Sobey’s Q2 profit falls 70% in aftermath of Safeway deal

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The grocery horror story known as Sobey’s just seems to get worse. Q2 profit has slumped 70 percent. It is clearly related to the misbegotten $5.8 billion purchase of the Safeway chain in western Canada in 2013. Did the U.S. sellers of Safeway know just how difficult it would be for Sobey’s to integrate Safeway into its computer system? Sobey’s sure didn’t. A 2015 story makes it sound like Safeway was staffed by nitwits who couldn’t figure out how to use a computer. Probably not fair. But that was the original explanation for why customers had fled Safeway after the takeover. Sobey’s parent, Empire Company of Stellarton Nova Scotia, now says it needs consultants to figure out to make the place profitable. Ouch.

Sobey’s cash falls $14.3 million as staff flubs software

Sobey’s parents takes stunning 1.3 bln charge on Safeway

Snowbound City girds for another kick this afternoon

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Saturday’s forecast promises several more cms of snow and some rain as well. Hang in friends. Here’s the early Saturday forecast from Environment Canada: “A significant snowfall is underway as a Colorado low treks towards Southern Ontario. Periods of snow will continue early this morning (Saturday) before becoming lighter later this morning. Total snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 centimetres are likely with a few locales receiving 10 to possibly 15 cm. A risk of some light freezing rain is possible this afternoon as well. It will also likely change to some light rain late this afternoon for regions closer to Lake Ontario. The mixed precipitation will then change back to some snow tonight as colder Arctic air returns. An additional couple more centimetres of snow are possible by Sunday morning.” Below, Bayview and Eglinton.

“Bull moose car wash” is a unique Canadian experience

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It or may not be sensible eating if you’re a big bull moose in Canada’s Rockies west of Edmonton, but these great creatures love  their road salt. And now it seems motorists are taking advantage of the delights of this fact, natural and automotive, to have their cars “cleaned” by moose. Unbelievable as it is,  you read it in The Bulldog. (With thanks to CTV Edmonton).

LCBO grants license to nail, pedicure salon Ten Spot

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The manicure service known as The Ten Spot on Bayview Ave.has been granted a LCBO permit to serve beer and wine. The precise terms of such service are a little vague to many people but the appeal of selling a customer a drink while other retail business goes on beside it is clear. A number of women have commented on the Bulldog Facebook page about the prospect of enjoying “LCBO goodies” with one’s nail job. Some 773 people have read the story just on Facebook alone. There is a current of surprise in the comments, which can read here. It seems probable that many retailers might wish to sell alcoholic beverage by the glass as part of their main business whether it be the tailoring trade, real estate or home accessories.

Boy, 12, held in Germany for trying to detonate bomb

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A 12-year-old boy tried to detonate a bomb at a Christmas market in the western town of Ludwigshafen, German prosecutors say. Judicial sources cited by Focus magazine said the German born child of Iraqi heritage was “strongly radicalised” and reportedly instructed by a member of the so-called Islamic State. It is not clear how police were able to link the incident to the child, but he has reportedly been held in a youth facility since December 6 with the consent of his parents. The jihadist group has made extensive use of children to carry out suicide bombings and other attacks in Syria, Iraq and other countries such as Turkey. But the boy is believed to be the youngest suspected attacker yet apprehended in Europe.

Cost of water, garbage collection nearing $1,000/year

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The average annual cost of turning on the tap and putting out the garbage is closing in on $1,000 for Toronto homeowners. Some no doubt already pay that. The estimate from David Rider of the Star after Council Thursday increased water and garbage collection rates 5 and 2 percent is $960. Toronto Star.

Sunshine is lovely calm before the storm Friday, Saturday

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Click to read weather statement
Sunnybrook Stables when sun shines

The calm before Friday night’s storm has offered some nice sunshine. People are out and about maybe knowing they will be largely housebound Saturday. The details of what is coming are in the special alert from Environment Canada above. The TTC has taken a licking on Twitter and elsewhere for slow buses. Reader Wilson Lau posted to Facebook at 10.43 p.m. that it was an hour and half of both waiting and creeping along Eglinton. He got off the bus and walked. People are quite grumpy about it, as seen below.

https://twitter.com/zoemichailidis_/status/809536503542149120

3-parent baby treatment approved in the United Kingdom

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Early blast of winter lights up Twitter tag #snowTO

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A band of snow is travelling from east to west across the GTA, leaving a healthy dumping of snow in its path. In a matter of minutes we watched as a light dusting of snow turned into a winter mess. Here in South Bayview, the Leaside Hockey Association has tweeted that all NYHL and GTHL games tonight have been cancelled or postponed. Cars are crawling along, if they’re lucky, as this afternoon’s rush hour begins. Plan your routes and evening activities accordingly. If you’d like to check on the location and progress of the City’s plows and salt trucks, we refer you to PlowTO, our favourite interactive map.  #snowTO

Whole Foods speaks! 1860 Bayview will open in Spring

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In the whole long and rather sad story of the 1860 Bayview development “opening” the Whole Foods grocery store company has at last made what appears to be its first comment on its intention to open there. It came in the form of a tweeted reply to a local woman, Cindy May, who asked about the eagerly-awaited store. The wondering goes back nearly two years when the community saw the trumpeting of developers that Whole Foods would open on completion of the complex. The site is at the corner of Bayview and Broadway Ave. on the site of the former Brennan Pontiac. The building was completed and ultimately transferred to the hands of RioCan, the real estate investor and landlord. But  there was nothing but silence from anyone until “coming soon” signs appeared on the exterior of the building. Then this fall a post from RioCan executive Jeffery Thompson told doubtful readers that Whole Foods would definitely open. Nowhere has it been recorded, except in the tweet two days ago, that Whole Foods itself has said a thing. Now there is a response to reader Ms. May, who asked on December 9: “Will you be opening a Leaside location”  RioCan exec says Whole Foods WILL open at 1860 Bayview.

https://twitter.com/WholeFoodsGTA/status/809125502006988801

Parallele on Bayview advises on decor, window dressing

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Long-time area retailer Parallele at 1717 Bayview Ave. provides in home advice and service for furniture, window treatments and decor. The go-to man is Paul Lussier (416) 481-7207

Mischief (LOL) as Council votes down ranked ballots 17-22

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That mischievous Jennifer Pagliaro of the Toronto Star has published a small chart with the names of councillors who got less than 50 percent of the popular vote in the 2014 election. The reason she is up to such things? Because these ten joined 12 others to vote down exploring the concept of ranked ballots for the 2022 election. Ranked ballots are said to provide a more democratic outcome by giving voters a chance to pick a first and second choice. If the “winner” has less than 50 percent of the votes, there is an automatic recount in which first and second choices are combined to find a 50 percent plus winner. You be the judge. Those voting in favour by the way (17 of them) were Ainslie, Balao, Carroll, Cole, Cressy, Davis, Doucette, Filion, Fletcher, Fragedakis, Layton, Lee, Matlow, McConnell, McMahon, Mihevc, Moeser, Parks, Tory, Wong Tam.