6 Comments October 26, 2015 at 4:50 pm

Extra, Extra: Blue Jays Appreciation Day, a TTC Shortfall, and a Dearly Departed Giraffe

Every weekday’s end, we collect just about everything you ought to care about or ought not to miss.

Photo by Greg’s Southern Ontario from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

The Blue Jays lost 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, but that doesn’t mean we can’t acknowledge the team’s great season. Tuesday will be Blue Jays Appreciation Day in Toronto. So if you’re a fan of Josh Donaldson, you may wear a pseudo man bun, and if you like ace pitcher David Price, then you should honour him by going to work on a scooter, and if you love Jose Bautista, then you should probably draw a great beard on your face.

The TTC will see fewer riders than anticipated in 2015, resulting in an $18-million revenue shortage for the transit agency. Reasons cited for the ridership decrease are varied, and include fare increases, weekend track maintenance, and a cold winter. But 2015 also saw increased service, free fares for children, and Pan Am Games visitors. TTC deputy CEO Chris Upfold told the Star that the ridership numbers could be attributed to the fact that “We’re full and our customers know that.” It is the second consecutive year that TTC ridership fell short of expectations.
After 25 years of standing tall at the Toronto Zoo, Twiga the giraffe was euthanized this weekend following health complications. The masai giraffe was born in captivity at the zoo, and gave birth to nine calves of her own. She will be missed.
From today’s edition of 12:36: The old Book City in the Annex is about to become a Chipotle. 501 Bloor Street West has been shuttered since the bookstore moved out in March 2014. But the new tenant can claim that it does its part for literature, too. There are now 32 contributors to Jonathan Safran Foer’s “Cultivating Thought” series, which provides burrito eaters with something to read on the chain’s bags and cups. ( Want more 12:36? Subscribe to it now.)