In The News

Six Toronto schools get perfect grade

CP24 Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Twelve Greater Toronto Area schools including six here in the city have received top marks in an annual report on Ontario schools, CP24 reports.

The Fraser Institute's annual elementary school report ranked more than 3,000 public, Catholic, private, and francophone Ontario elementary schools on provincial test scores in reading, writing, and math in grades 3 and 6, as well as external factors including parental income and the percentage of ESL students.

CP24 reports that "though income is often cited as a major determinant in quality of education, the report concluded that its importance is oversold, point to Toronto's C.D. Farquharson Junior Public School as proof. The school on Brimley Road near Sheppard Avenue had an average combined parental income of $36,300, but was given a score of 8.4 out of 10."

The schools that received perfect grades include Toronto's Hillmount Public School, Arbor Glen Public School, Seneca Hill Public School, St Michael's Choir Junior School, Cottingham Junior Public School, and Sathya Sai School. Also among the included were Christ the King Catholic Elementary School in Richmond Hill, Khalsa Community School in Brampton, and Khalsa School Malton in Mississauga.

Read the full story here.

Original Source: CP24

Local bees get innovative with plastic

Click Green Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The strange grey goo discovered in nest boxes in Toronto puzzled bee researchers at first, who thought initially that the bees had started to use gum as an additional building tool in their hives. The goo turned out instead to be plastic, chewed differently than the bees chew leaves, suggesting the sudden use of this material was intentional.

The UK-based website Click Green reported on the findings.

"The plastic materials had been gathered by the bees, and then worked—chewed up and spit out like gum—to form something new that they could use," said Andrew Moore, a supervisor of analytical microscopy at Laboratory Services at the University of Guelph, the school responsible for the study on bees.

The nest boxes can be found in Toronto and in the surrounding area, in backyards, green roofs, parks, and community gardens. Several species were found to have adopted the use of plastic instead of leaves for parts of their hives. One species was found to have replaced almost one-quarter of the leaves with plastic.

"Plastic waste pervades the global landscape," said the study's lead author Scott MacIvor. "Although researchers have shown adverse impacts of the material on species and the ecosystem, few scientists have observed insects adapting to a plastic-rich environment.

"We found two solitary bee species using plastic in place of natural nest building materials, which suggests innovative use of common urban materials."

Beyond this, the bees were found healthy and parasite-free, "suggesting plastic nests may physically impede parasites, the study said."

"The novel use of plastics in the nests of bees could reflect the ecologically adaptive traits necessary for survival in an increasingly human-dominated environment," MacIvor said.

For the full story, click here.

Original Source: Click Green

17 underrated things about Toronto according to Buzzfeed

Buzzfeed Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Buzzfeed recently gave Toronto some love with a listicle highlighting 17 underrated things about Toronto. The list is great, showcasing some of the things that truly make this city amazing, but it forgot to include obvious aspects such as our islands. We won't be too hard on them though, as it's nice to see Toronto portrayed in a positive light.

Mentioned among the list:

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world
They embrace (and are comprised of) immigrants… which means it offers the most diverse and delicious spectrum of authentic grub.
Toronto’s Pride Week is one of the largest organized LGBT festivals in the world.
It’s ranked as the second most business-competitive global city in the world.
It’s also one of the biggest arts & culture hubs.
Like to skate? There are 52 public rinks that are as beautiful as they are functional.
It has a loud and live local music scene.
The city is a big proponent of environmental initiatives and public parks.
Canadians—mostly Torontonians—hold more university degrees than anyone else.
The city’s crime rate is at a steady decline.

What else would you have included on the list?

Read the full list here.

Original Souce: Buzzfeed

Toronto is booming, UK reports

Sunday Express Wednesday, February 05, 2014

"Toronto is booming, as evidenced by its chic restaurants, innovative architecture and an epic construction project that will soon see one end of the harbour lined with new museums, bars and parkland," wrote the UK-based Sunday Express earlier this week.

The article, entitled Kayaking, abseiling and exploring castles: Going on an adventure in Toronto, focuses on the attraction of our waterfront, an increasingly popular feature in international reports and travel articles. The author of the article clearly came here in the summer as he documents his experiences kayaking around and exploring our islands and major attractions, but his writing suggests a changing perspective on our city as a whole.

The author found himself on "quiet, residential boulevards with immaculate flowerbeds, red-brick townhouses, vintage clothes stores and tiny street stalls selling homemade maple syrup and artisan breads." These traits, often ignored in favour of typical tourist attractions such as the CN Tower, recognize that Toronto is a city rich in history and community, one that has a lot more to offer someone from out of town than Front Street.

Of course, it would be impossible for someone to report on Toronto without mentioning these attractions. The author went to Casa Loma and the CN Tower, while also sampling local eateries such as Auntie and Uncles on College Street and Terroni on Queen.?

"However, the most jaw-dropping interior has to be Frank Gehry's makeover of the Art Gallery of Toronto with its huge expanse of billowing glass, like a ship slowly passing through the city centre," The Sunday Express said.

Yes, the water and imagery of water left a significant impression on the author.

"The astonishing, uninterrupted view of the city's skyline is one to savour in a city which might not hit the headlines like New York and Chicago do, but still has the ability to dazzle and delight."

Read the full story here.

Original Source: Sunday Express

Three Toronto hotels named among Canada's top 10

Daily News Wednesday, February 05, 2014

There's no denying that Canada is full of beautiful hotels from coast to coast. The New York Daily News rounded them up and compiled a list of the top 10 luxury hotels in the country, naming three Toronto properties among the best. Although we didn't take top rankings, we secured more spots than any other city on the list.

These "10 properties… represent the crème de la crème of Canadian hospitality," the Daily News wrote.

Here's what they had to say about some of the city's most luxurious places to get away:

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (9th)

In a metropolis brimming with luxury lodging, it's no easy feat to stand out from the pack. But this Ritz-Carlton property has hit the mark again this year thanks to its refined ambiance, distinctive architecture and excellent views of Lake Ontario and Toronto's cityscape. But it's not just the striking scenery that helped The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto stay among the best and brightest in this city's hospitality market for the second year in a row. Upholding its brand's excellent standard of service and rigorous attention to detail, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto has caught the attention of reputable sources like Condé Nast Traveler and seized the ninth spot on our 2014 list of the Best Hotels in Canada.

??Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (7th)

A noteworthy newcomer to the top 10 on U.S. News' Best Hotels in Canada list, this Four Seasons outpost is climbing its way to the top thanks to its superior customer service, stylish accommodations and sophisticated ambiance —all of which help set it apart from nearby competitors. Aside from property's enviable downtown location, enticing amenities (such as gourmet cuisine created by acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud) help it earn a high approval rating among guests and critics. This year, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto received recognition from Travel + Leisure and nabbed a prestigious AAA Five Diamond award.

??Trump International Hotel and Tower, Toronto (4th)

At 65 stories, this towering hotel trumps the competition with spacious and well-appointed accommodations, quality service and sweeping views of Toronto's skyline. After claiming the No. 2 spot on the list of Best Toronto hotels in 2013, this esteemed member of the Trump family has made its way up the list to the No. 1 place on our list of the Best Hotels in Toronto. And with guest rooms outfitted with wet bars and marble bathroom fixtures and perks like an infinity saltwater lap pool and unobstructed city views from the STOCK restaurant, it's not hard to see how this hotel has continued to garner a positive reputation. Holding awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes and AAA, the Trump International Hotel and Tower, Toronto stands as Toronto's finest luxury hotel.

Read the full list here.

Original Source: Daily News

Photo By: sookie (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Falling Loonie boosts Hollywood filming in Toronto

Hollywood Reporter Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Filming in Canada rebounded last year, Hollywood Reporter reports, in part because our falling Loonie made it more affordable for foreign location producers—especially U.S. ones—to film in the country. Tax credits offered in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver have also contributed to an increase worth millions of dollars, though production has yet to rebound to the $1.87 billion in 2011.

Total budget spending in Canada by Hollywood studios rose three per cent to $1.74 billion, compared to $1.68 billion a year earlier, Hollywood Reporter said, crediting the Canadian Media Production Association's Profile 2013 survey.

British Columbia saw the biggest spending at $1.07 billion in foreign location shooting in Canada, mostly by U.S. producers working on series such as Fringe, Psyche, and Once Upon a Time.

"Ontario was in second place with $399 million in foreign production activity in the year to March 31, 2013, the last period surveyed by the CMPA report, up from $382 million in 2012. U.S. series shot in Toronto included USA's Covert Affairs and the CW's Beauty and the Beast."

The dollar was very much at par in the early parts of 2013, but as it began to weaken it inspired "Hollywood to head north in the face of competition from rival locales like Louisiana and New Mexico," Hollywood Reporter said.

?Read the full story here.

Original Source: Hollywood Reporter

Photo By: Alan Daly (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

TO 3 For All: Puppies, Kuumba, and Bitcoin 101

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Kuumba

February 7-9, 2014

Harbourfront Centre

Free

This multi-day Black History Month celebration includes, among other things, a comedy show, a music showcase featuring emerging local talent, a dance show, and Soca on Ice, a carnival-inspired DJ skate night hosted by Dwight Drummond, co-host of CBC News Toronto, and featuring Dr. Jay de Soca Prince. Skate rentals are available. The long-running event is mostly free with numerous family friendly events celebrating Toronto's African and Caribbean communities. There are a few paid events, including some of the comedy shows, which vary in price.

For complete listings, visit Harbourfront's website here.

Paws Party 2014

February 12, 2014

The Hoxton

8:00 p.m.

19+

$69

The fourth annual Paws Party puts a new spin on Saint Valentine's Day by auctioning off eligible bachelors and hot local restaurant reservations in a fundraising event called THE DAWG SHOW. Taking place at the Hoxton, proceeds from the event will go towards various animal welfare organizations. To date, Paws for the Cause has raised more than $100,000 for the OSPCA, the Ontario Veterinary College's Pet Trust Fund, the Central Toronto Veterinary Referral Clinic and other charitable outlets. Both singles and couples are also encouraged to attend.

And yes, there will be puppies at this event.

For tickets, visit http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/475533. For more on Paws for the Cause, visit their website here.

Bitcoin 101

February 12, 2014

Bitcoin Decentral

64 Spadina Avenue

Free

Curious about this new digital currency called Bitcoin? This event is an opportunity to ask questions and learn about Bitcoin and other emerging cryptocurrencies (a digital medium of exchange) from experienced users. Bitcoin 101 is part of a weekly series taking place every Wednesday to educate people on this new market. Next week is a social for networking and news, followed the week after by a special Bitcoin event for entrepreneurs and merchants. All events are free.

For more information, check out the meetup here.

Want your event listed in Yonge Street? Email [email protected].

3D printers come to Toronto Public Library

Global News Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The Toronto Public Library has announced plans to bring a variety of 3D printers and related software to its Digital Innovation Hubs, which will open at the Toronto Reference Library and the forthcoming Fort York branch in the coming weeks.

The Digital Innovation Hub will launch with a collection of iMacs, MacBook pros, video and audio editing software in an effort make technology more accessible for TPL users.

"One of the things that the library has been doing is trying to equalize people's access to information and knowledge," Paul Trumphour, access and information manager at Toronto Public Libraries, told Global News.

"We became a kind of community hub for people to come in and get access to decent Internet for free. A few years ago we introduced access to Microsoft Office on pretty much all of our workstations. One of our goals is to bring awareness that this type of technology exists and how it can be used."

Library-goers will have access to seminars and workshops to learn more about the 3D printing process, as well as the ability to scan and print objects.

The library eventually hopes to partner with local maker spaces, community centres that focus on using and participating in technology and workshops, to "introduce mode advanced programming."

Read the full story here.

Original Source: Global News

Ad campaign encourages people to care about the poor as they do celebrities

Jezebel Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A controversial Canadian ad campaign that imagines what would happen if people cared about those living in poverty as they do celebrities has been turning heads internationally this week.

The ads for Toronto's WoodGreen Community Services—a social services agent that helps people find safe, affordable housing and employment, among other things—focus on struggling single mothers, putting their everyday headlines on the pages of replica celebrity-themed magazines and television shows. One reads, "Tanya tries to avoid eviction—see inside her home," while another notes, "Can't pay for secondhand—Jenna Smith shops for children's shoes she can't afford."

"Our creative is a parody of popular celebrity media culture, but instead of celebrity-focused stories, it features hard-hitting headlines about struggling single mothers and the real hardships they face each day. Learning about celebrities is fun, but we want people to recognize that there are many others who are in greater need of our attention and support," says Denise Rossetto, executive creative director at DDB Canada, the firm behind the campaign.

A television commercial that has been airing on local stations features two entertainment reporters happily discussing the headlines as though they were celebrities, but instead the stories draw attention to the real life and often ignored struggles of women living below the poverty line.

Watch the video below.

Read the full story and see more photos here.

Original Source: Jezebel

UoT student develops new Malaria vaccine

The Varsity Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A first year University of Toronto student has developed a potentially cost effective vaccine for the treatment of malaria in developing countries that is made from mustard oil.

Jessie MacAlpine, a first year life sciences student, recently sat down with the university's student paper the Varsity to discuss her research, which was "extraordinarily successful at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, where she won Best of Category for Medicine and Health Sciences," the paper reports. This is just one accomplishment of many. She also recently placed first in the International Cooperation Prize at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists where she was a Canadian ambassador.

"I am currently working on in vivo studies to confirm the drug's efficacy within a mammal model. If this experiment returns results as promising as the in vitro studies, the hope will be to conduct clinical trials before establishing potential distribution channels," she told the Varsity. "The drug itself is very inexpensive – the necessary dose costs approximately a millionth of a cent – resulting in the major inhibitor to treatment being distribution. Potentially partnering with organizations such as the World Health Organization or Malaria No More could allow the inexpensive drug to reach those who are most affected by the disease. As well, because mustard oil is readily available in many malaria-endemic regions, these organizations could potentially run awareness campaigns to ensure the public is informed of the oil’s antimalarial properties."

MacAlpine has also chosen to patent her compound for multiple reasons, most notable to ensure the research and drug stays under her name in an effort to prevent a larger pharmaceutical company from claiming the idea—something she says could prevent the compound from reaching those who need it most. She also says it will make it easier for her to approach investors and potential laboratories once it's time to facilitate clinical trials.

Malaria kills more than one million people each year, especially in developing nations, the Varsity reports. MacAlpine hopes to soon locate a lab to facilitate a clinical trial and has her eyes set on an observational study in India, where mustard oil is used for cooking.

"Despite my research focusing on the efficacy of the raw oil, it is possible that there is still a degree of antimalarial efficacy observed with consumption of the cooked compound. An observational study would hopefully allow a trend such as this to be determined. Finally, if all stages of drug testing return positive results, I will have to partner with a global health organization to organize awareness and distribution channels," she says.

MacAlpine will be speaking more about her research at the upcoming TEDxUofT conference on March 1, 2014.

Read the full story here.

Original Source: The Varsity

City considers bid to host 2024 Olympic Games

Global News Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Toronto's economic development committee will vote next week on whether or not to conduct a more thorough study into considering a bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

A report conducted by Ernst & Young release late last year examined the preliminary costs and determined that the bidding process is estimated to cost $50 million to $60 million, with hosting the Games estimated at $3.3 billion to $7 billion.

Much of the city is currently in construction in preparation for the 2015 PanAm Games, and while many investments have already been made to build world-class facilities the report warns these spaces may be too geographically dispersed. "The International Olympic Committee requires most venues to be within 30 minutes to 45 minutes of the Olympic Village site," an article that ran in Global News reports.

Toronto has made two albeit unsuccessful bids in the past, once in 1996 and again in 2008. And while many aspects need to be taken into consideration—the investment in the city, how aligned it is with priorities—the report warns now might be the only change for decades. “We note that if Toronto does not bid for 2024 and the Summer Games are awarded to a U.S. city, it is likely that Toronto will not have a reasonable chance of winning until at least the 2036 Summer Games," it says.

If the committee approves the report, a new more detailed study will be conducted at a cost of about $1 million. The committee will also consider the possibility of bidding for the 2025 World Expo at next Monday's meeting.

Read the full story here.

Original Source: Global News

Bitcoin ATM comes to Toronto

CHCH Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Toronto now has its first Bitcoin ATM machine located at Bitcoin Decentral at King and Spadina. The new alternative digital currency transfers money from person to person and gets its fame by eliminating the processing time and fees of traditional banking services.

"Bitcoin allows me to transfer value between me and you instantly anywhere in the world for free," says Anthony Di Iorio, the operator of Toronto’s first Bitcoin ATM, in the article. He is passionate about this new currency and wants to create more access in the city. He has opened up a space to educate more people about Bitcoin, as well as provide them an opportunity to buy Bitcoin in cash, rather than online.

Bitcoin operates much like the stock market with the value of Bitcoin fluctuating with the market. Still, Di lorio says more and more companies are opening up to the idea of Bitcoin.

"We are seeing merchant point of sale equipment coming out that supporting Bitcoin and be able to bring a device into a merchants store to offer Bitcoin as a payment to their customers," he says.

Read the full story here.

Original source: CHCH

Correction: This article originally reported that the location of the Bitcoin ATM machine was at Smoke Bourbon BBQ House. This restauranct actually accepts Bitcoin as a form of payment, but does not have a Bitcoin ATM machine.

UoT to create 3-D printed prosthetics for Uganda

PC Tech Magazine Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Critical Making Lab at the University of Toronto has partnered with an international NGO and a Ugandan hospital to help bring prosthetics to the developing world through 3-D printing.

The scanning and printing process will "speed the process of creating and fitting sockets for artificial limbs," according to an article that appeared in PC Tech Magazine.

“The major issue with prosthetics in the developing world is not access to the materials of prosthetics; it is access to the expert knowledge required to form and create them,” says Matt Ratto, a professor in the Faculty of Information laboratory, in the article.

The 3-D printing allows the researchers to make a prosthetic in less than 24 hours.

"The underserved population is largely rural," says ginger coons (who spells her name in lower-case), a PhD student in Ratto’s laboratory, in the article. "People have to come to the hospital. Not many can afford the long stay. We want to make their stay a lot shorter."

Read the full story here.

Original source: PC Tech Magazine

Homegrown National Park Project gets some winter buzz

Fast Company Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Earlier this year, we told you about the David Suzuki Foundation's Homegrown National Park Project, an ambitious endeavor that reimagined Toronto's green space and looked at the city as an urban park.

Now, Fast Company is giving the initiative some mid-winter attention, highlighting the various "park rangers" who spent the summer completing various projects from planting flowers to turning persistent potholes into gardens. The projects took place along the path of the Garrison Creek, which Fast Company refers to as a "lost river." They continue, "Like many cities, Toronto was built along streams that were eventually filled and paved once they became polluted. The Garrison, which used to be a place where people could fish for salmon or take a trip in a canoe, is still underground, but the group wanted to remind neighbours that it exists."

The article outlines the project's future plans, which include introducing "a new class of volunteers" later this year, and "by 2015, the Suzuki Foundation hopes to have homegrown park rangers in each of the city’s 44 wards, helping stitch together green space that connects all 3 million residents."

Read the full story here.

Original source: Fast Company

Five GTA pro hockey players named on men's Olympic team

CBC Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Team Canada announced its men's Olympic hockey team roster on Tuesday and five professional players from across the GTA made the cut. The team will be defending the gold medal won four years ago in Vancouver when Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the United States.

The five GTA players are:

Alex Pietrangelo

Alternate Captain, St. Louis Blues

Born in King City

P.K. Subban

Defenceman, Montreal Canadiens

Born in Toronto

John Tavares

Captain, New York Islanders

Born in Mississauga

Steven Stamkos

Alternate Captain, Tampa Bay Lightning