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.
Rogers and the NHL
The big news of the week was Rogers big 12-year, $5 billion national broadcast and multimedia agreement that makes the Toronto-based company the only game in town when it comes to the NHL. Hockey Night in Canada will continue on the nation's public broadcaster CBC for at least four more years. Don Cherry is planning on addressing the deal and his future on this Saturday's broadcast.
BNL cancels Sea World
Toronto rockers Barenaked Ladies have taken the advice of thousands of their fans and cancelled a scheduled concert at Sea World in San Diego. Apparently, a conversation on Twitter prompted the band to check out a movie called Blackfish regarding some of the controversies surrounding the San Diego marine park. A petition on Change.org had also started asking the band to opt out of the appearance scheduled for Feb. 15.
Liberals defend home turf
The newly minted Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Toronto Centre is Chrystia Freeland. The former journalist withstood a fierce challenge from Linda McQuaig running for the New Democratic Party. Freeland is said to have an important role to play in Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's caucus.
Mermaid takes on Aladdin
Ross Petty's annual holiday pantomime is going head to head with Mirvish's whiz-bang new musical Aladdin. Petty's latest, The Little Mermaid, opened to positive reviews on Nov. 27 at the historic Elgin Theatre, while just a block up the road Mirvish's Aladdin at the Ed Mirvish Theatre failed to wow critics.
Island airport could help decide election again
Porter Airlines wants to bring jets to Toronto's tiny island airport and expand the runways into Lake Ontario in the process. Supporters and critics are digging in for an extended battle after city council deferred any decision on the matter until 2015, after the next municipal election. Sound familiar? It should.
McFancy
Fast-food giant McDonald's unveiled its swanky new Yonge Street digs this week at its Yonge-Dundas Square location. The colourfully decorated, 9,000+ square foot location features built-in fireplaces and a separate McCafé coffee shop with comfortable seating ideal for local students from nearby Ryerson University.
Chow vs. Ford
According to the most recent polls, if she decides to run NDP MP Olivia Chow could be Toronto's next mayor.
Not again
Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have learned little from their meltdown versus the Boston Bruins in last year's NHL playoffs. The team, up 4-1 in Pittsburgh versus the Penguins, well, lost. After starting the season on a roll, fans are starting to rethink those parade plans.
Free is good
Sure, there will be a fare hike, but the TTC also announced free wifi service in two of the transit agency's largest stations: St. George and Bloor-Yonge. Silver lining?
The year of the sandwich
The city's love affair with hand-held gourmet foods continued this week with the opening of Sandoozles on Mount Pleasant Road.
