The shooting of three YouTube employees by a woman Thursday has taken a bizarre turn as police reveal the killer as Nasim Aghdam. Contrary to widespread belief in live reports as the story broke, there is no known connection between Aghdam and her victims. She was an animal rights activist who was obsessed with YouTube in the belief that it was targeting her website and somehow “filtering” her videos to get fewer clicks.
The Toronto Real Estate Board says home sales in the Greater Toronto Area in March fell 39.5 percent compared with a year ago. The board says there were 7,228 home sales through its MLS system last month compared with a record 11,954 sales in March 2017. New listings also fell to 14,866 for the month, down from 16,978 a year earlier. TREB release
The semi-annual Leaside Blood Donor Clinic will be held Wednesday (today) at Northlea Elementary and Middle School on Rumsey Rd. Those present to organize the clinic and many of those donating will be remembering the courageous Northlea student whose battle against leukemia inspired this clinic. She was Emmy Duff (left) a cheerful young woman whose 16 year battle has left a legacy of generosity and public awareness of the need for blood. Emmy died in 2012. This Spring, the tireless people who run the clinic will be hoping to see their friends as well as strangers who are able to give. Teens are especially encouraged to give an hour to this outstanding public service. Healthy kids 17 and over may participate. The clinic runs from 2 to 7 p.m.
Carbohydrates get a lot of bad press and blame for the obesity epidemic, but a study at St. Michael’s Hospital suggests that this negative attention may not be deserved for pasta. Unlike most ‘refined’ carbohydrates, which are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, pasta has a low glycemic index, meaning it causes smaller increases in blood sugar levels than those caused by eating foods with a high glycemic index. Now too much Bolognese sauce will add calories. But, as the headline in Popular Science said: “Worried pasta will make you fat? Spaghettaboutit.”
OTHER NEWS
The Video Wheel is agile as can be but it takes second place to Sophie Dossi, the extraordinary teen contortionist YouTube star. Amazing. Then, the CBC reports that there is an on-and-off plan in Israel to send some Eritrean asylum seekers to Canada (which means Toronto) through the UN refugee agency. Below, a nice summary of the Saks and Lord & Taylor data breach. Three Toronto area Saks are said to be affected. Finally, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan will separate. It’s all very nicey, nicey they say.
Jordan Morneau, Grade 2 Teacher at Children’s Garden School on Eglinton, recently attended a conference called The Lost Boys hosted by Steph Jensen, an award-winning author and international speaker recognized for her insight into the education of boys and the nature of the male brain at an early age. The conference focussed on navigating the world of boys in schools. Jordan imparted what she learned to CGS staff. They heard how boys’ brains work in comparison to girls and different ways to reach male students. They discussed how boys focus. Of particular interest was the role of hormones when boys learn, specifically dopamine and testosterone. Jordan shared Steph Jensen’s classroom strategies to support boys’ developmental needs along with suggested lesson plans and materials, restorative practices to re-engage boys and behavioural resources.
“PRE-TEACH SKILLS”
“The most important thing that I took away from the conference was the need to pre-teach specific social skills, rather than be reactive when challenging behaviour occurs in the classroom.” said Jordan. “That we, as teachers, need to avoid correcting behaviour if the positive behaviour hasn’t yet been modelled. Focussing on prevention has become a priority in my classroom since attending the conference. Teachers are so often first responders in some of the most defining moments in children’s lives and the training I received (and brought back to my colleagues at CGS) has given us even more strategies to do the best job we can for our students.”
There will be a public consultation at Smokin’ Cigar at 1540 Bayview Ave on Tuesday, April 10 on draft plans for parkette facilities at the corner of Millwood Rd.and Bayview Ave. It will run from 6 to 8 p.m. The Bayview Leaside BIA has been busy with the intent of beautifying the streetscape with trees and benches. You should drop in. Wednesday will see the Spring blood donor clinic at Northlea Elementary School on Rumsey Rd. Please come out and save a life. Parents with healthy teens 17 and over are urged to set an example and encourage their kids to give too. They will feel good about themselves. And check the other posters here for events this month.
Fire has gutted a home and partly destroyed another in Leslieville early Tuesday on Ashdale Ave. near Dundas St E. and Coxwell Ave. Injuries are said to be minor.
Video of 3rd Alarm Fire on Ashdale Ave near Dundas and Coxwell. Two homes suffer heavy damage. @Toronto_Fire @TPFFA remain on scene. pic.twitter.com/CtbjUQcTzQ
— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) April 3, 2018
Significant rainfall later today and tonight followed by strong winds beginning early Wednesday morning. A Colorado Low pressure system is expected to intensify into an early spring storm as it races across Southern and Central Ontario tonight. This weather system will bring a rainfall of 15 to 30 millimetres, most of which will fall tonight. Locally higher rainfall amounts are possible over localities that receive a thunderstorm. A sharp arctic cold front associated with the Colorado Low will blast across the region early Wednesday morning, with strong southwesterly winds heralding its arrival. Wind gusts of 80 to 85 km/h are quite possible early Wednesday morning. Isolated power outages may be issues to deal with due to the strong winds.
A man and a woman are in hospital following a shooting at a karaoke bar at 360 Yonge St. Tuesday morning. The shooting occurred at Bar+ Karaoke Lounge south of Gerrard St. at about 1 a.m. Not much is known except that shooting broke out. The bar’s motto is “Sing Your Heart Out.”
The Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade is among the oldest in Canada and from all appearances it did not disappoint the community this year. Jugglers and uniformed bands from military to oriental lifted spirits all along the route. There were ladies handing out free candy and a sunny Easter Bunny in a convertible. Toronto’s streetcar history from 1920 Witt trams to Bombardier articulated was trundled past generations of riders. There were stretchie-clad people doing exercises and music with lyrics that are no longer heard (or permitted) outside the Beach. “Wolfe the dauntless hero came and planted firm Britannia’s flag on Canada’s fair domain.” Have a look.
Georgio Mammoliti’s plan to run for a seat in the Ontario Legislature has lasted less than two weeks. The Ward 7 Councillor announced Monday that he is going stay at City Hall, contesting the municipal general election on October 22. Mammoliti dressed up his change of mind in stories of how his constituents begged him to stay. That may be true but it’s unlikely to be the whole story. Sources have told Sue Ann Levy of the Sun that Mammoliti would have had a tough fight on his hands winning the nomination for Brampton Centre.
