Ayesha Verrall

Eva Quildon

Sienna Miller

These determined and interesting women are making news Friday. On the left is Ayesha Verrell, the New Zealand Associate Minister of Health. She’s announced that Kiwiland will enact a law that will prevent young people from ever buying cigarettes in their lifetime. It’s one of the world’s toughest crackdowns on the tobacco industry. Then, meet Eva Quildon, 82, a faithful TigerCat fan and a regular attendant at Grey Cup Games. She says she hasn’t missed one in 20 years. Sunday the TiCats face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the cup at Tim Horton Stadium in Hamilton. Finally, actor Sierra Miller has won a large but secret damages award from the Murdoch Sun newspaper in the UK. She insists they committed a crime to learn that she was pregnant. The Murdoch chain is having trouble living down widespread belief that it has tapped phones to get a story.

Safe at any speed?

The appearance in recent weeks of pink, robotic food delivery vehicles on Toronto sidewalks has caused the City to ponder banning such machines. Councillors will vote next week on this question. The food-delivery robots are owned by Tiny Mile. It’s unclear whether Tiny Mile is just a delivery service or has something to do with the manufacture of the robots. In any case, sidewalks are there for pedestrians. Anyone on foot is vulnerable to the approach of such machines as well as bicycles and scooters from behind.

A man has been found dead in an apartment tower in Midtown’s construction-frazzled zone near Redpath and Eglinton Aves. Police were called to the building about 2 p.m. and tussled with another occupant, a man, who they said seemed to be “in crisis”.

Tena Van Andel

Leaside Garden Society’s members and friends will learn all about orchids at February’s meeting set for February 10 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Guest speaker Tena Van Andel is a master gardener and lecturer. The meeting promises to reveal fascinating facts about orchids and their unique forms, as well as tips for successful home growing.

Vain but courageous effort to save woman driver

A US Coast Guard diver undertook a perilous rescue mission to save a woman driver from the Niagara River above the falls Wednesday. Sadly, the woman, in her 60s, was dead. The known circumstances of the drama are told in the Niagara Gazette

Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden have been on the phone with each other and US sources say that Russia has been fully warned about any invasion of Ukraine. This National Post story tells of Putin’s worrisome notion that the Ukrainians are his brothers. Those with memories think that sounds like Hitler getting ready to annex Austria.

Canada, others follow US boycott of Beijing games

The prime minister has announced that, like the US, Canada will conduct a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The UK and Australia have also declared a boycott. China had said it doesn’t matter. Everyone is out of step but Beijing is the Communist mantra.

Olaf Scholz becomes German Chancellor

Angela Merkel, the woman called the Face of European Governance, has stepped down as Chancellor of Germany. Her successor, Olaf Scholz took office today.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $2,500 from 26 friends and neighbours to replace Christmas balloons that were vandalized on Dec 6 at a home at Davisville Ave and Forman Ave. Read about it here.

The Ontario Science Table Advisory Board has published another set of worst-case scenarios for 2022. Notwithstanding widespread vaccination, the 63 named scientists and physicians predict that any return to pre-pandemic normal will create enough sickness among the unvaccinated to quickly paralyze hospital services. They recommend extended vaccination, masks, distancing, and a stay-at-home life well into 2022.

Capacity limits extended

Shortly after this news, the Ontario government announced the extension of capacity limits in higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is required as case counts have been steadily rising across the province for the past month.  It had been planned to lift these limits in the new year.

The US has announced it will apply a “political boycott” to the Beijing Olympics. This apparently means that athletes are free to compete even as administration officials stay home. The decision stops short of the full-scale measures seen during the Cold War and at other points in Olympic history. In Ottawa, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has called for Canada to initiate a diplomatic boycott of the games.

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Toronto. Gusts may reach 70 to 80 km/h. Meantime, a nasty weather system has thundered by to the southeast of the Golden Horseshoe including Toronto.

The City has opened warming centres for the homeless as nighttime temperatures slide well below zero. A release Monday says four centres will open at 7 p.m. at 129 Peter St., 5800 Yonge St., Exhibition Place Better Living Centre 195 Princes’ Blvd. and the Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr. The release says the warming centres will “activate approximately 150 spaces” and that these are “in addition to the 200 new spaces created through the City’s 2021/2022 Winter Services Plan.” It’s not clear from the release where these other 200 spaces are located. Release

From l to r # Catherina Maughan, Jennifer Avveduto, Ted DeWelles, Patrick Rocca (Vice Chair), Susan Parr (Secretary), Ann Brown (Chair) Absent: Kennis Kim (Treasurer), Jennifer Hanley and John Lea

Boxing play/Colin Mcconnell

Go Red Team

Leaside Curling Club joy

Mount Pleasant Village BIA

Bulldog digital publishing has picked up the printed front page (upper left) showing the executive of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society. From left to right are Catherina Maughan, Jennifer Avveduto, Ted DeWelles, Patrick Rocca (Vice-Chair), Susan Parr (Secretary), Ann Brown (Chair) Absent: Kennis Kim (Treasurer), Jennifer Hanley and John Lea. At top centre are a couple of lively boxing pooches as captured by Leslieville master photographer Colin Mcconnell. Thanks again, Colin. Top right are members of the Leaside Wildcats Team Red in a public-spirited campaign on behalf of the George Turrell Memorial Food Drive. Thanks to you, ladies. At bottom left, a gang of happy curlers at the Leaside Curling Club. Together again and making us smile. Lastly, the inventive program of voucher shopping from the Mount Pleasant Village BIA.