Two years before the next federal election, Canada’s major political parties are in a three-way race, but the “honeymoon” period for Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau appears to be over, a new Ipsos Reid/CTV News poll suggests. CTV
Digital “practice operations” for new surgeons
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Two surgeons-scientists in Toronto, Drs. Teodor Grantcharov and Vanessa Palter, are working on a practical digital exercise for new surgeons that appears to be a sure-fire way of preventing them from making mistakes. The idea is to have them do their operations in advance in a computer room. The two say that surgical residents ought to achieve an established level of proficiency in a virtual operating room before they start plying their scalpel in a real OR. Statistics show that in the first 50 cases, the risk of major complications is significantly higher than after the next 30 cases. Story
2013 apple crop hits South Bayview shelves
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South Bayview apple-eaters should be able to find at least a few varieites from the 2013 crop on shelves tomorrow (Saturday, September 28, 2013). Some specialty shops were offering the Ontario Honey Crisp just in today (Friday). These big juicy apples are an absolute treat and the really good news is that this year’s crop is huge. Farmers can see a long selling season because of ideal growing condtions this season in apple country to the north, east and southswest of Toronto Last year apple crops were devastated after a freakish warm spell in March caused the trees to bloom early. Then a deep frost killed off buds of an estaimted 85 percent of the crop. The farming horror story translated into a loss estiamted at some $60-million for Ontario apple growers. Honey Crisp is among the earliest varieties available but all the choices will be on sale soon. The sweet green-coloured Russett is usually a litle later
Belsize Drive town homes meeting this Fall
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The six town homes yet to be built at the site of the former Glebe Presbyterian Church on Belsize Drive are still under review at the City Planning Department. The process does not seem to be difficult and a public meeting on the development is expected sometime this fall. The homes will be three-storeys high with a common space underground garage containing 13 parking spots. School board probes case of TB at Scar. school
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Someone at a Scarborough high school has contracted tuberculosis, public health officials confirmed Friday. Global News
Toronto spends $75,000 for 30 very nice chairs
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The case of the $74,850 chairs to replace the old 1960s seating in the City Hall members lounge is clearly a case of the spending of Other People’s Money. This is an often repeated and seldom avoided folly of public servants and others who have authority to spend OPM. In this case, the designer chairs were wearing a little thin and so it was decided replacements were needed. Those responsible were apparently untouched by the Rob Ford method in such things. Instead, they commissioned a whole set — 30 of them — of designer made and finished chairs. The man who had final say on this has since resigned and he did so for reasons unrelated to the chair fiasco. There is understandable outrage over this at City Hall but the reasons behind it are little understood. The tendency of people to spend OPM more freely than their own is rooted in our DNA. It is truly a Darwinian flaw. Think about it. If the money does not belong to you, are you more inclined to let it go more freely. Yes, you are. Every office should have a sign on the wall that says “OPM.” Toronto Sun on the chairs
Leasider’s No Name adventure with Dave Nichol
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| Dave Nichol created No Name concept |
Long-time Leaside resident Ian Slack and his wonderful wife SueEllen will be fondly remembered by those who were their neighbors both on Airdrie Road and later at 2 Donlea Drive. Ian has written from his retirement home to tell us an entertaining story about the late Loblaws retailing genius Dave Nichol who died earlier this week. Nichol was known to be a perfectionist and Ian witnessed this quality during an assignment at the launch of the No Name line in the 80s. He was there at a Loblaws store with a cameraman whose name will be protected. Nichol wanted everything perfect and when he saw a display wasn’t up to snuff he simply walked away and staff had to rush in to make it right. Then Nichol would re-appear and begin his spiel about whatever line was on the table, Ian recalls. Nichol’s demonstrations contained displays of the No Name items next to well known brands. In one display, the price of the brand name ketchup was lower than the No Name. It seemed odd so Slack asked Nichol if in some cases consumers would have to pay more for the No Name brand. Nichol looked at the prices and without a word turned and walked away. The crew came running out and changed the prices so that the brand name ketchup cost more. The Brand name in fact cost more but a staffer had priced it wrong. Nichol returned to continue the interview but before Ian could ask a question his cameraman blurted out an appalling insult. “You’re attitude sucks,” he told the chief executive. Stunned and horrified Slack could only watch as once again Nichol walked away. Five minute later he returned and Slack was full of apologies for his cameraman’s insane behaviour. As he tried to make amends Ian’s phone started ringing. It was the news director asking “What the Hell is going on there?” Needless to say, Nichol had complained about the cameraman, something that doesn’t seem too unreasonable. As Ian tells it, he finished the interview as quickly as possible and made a run for the door. The cameraman was suspended for three days for his odd and untimely outburst. No word on the staffer who made the pricing error but we can only imagine.
PM says he won’t take no for answer on Keystone
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Stephen Harper gave Barak Obama what some might call a figurative finger in the eye today. The Prime Minister said as far as he is concerned the Keystone pipeline issue will not be settled if he gets a “no” from Mr Obama. Mr. Harper told a meeting of the Canadian American Business Council on the second day of his visit to New York that “my view is you don’t take no for an answer.” “We haven’t had that but if we were to get that, that won’t be final. This won’t be final until it’s approved and we will keep pushing forward,” Harper said. The words seem to hint at a strategy that looks beyond Mr. Obama’s term as president and prosecutes the Canadian case with whoever is next White House.
Toronto Camera Club will be open at Harvest Fair
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The Toronto Camera Club will be feature participant at the Mt. Pleasant BIA’s Harvest Fair this Saturday, October 29, 2913. The club will be is celebrating its 125 anniversary this year. That history is recalled in the National Post. Hope you are able to read it. Most of the Toronto newspapers require subscriptions these days. Harvest Fair
Man, 90, targeted by man and woman in car
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Toronto Police Service report: A 90 year old male reports that on September 20, 2013 at approximately 1800 hours, he was in the area of Sheppard Avenue West and Arleta Avenue, when a male and female suspect approached him in a vehicle. A conversation ensued and the male suspect removed the victim’s ring from his person. The female suspect made a demand for cash but the victim did not comply. The suspects then fled the scene in the vehicle in an unknown direction. No injuries sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, white. Suspect #2: Female, white.
Replacement nose grows on man’s forehead
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A man from China’s Fujian province has had a new nose grown on his forehead following a traffic accident last year. The 22-year-old man suffered severe nasal trauma and his subsequent treatment caused his nasal cartilage to corrode. Surgeons came up with the idea of growing a nose on his forehead. The nose was created by placing a skin tissue expander onto Xiaolian’s forehead. This was cut into the shape of a nose and was supported by cartilage taken from the man’s ribs. Surgeons say that the nose has developed well and that the transplant surgery will be carried out soon.
Memories of Dave Nichol, food retailing genius
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It’s only accurate to call Dave Nichol a food retailing genius. Nichol created the private-line concept in Canada and was responsible for household terms ranging from President’s Choice to The Insider’s Report to the entire “Memories of…” line of products. He was a dynamo who expected high performance from staff and ultimately fell out with his employer, Loblaw, over money. Nichols died Sunday at the age of 73. No cause of death was given. The Chatham, Ont., native appeared in television ads for Loblaws in the 80s and 90s, pitching products and promotions of all types. Nichol joined Loblaws in 1972 and held various roles with the company, including president of Loblaw Supermarkets and head of the product development team. Many of the products Nichol is responsible for remain popular, including the Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie A statement from Loblaw Companies Limited praised Nichol as an innovative marketer who left a lasting mark on the company. “We are deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers go out to Dave’s family,” said chairman Galen G. Weston. “Dave’s passion for food and his vision helped to transform the way Canadians eat, and he has left a tremendous legacy that endures in the company today. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to work with him and benefit from his guidance and friendship.”