The Bulldog

Northlea School blood clinic October 7, 2014

Autumn is nearly here and so is the essential public service for Leasiders — giving a pint of blood at the Northlea School’s 24th blood donor clinic. It happens Tuesday, October 7, 2014 between 2 and 8 p.m. Northlea Public School, 305 Rumsey Rd. Call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment. Maria Charlebois reminds us that the community is counting on you to fulfil this important public service.  Why we give blood — and you should too!

Mayor Ford has rare “fatty tissue” malignancy

Dr. Zane Cohen has announced that the mayor has a fatty tissue tumour which is malignant. It is more formally known as a liposarcoma tumour. Dr. Cohen, a colorectal expert, has said that the tumour is unusual and is more receptive to chemotherapy treatment than other cancers. It comprises about one percent of all tumours. He said there will be two series of chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Cohen said there is also a small cancerous nodule of the same liposarcoma on the mayor’s buttock. Notably, there is said to be no cancer in any of the mayor’s organs. The outcome of chemotherapy treatment will determine whether radiation or surgical treatment is required, Dr. Cohen said. The tumour was apparently not present in the mayor’s body when he was in hospital for other surgery in 2011. At present however the tumour is described as being “12 centimeters wide.” Dr. Cohen said there was nothing found in the mayor’s lung and therefore no biopsy, contrary to many news reports.  This information came from a news conference ending at 5.22 p.m.  Ford determined to fight

Sisters warm up mitten sales for Olympic funding

The three charismatic Dufours-Lapointe sisters are warming up Hudson’s Bay Company’s #RedMittens promotion. Since 2009, the Olympic themed mittens have raised $26 million to train and sustain Canadian athletes in their chase for the gold.  Maxime, Chloé and Justine as seen with the 2014 version of the mitten in black, red and white.  Each pair sold donates $3.33 from #RedMittens  to the Canadian Olympic Foundation. #RedMittens

Hi, Dalton here, hope you don’t remember me

It’s really creepy. Just like the night they sat around in Dalton McGuinty’s office and decided to brazenly cancel a nearly-completed power plant to win a seat in the general election, moments away. Now Mr. McGuinty is back as an education lobbyist and he’s already snared three million dollars for his project.  AM640 

Trustees spent $108,000 on travel in 3 years

Toronto school trustees spent $108,000 to travel to conferences over a three-year period. They hit places like California, Boston and Whistler according to information obtained by Torstar News Service. It says the biggest spenders were trustees Gerri Gershon, spending $13,804.54, Elizabeth Moyer with at least $13,727.53 and Shelley Laskin with more than $13,533.93. This information was recorded during the period from 2010 to 2013. Metro

U.S. won’t have to ask Putin for lift into space

Ungainly but serviceable

NASA has announced a multi-billion dollar contract to build the Space Taxi, a 21st-Century generation vehicle to get astronauts back and forth from the international space station. The craft will be built mainly by Boeing with the assistance of Space X, a closely-held private aerospace firm. The Space Taxi program will mean that the U.S. no longer has to rely on the Russians to shuttle crews back and forth in space. It is an arrangement born in the chummy aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, But it is an arrangement that has soured. Vladimir Putin is seen to be a kind stealth conqueror of his neighbors and the Americans are close to humiliation that they have to seek his permission for their space efforts. For those who think about money, that’s what this is all about. Even as the Americans retired their obsolete Space Shuttles they were hurting to find money to build new ones. It was among the most painful examples of how the mighty U.S. has been unable to do the great things expected of it.  Reuters

Late poll: Tory, 43%, Chow 29%, Doug Ford 28%

Ipsos is reading a rock-solid winning lead for John Tory into the results of its latest poll on who is ahead in the Toronto mayoralty. It shows Mr. Tory lengthening his lead over previous recent surveys. He now sits with 43% of the support as recorded by Ipsos. There has been a levelling out among the other two candidates, leaving them both more or less as also-rans. Olivia Chow and Doug Ford are 14 and 15 points behind Mr. Tory at 29% and 28% support respectively.  Ipsos CEO Darrel Bricker is quoted as saying that Doug Ford’s candidacy is not likely to have an impact on Mr. Tory’s lead.

Burger King turned down 3 times by Tim’s

The down-and-dirty of the dealings between Burger King and Tim Horton’s is described in a so-called “takeover circular” released today. It forms the basis of news stories this Tuesday, September 16, 2014. The adventure began with Burger King getting Warren Buffett on side for the proposal and a primary offer of $73  a share for Timmy’s. We don’t know if ‘Tim’s management scoffed at that but it wasn’t nearly enough. Two more offers followed and they were both turned down. The winning offer was $88 and change share. Financial Post

IKEA recalls children’s swing over defect

Gung-Gung swing

IKEA has issued an urgent recall of the Gung-Gung children’s swing. There are no reports of injury in Canada but there are reports of two injuries overseas. About 300 of the swings were sold in July and August in Canada. IKEA is urging customers who have purchased the swing to remove it immediately and return it to any store where they will receive a full refund. The recall notice says only “incidents have occurred where the fittings in the suspension have broken”. The company said there have been four reports of the swings breaking — in Germany, Austria and Canada. In Austria an eight-year-old broke his leg in a fall. The swing is made of polyester fabric and hangs from a plastic suspension fitting attached to a steel hook. “It was tested and met all the applicable safety regulations,” Ikea spokeswoman Daniel Rogosic told AFP, adding that the company was investigating the cause of the fault.

Social media “och ayes” are ruling Scotland

There are two days left before the referendum on Scotland’s future and the Telegraph newspaper in London says the “Och Ayes” are ruling social media. If you restricted yourself to FaceBook and Twitter there is no question that Scots would wake up Friday as a separate nation. But there’s that other part of humanity that doesn’t communicate this way. Most polling, which is done by asking people face to face or by phone suggests the No side will squeak out a win. Stayed tuned.  Telegraph