The South Bayview Bulldog

Toronto’s New Year’s Baby, Wynn Christopher Laforet, was two two days overdue. All in a good cause, one might say, as it won him the annual title of first-born in the city. He was born at midnight exactly. There was a countdown in the delivery room at St Michael’s Hospital, we’re told, as Wynn was about ready to make his appearance. He is the son of Jane Maggs and  Casey Laforet.  At Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga Jeanelle Ocampo gave birth to a little girl at 12.07 am.  CityNews

January marks the beginning of the bridal season for many young couples. And one of the first items on the list is the Wedding Registry. Trish Stuebing, president of Homefront, says some brides make the mistake of thinking they don’t need to register. “It’s a risk for several reasons,” says Ms. Stuebing. “First, your chance of getting two or three of the same things is very real. Who wants three toaster ovens?”  So a well-organized thoughtfully-managed registry is essential.” Another misconception about wedding registries is that you only register in one place. “Smart couples will register in as many places as there are guests and friends to give them gifts,”says Trish Stuebing. “You can register at places as different as Canadian Tire for that toaster oven or Homefront for exquisite Sophie Conran or  Michael Aram tabletop pieces,” she says. Wherever you go, make sure you are treated well.  Your wedding registry should be  important to the company that  holds it. They should make sure there is always someone in charge of your account and able to assist any customer, in person or by phone. “At Homefront, we specialize in personalized registries and we gift wrap every item beautifully. We will store the gifts or if the delivery is local, we’ll drop them off at the family home.”  Get your fiance involved says Trish Stuebing

Somehow the media always finds its way back to the media. The Mayor’s levee is tomorrow at City Hall, but the burning question for reporters is that the mayor won’t take questions from them during that event. In past years, the mayor has taken questions about what he sees in the coming year for the City. This year, reporters have been asked not to interrupt the levee. It will go off in the City Hall rotunda from 2-4 p.m. An online poll in the Sun (inset) suggests this is not a big issue for the public. A majority (54% to 45%) are against questions. For Ford, the new year will see a Jan. 7 appeal of the conflict-of-interest ruling that ousted him from office. He won a stay of the ruling until his appeal is heard. After the ruling the mayor’s office announced it was cancelling the annual levee before deciding to replace it with an elaborate series of “skating parties.” Then, last week, that plan was scrapped and it was announced Ford would be participating in the traditional levee.

The Via Rail train from Montreal will be late arriving at Union Station tonight.  Sunday night the train was stopped at Kingston because the aboriginal Idle No More campaign was blocking the main line near Belleville. Train 647, which has been stopped there since shortly after 6 pm and the length of the delay seems uncertain. The blockade is part of the Idle No More movement. Similar protests and gatherings were held across Canada Sunday, in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who is on a hunger strike. One demonstration (inset) was at the Eaton Centre. Via Rail officials are asking passengers to check their website or call the hotline at 1-888-842-7245 before heading to the station.  Late Sunday evening it was said the train was  “moving again” although it was not clear just what that meant.