“Exploding whales” are pure media woo woo

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It is a comment about scary media more than anything else. Will three decomposing whales explode in  the small Newfoundland town  of Trout River and splatter whale stuff all over everything? It is a tale told in fearsome headlines on CNN’s site and in the National Post. “Dead whales on verge of exploding” is a typical U.S. screamer. But wait. Four paragraphs down in the CNN story is the most authoritative voice that might be heard on this alarming topic. It belongs to Jack Lawson, a scientist with Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He says a whale explosion is unlikely. Unlikely. Now rotting whales are a problem. But common sense advice for most people is to stay away from them, and keep your kids away. Last and best defense is a good wash. But we say again, this story is more about media woo who than whales. 

Ford conduct “pantomime to itself” says Parker

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John Parker (Ward 26) has called Mayor Ford’s behavior a “pantomime all to itself” and suggested that the mayor should “call it a career” and resign. Mr. Parker said he had no idea how long a suitable period of rehabilitation might be but he said he doubted that a month was enough. He said the mayor has not been relevant to the city administration for “three years”. 

Star Ed says he thinks there is a Ford “sex tape”

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Michael Cooke, the managing editor of the Toronto Star, said on CP24 this evening  that editorial employees of the Star think that one of the three tapes in the possession of a drug dealer is a “sex tape.” The drug dealer is alleged to be trying to sell the tapes for “six figures.”  Mr. Cooke said that “if this is true” it would be the end of the mayor. Being in a sex tape however does not appear to be a legal basis for removing a mayor from office.  

CP24: “Video may show mayor with drug”

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This link has the Globe’s version of the “mayor to take a break” story being discussed Wednesday night  But beyond this, reporter Katie Simpson appeared tonight to be referencing a story that the mayor is in or has been placed in a “compromising position.” As the evening goes on, other reporters have described “video and well as audio” recordings which place the mayor in a situation of some type. Simpson said later that the video “may show the mayor with some sort sort of drug.” No other explanation was given for the use of these words. Globe and Mail

Toronto mayor on tape talking rubbish again: Sun

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Mayor Ford has apparently has been caught on audio tape in yet another public outburst which reporters at the Toronto Sun have described as offensive. They the behaviour is not unlike that seen in the video made at the Steak Queen Restaurant where a clearly disoriented mayor made shameful remarks about the chief of police. Joe Warmington, a reporter for the Toronto Sun, told CP24 that the mayor has said he will be taking a leave of absence to somehow or other deal with his disturbing habitual conduct. The Toronto Sun story will say that Ford was recorded by patrons of a bar earlier this week. The recording or recordings were apparently made without the mayor’s awareness but publicly.

HMV puts live music in Toronto store cave

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HMV, the struggling music and video store, is trying an inventive addition to business — a live music venue in the basement. All of this is occurring at the HMV on downtown Yonge St. not far from the roots of the retail music industry of the 60s, 70s and 80s. HMV Underground is an intimate (cave-like?) 140-person space. Managers say they hope to produce at least one performance a week. HMV is now owned by Hilco U-K which bought the 87-year-old retailer out of bankruptcy last year.  HMV evokes its very old past with the words behind its name — His Master’s Voice was the motto given to the lifelike sound to be heard in the earliest phonograph recordings. HMV is said to need to get people into the store. Free music might do it. The company has shrunken in recent years. Recently, the large HMV in Eglinton Square closed.  On 15 January 2013, HMV Group entered administration. Deloitte were appointed to deal with the administration of the company. On 16 January 2013, HMV Ireland declared receivership, and all Irish stores were closed. A week later, on 22 January 2013. On 5 April 2013, HMV was bought out of administration by Hilco UK for an estimated $150 million.

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Bennington Rolph Soccer wants kids to play

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Spring 2014, and time to alert everyone that spots are available in all age groups for play this fall in the Bennington Rolph Road Soccer Association. BRRSA is a community-based volunteer-run soccer house league for girls and boys aged five to 13 years, a great league for those who aren’t available for summer soccer! The season runs for six weeks in the fall, starting the first week of school. A tournament is held for all but the youngest age group at the end of the regular season. Games are played on the school fields at Rolph Road and Bennington Heights. The registration deadline is June 10th. Application forms and more information are available by contacting organizers here.

British actor Bob Hoskins dead in London at 71

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Word has come from London that actor Bob Hoskins has died at the age of 71. A family statement released this morning (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)  by agent Clair Dobbs said Hoskins died in a hospital after a bout of pneumonia. Hoskins was a much appreciated character player whose skills elevated him among most. His Cockney background was an endearing distinction. He is remembered for such classics as “The Long Good Friday.” He specialized in tough guys with a soft center, including the ex-con who chaperons Cathy Tyson’s escort in Neil Jordan’s 1986 film “Mona Lisa.” Hoskins was nominated for a best-actor Academy Award for the role. His Hollywood breakthrough came as a detective investigating cartoon crime in the part-animated 1988 hit “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” He also played the pirate Smee in Steven Spielberg’s 1991 Peter Pan movie “Hook.” In 2012 Hoskins announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from acting.