It seems like a disservice to all Ontarians for the Health Department to throw a cloak of secrecy over the deaths of two persons who drank liquid hand sanitizer. We are not suggesting that the private lives of the deceased be made public, but some information would help parents to better address their fears for their children. It is a curious story. The labels on Bodico brand of sanitizer clearly say that the contents should not be ingested. But there is an error apparently in which the active ingredient, methanol, was mislabelled as ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is made from grain and is usually potable. It is a serious error. But it makes the point that those who drank this sanitizer knew enough about alcohol to believe they might actually consume hand sanitizer and survive. Who would do this? It is a fair and important question. Ontario residents have a right to know the general circumstances.
Here’s how to frighten and shock your neighbours
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If you catch them when they aren’t thinking about Halloween, you can give your neighbors a good shock when they see your place is for sale because it’s been condemned. That’s what the high-spirited (spirited, get it?) family on Hudson Drive in Moore Park did when they wrapped the front drive and walkway of their lovely ravine mansion in yellow tape, cobwebs and this sign announcing the end of decent property values nearby. But, of course, it is Halloween. It’s all good. Forest Hill loses Heritage Kitchens to Thornhill
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Heritage Kitchens, the custom manufacturer of many installations across Toronto, will move from its location at 369 Eglinton Ave West where it has been for about 20 years. The company says that all things change and it now needs to place its order centre and showroom next to the fabricating facility at 2600 John Street, Markham.
Ford “salivating” to defend his record in 2014
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Mayor Rob Ford says he is “absolutely salivating” to defend his record in the city’s general election next November. He was speaking on his weekly show on NewsTalk 1010 in response to news that Karent Stintz (Ward 16) has declared for the chief magistrate’s job. Post below.
Legendary Lou Reed’s timeless music will live on
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Tories pondering giving break to “Senate 3”
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Senators in the Conservative majority are pondering whether to amend the motion to suspend senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau, to maybe give them a break. Government Leader in the Senate Claude Carignan says the caucus could craft new motions tomorrow (Monday) as long as there is consensus among party members. The announcement has infuriated Senate Opposition Leader James Cowan. “Instead of having this thing dealt with in the Senate, where Sen. Carignan has said it should be done . . . now it’s going to be settled in the Conservative caucus in private,” Cowan complained.
Karen Stintz says she will run for mayor in 2014
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Karen Stintz, TTC chair and member for Ward 16, has told Don Peat of the Toronto Sun that she will run for mayor in 2014. The online version of the story sets its posting at 11 p.m. Saturday evening. “I’m running,” Ms Stintz is quoted as saying on Friday. “I’m assembling a campaign team because I believe that elections are about choice and I want to be able to offer a choice to the people of Toronto.” The announcement seems to open the door for more — many more — candidates now that a main event of sorts has been set up between Ms Stintz and Mayor Rob Ford. The conventional view of this type of contest is that it may very well have the effect of electing left-wing candidate Olivia Chow. In this strategic view, the presumption is that Ms Stintz and Mr Ford could split the centre-right vote sufficiently to let Ms Chow come up the middle. Ms Chow has not yet declared, but she is widely thought to be readying a run. Other serious candidates might include John Tory, now a radio talk show host, who has said recently on the air that he is still thinking about running. Support for Ms Stintz on council will be substantial. It is clear that in 2010 Mr Ford had the backing of councillors like Ms Stintz, Jaye Robinson and John Parker. The same does not seem to be true today. Mr. Parker has stayed publicly neutral but some suspect that his appearance with Ms Stintz at events in his own ward suggests a sympathy for her ambitions. The TTC chair will have a stronghold in her residential locale of Lawrence Park, an area where ratepayers share the values of those in much of east central Toronto and South Bayview. Mr. Peat recalls that Stintz was Ford’s hand-picked TTC chair in 2010. She quickly found herself at odds with the mayor and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford. Don PeatWashington wanted to kill off Buick and GMC too
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Former General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz is saying that the big car firm was forced to kill its Pontiac brand by the U.S. federal government. Not only that, the government was not so hot on keeping Buick and GMC. Buick was saved because it was the best-selling car in China. If it were forced to eliminate Buick at home. GM argued, the Chinese consumer would quickly lose interest in it. That warning worked. The GMC brand survived when GM insisted it was the heart and soul of its truck business. The crisis is still less than five years old and many will recall how Barack Obama essentially fired GM President Rick Waggoner in 2009 because he would not declare bankruptcy. “I badly wanted to keep Pontiac,” Lutz is quoted as saying recently by Jalopnik.com. Pontiac, Lutz argued, was on its way back after years of mismanagement. The Solstice sports car and Pontiac G6 were new and had a great future, Lutz said. Washington wanted to get GM down to Cadillac and Chevrolet. They said “you don’t need all these brands. You need one prestige brand, and one mass-market brand.”
“Why lady?” crash checks out Lincoln SUV
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Halton Regional Police are going over a black Lincoln Navigator SUV this weekend as a part of their attempt to learn why it crashed into some 17 cars near the intersection of Huronontario and Dundas Streets Friday night. The vehicle was driven by a 62-year-old woman about about whom the police have said exactly nothing so far. We know of course they are speaking to her. She suffered what are being called “very minor injuries” in the crash. In fact, all the drivers were pretty much able to walk away. What good luck that was. Police have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the collision but the results of the mechanical inspection on the Lincoln are not expected to be known for a few days days.
Eglinton Public School celebrates 100 years today
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| Memories of the 70s and 80s |
Eglinton Public School at the corner of Eglinton Ave. W. and Mount Pleasant Rd. is celebrating 100 years at this location today (Saturday, October 26, 2013). In addition to an afternoon of speeches and festivities at the school, the Friends of Eglinton (retired teachers, principals and former students) are hosting a soiree at the Granite Brewery across the street beginning at 4.30 p.m.
Saudi women drivers push the rules by driving
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The complex morality of Saudi Arabia is being tested again by women who insist on driving. The hussies. But really, what a strange place it is. Allied with the libertine United Sates, and dependent on it really, but full of fundamental jihadist crusades that threaten the future of the earth. Now it is said that more than 60 Saudi activists have clambered behind the wheel of a car and driven it around when they know it is strictly forbidden for women to do this. Saudi professor and campaigner Aziza Youssef said her group has received 13 videos and another 50 phone messages from women showing or claiming they had driven. She said they have no way to verify the messages. If the numbers are accurate, this year’s campaign is the most successful effort yet by Saudi women demanding the right to drive. Youssef said they have not received any reports of arrests or women being ticketed by police. A security official said that authorities did not arrest or fine any female drivers on Saturday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Anyway, see you later honey. Don’t forget to buy gas.