Watch Toronto’s finest keep order as overwrought kids mob the Eaton Centre because what else have they got to do. No really, according to BlogTO, the nominal cause was the rumoured presence of Canadian influencers of the TikTok video app Mariano Castano, Sammy Ha, Malcolm Suarez, Draco Dez, Matthew Scarfone and Donae. What is TikTok? Please try to stay with the group. TikTok. What you need to know about the new Musical.ly
Diane Helmy (centre above) has been named the Toronto Police volunteer of the year for her work in the Victims Services Toronto. Ms Helmy was an undergraduate in Criminology Ethics, Society and Law at the University of Toronto when she was inspired to join. That was 2007 and she is still there. Executive Director Bonnie Levine made the presentation and described the front-line work done by volunteers like Diane. “The work that we do at Victim Services Toronto is unique, to say the least,” she said. “Day in and day out, we expose ourselves to trauma and support victims often at the lowest points and most devastating moments of their lives. One of the most difficult aspects of our job is sitting with and holding space for another person’s pain and suffering and meeting it with care and compassion. It takes a unique, skillful, caring and genuine person such as Diana to volunteer their time to provide this difficult and often taxing support to those who need it most. Diana exemplifies selflessness, generosity and kindness.”
Marilyn Lastman, the wife of former mayor Mel Lastman, has died in Toronto General Hospital at the age of 84 on New Year’s Day. Toronto Sun
Tulip Steakhouse closes
The Tulip Steakhouse at 1606 Queen St. E has closed its doors at that location without notice and it may be gone for good. The restaurant has been at the Queen premises for 30 years and told City News that it hopes to find a new address nearby. It says on Facebook that the decision to leave was caused by a rent increase to $10,000 a month.
The Ontario electric scooter pilot has begun. The Ford government scheme for a quite long (five year) test of e-scooters started January 1. A four month pilot in Chicago ended with mixed concerns. Some pedestrians report being ordered off the sidewalks by scooter riders. In Calgary, scooters have apparently been approved (see video) for the sidewalks there. Drivers too will wish to watch out for scooter drivers who may adopt the roll-through practice of cyclists and with power to spare.
Carlos Ghosn, the former head of Nissan and once reputed superman of the auto industry, has escaped Japanese fraud charges by sneaking out of his Tokyo home in a bass cello case. Yee-haw! Then, happy times for the family of the first baby of the New Year born here in Toronto. Below that, updating a New Year’s shooting in Brampton and the annual polar bear dip in Lake Ontario, edition #35.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flown in economy class with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds on a Caribbean getaway, according to The Sun (UK) newspaper. The down-to-earth air travel style of Johnson, known in the media as Bojo, contrasts with the lavish arrangements of others we know.
Pope sorry about slapping hand of excited believer
Pope Francis has apologized to a woman who grabbed his right hand and yanked him toward her. Pope Francis appeared surprised and upset even as the woman shakes his hand and speaks with him. He then slapped the woman’s hand and walked off in apparent anger.
Corpulent Kim threatens new weapon
Kim Jung un has threatened to introduce a “new strategic weapon” in the near future. Kim, grandson of North Korea’s founder, looked much heavier than before as he appeared with madly applauding members of the Supreme People’s Assembly. Creepy
The Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit will not be enforcing the following on-street parking bylaws during New Year’s Day. Pay-and-display/metered areas, rush-hour routes and posted signs indicating Monday to Friday regulations are being enforced.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have published a New Year’s photo compilation and video celebrating their busy year. A never-before-seen photo of Harry and son Archie was probably taken right here over Christmas. The video flashes through snippets of their year from their trips to Morocco and South Africa to their run-in with Beyonce and Jay-Z at The Lion King premiere. “We hope 2020 brings each of you health and continued happiness,” Harry and Meghan wrote in part alongside the video.
New Year’s babies
Humber River Hospital has claimed first Toronto baby of 2020 in Toronto with a Tweet saying the “baby and mom are feeling great thanks to Dr. Lynn Sterling and the #HRH staff.” Trillium Health Partners said that their first baby of the year was delivered just 50 seconds after midnight on New Year’s Day at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. The little boy weighed in at about eight pounds. “We are happy to report that baby and mom are healthy and well,” the health agency said in a statement. Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto welcomed its first bundle of joy at 12:13 a.m. and Lakeridge Health in Oshawa announced their first baby was born at 12:34 a.m.
The New Year has begun arriving on the other side of the globe. Celebrations in Sydney and Aukland are shown. The temperature in the NZ capital of Christchurch is predicted to be 29º Celsius New Year’s Day
Video shot by a passenger on the tarmac last Friday at Pearson Airport shows an Air Canada Boeing 777-300 being towed. Its wingtip hits the tail of a parked Air Canada Airbus A321. The sequence is explained by aviation journalist Tom Podolec. Both aircraft were unoccupied, he says.
