The South Bayview Bulldog

Anyone who has been offended by radio ads telling him how the Ontario government is saving money on his hydro bill may wish to know that the whole campaign is scheduled to cost $5.5 over two years ending December 2018. It is also advertising which in another world — before the Liberals changed the rules — would not have been allowed on the public nickel because it is deemed partisan by the auditor general. Canadian Press says this comes from a freedom of information request by the New Democrats. It shows that $1.2 million had been spent as of March 31 and that the total budget is over two years. The cost of energy has skyrocketed in recent years attributable to green energy programs (turbines etc) which have not replaced conventional energy and cancelled projects like the notorious 2010 election-eve shutdown of gas plants.

Justin Trudeau is urging Canadian small-and medium-sized businesses to look to business in China. Trudeau spoke at a Toronto conference organized by Chinese online sales marketer Alibaba called Gateway 17. Alibaba is often said to be more powerful than Amazon. And with the total cancellation of the NAFTA agreement still on the US table, Trudeau seems to be urgently seeking alternatives. Alibaba says 3,600 Canadian companies signed up to attend the event. It is pitching Canadian businesses on accessing the growing middle class in China and the more than 460 million active consumers that use its e-commerce platform annually. Canadian brands already using Alibaba to sell to consumers and businesses in China include Aldo Shoes, Ocean Spray Cranberries and Clearwater Seafood.

Anthony Weiner has been sentenced to 21 months in jail for his compulsive sexting and dirty email behaviour, a habit that has reduced him to total disgrace. In Germany, the right-wing party that has won third place in the new Bundestag has seen an important leader quit the party to sit as an independent. Then, Japan’s tough prime minister Abe has called a snap election on the wings of his strengthened popularity in standing up to North Korea. Finally, a lovely story locally where a Muslim woman has been given a gift of hijab-clad dolls from someone who says she is not a Muslim.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walked hand-in-hand into Nathan Phillips Square Monday shortly before 2 p.m. to watch Invictus Games tennis. It is said to be the first time the two have been seen in public. Meghan, who lives in Toronto, was wearing fashionably suitable torn jeans as she and the prince surprised crowds on Queen St. West.

UPDATE: OPP Sgt Kerry Schmidt says the motorcyclist killed on the Burlington Skyway was a 51-year-old woman from Hamilton pic.twitter.com/WPYvyMAucO

— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) September 25, 2017

EARLIER STORY

2018 Leaside Junior Wildcats

Jason Balgopal

Davisville pride

Northlea blessing

Blood clinic October 4

The 2018 Leaside Junior Wildcats will show several new faces along with just five veterans as they hit home ice Wednesday against the Whitby Wolves. The puck drops at 8.55 p.m. Below left, hearty congratulations to Jason Balgopal on his induction Sunday as 2017 Beach Citizen of the Year. Mr. Balgopal is a tireless community worker and member of many local groups. He was chosen by a committee of past recipients and organizations including Community Centre 55 and the Toronto Beaches Lions Club. Then, hope you didn’t miss the locally-woven toques showing Davisville pride at the Mt. Pleasant BIA Harvest Fair Sunday. They’re distributed by Tuck Shop Trading Co. Moving on, they blessed the animals at Northlea United Church Sunday.  St. Cuthbert’s Anglican on Bayview will do it Saturday, September 30. Finally, please plan to give blood at the Leaside clinic this fall. The vital public duty for those who are able may be discharged at Northlea School on the afternoon of October 4.

Environment Canada is predicting hot and humid conditions will continue Monday and Tuesday with a possible break Wednesday when a cold front is expected to move across Southern Ontario.  Mostly sunny skies will allow daytime temperatures to reach the low thirties, with humidex values approaching forty again today. Weather Network

Romantic shopping by phone light at Sobey’s on Broadview/Hayden Watters Twitter

A power outage affecting the area bounded by O’Connor, Broadview, Danforth and Donlands has been repaired and power is back on Hydro says. During the blackout Hayden Watters tweeted a picture of shoppers going about their business by iPhone light at Sobey’s on Broadview. The cash was still powered. CBC

East end update: Power is restored. Root issue was discovered with a padmount transformer (green box) near Evergreen Brickworks. 1/2

— Toronto Hydro (@TorontoHydro) September 25, 2017

It’s not uncommon for police to be sent on false calls but in a case Sunday they have spoken to the man who says he was chased by another man in possession of a chainsaw. The details are not known beyond this except that police have found no chainsaw. The  geography at this crossing places Sherbourne St on a bridge many dozens of feet above Rosedale Valley Rd.

PERSON W A CHAINSAW
Sherbourne & Rosedale Valley Rd, report a man chasing someone with chainsaw, no injuries reported, police #GO1736048 ^cb

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) September 24, 2017

Patrick Rocca, Denise Leslie and Andy Elder

Pumpkin Alley at Longo’s

Leafs wave to Atom Wildcats

Last week’s sold-out Leaside Smokedown music and dinner evening at Amsterdam Brewery on Esandar Drive generated $35,000 for the New Circles charity at 161 Bartley Drive just off Bermondsey Road. It is known best for its GLOW (Gently Loved Outfits to Wear) program. GLOW is Toronto’s largest clothing bank, offering clean, contemporary clothing in a retail-style setting. Seen above are Smokedown sponsors Patrick Rocca, jazz singer Denise Leslie and Smokedown originator Andy Elder of the Grilltime meat shop on Laird Drive. This Smokedown was jazz themed with Ms  Leslie and her quartet providing the music. To the right, a shot of Pumpkin Alley at Longo’s on Laird Drive and below that some Leaside Atom Wildcats crowd the door at the MasterCard Centre in Etobicoke where it is said the Leafs waved back during practice.

l to r Ray White, Claire Jordan, Sarah Jordan, Mayor Tory

Premier and friends

“Canstruction” can beat hunger

With Mr. White to cut cake Sarah (l) and sister Claire

l to r Sarah, mom Lynda DeBono, Claire and Councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 22)

CTV was present

Chickpeas build a wall

MP Rob Oliphant and friend

Happy attendees

Andy Elder catered the day

Leaside Memorial Community Arena was the scene of ceremonies to mark its 65 anniversary as well as the tenth anniversary of the neighborhood food drive started by Sarah and Claire Jordan. It kicked off again this month  Ray White, Chairman of the arena board spoke and introduced political and civilian figures. The young sisters whose names are emblematic of an annual collection of food both spoke. They recalled an after dinner conversation Sarah had with mother Lynda DeBono about people very nearby who did not have enough. Sarah was touched and inspired to collect food for less those less fortunate than herself. An engaging “canstruction” in the Lea Room was the wall of canned chickpeas donated by Tufts Valu-Mart on Bayview Ave. The cans could be purchased for a contribution to the drive. The structure spelled the word Hunger, as shown above.

An ammonia leak at a food preparation plant on Evans Ave. in Etobicoke has sent two people to hospital Sunday, one of whom is a  man who is said to have had trouble breathing. The site is on Evans between Kipling Ave. and Bellman Ave. TFS personnel evacuated three homes and some businesses as well as the TTC Queensway yard.