Forget Bollywood, this is Bessborough

Tuesday saw a busy day on Bessborough Drive near Millwood as a full up crew was shooting a commercial for “a birth control product.” We didn’t ask further. But it’s always interesting to see the paraphernalia of film making including the brilliant artificial sunshine (left) and the nifty mobile green room for a moment of relaxation (right).

Rescuers lift BMW to save motorcyclist

A dramatic rescue was caught by a camera in Logan, Utah, when a group of bystanders risked their own life to save a motorcyclist trapped under a burning car. The people in the video managed to lift the burning car from the motorcyclist, an action which saved the man’s life. According to the police, quoted by abcnews.go.com, the biker hit a BMW and slid underneath it while the car burst into flames. The man was lucky to escape from a painful death and owns his life to this small group of strangers who risked serious injury to save him. After being rescued beneath the burning car the motorcyclist was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but doctors say that his injuries aren’t life-threatening.

Livent Inc. convictions upheld

The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld fraud convictions against former theatre chiefs Garth Drabinsky, 61, and Myron Gottlieb, 68, but reduced their prison sentences by two years. That means at a maximum that Drabinsky faces five years and Gottlieb four years. It isn’t likely they will serve the whole of their terms. They had previously been convicted of fraud and sentenced by Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Benotto. They had, the court concluded, used the corporation, Livent Inc.. to defraud the public of some $500 million in loans and investments.

Free ice cream party Saturday, Sept 17

The dentists at Leaside Dentistry at 43 Wicksteed Ave. are having a free, public ice cream party this Saturday, September 17, 2011, at the Baskin and Robbins on Bayview at Millwood. The party will run from 2 to 4 pm. And while the ice cream will be given away free, there will be a donation jar with all of the proceeds going toward the Leaside Arena expansion. A terrific idea from Dr. Jennifer Hittner and Dr. Jessica Kudlats

Latest on the release of the City Budget

Further to the post below, City Manager Joe Pennachetti and Budget Chief Mike Del Grande are calling for Toronto to sell or close its various zoo facilities. The report also suggests studying the possibility of selling or leasing the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts (the Sony Centre), and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and turning Heritage Toronto into an “independent not-for-profit corporation funded by sponsorships, donations, and membership fees. National Post.

2 high-profile women contest Don Valley West

The riding of Don Valley West will be a battleground for two high-profile women in next month’s Ontario General Election. Former business news anchor and journalist Andrea Mandel-Campbell (left) is squaring off against Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne. Mandel-Campbell is running for the Progressive Conservative Party. Her hopes may be lifted by the recent conservative bent of the riding. It elected a Conservative MP John Carmichael earlier this year. Ms Wynne however is well-known, popular and a scrappy campaigner. She is a former school trustee and quite active in the riding.