Issued at 11:13 Thursday 09 January 2020 — Heavy rain, freezing rain and strong winds Saturday into Sunday. Light rain or drizzle is expected to develop early Friday morning and continue through the day before becoming heavier Friday night. Rain, at times heavy, will continue Saturday before mixing with or changing to freezing rain Saturday evening. Total rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 mm are possible. Freezing rain or rain will continue Saturday night before coming to an end Sunday morning. Strong southwest winds are also expected Sunday morning. There remains considerable uncertainty in exact rainfall amounts along with the location of freezing rain. Warnings will be issued as the event draws nearer. Travel will be impacted throughout Southern Ontario Saturday into Sunday.

theweathernetwork.com weekend forecast for Toronto

Sobeys supermarkets, which includes FreshCo, Safeway, Foodland and IGA stores, will be phasing out plastic bags in favour of paper bags by the end of this month. They estimate that they will be taking 225 million plastic grocery bags out of circulation. A line of reusable, mesh produce bags made from recycled water bottles will be available to provide another reusable bag solution, and cut down single-use plastic waste. More

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As of July 1, 2020, red and white health cards will no longer be accepted for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) services. Approximately 300,000 red and white health cards remain in circulation. This represents two per cent of all Ontario health cards.

“The advanced security features of the photo health card help protect our public health system and is another measure to improve value for taxpayers’ dollars,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “While there is no cost to convert or renew an Ontario photo health card, there could be significant costs by allowing red and white health cards, which could be used fraudulently, to remain in circulation. Each month, individuals using these outdated cards access up to $108 million in health services.” Starting this month, individuals with red and white health cards will begin to receive letters letting them know that they will need to get a photo health card at a ServiceOntario centre before the July 1, 2020, deadline.

Photo health cards can easily be obtained for free at ServiceOntario by:

• Bringing the right original documents (proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status; proof of residency in Ontario and proof of identity);
• Completing a Health Card Re-Registration form ahead of time or by getting one at ServiceOntario; and
• Visiting a ServiceOntario centre.

Regardless of an individual’s health card status, Ontario’s public hospitals cannot refuse to provide services to a patient who is faced with a life-threatening medical emergency.

Red and white card holders who do not convert by July 1, 2020, may be asked to pay up-front for insured health services as their red and white health card will not be valid. Once a photo health card is obtained, eligibility for Ontario health insurance is restored and any payments made for OHIP-insured

In addition to sending multiple notification letters, the province will also advertise the final transition at all ServiceOntario locations and promote these changes on the ministry’s social media channels. — Ontario Ministry of Health News Release

Image source: www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/info/outdoor-practice

Leafs outdoor practice is today at Nathan Phillips Square, plus free events are scheduled to take place all weekend long.

Thursday, January 9th, 2020, the Leafs Outdoor Practice Event Starts @ 11AM — Player 3-on-3 Tournament @ 12PM — Public Skating @ 2:30PM. From Fri, Jan 10 – Sun, Jan 12 there will be free outdoor and on-ice activities taking place at Nathan Phillips Square. “Cheer on your Maple Leafs as they take to the ice at one of Toronto’s most iconic outdoor rinks and spend the weekend celebrating the game of hockey at all levels.” Schedule of events can be found here: https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/info/outdoor-practice

South Bayview’s Two Dogs Sports Bar is there!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ge2RsBW9T/

(Click to enlarge.) Letter from Adam Marshall, principal of Northern Secondary School, mourning the loss of Maya Zibaie, a Grade 10 student at NSS.

Adam Marshall, principal of Northern Secondary School has written a letter mourning the loss of a Grade 10 student who died on Tuesday when Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 crashed outside of Tehran shortly after takeoff.

“Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that our community has suffered the loss of one of our own. Maya Zibaie, one of our grade 10 students, passed away yesterday following the airplane crash in Iran. This has been a somber day for all of us at the school as we mourn the tragic loss of a young life. I know that you will join with all of us in expressing our deepest condolences to Maya’s grieving family and friends.

Maya was kind, happy and well-liked by her peers. She was new to Canada, enjoyed attending high school and often shared with staff how excited she was about her future and reaching her academic goals. Maya will be sorely missed. …”

Click here to download the full letter (pdf).

• CP24: GTA residents, including students in Toronto and York Region, killed in Iran plane crash
• National Post: Toronto students, relatives among those killed in Iran plane crash: board
• CBC: Here’s what we know about the numerous GTA residents killed in the Iran plane crash

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A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

Prince Harry and Meghan today announced on their @sussexroyal Instagram account that they will be making a transition from their role as “senior” Royals, into a financially independent lifestyle, splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America. Full text is below.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Buckingham Palace responded with a statement saying:

“Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage.

“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

www.theweathernetwork.com

Based on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s forecast, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has issued an Extreme Cold Weather Alert today for Toronto in anticipation of colder weather conditions within the next 24 hours or longer. The Extreme Cold Weather Alert will be in effect until further notice.

During an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, members of the public are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Check the weather report before going outside.
• Dress in layers, making sure your outer layer is windproof, and cover exposed skin.
• Wear a hat, warm mittens or gloves, and warm boots.
• Stay dry. Your risk of hypothermia is much greater if you are wet.
• Choose wool or synthetic fabrics for your clothes instead of cotton, because cotton absorbs and holds moisture, no longer keeping the wearer warm.
• Seek shelter if you normally spend long periods outside. Depending on the wind chill, exposed skin can freeze in minutes.
• Drink warm fluids other than alcohol.
• Warm up by taking regular breaks in heated buildings when enjoying winter activities outside.
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities, or limiting time outdoors, during colder temperatures, especially if it’s windy.
• Heat your home to at least 21 degrees Celsius if infants or elderly people are present.
• Call or visit vulnerable friends, neighbours and family to ensure they are not experiencing any difficulties related to the weather.

More information and tips for staying warm during cold weather are available at https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/extreme-cold-weather/.

A CBC story contains this interactive map showing Toronto schools with higher (up to 10 percent) student populations who have not been vaccinated for measles. The concern for how this increases the possibility of an epidemic is easily understood. High rate of vaccination refusal at 12 Toronto alternative schools creates measles risk, officials say

Torontonians are tweeting images of chaos as crowds line the streets waiting to board one of the 90 shuttle busses TTC says they have deployed.

TTC media relations reports that “a private contractor working at street level has reported drilling through the concrete #TTC subway tunnel liner mid-way between Lawrence and Eglinton Stns. Service is suspended while we investigate the extent of the damage. 50+ shuttle buses will run from St. Clair to Lawrence. Update coming from on site shortly where engineers are determining if there are any structal impacts. We can then make decisions on service resumption. We have 90 buses ordered to deal with afternoon rush hour. Reverse GO protocol is in effect. Ride GO north from Union Station on a TTC fare.

“…As of 545pm, we have crews ready to plug and grout the hole. Service back in approx 30 mins with reduced speed of 15km/h through the area northbound. Southbound should be unaffected. We will close the line at 10pm for emerg repairs. Sorry, Raps fans. But safety first.”

A private contractor working at street level has reported drilling through the concrete #TTC subway tunnel liner mid-way between Lawrence and Eglinton Stns. Service is suspended while we investigate the extent of the damage. 50+ shuttle buses will run from St. Clair to Lawrence. https://t.co/akeeGrtsg4

— TTC Media Relations 📰🚌🚋🚈 (@TTCNewsroom) October 22, 2019

Here’s what it looks like at Yonge and St. Clair with Line 1 down to York Mills after TTC says a private contractor drilled through the concrete and breached the subway tunnel wall. We’ll have the latest update on @CityNews pic.twitter.com/tCoD8lWMyS

— Ginella Massa (@GinellaMassa) October 22, 2019

https://twitter.com/don_cross_AFC/status/1186758393123540992

I’m giving up and walking. It’s only getting worse #ttc #topoli pic.twitter.com/ofb0McgYfU

— Jonathan Kingstone (@TorSunCity) October 22, 2019

Looks like a fun TTC commute home for many tonight… #ThankfullyIWalkToWork pic.twitter.com/Fq3xNtbegB

— Sean Bailey (@InSeansOpinion) October 22, 2019

NOW OPEN!

RE-OPENING SOON!

OPENING SOON!

OPENING SOON!

OPENING SOON!

Parallele Interiors is moving

After 40 years of business on Bayview Avenue, Parallele Interiors will be closing its doors at 1717 Bayview on October 25th and relocating to FOC! (Furniture on Consignment at 196 Wicksteed Ave. As of October 29th, you will find Paul Lussier, owner and operator of Parallele Interiors sharing space with Victoria Sutherland of FOC! He will continue to provide his clients with exceptional service and quality window coverings from his new showroom. You can visit Paul at the showroom by appointment or in your own home with a free consultation. In regards to custom framing, Alek will continue his craft from The Frame Up on Mount Pleasant Road.

Openings

Buabua has opened at the former site of Riz in the north block and Tutto Pronto at 1551 Bayview seems moments away from business. Meanwhile down at the corner of Millwood, Wild Wing is set to re-open. Mamma’s Pizza is ready to go and the restaurant next to Tszatz is under construction.

Warriors’ Day Parade 2019 – Poster

Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre buses parked in downtown Toronto. “Lest We Forget.” (Photo by Susan Byford)

The Warriors’ Day Parade taking place tomorrow morning at Exhibition Place has shared an update on Facebook confirming the participation of 50 Veterans from the Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre and the Tony Stacey Centre.  Even if you can’t make it down to the parade, keep an eye out for their buses and give them a nod of thanks.

We are honoured to welcome 50 Veterans from Sunnybrook Hospital and the Tony Stacey Centre who will be attending the 98th Warriors’ Day Parade on August 17th 2019 at the CNE, Toronto. The 5 buses which will be bringing our very special guests to the Parade will be escorted through the city by the Toronto Police Service. The Veterans will be seated beside the Saluting Dais.

Thank you to the 30 volunteers and staff who will be accompanying the Veterans.

Kathleen Nimigon who is a Recreation Therapist at Sunnybrook said. “For many of our Veterans going to the Warriors Day Parade has been a long held family tradition. Being a part of the team that is able to get them back to this wonderful event each year, now that their average age at Sunnybrook is 94-95, to carry on that tradition is truly an honour. I always see that the parade affects our Veterans differently, but I do notice that across the board it is a proud moment for them, to see the forces recognized so positively by the crowds that gather. It is a very meaningful event for the Veterans, and has become meaningful to me and our Sunnybrook staff because of that.”

Established in 1921, The Warriors’ Day Parade takes place in August of each year during the opening weekend of The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The longest-running, annual parade of its’ type, The Warriors’ Day Parade is an important Canadian tradition and a very significant event for our Veterans, our brave men and women who currently serve in Canada’s military, their families and the general public.

Chef Victor Barry (?: pianopianotherestaurant.com)

?: pianopianotherestaurant.com

Post City Magazines has confirmed that Piano Piano is getting a second location uptown. Chef Victor Barry confirmed to Post City that the new restaurant is slated to open this October. The location will be 623 Mt. Pleasant Road, the former location of the recently shuttered Birch Bistro. Piano Piano describes itself as “the Italian restaurant you always wished was just around the corner. Sophisticated and fun, Piano Piano serves deeply satisfying food that comes in just the right size. The menu features traditional Italian fare that’s been elevated to its most delicious self. If there’s a common thread that runs through Piano Piano, it’s a deep-seated soulfulness and sensuality that’s at once warm, welcoming and just plain fun.”