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Newsstand: May 7, 2012
Just another Monday morning. What's that you say? You thought it was Sunday and overslept? We're here to tell you that it is in fact Monday, and to keep you informed about other things, too—like the news! Today: the Fencegate saga continues: questions arise about Mayor Ford's plans for the adjacent property, and the feud catches the attention of the Times; a proposed plan for the plastic-bag fee; a local schoolteacher wins the Toronto marathon for the second consecutive year; some local schoolkids made a video they're hoping will go viral; the Cumberland closes; and a rare flower opens.
If you thought the Mayor Ford property story would soon be wrapped up like a 2,600-square-foot grassy parcel, think again. It seems that the story has taken another twist. While the Fords have suggested that they intend to purchase the park space beside their home in order to erect a larger fence, a video has been uncovered that has Mayor Ford on tape less than two years ago speaking of plans to tear down his house and build a “nice” new one. The mayor can also also be heard talking about his feelings toward the house in which he currently resides, at one point stating, “I’m embarrassed; I wouldn’t bring anyone to my house.” Ah, yes. A nice family home in a neighbourhood in which houses fetch a-million-plus dollars is mortifying.
In other Fencegate news, with the help of Mayor Ford, Toronto is once again making international headlines, this time in the New York Times. Maybe this will put “embarrassing” into perspective for Mayor Ford. Then again, given that he doesn’t seem to regret the use of bullying tactics, saying on his weekly radio show, “I don’t want to catch anybody else outside my home…. It wouldn’t be a nice sight,” maybe not.
While park space may soon be swallowed up by private interests, a report is being released today that recommends that the City ask major retailers to donate a portion of the estimated $5.4 million in bag fees collected each year to restoring trees, according to the Globe and Mail. Planting trees in Toronto is an expensive undertaking, and Councillor Michelle Berardinetti (Ward 35, Scarborough Southwest) suggests that redirecting the bag fee can help. Perhaps if Mayor Ford’s bid to buy his neighbouring parkette goes through, we’ll find that Berardinetti has chained herself to a fencepost in the Fords’ backyard in protest of the potential loss of green space. Stay tuned, folks!
If you didn’t start your Sunday morning with a brisk 42.2 km run that took you just 2:27:57 hours, you are probably not Brendan Kenny. Schoolteacher by weekday, marathon runner by weekend, Kenny won his second marathon. In a row. Are you feeling a touch lazy about your own weekend? Just a little Monday morning shame. You’re welcome.
It’s not the Arab Spring. It’s not even a protest about rising tuition costs. The latest revolution making waves is about junk food. More specifically, stopping the war on junk food. Seemingly fed up with Big Government, a couple of Brampton high school students put together a video that protests the Ontario government’s “school food and beverage policy.” Nobody can claim we don’t have problems affecting our youth. They’re simply better known as “First World Problems.”
Well, it happened. It’s gone. After more than three decades of movie magic, the Cumberland Theatre’s last screening ran at 7:30 p.m. Sunday night. The last show? Footnote. How appropriate, as a footnote does, typically, come at the end. Though not here, as we can’t bear to leave you with bad news this Monday morning.
In better news, this happened! Niagara Falls’ much-anticipated rare Amorphophallus titanum has opened. In the spirit of positivity, we won’t tell you how short-lived the bloom is, but we will tell you that it stinks, so that’s fun. Yay! Happy Monday to all, and to all a good day.