The QEW is closed westbound at Trafalgar Road because of a collision. A car is seen on the highway and details of its trajectory are unknown at present. OPP say three people were taken to hospital.

There was no winning ticket for the $10 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. The jackpot for the next Lotto Max draw on Mar. 8 will be approximately $16 million.

Kickoff at Northlea school at 10 a.m. Monday

Heroes will gather at Northlea Elementary and Middle School on Rumsey rd. Monday to kick off the annual Capes for Kids fund raiser on behalf of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Northlea will have an abundance of praiseworthy people of all ages in the battle. Northlea students and Holland Bloorview staff and ambassadors will all be wearing capes. At 10 a.m. a large, collaborative cape built by Northlea students will be shown and MP Rob Oliphant will attend, no doubt in cape. Sounds like fun.

·

Some people make it a point when buying a home to avoid a utility pole out front. That was the case of a Carlaw Ave woman who complained to Toronto Hydro in 2017 as the utility upgraded power delivery on the street. In fact, Hydro failed to notify 28 homeowners about plans to replace poles in the City right-of-way at the front of their properties and when those residents complained, Hydro called the police. In a report issued Thursday Toronto Ombudsman Susan Opler called the overall reaction of Toronto Hydro “late, incomplete and sometimes rude.” See her report

The curtain lifts Friday (March 1) on a tradition in Leaside with the 10th charitable Laugh Out Loud (LOL) event. LOL gathers talented comedians at Leaside Memorial Gardens for an evening to benefit New Circles Community Services, for a second time. The grassroots organization provides clothing, employment training, and settlement support to vulnerable families in neighbouring communities. “This event really is an annual staple within our close-knit community now in its 10th year, and I’m just so honoured to be part it,” says Charlene Kalia, Chair, LOL 10. “It continues to galvanize us around a common goal which is to give back, using a little entertainment to make an impact.

New Circles clothing

New Circles was founded on the idea that positive change happens when people’s basic needs are met,” says Rosie Smythe, Executive Director, New Circles. “The rising costs of living in Toronto means economically vulnerable families are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. We rely on community donations to provide support, making an event like LOL 10 vital in continuing our important work,” says Ms. Kalia. All proceeds from LOL 10 will support New Circles’ programs, among them Toronto’s largest clothing bank which supports 15,000 people each year. Since its inaugural fundraiser for the expansion of Leaside Memorial Gardens in 2008, LOL (Laugh Out Loud) has raised over half a million dollars for neighbouring not-for-profit organizations in the Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, Regent Park and Victoria Village areas of Toronto. LOL 10 is sponsored by Lexus on the Park, Chestnut Park Real Estate, Neal Brothers Foods, and Grilltime. To learn more about LOL, visit www.leasidelol10.com, and to learn more about New Circles, visit www.newcircles.ca.

Laugh Out Loud 2017

The fire service has charged the City of Toronto and Bondfield Construction Company with violations of the fire code for blocking three of four exit doors at Union Station December 17. The blockage, for unstated reasons, caused human congestion in the Bay Teamway as concert goers left Scotiabank Arena. Here’s the story (below) as produced by City News at the time. News release.

US President Trump has abruptly walked out of talks with Kim Jong un in Hanoi because, it is said, North Korea insisted on the US removing sanctions before it would disarm its nuclear weapons. The move seems surprising only because both leaders went all the way to Vietnam before the US revealed the impasse. Some are suggesting it was a tactic to bring the little despot down to size. “Sometimes you have to walk,” Trump explained at a closing news conference after the summit was abruptly cut short. He said there had been a proposed agreement that was “ready to be signed.”

Fallout from former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Reybould’s brutally-honest testimony before the Commons Justice Committee has seen many reports Thursday that it is the end for the Trudeau government. The election is in October. CPC leader Andrew Scheer has called for Trudeau’s resignation. Christie Blatchford in the National Post says it seems like a “death knell” for the Liberals. Elsewhere, CBC reporter Chris Glover has complained to the Toronto Police about the man who began licking him on the neck during a live report from a demonstration of comedians earlier this week. The Bulldog posted it Wednesday. The culprit has been named as an actor-comedian, Boyd Banks. Finally, Mayor Tory has visited Sully’s Boxing Gym located on Dupont St. near Dovercourt Rd. as a way of showing support for the historic hangout in the face of a landlord’s order to vacate. Sully’s once played host to Muhammad Ali.

At Sully’s on Dupont St.

The 40th edition of the Leaside Wildcats March Madness Hockey Tournament begins Friday, March 8 and excitement is growing with barely a week left to the first face off. This year Mark Schrutt, new head of the Wildcats association, reports that 177 teams will play. This record turnout beats last year (157) and the previous record of 171 in 2017. There will be more than 3,000 players plus hundreds of moms, dads, grandparents and siblings. The tournament once again demonstrates the power of hockey as a force for the social, competitive and physical growth of young women. Leaside Arena and 18 others in the area will rock to the games.

March 8 to 10

Every girl a winner

Souvenier photo concession

Happily carrying huge bags

Hey, that’s me

Leaside ice will be home to the  online www.sagoto.com/tlgha/auction and in person auction, photo booth and kids draw and raffle. It is well worth a visit to see the auction prizes and the action as well as people watch. Championship day is Sunday, March 10, where bronze, silver and gold will be handed out. Mr. Schrutt estimates that the tournament will bring in close to $4 million to local businesses. Major sponsors this year include Access Storage, Smart Centre and Lexus on the Park. Most importantly, it is a weekend when the girls will let their skates do the talking about competition. Every single one will emerge a champion.

Wednesday’s drive home to Leaside and other South Bayview neighborhoods apparently lived down to its expecptations. Posts at Leaside Community refer to the slip-and-slide congestion on the Bayview extension as a “nightmare.” Read the many posts.

A wave of criticism of a number of billboards questioning the use of vaccines has prompted Outfront Media to announce that it will take down the recently placed displays. They were bought and paid for an organization called Vaccine Choice. The most prominent person associated with the body is Ted Kuntz, who says that his late son Joshua was permanently harmed by a diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus as a child.