May 24, 2024
May 24th is the 145th day of the year. There are 221 days remaining until the end of the year.
It’s officially, official: Toronto is getting a WNBA franchise.
Toronto will be the first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026. Toronto will be the WNBA’s 14th franchise, with the expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start play next year.
The team will play at the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place and will occasionally be able to move up to the Scotiabank Arena. The team will also play some games in Vancouver and Montreal. Ownership said they will take their time announcing a team name.
The Lotto Max jackpot is at $70 million for tonight’s draw.
Tickets are available online or in store until 10:30pm on draw nights.
It’s Returns for Leukemia Bottle Drive Weekend.
The Beer Store is accepting all beer bottles and cans, wine and spirit bottles for the drive to support blood cancer research. Beer bottles and cans are worth 10 cents, and most wine and spirit bottles are worth 20 cents.
The proceeds collected from the bottle drive will go toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, which focuses on research, patient support and advocacy.
Go to BottleDrive.ca for more info.
The Indianapolis 500 is Sunday. Known as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing; 33 drivers, 200 laps, 500 miles (804+ KM) and 300,000 fans at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The race is always held on Memorial Day weekend, a tradition that dates all the way back to 1911, except for a few years during World War I and II, it’s run every year since. Sunday will be the 108th running of the Indy 500.
American Alexander Rossi will start, one of his spotters, Jeff Gotelaer is from Ridgetown.
It is a tradition for the winner to drink a pint of milk at the end of the race. The 2024 Indy 500 is scheduled to start at 12:45pm on NBC. Pre-race coverage begins at 11am.
Happy Birthday Queen Victoria!
Queen Victoria — full name Alexandrina Victoria — was born on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace in London.
She succeeded her late uncle, King William IV, at the age of 18. She is still recognized for her six-decade rule, during which she oversaw the creation of the British Empire, earning her one of Britain’s most famous monarchs. During her time, the British monarchy adopted a more contemporary ceremonial style. Queen Victoria was the last of the House of Hanover, and she gave the Victorian era its name.
She and her spouse — Prince Consort Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha — had nine children, from whom many more of Europe’s royal dynasties derived and continued her legacy.
Most important of all: her birthday brought us the May 2-4 long weekend!
