Another Friday lunchtime is happening. my fellow Londoners, so it must be time to send out the ROUNDUP, your guide to what’s worth knowing in Canada’s London, at least as far as local news goes.
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Who says an individual can’t make a difference? We have to try, because the alternative is to stop trying, and that’s just silly, right?
And this is London, Ontario, where it’s time to check those vaccinations, with students heading back on Tuesday and teachers already setting up their classrooms and getting together for professional development1. We’re heading into the Labour Day weekend, wondering “Will the bridge feed?” and looking out for tornadoes2. Next week will be a short one, and a full one, so let’s get ready for that.
And we’ll serve up some useful information to help you through it. Sound good? I hope so because you asked for it.
Let’s go!
Soundtrack of the week
We’re almost there. Who else is determined to clear their desk before the long weekend begins? That’s where my head is at - let’s get it done and take the time we deserve.
And, as always, here’s a good, good noise for your ears and brains, presented as your soundtrack to reading some local news. Remember it might stop when you click away, so I advise a couple of read-throughs, at least. Thanks for reading (and listening)!
Sunday Girl by Blondie: perfect little pop song.
Let’s get cracking with an important statement:
The name remains Lake Ontario
It’s concerning to see typos on some maps, and worldwide coverage of the utter nonsense coming from Donald Trump. Here, for example, is The Guardian, darling of the British left, reporting on it. That’ll give you the high-level if you need it, but this thing has been hard to avoid.
Meanwhile, Doug Ford, apparently still Canada’s bulwark against American imperialism, says his $25,000 Lake Ontario sign was worth the money. Here’s Global.
And you can buy a fun shirt with the word “hydronyms” on it. (CBC)
Oh, for goodness’ sake.
Local government
As always, my City Hall Notes column from Wednesday can lead this topic.
And, updating that, I see next week’s committees are starting to produce reporting such as CTV London’s focus on dangerous dogs bylaws, which are on the agenda at Community and Protective Services on Tuesday. Headline on that: “Londoner honours her dog’s memory by pushing for newly proposed dangerous dog bylaw”.
We also have Planning on Wednesday afternoon, and I’ll gather what I can for City Hall Notes.
Also, fancy a Guide to Ward 3? Try this great piece from Jack Moulton at the London Free Press.
This topic is fresh in my mind because Cedric and I recorded a podcast in Ward 3 just this morning. We’re nearing the end of our 14 Wards of London Ontario series and we just have Ward 3 and one more left. Listen to our podcast on Tuesday for how you might encounter us…
The 14 Wards of London Ontario
Want to find out more about your ward? We’ve got you.
East London
Ward 1 - Where The Wooden Things Are
Ward 2 - With More Than A Commercial Corridor
Ward 3 - Coming NEXT - THIS TUESDAY
Ward 4 - All About Neighbourhoods Now
South London
Ward 12 - Which Seems To Work Pretty Well
Ward 14 - With All The Rural Areas Now
West London
Ward 8 - With A Bog and Many Beds
Ward 10 - NEW - With Reservoirs, Retail and Reptiles - NEW
North London
Ward 5 - With The Mall and So Much More
Ward 7 - With The Mayors
Central London
Ward 11 - With The Village
Ward 13 - Downtown. Recording downtown on Saturday, September 12.
Forest City Film Festival
While I’m sharing the work of my colleagues at The Loon, I’ll highlight Matt and Diana’s Hollywood-style extravaganza of posts from yesterday about the Forest City Film Festival. It’s so exciting to have vibrant events like this happening here in town.
There’s also a CTV London report here, if you want to see what made it to the TV.
Getting around
Here’s some more coverage of the Wellington Gateway BRT project, with CTV London reporting “headaches”.
And this CTV story seeks to establish a link between the construction and copper thefts in the area.
Jobs and A.I.
I’ve been wondering about the trade union voice in the debate about A.I. and here it is, in a CBC story where it’s pointed out that humans are training their incompetent robotic successors.
Opinion alert: How about “no”?
That’s about WSIB and, with strong local connections including hundreds of jobs apparently transferring here from other parts of the province, WSIB is increasingly a London organization. And, as I said last week, its CEO, Jeffrey Lang, is a member of the London Police Services Board.
Healthcare
There was a protest in London about healthcare legislation in Alberta, which is seen as opening the door to private healthcare. Here’s CTV.
Also in the healthcare sector Craig Needles’ podcast was focused on the prospect of reuniting St. Joe’s and LHSC, and the opportunity to quote a Taylor Swift song. You can get that song in your head here.
More new charges in explosives investigation
And I’ll just link to this. Additional charges laid in this strange London story. LFP
Almost at the end now. How was the week? Mine is almost OVER, happily. And I’m so happy I get to do this towards the end of it.
The Lightning Round
Some snippets to enhance your experience as a Londoner.
The Humane Society welcomed 12 rescued animals from wildfires in Northern Ontario: LINK
The London Knights have switched radio stations, taking Mike Stubbs with them: LINK (It’s unclear what this may mean for the local radio news discussion show he was presenting for Corus Radio.)
Storm Stayed Brewery3 has been sold by one local owner to another local owner, it appears. LINK
And the London Free Press reports that Heated Rivalry shot second-season content at Canada Life Place and Museum London “recently”, based on a post on xTwitter. Fans have been posting their celeb-spotting on social media, too.
And we reach our natural conclusion
I think that’s an appropriate amount for a group of engaged Londoners to digest on a Friday afternoon, so let’s call it a weekend: a long one.
Steve Cordes has another timely post for us this afternoon, and I’ll be back next week with more, likely including campaign launches and similar events, where I’ll pick up tone and photos and say hello where I can.
Thanks, deeply, for every iota of support. We’re sticking with this and enjoying the satisfaction of some hard work that makes a good impact. We hope you’re enjoying it, too. Tell your friends, etc. etc. and I never stop saying that, I know.
Happy Labour Day!
Keep your hand upon your wages.
- Mike
The Loon (London Ontario Online News) lineup
New content every day!
We’ve teamed up to send you a new feature every weekday:
Monday - Buckle Up - podcast with Matt Brown - SPONSORED BY HAMILTON ROAD BIA
Tuesday - Ward Tours with Cedric Richards - SPONSORED BY LONDON BICYCLE CAFÉ
Wednesday - City Hall Notes by Mike Donachie - SPONSORED BY SPERO LAW
Thursday - the Forest City Arts and Culture Roundup by Diana Tamblyn - SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN LONDON
Friday - Reflecting, with Steve Cordes - SPONSORED BY OLD EAST VILLAGE BIA
And free on Fridays: the ROUNDUP, briefing you on the stories you need to know, gathered in one place. Regular analysis of the issues affecting London and the region.
My entire household works on the schools calendar and IT IS ABSOLUTELY TIME FOR EVERYONE TO GO BACK, sigh
We had the big weather again, and here’s a selection of dramatic skies in CTV viewer-submitted photos, and a report with events north of London.
Mmmm beeeeeer
Great week! Enjoy your long weekend, LOONies.
The change of radio stations for the Knights means that the Jays won't be preempted when they played at the same time. Great news for baseball fans.