Month: September 2013

Northern SS gifted students night October 16

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Northern Secondary School will hold an information night Wednesday, October 16, 2013 to reveal the many opportunities available to all students. The Gifted Advisory Committee of the Northern Secondary School Parent Council sponsors the information night for parents and students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 for everyone. Parents are invited to come and learn about the Advanced Placement Program, tips and tricks on how to apply for Scholarships and Awards, and for the exciting possibilities of enrichment  opportunities available outside of Northern.  For information:  416-272-8295  

Smile Cookie campaign at Tim Hortons this week

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The annual Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign is on today and this week to raise funds for charities all across Ontario. It is a program that goes back seven years when the company sold some of the happy-face cookies to raise money for the Hamilton’s Children’s Hospital. Now the Smile Cookie is a regular chance for everyone to see the $1 price go entirely to a good cause.

East York mugging for gym bag and cell phone

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Toornto Police Service report: A 27 year old male reports that on September 20, 2013 at approximately 2200 hours, he was in the area of Browning Avenue and Chester Avenue when he was approached by three male suspects. One of the suspects grabbed the victim from behind in a bear hug taking him to the ground. A second suspect attempted to remove the victim’s cellular phone. A third suspect kicked the victim. The suspects fled the scene westbound on Browning Avenue with the victim’s gym bag and cellular phone. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1-4: Male, 17 to 20 years, 5’6 to 5’8, thin build

PM jets into town with subway funding promise

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Stephen Harper got back into the Toronto subway game today with a brief visit here for a meeting with Mayor Ford minutes from the government jet’s berth at Toronto Airport. Mr. Harper promised to support the construction of an extension to the Danforth  line all the way to Scarborough. The prime minister met with the mayor in a Mississauga hotel room. Only cameras, no reporters, were permitted into the room and remarkably there was no one present from the provincial government. The Finance Minister, Mr Flaherty, was there.The PM made it clear there will be collaboration between all levels of government to pay for the extension. “Mr. Flaherty and I, subject of course to the normal approval process, have set aside funds to ensure the financing of Toronto’s plan for the Scarborough subway extension,” Harper said as he met with Ford at a hotel near Pearson Airport. “I think this is good news for Toronto commuters who obviously continue to face the challenges of gridlock.” The amount and source of the money is unstated, but there is of course only one real source of the funds, Mr. and Mrs. Canada. There is said to be news opportunity Monday morning in Scarborough at which Mr. Flaherty may talk more specifically about how much money is available from the federal government. 

Tim Hudak dodges PC leadership review

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For the Ontario PCs, getting rid of Tim Hudak as leader right now would be a bit like changing horses in the middle of the river. Whatever you think of Hudak, he hasn’t yet had the traditional two kicks at the can that every party can expect, assuming his members are of sound mind. We have written here previously about how Hudak’s time as leader so far looks a lot like that of Mike Harris. He went from a widely held public personae as a loser to a leader who won two majorities. What we do know is that the present Premier, Kathleen Wynne, will fight with the ferocity of a wildcat to hold on to power.  At the weekend convention in London,  PC delegates waved red cards to vote no to a leadership review and shouted “shame” when a few souls flashed their blue cards to indicate their support. “I’m feeling buoyed by the energy at this conference,” Hudak said. Mike Harris was among those waving a red card. Previous post 

Lazaridis in bid to take BlackBerry private?

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The Wall Street Journal says that BlackBerry’s original big brain, Mike Lazaridis, is going to try to take the beleaguered company private. The journal says Lazaridis is talking to firms including Blackstone Group LP and Carlyle Group LP about making a bid for Blackberry. The report came a day after BlackBerry said it would cut 4500 jobs, or 40 per cent of its workforce, in the face of hefty losses and weak sales of its new handsets. The company has said it is examining “strategic alternatives,” including a possible sale of the company. The website Wired put a best possible spin on things yesterday saying that a leaner BlackBerry could abandon the consumer market once and for all and get rigorous about becoming a niche company focused on a particular customer — one that needs security, control, and a few particular tasks done remarkably well, possibly even as a software rather than a hardware company. 

Hey, remember minor hockey is played by kids

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At the link below is a great column for any parent whose kid plays minor hockey. It’s by Steve Simmons of  the Toronto Sun and as he tells it here the column was written some time ago. You may have read it already. Simmons likes to re-publish it every year because his recollections remind him that when he gets behind the bench of his minor league squad each season the young heroes on the ice are just kids. He tells a poignant and funny story of a boy who was too embarrassed to tell his parents or Simmons himself that he was frightened and sometime hurt by the crazy dogpile antics of his own teammates each time they won a game. Above, we see just such a frenzy as joyous players treat their goalie like a beanbag. Simmons was finally able to get this secret out of the lad and restore his ace goalie to the lineup. Clearly, the kid was no cream puff. He faced down searing shots on goal but his own teammates scared him. That’s actually all too human. Steve Simmons 

Crothers Woods walk will start at Redway Loblaws

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The City of Toronto will celebrate National Forest Week with a guided hike organized by Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff to explore the recently built trails through Crothers Woods tomorrow, (Sunday, September 22 from 1 to 3 p.m).  Crothers Woods, a 52-hectare natural area park in the Don Valley, is a popular destination for trail enthusiasts, with approximately 10 kilometres of natural surface trails. People interested in taking part in the guided hike through the Crothers Woods should register as there are limited spots. To register, email trails@toronto.ca. The hike will start at 1 p.m. at the Loblaws located at Redway Road (Overlea Boulevard and Milwood Road). Hikers should dress appropriately. Dogs on leashes are welcome. The hike will take place rain or shine, however, it may be cancelled for very inclement weather, such as high winds, lightning or heavy rain.

“Homeowners are okay with alternate-day mail”

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Here is a worthwhile review of what the post office is likely to do to get itself into the black again. This CBC story quotes David Stewart-Patterson, who has studied the issue, as saying homeowners generally are okay with altenrate-day delivery. It is small business which screams for the mail every day, he says.  And a surprise: Only a third of us get the mail delivered to our door. The other two-thirds are picking it up at apartment or condo collection boxes or rural delivery centres. What e-mail hath wrought!  CBC