You may have seen this story about Nick and Nate Smith, 11 year old twins from Faribault, Minnesota. Late last week Nate (right in the yellow shirt) executed a marvellous trick hockey shot by firing a puck some 89 feet through a three and a half inch target. As you will see, he was rightly joyous. But wait. It turns out the it was Nate’s twin, Nick, who actually bought the $10 ticket to make the shot. And only he was eligible to make it. When the time came for Nick to shoot, he was outside the arena. Just like a 11 year old. With his fathers knowledge, Nate walked onto the ice and made the shot. As they are identical, no one would ever have known that Nick was not the actual winner. But the next day their dad decided to set a better example for his kids and told organizers of the switch. Subsequently, the insurance company which administered the contest said it would not pay Nate (or anybody) the $50,000. It did make a $20,000 gift to charity however.
Large new shipment of Sophie Conran
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Homefront at 371 Eglinton Ave and 1579 South Bayview has received a large new shipment of the popular Sophie Conran porcelain. This shipment contained some great feature pieces like the large comporte (above) large souffle baker and the footed drainer. Come in and take a look. Eglinton (416) 488 3189 and Bayview (416) 485-2305.
The end of Paradox on Bayview
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A rather sad end to a retail name on Bayview for many years Paradox is closed and, as the montage above indicates, the landlord has locked the door at some point. Much of the inventory has been removed but not all. What’s left may be largely worthless. A sorry day.
Giggly German weather woman gets mega hits
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This amusing clip of a German weather woman has been viewed nearly two million times. Even in German it’s funny. Generally, she breaks up because they flash a picture of an anchor on her screen instead of her map. She blurts out, “Well that wasn’t bad either”. She keeps trying to go on with the weather but can’t get it together. At one point she asks for some cue cards before she totally loses it.
Ontario leaders debate set for Tues. Sept. 27
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The leaders of Ontario’s three largest political parties will duke it out on television from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 27, on TV Ontario. The debate is being organized by the Ontario TV Debate Consortium, made up of broadcasters CBC, CTV, Global, Sun News Network and TV Ontario. Consortium spokesperson Jeff Keay said there is no word yet on venue, location or format. “All I can tell you officially is to expect more announcements shortly,” he said. The debate will feature Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
More signs up at Leaside Village
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Our post which noted the signs put up by First Capital to find tenants for its Leaside Village development was soon followed by another sign for Longo’s market. It seems safe to say that right now Longo’s is the high-profile tenant of the development. It is slated to open in the renovated steam engine maintenance building in 2012. That date may mean late in 2012. Longo’s opening will make South Bayview land heavily populated for grocery stores: Summerhill Market, Loblaws Moore Ave, Loblaws Redway Drive, Tremblett’s Value Mart, another Loblaws slated for Broadway and Bayview if approved and the Sobey’s in the SmartCentres on Laird Dr. Previous post.
Lloyd Robertson’s gracious farewell
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This last newscast by Lloyd Robertson as the resident anchor was no doubt well watched last night. It featured a particularly graceful farewell from Robertson. Click to the last couple of minutes to listen and watch.
One checked bag $25, second one $35
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Air Canada has announced that it will begin charging to check luggage on economy flights to the US on tickets issued on or after September 7, 2011. The charge will be $25 for one bag. A second bag will cost $35, according to the airline. That would bring the checked luggage fee for two bags headed to the US to $60. The information from Air Canada is ambiguous because the website does not really clarify whether the fee for a “2nd bag”is really a fee for two. But logically, it would appear to be the former.The charges are said by Air Canada to be in keeping with airline industry practice but it reveals again the doubtful nature of airline economics.
Simon Pearce glass furnace flooded
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The Ottauquechee River in Vermont surged through a corner of the old mill that houses the Simon Pearce shop, destroying the glassblowing furnace in the downstairs factory that drew thousands of tourists annually, many of them children, who had watched wide-eyed as candlesticks and glass bowls were fashioned before them by hand. Thousands of Canadian clients of Simon Pearce will know that Homefront is the largest independent distributor of his glass in Canada. Fortunately for Homefront, the current order has been shipped and we’re told that work is going ahead quickly to get the glassblowing furnace room up and running again.
Mystery of why Wade Belak took his life
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The death of Wade Belak has stunned the hockey world and raised questions about whether his career as an NHL tough guy put his life at risk. Belak was found hanged in a downtown Toronto hotel on Wednesday afternoon. He was 35. He was out of hockey but had solid prospects for a career in radio. “He was very excited that he was having an opportunity to maybe change his career and get into some commentating work,” an associate said. All the circumstances deepen the mystery of his death. Belak was recalled as a good-looking man who spoke well.
TD raises dividend as profits rise
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TD Bank raised its dividend for the second time this fiscal year as strong retail earnings in Canada and the U.S. helped push the lender’s third-quarter profit up a better-than-expected 23%. Strong personal and commercial banking results on both sides of the border were tempered somewhat by a 40% drop in earnings from wholesale banking, which posted lower fixed-income and currency trading revenue because of market uncertainty and volatility. Wall Stret Journal.
Persichilli to head PMO communications
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Multilingual veteran and Toronto insider Angelo Perischilli has been chosen as Stephen Harper’s communications director. Because of his past positions with Couriere Canadese and Omni TV its thought that Perichilli has a broad knowledge of ethnic politics in the City. Persichilli does not speak French. The possible backroom nature of Perichilli’s role is hinted at by news today that the Prime Minister’s assistant Andrew MacDougall, who does speak French, now becomes associate director of communications and chief spokesman. Mostly Media