A compelling column appears in the Globe and Mail by Eric Reguly which features a study that claims the Olympic Games always result in a huge cost overrun. It is apparently never possible to keep the games within budget. Why? You can guess at things like the pressure from the organizers, political ego (no really) or maybe the devious plans of would-pro sports owners. An excerpt: “Here is what Brent Flyvbjerg and Allison Stewart of Oxford University said in a landmark study on the cost of the Games between 1960 and 2012: ‘The Games overrun with 100 per cent consistency… Other project types are typically on budget from time to time, but not the Olympics. With an average cost overrun in real terms of 179 per cent – and 324 per cent in nominal terms – overruns in the Games have historically been larger than for other types of megaprojects, including infrastructure, construction and dams. . . “The Pan Am Games infrastructure (already built) is too small for the Olympics and would have to be replaced. A monster Olympic stadium would have to be built and the price tag for that alone could be $1 billion (Canadian). Dubious dealings are virtually guaranteed. Watch the nice men who cherish an NFL franchise in Toronto, but can’t get one without a dazzling new stadium, hijack Toronto’s Olympic stadium plans. What better than to get three levels of government to subsidize the stadium’s construction, then take it over for football?” No guarantees of a franchise of course.
Pennant bound? Bases-loaded home run for soaring Jays
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Hanging out agenda: Weekend events from City News
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Jose Bautista homers in 10th as Jays top Yankees
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Liberal cabinet minister Michael Chan sues Globe and Mail
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New (and recent) movies for your weekend consideration
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Applause as woman safely down from St. Michael’s roof
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A woman was rescued from the roof of St. Michael’s Cathedral Friday evening. She had apparently climbed up scaffolding and was in a distressed state. Police located her on the roof and got her onto a stretcher. Then several firefighters climbed a ladder to the roof and slowly brought the woman down. Her safe arrival on the street prompted applause from a large crowd which had gathered on Shuter Street. The street was closed for nearly 90 minutes. A happy ending. CP24 screen
Tick-tock comrade clock please don’t let anyone in here
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When people scratch their heads and worry that the newly-announced time zone for North Korea just isolates the country, they don’t get it. Of course a weird what-the-heck-time-is-it-anyway clock isolates North Korea. That has been the purpose of the ruling family there since the place was tortured into existence by the Russians in 1945. (Another thing to thank the Russians for). North Korea cannot exist without being isolated. The idea of “normal relations” with anybody makes the little dictator want to strap people to the barrel of a cannon. Outside thoughts, money, business and capitalist aspirations would sweep him and his family away in a wink. Of course the tick-tock comrade clock will isolate them. You bet.
Danforth Dash Bed Race runs held in perfect weather
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Here we have one of many heats run Friday afternoon in the 9th annual Toronto East General Hospital Danforth Dash Bed Race. This one features the Argo cheerleader defeating the Argo Mascots. There were at least 15 teams maybe more (see below) and it looked like the perennial champions Transit Workers team would take it again. But the winning was in the running, so to speak and all participants seemed fully pumped. After the event, they could grab a nibble or two at the Taste of the Danforth. Video: The South Bayview Bulldog
Former home of Peter, Yvonne Worthington demolished
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The home for so many years of Yvonne and Peter Worthington is being demolished on Friday, August 7, 2015. It on the north side of Heath Street E on the short block of Heath between Welland Ave and Hudson Drive. It will be replaced by one single family dwelling according to plans.
Opening day at Drink Juice Co at Manor and Bayview
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Sophia (left) and Nadia are feeling okay this Friday (August 7, 2015) as they open the doors to their shop on Manor Rd. right behind the Hollywood Gelato. It is called Drink Juice Co., just so there are no mistakes. The blends are all bottled up in the fridge and there is lots of taste-testing. Nice to take home (inset). When you’re done that, get Sophia and Nadia to tell you about their early days of planning business when they were classmates.
“Organic asparagus water” laughed out of Whole Foods
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In the U.S., $6 bottles of organic asparagus water have been laughed off the shelves by journalists and the public. One editor said: “Somewhere in L.A., Whole Foods executives are laughing at all of us.” All Whole Foods stores in the GTA said they did not sell the drink. For its part, Whole Foods says the product was sold only briefly in California. Then it was removed.