Bill Murray shreds script of Ghostbuster III

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It seems Bill Murray (centre) is not interested in  a re-make of the 1980s comedy classic Ghostbusters. Murray, who is pushing 64, was sent a script for a second re-make of the movie. He is said to have shredded the document and sent it back to co-star and (we think) friend Dan Ackroyd (left). His note read:  “No one wants to pay money to see fat, old men chasing ghosts!” It has long been reported that Murray was lukewarm about re-making the inventive franchise. Nonetheless, there is an expectation that a whole new cast of younger players could yet get the call. It is clear however that Mr. Stay-Puft (right)  the emblematic mascot of Stay-Puft Marshmallows, will play himself. Normally Mr.Stay-Puft is a happy chap but he was able to assume a very memorable menacing role in the climax of the original Ghostbusters.  

Pride Week a time of sober satisfaction for most

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The Rainbow Flag may well have made its first official appearance on South Bayview as Scotiabank has adorned its branch with the colourful pennants. For most people here the hard-won advances in equality and fairness for which the flag stands will be cause for sober satisfaction more than a call to party. The importance of the pride that comes with knowledge of one’s acceptance in  a community is easily understood. The pride  rallying cry is  well-rooted in North American culture.  Many will remember the importance it had for Black people in the 1960s. For those who have been privileged to feel this security of place all of their lives the exhortation to the party may seem a little unnecessary. “What does Pride mean to you?” is the insistent query. Well relax. The question is rhetorical. We need not worry about making a pedestrian response such as “my chess game” or “I make a good pot roast.” Remember instead that millions of people are celebrating the exercise of life-sustaining principles which have been denied them for a very long time.         

30-minute GO trains — or a cap on the HST?

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As Premier Kath hinted a few months ago, the province is going to turn the GO Lakeshore into something like a rapid transit route. The minister, Glen Murray, announced today (Friday, June 28, 2013) that the trains will soon be running every 30 minutes instead of hourly.  How will we pay for this? The minister says it’s all okay — taxes will pay for it. Of course, the Liberals at Queen’s Park are still nursing the idea of a 14 per cent HST. We all know how well that was received in Ottawa. So, what do we really want? Really need? GO trains every 30 minutes or a cap on the sales tax? We suspect we will be hearing abut it

Aeroplan says it may move to the TD Visa

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Behind-the-scenes dealing with two major banks over the right to stamp their Visa card with the Aeorplan name is now being played out in public. There’s probably a good reason for that as Aeroplan — which is operated by Aimia Inc.– seeks to enlist cardholder support  to improve its position with the banks. Aimia says it has an open mind about replacing CIBC as its bank credit card partner at the end of 2013 unless the Commerce matches contractual terms offered by TD Bank. Aeorplan has been a CIBC product for as long as most of its cardholders can remember. It started as an Air Canada frequent flyer program. In recent years Aeroplan has evolved into an extensive loyalty scheme operated by Aimia Inc. “It’s basically a battle for Canada’s most affluent credit card holders. That’s a key and attractive market to essentially own,” Kenric Tyghe, industry analyst at Raymond James told the Star. The potential bidding war between the banks was set up  as Aimia announced what it called groundbreaking changes to Aeroplan to take effect Jan. 1, 2014. The company’s new Distinction recognition program will reward top-accumulating members with flight reward benefits, bonus mile offers, and preferential treatment. As well, Aeroplan plans to cancel its current policy where unredeemed miles expire after seven years. Instead, miles will not expire as long as members stay active in the program with at least one accumulation or redemption activity every 12 months. , 

Laureen Harper helps clean out flooded basement

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If anyone wondered if living in 24 Sussex Drive has softened up Laureen Harper, they should have seen her go Wednesday. The prime minister’s wife — along with a whole bunch of Calgary MPs, friends and assistants — cleaned out literally tonnes of garbage from flood-damaged Calgary-area homes, helped deliver tonnes of food at the Morley reserve and then — after putting in a solid eight hours of work and travel, continued on to Exshaw, where she helped clean out a couple more damaged homes. Calgary Herald

Canada Day weekend events and road closures

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Here are weekend events that will cause slowdown in traffic. 
 Church Street Pride Festival – Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1 – Church Street from Carlton Street to Hayden Street will be closed from Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m. to Monday, July 1 at 6 a.m. 
 Pride and Remembrance Run – Saturday, June 29 – Wellesley Street from Jarvis Street to and including Queen’s Park Circle will be closed on Saturday, June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. 
 Dyke March – Saturday, June 29 – All roads in the route will be closed between noon and 5 p.m. (The march takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.) – March route: begins at Church and Hayden Street, proceeds north on Church Street to Bloor Street East, west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Carlton Street, east on Carlton Street and finishes just before Sherbourne Street. 
 Pride Parade – Sunday, June 30 – All roads in the route will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.) – Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road, from Bayview Avenue to Park Road. – Parade route: begins at Church Street and Bloor Street East, proceeds west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to finish at Dundas Street. Pride Concert at Yonge-Dundas Square – Sunday, June 30 – Yonge Street from Dundas Street to Queen Street will be closed from 1 p.m. to midnight. 
 Canada Day Celebrations at Mel Lastman Square– Yonge Street, from North York Boulevard to Park Home Avenue, will be closed on Monday, July 1 from 7 to 11 p.m. 
 Canada Day Celebration at Queen’s Park – Queen’s Park/Queen’s Park Circle from College Street to Hoskin Avenue will be closed on Monday, July 1 from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
 Canada Day Parade in Scarborough – Brimley Road will be closed from Progress Avenue to Ellesmere Road from 1 to 6 p.m. and from Ellesmere Road to Lawrence Avenue East from 3 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 1. – Ellesmere Road will be closed from Midland Avenue to McCowan Road from 4 to 5 p.m.

Homeless honey bees land on yellow backhoe

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A swarm of around 45,000 honeybees descended on a construction site at Toronto’s Union Station Wednesday. The bees landed on a piece of yellow equipment at the Front Street and York Street area and remained there until pest control specialists showed up just after noon. “When they swarm like that, they’re just looking for a new home,” said Paul Hayden, owner of Bees and Pest Removal in Toronto and a beekeeper for four decades. National Post