Many families will turn out the lights and perhaps turn off the television and computers as well between 8.30 and 9.30 p.m in the tenth annual observance of Earth Hour. It is a conscientious act — often inspired by children in the family — to remember the need to conserve. Still, some people of good will find Earth Hour less than compelling. In Calgary, there is hardly a blip in the power demand. Calgary Herald  A number of neighborhoods will make it a public occasion. There is a Beaches Earth Hour Lights Out and at the University of Toronto there will be a lecture on what it would be like if the earth were no longer habitable. Hmm. Reuters reports that more than 350 landmark buildings across the world including the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building and Taipei 101 will be darkened. In Australia, where Earth Hour has come and gone, this year’s theme is a celebration of “Places We Love,” such as beaches, forests, reefs, snow-capped mountains and rivers which could be at risk from climate change. Organizers say they hope this year’s Earth Hour can tap a “new momentum” in climate action following world leaders’ Paris agreement in December. That agreement set a course for global carbon emissions reduction to a net zero by 2100, shifting from fossil fuels in favor of greener energies such as solar and wind power.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she will crack down somehow on a trick pulled by some real estate agents of grabbing the difference between the list price and a secretly done deal with a bonus bid. It’s a kind of robbery on the seller.

A year into the doubtful practice of all-door boarding on Toronto streetcars, the TTC has found its budget blown to bits by a large drop in ridership. Or, maybe it’s just that a lot of riders aren’t paying. The inclination for many people to cheat at the carefree game of all-door boarding is so obvious it makes City officials look like chumps. Now a poll done by CP24 shows that transit riders admit it. Fully 21 percent of those responding say they do not always pay. Graphic as it is, a poll was not needed to know that this type of cheating is common. So-called fare inspectors checking to see who paid and who didn’t are estimated to interact with a miniscule four percent of the riders. It is a laughable shambles. Councillor Joe Mihevc is demanding that the TTC hire more fare inspectors. Why? How about having motormen and drivers do their jobs and collect fares as people get on. Won’t this slow down loading, some will say. Possibly, but that concern arises because 19th Century streetcars, unlike buses, sit in the middle of the street blocking traffic. The City is trying to run a system of streetcars by the same rules as a subway. The awful truth is that streetcars must generate enough paid business to at least meet the needs of the TTC’s spending. That may mean riders and motorists have to wait while people pay at the  front-door fare box.

Tinto bar de Tapas, Otta Zapotocky’s wine bar with food at 1581 Bayview Ave., has added a Mediterranean addition to the menu of pork and fish. A sumptuous seafood paella is now serving at the bistro. They say it is a popular dish.

Former Mayor Rob Ford is under 24-hour medical care at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Chemotherapy treatment in recent days apparently did not work. The 46-year-old Mr. Ford is with several members of his family. The treatment plan is not known except that doctors are reviewing all possibilities. Ford was admitted to the hospital in February for continued treatment of several tumours located on his bladder. He suffers from a soft tissue cancer known as pleomorphic liposarcoma. More than 3,000 messages of good will to the former mayor have come in. He now sits as a Councilor for Etobicoke Ward  2.

A class action lawsuit in California claims Starbucks intentionally underfills its lattes by 25 percent, saving the coffee giant millions in the cost of milk while ripping-off customers. The website Top Class Actions says that latte drinkers Siera Strumlauf and Benjamin Robles are claming that Starbucks baristas follow a standardized recipe when it comes to making lattes. According to the plaintiffs, latte-makers are instructed to fill a pitcher with steamed milk up to an etched “fill to” line, then pour shots of espresso into a serving cup, pour the steamed milk into the serving cup, top the latte with milk foam and leave 1/4 inch of free space at the top. However, the Starbucks class action alleges that the “fill to” lines don’t measure up to the supposed 12, 16, and 20 fluid ounce cup sizes offered to customers. “Tall Lattes are not 12 fluid ounces, Grande Lattes are not 16 fluid ounces, and Venti Lattes are not 20 fluid ounces,” the class action states. The plaintiffs say Starbucks made a conscious decision to underfill its lattes in 2009 in order to save on the cost of milk, which is one of its most expensive ingredients.

Ayesha Abdulreman

Toronto Police is requesting assistance locating Ayesha Abdulrehman, 22. She was last seen on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in the Keele Street and Steeles Avenue West area. She is described as 5’1″, 120 lbs., with a small build. She was last seen wearing a black head scarf, black-and-grey kaftan, grey jacket and carries a green-and-brown backpack. Police are concerned for her safety.  Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Bob Kerr has sent out a note to Leaside High School grads from approximately 1965 to 1972 about a recurring reunion of LHS alumnus. This one is Saturday April 30, 2016 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Leaside Pub at the corner of Laird and McRae.  Bob tells Leaside Chit Chat Facebook that this is the 16th Spring Reunion. He says the 1966 LHS Senior Football Team Champions with be there (What all of them?) Everyone is responsible for his/her own tab. For sure.