Morning Brew: High Park Zoo cash boost, don't call it Downtown Relief Line, council to debate casino, Easter Bunny's year off, Leafs apologize, and Jays, Raptors lose
The cash-strapped High Park Zoo received a lifeline last night when Councillor Sarah Doucette announced the Honey Family Foundation will match donations to the organization up to $50,000 for the next three years. The zoo needs about $100,000 to stay open until the end of the year - so far online and in-person donations total $37,000. Each year it costs roughly $220,000 to run the zoo.
Talk of the Downtown Relief Line is starting to heat up again - although we probably should think of a catchier name - and people are beginning to speculate about where the potential subway should run. Spacing is taking suggestions for a more appealing and inclusive name, ideally one that appeals to the suburbanites the line could benefit. Subways, subways, subways!
Several councillors are expected to speak out against the prospect of a GTA casino when the topic comes up for discussion at today's monthly council meeting. Councillor Mike Layton will request that Ontario Place not be repurposed as a gambling venue while Councillor Adam Vaughan will float the idea of a referendum. Meanwhile, Marcus Gee at the Globe promoting gambling is like promoting smoking. Sports field fees and urban fishing are also on council's agenda.
Inner-city coyote sightings and encounters have tripled since last year and it looks like we're to blame. Attracted by outdoor pet food, fallen fruit and garbage, coyotes don't generally pose a threat unless they lose their fear of humans. An overly curious coyote was killed by a police officer in the Port Lands recently after it was attracted to decomposing human remains.
In an open letter to fans posted on their website last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs formally apologized to fans for the team's lack of winning this season - the seventh in a row without playoff hockey. Signed by Lawrence M. Tanenbaum, the Chairman of the Board, the letter praises the loyalty of fans and reasserts the team's commitment to success.
The Blue Jays lost their home opener against the Red Sox last night 4-2 in one of the ugliest ballparks in North America, according to a list compiled by Buzzfeed. To quote the author, Rogers Centre "screams 1970s (even though it was built in the '80s)." Not sure I agree. I like the place.
With (his? hers? its?) big day at the parade over for another year, attention naturally turns away from the Easter bunny in favour of other seasonal gift-givers. So what does the famous rabbit do in the off-season? Jody Sugrue, a Toronto art director, designer and photographer, has produced this charming video to let us know.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Please do not lean" by sssteve.o in the BlogTO Flickr pool.
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