Confusion seems to be in charge at Porter Airlines tonight as the company has had to cancel dozens of flights in and out of Billy Bishop airport. The cause appears to be a computer collapse of some type in Minneapolis. The unusual geography of this breakdown is unexplained by the airline but it appears that other carriers may be effected. There may be a mutual booking system service supplied by the same company but that has not been confirmed. Passengers seem to be utterly on their own as far as re-booking, refunds or any other functional service to help them move on. Most are heading home, to hotels or to Pearson Airport for a night trying to find alternative transport. The breakdown has stranded Porter flights originating in destination cities is all over central Canada and nearby parts of the U.S. They are unable to load and take off. It is not clear whether ground control and air traffic control facilities are operational. Officials say they don’t know how long it will take to fix the issue. Pearson officials say flights at their airport have not been affected.
City nixes condo sign 5 times the legal size
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| Bulldog April 17, 2013 |
In his monthly letter to constituents Josh Matlow (Ward 22) describes how the large sign we photographed last April became no more. It’s cool mistress promised an “evolution in modern condo living” (Stop snickering, it means lady). For $199,000 sometime, if approved, and built, you would be evolutionized on the exciting Eglinton LRT. What a thrill. Or, maybe you would rather live over a candy store. In any case, Mr. Matlow’s chagrin is understandable and he is on a private war against condo signs promising the world, especially when the buildings haven’t been approved. This sign went down after the Toronto Sign Variance Committee met to discuss what is called a first party sign proposal for the monumental message at 2221 Yonge St just south of Eglinton Ave. Approval was sought for the sign, a full 524 square metres in size. The maximum is 100 square metres. So it had to come down.
Canada Post tries out Delivered Tonight in GTA
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CP has ambitious idea that it can create a successful business by delivering goods from independent online sites the same day. It will run a trial project in the GTA of unstated length to see if it can. Delivered Tonight
Rink Two wants to hear why you’re excited!
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The opening day of “Rink Two” is set for Saturday, October 5, 2013 and the management of the Leaside Arena want to hear from you. The Facebook page says “Tell us why you are excited about the new rink…” Winner to be announced October 4th @ 12pm! Please share this with friends, teammates and neighbors and “like us” to get all the latest news.
“Clown” is giving English town the creeps
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| Northampton clown |
The Belfast Telegraph newspaper is reporting that a creepy and so-far anonymous clown has been terrifying residents of Northampton by standing around on street corners and staring at passers-by. It says the clown bears a striking resemblance to Pennywise from the 1990 film It, which was adapted from the Stephen King novel of the same name. The clown made his first appearance on Friday 13th. However sinister he may seem, the clown has a Facebook page and is “liked” by 70,388 for whatever value this number may have. According to the Northampton Herald and Post the clown has appeared in several locations and on each occasion has worn the same white face makeup, red wig, all-in-one suit and oversized bowtie. Belfast Telegraph Clown’s Facebook
Hi neighbour! Need a Hells Angels mug or shirt?
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It’s just every BIA’s living nightmare come true — a Hells Angels “shop” down the street as an added incentive to attract tourists and such like. Of course the OPP Anti-Biker Enforcement Unit thinks the shop is a really a Hells Angels club house. It is located on Carlaw Ave. in Leslieville, just a short distance from the HA clubhouse that was raided and closed a few years ago. Nonetheless, the shop appears to be legal and Paula Fletcher (Ward 14) acknowledges that. But she says the neighbors will be keeping a close eye on activities there. The Hells Angels are widely considered to be involved in organized crime. The shop is called 81 (the eighth and first letters of the alphabet are H and A) and sells T-shirts, mugs and other similar paraphernalia.
Costa Concordia uprighting “a perfect operation”
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Costa Concordia sits upright in the Italian night
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At approximately 4 a.m. on Giglio Island the engineers checked their measurements and sure enough, the Costa Concordia was sitting at 90 degrees to the sea floor. It is still submerged but that is the next manoeuvre in this amazing feat of physics. This picture is courtesy of the Telegraph newspaper which tells the story in rolling tweets. The left side of the ship, as seen here, is mud-caked and damaged. Editors compared the image to something that looks like a “before and after the makeover” picture.
Nightfall sees liner 16 degrees higher than it was
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Night has fallen over Giglio Island in Southern Italy and the cruise liner Costa Concordia has been raised a full 16 degrees toward a 90 degree towing status. It has 65 more degrees to go. Those slanted lights on the right mark the liner. How much longer will it take? The workers are settled in for a long job. Even though the salvage immediately fell behind schedule, the salvage team were unconcerned last night, arguing that timetables had been “indicative” and that for them the important thing was to right the ship safely. The start was delayed by a tremendous rainstorm in the early hours of the morning. The storm caused no damage but it delayed preparations by three hours. Another problem with four of the 36 hydraulic cables that pull the ship to a vertical position also delayed the salvage. In the end, all being well, the Concordia will finally be upright some time Tuesday. CBC
Sidewalk, pavement work still stalling Bayview
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Curb and pavement repairs have moved into the 1700 block of Bayview north of Parkhurst Blvd. But the impact is still being felt in the business district. This is the view at mid-afternoon well before rush hour. What you are looking at is the same line of traffic isolated in sections.
Environment Day is Saturday, September 21
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| John Parker |
Toronto Environment Day will be observed by a smiling John Parker (Ward 26) at East York Town Centre on Overlea Blvd. on Saturday, September 21, 2013. There appears to be a wide range of things that will be taken in for disposal at this useful event. Old cellphones, propane tanks, inkjet and laser cartridges — even unused medicine. There will also be an opportunity to buy composters, garbage bins and kitchen counter wet garbage containers. It happens between 10 a.m.and 2 p.m. We have resisted calling it Honest John’s Flea Market but add this aside here because we know the councillor has a sense of humour. More information
Salvagers move Concordia 3 degrees to upright
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The engineering task to right the Costa Concordia cruise ship is underway and has so far moved the 114,500 ton vessel three degrees. It is, obviously, painstakingly slow work with fears for the safety of workers or a catastrophic break up of the ship. So far it seems to be going more or less to plan. “The ship has lifted off the rocks,” said Sergio Girotto, an engineer for the joint Italian-US salvage operation, which will cost 600 million euros ($800 million) so far. “The first hours were the most uncertain because we did not know how stuck the ship was,” he said