How news is constructed – The News: A User’s Manual, Alain de Botton (2014)

If you have an interest in how news is constructed, as I do, you might enjoy reading The News: A User’s Manual (2014) by Alain de Botton. The author notes (p. 11): The news known how to render its own mechanics almost invisible and therefore hard to question. It speaks to us in a natural […]

What could be more fun than equity scores? Long Branch (56.26); Alderwood (63.88); New Toronto (53.21); Mimico (62.36)

A March 10, 2014 Globe and Mail article is entitled: “140 Toronto neighbourhoods ranked by new ‘equity score.’” The article includes a great map and listings. I owe thanks to a tweet from Sarah Thomson for alerting me to this article. The opening paragraph reads [please note that I’ve changed the placement of a comma; […]

Perception is reality and other truisms: When immersed in a story we let down our guard

In  a recent post concerning a federal government lawsuit seeking to reclaim $330,000 in kickbacks, I’ve spoken of the distinction between rhetoric and reality. That’s a great post – it’s not too long, yet covers a lot of ground. Gradually, it’s dawned on me that adding endless material to such blog posts – by way […]

Russ Ford is running for council in Ward 6

I’m pleased to share with you the following message from Russ Ford: As you may know I am running for city council in the upcoming election. Too many people have been marginalized by our current system. People do not vote because the political system does not work for them, it does not respond to their […]

Jane’s Walk and the City WalkShops – informal, interactive workshops on walking

I’m pleased to share with you information about some great free events related to Jane’s Walk that you can access at andthecity.eventbrite.ca Connect, share, and learn The purpose of these informal, interactive workshops is to develop Jane’s Walks on eight themes that matter in Toronto. I learned about these events just recently, when I attended […]

A note concerning a federal government lawsuit involving a city hall aide

This post concerns a March 7, 2014 metronews.ca article entitled: “Toronto city hall aide faces federal lawsuit seeking $330,000.” That’s an engaging story. It helps a person to understand, at least to some extent, some things that might otherwise not be understood. The person in question appeared to me to have a good grasp of […]

World Health Organization recommends that no more than 5 percent of your caloric intake – that is, 25 grams – should come from sugar

I often drive by 198 New Toronto St. in south Etobicoke where Lantic Sugar is located. The first link in the sentence above gives you a Google Street view of the location. The second link gives you an overview describing how sugar is refined. Whenever I drive by the Lantic Sugar plant, I think of […]

Report from Geoff Kettel regarding March 3, 2014 Local Appeal Body Consultation at North York Civic Centre

I’ve previously posted comments from Steve Nazar concerning a Local Appeal Body consultation that he attended on Feb. 18, 2014. I’m pleased to share with you as well the following report from Geoff Kettel: Local Appeal Body Public Consultation North York Civic Centre March 3 2014, 7pm Billed as a consultation on the establishment of […]

Confederation of Resident and Ratepayer Associations in Toronto overview regarding Development Permit System

I’m not a member of any neighbourhood association nor am I connected with CORRA. I share the following information for the interest of visitors to the Preserved Stories website. The following text is from CORRA (I have not included the attached files that accompanied the following message): Confederation of Resident and Ratepayer Associations in Toronto […]

March 18, 2014 Community Workshop regarding Lakeview (Mississauga) Waterfront

Details are available here. [Click on link in previous sentence to access the relevant link.] Briefly, the information is as follows: Inspiration Lakeview Community Workshop – Developing the Master Plan Tuesday March 18, 2014 Mississauga Seniors’ Centre (Cawthra) 1389 Cawthra Road 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Open House 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Presentation 7:30 […]