The South Bayview Bulldog

They had snow overnight in Montreal and this was the scene as recorded out an office window by Willem Shepherd

In China, surgeons have contrived to grow an ear on a man’s arm to replace the one he lost (the ear that is) in a car accident. Hope this doesn’t catch on like tattoos. Elsewhere, Prime Ministers out of a job. In New Zealand, John Key resigned reportedly because his wife gave him an ultimatum. Good man, John. And in Italy, Matteo Renzi is quitting because he lost a referendum to reduce the power of the upper house. That has the country in a political twist (below)

The imminent opening of the Dollarama on Mt. Pleasant continues to inspire comment. Today “orenwolf” was ticking off snooty snipers who think it is beneath the dignity of people to be excited about a dollar store. “You think people in Paris and London don’t have local newspapers/blogs that celebrate when local businesses open? I think you might want to look again,” says this writer. New Dollarama store readies to open at 732 Mt. Pleasant

Krista Henry writes to say that the new but still unopened Salvation Army Thrift Store is welcoming donations at the Overlea Blvd. and Thorncliffe Park Rd. location from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  They are interested in gently used clothing, housewares, furniture, electronics, toys, media and books, accessories, antiques and collectibles and computers. She writes that the store will open on Thursday, January 26, 2017 with a special Grand Opening ceremony that will be taking place starting from 9 a.m. with giveaways, entertainment and great shopping.

The new Roots store at the Leaside SmartCentre on Laird will hold their Grand Opening event on December 10th, 2016.

United Airlines will soon introduce a fee for the use of overhead bins for bags in economy. The charge will raise a billion dollars says the airline, which is a member of the Star Alliance to which Air Canada  belongs as well. The new rules, which include a new economy ticket, only allows fliers to bring a bag on board that fits under the seat. Any bag larger than that would have to be checked for a fee. The new plan also doesn’t allow passengers to choose their own seats.

The Brampton Guardian is reporting that an older woman has died and a 6-year-old girl is in serious condition after a vehicle and a transport truck collided in the Brampton intersection of Highway 50 and Cottrelle Blvd. Monday morning. There were five adults and the child in the vehicle, the paper says. Two other women in the vehicle were seriously injured and were taken to a local hospital, but will be transported to a Toronto trauma centre, according to police.

LUC voted unanimously to request that #Presbytery approve amalgamation of #Leaside & Presteign-Woodbine United. We're one step closer #UCCan

— Leaside United Church (@LeasideUnited) December 4, 2016

Leaside United Church website

Fire Update: Business is Maxxit Systems 3020 Lenworth Dr at corner of Lenworth and Wharton Way. Flames visible again through roof. pic.twitter.com/6aJw9THeQn

— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) December 5, 2016

Fire has struck the manufacturing plant of a small retail fixturing and design firm in Mississauga overnight. The firm now faces the challenge of somehow making good on deliveries with much if its operation apparently destroyed. Maxxit Systems is described as a family-owned company about eight years in business.

Searchers have recovered 36 bodies — one of them a 17-year-old or possibly younger — from a fire-ravaged warehouse in Oakland, California, that housed artist studios and was hosting a dance party when the deadly blaze broke out, officials said today. Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office warned that he anticipates that “the number of victims will rise” from a fire officials say may be the deadliest ever in Oakland. The search effort is expected to last for days, he said. Kelly called the number of deaths “astronomical.” Among the victims was the son of an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy, officials said. The warehouse in which the fire occurred was known to locals at the Ghost Ship, a place where artists gathered and showed their work. It was also open as a venue for gatherings as on Friday night. In realitty it appears to have been little more than a firetrap.

She’s back. It is another pop-up performance by Rhonda, the happy retailer of accessories and various notions. This time Rhonda is in at 1695 Bayview Ave. near Dolly Jewellers as Pop Goes Lola.

This interesting gallery is at 1541 Bayview Ave. Michael Leonard is there.