Our weekly recap of the week’s news nuggets in Toronto will bring you up to date and add some fuel to your small-talk tank heading into the weekend.
The Star applauded for Ford investigation
The Toronto Star has been awarded the Michener Award for excellence in public service journalism following its 2013 coverage of Mayor Rob Ford’s alleged crack cocaine use. Just last year, the Star had to defend themselves in front of a press council questioning the relevance of their investigation into the Fords. Pretty good comeback.
Baby panda could be on the way
Congratulations may be in store for Er Shun, one of the Toronto Zoo’s giant pandas. She’s showing signs that she may be pregnant. Toronto Zoo has arranged for an ultrasound, but it won’t be known if she is pregnant until approximately 20 days before she gives birth. Er Shun was artificially inseminated because her fellow panda Da Mao was considered sexually immature and showed no interest in Er Shun—but hopefully he’ll offer her a few foot rubs and back massages during her pregnancy.
Sam sign’s new home? Dundas Square
The spinning records that were once a landmark of downtown Toronto may finally have a new home. Though some are disappointed that this lets Ryerson University out of its agreement to hang the sign on their campus, the newly proposed location at Yonge-Dundas Square will put the Sam the Record Man record sign in one of the most central, foot-traffic-heavy areas of the city.
David Chang on Yelp users: “Most are wrong.”
Momofuku’s David Chang is a huge icon in the international and local food scene. So perhaps Toronto foodies will heed his warning that Yelp shouldn’t be used as a serious source for restaurant reviews. Chang says that Yelp reviewers take things too seriously and compares them to fantasy sports leaguers, and says that no chef should take a Yelp review to heart. For the record, Chang’s restaurants all fare pretty well on Yelp.
WorldPride’s Trojan deal criticized
WorldPride Toronto has come under fire from local advocacy groups for its exclusive sponsorship deal with Trojan. The AIDS Committee of Durham Region has criticized this agreement. Allegedly, the committee was unable to attain condoms to hand out from Trojan—bad news for anyone attempting to promote sexual health. Even the newly designed Toronto condoms will not have an official presence at WorldPride.
What the Ontario election means for Toronto’s mayoral race
The people of Ontario have elected Kathleen Wynne, the only party leader hailing from Toronto. What does the new Liberal majority mean for our city? Spacing editor John Lorinc muses on some of the factors, such as Olivia Chow’s stomping grounds, Trinity-Spadina, and its switch from NDP to Liberal, and John Tory’s Liberal-friendly surface-transit plan.
Speaking of transit plans, a look at a 1993 rapid transit poster
This ancient artifact from 1993 shows a newsletter from the TTC announcing proposed rapid transit expansion that includes an extension of Scarborough’s transit line to Sheppard (still waiting on that one), a Sheppard subway line (completed in 2002, but shockingly unpopular), a Spadina subway extension to York University (yet to be completed) and an Eglinton subway (scrapped in the 90s, but we are getting an LRT). Read it and weep.
Another look back in time: Toronto Pride
WorldPride is just around the corner. Here’s a look at what Toronto’s gay pride celebrations looked like 40 years ago. With their protest march from Allen Gardens to the Ontario Legislature, Gay Pride back in the day was more political than celebratory. Now that we’ve come way further in laws protecting the rights of LGBT individuals, WorldPride has become a place to come and celebrate the diversity of our community.
Rob Ford: The Musical
Brett McCaig and P. Joseph Regan are the the writers behind this topsy-turvy and topical musical. An open casting call is taking place Monday, so if you can sing, act, dance or just drunkenly stumble around with a great deal of charm, you may be the perfect fit for Rob Ford: The Musical. The show will run Sept. 16-28 at the Factory Theatre.
Good Guy Russell Peters helps pay for Brampton boy’s funeral
The tragic passing of a 10-year-old Brampton boy has weighed heavily on the hearts of GTA-ers since a fire ripped through a townhouse complex last weekend. Shortly after the parents of young Nicholas Gabriel announced plans for his funeral, comedian and Brampton native Russell Peters has offered to pay $10,000 toward the service.
