Toronto Special: Quirks of City Life Toronto, the Universe, & the Bare Nakedies

I looked in Toronto Star for some take on Toronto's scandal of inhospitality to Miss Universe, and tho I search the daily's news index, its 7-day archive, its columnists in the City category, and some others - nada.

I looked in The Globe and Mail - the same.

I looked in Toronto Sun and found Mike Strobel on top of the sorry mess, "It's one sorry bunch: Mayor Miller apolgizes to Miss Universe for snub," his article's headline said, playing on an idiomatic double-meaning of "sorry."

I looked in National Post and found this fact-filled and dismaying report on the city's 7-week delay in even congratulating international award winner Miss Glebova, by James Cowan. "Leave crown at home, Glebova told: Toronto mayor apologizes after Miss Universe snubbed." There's a lovely picture of her, as well.

The first place I went online to see what commentary was coming thru was Canada Free Press. It has John Lawrence on hand in a Guest Column to opine on how and why "Miss Universe given thumbs down" by the city law and its enforcers. CFP's Associate Editor, Arthur Weinreb, goes on at greater length in "Mayor and council snub Miss Universe."

These latter two gentlemen are not gentle. Their joint heavy-handedness supplies some facts, but they are so narrowly humourless and grinding on a topic that could have been more effectively communicative were its tone laced with some women-supporting wryness - since in their hands the topic shifts from one about the new Miss Universe to one about the Toronto Mayor and councillors, as does most of the other verbiage in other news sources - but without the nasty edge of these latter two "gents." At best, the pieces were written too hastily because the Mayor was on TV that very nite apologizing for the discourtesy of no great city welcome, excusing himself due to his all-too-busy schedule. That may be. But seven weeks, without the Tourism Office giving a heads-up to the Mayor and Council, so that at least a friendly phone call went out to the lady of the day - that's too much not enuff.

But, the real story here is simply the calm and charming graciousness of Miss Natalie Glebova, a graduate of Ryerson University in our fair city, and an immigrant from Russia. She is a beauty in many ways, one could easily see and hear from the TV coverage given her in this ... what do they call it? flap? snafu? boorishness? The only critical word she used about the treatment given her by officials of the city she loves, was to mention that the episode made her feel "sour." Me too. - Owlb