Globe and Mail reporters on Friday’s opening of the Olympic Games in London. Review
Olympics opening ceremonies fireworks
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Queen and James Bond “parachute” into games
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The 2012 Olympic opening ceremonies are underway in London and the television show has been highly entertaining. It continues at this hour (5.12 p.m. EDT). British notables from all walks of life have been recruited to play their part — one recorded skit involved her Majesty heading off in a chopper with James Bond (or Daniel Wroughton Craig, if you prefer). They make a fictitious arrival at the Olympic site by parachuting out of the helicopter (inset). Famous authors, musicians and comedians are all finding their way into the extravaganza. Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) was drafted into the London Symphony Orchestra for a magic blend of laughs and artistry. National Post running blog
Ford F-150 to be made of aluminum, not steel
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Ford Motor Company is going to start making its iconic F-150 truck out of aluminum to lose some 700 pounds of weight. It’s about mileage and increasingly tough efficiency standards. The niggling concern for buyers is the question of whether the aluminum truck will be as strong as the steel F-150s. It’s a big gamble because the F-150 is one of Ford’s biggest sellers and a profitable one too. Along with the aluminum makeover, the new F-150 also is getting a more muscular look, according to one Ford designer.
Old red and white health cards are still good
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The health minister, Deb Matthews, is hurrying this morning to reassure those who hold the old red and white Ontario health cards. She says the cards are good and that they can still be used and that legitimate residents who still have the cards will not be denied medical care. Period. The semi-crisis in public understanding flows from an announcement yesterday that suggested the cards were about to be eliminated in a relatively brief phase-out period in which a user would get three notices. After that, no health care. Today however the minister says that while the government wants people to move to the photo ID card, the old ones will still be honoured The new cards came into use in 1995. There is an impression among some that only seniors still have the red and white cards. But kids who were born in, say, 1985, who got their cards when they were five or six, frequently still have them. Those people are now in their 20s and 30s. There are more than three million of the old red and white plastic pieces still out there. Only clearly fraudulent cards will be arbitrarily cancelled.
Five Guys, CIBC at Leaside Village
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The Five Guys burger hype rolls on and while it may be somewhat justified, it’s hard to imagine what inspires the hymns of praise. Here is the latest from Toronto Life. This one has more than passing interest because as we posted recently Five Guys will open in Leaside Village in a few months. And speaking of Leaside Village, there is just one month to August 27, 2012, the date that the CIBC at Laird and McRae is supposed to move to its new location in LV. It will be the first business in there. They must be packing up right now at the bank.
Turn Ontario Place into a park: John Tory
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The majority of the Ontario Place waterfront should be parkland, says the chair of a panel charged with outlining a makeover of the lands. John Tory presented his group’s recommendations to Tourism Minister Michael Chan today. CBc.ca
Rain much needed by farmers, gardens
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Check the weather today. Click the Weather Channel icon above. Here’s hoping the rain helps the farmers and the gardeners.
1985 Town Crier featured Leaside journalist
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The seemingly tireless work of Sue Byford, and the deep archives of her family’s business, keeps turning up wonderful old copies of the Town Cirer. The most recent one is from February 26, 1985 and carries a mother lode of fascinating local news. One familiar face that shines out of its pages is that of the late Art Cole, a Leaside resident whose career in journalism lasted many decades. In the early 60s, he was City Editor of the Toronto Telegram. He later served at the United Nations for the Tely and then went on to a career as an entertainment columnist for CFRB radio and local publications like the Town Crier. Check it out. Town Crier pdf.
Joe Fresh to open 700 stores at J.C. Penney
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An aggressive move by owner Joe Mimran to open 700 Joe Fresh stores in the U.S. The shops will be located in the J.C. Penney department stores across many states. The shops will range in size from about 90 to 230 square metres and are set to open next April. As they open, the Fresh stores will carry the signature inexpensive clothing for the style year 2013. That’s dresses, T-shirts, denim and silk blouses. Joe Mimran said in a statement today that he was proud to partner with “one of America’s most iconic department stores.” The Canadian brand opened a temporary summer location in East Hampton, N.Y., last year. Joe Fresh has six stores in New Jersey, New York and Long Island.
Toyota to add 400 jobs at Cambridge plant
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Analysts are crediting the strengthening Japanese Yen for a decision by Toyota to increase Lexus production at its Cam,bridge plant. Toronto Star
Customers must show faces, LCBO tells staff
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The LCBO has taken immediate action after it was revealed alcohol was sold to a burka-wearing 14 year old last week. “We have sent notices to employees, reminding them that it is necessary to look at the customer’s face in full to ensure alcohol is being served to a person of age,” Chris Layton, spokesperosn for the LCBO said Toronto Sun.