Starbucks IPhone app puts cash in their account

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Starbucks has released the IPhone app that let’s you pay for your coffee with your phone. It’s a convenience they say. And it may be for some people although, as coffee lovers, we find it hard to see how. In order to be able to use the app you have to load money onto your Starbucks card first. That gives you credit, the same kind you have at the bank with your debit card. Is that easier than just producing the debit? Tell us. And oh yes, this app represents a nice windfall of advance payment for Starbucks. Put $50 on your card and buy an espresso for $3. The rest, multiplied by millions of customers, is one nice piece of sugar cake sitting in Starbucks bank account.

Most recent Cody event raises $23,000

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Maurice Cody fundraisers were well pleased with their work at the recent Cody Howl event. Thank you letters to those who particpated, including Hoemfront, indicate that $23,000 was raised to ensure the highest education atmosphere for the kids of Cody. The 2011 committee is comprised of Katherine Beattie, Darlene Stafford, Dawn Burke, Mary Kopman and Karen Freedman.

Entire fireworks show explodes — again

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The fireworks display in San Diego’s Fourth of July fireworks show suffered what one account called “premature ignition”. The entire 15-plus minute display went off in 30 seconds. This is not the first time something like this has happened. Below is an account from last fall when the same thing happened in Oban, Scotland. Are we doing something? Do you think?

In Oban, Scotland, a local fireworks display marking Guy Fawkes Day turned into a total fiasco. A technical glitch (that means a stupid mistake) caused the entire fireworks supply to go off at once. What was supposed to be a 30 minute show lasted less than a minute. Somehow we think Guy Fawkes, who is remembered as the man who tried to blow up Parliament in 1570, would have liked this massive blow up.

Soledad O’Brien replaces “Ali Velshi Trio” at CNN mornings

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The morning threesome of Ali Velshi, Carole Costello and Christine Romans will be replaced on CNN’s American Morning by Soledad O”Brien (left) in the new year. A news release says Toronto veteran Velshi (centre) will be given expanded business and reporting duties on CNN and CNN International. O’Brien anchored American Morning with various co-hosts from 2003 to 2005. The changes keep up the reputation of American Morning’s revolving door at the anchor desk. Velshi was preceded at the AM desk by another Canadian John Roberts, now at Fox. A third Canadian name, Ashleigh Banfield (right) makes a comeback of sorts with a new assignment as anchor on CNN between 5 and 7 am.

Million dollar fix needed for Pottery Road

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An additional sum of almost $1 million will be required to make repairs to Pottery Road. Some $924,000 is needed to cover the reconstruction of a retaining wall which was apparently built too low. This resulted in instability in the earth wall of the ravine. The stretch of road that connects Bayview and Broadview avenues has been closed since May 24 to make improvements, including a bicycle lane. Back then, the city said the closure would end Sept. 5, but the road is still closed. The City now says it will be open by November 30. Previous story.

Clocks go back an hour Sunday morning

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Clocks go back an hour Sunday morning in the annual Fall Back routine. What a nice long Sunday morning is in store for most of us. But what does that extra hour do to the sleeping habits of babies and children? According to CTV, the author of “The Mother of All Parenting Books” and numerous other texts on pregnancy and raising children says that parents can expect kids to have a hard time adjusting to the time change, which can lead to sleeplessness, crankiness and general unpleasant behaviour. “You can’t just expect a young toddler to know you’ve changed the clock,” she said in a phone interview. “Most teachers tell me it takes kids a week or two to get used to the time change, and until then, kids are cranky, hungry, and generally out of sorts.” She suggests avoiding the hunger and crankiness by keeping a fairly structured meal schedule despite the shift in time — so if breakfast is normally at 8 a.m., it remains at 8 a.m. after daylight time ends.

TTC reveals pictures of new streetcar

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The TTC has released pictures of the new Bombardier built street that it expects to have in service on Toronto rails by 2013. Some 204 of the low-floor streetcars will replace the old. The TTC says the new cars are like many seen in Europe. They feature more seats, four-doorway boarding (nice) and space for carrying bicycles. Meet your new ride, a TTC website.

Tiny elephant born after 700 day pregnancy

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A great story from Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s biggest, where a very small elephant has been born after a near record wait. Here is what the zoo wrote: Elephants are notorious for their long memories, but now they will be renowned for their lengthy pregnancies. Long-suffering Asian elephant Azizah was carrying her baby for 700 days – 84 longer than the average – and finally gave birth at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, last Tuesday. It is believed to be the longest pregnancy ever recorded at the British zoo – nearly two extra months over the normal gestation period of 22 months. And the baby, at just 104kg at birth, is the smallest in Whipshade’s history.

Silver Maple on Bessborough comes down

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This wonderful landmark Silver Maple on Bessborough Drive was bowing to time today as a crew from the Davey Tree Expert Company cut it down. The well known maple with its interesting spread of heavy branches suggests a tree that wasn’t pruned in its youth. Workmen estimated the tree at between 60 and 70 years of age. At right, some of what will sell for firewood.

Electrical “upgrades” take a nasty turn

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Today saw a man with a particularly aggressive style visiting shops on South Bayview. He was promoting smart metres. His behaviour, which was argumentative and loud, reflects a recent change for the worse by those who want to interrupt business to sell so called money-saving upgrades. This new and obnoxious attitude is probably coming from the top These companies have nothing to lose by trying to break down a merchant’s resistance with the most disagreeable conduct. In the recent past, some have refused to leave the premises. And sometimes, when the discussion is clearly exhausted, it is necessary to threaten to call the police to get them to leave. Something may have to be done.