The South Bayview Bulldog

Love those smiles

The government has released specifics of where masks will still be required Monday even after the burdensome Covid requirement heads officially into history. The most widespread continuation will be on the TCC and in taxis and Uber. As well, most health care settings, long-term care and retirement homes, shelters and jails will still require masks. Otherwise, many people will look forward to shopping without a mask. An interesting business angle as masks are discarded is the mask manufacturing business. During the pandemic, it blossomed into both a gigantic mass-production industry as well as countless boutique firms.

White House backroom boys must have had a snicker or two when President Xi of China told Joe Biden that sanctions against China would only hurt people. No doubt the bombs and rockets now raining down on Ukraine are doing the same. The two men talked for two hours Friday. They are said to have agreed that peace in that democratic country would be a good thing. In the meantime, civilian men in Odessa are learning how to shoot at Russians.

Cloudy water

Recurring cloudy water is the subject of a long series of comments at Leslieville Facebook. It’s something seen across the City from time to time and apparently harmless but it seems useful to report it just in case. FB

Summerhill Market intends to carry on with a new online presentation after the firm was ransom-hacked by jerks in Chicago of all places. Typical of self-satisfied Internet criminals, the hackers presented their demand in a cutesy yet derisive way. “Oh dear,” they chirp. “We have your Instagram account and we will give it back for $600”. In fact, the grocer paid the $600 but was then told to pay another $400. It refused and will simply abandon the hacked site replacing it with a new one.

To our loyal #toronto #foodie community, we appreciate any support in helping us to rebuild our following. Tons of exciting things coming up! #foodto #grocery #torontofood https://t.co/SikMqhGZxw

— Summerhill Market (@summerhillmkt) March 18, 2022

A woman pedestrian aged 78 has been struck by a vehicle and badly injured on the western stretch of Thorncliffe Park Drive east of Overlea Blvd Wednesday evening at about 7.30. The circumstances as outlined are unclear. The driver, 22, remained at the scene. Police are asking residents, businesses and drivers, who may have security or dash-camera footage of the area or incident, to contact investigators.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Bike lanes on Yonge

Goodbye Pagnello

Two-garage home on Bessborough

Touch Football

It’s that remarkable Irish-related day that makes the Scots wonder why the world doesn’t want to join the parade on St. Andrew’s Day. Seriously, best wishes and good luck to all on St. Patrick’s Day. Then, at the upper right, the distinct slowdown in traffic on Yonge St since the beginning of the Davisville bike lane trial is causing a lot of people to plead for its end. Below that, an era has passed and a bit of lovely glamour has gone from Bayview Ave with the closure of Pagnello’s Antiques. Lower right, a reminder from First Touch Football with teams all across the City about its Spring Showdown. Great fun for boys and girls. Lastly, a good-looking two-car garage house going up on Bessborough Drive. There are lots of new homes in Leaside but not too many with two garages.

Vladimir Putin has delivered a nasty and threatening attack on Russians who dare to say that his war on a democratic neighbour is wrong. Among the many Putin epithets for dissenters were “bastards” and “scum”. He vowed a “cleansing” of the country to eliminate such dissent. This as US and UK intelligence insists that the Russian army’s attack on Ukraine has stalled.

The federal and provincial governments will pump some $260 million into an update of the Ontario Alliston Honda plant to help it pivot to produce hybrid-electric vehicles. Honda Canada will spend around $1.4 billion to upgrade and retool the plant, including a grant of $131.6 million from the provincial government. It’s the second-largest car manufacturer in Canada and it produces the Honda Civic and the CR-V, with the capacity to complete more than 400,000 vehicles per year and 190,000 engines. The Alliston plant employs some 4,200 people. There are no German cars manufactured in Ontario, incidentally.

Leaside Heritage Preservation Society gets its own beer

LHPS beer

Ann Brown writes to announce an important gathering Sunday, April 10 at which Amsterdam Brewery will inaugurate a beer named for the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society. And everyone is invited to the Amsterdam Brewery at 45 Esander Drive from 2 to 4 p.m. to help celebrate the official launch of this unique “Heritage” beer. They’ll share stories of growing up and living in one of Canada’s most attractive and historic communities and enjoy free entertainment, trivia. nostalgia contests and complimentary appetizers. Take home an LHPS six-pack for your family or friends for each $20 donation you make to the society.

Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children says it is expecting to receive as many as five young cancer patients from Ukraine within the next few days. They may arrive as soon as Thursday. Meanwhile, the courageous leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia say they will visit the besieged Ukrainian capital of Kyiv Tuesday.

Reporter denounces war on Russian TV

And here’s the bravest journalist in Russia. Marina Ovsyannikova stormed onto a live broadcast to call out the Kremlin’s version of the war. She cried “stop the war. No to war”. She also made a pre-recorded video statement below.

Wildcats Under18BB (Gross) gold medal winners

The happy memories of the 2022 Wildcats March Madness Hockey Tournament will no doubt last a lifetime for these girls of the Wildcats Under18BB team. They won gold in a thrilling shootout. Their coach is Steve Gross. Below we see them again with helmets, equipment and those essential coaches as well.

Wildcats Under18BB (Gross)

Down below another great gang. They’re the silver medal-winning Wildcats Under15A team.