The South Bayview Bulldog

Cineplex buys into VR experience

In their own world

Cineplex, the Canadian theatre chain, has purchased a “substantial” interest in Seatle-based VRstudios Inc., a reality game maker and VR experience merchant. The deal’s financial details are secret but it appears that Cineplex will begin to install virtual reality rooms in its theatres. VRstudios offers so-called immersive games, often featuring war and various forms of compelling make-believe violence. They are hugely popular with young men. A Canadian Press story suggests that Cineplex may open as many as 40 of such locations.

Authorities are responding to many incidents of explosions and fires plus reports of leaking gas in an unknown number of homes across the Merrimack Valley, north of Boston, Thursday. There is speculation that the chaos is related to a spike in gas line pressure at the Columbia Gas Company service in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. There are an estimated 51,000 customers in the area. At least two injuries have been reported. Some homes have been demolished by gas ignition, others damaged by fire. Residents were told to flee their homes and avoid turning lights or appliances on or off. Veteran firefighters said they had never seen anything like the random series of explosions across an entire gas system. Fire services are stretched beyond their limits. The gas company said it is working to stabilize the system, but it will take some time.

Dollarama investors who are used to seeing the discount retailer’s earnings head for the moon were sufficiently disappointed to drive the stock down 17 percent Thursday. Some say they are just spoiled but it is the second time that Dollarama has failed to meet analysts expectations. Cannabis stocks also saw a bumpy ride as Canada continues to ponder the meaning of legal dope on kids and motorists. Who knows what marijuana candy and quirky breath tests will bring? Toronto TSX was down 47.31 while in New York the Dow soared by an exciting 147.07. Financial Post.

Owner Fiona Boylan and CTV’s Anwar Knight

George is happy to accept your donation of a $1

The Danforth COBS was featured on CTV Thursday to discuss a partnership with the Breakfast Club of Canada, the charity dedicated to seeing kids get a good breakfast. Anwar Knight of CTV was featured in a live shot from COBS Danforth store. We see him chowing down on some yummy bread as owner Fiona Boylan looks on. At right is the friendly face of George at the Bayview shop. It’s easy to help, visit any COBS Bread bakery from September 14 – 16, when $1 from every bread purchase will go to Breakfast Club of Canada! Or stop by any COBS Bread bakery in Canada from August 31 – September 19 to make a donation directly to The Club.

.@COBSBread and dough can go a long way to help @BreakfastCanada – More live at Noon! https://t.co/piN1lcPgI6

— Anwar Knight (@AnwarKnight) September 13, 2018

Uber Chief executive officer, Dara Khrosrowshahi

Uber Technologies Inc. is revving up its Canadian operations with a new engineering hub in Toronto and the expansion of its self-driving vehicle centre in the city. The venture is valued at $200M. On Thursday, during his first visit to the city as Uber’s chief executive officer, Dara Khrosrowshahi announced the hub and expansion and said they will help the San Francisco-based tech giant build and update its infrastructure so it can continue to scale and offer more features and products to riders, drivers and cities. City News

Roof exhaust smouldering/Wilmar Kortleever

Catching their breath/Bulldog

Life goes on/Bulldog

Toronto Fire personnel visited Kamasutra Restaurant on Bayview south of Millwood Rd. Thursday morning to put out a smouldering stove exhaust on the roof. Everything is still operational and the restaurant is open.

A very lively and long thread on FB discusses the pros and cons of pet insurance. It is revealing no doubt to non-pet owners to see the staggering sums paid for pet insurance and pet care. Some pet owners say it is more affordable to put away $100 a month against a rainy day emergency with a pet. But others insist that paying as much as $245 a month in fees for a 15-year-old dog they can’t bring themselves to put down is worth it. One woman says “I have Trupanion for my two cats. I’ve made two claims and been denied both times. I’m paying $180 per month and wondering often why I’m bothering.” Another says “WOW, these are crazy prices!” Facebook 

It seems that there are no words too extreme to convey the sense of doom state officials feel as Hurricane Florence bears down on North Carolina. It’s a big one. Then, two packages on iPhone’s off-year offerings. Try to stay up with what they’re doing okay? Finally, the BBC seems to think trading sex for accommodation is a new thing.

Even those with longer memories were hard put to recall as much disruption as was seen Wednesday in the Ontario Legislature. The Ford government introduced for a second time the Better Government Act cutting the size of Toronto Council. That met a cacophony of shouting, desk banging and hurled abuse. Stated simply, it was the PC government asserting what it called the will of the people against impassioned shouts that Ontario was seeing “the end of democracy.” Enjoy.

Pickup truck hit school bus/Krista Sharpe

Three admitted, 12 more treated/Krista Sharpe

Some escaped from roof hatch/Krista Sharp

Three high school students remain in hospital and 12 others have been treated after the collision of a school bus and a pickup truck at the 4th line and Sideroad 5 of Innisfill Township about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. Photos taken by weather person Krista Sharpe show the bus on its side. Witnesses say they helped teens escape through an emergency hatch in the roof.