The BBC has been forced to issue an extraordinary apology after disclosing details of a private conversation a senior journalist had with the Queen in which she expressed concerns that a radical Muslim cleric was not in police custody – an embarrassing disclosure for a monarch who avoids public political statements.National Post
Ontario reports first pig-to-human H1N1 case
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The province has said it has a confirmed case of pig-to-human influenza — H1N1 — but in an unusual move won’t say where it is. Dr. Arlene King, medical officer of health for Ontario, said the patient is an adult male who is in critical but stable condition in hospital. He is said to have come down with symptoms of the influenza virus strain after close contact with pigs either in Canada or the U.S. The case was confirmed Sept. 23 after laboratory tests were conducted. Toronto Star
School Board is not promoting polygamy
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The Toronto School Board issued a poster called Love Has No Gender showing stick-figure pictures of different kinds of couples. But wait a second. Some of the pictures don’t show a couple, they show a trio. One little picture shows a man and two women. Another picture in the poster shows a woman and two men. The school board says it is not promoting polygamy.. The reason for showing two ladies and one man is to remind young people that someone might be attracted to both men and women. Polygamy is illegal.
Now a mugger who was wearing a disguise
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Toronto Police Service report: A 41 year old female and a 63 year old male report that on September 23, 2012 at approximately 1830 hours, they were in the area of Avenue Road and Davenport Road when a male suspect wearing a disguise approached from behind, grabbed a necklace from the female victim and knocked her to the ground. The suspect attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended a short distance away by the male victim and a struggle ensued. The suspect fled the scene southbound on Avenue Road towards Bernard Avenue.
Messy Church for kids at Manor Road United
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An innovative program for kids with a delightful name gets underway in October at Manor Road United Church. Thanks to Susan Russell for letting us know about Messy Church, billed as a fun-packed evening which will explore “big questions” like crafts, drama, activities, preparing a meal , storytelling, songs and prayer. The first event is Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the church. The group will meet October through June (except January). Join up at http://www.manorroadunitedchurch.com/
Fire destroys CTC Garden Centre at Laird and Eglinton
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Photos Evan Ross
Fire has destroyed the Garden Centre at Canadian Tire at Laird Drive and Eglinton Ave E. The blaze broke out during rush hour Monday creating an almost impassable traffic jam along Eglinton and on Laird Drive. Evan Ross, a Canadian Tire employee, said he had just sat down for lunch when a colleague from the Garden Centre came running into the main building to say there was a fire. Then the alarm went off and the sprinkler system began to spray water on millions of dollars of inventory. Ross ran outside and snapped the above picture just as the fire was getting started. Later, lower right, he sent The South Bayview Bulldog a shot of the aftermath. Video was taken a short distance away from outside Pier One showing the plume of black smoke that rose above the neighborhood. There were no injuries. Ross said he and his friends think the fire originated near a cardboard box inside the centre and they guess the cause is careless smoking. Firefighters are fortunate that propane tanks shown in this picture survived the fire. Ross said he and others had just loaded many bags of charcoal and other flammable inventory into the centre for the night. YouTube video
Life and Times of Sam The Record Man
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Toronto Star The legendary seller of recorded music and exemplary citizen is dead at 92.
Boy hit on Thorncliffe Park “barely injured”
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The 9–year-old boy who was hit by a car and briefly trapped under the vehicle is said to be barely injured. The accident occurred when the boy realized he had boarded the wrong bus and dashed across Thorncliffe Park Drive to catch the right bus and was struck by the passing car. Previous post.
600,000 of us still don’t buckle the seat belt
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According to Toronto Police, there is still a seven or eight percent minority of drivers who operate their vehicles without doing up the safety belt. Today marks the beginning of an annual drive to enforce the law. That percentage totals some 600,000 people who are unbuckled. .
Sam “the Record Man” Sniderman dead at 92
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Flashback to railway lands on August 31, 2010
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Two years ago flocks of Canada Geese ruled the land which is now the Leaside Village shopping centre. These pictures were taken August 31, 2010 and show the familiar but now gone hoardings that hid the property for so long. Behind the fences and posters hundreds of Canada Geese found a nice hiding place from the busy City. On the west side of Laird Drive not much has changed. Olde Yorke Fish and Chips is still there, sitting pretty in a commercially improved spot
Canada, U-K to open joint missions abroad
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The CBC says it has learned that Canada and the United Kingdom will open joint U.K.-Canadian diplomatic missions abroad. The countries have agreed that the cost effectiveness of such outposts, presumably in fairly low-level places, will help broaden the reach of each country’s foreign activities, save money on the cost of real estate and make security planning easier.