A Day on the town
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
TORONTO, Canada – The kings of Queen Street were Bumps and Cal and The Greek with the cigar.
And other princes too. Funny guys I can’t remember. Some part of the tables, others on chairs, watching and smoking. Or chomping a pastrami sandwich made behind the counter, the meat stuffed in a small fridge surrounded by special cues owned by the main men. A pile of Kaiser rolls stood propped on the ball trays beside the cash register.
I guess it was just like the movie, “The Hustler,” except it was not in black and white and there was no Minnesota Fats. Not in colour either. Just smoke grey in Sixties smellovision. Guys who were their own Jackie Gleasons.
Forget Fast Eddie. And if there was to be a Paul Newman, he’d need a lot of makeup. But they were guys, with two-piece cues putting out the dialogue, even if some of it was in broken English. I remember one guy - his English was coming along good - telling a buddy: “Let’s go with me.” And the buddy went.
I’m talking about Town Tavern and Billiards, Queen and Victoria, downtown Toronto almost across from Eaton’s – right in the middle of stuffy Hogtown. A pool hall where in 1961 you just wouldn’t expect to see the cast of characters who hunched and hobbled in spotlights of smoke around the Brunswick snooker tables. The only indication of active life was the scattered shouts and funny pools of laughs that had nothing to do with joy. Let’s call it nerves over how those balls criss-crossed the felt before they made the pockets or bounced awry.
Yea, I’m talking about noises other than the rattle and bells of the Red Rocket in a time when you couldn’t get a drink on the Lord’s Day, let alone catch Cup Cake Cassidy’s patented grind until Mayor William Denison reluctantly gave the all-clear to Sunday stripping at the Lux Burlesque on College. Just a block away from the Victory Burlesque on Spadina and another few blocks away from the Casino, strip joint and music emporium on Queen right across from what some called The Urinal – the odd-shaped new city hall under construction.
Forget Yorkville and hippies. Change then took the form of pool balls and tassels. And forget the other upscale billiard emporiums like the Olympia just off Yonge Street near Dundas. Fancy tables with chrome siding and flouresent lights. Or the Embassy on Bloor a block from Yorkville. That was where guys picked up girls from the Ladies and Escorts section in the bar downstairs and brought them up to "train" them in the art of the cue on the multi-coloured tables. All show - no glow.
But here was Bumps and Cal and The Greek with the cigar, plying their trade at the Town with its immaculate outside sign of gaud. Not that Bumps and Cal and the Greek ever saw it lit. They took on the Town, only during the day, and never on Sunday. Not sure if pool halls relished in the same Sunday privileges as strip joints. I guess the boys went by the rules too. And they knew the rules, especially if it was Follow.
Follow. I don’t know who came up with Follow but whoever did either wanted to win a lot of money or lose a lot of money. One followed the other. I’m talking about a version of snooker that must have been concocted in a cauldron of pool balls because the game was nothing but toil and trouble.
Follow went this way: You pay the guy behind you if he pots a lot of balls. You know how snooker goes – pot a red and you get one point. Pot a black and then another red and you have seven more and one for the red and you keep going until you miss a shot. Then the next guy takes over and you pray he doesn’t rack up a ton of balls.
This does not sound like much fun with two guys shooting as in the real snooker. But here you find 10 guys at the table. So, let’s say Cal takes a shot and misses. Then, let’s say The Greek follows him and pots a red, a pink, another red and a blue, four reds and four blacks. If you know your snooker, that adds up to 45 which makes it a bad day so far for Cal because at a dollar a point he’s out 45 bucks.
He never liked bad days. He also never liked good days, it seems, because he just wouldn’t smile. Follow was not a game for smilers. Except if you were Bumps. He laughed all the time, win or lose, but you never believed him especially if he missed a shot and broke out into the laugh of the century. As I said, Follow was certainly not a game for smilers.
So that’s the story of Bumps and Cal. The Greek with the cigar? Never said a word. Just might be he had a lot to say and the cigar made sure he kept quiet. Like the night on the Town when 100 witnesses couldn’t recall what happened downstairs. That night in April 1961 in the jazz club, gambler Maxie Bluestein got a mouthful of broken beer bottle in a brutal beating by Johnny (Pops) Papalia and his Buffalo mob. Maybe it pays to keep quiet when you shoot Follow at the Town Tavern and Billiards.
And for the record: “You shoot a good stick, Bumps, Cal and the Greek with the cigar.”
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Parking lot pinching gets into dogfight
November 19, 2020
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
BARRIE, Ont – Police are putting on their Sam Spade fedoras to track down the case of the Maltese Puppy after attempts to grab two Maltese poodles in brazen and violent kidnappings of the canine “falcons.”
York Regional Police are appealing for help from witnesses after a woman fended off her attackers during a parking lot sale of a $3500 puppy she advertised on Kijiji.
In an incident reminiscent of the iconic film, The Maltese Falcon, the 50-year-old Barrie woman pulled off a Mary Astor by refusing to give up her puppy without a ferocious fight. She was hit repeatedly but fought back and chased the pair as they attempted to flee.
The poodle, still in its crate, was dumped from the car window. The dog was uninjured and ready for another adventure, possibly in Istanbul.
In an incident an hour later in Mississauga miles away, the same two men pulled a gun and demanded another seller to hand over one of his 9-week-old mini poodles. No Astor stuff here.
"When I was about to exchange the documents and some of the food, they pulled out a gun and as soon as I saw the gun, I ran, and they took off with the puppy, he said.
York regional Police Sergeant Andy Pattenden said police suggest attempts to sell online in person should be held at a safe location such as police station where video surveillance is installed.
"We definitely don't encourage people to fight back; they can land themselves in even more danger," Pattenden said. "This victim did fight back, and thankfully she got her dog back and didn't get injured in the process."
No comment from detectives on a Sam Spade summary of the poodle caper: The stuff nightmares are made of.
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"Follow that bike."
August 13, 2020
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
BARRIE, Ont. – Police didn’t put the pedal to the metal but the mettle to the pedal in a three-kilometre bicycle chase through a rural Ontario town.
The low speed pursuit began as Ontario Provincial Police responded to a drunk causing a disturbance near a skateboard park in the town on Bolton. During a foot chase the suspect grabbed a bicycle from a group of teens and fled the scene.
Not to be outdone, Constable Kelsey Bardy borrowed another bicycle and the chase was, well, "afoot.” The low speed pursuit wound through a residential area, ending more than 10 minutes later when Bardy tackled the suspect to the ground and arrested him.
No word on the speed or the condition of the bikes but police say they’re still spinning over the incident.
The 30-year-old bicycle thief faces several charges, including theft under $5000.
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Canada-wide warrant issued for suspect in wild carjacking, armed robberies and high speed chase
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
July 30, 2020
BARRIE, Ont – Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man believed armed and dangerous following a string of armed robberies in Southern Ontario.
Trestin Cassanova-Alman, 19, of Mississauga, has been identified as one of two remaining suspects involved in robberies of banks and pharmacies, a carjacking and police chase on Highway 400 near Barrie.
The last incident – the robbery of a pharmacy in Mississauga where police returned fire and a family in a pickup truck was hijacked – alarmed police in the gang’s bold disregard for public safety.
In that encounter with police, an eight-year-old girl was thrown from the truck after it sped away as the family jumped from the vehicle. The girl’s six-year-old brother is still shaken by the incident.
Two suspects are already in custody facing multiple weapons charges as police in Toronto, Waterloo and Barrie continue to hunt for Cassanova-Alman and an unidentified suspect.
“Both parties pose a clear risk to the community who show absolutely no consideration for the impact of their crimes on their victims, said Peel Region Deputy Police Chief Nick Milinovich. This type of dangerous crime spree is unacceptable and needs to come to an end before anyone else is injured or traumatized.”
A white Nissan used in all robberies was chased by Barrie police and Ontario Provincial following the robbery of a Scotiabank in the city’s south end July 17. The chase was called off due to concerns for public safety.
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By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
July 30, 2020
BARRIE, Ont – Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man believed armed and dangerous following a string of armed robberies in Southern Ontario.
Trestin Cassanova-Alman, 19, of Mississauga, has been identified as one of two remaining suspects involved in robberies of banks and pharmacies, a carjacking and police chase on Highway 400 near Barrie.
The last incident – the robbery of a pharmacy in Mississauga where police returned fire and a family in a pickup truck was hijacked – alarmed police in the gang’s bold disregard for public safety.
In that encounter with police, an eight-year-old girl was thrown from the truck after it sped away as the family jumped from the vehicle. The girl’s six-year-old brother is still shaken by the incident.
Two suspects are already in custody facing multiple weapons charges as police in Toronto, Waterloo and Barrie continue to hunt for Cassanova-Alman and an unidentified suspect.
“Both parties pose a clear risk to the community who show absolutely no consideration for the impact of their crimes on their victims, said Peel Region Deputy Police Chief Nick Milinovich. This type of dangerous crime spree is unacceptable and needs to come to an end before anyone else is injured or traumatized.”
A white Nissan used in all robberies was chased by Barrie police and Ontario Provincial following the robbery of a Scotiabank in the city’s south end July 17. The chase was called off due to concerns for public safety.
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PAT CONROY/CONAIRENEWS.COM
Return of controversial monument of Champlain on hold
July 29, 2020
ORILLIA, Ont – Parks Canada will explore new paths before re-installing a statue of Samuel de Champlain in a recurring controversy over racism embedded in the monument.
Full story: Contact conairenews@rogers.com
Two suspects in Southern Ontario bank robberies arrested after shots fired during wild carjacking in Peel
Auto involved in Barrie Scotiabank robbery and police chase on Highway 400 also seized
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
July 27, 2020
BARRIE, Ont – Police are appealing for help in locating two remaining suspects wanted for a series of violent armed robberies in Southern Ontario, including a robbery and police pursuit in the Barrie area.
The latest incident occurred in Mississauga Friday when two suspects robbed a pharmacy at Credit Woodlands and McBride Ave.
Peel Regional Police located the getaway car and two other suspects in another vehicle in an apartment building underground garage.
As tactical and rescue units attempted to stop both vehicles, a shot was fired at officers, police said. The suspect vehicle was then driven at officers who returned fire. Police managed to stop the suspect cars and two occupants were arrested.
The incident then escalated when a fleeing suspect hijacked a pickup truck with a family inside. An eight-year-old child was later found uninjured at the side of the road after the truck sped away. Two suspects remain at large.
Barrie Police spokesperson Peter Leon confirmed the suspects and the seized car, a white Nissan, were involved in a Scotiabank robbery in the city’s south end and subsequent pursuit, July 24.
Barrie police spotted the Nissan in the southbound lanes of Highway 400 and attempted to catch up to the vehicle. They were joined by Ontario Provincial Police who tried to track the car in heavy traffic. The pursuit was later called off when the car exited near Rutherford Road.
“We are still in touch with Peel Detectives about possible charges,” Leon said.
Other charges are pending from armed robberies in Toronto, Mississauga and Kitchener involving the white Nissan.
In a press release, Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said, "This is another example of the level of violence our officers battle daily in the interest of keeping the community safe. The same people using firearms in robberies were willing to endanger the life of an 8-year-old.”
Ridwan Dalmar, 20, of Toronto, and Zakariya Dalmar, 23, of Waterloo have been charged with a series of weapons offences. More charges are pending.
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Farm shooting and bank robbery in Barrie area minutes apart
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
July 17, 2020
BARRIE, Ont. – Police are appealing for witnesses in the afternoon shooting of a 44-year-old man on a farm south of Barrie.
South Simcoe Police said the man was working at the farm on the 4th line of Innisfil Township when he was shot by an unknown person. He was taken to a local hospital and airlifted to a Toronto trauma centre where he is listed in serious but stable condition.
Police have released little information except to say they are looking for any information about the shooting to which the were called at 3:10 p.m.
The incident occurred about 20 minutes before several suspects robbed a Scotiabank in Barrie’s south end and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Barrie Police located and pursued a vehicle believed to be connected to the robbery in the southbound lanes of Highway 400 into York Region. Ontario Provincial Police joined in the pursuit which was called off due to dangerous conditions. The suspects remained at large Thursday night.
Police have not indicated whether they are investigating any connection between the two occurrences.
Sue Sgambati, of South Simcoe Police media relations, said she is not aware of any link but the police investigation is in the early stages.
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Cottage country drownings alarm police
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
July 5, 2020
BARRIE, Ont. – A bizarre boating crash Sunday afternoon on Lake Muskoka between a rowing skull and a personal watercraft has left one man dead and two others injured.
The rower fell into the water after the impact. Two people travelling on the PWC received undetermined injuries, the extent of which is unknown. Ontario Provincial Police divers later recovered the rower’s body. His name has not been released as the incident is being investigated.
The incident was one of several drownings in cottage country over the weekend which has alarmed police.
Two people died in separate drownings north of Orillia. Early Sunday, a 40-year-old man was pulled from Six Mile Lake in front of a summer home. The OPP believe the death is not suspicious.
Sunday afternoon police discovered the body of a man in the Muskoka River. EMS workers had been searching for him since he went missing during a walk Saturday.
Earlier in the week a 19-year-old man drowned at Wasaga Beach while swimming with two friends.
“It’s been a terrible weekend for deaths,” said Sgt. Jason Foltz of OPP Central Region Media Relations.
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Bizarre crimes hit Barrie area
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
Mar 20, 2020
BARRIE, Ont - A tire-slashing 12-year-old, two children used in an adult-oriented charity fraud and a serial red-gloved convenience store bandit have police scratcing their heads as they deal with a rash of crimes in this Lake Simcoe community.
The tire-slasher, who went on a dinner-time rampage Wednesday rupturing more that 70 tires in the city's east end, is now in his parent's custody after disbelieving police nabbed him.
“This is really disheartening to see at a time when people have other things to worry about,” said Barrie City Police communications officer, Peter Leon. "It is probably the most significant amount of tire-slashing in any overnight period that I heve seen."
Leon said officers are also investigating the brazen robberies of three Circle K convenience stores, two at the same store involving the same clerk in a single day.
The robber, dubbed the red-gloved bandit, sportingly donned bright red gloves and hooded garb as he demanded money from the same clerk after walking into the same downtown store several hours apart Thursday morning. Later that afternoon he robbed another Circle K in the downtown. Police did not say if a weapon was used.
Meanwhile Ontario Provincial Police are attempting to track down two girls, aged between 8 and 11-years, who were illegally canvassing for charities in a subdivision in Springwater Township, outside Barrie. The pair were monitored by two adults in a pickup truck who supervised them at a distance, the OPP said.
They fraudulently told residents they were collecting money on behalf of charities including an orphanage, Alzheimer’s research and autism services. They were accompanied by the adults in aa 2019 silver Ram pickup truck.
Red-glove bandit photo (Barrie City Police)
Quarantine Italian style
Mar 13, 2020
Residents confined to their apartments in Naples take to their balconies to sing their their way out of the lockdown across Italy due to the coronavirus.
Italy
Mar 13, 2020
Residents confined to their apartments in Naples take to their balconies to sing their their way out of the lockdown across Italy due to the coronavirus.
Italy
Wild pursuit ends in police parking lot arrest
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
Feb.6 2020
BARRIE, Ont. – A wild 40-kilometre pursuit in which a police officer was injured and countless vehicles damaged came to a fitting end in the parking lot of police headquarters as startled employees watched the takedown from their office windows.
"It was a first, to say the least," said Barrie police spokesman, Peter Leon, of the melee outside Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters in Orillia as cruisers with sirens blaring converged on a van and driver on the dead end street.
In what Leon described as "a trail of carnage," several police cruisers and numerous vehicles were damaged after police responded to an accident involving an erratic driver in Springwater Township, south of Barrie. The Barrie city police officer received minor injuries after he was dragged while trying to box in the van.
Following the incident in which several police vehicles were damaged police were told to back off pursuing the driver who continued through downtown Barrie hitting several vehicles as police followed at a distance. The van then picked up speed as it drove along Penetanguishene Road, hitting a Rogers TV van, and up Highway 11 north followed by OPP and Barrie police, including a canine unit.
During the 90-minute pursuit startled motorists found themselves rammed by the van scattering wreckage across the highway. The van turned off on Memorial drive in Orillia and was boxed in on Hurtuibise Drive beside the OPP headquarters. The driver was taken into custody.
"We had to be very cautious in the pursuit because of the driver's behaviour, " said Leon. "Now we are trying to pick up the pieces on a road of destruction and find out the number of damaged cruisers and vehicles."
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By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
Feb.6 2020
BARRIE, Ont. – A wild 40-kilometre pursuit in which a police officer was injured and countless vehicles damaged came to a fitting end in the parking lot of police headquarters as startled employees watched the takedown from their office windows.
"It was a first, to say the least," said Barrie police spokesman, Peter Leon, of the melee outside Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters in Orillia as cruisers with sirens blaring converged on a van and driver on the dead end street.
In what Leon described as "a trail of carnage," several police cruisers and numerous vehicles were damaged after police responded to an accident involving an erratic driver in Springwater Township, south of Barrie. The Barrie city police officer received minor injuries after he was dragged while trying to box in the van.
Following the incident in which several police vehicles were damaged police were told to back off pursuing the driver who continued through downtown Barrie hitting several vehicles as police followed at a distance. The van then picked up speed as it drove along Penetanguishene Road, hitting a Rogers TV van, and up Highway 11 north followed by OPP and Barrie police, including a canine unit.
During the 90-minute pursuit startled motorists found themselves rammed by the van scattering wreckage across the highway. The van turned off on Memorial drive in Orillia and was boxed in on Hurtuibise Drive beside the OPP headquarters. The driver was taken into custody.
"We had to be very cautious in the pursuit because of the driver's behaviour, " said Leon. "Now we are trying to pick up the pieces on a road of destruction and find out the number of damaged cruisers and vehicles."
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Site of demolished Barrie high school where chimney swift habitat preserved.
All images by Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
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All images by Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
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Apartment fire in Barrie leaves dozens homeless
April 23, 2018
All images by Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
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April 23, 2018
All images by Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
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Police chase over vacuum theft
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
April 9, 2018
By Pat Conroy/conairenews.com
April 9, 2018
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Police investigate scene after stolen car abandoned.
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