How to walk the walk while you talk the talk

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It’s outrageous but British designer Sean Miles has struck on a novelty concept that just might find a niche.  As the Mailonline reports, before smart phones and iPads it was two-way radio transceivers that occupied the top spot of most children’s Christmas wish lists. Miles decided to create a  retro walkie talkie which was ideal for outdoor activities and a fun and easy way of communicating without a hefty phone bill. He re-furbished old walkie talkie phones and built them into a range of fashionable footwear.   Bianca London 

Local Loblaws will “round up” on your change

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As the penny is pulled out of service, retailers and the public are grappling with the mechanics of the “rounding” process. For the time being of course it’s still viable to make change to the penny. At Loblaws however, the company says it will keep prices the same, even though with HST, the price frequently comes to an odd number of pannies. In making change, Loblaws will “round up” to the nearest nickel of change coming to the customer. So, if your bill comes to $87.28 next time you go shopping, and if you pay with a $100 bill, Loblaws will give you $12.75 change, a bonus of three cents. Don’t waste it.   

Canadian comes face to face with medieval history

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It is a remarkable story, not least because it seems to telescope our history in a way that we can hardly imagine. That’s Richard III, King of England on the left. He died near Leicester in 1485. at the Battle of Bosworth Field.  On the right is Canadian Michael Ibsen, a direct descendant of Richard, alive and eloquent on the discovery of his blood relative of some 17 generations ago. Ibsen calls it extraordinary and indeed it is. It was DNA provided by Ibsen, of London, Ontario, which cinched the scientific case for making the Richard identification. Ibsen was contacted after the body was found buried under a parking lot last September because his mother, now deceased, was confirmed as a direct descendant of the 15th century king. Examination of the bones reveal a slim and perhaps frail frame of a short man. People were short in those days. The body is marked by several barbaric wounds perhaps delivered after he was dead in the manner of the way things were done at the time. 

Flying Wheels to former Rumah Tangga shop

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The Flying Wheels bicycle shop which was located for many years on Manor Rd. behind Hollywood Gelato has reappeared as the new tenant at 1639B Bayview Ave. This is the former address of the Rumah Tangga design and accessories shop which closed before Christmas. The entrance to 1639B is on Fleming Crescent. In other South Bayview leasing news, the former Oddjects shop at 1643 Bayview has been taken by a tenant who is as yet unidentified. Keep watching for more on that. 

Cupcake Girls now open in Leaside Village

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The Cupcake Girls shop is now open in Leaside Village  It is a franchise of the phenomenal business created by two Victoria B.C. women Heather White and Lori Joyce who quit school on a wild whim to make these little tasties. They tell their story in YouTube videos and express their surprise at the popularity of their fare when they were just starting out. The beginning of their empire occurred when friends who were in the know said they should franchise their business across the country. And here they are. 

Mac’s robbery Sunday at 11 Pleasant Blvd

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Toronto Police Service Report: A 21 year old male employee of Mac’s Convenience Store, 11 Pleasant (Boulevard) reports that on February 3, 2013 at approximately 0655 hours, two male suspects entered the premises. One of the suspects approached the counter and made a demand for cash. The suspect indicated that he was armed, but no weapon was seen. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, 30 years, 5’10’’ to 6’, 169 to 189 pounds, medium build. Suspect #2: Male, NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE.

Ravens turn away SF comeback try to win 34-31

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When play resumed after the blackout at about 9.10 pm. ET a juiced 49ers squad scored 23 points against  two Ravens field goals to bring the score early in 4Q to Ravens 34, SF 31. But  with barely a minute and a half left in the game  the 49ers failed to score on four pass attempts from near the Ravens goal line. The Ravens regained control of the ball with 12 seconds left in the game and were able to run out the clock. 

Super Bowl resumes after 35 minute blackout

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The most watched TV program in quite probably the whole world was put on hold tonight as a “power surge” blew out many of the lights at the New Orleans Super Bowl.  The Baltimore Ravens were smashing the San Francisco 49ers, 28-6  early in the third quarter when — whoops — out went large numbers of lights and the scoreboard. At 8.54 p.m. the play-by-play crew announced they had been told it might be 15 minutes before the full playing lights return. The teams were asked to stay on the field and many. like the player above, began to stretch to stay warmed up.  San  Francisco fans were tending to think that the blackout was a break for them. 

It’s really all about the football, right guys?

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Events will reveal whether anybody at the official Toronto NFL party will see much of the game. The thrash is being held at The Sound Academy  11 Polson Street down on the docks. Good location.  The NFL is hosting this party where at least 2,000 fans may enjoy exclusive NFL perks  (hmm). Former NFL player Tim Brown, a Heisman Trophy winner and long-time Oakland Raider, will join the party with Brian Westbrook, a two-time Pro Bowl running back and the Philadelphia Eagles’ all-time leader in yards from scrimmage. There will be six of the head-turning Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders there to sign autographs and get photographed. 

Day of the Bowl XLVII All Supreme, bow down

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Getting up on Super Bowl Sunday is knowing that your day has an inevitable outcome, pretty much. The NFL has created a North American social event which, sadly for some. just cannot be ignored. Now you might like to break away from the same-old decision to buy prepared chicken wings, and instead make your own. It’s easy and chances are they’ll be fresher. The  kickoff is at 6.30 ET. You might get a chuckle out of this NFL page designed to keep you busy while you are waiting. There is even a countdown to kickoff.  NFL.com  

Liberals “Davos-style” format underwhelming

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It may not have anything to do with whether they make a decent showing at the next election, but the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership debates are turning out to be a crashing bore. This weekend’s performance in Winnipeg got the raspberry from several sources. Maclean’s said the the one-on-one interviews were “so laid back that not much was laid bare.” Canadian Press said the gathering had a cozy feeling. Maybe that’s because the candidates never addressed each other. Instead, they were interviewed by a local Liberal in what the party called a “Davos-style” format. The nine candidates are MPs Marc Garneau, Joyce Murray and Justin Trudeau, former MPs Martin Cauchon and Martha Hall Findlay, lawyers David Bertschi, Deborah Coyne and George Takach, and retired Lt.-Col. Karen McCrimmon.