Morning Brew: January 24th, 2007

20070124_MB.jpgYour rules rules rules morning news roundup for Wednesday January 24th, 2007:

Toronto-Danforth City Councillor Case Ootes wants a ban on panhandling in tourist-designated areas and has the support of Police Chief Bill Blair and businesses. He also thinks this city needs a trailer park in the downtown core and has the support of the Ontario RV Dealers Association.

Toronto Community Housing is attempting to clean up Jamestown by employing some strict measures. If a resident has gang connections, his/her entire family may face eviction.

School Trustees are considering a ban on cell phones at schools city wide. The distractions, potential for using them to cheat, and privacy are some of the concerns raised, while parents are keen on the safety and security phones offer. A no-phones-seen-or-heard-in-the-classroom rule would be a nice compromise.

Hundreds of Canadians attempting to get passports are learning that they aren't Canadian. An obscure, outdated law stipulates that if you were residing outside of Canada on your 24th birthday and didn't complete the required form, you automatically lost your citizenship.

If you ever find yourself being devoured by a great white shark, there's an unwritten rule that suggests that if you poke it in the eye, you might live to tell the story.

Today, at around the time when Sesame Street airs, I roll into my thirties and officially become an old man :)

(photo: blogTO Flickr pooler Seeing Is)

Reader Reviews and Comments

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That is such an odd, odd law. I wonder why the 24th birthday.

Posted by: Gloria at January 24, 2007 9:03 AM

Happy Birthday and welcome to the club!

Posted by: Tyson Williams at January 24, 2007 9:16 AM

Anyone know where I can buy a monocle and pipe to match my hat? ;)

Posted by: Jerrold at January 24, 2007 9:20 AM

You mean that hat DIDN'T come with a pipe and monocle? You were ripped off.

So, gonna celebrate at my place tonight?

Posted by: Ryan C. at January 24, 2007 9:52 AM

Oui, Wii party!

Posted by: Jerrold at January 24, 2007 10:08 AM

Happy B-Day Jerrold! on the 3rd, I turned 34, and entered my "mid-30's" as my wife is so fond of pointing out(She's 26, and smug). So, cheer up!

Posted by: brokenengine at January 24, 2007 10:49 AM

Surprising we don't cross paths on the dance floor more often since I know we like some of the same beats. I hope you make a week of it, get out there and tear it up!

Posted by: sookie at January 24, 2007 11:10 AM

happy birthday jerrold! and um...i was residing outside canada on my 24th birthday. i should look into that.

Posted by: Sameer Vasta [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 24, 2007 12:50 PM

There should be a secure facility in the school where phones are handed in. If required during the school day the student can get it, use it within the storage facility and return it to storage until end of day. If helicopter parents want to talk to their kid they can ring the principal's office and ask for the kid to be brought to the phone.

Posted by: Mark Dowling at January 24, 2007 3:55 PM

Putting 100's of phones belonging to various students in a secure area sounds like a logistical nightmare. Also, if an emergency takes place, those phones aren't accessible.

A better rule might be to insist that they're left in their lockers.

A teacher should be able to firmly state that phones are not to be seen or heard in the classroom (and have some system in place to penalize kids that break the rules).

Posted by: Jerrold at January 24, 2007 4:14 PM

Welcome to your 30s. They are actually better than the 20s.

...and you are not old until you pass 40 (or so I keep telling myself). This will remain true until I pass 40 upon which the benchmark for the aged with be 50.

Posted by: Steve M at January 24, 2007 7:43 PM

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