The South Bayview Bulldog

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!”

The Don Valley Parkway will remain open during the Friday evening rush hour, the City says. “Currently, precipitation is not as intense as had been predicted,” reads a news release. “Should conditions worsen, a closure could still be necessary.”

The Toronto Star had six reporters working on the dispiriting story of Bombardier’s ten-year failure to adequately design and deliver streetcars for Toronto. The current assessment seems to be that though they made an incredible mess of this job, we may yet see the streetcars delivered 2019. TTC chair Colle says he will believe when he sees it

Councillor Carmichael Greb (Ward 16) has mass-mailed information about the Avenue Road Study. As some no doubt know, it envisages among other things a Business Improvement Area north of Lawrence Ave. to feature the Upper Avenue branding. A Business Improvement Area (BIA) steering committee has been established and is working towards establishing a BIA on Avenue Road.  In 2010 a total of 29 “Upper Avenue” branded street name signs were made and installed along Avenue Road from Lawrence Avenue West to Wilson Avenue. The majority of old street name signs remained intact, creating a mix of both old and new signage along the Avenue. In 2016 Council approved the release of Section 37 Funds to complete the installation of ‘The Upper Avenue’ street signs on Avenue Road between Lawrence Avenue West and Wilson Avenue  Avenue Road Study Status Report

Snow Leopard by Paule Legace

Sketch by Ann VanMierlo

Recent arrivals at State of the Art Gallery, 1581A Bayview Ave. Nice for Spring re-decorating.

China has test-flown its first passenger jet, the C919. No doubt a source of national pride and future business, the C919 includes many parts made by US and other foreign firms. As usual, the Chinese are flexible when it comes to business. Next, a St. Clair Ave West restaurant, Emma’s Country Kitchen, will begin asking customers if they’d like to pay three percent of their bill towards health care for the staff. Patrons seem agreeable but feel they’d rather not be asked. Decisions, decisions. And finally, a well-done and quite chilling report from the BBC about a frightening young man who wanted to set off a bomb in the London subway as a “prank.”

Michael Rusek on the East York Historical Society Facebook account talks to Stephen Wickens about his tenth annual “Death and Life of a Great Canadian Street” Jane’s Walk Saturday, May 6, 2017 starting at 10 am. For the uninitiated, this would be Danforth Avenue. Everyone is invited to bring an umbrella and join Mr. Wickens as he highlights some of the fascinating history of this stretch of the Danforth. The tour starts at 2301 Danforth Avenue (near Oak Park) and runs west before ending at the Linsmore Hotel for a beer or two and a continuation of the discussion.