San Francisco lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposal to ban public nakedness, rejecting arguments that the measure would eat away at a reputation for tolerance enjoyed by a city known for flouting convention and flaunting its counter-culture image. The 6-5 Board of Supervisors vote means that exposed genitals will be prohibited in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. Previous post.
OSSTF strikes deal with two school boards
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Tentative deals have been reached between the provincial teachers union and two large school boards. They are identified in news reports as York Region and the Upper Grand River Board at Guelph.. Huffington Post
TSX down somewhat after yesterday’s big win
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The Toronto stock market is slightly lower at the open following a sharp advance Monday. Today’s pwssimism comes after France lost its AAA credit rating. Canadian Business
Chic Edwardian “helmets” mark 2012 Mud Bowl
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The high sense of fun that inspired and helped execute the re-incarnation of the 1950 CFL Mud Bowl today is to be applauded. (The original game is on the left, the replay on the right). However, it is like The South Bayview Bulldog to notice first and foremost not the slop but rather the high sports sense of fashion possessed by the many reporters and others who played in today’s re-enactment. The video on the right was produced by The Sports Network and features their reporter Monika Platek. On her head (and those of the other players) is what appears to be a leather football cap similar to those used on the day that the Grey Cup was first awarded in 1909. How come we are only now celebrating the 100th Gray Cup? There was a three year interregnum during WWI
San Francisco will vote to control public nudity
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors will vote on a motion to better control public nudity in the City by the Bay. The issue is mainly in the largely Gay Castro district, but Gays say it is outsiders who are walking about naked on streets and in public parks. Worst of all, tourists have started to complain about it. It’s serious when that happens. |
BCE and Astral try again for CRTC approval
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Who believed all that silliness about how businesses would just go to ground after the CRTC rejected the proposed takeover of Astral Media by BCE. The atmosphere would just be sooo chilling, we were told. That must be why, less than a month later, BCE-Astral are back knocking on the government’s door with a similar deal in mind. Evidence again that there’s money to be made even in chilly weather. CBC.ca
Knife point robbery in Yonge/St. Clair apartment
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Toronto Police Service report: A 61 year old female reports that between the hours of 1500 and 1534 on November 15, 2012, she was in the garbage room of her apartment building in the area of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue East when she was approached by a male suspect. The suspect brandished a knife and made a demand for cash. The victim complied. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction with a quantity of prescription drugs, jewellery and cash. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, 35 to 40 years, 5’5” to 5’6”, thin build, brown eyes, short wavy black hair.
Sides drawn up on Lawrence Park heritage bids
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Reporter Lisa Queen has written in the Star’s online publication Inside.Toronto about how the concerns of heritage advocates is at odds with that of homeowners. She recounts the contents of a letter from Geoff Kettel, chairperson of the North York Preservation Panel, lamenting the failure of the City to seek heritage designation for homes at 19 St. Leonard’s Ave., 102 Wanless Ave. and 105 Golfdale Rd. in Lawrence Park. The article includes the view of one owner that attempts to designate his home constituted an “insignificant nomination.” The sides seem to be well drawn up on the issue and for those with a concern either for the preservation of such homes or about their property rights and the value of their homes, this article is a good read. Lisa Queen article Previous post (140 Dinnick file)
Amsterdam Brewery open on Esandar, offers tasting days
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The new Amsterdam Brewery location has opened on Esandar Drive just behind Leaside Village shopping centre. The spacious new sales and brew tasting spot is in the industrial mall that stretches hundreds of feet along Esandar. The place is just getting organized so a grand opening is still a few weeks off. It may not happen until January, we’re told. But when it does, you should take a look. The facility will brew Amsterdam brands of course but will also have a special events section for rent. On Saturdays, this space will help accommodate the weekly brew tasting afternoons. That will be from 1 pm to 6 pm, strictly observed. A $10 fee applies, so it isn’t a bad deal. In the meantime, you can pick up a six-pack of your favorite Amsterdam brew any time.
St. Mike’s doctor sees bike lanes as “Global Issue”
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After a few days of delaying action by bicycle lobbyists, Jarvis Street will return to a five lane thoroughfare Monday morning. The reversible fifth lane (i.e. north or south) was a fixture of downtown commuting until it was removed to accommodate bicycle lanes. The depth of cyclist determination — and righteous indignation — is exemplified by Dr. Tomislav Svoboda, a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital. He is interviewed by Jeff McArthur on 640 AM in the video on the left above about his sit-down protest in front of work crews.. He was apparently directed by police to stay away from protests on the street and is making this into a free speech matter. He also appears to connect up the bikes lanes with the environment and thus sees it all as as a “Global Issue”. On the right, is a video taken from a type of helmet cam of the Sherbourne Street bicycle lanes.. But apparently work is not finished there.. Happy motoring and cycling to all.
Man accused in Eglinton bank robbery on Sept 25
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| CCTV frame of robbery #2 |
The North York Mirror has reported that a man identified as Ian Gallacher, 42, has been accused of committing a number of bank robberies North York and Scarborough. In one case, in a bank branch near Eglinton Avenue E. and Wynford Drive, a man produced a long knife and threatened to stab a teller as he demanded money. This was on September 25, 2012. The man fled with a quantity of cash. At 1:40 p.m. September 29, 2012 a man with a possible fake beard wearing an American flag bandanna walked into a bank near Lawrence Avenue and Birchmount Road, approached a teller and demanded money. He left with cash. The third robbery occurred October. 26 at a bank on Victoria Park Avenue.
Two reports of bodies found off Eglinton Ave. East
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Homicide detectives have been assigned to investigate the death of a woman who was found in an apartment on Wynford Drive near Eglinton Ave. E. The body was discovered by someone who apparently knew the woman in an unit on Wynford at around 9:30 a.m Friday.. The body has signs of trauma and the death is being treated as suspicious, police say. In a second case, a decomposed body has been found in Sunnybrook Park near Eglinton Ave E. and Leslie Street.