Tracking through the warm ocean waters of the Bahamas, Hurricane Joaquin exploded in intensity while becoming a dangerous Category 4 storm Thursday. But, at the same time, the forecast track for Joaquin shifted markedly east and it is now very likely the storm will remain out to sea rather than slamming into the East Coast. While Joaquin may remain offshore, parts of the East Coast remain at risk for flooding from a predecessor surge of moisture streaming up the eastern seaboard Friday into Saturday.

There has been another obscene mass killing by automatic weapon in the United States. The president has spoken and said the country is numb from such outrages. The  U.S. lives in its own terrible and strange space compared to other civilized lands. It seems genuinely insane. Washington Post 

Could you walk it?

CBC  All sorts of snarky jokes like “Do I need my mouth to talk to people. Heeelp me!.”

Ms. Hubbard is a notable area personality who has to be admired for her determined and eloquent efforts to bring Uber into line. She works at Beck’s Thorncliffe Park office. Today Uber still pretends to be just a humble technology company which is eager to “work with” City Hall. So learn some humility. At City Hall too many people want to talk about the new technology and how it is unstoppable. No doubt. But the issue is not technology, it’s taxis. Unlike electronic book readers, also unstoppable, digital taxis are ripe for abuse unknown to your average Kobo. Toronto Star 

The Toronto Fire Department skipped breakfast to fight two 2-alarm fires this morning.  Kensington Market rowhouse residents escaped safely after jumping from a second storey window.  While over at Bloor and Parliament, a 4th floor fire in a Toronto Community Housing highrise was put out in good time.

News Release – August 21, 2015

Toronto reports this year’s first human case of West Nile Virus

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has received a lab confirmation indicating 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 2015. TPH continues to investigate where the virus was acquired, as the resident had potential exposures in Toronto and outside of the city.

While the risk of being infected with West Nile Virus is low, Toronto Public Health reminds residents to take precautions, including the following:

• wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks and a hat when outdoors,
• use mosquito repellent approved by Health Canada and follow product instructions,
• take extra care during peak mosquito-biting time (dusk and dawn) by using mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing,
• remove standing water from your property, where mosquitoes can breed, and
• make sure your home has tight-fitting screens on windows and doors.

West Nile Virus symptoms usually develop between two and 15 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body ache, skin rash and swollen glands. If you or a family member has concerns about any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

In 2013, 18 positive mosquito pools and 12 human cases were reported to Toronto Public Health. In 2014, 10 positive mosquito pools and three human cases were reported to TPH. To date, TPH has not received any reports of positive mosquito pools for 2015.

More information about West Nile Virus is available at http://www.toronto.ca/health/westnile.  This news release is also available on the City’s website: http://bit.ly/1MCZ5y8

Planespotter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport captures direct lightning strike on a Boeing 737 sitting on the tarmac.

Interesting commentary from CNN, explains some of the science. “Planes are hit by lightning strikes more commonly than travelers probably realize…“

From Panamania to Caribana and Beaches Jazz, our cops don’t just walk the beat, they feel it.