Our weekly recap of the week’s news nuggets in Toronto will bring you up to date and add some fuel to your small-talk tank heading into the weekend.
Nelson Mandela
The big story of the weekend is, without question, the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela. It goes without saying that the world lost a giant this week, but what you might not know is that Mandela visited Toronto three times after his release from prison. To honour Mandela’s memory, the Toronto Star asked three Torontonians to share their stories of meeting the man himself.
Toronto police release more information in Sandro Lisi Case
Another week, another turn in the never-ending Rob Ford saga. After police released a nearly-500 page document regarding the case against Ford’s good-friend-and-sometimes-
Island Airport
In other city news, the controversial debate on expanding Toronto's Island Airport has been…. shelved. The debate will likely be held on February 4th, or possibly at special meeting before then.
“Nevermind, Canada's Not Cool Anymore” – The Economist
Back in 2005, the British news-weekly shocked the world with a cover story declaring that Canada, with its gay marriage legalization and upcoming marijuana decriminalization was actually, gosh, kind of cool. Now that it’s 2013, and Canada has tighter drug laws and a Prime Minister has a side-part, The Economist has decided they spoke too soon. But while we could go around pointing figures at certain politicians who insist on ruining classic Beatles tunes with their nasally singing voices, let us instead wonder why the Economist is now the arbiter of what’s cool. I mean… it’s the Economist, everyone.
Rob Ford taking on an American controversy for a change
In other Rob Ford News, the Mayor of Toronto was on Washington D.C sports radio this week, where he came out against a name change for the Washington Redskins. “To me, that's ridiculous,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “What are we going to call the Cleveland Indians? The Cleveland Aboriginals?” Because, you see, if you change one racist and offensive name, you have to change ALL the offensive racist names and well… that just makes no sense to Rob Ford.
Popping placenta pills
What’s the hottest trend in parenting right now? According to The Grid, it’s eating your own placenta. In handy capsule form, naturally.
The Leafs
On Thursday night Leafs ended their five game losing streak in an OT-win against the Dallas Stars. Yes, before last night the Leafs were on a five-game losing streak. Welcome to the second half of the season, hockey fans, it’s all downhill from here.
Roar of the Rings
This week, Ron Burgundy, was in the TSN booth at the Canadian Olympic curling trials, and — to borrow a phrase — it was kind of a big deal. But even if you missed that, you still have time to catch all the high-stakes action in this weekend’s Roar of the Rings finals. If you need to pick a team to cheer for, or catch yourself up on the curling gossip, check out this hilarious and informative article by north Toronto humourist Matthew English, which was published on American sports blog, Deadspin.
Snakes on fire
In a bizarre turn of events, firefighters responding to a house fire early this morning at a Newmarket house discovered eighteen non-poisonous snakes, Global News reports. House residents managed to escape, with one being taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, but sixteen of the snakes were found dead. The cause of the fire (and presumably, the snakes) is still being investigated.
I wanna dance with somebody
Kathleen Byers, the woman known by west-end children and parents as the “dancing crossing guard”, has been ordered to dance no more. Toronto Police say her smooth moves were a safety risk, and she Byers must now move “softly” instead. With any luck, this saga will end “Footloose” style, with Byers, the police, and all the neighbourhood children dancing it up in a local barn. Are there barns in the west end?
Happy Weekend everyone.
