The South Bayview Bulldog

Agreement was reached Thursday by 20 of the world’s largest carmakers which will mean that automatic emergency braking (AEB) becomes a standard feature in all cars by 2022. AEB is a system of sensors that will apply the brakes to a vehicle if the driver does not respond to pedestrians and other cars in front of him. General Motors, Ford, BMW, Toyota and other dominant brands are a party to the deal which was announced by the U.,S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

A FlyDubai airliner 737 with 62 people on board plunged to earth and exploded early Saturday while trying to land in strong winds in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, killing all aboard, officials said. Several planes had trouble landing at the airport at the time of the crash, with one trying to land three times before giving up and diverting to another airport, experts said.

CNN put together this sad story.

The Spring Leaside Community Blood Donor Clinic will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Northlea School, 305 Rumsey Road. This important clinic is rooted in the history of Leaside and remains an inspiring reminder of local friends who needed the help of others. All those who can give — especially the young 17 and over — are asked to give the gift of life. Who would not save a life? The clinic runs from 2 to 7 p.m. so it is easy to plan an after school visit. Call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment.

STORY OF EMMY DUFF

Emmy Duff

The first clinic was organized in 2003 in response to the diagnosis of leukemia in not one, but two Northlea students. The efforts of volunteers and ordinary Leaside citizens extended the lives of these two young people and helped many others. But it was a losing battle for Emily Elizabeth Duff, who died in September 2012 having been originally diagnosed at the age of seven. She fought a courageous battle and inspired thousands with her cheerful spirit and hard work. Here is what is said on the website of the scholarship established in her name. It gives you all the reasons you need to find time to get over to Northlea School on April 12.

WHO SHE WAS

“Throughout her journey, Emmy’s remarkable spirit inspired those around her. With her never-failing strength and positive outlook, she embraced life at every turn, including her time away from home as a university student at Laurier. Emmy was a fundraising advocate for a number of causes, sharing her story with those that were important to her, including childhood cancer organizations, as a Sick Kids Ambassador, for Canadian Blood Services, L.U.C.K at Laurier, and Look Good Feel Better. Em will be remembered most by all who knew her as a thoughtful and caring friend. Emmy was an extraordinary young woman with a courageous spirit and love for life. This scholarship will not only ensure that Emmy’s memory is carried on but also provide the opportunity for others in similar situations to live out their goals and further their education.”

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.