The South Bayview Bulldog

There is relief and gratitude in the South Bayview home of the Rethnazy family Thursday night after an anonymous person returned an envelope to the residence mailbox. The envelope had been misplaced during errands to Shoppers Drug Mart, Best Way Cleaners and CIBC. It contained Nathalie Rethnazy’s daughter’s report card “as well as tons of personal information.” Irreplaceable. It was feared stolen but a soul so typically decent of this area returned it without waiting for a thank you. Nathalie is begging whoever it is to please send mail so she can make proper thanks. On Leaside Community Facebook page she writes: “THANK YOU…and also thanks to everyone who called/PMd me today-what an amazing neighbourhood we live in….thank you so much.”  We say amen.

The plan to modernize the Toronto Police Service was passed by the police board Thursday amid expressions of optimism by the current mayor and angry criticism from former mayor John Sewell. The plan seems to be largely a mystery to people at large. The current intention to merge police divisions has focussed more on 54 and 55 Divisions and less on 53 Division. Why these areas have become issues is also lost on many. There is certainly less crime in east-central Midtown. The thrust to move officers to areas of higher crime is contentious with the rank and file. It has brought ferocious opposition from the police union. Former mayor Sewell was deeply doubtful that the plan would ever be implemented. The hoped for reform has its origins in the cost of policing Toronto.

PRIDE PARADE

Also this week, Chief Saunders has said that the Pride Toronto organisation is behind in its plans for security at the annual parade through downtown in June. It is an enormous event drawing people from across the continent. The police are duty-bound by the Police Services Act of Ontario to make provision for the public safety in such circumstances.  At the same time, the current atmosphere at Pride is that the police are not wanted in the parade. Black Lives Matters presumes to speak for Pride. They say the police make them feel threatened  It is a nice state of affairs.

Reported seen in cemetery

Nice east of Laird too

Weather Network summary

Toronto has seen a record February 23 as the temperature reached 15.1 C at Pearson at 11 a.m.  It shot up all the way to 18 C as the day progressed. The previous record for February 23 was 14.9 C in 1984 and the average daytime high on that day is only -0.1 C. Winter hangs on however and more seasonal temperatures will arrive Friday with a high of 4 C. Saturday is looking good with a predicted high of 12 C. The re-appearance of Robins, as seen in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery by local residents, is a clear sign of Spring is closer than normal.

Contestants, judges and friends

Contestants, judges and friends at the Agnes Macphail public speaking contest at East York Civic Centre on Coxwell Ave Wednesday night.

Weather Network hints at record

Fine Thursday, February 23, 2017

CBC  Weather Network 

Storm Doris brought 90 mph winds to the UK Thursday morning and snow to Scotland. The storm was a so-called a ‘weather bomb’ -– a term which is becoming increasingly common currency in Britain. So, what exactly IS a weather bomb? The phenomenon is also known as “explosive cyclogenesis” — an American term to describe a rapid fall in the central pressure of a storm system. Anyway, you don’t want to be in it.

Exterior covering at last

Bayview and Merton

Last July

The all-steel construction four-plex which has sat unfinished at Merton St and Bayview Ave for more than six months is finally getting its exterior finish.

Blown tires in streetcar tunnel

A man drove his car into the Union Station underground streetcar loop off Queen’s Quay overnight. The vehicle was apparently still on the tracks at rush hour causing the usual chaos when streetcars are disrupted. It is a fairly obvious choice for motorists not to enter the tunnel but at 4.30 a.m. with whatever stresses this gentleman may have been suffering, it can happen. Someone did it last April. The driver has received a $425 fine for entering the tunnel.

BODY RECOVERED

A woman’s body has been recovered from a pond in Chinguacousy Park in Brampton. This occurred Wednesday. Police have not released the name or age of the victim but have indicated no foul play was involved.  They add the victim was not properly dressed for the weather

It’s coming. The mass invasion of girls from across North America and beyond into little Leaside for the Toronto Wildcats 38th annual March Madness Tournament. The dates are Friday to Sunday, March 10 to 12, 2017.  There were 146 teams last year and the organizers are hoping to break that record. Because March Madness is an open event its always possible some teams will be turned away.

Kids like Cara Smith (2015) of the Oakville Hornets will invade Leaside

The Progressive Conservative Constituency Association for the Ontario riding of Don Valley West will hold an all-candidates meeting for those seeking the PC nomination in the 2018 general election.  It will be held at Cork’s upstairs at Longo’s at Laird Dr. and Esandar Dr. on Sunday, February 26 starting at 9.30 a.m. with registration. The association is asking for a $10 admission from non-members.

NASA has announced stunning news that its space probes have found seven planets previously unknown at least three of which seem entirely habitable by humans. They are said to be “near” but just how many light years that means is not stated precisely. Critically they are green (looking) and thought to be very likely to have surface water, just like you-know-where. Back on earth, fascinating details on the assassination of Kim Jung-un’s brother Kim Jong Nam are coming out in Malaysia. Police there also say that someone tried to break into the morgue where Nam’s body is being guarded, presumably to steal and destroy it. Below that, left to right, a weird looking but functioning Russian “drone bicycle” and the case of a US brain surgeon who botched 32 surgeries in 18 months and most horrifyingly did it on purpose.