Globe and Mail Also, Canada Day honours in Ottawa
Cellphone service in Toronto celebrates 30 years today
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George Fierheller, the first CEO of Cantel Communciations, fires up his cell phone for a conversation back in 1985. He is standing in the doorway of the company’s headquarters at 40 Eglinton Ave. E. Cantel was later to be known as Rogers Wireless. The first cell phone service was introduced in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton and Oshawa on Canada Day that year. This small beginning would soon become the world’s longest contiguous cellular network (Windsor through Quebec City) only a short time later, and the wireless network we know today. CBC report below is fun.
Canada Day morning forecast drops thunder, lightning
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The outlook for Canada Day morning has improved substantially from earlier in the day. Many people like to get an early start and those organizing local parades, bike rides and walks were looking forward to a second straight year of getting drenched. Now the probability of precipitation is down to 40 percent and the thunder and lightning previously called for has been dropped. Happy Canada Day everyone!
Vaughan vs Chow? Downtown darlings may duke it out
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Two downtown darlings of the political left may face each other in the freshly created riding of Spadina-Fort York in the October federal election. They are Adam Vaughan and Olivia Chow. Ms Chow, seemingly born to represent someone, is rested from her unsuccessful run for mayor. She says she is thinking about it. Mr Vaughan, a former City Councillor who knocked the NDP out of Trinity Spadina in a byelection last year, will have his popularity tested. A Liberal, he jumped to the Trudeau bandwagon when Chow resigned as MP to run for mayor. No doubt the NDP would find it a sweet victory. And according to a Mainstreet/Postmedia poll published in the Sun, Chow could win Spadina-Fort York. Some 36% of those polled on Saturday said they’d vote for Chow while 30% said they’d vote for Vaughan, the MP for Trinity-Spadina. Among decided voters, Chow is at 44% Vaughan at 36%
Bayview’s Elegant Garage Sale owner Lynn Albert has died
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A note on the front door of The Elegant Garage Sale Tuesday announces the death of founder Lynn Albert. She died on Monday, June 29, 2015. The store is closed today. The Elegant Garage Sale was Ms. Albert’s concept and she was the abiding presence in the popular consignment store for some 37 years.
Shocking attempt to steal a motorcycle in New York
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New York police have released this surveillance video of a vicious attack by two men on a motorcyclist in an attempt to steal his bike. It happened earlier this month. A furious fight occurs and it appears that the owner of the motorcycle is able to hang on to his bike. The two thieves are seen running off camera at the end of the video.
Replica grenade in vacant building shut down Jarvis
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Toronto Police say that what appears to be a harmless replica hand grenade caused them to shut down Jarvis Street Tuesday morning. The fake grenade was found by workers in a vacant building. Jarvis Street re-opened about 11.15 a.m.
East York Canada Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. July 1
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The annual East York Canada Day Parade will be a local focus of interest on Wednesday,, July 1, 2015. It begins at 10 a.m. Once again marching bands will make their way at from Dieppe Park (at 455 Cosburn Ave.) to Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.). There entertainment and kids activities from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the fireworks show set for 10:15 p.m. Last year
Fraudsters can make you think it’s the CRA calling
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Toronto Police are warning the public about an ongoing scam involving crooked telephone calls purportedly coming from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), police officers, and/or federal agents working for Immigration Canada or a large utility company like Hydro One. Residents with call display/caller ID will see the name Canada Revenue Agency on their phone or a phone number associated with Toronto Police Service or the utility company. This is accomplished with “spoof cards” which can be easily purchased. Spoof cards are calling cards that let you pretend you are calling from any phone number you select, and that phone number is displayed on the receiving phone’s caller ID. Residents are led to believe these calls are legitimate due to the phone numbers displayed or the personal information the caller may have about the resident or a family member. These fraudulent phone calls instruct the recipients to wire-transfer money or purchase pre-paid credit cards. Never agree to such a request because it almost certainly an attempt to rob. Call the police at the number listed in the phone book or online.
50,000 honeybees living in rafters of Cambridge home
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Michelle Chung of the CBC tells it.
Sinkhole shuts Runnymede from Annette to St. John’s Rd.
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A large sinkhole has opened up on Runnymede Road near the Junction. The sinkhole appeared on Runnymede between St. John’s Road and Annette Street after a very rainy overnight.
Three Leaside Parks closed because of wet conditions
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The Parks Department has officially closed both Trace Manes Park and Howard Talbot Park in the west diamond area, as well as Leaside Park on Millwood Road. This is caused of course by the soggy conditions and sadly there appears to rain in tomorrow’s forecast. What a nuisance..