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Jordan Axani wants to make it very clear, there’s no romantic intent in his planned fantasy trip with a young woman he hardly knows. But then, who can predict that? The lucky (we suppose) girl is Elizabeth Gallagher, 23, a student who applied for the opportunity when she saw the offer on Reddit where Axani advertised it. CBC tells the complicated tale but as excited as she is, Ms Gallagher, from Cole Harbour N.S. hints at what many people might feel about this adventure. “It’s less spooky now that I’ve spoken with him.” Well, that’s nice.
BlackBerry launched its greatly heralded Classic phone Wednesday (December 27, 2014). The reviews are very good and yet it seems impossible that the Classic can do more than shore up the remaining Blackberry clientele who have stuck with previous keyboard devices. Of course the talk is highly opstiistic with Blackberry saying it can win back market share and woo those still using older versions of its physical keyboard devices. The Waterloo technology company said the new device has a larger screen and longer battery life. It is reminsicent of the popular Bold and Curve handsets and expanded app library with access to offerings from Amazon.com Inc’s Android App store, and a browser three times faster than the one on its legacy devices. Business Today
The Justice Minister of Nova Scotia has lifted a ban on the publication of the name of the unfortunate and now deceased young woman who has been the subject of a national tale of gossip and scandal for more than two years. She is of course Rehtaeh Parsons. Her story has been sensationalized to an outcome which leaves many people with deep regret. Regret not just about bullying and teenage bad judgement but also for the morbid fascination it held for the media. It is true that this pretty teen with the delicately rebellious name (Heather spelled backwards) suffered a terrible agony of humiliation and shame at the hands of those she thought were her friends. But it is also true she committed indiscretions which exposed her to this abuse. Please do not bother to complain that this is blaming the victim. The facts are the facts. If others had had as much concern for Rehtaeh she might still be alive. Any adult knows the odds were high for her to grow up and lead a happy life. In making the decision to permit publication, the Nova Scotia Minister, Lena Metlege Dia, has said there will be no prosecution as long as Retahah’s name is not used in a derogatory fashion. That’s fine but we trust the minister will accommodate the truth about this sad matter before seeking to charge anyone.
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| Gerald (Jerry) Storch |
Gerald (Jerry) Storch, a veteran of Toys R Us Inc and Target Corp, has been appointed the new chief executive of Hudson’s Bay Co. Mr. Storch will have responsibility for guiding The Bay and its blue chip subsidiaries Lord and Taylor and Saks to a successful launch in Canada and especially to expand their online presence. Storch replaces Richard Baker. He remains at vice-preident and governor. Hudson’s Bay’s total online sales touched C$228 million ($196 million) in the third quarter, accounting for about 12 percent of the company’s retail sales. Storch’s appointment will come into effect on Jan. 6, Hudson’s Bay said on Wednesday. Baker will continue as governor and executive chairman of the company, a centuries-old firm with roots in the fur trade. Reuters
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| Agnes Macphail |
The East York Foundation has announced that nominations for the 2015 Agnes Macphail Award are open and that the deadline for nominations is Thursday, January 29, 2015. The annual award is open to citizens of the former Borough East York (see below) and is given in commemoration of the ideals of Ms Macphail, who was for many years a resident of Leaside. Agnes Macphail was elected Canada’s first woman Member of Parliament on this date in 1921 and had an active and distinguished career both as an MP and later as MPP for East York. She was a notable progressive and ardent pacifist even though she concluded that it was necessary to fight the aggression of Hitler’s Nazi regime. The ideals embodied in the award are those of social justice and outstanding contribution to community life in areas such as women’s rights, fairness to seniors and youth. Other standards are criminal justice system and penal reform, international peace and disarmament, access to adequate housing, access to adequate health care or access to adequate education. The former Borough of East York includes East York, Leaside, Thorncliffe Park, Governor’s Bridge, and Bennington Heights. The nomination form and more detailed information about the event are found at this web site link. The donation form is also at the web site. All funds collected for the 2015 Agnes Macphail Award will be donated to a charity chosen by the 2015 award recipient. Tax receipts are issued by the East York Foundation. Here are previous winners (asterisk denotes deceased).
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Red Jim Parker 2017
Patrick Rocca 2016
Muhammad Masood Alam 2015
Sheila Lacroix 2014
Alan Redway 2013 Alice Carriman 2012 John Carter 2011
Bill Pashby 2010
Patricia Moore 2009
Geoff Kettel 2008
Lorna Krawchuk 2007
Shamsh Kara 2006
George Hurst 2005
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Vi Thompson 2004
Dorothy Rivers-Moore 2003
Bob Hart * 2002
Grace Stephens 2001
Audrey Tobias 2000
Barbara Thompson 1999
Elisabeth and Robert Lister 1998 Ruth Goldhar 1997 Marjorie Lewsey * 1996
Eileen Morris Adams 1995
J. Edna Beange 1994
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