U.S. repository is macabre evidence of endangered species
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680 News (Rogers) snarky story about TIFF (Bell) closures
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Toronto’s 680 News has written a snarky story about how the TTC has caved in to political pressure from City Hall to close King Street and disrupt the 504 streetcar line from University Ave to Peter St for the five-day Toronto International Film Festival. No doubt residents will assess the story according to their own prejudices about TIFF and the mayoralty of John Tory. But the radio station tartly remarks on its website that his worship is all in favour of the street closure notwithstanding his election pledge to “keep this city moving” For the TTC, it appears to mean the 504 route will be split in two — an east and west division, so to speak. There is an additional political element not mentioned by the Rogers-owned 680 News. It’s that Bell Canada is the Prime Sponsor of TIFF. Rogers and Bell are coiled business opponents. Here is part what 680 said:
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) board brushed aside its own staff report on Wednesday night, voting in favour of a plan to close King Street for four days during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The plan to close King Street from University Avenue to Peter Street between Sept. 10 and 13, has the backing of Mayor John Tory, despite his election vow to “get this city moving.” Shortly after taking office, Tory released a six-point plan to ease congestion, which included a crackdown on the seemingly endless series of event road closures that plague motorists, notably marathons. But when it comes to rolling out the red carpet for Hollywood heavyweights and film buffs, Tory’s hot to trot. The mayor, and councillor Joe Cressy, penned a letter to TTC board members, pressing for the closure.“We are pleased to write to the TTC board in support of (TIFF’s) request to close King Street … to create the pedestrian friendly hub known as “Festival Street,” the letter stated.
Cabinet poll shows 73% of residents oppose selling Hydro
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An Ontario government survey done by Pollara Strategic Insights indicates that almost three-quarters of Ontarians don’t like its plan to sell a 60 per cent stake in Hydro One. The New Democrats obtained the results through freedom of information means. It is said to show 73 per cent of respondents believe the Crown electricity transmission utility should definitely or probably stay in public hands.
Baby sloth no slouch at task of winning hearts on Internet
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Thank you BBC Breakfast for sharing this video of a baby sloth and his fuzzy companion at the London Zoo. Happy Friday.
More information about Edward the Baby Sloth:
Breaking: Canadian vaccine stops Ebola says Lancet
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Medical Journal The Lancet carries news today that a vaccine produced last year at Canada’s national laboratory in Winnipeg is an effective and fast immunization against Ebola. It is the first time an experimental Ebola vaccine has been shown to protect people against the deadly disease. There had been high hopes that this vaccine, called rVSV-ZEBOV. Now data from a field trial conducted in Guinea is said to show the vaccine “works pretty quickly, and it works well,” according to Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny of the World Health Organization
Where’s Sinatra? Once-in-a-blue-moon night is tonight
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It will appear tonight. Is it romantic? Just read the below Toronto Star
Blue moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my ownBlue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And so on.
Coca Cola moves Walter Yarwood statue to Brampton
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l to r: Coke statue, Sculptor Walter Yarwood (below) What’s left
Coca Cola Limited has moved the Walter Yarwood bronze statue from 42 Overlea Blvd to its bottling plant at 15 Westcreek Blvd in Brampton. The statue was part of the memorable approach to the former Coca Cola offices in Thorncliffe Park and is still owned by the soft drink company. Coke has however offered to donate the statue to the City but the circumstances of that possible arrangement seem unclear at this writing. According to a Coke source at the Brampton plant, the statue is on the property but is not accessible to the public. The statue was removed from its base and resting place of more than half a century on the Overlea property about two weeks ago. The late Walter Yarwood was one of the so-called Painters 11. These were Canadian artists who formed their relationship in Toronto in 1953. In the latest planning idea offered by Costco for their proposed store at the Overlea site, the statue would sit more or less where it had been for so many years but in a new ground-level square.
Cheesed? Kraft Dinner to be called KD from this day on
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Times change and so does Kraft Dinner. Parents will recall when that brand was pretty much synonymous with the term Mac’n’Cheese. But no more. The new name is KD and the company claims that 80 percent of Canadian consumers use that name for the familiar blue box of macaroni. “The way Canadians refer to Kraft Dinner as KD is as much a term of endearment as when you call a relative or a friend by a nickname,” brand director Kristen Eyre said. We’ll take her word. So the name is changing and there is also a hashtag — #KDisnowKD.
Australian experts confident wreckage is from MH370
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Authorities hunting for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 said Friday that they were “increasingly confident” the wreckage found on an Indian Ocean island was from the ill-fated jet, raising hopes of solving one of aviation’s great mysteries. Asia Times
Spellbinding drama as ducks succeed in crossing highway
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You will be riveted to this video as a family of ducks crosses a busy four-lane highway in Minnesota. The cars swerve, brake, nearly collide and pull off the road. It makes the occasional work of Toronto police on the Don Valley Parkway look easy. Truly a miracle. And quite dangerous for everyone.
Apple watch to be sold at Best Buy! Why not Canadian Tire?
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You know the Apple watch is moving slowly when it shows up courtesy of Apple at Best Buy. So if you’ve got $450 lying around for a watch, pop into Best Buy. Not CTC. CBC
Moving sidewalks shorten island airport trip to six minutes
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The new pedestrian tunnel to Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island has been opened and it has turned the 10 or 15 minute trip (sometimes) on the ferry into a six-minute quick-walk along moving sidewalks and escalators. It seems like a nice job and the striking model of Bishop’s 1917 Nieuport 17 in which he reputedly shot down the Red Baron is wonderful touch. Bishop was, in any event, a true Canadian hero. The video below shows the plan for three years of work (2012 to 2015) and is quite informative. All in all, a job well done.