The South Bayview Bulldog

Buenos Díaz, everybody. And have yourself a good evening, too. #Walkoff https://t.co/NFGyJwjV8A

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 8, 2018

• At long last, Ovechkin and Capitals are Stanley Cup champs

Kathleen Wynne has won the riding of Don Valley West over a strong opponent, Jon Kieran, as the PC Party forged to electoral victory in a landmark election. In tearful remarks Thursday night, Wynne resigned as Liberal leader. The Progressive Conservatives will have a majority that comes close to doubling opposition strength in the Legislature. The Liberal Party, in losing power after 15 years, has been reduced to seven seats, too few for recognized party status. The NDP proved a strong force in Midtown Toronto and across the City south of Eglinton Ave. It won both Toronto St. Paul’s and the new socially diverse riding of University Rosedale. The Liberals came second in both. UR in particular seemed like a replay of voting patterns in the old Toronto Centre.. The NDP won Toronto Centre, Toronto Danforth, Don Valley East and Davenport. The PCs won Don Valley North.

• CBC Election Coverage
• #ElectionsOntaro

Voters at the polling station in the gym of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School on Garfield Ave. saw their votes rapidly counted Thursday morning. Two grumbles about a preference for “paper ballots” were heard but in fact the marking of ballots remains as old-fashioned as time. An ink marker is provided to make an X on the traditional alphabetical list printed on white paper. A cardboard envelope permits confidentiality as the voter hands the ballot over to the counting machine operator. The machine latches into the ballet and pulls it into the counter. The printed portion is face down so no one can see how the vote was cast.

SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES

A report from Elections Ontario at midday revealed what were called technical issues at a handful of locations. According to a spokesperson, 99.57 percent of technology-enabled polls are up and running. It’s not known how many polls are represented by three percent. The process in such cases can fall back on hand counting if necessary. The CBC said there were reports of electronic vote tabulators not working, errors in electronic databases, internet connectivity outages, and staff who were not well versed in the new machines giving long explanations on how to use ballots. It said reports of such slowdowns were received from Toronto, Ottawa, London and Tillsonburg. CBC

Polls are open and will remain so until 9 p.m. in Ontario. Find time to vote. It is a terrible dereliction of civic duty to say none of the above deserves your vote. Some candidates may be unpalatable and many will be plain wrong. But the great process by which we remain free commands you to keep it working. All election leads.

Police marine personnel and EMS rescued and treated 16 people from the waters of Lake Ontario off Sunnyside Park Wednesday night when a dragon boat practice went wrong. The vessel capsized, throwing all on board into the chilly water. Paramedics say the boaters suffered minor hypothermia. The rowers were a pickup crew apparently brought together by a commercial dragon boat operation, As such, it was a challenge for police to make sure everyone was found and rescued. In the end, all  are accounted for and safe.

Marine Rescue: Sunnyside area
-all 16 boaters are accounted for#GO1027154
^ka

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 7, 2018

L’Avenue

Closed

Avenue Bistro, the successor to L’Avenue at 1568 Bayview Ave., has closed for good. The departure sees the end for now of a busy and well-liked place for a full French cuisine menu. Fattening but appetizing dishes like roasted bone marrow found a clientele. But the end began last year when L’Avenue’s founder Otta Zapotocki departed and his wife continued. Then a second owner (Avenue Bistro) was found and produced similar fare. The operation seemed busy and the management energetic. Recently however, signs have appeared that it was difficult to find personnel. On May 17, the City’s Dine Safe program issued a Conditional Pass to the establishment citing significant infractions. Soon after, patrons were turned away with a handwritten note on the door saying that the restaurant was under renovation. They never re-opened. 1568 Bayview is now available for rent. Fans of southern European cooking may like Florentia on Mt. Pleasant or go next door to Verdi.

There’s much excitement at CNN about “escaping traffic” as one of their reporters tries out an experimental machine that its makers hope will become like your Toyota. That’s fine, but there will be no escaping traffic when everyone has a “flying car” and the merest bumper bender will mean instant death as you crash to earth. Not to be morbid. Then, the FIFA World Cup begins in Russia this month and everyone is hoping it will make the world feel better about so many of the Kremlin’s thuggish flaws. Below, two videos from the artistic side of life. Enjoy

Earl Grey introduced election reforms

William Lyon Mackenzie fought for broader voting

Stalin: Laughed at “voting”

The post below appeared in the South Bayview Bulldog before the 2014 provincial election. It still applies: You may be certain that democracy’s great reformers, every single one of them from Lord Grey (Reform Act 1832) to Canadian rebel democrat William Lyon Mackenzie (Upper Canada Rebellion) would snort in derision at the idea that voters might actually go to the polls and elaborately refuse to cast their ballots. Only this cosseted and self-involved society could conceive of an idea so stupid, so arrogant. It’s the idea that those who are “unconvinced and unimpressed” should vote “none of the above.”  Really. This option raises fecklessness to a new level. Democracy isn’t about liking the people who are running or getting your issues all fulfilled on a platter. It isn’t about sulking because the political process isn’t neat. People died to create the democratic way. Stalin and Hitler laughed at “none of the above.”  Are you stamping your feet about the gas plants? Pouting because that silly Tim Hudak can’t count? Well suck it up baby. Get busy and meet the candidates. Maybe you want to vote for a one-issue candidate. Fine. That can be your protest. After the election, you’ll have the right to complain. “None of the above” is the first turn on the road to Hell.

CTV News reports that the Zakki family of Toronto, wife, husband and two young children, have been cut off by the TD Bank. CTV says Saadia Zakki was saying that the bank arbitrarily and without explanation cancelled all accounts, investments and credit cards. They have been with TD for 10 years and say their accounts were in good standing. CTV quotes a law firm bulletin of 2011 that banks are required to close accounts if they suspect fraudulent activity or ties to terrorism. But in other cases, the reasons are not as clear. It does not explain further. Nor does CTV take up with the Zakki family the ominous reasons cited in the legal bulletin it quotes. Saadia Zakki says she has no idea why TD took the action it did. CTV

Cause of tariffs on steel and aluminium?

Battle of York prompted British retaliation

CNN and other US media are saying that Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau had a testy phone call on May 25 over new tariffs imposed by the US on steel and aluminum imports. Trump has used the improbable excuse for this penalty that Canada is a security threat to the US. CNN says Trudeau pressed Trump on this position and Trump is said to have quipped: “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?” referring to the War of 1812. Apart from the elapsed time (205 years) this 1813 attack occurred during the aftermath of the Revolutionary War and was in retaliation for an American attack on York (now Toronto) then a British outpost in Upper Canada, established in 1791.

Anna Postill wins STEM scholarship to UNB (Twitter @DiscoverUNB)

Flowers at Passion Fruit

Creeds has “factory houses” exhibit

Banff Rd. Street Sale Saturday

Going to market/Parkside Elementary School

Leaside and Presteign United Church birthday

Coming July 14

Upper left, Leaside High graduate Anna Postill has reason to smile as she looks forward to her first year at New Brunswick University. Anna earned a Schulich Leader Scholarship in Engineering at UNB. Hat’s off to you Anna. Upper right, celebratory flowers on Bayview Ave. at Passion Fruit. Centre left is the scene at Creeds, 1595 Bayview, where the exhibit of architectural portraits of the so-called factory homes built by Canada Wire and Cable Company will reside until June 11. The pictures are illuminated in the wall screens that are a permanent fixture at Creeds. The exhibit is created by Leaside Matters, in association with architectural photographer Vik Pahwa. Beside that, a reminder of the enduring Banff Rd. Street Sale this Saturday. They really get into it over there. Further down on the left, a charming picture of Room Six kids at Parkside Elementary School on an excursion to the East York Farmers Market Tuesday. It’s weekly in the summer at 850 Coxwell Ave. Lower left, a reminder of this weekend’s celebration at Leaside United Church on the first anniversary of its amalgamation with Presteign-Woodbine United Church. Looks like fun. Finally, at right is the first word of the Bayview-Leaside BIA Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 14. South Bayview Bulletin Board

Nicky Ward

Gretchen Carlson

Candace Bergen

Left, the face of Nicky Ward, LGBTQ advocate who feels the police were less than candid last year when they said they had no evidence of a serial killer. Nicky makes the cop’s job sound so simple. At centre is Gretchen Carlson, Miss America 1989 and former Fox News personality. Today she’s the new boss of the Miss America Pageant. Her first act was to end the swimsuit competition. Then at the right, Candace Bergen, older and no doubt funny as ever. She will reprise her enormously popular portrayal of Murphy Brown on CBS this fall. Wags are saying she will be much better on Twitter than Roseanne Barr.