Chen’s Passion Fruit. They’re ornamental pepper plants. To the right is a pygmy hippo baby needing a name at the Toronto Zoo. Below that, check out the Thanksgiving Menu Packages at Today’s Menu, 852 Millwood Rd.

City of Toronto municipal election voters’ list is available online Monday. Voters can confirm if they are on the list for the general election of October 22. The list identifies eligible electors, including name and address as well as their school support. Residents can check if they are on the voters’ list at https://www.toronto.ca/elections/myvote or by calling 416-338-1111.

Toronto has launched a new app called TOwaste to assist residents with proper waste sorting and disposal. It permits the use of a cell phone to access collection schedules, the Waste Wizard search tool and information about where to find Drop-off Depots and donation centres. The app also permits a rapid search for information on how to properly dispose of more than 2,000 items. The new app also makes it quick and easy to find the nearest location to donate or buy used items or drop off items such as hazardous waste.

Breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant Brunch Story is favorably reviewed by several members in a thread started Saturday by administrator Robyn Hochglaube at the Leaside Community page. It’s heartening to hear. Along with Sophie’s Kitchen and Green Canoe, Brunch Story is offering the type of cuisine so many residents enjoy (bring on the eggs). Brunch Story is at 874 Eglinton beside Starbucks. It is owned by Ji-seon Moon. She is the mom of two and she told The South Bayview Bulldog that she settled at this location because the schools are so good. Her teen son started at Leaside High School this month. The reviews in LC are universally good. Hardworking Korean friends have much to contribute. Ji-seon Moon opens Brunch Story at Eglinton/Laird Sunday

Ji-seon Moon and children at 874 Eglinton East

Sabarish Gnanamamoorthy

What CRA scam?

Dr. Danuta Skowronski

The clean cut kid at the left is Sabarish Gnanamamoorthy. He’s a genius at the age of 15. His intelligence and maturity will take your breath away. Good for Canada. Then, it’s not too much to describe the tax scam phone racket as a crisis. Most people have had many calls. Why can’t authorities get a handle on it? Below that, Dr. Danuta Skowronski thinks you are probably “pre-loaded” for the flu season this year but her advice is not to take a chance. Lastly, the Canadian soap opera called the TransCanada Pipeline. It makes you want to cry. Is it any wonder John A Macdonald lied to get the CPR built in 1865? Simply put, there would be no Canada without our east-west links.

Gala evening

Andy and Jan Elder

David Mudd with wife Naomi Choi of PrepFete and Trae Zammit of Smokin’ Cigar

Carol Burtin Fripp. Robert Fripp and son Will Fripp

Terry Fallis with wife Nancy Naylor and brother Tim Fallis with friend Susan Wright

Marie Cris and brother Peter Ramirez of Grilltime

Andy photbombs his friends Deb and Alistair Baxter

Friends of Andy Elder and his Grilltime on Laird gathered Saturday in the event space at the Amsterdam Brewery to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the specialty shop. Councillor Jon Burnside took the microphone at the Amsterdam Brewery event space to congratulate Andy on his in-store and catering success. The two men have been friends for 30 years. Grilltime has been located at 62 Laird Drive since it opened. Guests dined on delicious food samplings like Mac and Cheese with smoked brisket and roasted tomato salsa and also a soft taco with Fogo Island Cod. There was a unique Bloody Caesar bar with a garnish of beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon Live music was provided by the Denise Leslie Trio.

SALUTE TO LOCAL BUSINESS

In his remarks, Elder thanked loyal customers for support over the years and made a special request that they show the same loyalty to other local enterprises. He noted that the rapid change being seen in Leaside and elsewhere can represent a threat to local stores and services. More and more big box and large outside businesses are entering the area.

AMAZING COUNCILLOR

Turning to the coming municipal election, Elder called his longtime friend “an amazing Councillor” and urged people to work hard for his re-election. Special effort will be required because the restructured Don Valley West makes Burnside the incumbent of just 35 percent of the riding. Another ten percent is up for grabs in the newly-added area west of Bayview Ave. which was formerly in St. Paul’s Ward 22. Andy urged friends to make a special effort to return his friend to office.

FRIENDS PRESENT

Among well-known friends present were realtor Charlene Kalia, Fiona Boylan of COBS Bread, Jeff Hohner of the Leaside Pub, Alistair Baxter of Lexus on the Park with his wife Deb, Peter Neal of Neal Brothers Foods with wife Lara, Robert Fripp, Carol Burtin Fripp and son Will Fripp and Trae Zammit of the Smokin’ Cigar on Bayview Ave.