An excerpt from the article I mention below. This one refers to the NYT's decision to start charging to read its columnists:

While newspaper Web sites are attracting an increasing number of online ads, those ads are cheap and bring in only a fraction of the revenue that print ads do. And while some newspapers now have more readers on their Web sites than they have in print, most are reluctant to charge for their content online, depriving themselves of revenue from their most popular product. The New York Times recently started charging $50 a year for nonsubscribers to read its columnists online, but it has declined to discuss the early results. (emphasis mine - BD)

U.S. newspapers are being forced into a new round of cost-cutting and layoffs. Some editors -- perhaps as an act of emotional self-preservation -- are trying to imagine how this would be to the paper's advantage.

A letter from a visitor and CBC veteran who wishes to remain anonymous, but who offers some counterpoints to my earlier post in which I suggested the CMG lost the dispute with CBC management:

Well, it's an indirect battle. But a U.S. gun control group wants to target tourists (no pun intended) with ads warning them of the dangers of Florida's stand-your-ground law, which means an armed Floridian shouldn't have to run from a conflict and can instead blast away in self-defence.

While smaller in scale, the mudslides in Guatemala have also been devastating. The government declared that some destroyed villages are now essentially mass graves.

The UN put out a flash appeal Monday for $22 million US. It will be interesting to see how the world community responds, given what's happened in Pakistan.

Or spare cash? The Daily Bread food bank is about 44,000 kilograms behind where it was on Thanksgiving last year.

If you wish to donate, here's some contact info: "Credit-card donations can be made all year long by calling 416-203-0050 or online at http://www.givegroceries.com."

From a Toronto Star article:

(Food bank director Sue) Cox said credit card donations, simple to make by phone, are especially appreciated because they cut out the middleman — every cent will be translated directly into food, Cox said.

"We're really great shoppers because we're buying all in bulk and getting a great deal," she said. "But there's something about donating the food itself. It just reminds people what this is all about, which is people not having enough food.

The last great night of the extended summer of 2005 was Thursday, which I spent trying to unsuccessfully catch a salmon at Bronte Creek.

But even on Wednesday, one of the last mid-20s days, the patio scene on College St. -- normally the stuff of line-ups -- had died down substantially.

Perhaps even the scenesters had subconsciously and collectively decided: "Enough. Patio season is done."

For now, I don't miss the summery weather, and I appreciate the extra colour that's coming out now -- like a final burst of fireworks at the end of a summer holiday evening.

One huge judgment error, however: Monday was the day The Big Chill closes, which meant free ice cream in exchange for a charity donation.

Last year, this was a source of angst because I had to choose between my two flavour favourites. This year, I reminded myself, reminded myself, reminded myself ... and then when the big day came, completely forgot about it.

Agghh!!