The South Bayview Bulldog

Some residents of Lawrence Park are trying to stop sewer and sidewalk work which would see the removal of many old-growth trees. For a year now, the dilemma posed by the need to stop the chronic flooding of basements in the vicinity of Bayview and Lawrence Aves. gripped the area. The plan that the City is proposing involves the possible removal of some 349 mature trees. It’s anathema to the people of Lawrence Park. But the pressure is also on to somehow manage storm water. Lawrence Park residents have a campaign of signs to “Save Our Trees” and tying yellow ribbons around the trees the City figures might have to come down to make way for sidewalks and better sewer infrastructure. A large ad in Saturday’s edition of the Toronto Star calls on Mayor Tory and Ward 25 Councillor Jaye Robinson to spare Lawrence Park’s tree canopy.

Terry Fallis

Writer Terry Fallis has once again been placed on the shortlist of finalists with his current novel Poles Apart for the annual Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. The Moore Park man is a two-time winner of the award. The novel is said to deal with “how things are never as they seem” a humorist’s natural point of reflection. It is described by the Leacock associates as hilarious, smart and offering thoughtful commentary on a subject that is flooding our headlines, newsfeeds, Twitter feeds and society. Mr. Fallis is both an award-winning author and social media consultant. Also on the shortlist are Susan Juby for her book Republic of Dirt and Sarah Mian for When the Saints. The medal is one of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious literary awards and the only national award for humour writing. For the first time in the medal’s history, the shortlist features three authors, rather than five. The award will be given on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Geneva Park Convention Centre, just outside Orillia, home of humorist Stephen Leacock. In his work, Leacock called his hometown Mariposa

Exaggerator has beaten the triple crown favorite Nyquist in the 141st running of Preakness It was a sloppy day at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (See race below) Earlier in the day there was a double misfortune. Two horse died in separate unexpected collapses and a jockey had his collarbone broken. In the fourth race, Pramedya broke down around the turn in the fourth race and tumbled to the turf as jockey Daniel Centeno was thrown to the ground. Pimlico racing officials said the 4-year-old filly owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables was euthanized on the track after breaking her left front cannon bone. In the first race,  Homeboykris collapsed and died after his victory and having his picture taken in the winner’s circle. Track officials believe the 9-year-old gelding suffered cardiovascular collapse.The horse was taken to New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania for an autopsy.

NICHOLAS, Cindy – August 20, 1957 – May 19, 2016 Cynthia Maria Nicholas, 58 of Scarborough, peacefully passed away on May 19, 2016, at her home from liver failure. Cindy was born in Scarborough to her beloved parents Victoria (nee Dube) and the late James Nicholas on August 20, 1957. As a member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Scarborough Centre, practicing Lawyer, member of the Scarborough Walk of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Cindy was well known for her many notable swimming accomplishments. Cherished mother of Leahanne LeGrow and dear former wife of Ray LeGrow. Lovingly remembered by her aunts Mary Jochiam and family, Pauline Hasselton, Phyllis Clobow, Marry Morris and her cousins Gail, Michael, Ryan, Bradley and Andrew Wheeler and Pam, Gerry, Stephanie and Amanda Dornan and her closest friends Marsha Simons and Shoshana Teitleman. Treasured goddaughter of Carman Marson. She will be forever remembered by her extended family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Family and friends may call at the McDougall & Brown Funeral Home, 2900 Kingston Rd. (at St. Clair Ave. E.), 416-267-2656, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, 21 Markanna Dr. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 10 a.m. Private family interment. In lieu of flowers, her family politely requests that memorial donations be made to The Canadian Liver Foundation. Her family wishes to extend its gratitude for the loving care provided by Alison, Marie, Joan and Nadia. News story 

Bombardier has fired two bosses, including  the head of its train division, in an attempt to finally deliver on its contract to make streetcars for Toronto and other Canadian cities. It hopes to have many cars delivered by the end of 2016, or about half the number that should already have been on the streets. The company seems to have moved manufacturing of frames and other parts for the cars to a plant in Pocatiere, Quebec from its hapless factory in Mexico.

WAREHOUSE FULL OF JUNK

Union representatives in Thunder Bay, where the vehicles are assembled, say they have a warehouse full of parts from Mexico that are not much better than junk. There are six rapid transit systems across Canada waiting for Bombardier cars. Let’s hope they’ve got it right.  “Bombardier is on to its seventh project manager in Thunder Bay,” Andy Byford, chief general manager of the TTC says, noting the firm has also changed president (for the Americas). “I met the new guy. I was impressed with him.” Still, Byford adds, “this is intensely frustrating. It’s breaking my heart.”

Now information is tumbling in on the ill-fated EgyptAir flight 804. Wreckage, bodies in the sea, systems that detected an active smoke alarm near the forward washroom. the perplexing leaky security at some of the stops like Eritrea — it is an overwhelming jigsaw puzzle. CNN has the latest.

Saskatoon-born Marwa Hamdy, killed in EgyptAir plane crash, described as 'super hero mother' https://t.co/WAruPvSjnN pic.twitter.com/rxu4ParRVk

— TheStarPhoenix.com (@TheStarPhoenix) May 20, 2016

Cindy Nicholas

Toronto  swimming legend Cindy Nicholas has died at the age of 58 from liver cancer. Nicholas became a youthful sensation in the 1970s for her swimming exploits and was widely known as Scarborough’s Sweetheart. For her successes, she was awarded the Order of Canada and later rode a wave of popularity to a seat in the Ontario Legislature (Scarborough Centre). She earned a law degree and practiced near her home. Nicholas burst onto the public scene in 1974 as a 16-year-old when she set a world record for swimming Lake Ontario from Youngstown to the Canadian National Exhibition. Wikipedia records that Nicholas swam the Lake Ontario crossing in 15 hours and 10 minutes. She later swam across the English Channel on 19 occasions, including the first two-way crossing by a woman. She completed a record five two-way crossings including two in one year, earning her the sobriquet Queen of the Channel. Nicholas was named top female athlete of the year in 1977 and given the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award. In 1979 she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1993, she was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005. She was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. At that time Nicholas is quoted as having said: “I have my home, my  work, my family, my spouse, my daughter and my parents. I’m a lucky girl.”

The annual Magical Gardens of Leaside self-guided tour will take place Saturday, June 18, 2016 and passports are available at several locations. The Leaside Garden Society  sponsors this pleasant day. Tour members can drop in at the eight gardens between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Passports are $15 and provide garden addresses and a tour map. Here’s where to get them:

Bob’s Garden Centre, 959 Mr. Pleasant Rd., north of Broadway
Royal LePage Real Estate, 1391 Bayview Avenue, at McRae Dr.
Stars Food Shop, 900 Millwood Road, at Randolph Rd.
Urban Nature Store in the mall on the west side of Brentcliffe south of Eglinton
Write impressions, 1515 Bayview Avenue, at Millwood Rd.
Wisey’s Pies & Bakehouse, 874 Eglinton Ave. East, at Laird

A Florida craft beer company, Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, has created six-pack rings that feed wildlife rather than killing it.  And in case the fish or other creatures aren’t in the mood for a snack, the rings are 100% biodegradable and compostable. As reported by Consumerist, the brewery says the design is just as resistant and efficient as plastic packaging, though it is more expensive to produce. The hope is that customers who care about dolphins, turtles, and other creatures of the sea will be okay paying more if it means keeping those animals swimming safely. “It’s a big investment for a small brewery created by fisherman, surfers and people that love the sea,” Peter Agardy, head of brand at Saltwater Brewery, says in a video about the packaging.