blogTO | Posts by Jerrold

blogTO | Posts by Jerrold http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2009 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:10:51 PST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sorauren Park Pumpkin Parade the Biggest Yet The Sorauren Park Pumpkin Parade was the biggest ever this year, with organizers counting an amazing 1,620 Jack-O-Lanterns.

Every year (see last year's photos) on November 1st, nearby residents come together in the park to get one last glimpse of their carved pumpkins, ahead of their imminent post-Halloween (to the compost!) demise.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/sorauren_park_pumpkin_parade_the_biggest_yet http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/sorauren_park_pumpkin_parade_the_biggest_yet City Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:33:09 PST City Jerrold 2009-11-01T22:33:09 Morning Brew: Giambrone Doesn't Like $126 Metropasses, Hospital Execs Get H1N1 Vaccination Early, Toronto Bid for 2015 Pan Am Games, Rogers Family Butler Wanted, 450kg of Weed Photo: "Graffiti Artists At Work" by marty_pinker, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

In addition to pro athletes getting vaccinated ahead of high risk groups, we're now learning that members of the board of directors at Mount Sinai Hospital also got the H1N1 shot in advance. While they claim that they made the decision before they knew that there would be a shortage of vaccine, it doesn't look good that hospital executives have little regard for what are supposed to be strict deployment guidelines. Is it fair to call this vaccination process a fiasco yet?

TTC Chair Adam Giambrone appeared on CP24's new "On the Rocket" show last night, and was interviewed by the Star before taking to the air. He hinted that the insane $126 price tag for the Metropass (proposed for January 2010 implementation) may not have his endorsement (and hopefully won't get approval!) - probably because it makes no sense and they can't spin it to make any sense. Rob Ford would rather see the 22,000 free passes for TTC employee and retiree revoked.

Will Toronto score the 2015 Pan Am Games? We'll learn later today. In the final push to convince the deciding committee members that Toronto is their best choice, we waxed them with showers of Toronto's finest poutine, smoked salmon, and chardonnay.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_giambrone_doesnt_like_126_metropasses_hospital_execs_get_h1n1_vaccination_early_toronto_bid_for_2015_pan_am_games_rogers_family_butler_wanted_450kg_of_weed http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_giambrone_doesnt_like_126_metropasses_hospital_execs_get_h1n1_vaccination_early_toronto_bid_for_2015_pan_am_games_rogers_family_butler_wanted_450kg_of_weed City Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:28:46 PST City Jerrold 2009-11-01T21:28:46 Morning Brew: Toronto Sales Tax, TTC Fare Hike, Pro Athlete H1N1 Vaccinations, Gun Registry on Thin Ice, Housing Market Spike Photo: "Carpet of Fallen Leaves" by Bobcatnorth, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Given our dire financial state, should Toronto introduce a municipal sales tax? Other large cities in North America do it, so perhaps we should consider it. The idea of paying more taxes for goods and services when we're already taxed to the extent we are really hurts, but it could be a solution to some of our biggest problems (like our grossly underfunded transit system).

We expected a TTC fare hike to be proposed, but I don't think anyone thought that the monthly Metropass would go from $109 to $126 (an almost 16% hike). Doing the math reveals that Metropass holders would have to ride the rocket a minimum of twice daily on 6 days of the week, in order to make the per ride fare less than the cost of tokens. Where's the savings for the most frequent transit users?

Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors players got H1N! flu vaccinations from their team doctors. But are they in high risk groups? (I know they're high risk for not making the playoffs again, but that doesn't count.) Should they have had to wait like the rest of us, especially given the inevitable shortage of vaccine supply?

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_toronto_sales_tax_ttc_fare_hike_pro_athlete_h1n1_vaccinations_gun_registry_on_thin_ice_housing_market_spike http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_toronto_sales_tax_ttc_fare_hike_pro_athlete_h1n1_vaccinations_gun_registry_on_thin_ice_housing_market_spike City Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:22:03 PST City Jerrold 2009-11-01T21:22:03 Morning Brew: Toronto Star Planning Major Restructuring, John Tory Polling Well, Lottery Con Dupes Senior, 2010 Capital Budget gets Transit Focus, David Chen's Kidnapping Charge Dropped Photo: "60 Havelock St. #01" by Michael Pierro, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Toronto's capital budget for 2010 will focus largely on transit initiatives including spending $217.6 million on new subway cars (nice, but crucial?), dedicating $72 million for new buses (much needed, in my opinion), and injecting $22.6 million for new bike lanes (which will make cycling advocates happy and drivers unhappy) . We're also likely to see a TTC fare hike in the New Year.

Given that the 2010 race for mayor is still a long ways away, it's not surprising that an early poll (PDF) shows almost half of Torontonians undecided on which would-be candidate they'd support. It's also not surprising that John Tory leads in polling, given that he's able to campaign daily on the radio.

Police in Etobicoke are warning residents about a con involving a couple of "non-citizens" who claim that they're unable to collect lottery winnings due to their status. I know most astute people wouldn't take strangers they just met in a bus shelter to an ATM and give them $18,000... but it did happen to one very unfortunate senior.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_toronto_star_planning_major_restructuring_john_tory_polling_well_lottery_con_dupes_senior_2010_capital_budget_gets_transit_focus_david_chens_kidnapping_charge_dropped http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_toronto_star_planning_major_restructuring_john_tory_polling_well_lottery_con_dupes_senior_2010_capital_budget_gets_transit_focus_david_chens_kidnapping_charge_dropped City Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:21:36 PST City Jerrold 2009-11-01T21:21:36 Morning Brew: Trucker Protest, City of Toronto Open Data Web Site, New CP24 Transit Show, Tenor's Car Torched, Don Mills Coyotes, Phil Kessel Debut Photo: "Rub my belly" by Daifuku Sensei, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

The morning commute in the Toronto area (which is never fun) may be even less fun than usual, given that a hundred truckers are planning to take to the roads in protest of the ongoing DriveTest strike. The strike has been in effect since August, preventing new truck drivers from getting licensed.

The City of Toronto is opening its data doors, so to speak. In an effort to increase transparency and improve information flow, a web site containing data on public transit, parks and recreation, daycare facilities, and more has been made available for the first time in such an open way. I suspect it won't be long before he public finds creative uses and applications of the data.

CP24 will be launching a new monthly talk show called "On the Rocket"... live from on board a TTC streetcar, with TTC Chair Adam Giambrone fielding rider questions and comments. Providing the public with access to this kind of interaction with a personable official from our loved and loathed transit system is a great idea and should fit the TV format nicely.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_trucker_protest_city_of_toronto_open_data_web_site_new_cp24_transit_show_tenors_car_torched_don_mills_coyotes_phil_kessel_debut http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_trucker_protest_city_of_toronto_open_data_web_site_new_cp24_transit_show_tenors_car_torched_don_mills_coyotes_phil_kessel_debut City Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:16:02 PST City Jerrold 2009-11-01T21:16:02 Morning Brew: Auto Insurance Changes, Downsview Park Dreams Diminishing, Sharp Candy, Canada Malting Silo Preservation Photo: untitled by tomms, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

With auto insurance rates on the rise, Ontario Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan is making proposals to change insurance policies to allow drivers to get more competitive rates. One such change would be to lower the basic medical coverage limit below the current $100,000. Would you be willing to drop down to a $10,000 basic medical coverage insurance package, to save a few bucks each month, if it were available?

Remember the grand plans for a massive urban park at the former Downsview military base? The plan has morphed over the years, and in order to fund the park concept, residential development had to be incorporated. But now we're left wondering if the park will ever be, and by the time there are enough funds, how much will remain as park when it's complete.

Another year, another discovery of a razor blade and a needle in candy given to kids on Halloween. At least Toronto didn't fall victim to the feared armed mugging purple Teletubby, like London did.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_auto_insurance_changes_downsview_park_dreams_diminishing_sharp_candy_canada_malting_silo_preservation http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/11/morning_brew_auto_insurance_changes_downsview_park_dreams_diminishing_sharp_candy_canada_malting_silo_preservation City Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:30:23 PST City Jerrold 2009-11-01T17:30:23 H1N1 Flu Virus Preparedness Guides Arrive in Toronto Mailboxes The Public Health Agency of Canada has equipped Canada Post mail carriers with H1N1 flu virus literature, and it's being delivered to Toronto mailboxes today. Mine just arrived, and I had a chance to take a quick look at it.

The brochure is a concise summary of the most important information and facts about swine flu including: symptom recognition, severity indicators, tips on protecting yourself, and details about high risk groups. It also points us to much more information at www.fightflu.ca, where several more print-ready, information rich PDF downloads are available.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/h1n1_flu_virus_preparedness_guides_arrive_in_toronto_mailboxes http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/h1n1_flu_virus_preparedness_guides_arrive_in_toronto_mailboxes City Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:25:38 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-30T13:25:38 Tourism Toronto Getting its Butt Kicked by the Canadian Tourism Commission on YouTube Canadian Tourism Commission has done a great job putting together what I think are rather honest and compelling depictions of some of the finer aspects of life in Toronto.

Two dozen high quality YouTube videos of decent production value and great content are a lot more than Tourism Toronto can say they've done in this realm (they have zero videos to share on their YouTube channel).

Take this one, for example, which highlights some of the attractions of West Queen West and Leslieville.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/tourism_toronto_getting_its_butt_kicked_by_the_canadian_tourism_commission_on_youtube http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/tourism_toronto_getting_its_butt_kicked_by_the_canadian_tourism_commission_on_youtube City Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:36:41 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-30T09:36:41 Does this Zombie Costume Cross the Line? Toronto is obsessed with zombies. There's no denying that. But while perusing the blogTO Flickr pool (which has lots of great photos, like the one above, from this week's 2009 Toronto Zombie Walk), I came across a particularly graphic one...

A zombie doctor and zombie patient, complete with a bloody baby being dragged on the ground... hanging by its umbilical cord.

It got me wondering if this zombie costume concept crosses the line or not. I know "the line" is highly subjective. What's your take?

WARNING: The following photo may or may not be safe for work (depends on your circumstances). Although it's merely an elaborate costume, it is very graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/does_this_zombie_costume_cross_the_line http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/does_this_zombie_costume_cross_the_line City Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:32:11 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-28T13:32:11 Morning Brew: H1N1 Updates, Buckhorn Santa to Miss Christmas, Ici Bistro Wins Liquor License, Steeles Avenue to get Repaved Photo: "IMG_4934" by 2h30, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

H1N1:

- another Toronto hospital has an outbreak (11 patients, 5 staff affected)
- people are starting to line up outside vaccination clinics at 4am
- family doctors are angered by the slow delivery of vaccine
- health officials are warning that delivery will slow in the coming weeks
- the idea of opening 24/7 clinics is not likely to become reality
- Twitter hashtag for sharing info about wait times is #TOfluline

Other news:

Ho ho ho. What's your bra size, little girl? Santa (the one near Peterborough, not the head honcho at the North Pole) will not be able to visit the children for Christmas this year, after being sentenced to 134 days in prison and 12 months probation for sexual-related offenses.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_h1n1_updates_buckhorn_santa_to_miss_christmas_ici_bistro_wins_liquor_license_steeles_avenue_to_get_repaved http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_h1n1_updates_buckhorn_santa_to_miss_christmas_ici_bistro_wins_liquor_license_steeles_avenue_to_get_repaved City Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:54:12 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-28T10:54:12 Morning Brew: Gladstone Cowboy (1941-2009), Ritchies Auction House Bankrupt, Library Computers Seized, Lots of Toys For Tots, Really Royal Winter Fair Photo: "14" by a*e, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

In sad news, Hank Young (also known as the Gladstone Cowboy) passed away at the age of 68. A beloved Parkdale icon, Hank's association with the Gladstone Hotel spanned decades, and his gig as the antique elevator operator was a natural fit for an unofficial neighbourhood and hotel ambassador.

Here's proof that city council actually does work in our best interest sometimes. For the fourth consecutive year, council voted in favour of foregoing the purchase of 16 season tickets to the Toronto Blue Jays for city councillor use. Or perhaps I'm wrong, and this proves instead that the Jays aren't even worth watching for free. I kid, I kid!

Ritchies, the high-end auction house based out of Toronto, has gone bankrupt. Who would have thought that collecting significant commission on millions of dollars worth of art couldn't be sustainable and profitable?

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_gladstone_cowboy_1941-2009_ritchies_auction_house_bankrupt_library_computers_seized_lots_of_toys_for_tots_really_royal_winter_fair http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_gladstone_cowboy_1941-2009_ritchies_auction_house_bankrupt_library_computers_seized_lots_of_toys_for_tots_really_royal_winter_fair City Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:10:26 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-27T23:10:26 Morning Brew: H1N1 Claims Two Young Lives, Leafs Finally Win a Game, Kensington Cat Burglar, The New National, No Garbage Fee Hike Photo: "munch" by christian jackson, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Still not convinced? A young girl in Cornwall with no known pre-existing medical conditions died of H1N1 this weekend, and new reports suggest that a 13-year old boy died here in Toronto as well. I'm not for pushing the fear agenda, but I'm also not engaging in increasingly pedantic arguments about the vaccine. I'm simply getting it as soon as I can, and hoping that it protects me and those around me.

The Leafs have won their first game of the season. I got a giggle out of ivortossell's tweet: "Pity about the Leafs. The only thing they could have excelled at was failure, and they blew that too." We'll see how they fare on the rest of this 5-game road trip.

A cat burglar appears to be targeting single women's homes in Kensington Market. Ground-floor dwellers in the sketchy neighbourhood really shouldn't be leaving windows and doors unlocked.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_h1n1_claims_two_young_lives_leafs_finally_win_a_game_kensington_cat_burglar_the_new_national_no_garbage_fee_hike http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_h1n1_claims_two_young_lives_leafs_finally_win_a_game_kensington_cat_burglar_the_new_national_no_garbage_fee_hike City Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:02:48 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-26T11:02:48 Morning Brew: "Big Hurt" City Budget Cuts, Newspaper Editor Abduction Attempt, Tap Water and Laser Pointer Concerns, 9-Year Old Hero Photo: "All Business" by Luke T., member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

The City of Toronto is aiming to cut operating expenses in 2010 by 5%, and by an additional 5% in 2011. Services will no doubt be cut and new expenditures curbed. The move has already been coined the "big hurt" but hopefully those that are already hurting big aren't the ones most affected (although I may be wearing rose-coloured glasses here).

Toronto tap water has been found to contain antibiotic resistant but non-disease-causing bacteria. While it remains safe to drink now, the concern is that if so-called bad bugs pick up the genes for antibiotic resistance, we could have a problem down the road. Until then, I'm going to continue to drink it with gusto!

The editor of the Punjabi Post newspaper in Brampton, who has openly expressed anti-extremist opinion in the past, was violently beaten but narrowly avoided being kidnapped at gunpoint on Friday night. Sounds like quite the harrowing experience for Jagdish Grewal.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_big_hurt_city_budget_cuts_newspaper_editor_abduction_attempt_tap_water_and_laser_pointer_concerns_9-year_old_hero http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_big_hurt_city_budget_cuts_newspaper_editor_abduction_attempt_tap_water_and_laser_pointer_concerns_9-year_old_hero City Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:41:45 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-25T23:41:45 Morning Brew: Public School for Parents, 11 New Police Cameras, Vaughan Tornado Victims Helpless, Cell Phone while Driving Ban Starts Monday Photo: untitled by danger.beard, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Toronto District School Board (TDSB) director of education Chris Spence has some interesting ideas for public school reform - including a school for parents. "Sorry, Mom. You can't watch Grey's Anatomy until you finish your homework. And you won't be going to Florida in December if you still have a failing grade in Parenting on your mid-term report card!"

Note to city workers: stop throwing those garbage, recycling, and green bins around - they break, and it looks bad. Two city councilors are stepping up in an attempt to protect the city's investment and aesthetic, and I'm glad they are. The guys who pick up the trash on my street are brutal in this regard!

11 new police surveillance cameras are going to be installed in targeted communities in Toronto. This is in addition to the 15 already in place in the city. The news comes at the same time that police appeal to the public to help identify an SUV that was caught on video and involved in a vicious murder. In doing so, police have also revealed that video compatibility issues are preventing them from quickly accessing and reviewing a number of related videos, and that time-stamps on some of the recorded videos are incorrect (see video below).

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_public_school_for_parents_11_new_police_cameras_vaughan_tornado_victims_helpless_cell_phone_while_driving_ban_starts_monday http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_public_school_for_parents_11_new_police_cameras_vaughan_tornado_victims_helpless_cell_phone_while_driving_ban_starts_monday City Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:13:11 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-21T23:13:11 Morning Brew: Island Airport Expansion, Mayor Miller's Book, Bill Blair's Candor at Jane & Finch, Students Protesting Police Presence, Webs on the Flag Photo: "1" by Spirited_Away, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Will they pave the old Canada Malting silo site and put up a 600 space parking lot to serve the Island Airport? As rumours swirl about the potential for several more airlines (including US-based Continental) to operate out of the controversial downtown airport, Air Canada Jazz (who was evicted in 2006) is still pursuing legal action at the federal level against the Toronto Port Authority. If expansion is in the TPA's plans (and they're not in bed with Porter), shouldn't Jazz be a shoe-in?

Outgoing mayor David Miller is writing a book highlighting the interactions and experiences he's had with the people of the city during his tenure as mayor. All politics aside, I'm really looking forward to reading this when it comes out in June of 2010. I had the pleasure of hearing him tell a few personal stories about memorable Torontonians, and they were great.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair had what sounds like a serious and honest heart-to-heart with residents of the Jane-Finch area, regarding the issues of racial bias, stigmatization of the community, and challenges with curbing youth violence and gangs. It's a breath of fresh air to have a chief of police who isn't afraid to take the issues on in this way.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_island_airport_expansion_mayor_millers_book_bill_blairs_candor_at_jane_finch_students_protesting_police_presence_webs_on_the_flag http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/10/morning_brew_island_airport_expansion_mayor_millers_book_bill_blairs_candor_at_jane_finch_students_protesting_police_presence_webs_on_the_flag City Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:08:20 PDT City Jerrold 2009-10-21T23:08:20