Bell Media says the big U.S, cable companies and networks should be banned from cable delivery into Canadian homes. Kevin Crull, president, said these big signals have no business on Canada’s cable systems. Globe and Mail 

Alan Redway received friends and supporters Saturday as he signed copies of his book Governing Toronto, Bringing Back The City That Worked. He spoke briefly and told those present he wishes to create a political groundswell in Toronto to have the provincial government review the effectiveness of the present structure of the provincial capital. Mr. Redway, a former mayor of East York and one-time MP for what is now the riding of Don Valley East, said that the present “mega-City” created in 1998 has not delivered the savings which were given as the reason for the amalgamation of the six municipalities of the then Metropolitan Toronto. It is to this model that Mr. Redway looks in his desire to create a “political groundswell” He noted that before amalgamation the provincial government reviewed the Toronto government every ten years. He noted that former premier Dalton McGuinty said this would  be like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. He also recalled that Kathleen Wynne was among the most vigorous opponents of amalgamation 17 years ago but wondered whether by now she might have “toothpaste reverberating in her ears.”  Mr Redway’s own review of how Toronto works told him that City Councillors were burdened with agendas that inundated them in local business from distant wards and distracted from metropolitan issues. He recalled the amalgamation of Montreal in 2000 and subsequent decision to restore local independence to separate cities. He noted community councils.  Amalgamated Toronto started with six in 1998 but that was shrunk to four.  Among those present at the Walter Stewart Library on Memorial Park Drive was Ward 29 Councillor Mary Fragedakis.

The Greater Toronto Hockey league has voted to ban body checking from the Bantam A category of players ranging in age from 13 to 17. CBC is reporting that the ban will be phased in over a four-year period starting with the younger players. CBC reports that league members voted 60 percent in favour of the ban.

There are complicated explanations to explain why you may feel crummy for a day or two after setting the clock forward. Not everyone does, by the way. But look, just go to bed as early as you can. Here are some tips

• Avoid sleepiness on Sunday by getting to bed at a reasonable hour Saturday.
• Get some exercise on Saturday to ensure you sleep well that night.
• Avoid caffeine and excess alcohol for four to six hours before bedtime, since both can disrupt sleep.
• Avoid bright light before bed, including TV screens and handheld devices.
• Sleep in Sunday morning if you like, but by no more than an hour.
• If you need to take a nap Sunday afternoon, that’s OK, but make sure it’s not too close to bedtime.
• For parents of small kids, start making the transition a few nights ahead of time, moving bedtime ahead by 15 minutes each night.

Eerie spectacle as CN freight train burns near Gogama

Several cars have caught fire after a CN Rail derailment Northern Ontario. Residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid consuming water from local sources. OPP said 10 cars derailed four kilometres southwest of Gogama and there were no initial reports of injuries. Gogama is located 580 kilometres north of Toronto, 191 km north of Sudbury and 114 km south of Timmins.

Former East York mayor and Member of Parliament Alan Redway will be signing his book Governing Toronto: Bringing Back the City That Worked this afternoon  at the Walter Stewart Library at 170 Memorial Park Ave in East York. The book contrasts today’s post-amalgamation metropolis with the well-remembered “Metro Toronto” in which a number of separate municipalities shared a senior government. That period lasted from 1954 to 1998. The reception will go from 2 to 4 p.m.

Cell phone video has emerged of Harrison Ford piloting his engineless vintage plane down onto the California golf course where he crashed yesterday. The video is quite graphic with commentary by golfers watching him in the sky. It is said today that Ford was given his first medical aid by doctors who were playing a round. First time it would be good to learn your doctor was on the course.

TO’s first movie house, the Theatorium, in 1906. The customers posed for the shot.

Here’s why Twitter is a good thing. Thousands of people who could not tell you what day this City was incorporated are now history smarties thanks to the Hashtag TO181. Take a look. There’s lots of action there. Seriously, Toronto the Good was stamped, sealed and delivered on March 6, 1834 and took the name Toronto at that time. It is a first nations word meaning meeting place. Toronto began as the Town of York, a community which grew up around Fort York beginning in 1793.  At incorporation, the City had a population of less than 30-thousand inhabitants.   A highlight of the City’s first century includes gas-fed street lamps which were installed in 1841.  In 1849, King’s College was renamed the University of Toronto.  In 1861 streetcar service began but they were horse-powered vehicles in the most literal sense of the term.  The first Eaton’s store opened in 1869.  The CNE was first held in 1879 and in 1893 Union Station (not the present building) opened.

There’s an important reminder from Wildcat Nation that the fourth game of the team’s best of five Provincial Women’s Hockey League finals is Saturday night at Leaside arena. The Wildcats won a big one Wednesday defeating the Mississauga Chiefs 3-1 to stay alive The series stands at two games to one for the Chiefs. Game time is set for 6.40 p.m.

Officers at 53 Division’s are warning South Bayview merchants in the Yonge Street, Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Bayview Ave. area of South Bayview about a rash of bogus $100 U.S. bills. Merchants and shoppers are asked to be alert and report suspicious looking American money to 53 Division. If you think you have received one of these fraudulent bills, or have any information, please contact 53 Division @ 416-808-5300, report it to Toronto Police Service @ 416-808-2222 or Crime Stoppers @ 222-TIPS.