It is essentially John Tory’s plan, intended for discussion by City Council in weeks to come. City of Toronto
Passwords are for gaining access to booze cans
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Matthew Sparkes of the Telegraph newspaper in London has written a story about the most common passwords in 2014. It’s a giggle because the most common one was 123456. This sorry effort is condemned everywhere as simply stupid. But in the end, the most important thing about a password is that we remember it. It is interesting how little we reflect on what a dopey trap we have created for humanity with the computer password. We are doomed to failure by our pre-historic brain. Contrary to every faceless demand from the ether, the most important thing about a password is not that it is impregnable but simply that we can remember it. Passwords mostly make sense when used to gain entry to a booze can or similar fun locale. If the password is hotcha no one demands that you add a special character like a dollar sign. Anyway, the story is enjoyable. Telegraph
Pope: “Catholics don’t need to breed like rabbits”
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Pope Francis is developing a way with words as well as some new ideas. Catholics (and others) will read with interest. CBC
Is money-losing Indigo like a gift to Canada?
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| Yonge and Eglinton |
Indigo Books will shut down a Chapter’s store in Vancouver because the landlord has imposed a large rent increase. The store is on Robson Street. Indigo calls it a “very significant rent increase”. Well that’s Vancouver and this is South Bayview where most of us who patronize Indigo do so through the door of the Yonge and Eglinton complex (inset). As many will know, Indigo was created in 1996 and continues to be run by Toronto book and retail maven Heather Reisman. Indigo is stunningly unprofitable. In 2014 Indigo reported a net loss of $31 million. It is a tradition there. The company said at the time: “In an industry which is world-wide experiencing meaningful sales declines, we are pleased with the customer response to all our transformation efforts, with the sales performance, and with the potential for further growth and profitability moving forward.” And that’s fine but anyone would be forgiven for thinking that Indigo is more like a benefaction bestowed on Canada by Ms Reisman and her wealthy husband, Gerald Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz is the boss of Onyx Corporation, the money-making mining conglomerate. Schwartz and Reisman are celebrated as generous givers to any number of important charities and institutions (like Mount Sinai Hospital). How the finances of Indigo and Onyx might be woven together is unknown but it would be revealing to know. See you at Indigo.
COBs Bread to re-open Saturday, February 7
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COBs on Bayview Ave. will re-open on Saturday, February 7, 2015. The store is under renovation for this period. The Bulldog previously published incorrect information which we regret. Facebook
New Jersey: Tractor trailer spin-out from Hell
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For up close a personally terrifying truck spin-out this one may take the prize. It happened on the New Jersey Turnpike two days ago and has more than a million hits as of this morning (Tuesday January 20, 2015). This spectacle is blamed on black ice. Note the ominous ticking on the video — maybe its the hazard lights. When the truck finally stops moving, the car driver says: “It’s a go. Saw more trucks behind me.” Amen brother. Get out of there.
Parents crowd Lea Room for Summer Camp Fair
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There was a lively gathering at the William Lea Room at Leaside arena tonight (Monday January 19, 2015) for the annual Summer Camp Fair. It was a crowded meeting of parents, kids, camp owners and counselors as some 21 camps set up their booths and talked camping. The opportunities for summer fun ran the gamut from downtown day camps like Ryerson and Mooredale to old and established live-in camps across Ontario’s hinterland. Among the participating camps were (Co-ed Residential) Onondaga Camp, Camp Kandalore, Camp Muskoka, Camp Wenonah, Camp Tawingo, Canadian Adventure Camp, Youth Leadership Camps of Canada, Camp Otterdale, Camp Tamarack, Camp Celtic (Girls Residential) Camp Tanamakoon, Camp Northway, YWCA Camp Tapawingo, Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da (Boys Residential) Camp Hurontario, Camp Wendigo (Day Camps) King Day Camp, Ryerson Summer Day Camps, Mooredale Day Camp, Pawsitively Pets Kids Camp, Camp Tournesol.
Toronto basketball player choked on gum
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What John and Andy did with the TTC today
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John Tory seems to like making it up as he goes along in his new job. Of course, he has had to produce reasons for doing the things he said he wouldn’t do. In the case of increasing TTC fares its that Andy Byford made him do it. Really. The Chief Magistrate (Tory) and the Chief General Manager (Byford) sat down and, says the mayor, Mr. Byford convinced him that things were far worse at the TTC than he had thought. Apparently Byford did not dust off the Bulldog’s idea of a bus for South Bayview, but let’s not complain. In coming weeks children under 12 will ride the TTC for free and the city will make “an investment” of some $95 million in the TTC. And a single fare (except cash) will go up 10 cents. TTC Chair Josh Colle added that the cash ride stays the same because it is the poorer rider who uses cash. There is no way of testing that conclusion but let it go. It’s probably very few people in total at the top and bottom of the economic ladder. It will take a smart accountant to figure out the transit agency’s books although the TTC did give us a number ($7 million annually) for letting the kids ride free. We can’t help wondering why it is necessary for all kids to ride free. But so be. There will be absolute free entry onto the streetcars. This is the one they call proof-of-payment (presumably with a transfer or something) but there will be many free rides and everyone knows it. What that will cost is unknown. There was a lot of encouraging talk about buying new buses. Reliable and versatile buses are so much better than the streetcar circus which confounds the City year in and year out.
Seniors Fraud Safety Seminar this Friday
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There will be what is being called a Seniors Fraud Safety Seminar this Friday, January 23, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Trace Manes Community Centre, 110 Rumsey Road. The public is invited to call the office of Councillor Jon Burnside at 416-392-0215 for information.
Dentistry “gentleman” speaks out on lewd posts
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Ryan Millet, a dentistry student who is married with kids, has spoken out about the so-called Gentlemen’s Club at Dalhousie University School of Dentistry. Although the club “was not something that I joined per se” but instead “I was added” says Mr. Millet. He was very upset and tried to get those in charge of the Facebook page to remove the most offensive “hate” posts that appeared there. He alerted the university to the existence of the site. With his lawyer, he is saying that he is being treated unfairly.
Leaside Camp Fair tonight at Leaside Arena
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Many summer camps will be represented at the Leaside Camp Fair at the Leaside Arena tonight (Monday, January 19, 2015) from 6 to 8 p.m. Ryerson Day Camps, Camp Tanamakoon and Camp Wenonah are among the camps which will be there. Twitter