A Metro Toronto Convention Centre casino?
Caesars Entertainment is looking to build a casino and entertainment complex at or around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, right in the middle of downtown Toronto.
Speaking to the National Post, Jan Jones, executive vice president of communications and government relations for Caesars, said she would prefer a location that would “integrate with the rest of downtown and the other local businesses.” Her company also expressed its vision for an “urban casino” at the convention centre, and not, say, Exhibition Place.
Jones met with city councillors and other casino magnate, Alan Feldman, senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts, this week. Still, a casino in Toronto is hardly a sure bet, despite heavy outsider interest.
For those concerned about the casino’s possibly seedy presence in the city, the National Post reports both executives proposed that blackjack tables and slot machines would take up no more than 10 per cent of the “integrated resort,” with the rest reserved for entertainment, retail, dining and lodging.
Olivia Chow warms to Toronto mayoral run
Olivia Chow is warming to the idea of running against Mayor Rob Ford in the next municipal election, telling the Toronto Star, “We’ll see what happens down the road.”
The Trinity-Spadina NDP MP has been approached to compete directly against Ford, more-or-less her political opposite, fairly aggressively since June. At the time, Chow said, quite firmly, that her “focus is in Ottawa,” and “no, I am not running for mayor.” When asked again by the Toronto Sun on Aug. 22, she gave a straight “No.”
Yet, in a new interview with the Toronto Star, Chow’s answer was still no, albeit less definitive and firm.
“I’m still very focused on representing folks in Trinity-Spadina and getting a national city agenda, so we could get more funding to cities and public transit,” said Chow. “I’m not considering a run now. Will I consider it? We’ll see what happens down the road. We do need better leadership at city hall.”
Gangnam Style hits number two
Oppa Gangnam Style! Korean rapper PSY has gone from YouTube viral sensation to having a No. 2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, in just two months.
Raking in over 285 million views for his music video, and counting, Entertainment Weekly reports the song has shifted its gallop to radio, including a download increase of 69 per cent from last week. Thanks to appearances on Saturday Night Live, the Today Show, Ellen and more over the past couple of weeks, the song’s airplay increased by 79 per cent, and jumped from 68 to 34 on the Radio Songs chart. Meanwhile on the Hot 100, last week, “Gangnam Style” jumped from No. 62 to No. 11, and now sits at No. 2. Simply amazing. Another home run for his newly-inked manager Scooter Braun, or a one-hit wonder novelty hit? Either way, this horse does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Maroon 5’s “One More Night” currently sits on top of the Billboard Hot 100, but its chart-topping reign will likely come to an end next week.
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Joanna Adams writes about news and entertainment for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
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