The South Bayview Bulldog

The fire chief of Niagara-on-the-Lake warned organizers of the annual Lavender Festival not to permit parking in a dry field of hay last week. Sunday, fire broke out in the field and destroyed 34 cars. No one is quite sure what any of this might mean for insurance claims. Chief Rob Grimwood joined 610 CKTB’s Niagara in the Morning to say he sent a letter to organizers of the festival warning not to permit parking in the tinder dry hay. Grimwood’s volunteer department is said to have responded quickly to save at least 50 vehicles and possible injuries. He said the cause of the fire is likely a hot undercarriage coming into contact with straw. An alternate cause might be a discarded cigarette. One burned out car was a Tesla with about 1,000 km on it.

Service “not sustainable”/Naymailman Instagram

Greyhound Canada says it is ending its passenger bus and freight services in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and cancelling all but one route in B.C. — a U.S.-run service between Vancouver and Seattle. As a result, when the changes take effect at the end of October, Ontario and Quebec will be the only regions where the familiar running-dog logo continues to grace Canadian highways. “This decision is regretful and we sympathize with the fact that many small towns are going to lose service,” Greyhound Canada senior vice-president Stuart Kendrick said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “But simply put, the issue that we have seen is the routes in rural parts of Canada — specifically Western Canada — are just not sustainable anymore.” –CP

The allegedly unapproved and tut-tut illegal Banksy exhibit on Sterling Rd. west of Lansdowne Ave. will  now compete with a parody of this show called the “Banksy Exhibit” Exhibit. The hosts are “Toronto creatives” Naomi Belcamino and Dave McKay. On Saturday between 1 and 3 p.m. they will open the doors on their “meta interactive art experience” across the street from the Banksy show. The Banksy Exhibit Exhibit is, they say, “a tongue-in-cheek, playful art show. It has a “renegade, guerilla style.” Wow. You’re guess is as good as our. We’re also guessing you won’t find a bit of curiosity about the identity of Banksy. His well-worked hide-and-seek game is part of making money. In the past, Robert Del Naja of the UK band Massive Attack, has been identified as Banksy but he denies it. Of course thousands know, but it’s more lucrative not telling.

He’s out

Sealed sub seems beyond belief

His head emerges

He slides out

These pictures show a kid-sized submarine (more like a sardine can) that might be used to rescue boys from the flooded cave in Thailand. It was created by a team employed by Elon Musk.  Video

In Loblaws parking lot

About to leave

Bayview extension at Pottery Rd. stub

A demonstration by a handful of Pro Life young people carrying posters showing bloody scenes portraying abortion was held for about an hour on Bayview Ave south of Loblaws Monday morning. It drew the attention of numerous members of Leaside Community on Facebook and no doubt other drivers on Bayview. There were many types of complaints. One cyclist said he had to ring his bell for the demonstrators to clear the bike lane. Another post says the demonstration was drawn to the attention of Councillor Burnside’s office. “I am advised by someone at Jon Burnside’s office, who spoke to 53 Division, that the protesters are doing everything legal at this point and not breaking any laws as they are not impeding or disrupting traffic. Apparently they will be leaving within an hour,” said this post. The small group agreed to be photographed by The Bulldog as shown above.

Mid-morning Monday the total number of young people still trapped inside the cave in Thailand is five — that’s four minors and their 24 year old soccer coach.

A long and lively discussion about off-colour graffiti at Northlea Elementary and Middle School is taking place on Leaside Community. It has a couple of pictures of chalked up depictions of cartoon genitals. Parents are upset both by this defacement and also about noise, they say, late into the night. Someone says it seems relatively harmless but most believe some sort of instructive correction is in order. Many think there should be cameras installed. The first post is heavy with sarcasm as it speaks of how “the parents of the fine young men who vandalized the Northlea playground Friday night and last night (must be) super proud of their incredible artistic talents. Bravo. Future leaders every one of them.”

A woman who was poisoned by a military-grade nerve agent in southwest England died Sunday, eight days after police think she touched a contaminated item that has not been found. London’s Metropolitan Police force said the case had become a homicide investigation now that 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess had died in a hospital in Salisbury. She and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, 45, were admitted June 30 and remained in critical condition. CBC

• Costco Adds Healthier Items to Food Court, Cutting Some Favorites
• Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient wins Golden Man Booker Prize
• Justin Bieber engaged to model Hailey Baldwin: reports

These views were seen on Manor Rd. west of Cleveland Sunday. It’s a 1964 Studebaker Daytona convertible. Very nice. Car historians know that Studebaker Brothers started making horse drawn wagons in 1852. The last Studebakers (including this one) were made in Hamilton. The company closed in 1966. Those of a certain mind-set will find this orphan car video enjoyable.

Toronto police say one man on a bicycle struck a stationary car near St. George St and Prince Arthur Ave. Sunday morning. The 45-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries but is said to be recovering. .

Cyclist thrown through rear window of parked car

Four boys have now come out, say officials in the emergency operation in Northern Thailand but the remaining nine will have to stay inside for at least another night according to the BBC. Twitter bulletins

At Evergreen Brickworks

De La Mer

Storage and retail on Esandar

1 Kenrae Rd.

Work by Ann Van Mierlo

Hudson Drive

Upper left, colourful metal tables and chairs made in France have an eye-popping price but at the Evergreen Brickworks Nursery they say these babies move well to the Rosedale elite and their designers. Tables are $310 and chairs $168. If you take two chairs with a table the list value of $646 is cut to $600. At the right, hard-working Tyler was cooking up fish burgers and fish sausages at De La Mer, 1543 Bayview Ave. on Saturday. They were yummy. Centre left, work is pressing ahead at the storage facility and retail rental spaces on Esandar Drive opposite Longo’s. Some architectural features are showing but there is as yet no indication of the commercial tenants. At right, Marilyn Kenny and Ian Hallett’s well-known garden of distinction is a much-loved local space in east Leaside. Neighbors hope that the new owners of No. 1 Kenrae Rd. will continue the tradition now that the home is changing hands. Below that, the lady is relaxing right on Bayview Ave. that way at State of The Art Gallery. She is a work by artist Ann Van Mierlo. Finally at bottom, work is about to begin in earnest it seems on Hudson Drive in Moore Park where the three properties at 157, 153 and 151 will be home to a new 6,000 square foot residence.