Lun Lun the giant panda at the Atlanta Zoo is expecting to give birth.  When, is the question on everyone’s mind.  One Facebook user says that she has been watching the Panda-cam for 9 days hoping to catch some action.  According to the Zoo’s website, the giant panda birthwatch officially began on Monday, August 22, 2016. If you have the patience to watch paint dry then maybe you will catch a miraculous panda birth.  Have a look…

Toronto Public Health issued a press release on Thursday.  “Toronto Public Health has received laboratory confirmation that an adult resident in Toronto has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first human case testing positive for West Nile virus in Toronto for 2016. Two probable cases of West Nile virus have also been reported to Toronto Public Health and are under investigation.  “While the risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus in Toronto remains low, we ask that residents take the proper precautions to protect themselves,” said Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto’s Acting Medical Officer of Health.”   Press Release

SpaceX rocket: Explosion at Cape Canaveral ahead of launch

SpaceX has released a statement to say: “The pad was clear and there were no injuries”.

Mother Nature is treating us to some near perfect weather this Labour Day long weekend.  The sun will be out so we can enjoy those final rays before school starts next week and the lazy days of summer become a memory.

Caution tape and barricades abound as small sections of sidewalk are being repaired around the neighbourhood.  We would have to assume that the crews are pushing to get everything done before young feet are pounding the pavement on their way to school next week.

The weather forecast is looking perfect, so if you’re looking for a City pool to take a dip, here is the scoop:

The following 10 outdoor pools will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Labour Day (September 5):
Alex Duff Memorial Pool, 779 Crawford St.
Donald D. Summerville, 1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E.
Grandravine Outdoor Pool, 23 Grandravine Dr.
Heron Park Outdoor Pool, 292 Manse Rd.
McGregor Park Outdoor Pool, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
Pine Point Outdoor Pool, 15 Grierson Rd.
Pleasantview Outdoor Pool, 545 Van Horne Ave.
Riverdale Park, 550 Broadview Ave.
Sunnyside-Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
West Mall Outdoor Pool, 370 The West Mall

The City’s other outdoor pools will close for the season at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 4. An exception is Alex Duff Memorial Pools, which will remain open for part-time operation during evenings and with reduced hours on weekends until September 18. Wading pools will close for the season on Sunday afternoon.

All indoor pools will be closed on Labour Day and will re-open on Tuesday, September 6.

Toronto’s 11 designated swimming beaches will be open and supervised until 6 p.m. on Labour Day, weather permitting.

Splash pads will be accessible on Labour Day from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will remain open through Sunday, September 18.

Parents are reminded to supervise children at all times when children are in and around water. More information about swimming is available at http://www.toronto.ca/swim

Fan Expo Canada
Front Street West’s south curb lane between John Street and Simcoe Street, Bremner Boulevard’s north curb lane between Simcoe Street and the Metro Convention Centre driveway, and Simcoe Street’s west curb lane from the InterContinental Hotel driveway to Bremner Boulevard will be closed at the following times for the Fan Expo Canada event:
• Thursday, September 1 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, September 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Buskerfest
Coxwell Avenue’s northbound curb lane from Eastern Avenue to Lake Shore Boulevard will be closed from Saturday, September 3 at 6 a.m. to Monday, September 5 at 11:59 p.m. to accommodate this event.
Labour Day Parade
University Avenue between Dundas Street and Richmond Street, and Queen Street West’s north curb lane from the west side of Bay Street to the east side of University Avenue, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, September 5 for the Labour Day Parade. In preparation for the parade, the City will close Armoury Street between Chestnut Street and University Avenue, Centre Street between Dundas Street and Armoury, and York Street between Richmond Street and Queen Street, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. The parade route is along Queen Street West from Bay Street to Dufferin Street, then south on Dufferin Street to Exhibition Place.

In addition to road closures related to special events, a significant amount of road work is taking place in the city.   This news release is also available on the City’s website: http://bit.ly/2c03AIJ

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have reached tentative agreements, averting a possible mail disruption that has loomed over us for months. Their press release reads:

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers reach two-year agreements
Posted on Aug. 30, 2016 by Canada Post in Customer Updates

Canada Post is pleased to have reached tentative short-term agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The agreements will avert a work disruption, bringing much-needed certainty in the postal system for our employees and customers. Canadians can now use the postal system with confidence. This is especially important as Canadian businesses large and small are already planning for the upcoming holiday shipping season.

These agreements are for a period of two years, rather than the typical four-year contracts negotiated in the past. The issues facing the Corporation, with declining mail volumes and a growing pension obligation, are complex. This approach provides more time for thoughtful discussion and analysis on how to best address these issues without the ongoing threat of a work disruption. The agreements must be ratified by members.

Canada Post would also like to thank the mediators for their help in bringing a neutral perspective to the discussions.

Meanwhile in Iceland, it looks like their postal workers enjoy a challenge.

The CNE was shut down almost three hours early on Tuesday night after reports of overcrowding,  pushing and shoving inside. Mounted police are being employed at the Exhibition grounds to help disperse the large crowds. Some Ex-goers reported that they were scared and running to try to exit the grounds. Today was Youth Day, which offered a discount to people 17 years and under before 3pm. CP24

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