Loblaws has announced that it will conduct an e-commerce experiment which allow customers to pick and pay for items online and then collect them later at the store. This service has apparently been popular in the United Kingdom. CBC
Leaside Wildcats tourney March, 7, 8, and 9, 2014
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The Toronto Leaside Wildcats will be hosting its 35th annual tournament March 7, 8, and 9, 2014. The Wildcats are the pre-eminent local girls and women’s hockey group and their long history (40 years since the first season) is a testament to its success.In the days to come, we’ll be telling readers more about the tourney. Here’s a charming and informative video telling families about girls hockey. Make sure you catch the self-assured young lady at the end of the video as she admits that she is “so happy” that her dad enrolled her in the Wildcats even though she didn’t really want to go. It has become “one of my lives outside of school” she says with justifiable pride.
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Rush hour snow causes “bus-jam” on Eglinton E
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Tonight’s rush hour was a little surprise made of slippery slush as the late afternoon snowfall melted on main roads. This is the scene on Eglinton Ave. E. just west of Bayview Ave. where it seems that dozens of buses were piled up in the eastbound lanes. The picture was taken on the north side opposite Cleveland Street. It appears that they were stopped on orders of the TTC because of an accident, or maybe because they were unable to stop on the descent to Bayview. Toronto’s weather is set to see more such sloppy conditions as meteorologists warn of a “major storm” that is expected to bring snow, heavy rain, a risk of thunderstorms and strong wind gusts. The Toronto Transit Commission is encouraging customers to plan ahead and allow extra time for commuting during and following the storm. TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said there is not a lot that can be done by the organization in advance of the expected rain to try and limit its potential impact. Read more: http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/major-storm-expected-to-bring-25-to-50-mm-of-snow-and-rain-1.1695247#ixzz2tulDnQPF A rainfall warning effect for much of southern and eastern Ontario, including Toronto. Environment Canada says the storm could bring 25 to 50 millimetres tonight and Friday. With the return of mild weather, melting snow is increasing concerns about flooding.
Golden Girl from Quebec City savours victory
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Hey, you can do what you like when you score two goals to beat the USA. Here is a profile from Wikipedia: Marie-Philip Poulin (born March 28, 1991) is a Canadian ice hockey forward, now playing for the Boston University Terriers. Poulin was a member of the Canada women’s national ice hockey teams that won the gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and had previously played for the Dawson College Blues. She has been referred to as the Sidney Crosby of women’s hockey for her high level of achievement at a young age. She also has the unique distinction of having scored the game winning goal in the gold medal games in both Olympics that she has competed in. Doug Ford out of Ontario and City elections
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The mayor’s brother says he won’t run either provincially this Spring or next October to retain his seat as the member for Ward 2. Doug Ford made the announcement today (Thursday, February 20, 2014). Ontario is expected to vote within a few months and Mr Ford said he could not wear the hat of an MPP plus that of his brother’s campaign manager. Maybe. Or maybe the Ford brand is just too toxic for the Progressive Conservatives in this provincial general election. Mr. Ford talked about a role at City Hall which would be unelected. But being out of office also leaves him free to accept offers of opportunity.
Canada beats USA 3-2 in sudden death OT
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Canada’s women’s hockey team has won Olympic gold for the fourth time in a row. And they did it by nearly scaring the country to death. Team Canada fell behind the U.S. team and were trailing 2-0 after two periods. Their skin-of-the-teeth come back began with Brianne Jenner potting a goal shortly into the third. Then in the closing seconds of regulation time it was Marie-Philip Poulin from Quebec City tying the game. That brought about sudden death overtime. Minutes into OT it was Poulin again who beat the overwhelmed U.S. goaler during a power play. Things had appeared dark for Canada and this victory, honestly won and deserved, will nonetheless be a bitter loss for the accomplished U.S.team. Twitter Globe and Mail Facebook to buy message app for $19 billion
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It’s called WhatsApp for the uninitiated and the great thinkers of tech say its purchase — and the astonishing price — is about making FaceBook better for communicating and less focused on just content. It is possible with WhatsApp to send free text messages anywhere in the world. including photo/video/voice attachments. Reuters
Thieves target 79 year old at Yonge and Church
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A 79 year old woman has reported that on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at about 5.15 p.m. she was in the area of Yonge Street and Church Street when she was approached from behind by two men. The suspects removed a purse containing a quantity of cash and identification from the victim’s hand and then fled the scene eastbound on Church Street. No injuries were sustained by the victim. There is a lesson for older people and those who care about them that there are people ready to target them even in busy and well lit places in midtown. Sunnybrook tweets heart surgery and photos live
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An innovative idea to help promote interest in heart health is underway at Sunnybrook Health Sciences centre on Bayview Ave. CBC and @Sunnybrook
TTC Chair Augimeri would improve bus service
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| Maria Augimeri |
Ward 9 member of council Maria Augimeri has been elected chair of the TTC by a vote of 23 to 21. The close division of votes between Ms. Augimeri and Ward 15’s Josh Colle was not an open book to at least some observers. It may have as much to do with favors, grudges, vote trading and friendship as it does with policy. An example: George Mammoliti said before the vote that he would never support Mr. Colle because he came recommended by the outgoing chair, Karen Stintz. Mr. Mammoliti clearly felt slighted because, in his view, Ms. Stintz had not explained transit matters adequately in his ward. In any case, Ms Augimeri may endear herself to many voters for taking a fresh look at the role of buses in the transit mix. Her remarks to the Globe and Mail suggest she believes that this staple of transportation should be enhanced to run more frequently and in greater numbers. “People feel like sardines and, hopefully, if we can get the buses running better, that’s a one-up on what we’ve done for decades, and that is centre on subways versus LRT and the sexier forms of transit,” she told the Globe. “People ignore the buses and the streetcars, so we want to put more emphasis on those.” Here is council’s vote break down.
For Councillor Maria Augimeri: Paul Ainslie Maria Augimeri Shelley Carroll Raymond Cho Janet Davis Glenn De Baeremaeker Frank Di Giorgio Sarah Doucette Paula Fletcher Mary Fragedakis Mike Layton Gloria Lindsay Luby Giorgio Mammoliti Josh Matlow Pam McConnell Joe Mihevc Denzil Minnan-Wong John Parker Gord Perks Anthony Perruzza David Shiner Adam Vaughan Kristyn Wong-Tam — 23
For Councillor Josh Colle: Ana Bailão Michelle Berardinetti Josh Colle Gary Crawford Vincent Crisanti Mike Del Grande John Filion Doug Ford Rob Ford Mark Grimes Norm Kelly Chin Lee Peter Leon Mary-Margaret McMahon Peter Milczyn Ron Moeser Frances Nunziata Cesar Palacio James Pasternak Karen Stintz Michael Thompson — 21
Elizabeth is school guard, friend and local hero
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The petite lady all bundled up in coat and toque is shoveling the snow. Does she live at that house? Isn’t she the school crossing guard? Until you know what goes on around the corner of Manor Road and Cleveland Street you may be a bit mystified by Elizabeth. “There are some people in the neighbourhood who go above and beyond the proverbial call of duty,” says resident Helen Godfrey. Helen tipped off The South Bayview Bulldog to the good deeds of the energetic Maurice Cody crossing guard. As Helen told us, and we confirmed with with our eyes, Elizabeth “hates to stand around and do nothing. So while waiting for the kids to return from lunch, she fills the time by clearing the four corners of snow and ice. They are pristine, no snow banks to climb over, no ice to skid on, no slush to mush through! Many thanks Elizabeth.” Thanks and high praise are certainly in order for this positive lady who has served at Cody for some time. In fact, when we dropped by, Elizabeth had moved up the street a short distance and was clearing the walk of an elderly resident. Give this woman the local hero medal.
Canada’s scary passage to gold medal semifinals
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Shea Weber blasted the tie-breaker past exhausted Latvian goalie Kristers Gudlevski to win Team Canada entry to the gold medal semifinals. Gudlevski was bombarded with shots on goal and played a heroic game. Final score was Canada 2, Latvia 1. Canada plays the U.S. Friday. The story so far is a curious drama of an illustrious Canadian squad which barely manages to win — but does win. Can Team Canada sustain this scary method? The USA looks stronger with each day. While Canada struggled against Latvia the Americans bested the Czechs 5-2.