The South Bayview Bulldog

It’s been announced that ABBA has made a number of new recordings to apparently go with Avatars. “ABBA Avatar” they’re callng it. Mama Mia. Then, inside the strange world of men who commiserate in a form of club because they don’t find it easy, or possible, to persuade a woman to, you know. Rejection in Spades. Beneath that, Donald Trump flatters Angela Merkel and then says the US will not “be played” by the North Koreans. Hope not. And finally, Tom Brokaw is accused of trying to kiss a young employee of NBC News some 30 years ago. He denies it but either way he can’t lose hos job because he’s already retired.

Trading has halted on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Montreal Exchange because of an unexplained breakdown of some form. The TMX Group said that it has deicided to close the markets for “the remainder of the day” as a result of the outage. This stoppage occurred sometime around 2 p.m.

UPDATE 3 – Please be aware that all TMX markets continue to experience issues. We apologize for the inconvenience. Further updates will be provided.

— TMX Group (@TMXGroup) April 27, 2018

Wildcats Mackenzie Lloyd (18) and Mackenzie MacDonald (87) jump for joy during a high moment in season play/Leaside Wildcats

Leaside Jr. Wildcats Coach Kim McCullough has recalled the Dancing Mackenzies on Twitter to announce this year’s Leaside Skills Fundraiser on Saturday May 5 at the gardens. It is a chance for Leaside tyke, novice, atom and peewee girls (house-league and rep) to learn what it takes to get to the next level. Have a look  Below from left, community stalwart Gene Domagala looks properly honoured with the newly-named laneway marking his many years of selfless work. The lane runs north of Swanwick Ave. Centre is the logo of the much mourned cobbler’s shop at 214 Laird where locals found excellent work for a reasonable price. It is now closed. Millwood Shoe Repair seems like a good option. And the East York Barbershoppers annual auction goes this evening. Sadly there’s no singing attached to this event. See all local dates at the South Bayview Bulletin Board.

Gene Domagala honoured/Tanveer Shahnawaz @Tanveer95_

Leaside Cobbler now closed

Barbershoppers auction

It is a common enough theme heard in diverse Toronto. The primacy of equity in education. In the case of a report from Carol Campbell, a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, the goal would apparently be to eliminate the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) tests for Grade 3 and Grade 9 students. It also recommends an overhaul of the standardized Grade 6 test and an end to the literacy test Grade 10 students need to pass in order to graduate, replacing it with another test that would not be a diploma requirement. Some find it worrying. CBC

#UPDATE: @Toronto_Fire continue to battle a three-alarm blaze on Queen Street East near Sumach Street which has engulfed a two-storey townhouse. https://t.co/pH53mMm9Zw pic.twitter.com/kZTY5Gequl

— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) April 27, 2018

A raging fire in an old home at Queen St. E and Sumach Street has been contained by the Toronto Fire Service Thursday night. Chief Matthew Pegg said a quick search of the building offered “no indication” that anyone was inside. One firefighter was treated for a leg injury. The premises in question are 481 and 479 Queen East, housing Savoury Grounds Cafe and Space, a furniture store, as seen below.

The old news axiom is that headlines ending in a question mark are always answered by “No.” This might well apply to the breathlessly posed query: Will North Korea really give up nuclear weapons? The odious little tyrant Kim Jong-un, totally unfit to rule anything, wants the world to guarantee he and his family perpetual control over the tiny kingdom. What do you think? The answer would seem to be no.

• Pompeo sworn in as Secretary of State
• Toddler dead after falling into septic tank near Calgary
• Police officer in ‘revenge porn’ case sues over distribution of intimate images

Posters from the South Bayview Bulletin Board reveal a busy weekend. Check all other posters.

PC leader Doug Ford says that if elected premier in June he will call a commission of inquiry into government spending. He has already promised to perform an audit on Ontario finances. Mr. Ford said he the accuracy of Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s report, but he does not believe it gives a complete picture of government spending and accounting practices.

The practical transformation of the automobile into the SUV is official. Ford will drop all its car models except the Mustang. Then, there’s persistent E Coli illness in the US traced to romaine lettuce grown in Arizona. Here in Canada, the Food inspection Agency says there’s no such outbreak and no cause for it to issue a warning. Below, the CBC reviews the hi-jacking of the Humboldt tragedy for pure profit. And finally, a man who is both adored and reviled in Canada, David Suzuki, is at the centre of a storm in Alberta.

Trap set for Luna, but neighbor objects

The search continues in North Leaside for Luna, a probably-pregnant tabby who strayed from home about a week ago. Its owner is saying on Facebook that a trap has been set on Thursfield Crescent at the spot where she is seen every day. A kind homeowner, of whom there seem to be many, has allowed the trap in his backyard. But incredibly, there is a neighbor threatening to call police because the owner is sitting in her car on the street to monitor events with the trap. Unbelievable. One reader says Luna’s owner should buy the person a Tim’s card and thank her for her understanding. Luna’s owner says she needs to be so close to the trap in case it shuts. Luna might injure herself. Most of the time her partner is in the car during the night and early morning because those are the times Luna is out. She asks for any help with alternate parking. During the day Luna hangs out between 37 and 47 Brentcliffe. Leaside Community

The Boston Bruins earned a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in a wild Game 7 on Wednesday evening, clinching the series win and setting up a second-round meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The City of Toronto has issued a media release announcing that they will host a #TorontoStrong Vigil this Sunday evening at Mel Lastman Square. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and support all those who have been affected by Monday’s tragedy in Toronto.

Mel Lastman Square (Source: Green Lotus/Facebook)

Date: Sunday, April 29
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.

This City-hosted vigil, organized in collaboration with community groups Faith in the City and the Toronto Area Interfaith Council, will be an interfaith demonstration of Toronto’s diverse communities as well as a display of the city’s resiliency. Additional details, including how residents and faith groups can participate, as well as the expected vigil program, will be posted on the following web page as they become available: http://ow.ly/eYEH30jFJQ9.

Members of the public are encouraged to ride public transit to the #TorontoStrong Vigil as road closures may be in effect in the area. More information about Faith in the City is available at https://www.faithinthecity.ca/. More information about the Toronto Area Interfaith Council is available at https://www.taic.ca/about-us. Residents and the public can also contribute to the #TorontoStrong fund which will support victims and their families, first responders and those affected by the trauma, through organizations including Victim Services Toronto and other supporting partner organizations. To learn more about the #TorontoStrong fund and to contribute visit http://www.torontofoundation.ca/torontostrong/.