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.
Drake hosts the ESPYs; Gives Toronto a new nickname
Toronto's favourite homespun rapper was all over the place this week. First he branched out into award show hosting, taking on the ESPYs Wednesday night and cracking wise about Cleveland. Then he branded Toronto with a new nickname, the 6, when he unveiled his new album this week. The presumption is that this is an allusion to the city's area codes. I'm partial to Hogtown myself.
Not-so-MUCH Music?
In the wake of some recent budget-slashing and layoffs many are questioning the future of MUCH music, as in does it have one at all? The reality is that with the evolution of online formats for content distribution, the music video station is a bit of a relic. The once essential pop-culture institution and in-roads into the Canadian music scene could well be sliding into obsolescence before our very eyes.
Marijuana Scavenger Hunt in High Park
It is entirely possible that this stunt was created solely for the purpose of making an obvious pun, but at least according to signage it appears to be a real thing. Recently circulated twitter posters are offering up to $25,000 worth of pot and prizes for the September 7 treasure hunt. The contact info on the posters is for a (unsurprisingly) British Columbia area code phone number. Apparently the event is being put on by the Marijuana Information Bureau, which is a self-described low-key Toronto medical marijuana provider.
Rob Ford: "Sober as a judge"
Well so much for all that “lifelong battle” stuff because straight from the horse's mouth, Rob Ford's sobriety coach is off to help others who actually need help. Those individuals, apparently, no longer include the mayor who seems to have diagnosed himself as just fine and vowed never to slide back into addiction. He even went all old-timey and declared himself "sober as a judge."
Online community helps father remember his daughter with photo
For all the trolling and inflammatory language that pops up in online comment sections, it's nice to see some kindness and sensitivity on the web. Nathen Steffel suffered the crushing loss of his infant daughter and took to Reddit for help in creating a photo of her without life support tubes for him to remember her by. Hundreds of commenters came through and created touched-up portraits of the daughter.
Chow called a "major league biatch" according to former MPP Peter Shurman
Mayoral candidate Olivia Chow's debate performance on Tuesday didn't garner her any kind words from former Progressive Conserative MPP Peter Shurman. Shurman referred to Chow as a "major league biatch" on a NewsTalk 1010 show while on a panel with the National Post's Christie Blatchford. Shurman resigned from his post last December after an expense scandal and has since apologized for his language.
Clown music to accompany your Rob Ford reading
Many would say mayor Ford’s run of ridiculousness is well past the point of being funny, but for those of you still managing to chuckle at his antics, this Chrome extension will actually play clown music any time you end up reading an article about Rob Ford. It may also function as Pavlovian training and help you to ignore this spectacle once and for all.
Tim Hortons debuts concept store with coffee-flavoured beer
Deep inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is a pilot model for what could be the future of Tim Hortons. The concept store featured coffee and strawberry flavoured beers as well as a new logo and an aesthetic that evokes the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Some of the ideas won't be put into place but it's a glimpse into the future for the chain as it tries to stay relevant in the constantly evolving restaurant industry.
Documentary about Brawl on Bay St.
Turns out there's a long-running semi-annual boxing match that goes on between various Bay St. executives at Arcadian Court. That sounds rather strange, and vaguely Wolf of Wall Street-ish, but local filmmakers Jon Pottins and Justin Brennon Smith have made a short doc that examines the process for this year's two combatants. It actually turns out to be more interesting than a Rocky training montage.
Baby Peregrine Falcon delivered at Oshawa Hospital
Of all the baby deliveries recently at Lakeridge Health, the one that took place on the roof may have been the most interesting. At least if you're fascinated by cute little avian creatures that will one day grow up to be among the fastest creatures on Earth. A tiny and adorable little peregrine falcon, considered an endangered species in Ontario, was dubbed Salveo to parents Alfreida and Simcoe and weighed in at a robust 910 grams.
