A long thread related to the dying planet and how mere humans can confront (or not) that profound question leads off the Leaside Community Facebook account this sunny Monday. Meanwhile in New York, child environmental activist Greta Thunberg has unleashed a fairly bitter attack on her elders about the climate at the UN.
This CBC story recounts the Interac transfer theft of “almost $64,000 from 56 people with accounts at TD, CIBC, Royal Bank, Scotiabank, Tangerine, Simplii, HSBC, Assiniboine Credit Union and Kawartha Credit Union.” The cash may be stolen, it seems, by anyone with an Interac account who has obtained access to the recipient’s mail by gaining the password. The thief must then crack the security question asked of the recipient. Sometimes this will be colossally easy.
Does Interac identity matter?
A question like “Your name in five letters” for a victim named Peter makes it simple. Readers may be shocked to learn that the Interac identity of the recipient apparently doesn’t matter. The story suggests that the cash transfer will go to anyone with an account at any of dozens of institutions regardless of the many ways in which your bank identifies you. Nonetheless, it seems likely that insider knowledge might be required to make such a theft. And the thief has to get to the mail before the proper owner.
Thomas Cook, the world’s oldest travel agent, has finally collapsed after failing to secure rescue funding. It means travel bookings for its more than 600,000 global vacationers were cancelled early Monday. The UK government said the return of the firm’s 150,000 British customers now abroad would be the largest repatriation in its peacetime history. The process is set to begin later Monday.
Don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said Thomas Cook, a firm that is 178 years old, has ceased trading, its four airlines will be grounded and its 21,000 employees in 16 countries, including 9,000 in the UK, will lose their jobs. The company has wobbled on the edge of insolvency for years but was always able to carry on with its happy advice: “Don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it.”
The Leaside Property Owners’ Association‘s federal election candidates debate for those running in Don Valley West is set for Monday evening (September 23). Doors open at the Leaside Memorial Gardens at 7 p.m. Five candidates are confirmed.
The new Starbuck’s coffee bar will open Monday at Loblaws on Redway Rd. It’s located at the east end of the store beside the produce department and opposite the pharmacy. This location appears to be another of Starbuck’s franchise locations similar to that at Longo’s just up Laird Dr. in the Leaside Village centre. Unlike Starbuck’s street locations, the employees are hired not by Starbuck’s but rather the store in question. The cash goes to the franchisee, in this case, Loblaws. But the coffee, espresso and creamy concoctions are indistinguishable from those at any other Starbuck’s.
There’s much grief among residents and a good deal of anger over the closure of Broadview Bakery and Deli, a long-time favorite at 728 Queen St. East. The Leslieville Facebook page has a long thread of comment. The reason for the closure is a reported doubling of the rent. No amounts are stated but all of historic lower Broadview Ave. and Queen is undergoing what some might call gentrification. The resurrection of the Broadview Hotel at the corner in 2017 will have pushed up both values and rents.
This CBC report chronicles the moving story of Terry and Georgia Pirovolakis as they battle against time and a rare genetic disorder called SPG50 to save their son Michael, 18 months. The hereditary spastic paraplegia will eventually rob Michael of all functions in his arms, legs and brain. Since Michael was diagnosed in April, lawns across East York and Leaside have seen a mushrooming of signs asking for help. The family is trying to raise $3 million, the staggering price of specialized gene therapy to cure Michael. A Go Fund Me campaign has already raised $684,000.
There was no winning ticket for the $9 million jackpot in Saturday night’s Lotto 649 draw. However, the guaranteed $1 million prize went to a ticket holder in Ontario. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on Sept 25 will be approximately $11 million.
Niagara Regional Police say both Joshawa Raymond Douglas Brooks, 28, of Fort Erie, and his wife, 29, have died in the Niagara River after Brooks abruptly grabbed his young son and leaped into the river Friday. His wife also plunged into the turbulent waters in an effort to save her son. In the end, the lad is the only one to survive. The attack happened around 6:30 p.m. in the area of Jarvis Street and Niagara Boulevard in Fort Erie. An eyewitness account was carried by NewsTalk610 Radio.
Bob Steckley was in his driveway when he noticed the commotion going on by the water, so he ran to the shoreline with a few life jackets. Steckley entered the water and said the boy was terrified. “His eyes were huge as I came towards him. He was starting to go under, splashing around.” Once the child was brought to shore, Steckley and another good Samaritan performed CPR on the unresponsive mother until they were relieved by emergency responders The child’s mother was transported to hospital in critical condition, while the young boy was taken to a local hospital for further assessment. Steckley, a former Ward Three Councillor, is still waiting to hear whether or not the mother pulled through. He says he didn’t get much sleep last night.
Once again no winning ticket was sold for the $40 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next draw on Sept. 24 will be approximately $50 million, and there will also be two Maxmillions prizes of $1 million dollars each up for grabs.
