The dead and injured in Sunday’s head-on crash on Winston Chiurchill Blvd have been named. CBC
Creepy! Snapchat wants to track your kids at all times
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Snapchat is keen to have you — and your kids — tell them where you are at all times. Even when you’re in bed. The idea is to sell you (and them) stuff by tailoring ads to the location. Isn’t that sweet? Next, it’s 20 years since Britain handed back Hong Kong to China. The century-long colonial life of the former Crown colony made most Chinese who lived there happy to be colonized. Now some say they aren’t sure who they are. Then, Barry Gibb was finding it easy to “stay alive” with his 40-year-old disco stuff at the Glastonbury rock concert over the weekend. And the EU has fined Google a staggering 2.4 billion Euros for giving itself preference among shopping comparison services on Google search.
Raccoon “constituent” rummages in Councillor’s garden
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Josh Matlow (Ward 22) has posted a picture of his closeness to nature (whether he likes it or not) as he reviewed the agenda for the audit committee in his garden. Comments on Facebook suggest this is “too close” as raccoon proximity goes with others saying it is “So Toronto” and “Midtown Yup.” One ventures that the raccoon is complaining about the new green bins. (Many in Midtown are complaining they still aren’t here). An off-beat take is offered by a reader that this is a lobbyist from Porter Airlines.
Early morning flyer snaps classic rainbow at Yonge and Eg
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Starbucks lunch and other news beyond South Bayview
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New CFO Scott Maw (upper left) has a never-say-die determination as Starbucks once again vows to turn the green lady coffee shops into lunch spots. So far, the plan seems mostly talk but there’s lots of money on hand when they decide to spend. Starbucks is said to have something like a billion and a half dollars advanced to it by customers for coffee-as yet unordered, much less drunk. Monday was the 25th anniversary of Starbucks’ listing on the Nasdaq. As a publicly traded company, the chain has grown from 150 stores to over 26,000 brick-and-mortar locations, with more than 330,000 employees today, Maw told CNBC.
STAR TOUCH IS HISTORY
The Toronto Star is laying off 30 employees as it shuts down Star Touch, the tablet app that was supposed to make the once fat and sassy Star rich again. Apparently it failed to meet management expectations for readership uptake. The tablet-only app will be replaced by one for smartphones as well as tablets, and will be available to readers before the end of July. The Star Touch final edition will run on July 31.
THERESA TAM CANADA’S TOP DOCTOR
Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott has appointed Dr. Theresa Tam (upper right) as Canada’s top doctor, the third person to head the Public Health Agency of Canada since its inception in 2004. Tam had been acting chief public health officer since the retirement of former PHAC chief Dr. Gregory Taylor in December. The pediatric infectious disease specialist has held a number of senior leadership positions at the agency, including assistant deputy minister of infectious disease prevention and control.
South Bayview torrential cocktail comes with thunder, ice
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As the clock crept up towards three o’clock Monday afternoon the heavens opened for a couple of good helpings of rain and ice pellets. The torrent filled gutters and overflowed sewers.
Special Weather Statement: More unsettled conditions this afternoon with scattered thunderstorms producing small hail and gusty winds. Yet another disturbance will sweep across Southern Ontario today into tonight. Scattered thunderstorms spread across regions from southern Georgian Bay to the Golden Horseshoe. They are now pushing to the east of the area and affecting portions of Eastern Ontario.
PEA-SIZED HAIL
All activity should weaken this evening. Many of the thunderstorms have produced pea-sized hail. And a few have given 1 centimetre hail or perhaps a little larger. Given the cool temperatures and favourable atmospheric conditions, the hail may be abundant and nearly cover the ground at times. The main concern is damage to tender crops and plants. Isolated brief funnel clouds and wind gusts to 70 km/h may also be associated with a few of these storms. The funnel clouds are not expected to touch down.
Pottery bridge, media type search and LUC flag on a barn
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A Leaside and East York gallery from Monday’s media ether reveals a wonderful picture of the Pottery Road bridge in 1928. As any motorist knows, the bridge is fully extant and is now part of a two-lane crossing of the Don. Thanks and regards to the East York Historical Society. Upper right. Ann Brown is calling for candidates as Leaside Memorial Community Gardens tackles social media. Good idea. And below that, Leaside United Church was able to hit the side of the barn with this flag as a reminder of its July 2 service with hymns.
Illegal pot shops “dreaming in technicolour” of legal future
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The former chief of staff to Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins say he thinks the dozens of illegal pot shops operating in Toronto are “dreaming in technicolour” if they think they have any future in the legal sale of marijuana in Ontario. Omar Khan was talking on CBC radio with Matt Galloway. “There is no way the province of Ontario or any other province is going to give a retail distribution licence to any entity that’s involved in criminal activity,” he said. In this regard, Mr. Khan was cautious about just where current supply to these shops originates. But his words suggested it is illegal. Police have said that marijuana is grown cheaply in countless locations both natural and artificial and is sold for enormous profit at illegal locations.
Truck tips on turn and is left teetering over Highway 401
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A tractor trailer has tipped while navigating a curved approach at Highway 401 near Highway 400 leaving it teetering over the eastbound lanes of the 401 Monday morning. OPP posted images on Twitter showing a transport truck leaning against the guard rail over Highway 401. The vehicle was carrying heavy paper rolls which it seems likely were not fully secured inside the truck. It happened some time around 8:30 a.m. on the eastbound Highway 401 ramp at Highway 400. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said collector lanes have reopened, but express lanes will remain closed until crews put the truck upright over the next hour. He said one person suffered minor injuries in the rollover.
Tentative agreement for well-paid employees of LCBO
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There has been a tentative agreement reached between the LCBO and employee members of OPSEU, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Discussion with members is required and ratification may occur early in the week. OPSEU was set to strike Monday but this is now cancelled. The issue, as related by the union, was the schedules of part-time employees. Some reports say LCBO cashiers earn $28 an hour.
CGS on Eglinton graduation and final assembly for 2016-17
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It has been a truly wonderful year over at CGS on Eglinton East. The students all made amazing progress, each in their own, unique way. Their Final Assembly & Graduation was held on June 15. It is a very special event for the CGS community. It is time to reflect on the school year and to celebrate the accomplishments of all CGS students. Highlights included the Graduate slideshow, the Grade 2/3 performance of their original song, See Ya’ After Class, the announcement of The Principal’s Club fundraising total of $4,024, the Staff adaptation of So Happy Together and the annual visit from the ice cream truck.
CLOSING WORDS
Principal, Marie Bates, always closes the Assembly with some poignant words for parents to take away with them. After a year of focused academic work for the children, Marie wanted to share these words to remind parents of what an important role character plays in education, at home and at school.
Don’t become preoccupied with your child’s academic ability, but instead teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to share. Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world.
Martha the droopy mastiff is a sweetheart and beautiful too
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Martha the Neapolitan Mastiff is more than just a droopy face. This three-year-old, 125-lb. sweetheart with 300 lb of skin is the world’s most beautiful ugly dog. Martha and friend Shirley Zindler of Sebastopol, California were at the 29th Annual Uglist Dog Show, a contest that seeks to find the inner beauty in canines. The prize was $1,500 and life with Martha.
