The South Bayview Bulldog

Passengers stranded on a bus on Warden Ave near Eglinton Ave Saturday night were finally able to leave the vehicle after power lines were disconnected and removed from the bus. The mishap occurred when a Jeep struck a pole outside a strip mall on Warden leaving the post hanging from wires above and other live  wires on the ground. There was a brief local power outage.

Held for questioning

Drew De Voursney

Francesca Matus

Belize police say they are holding Canadian John DeShaies, 54, for questioning in the deaths of Francesca Matus and her boyfriend Drew DeVoursney last week. DeShaies was a tenant of Matus, living in the basement of the Matus seaside home in Corozal, Belize. There is a second suspect who has not been named. DeShaies is described as the “best friend” of Francesca Matus. The information raises challenges of motive and capacity. A family friend who spoke to the Toronto Sun defended Deshaies, saying: “It’s a terrible misunderstanding. Francesca was his best friend. He’s a really good guy.” DeShaies is a construction company owner in Canada but is also said to have been in Belsize for about three years..

Too good

First location

Gelato

Simryn Fenby, chocolate maker

Avoca Chocolates will open in June at 850 Millwood Rd. at Rumsey Rd., the corner store beside Trace Manes Park. The successful business sells hand-made chocolates, ice cream and gelato. It has been operating at 176 Hampton Ave. beside the Second Cup on the corner of Danforth Ave since 2015. The new space was previously occupied by Today’s Menu which has now moved one door east on Millwood. Avoca Chocolates is run by a mother and daughter team who make the products on the premises. Simryn Fenby told The South Bayview Bulldog that she and her mother will add coffee to their offerings and have sitting for those who wish to stay a while. “We can’t serve coffee here because we’re beside Second Cup,” she said. The confectionery has had rave reviews on the Danforth and Ms Fenby, who spent much of her youth in Leaside, is hoping the second Avoca Chocolates will be similarly received.

Paul Hickey and Lisa Barton

Selection of snacks

Frozen entres

New home at 852 Millwood

Paul Hickey and his wife Lisa Barton have been making meals for busy Midtown residents for 15 years. Now they have expanded to a larger store at 852 Millwood Road. It’s right next door to the smaller shop they had since 2012 on the corner of Rumsey. Paul and Lisa have a wide stock of their prepared gourmet meals for pickup or delivery. They specialize in family meals, new family meals and vegetarian meals. Drop in and try the fresh bread and soup. Today’s Menu

Starbucks will expand its loyalty rewards program at grocery stores to include more products, as it seeks to win more customers amid a soft retail and restaurant environment in the United States. The coffee chain’s move to more than triple the number of products it sells under the rewards program comes following customer backlash after Starbucks overhauled an existing program last year. BNN

May 6 – LUC *Furniture Only* Awesome Sale!
May 6 – Bamboo Bay Open House
May 6 – Jane’s Walk – Davisville Village Walk
May 7 – Jane’s Walk – Leaside: A Garden City Revealed
May 7 – Blessing of the Bicycles 12.45 LUC

Of course it can rain in June too, but these happy volunteers in the group selfie above are counting on good weather as they organize their annual Bells On Danforth ride in June. Good luck guys. Is “group selfie” a contradiction in terms?

There are scheduled celebrations that will close roads around town Saturday and Sunday as well as the closure of the Allen Road from Sheppard down to Eglinton Ave. West.

Lawyer Jonathon Rosenthall says it’s only a matter of when, not if, a delusional man just released on week-long leaves from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) attacks his client again. The man, Bartosz Gajewski, did just that in 2009 when he was employed by designer Katherine Newman. Gajewski has been diagnosed with persecutory delusional disorder. Ms. Newman is said to be terrified. The Ontario Court of Appeal has turned down her request to deny the leaves and also refused her access to the license number of Gajewski’s car citing privacy reasons.

Millwood Shoe Repair

New owner, Ramin, renovating his space

Marking the end of an era as Millwood Shoe repair gets a facelift

Out with the old

Bulldog Co-Publisher Sue Byford with Mac Racioppo on his last day at the shop

Since announcing that “Mac” would retire from Millwood Shoe Repair and Skate Exchange, Ramin and his wife have taken over as the new owner operators.  If you poke your head in the front door you will see Ramin wielding a hammer or drill embarking on the demo and removal of the old fixtures and antique shoe repair machines.  He hopes to have the shiny new equipment and decor ready soon so that he can make your shoes look shiny and new!  We are very happy as another family business joins the South Bayview shopping strip and The Bulldog wishes them the best in their endeavors!

A St. Louis jury has awarded a Virginia woman $110.5 million US in the latest lawsuit alleging that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused cancer. Lois Slemp, 62, of Wise, Virginia, made the claim, one of 2,400 such cases, which J&J has defended against and which it continues to appeal. Ads appealing for women to seek legal aid suggest there is big money to be had. A number of cases have been thrown out. There is apparently only thin evidence the soft-mineral product can, over time, find its way into the body and damage the genitals. Talcum powder has been widely used in cosmetics and other personal care products to absorb moisture since at least 1894, when Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder was launched. But it’s mainly used in a variety of other products, including paint and plastics. Most research has found no link or a weak one between ovarian cancer and using baby powder for feminine hygiene. Most major health groups have declared talc harmless. Still, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies genital use of talc as “possibly carcinogenic.”

A message from the McSorley’s BigWigs, “We are pleased to announce our customer appreciation party will be taking place Friday May 5th between 3-5pm. Join us for live music from Shawn Brady, some drinks, some apps & all around great time. During the evening our favorite magician Chris Westfall will be making an encore appearance from his usual Wednesday night magic show to wow all of you between 6:30-8:30pm.  If you can please join us. We really want to thank all of you for making this one of the best bars in Toronto for over 25 years!”