Starburst Berries And Cream

B.C.'s billboard pokes fun at Toronto

A new billboard campaign in British Columbia for Coors Light declares the beer is "Colder Than Most People From Toronto."
The slogan caught Newmarket resident Kathryn Morton by surprise.
"That's pretty insulting to such a large group of people," she said. "We hear stuff about Toronto people all the time but we couldn't believe anyone would put it on a billboard."
Morton, who grew up in Kamloops, where she said it was common for people to make fun of Toronto, saw the ad on a camping trip a couple of weeks ago. Her 16-year-old son Stuart spotted it first.
"He realized the political incorrectness of it. What bothered us was we saw the Olympic logo on the billboard. This isn't a great way to bring in people to the province."
But marketing expert Paul Cubbon said it's likely the people behind the billboards wanted to generate talk.

Get the full story at thestar.com

As someone who used to live in a rural area, but has now lived in Toronto for ten years. I understand the inferiority complex this type of thing is addressing. The sad thing is that an inferiority complex is all it is.

Those of us who live here don't think we are at the centre of the universe, but those who don't live here seem to think we do. And to those people I say to you, don't feel to bad. At least you are still in Canada!

Pet Shop Boys Music Causes Israeli Freakshow

A DJ hired to spin tunes at a Bedouin wedding in Israel was beaten up for playing Western music which some guests felt encouraged lewdness in the women, the Maariv daily reported on Monday.
The DJ initially put on Arabic tunes for the hundreds of guests attending the event in Aroer village in Israel's Negev desert region.
At one point, he decided to stir things up and put on a song by the British electronic music duo Pet Shop Boys, causing some women to "dance exuberantly to the foreign music," angering some of the men present, the daily said.
"The fact that women were dancing at the wedding goes against tradition and is a dishonour to their husbands," it quoted one guest as saying.
Several angry young men gave the DJ a "severe beating" after he refused to go back to playing Arabic music. Police later arrested two men in connection with the incident.
This is just one more example of how religion does more harm than good. I'm surprised they didn't beat the DJ because he was playing 'gay' music!

Poll Results

In our most recent poll related to the Toronto city workers strike we asked, "Do you think Mayor David Miller managed the strike and subsequent deal well?"

We had the most votes ever and here they are:

Yes: 1% (1 vote)

No: 86% (13 votes)

Don't Know: 1% (1 vote)

Michael 'sober' at crash arrest

Singer George Michael has said he was "stone cold sober" when he was arrested after a car crash.

The 46-year-old singer was held by police after his silver Land Rover hit an articulated lorry in Berkshire in the early hours of Friday.

He was questioned on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, but released without charge a few hours later.

In a statement, Michael said he did not want his family and friends to "worry".

'Insurance fight'

Michael, who was back behind the wheel after completing a two-year driving ban, said: "Neither of us was charged because we were both stone cold sober.

"We both think the other is to blame so this is just an insurance fight.

"I don't want my fans or my family worried by what they are reading all over again."

Police were called to the crash on the A34, two miles north of the M4, at about 0100 BST.

In June 2007 the singer was banned for two years after pleading guilty to driving while unfit through drugs.

He was accused of colliding with three parked cars and driving off without notifying the owners.

He was also twice cautioned for possessing cannabis after being found asleep at the wheel of his car on two separate occasions in 2006.

This story is from BBC News.

'Miracle' fresco find in Italy's quake-hit village: officials

People in the quake-hit mountain village of Onna, near l'Aquila, are talking of a miracle after officials announced Wednesday the discovery of a 15th-century fresco during work on a church.



I saw this on Yahoo! news today and my first thought is how stupid it is to consider the destruction of not just a church, but an entire town a 'miracle'. A surprising find perhaps, but a miracle is a bit much. Ah Christians, so entertaining.

Former chief of Khmer Rouge torture centre in Cambodia asks for 'harshest punishment'

The former chief of the Khmer Rouge's main torture centre, being tried by a U.N.-backed tribunal on genocide charges, asked the Cambodian people Wednesday to give him "the harshest punishment."
The statement from Kaing Guek Eav, who headed the notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, came as a widow wept before the court, demanding justice for the death of her husband and four children during the communist regime's reign of terror.
"I accept the regret, the sorrow and the suffering of the million Cambodian people who lost their husbands and wives," the defendant told the tribunal. "I would like the Cambodian people to condemn me to the harshest punishment."



I am happy to report that as Cambodia has no death penalty this guy will have to spend the rest of his life thinking about what he has done. I think executing him would be an easy way out for him, at least his surviving victims will know that he is locked up and hopefully can get some satisfaction from that.

Strike-plagued Lever factory declares bankruptcy

For 36 years, Jim Smith has reported to the old Lever Brothers soap factory at the foot of the Don Valley Parkway. For 14 months, a padlocked gate has kept him and more than 100 other striking workers outside.

Today, Smith and the other workers will dismantle the picket line – actually a shantytown of wood panels and tarps – and he'll walk away from the now-bankrupt plant for good.

To where, he doesn't know.

"A lot of us have been trying to go out and get jobs, but we don't have much skills," the 59-year-old said of his fellow workers, many of whom have been working at the plant for more than 30 years with little more than a high school diploma. "We just know that factory. That's it."

The drawn-out strike is to end today. The plant's owner, Korex Don Valley, has filed for bankruptcy, leaving the 110 remaining workers – members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada local 132-0 – searching for work. Full story at thestar.com

This story just reaffirms what I have always said. A union will see a business go under, rather than settle. I'm sure they are all quite happy to have gained absolutely nothing and have lost everything. Idiots! You can't imagine how much sympathy I have for the moron who has to live off his poker winnings now!

Urge Tim Hortons to Stop Supporting Anti-LGBT Group

The doughnut franchise Tim Hortons has agreed to co-sponsor an anti-gay marriage rally in Providence, Rhode Island sponsored by the National Organization for Marriage. The National Organization for Marriage is fiercely anti-LGBT, and has organized campaigns to take away the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples in numerous states throughout the country. Is this the type of politics that Tim Hortons wants to support?

Please CLICK HERE and sign the petition.

UPDATE: Tim Hortons has posted this message on their website.....

Tim Hortons responds to inquiries about Rhode Island event sponsorship

Recently, Tim Hortons was approached in Rhode Island to provide free coffee and products for a local event, as we do thousands of times a year across Canada and the United States.

For 45 years, Tim Hortons and its store owners have practiced a philosophy of giving back to the communities in which we operate. As a company, our primary focus is on helping children and supporting fundraising events for non-profit organizations and registered charities.

For this reason, Tim Hortons has not sponsored those representing religious groups, political affiliates or lobby groups.

It has come to our attention that the Rhode Island event organizer and purpose of the event fall outside of our sponsorship guidelines. As such, Tim Hortons can not provide support at the event.

Tim Hortons and its store owners have always welcomed all families and communities to its restaurants and will continue to do so. We apologize for any misunderstanding or inconvenience this may have caused.

Excuse me, Princess!

Woman, 56, dies after sidewalk crash with cyclist

The pedestrian-cyclist collision that claimed a woman's life on Thursday is a "stark reminder" that bicycles should not be used on sidewalks, police say.

At about 3:30 p.m., the 56-year-old woman was walking south on the west sidewalk of Kennedy Rd. near Sheppard Ave. E. while a 15-year-old boy was cycling north on the same sidewalk, police said. The cyclist may have made a move to avoid the pedestrian, while the pedestrian made a move to avoid the cyclist. The two collided head on. Full Story at thestar.com

I will be very surprised if this death doesn't move our generally useless city council to action. I'm not sure but I would bet lots of cold hard cash that there are no bicycle lanes on Kennedy Road. Are you listening David Unionass Miller?

Woman struck by bicycle on sidewalk

Police say that a 15-year-old boy could face charges after striking a pedestrian this afternoon in Scarborough, sending the woman to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency crews were called to the crash at Kennedy Rd. near Sheppard Ave. E. at about 3:30 p.m., Toronto police Sgt. Tim Burrows said.

A 50-year-old woman was walking south on the west sidewalk of Kennedy Rd. while the teen was cycling north on the same sidewalk. The two collided head on.

The woman was rushed to hospital with head injuries, while the boy was not injured.

"Adult-sized bicycles are not to be on sidewalks," Burrows said, adding that it's too early in the investigation to determine whether charges will be laid.

The above is from thestar.com

I can easily see this incident becoming a cited example when tougher new laws and regulations on cycling come into effect. Which will also lead to licensing, etc. But what we really need is better and more bike lanes so everyone will be able to get around the city safely.

Green Bin Program A Mess

Toronto garbage workers have been routinely mixing green bin organics with regular trash that is trucked to a Michigan landfill, say city employees interviewed by the Star.
The workers – who return to work today after a five-week strike – say this occurs at those transfer stations where all types of garbage are first brought after collection from homes.
A former manager in a transfer station confirmed he had seen this happen and that some managers allow the practice to get rid of the enormous amount of green bin waste produced by Torontonians.

"It is wrong," says the man, who, like the other workers, asked that his
name not be used for fear of losing his job. "The public is separating their food and doing all this work and here we are, tossing it all in the garbage anyway."

Get the full story from thestar.com

It's a sad day in Millers Toronto when these, greedy garbage workers aren't even doing their overpaid jobs properly. Way to go Miller. Enjoy your last year in office.

Gay Israelis rally after shooting

Hundreds of Israelis have joined a rally organised by the gay community after shootings at a gay youth centre.

Two people died and at least 11 were hurt when the gunman opened fire at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association before fleeing.

The city's Mayor, Ron Huldai, said the motive was unclear and police declined to comment except to say a Palestinian link was not suspected. Full Story from BBC News.

New HIV strain discovered

A new strain of the virus that causes AIDS has been discovered in a woman from the African nation of Cameroon.

It differs from the three known strains of human immunodeficiency virus and appears to be closely related to a form of simian virus recently discovered in wild gorillas, researchers report in Monday's edition of the journal Nature Medicine.

The finding "highlights the continuing need to watch closely for the emergence for new HIV variants, particularly in western central Africa," said the researchers, led by Jean-Christophe Plantier of the University of Rouen, France.

The three previously known HIV strains are related to the simian virus that occurs in chimpanzees.

The most likely explanation for the new find is gorilla-to-human transmission, Plantier's team said. But they added they cannot rule out the possibility that the new strain started in chimpanzees and moved into gorillas and then humans, or moved directly from chimpanzees to both gorillas and humans.

Full Story at thestar.com

the Daye... Poll

In our most recent poll, which was to run for several more weeks, we asked; "Do you support the striking city workers". Due to the fact that Mayor Miller and his cronies at city hall caved to the greedy, money grubbing union we've decided to stop this poll early.

For the record:

85% of respondents did NOT support the workers.

1% DID support city workers.

It should go without saying that this is not a scientific poll.

Take a look to the right for a new poll which asks; "Do you think Mayor David Miller managed the strike and subsequent deal well?" Vote now, this poll will end on August 15th.

Gunman shoots up gay club in Tel Aviv

Israeli police say a gunman entered a youth club for gay teens in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night and sprayed the interior with automatic rifle fire, killing three people and injuring 11.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said it was “most likely a criminal attack and not a terror attack.” Tel Aviv has been a target for Palestinian militants in the past.

He said the gunman burst into the basement of the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association and opened fire on a support group for gay teenagers.

Get the full story from the Globe & Mail.

Here is a link with video from the BBC. It should be noted that this 'club' is a gay community organization for gay teens and not a gay dance club.

Union Wins

Toronto's city councillors have voted to accept a deal reached with two civic unions following a strike that lasted nearly six weeks.

The vote happened shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday night. Councillors voted 21-17 in favour of the deal between the City of Toronto and Locals 416 and 79.

The councillors began debating the matter at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning, when Mayor David Miller urged his fellow City Hall members to vote in favour of the settlement. Full Story from CTV News.

CUPE: WORKING FOR YOU - NOT!

The picture says it all.

Letter To Kyle Rae

I wrote a letter to Toronto Centre-Rosedale city councilor Kyle Rae today to express my displeasure with this ongoing nut squeezing of the city of Toronto by greedy unions.

After reading Mr. Rae's reply, my conclusion is that city council, or at the very least Councillor Rae is passing the buck by saying;

"the Mayor has indicated that the proposed settlements fall within the bargaining parameters established by the City's Labour Relations Committee.".

In other words, they get to keep banking sick days and ripping us off even though it has been recently reported that the fund only has something like less than half of the amount needed to pay off these gougers. I am sick and tired of this nonsense.

And while we're on the topic, is there some logical reason why a TTC collector is being paid more than 125K a year? He's a friggin TTC collector for gods sake, and now he is charged with stealing from the TTC. I guess 125K isn't enough for some people! Is it just me or has this city gone completely fucking insane!

Here is my letter and Kyle Rae's reply:

I am NOT impressed by Mr. Miller's total lack of concern for the
citizens of Toronto. Letting the union workers bank sick days is just
another step towards bankrupting this city. I will not be voting for
him, or you in the next election should you decide to approve this rip
off of a deal. Fire these lazy bastards and give the jobs to people
who really want to work and save us all some money. This council is a
JOKE!

By the way, it has come to my attention that you don't feel the need
to reply to your constituents emails. You may want to rethink that
stance.

Mark Daye, Toronto

Hello Mark,

Thank you for your email.

I have yet to see the details of the tentative agreements. However, the Mayor has indicated that the proposed settlements fall within the bargaining parameters established by the City's Labour Relations Committee. These parameters reflect the City's ability to pay during what are certainly challenging economic times.

Again, thank you for writing. I appreciate your candid feedback.

Kyle

Since this post, I noticed a friend wrote to Kyle today too. He got the same reply. Word for word. So, Kyle (or a staffer) is obviously just pounding out the canned reply to anyone who mentions the strike.

China Still Number One (for executions)

The number of prisoners put to death worldwide decreased in 2008, a human rights group said Wednesday, adding that China retained its position as the world's top executioner.

Executions in the United States were down from last year, while Iran and Saudi Arabia appeared near the top of the list of the world's top executioners, the anti-death penalty group Hands Off Cain said in a report about 2008 and the first six months of this year.

The group said that at least 5,727 executions were carried out in 2008, down from 5,851 the year before. It said that 46 countries retained the death penalty last year, three fewer than in 2007, with Burundi and Uzbekistan abolishing capital punishment, and Sierra Leone establishing itself as a de facto abolitionist by not having carried out any executions for more than 10 years.

The report said China accounted for at least 5,000 executions – or 87.3 per cent of the total – the same estimate as last year. Full Story

On the bright side, China claims that they will reduce the number in the years to come. I call that a bunch of crap. No state has the right to take ANY human life, period!

Banked sick days in city offer

Unionized city employees will continue to bank pay for unused sick days under a contract offer being voted on today.

However, a last-minute glitch in talks with one of the two striking CUPE locals means that only the inside workers began voting this morning on whether to ratify the deal.

CUPE Local 416, which represents outside workers including trash collectors, indefinitely postponed a vote set to begin at 7 a.m. today because negotiators hadn't signed a memorandum of agreement to end the strike, or negotiated a back-to-work protocol following the tentative agreement reached early Monday morning. Full Story

In other words we just went through a stinky month with no pools or daycare for NOTHING! Way to go Miller. I won't be forgetting this at election time and I will be reminding those who do forget.

City dropped all concessions, union says

CUPE Local 416 president Mark Ferguson said today that the union fought back all of the concessions the city had sought but one councillor says that if that is true, Mayor David Miller has some explaining to do.

Ferguson wouldn't give specifics of the tentative deal reached with the city early today, but said that the support of his members gave the "bargaining committee the ability to fight back all of the concessions," the city sought.

"As I have said from the beginning, we will end this strike like we began," he told a news conference this morning at the Scarborough hotel where his local's negotiation took place.

Pat Daley, a spokesperson for Local 416, backed up Ferguson's statement that the union had managed to "fight back all of the concessions the city sought from us."

All 118 pages of concessions? she was asked.

"Yes," she said.

Full Story at thestar.com

If this is true, Miller obviously is not concerned about this city, nor does he want to try to get re-elected.

Everyone is happy this strike is over, but it appears the unions have won at the expense of the taxpayer. It's time to privatize the trash pick up and give the work to people who are willing to work for a competitive wages.

Deal Reached In City Strike

Negotiators for the city and its two striking unions have reached an agreement after more than a month of a civic workers strike.

Mark Ferguson, president of Local 416 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, made the announcement at about 8:30 a.m. but did not provide further details. Get the full story at thestar.com

Coronation Street becomes fictional first on Street View

Coronation Street will "make history" as the first fictional location to feature on Google Street View.

A Google car, complete with the roof-mounted camera, has driven down the famous cobbles of Coronation Street to capture the real-life set in 360-degrees.

When live, fans of the soap will be able to explore the street virtually on Google Street View and take in the landmarks such as the Rovers Return and The Kabin paper shop.

A Google spokesperson added: "This is the first ever TV soap to be photographed for Street View and we're thrilled that soon fans up and down the country will be able to imagine themselves heading down the street to enjoy a pint in The Rovers".

TORONTO BURLESQUE FESTIVAL STARTS TODAY

The second annual Toronto Burlesque Festival, dubbed "Tassels Without Borders," features four days and nights of burlesque performances at the Gladstone Hotel, The Mod Club, the Cadillac Lounge and The Centre of Gravity. It kicks off tonight.

"This (burlesque) scene has grown so much," said festival producer Adrianna LeBlanc, a.k.a. Sauci Calla Horra, who started performing with troupe Skin Tight Outta Sight as a "card girl" in 2002 and has since become a regular performer. Full story at thestar.com

Murder Charges Laid in Kingston Drownings

A man, his wife and their son are charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of three Montreal sisters and their caregiver, who were found dead in a submerged car near Kingston, Ont.
The bodies of the three teenaged sisters and the 50-year-old woman were found in the car in the Rideau Canal on June 30.
Kingston police Chief Stephen Tanner told a news conference this afternoon he was saddened at the "needless and senseless loss of innocent human lives," in what he described as a case of domestic violence. Full Story at 680 News

Clement defends decision not to fund gay arts fest

Industry Minister Tony Clement says his government had to consider "regional fairness" when doling out stimulus money to big tourism events – and that's why a gay arts festival in Montreal didn't make the cut.

The organizers of Montreal's Divers-Cite festival, which features gay and lesbian performers from around the world, said they were shocked to find out this week that their application for funding under the new program had been rejected.

They had been told by bureaucrats they had met all the rigorous criteria for their $155,000 bid – a fact not disputed by the government.

Director Suzanne Girard had initially scoffed at suggestions that ideology might be at play in handing out grants, but now says she suspects politics were involved.

After some Conservative caucus members complained last month that Toronto's Pride Week had received $400,000, junior tourism minister Diane Ablonczy lost responsibility for the file. Read the full story at The Star.com

This posting is a follow up to the recent post regarding the demotion of Diane Ablonczy after she gave 400K to Pride Toronto.

Miller says back-to-work order would hurt T.O.

Mayor David Miller says an arbitrated settlement in the 31-day-old civic strike would cause huge budget problems for the city in the months ahead and could possibly lead to layoffs.

"Every time there's been an arbitrated settlement, the cost of that settlement has been very high," he said at a Wednesday news conference in city hall, pointing to Toronto police officers being awarded three-per-cent hikes.

If Toronto's 24,000 unionized workers were given a 12 per cent wage hike over four years, there would be service cuts and the ability to hire young people would be restricted, he said. Source: CTV News

Miller may say that legislation to force the city workers back would hurt Toronto, but what he really means is it would hurt him. It is pretty obvious to anyone that he's made back room deals with the unions or else this strike would not have happened. Miller can take full credit for ruining the all to short summer of the children and families of Toronto.

Arrests Made In Canal Death

Three people were arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the June 30 incident in which the bodies of four Montreal women were retrieved from a car submerged in the Rideau Canal near Kingston, Ont., Global News reports. Source: The National Post

Circus Animals Abused

Visit RinglingBeatsAnimals.com

Friends for Life Bike Rally

On July 26, 2009, 400 courageous individuals will embark on an incredible journey. For six days, our riders will cycle over 600km from Toronto to Montreal with the support of a fabulous crew, and in doing so will raise thousands of dollars for men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. The experience promises to have a profound impact on the lives of each and every participant. Visit the website.

Via Could Be Crippled By Strike, Some Trains Already Cancelled

Via Rail has already cancelled some routes ahead of a possible strike by workers on Friday.

The rail line is negotiating with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference which represents about 340 locomotive engineers. The union has given notice it intends to go on strike on Friday at noon EDT.

But Via has already cancelled some long-distance trains to ensure passengers are not be stranded en-route if the union goes on strike. Source: City News

Strike Update

Toronto garbage strike 2009. Day 30

City News reports on strike news. The Moss Park temporary dump shown in the video above is about one block from my office and is just one of many disgusting, rat infested dumps around the city.

Day 30 Strike News

• George Smitherman was accosted by a strikers wife in what quickly turned into a bad PR stunt as he swept up garbage.
• City Hall has started issuing building permits again.
• Toronto stinks, but the scent varies depending on the neighborhood, temperature and amount of precipitation.

Tories reject funding for Montreal gay festival

A gay and lesbian arts festival that was told it met all government criteria under a new tourism stimulus program learned Tuesday it was rejected for funding.

The news arrived at Montreal's Divers-Cite a few weeks after tension swept the Conservative caucus over funding for Toronto's Pride week, and just days before the beginning of their event.

The directors of Divers-Cite had actually sprung to the defence of Stephen Harper's government earlier this month, telling The Canadian Press that the Conservatives had never treated them differently. Some in the gay community attacked them for their comments.

They had submitted a bid under the new Marquee Tourism Events Program for $155,000 to add performers and promotion to this year's $2-million event. Full Story at CTV.

I can't say I'm surprised.

Here is the link to the earlier post about the Toronto Pride funding.

Saudis chided on 'rights abuses'

Amnesty International has strongly criticised Saudi Arabia over abuses allegedly committed under its counter-terrorism programme.

In a new report the human rights group says that since 2001 thousands of Saudis have been detained for years without charge or trial.

The group's 69-page report describes Saudi Arabia's human rights record as "shocking" and "dire".

It says the international community has been far too quiet about the abuse. Full Story at BBC News.

Delta Fair Starts Thursday

July 23-26, 2009

Theme: Year of the Nursery Rhyme

Karsh widow donates photographs to Ottawa

Nine prints by the internationally renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh were donated on Tuesday to the City of Ottawa by his widow, Estrellita Karsh.

Karsh was surprised to learn that the city where her husband had been a longtime resident had none of his work in its collections.

"I had no idea there was nothing in the print or art collection of the city until I was told and we were very happy to remedy that," she said.

Tuesday was declared Yousuf Karsh Day by the city, which presents an award named after Karsh and his brother every year to an Ottawa artist who shows outstanding artistic work in photography.

A wonderful gift for the city of Ottawa!

Tighty Whitey Car Wash Photos

On Friday I posted about the Tighty Whitey car wash PWA fundraiser which took place this afternoon and it is still on until four p.m. If you have a car bring it down to the lane way between Zelda's and Cafe California on Church St. and get it washed by the guys and gals in their undies.

We Tour America Scam?

The following is a message I received from Tracey Sandilands of Pride Toronto:

I also found some other sites complaining about We Tour America.

Complaintsboard.com

Rip Off Report

If you entered a competition during Pride Week with a company called We Tour America, please be warned! I've been told by someone who participated that it appears to be a scam to get hold of credit card numbers. I'm investigating and will keep you posted, but let me assure you there is no link with Pride Toronto - any such competitions were being promoted without our knowledge and purely on a private basis.

If anyone has additional information on this company or the competition, please let me know.

Thanks and regards
Tracey Sandilands

Just For Laughs at Yonge Dundas Square

Click on the images above to view large size.

After a brief delay by a summer rainshower, we got on the subway and headed to Yonge Dundas Square to see Russell Peters at the Just For Laughs comedy festival. The packed subway was a good indicator of the crowd at the square, which I estimate was in the thousands. Below is a stitched panorama image of the crowd and one of Russell Peters on stage. We only stayed a few minutes due to the size of the crowd and we couldn't really hear anything. His act is posted on Youtube in four parts.

Thanks to Petals & Twigs in the Toronto Life Square which overlooks Yonge Dundas Square for letting me take the crowd picture from your window.