We are given a glimpse of what can go wrong during a weekend night out by young people in downtown Toronto. This fracas occurred around 3 am. Saturday at the Pho Xe Lua Restaurant on Spadina Rd. (It’s also known as Train). Someone shot video and loaded it to YouTube where it has accumulated more than 300,000 plays so far. It appears as if it might have begun with a couple of young women fighting over seating and it isn’t pretty. But before it is over two or three very belligerent men keep the fight going. A server trying to separate the women takes a plate on her head. She seemed to be okay. All very unfortunate as dozens of patrons treat the fight as entertainment, cheering and hooting as it progresses. Happily not a typical night out at a restaurant in Toronto
Hydro providing bulletins on power outages
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At 7 pm. Toronto Hydro Storm Update Centre reported a total of 48 outage events effecting some 2,596 customers. It appears that Hydro is providing regular bulletins on this page. Also check the Toronto Hydro Power Outage Map
Holt Renfrew to open discount chain “hr2”
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Holt Renfrew has announced it is going to open a new stand-alone line of “discount” stores that will carry “high fashion” to new consumers. It is said the stores will be between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet, smaller than traditional Holt Renfrew locations and designed in a more open concept style (i.e. one big room like Winners). Most current Holt Renfrew stores are between 60,000 and 80,000 square feet. Sounds like something we might see popping up “east of Laird.” Some little friends for Winners, Marhsalls and the rest of gang. Then there’s the Nordstrom’s factor. The big super service departrent store is going into Sherway Plaza and other Canadian locations.
New flu vaccine statements today
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Here is a Canadian Press story quoting Health Canada and the vaccine maker Novartis essentially trying to allay concern that two of the firm’s vaccines have been suspended from use. The discovery of clumps of viral proteins is not unusual, they say. The company says those who have received the vaccine are not at risk and that Novartis is confident the vaccines are safe. All of this is no doubt true. But it does beg the question of why it is necessary to suspend their use. CP story
Enviro-Can says wind will be the main issue
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Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Toronto and most of southern Ontario, as residents prepare for the remnants of Hurricane Sandy to arrive Monday evening. Winds of 60 km/h — gusting up to 100 km/h — are expected. inds of 60 km/h — gusting up to
Woman hurt in hit and run on Yonge at Eglinton
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A woman has been injured as she tried to cross Yonge St. north of Eglinton Ave Sunday night. She was hit by a car whose driver sped off. Yonge is now closed in both directions at Roehampton Ave as police investigate. The woman is said to have head injuries but her condition is not known.
“No sale” for plush home at Bridle Path auction
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Bridle Path auction results. Scroll to bottom for list of what sold and what was paid.
Health Canada fails to explain “viral proteins”
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Health Canada should dig down and find some decent answers for those who have already taken flu shots this season. Its decision to ban the use of flu vaccines from the Italian plants of the firm Novartis offers no information as to what is going on. It’s said that the vaccines, FluAd and Agriflu, contained clumps of viral proteins in some of the vaccine batches. Yes. And what? So far it seems Health Canada doesn’t think there is an “And what?” We understand that the government doesn’t want to undermine the flu vaccine program. But as public information goes, this is about as unsatisfactory as it gets. “We’re cancelling a bunch of flu vaccine because some of it has this funny stuff in it. See ya later.” Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Arlene King says the provincial flu program is safe, but she doesn’t have anything specific to say either. There are other vaccines, she says. Well, that’s great. What about the people who got the potentially funny stuff? To recall a vaccine without telling those who got it exactly what they should, or should not, expect is like trying to defy gravity. Now the drug firm itself has said in a statement that more than one million doses of its flu vaccines have been administered in Europe this season and no unexpected adverse events have been reported. That’s nice to hear. But it’s still doesn’t address the reasonable questions the public might have about “clumps of viral proteins.”
Lower Manhattan evacuated as Sandy hits shore
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The mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, has ordered a mandatory evacuation of parts of the city in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy. Mr Bloomberg said, “let me stress that we are ordering this evacuation for the safety of the approximately 375,000 people who live in these areas. “If you live in these areas, you should leave them this afternoon.” The areas affected are labelled ‘Zone A’ areas and include all low lying coastal areas, including lower Manhattan and the part of the Financial District. Meanwhile, the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, announced the suspension of New York City’s bus, subway and commuter rail service at 7:00pm this evening. The Telegraph UK
City cutting down trees in advance of wind storm
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City works crews were busy Sunday morning removing two dead Elms on Moore Ave south of Mount Pleasant Cemetery in advance of Storm Sandy. It may be packing winds in excess of 100 km/h when it hits around here. The Weather Channel has revised slightly downward the amount of rain expected Monday to 25 to 35 mm.
Toronto denies Winter Fair’s Tuesday bull run
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Toronto has denied the trumpeted plan by the Royal Winter Fair organizers to have a bull run on Bay Street next Tuesday. Somehow, it all seems so predictable. The Toronto Sun reports the City has said no to two permits requested by the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for a Bulls on Bay Street Kick-off to the 90th Royal. Rather slipshod for the Royal to announce this event without even knowing that it would be permitted.
Lone Ranger the 21st Century’s first big Western
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It’s the movie whose opening keeps on getting postponed mostly because of budget fixes. Bit it now it seems likely that we will see one of the 21 century’s first western movies next summer. It’s The Lone Ranger starring Armie Hammer at the Masked Man and Johnny Depp as his faithful sidekick Tonto. This trailer has been out a couple of weeks and the action does commend a look. Depp of course is 49 years old and it has been suggested that his relationship with Hammer is more like an uncle than a friend. But the film makers are sticking to the line that Tonto is the assistant not the boss. Depp is portrayed in some apparently amazing stunts — which may be rigged — but are very entertaining Click the picture of him wrestling with the coupler of speeding train cars to see the trailer. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Gore Verbinski