South Street Burger grills up some smackeroos

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South Street Burger is running an imaginative Valentine’s contest called Pucker Up For Free Fries. It asks customers to go to a South Street Burger location on February 14th and take a (two-person) selfie as they kiss. For this they will get free fries. But wait, if the picture is shared on Instagram or Twitter with #SouthStBurger and tagged @SouthStBurger the kissy face couple will be eligible for $50 in South St. Burger Bucks. (Who knew there were Burger Bucks?). Anyway you have to get your picture up by 11.59 p.m. on February 14, 2015 to qualify. To get contestants in the mood South Street has re-created some famous kisses of recent years. Below we see the sweetest of kisses from Lady and the Tramp, an alfresco great one depicting the real-life sweethearts who just gave in to love on the pavement during the G-20  meeting riots in 2010, flash back to 1945 when jubilant sailor and nurse marked victory in Times Square and the theatrical moment Spiderman fell.  

FM John Baird resigns all political posts

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Canadian Press

Thrills, fears and foreboding at Upper Canada

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It has been, from all appearances, a thrilling evening for many students at the live video appearance of Edward Snowden at Upper Canada College tonight (February 2, 2015). The event was organized by 18-year-old Conor Healy who sent an invitation to Snowden. A snippet of Mr. Snowden’s reception as seen on CP24 was reminiscent of a rock star’s welcome. A sampling of the linked video exchanges between he and the students focused largely on a world view which Snowden typically expresses. It features a kind of foreboding about what government collection of meta data (information) may mean for personal freedom. This outlook is a modified Orwellian vision which is often accompanied by Mr. Snowden’s explanations of himself: “It all depends what you can live with,” he said at one point tonight by way of justifying his decision to flee the U.S. with his secrets.  The nature of the perceived issue — the government spying on people for the purposes of controlling them — leaves lots of room for the imagination.  Upper Canada College 

Target liquidation sale begins Thursday: CBC

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The CBC says it has learned that Target Inc. will begin the massive liquidation of all inventory in Canadian stores beginning Thursday, February 5, 2015.

De La Mer to open third shop at 189 Danforth

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De La Mer, the fresh fish and seafood store on Bayview Ave. is opening a third location at 189 Danforth Ave. This places Der La Mer in the centre of the affluent Playter Estates neihbourhood and residential areas to the south of Danforth. A photo on De La Mer’s Facebook page shows a large space much bigger than the busy shop at 1543 Bayview. De La Mer also has a location at 291 Roncesvalles. Ave. 

Dozens of buses, streetcars lined up in the snow

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It has been a long arduous day for the TTC and at posting time it’s still not over. No doubt everyone is doing his best. But between the buses stuck on hills and the streetcars that just don’t run in the snow, it has not been pretty. The picture above was taken on York Mills east of Yonge St. as perhaps a dozen or more buses spin their all-weather tires up a hill. It was tweeted by Dan McClintock. 

Doberman lost on Eglinton recovered by owner

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Eglinton Veterinary Facilities reports that the lost Doberman which was found by a client has now been reclaimed by its owner. Many kind people in the Bayview and Eglinton area put up posters and within a few hours the connection was made.

Groundhogs unmasked as imperfect forecasters

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1. Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow when he emerged from his home this morning, predicting an early spring. 
2  Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia) saw his shadow when he emerged from his burrow, which according to groundhog lore means six more weeks of winter. 
3. Winnipeg Willow seems to be lost in action
4. Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania saw his shadow, calling for six more weeks of winter.
So now, as usual, you don’t know. And, if you care to see this idle foolishness elevated to the absurd, read Tanya Lewis’s straight-faced report where studies are conducted to see if groundhogs can predict the weather by “seeing” their shadow. Please people, get a grip.  Christian Science Monitor

German finance minister says Euro in jeopardy

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It appears many Germans have had enough of Greece and fear future responsibility for their common currency, the Euro.  Reuters

Still winter: Yes it’s only Feb. 2 South Bayview

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We seem to have about 10 centimetres on the ground. These pictures were taken by a cheerful Canadian who opined that it was “business as usual…just a little slower.” We concur. Many areas to the southwest have received as much as 20 centimetres. Top, Bayview opposite Scotiabank, below looking south on Bayview Ave. at Eglinton Ave E. 

Manor United to sell half its property as a park

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Manor Road United Church (MRUC) plans to sell off half its land at the corner of Manor Road and Forman Ave to the City of Toronto as parkland. The sale requires the approval of City Council hoped for later this year. It will require the demolition of the newer portion of the church known as the Christian Education Centre on the east side of the property. Successful completion of the plan will give the church a sum of money so-far unstated with which to renovate the original 90-year-old building known as the Sanctuary. It sits on the west side of the property. Reverend Debra Schneider says in a news release issued Monday, February 2, 2015: “We were facing challenging questions about how to create a vibrant and sustainable future for our Church. The prospect of creating an open and public space for our community, rather than see our precious land go to another townhouse development, delights us.” The news release say the Church anticipates that a proposal will be brought to Council for approval by June. It is a reminder of the cost of running a church. Proceeds of the sale will also establish an investment fund that would help create a steady income stream to support the Church’s ongoing ministries. MRUC intends to continue to provide space for community meetings and events, and remain a hub for the neighbourhood. The Church also announced that daycare provider Caterpillar & Co.would be the  lead tenant in the lower level of the Sanctuary following renovations, which are expected to be complete by mid-2016.  The sale and renovations would impact the tenancy of Manor Road Montessori School and the Church says it is working with the School to secure a smooth transition from the current site to a new one. Councillor Josh Matlow has been a key contact with the City in the negotiations with the Church. 

Patriots 28-24 as wacky pass finishes Seahawks

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The Seattle Seahawks had the New England Patriots right where they wanted them. And then Russell Wilson threw an interception which all but sealed their fate. The Patriots win probability went from 72 percent with less than two minutes to play, to 27 percent with a minute left until finally reaching 99 percent after the interception.