In The News

The Huffington Post writes on Corus Quay, the new 8-storey Build Toronto office building located in the Waterfront district. Corus Quay has recently become home to a large-scale art installation by British design firm Troika.

"A shimmering combination of Brancusian shapes, swarm robotics and corporate ceiling design, the new installation by British design firm Troika is an image of hope for the city of Toronto...It's a simple, benevolent image for one of the city's industrial districts, but we wonder just how complex the patterns can get: do the fish seem to swim away if you're hostile?"

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original source Huffington Post

A new Conference Board of Canada study has confirmed that immigrants to Canada boost the country's innovation and, as a result, improve it's global competitiveness. As reported by the Toronto Star, the study linked Canadian immigrants to innovation in areas such as "research, culture, business and global commerce".

"Guang Jun Liu arrived in Toronto in 1990 with a master's degree in robotic control from China. Today, the Ryerson University professor is the Canada Research Chair in control systems and robotics, specializing in control systems in aircraft and mobile robots, and working with groups such as the Canadian Space Agency. According to a new Conference Board of Canada study, Liu is living proof of how immigrants can help boost Canada's stature in innovation, which ranks 14th out of 17 industrialized countries."

"Productivity and innovation are critical for economic development," said the report, titled Immigrants as Innovators: Boosting Canada's Global Competitiveness."

 "At every level of analysis, immigrants are shown to have an impact on innovation performance that is benefiting Canada."

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original source Toronto Star

Tech giant Microsoft has teamed up with Toronto-based app company Polar Mobile in what is the largest deal ever in Canadian app development history. As reported by the Globe & Mail, Polar Mobile, whose clients include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Time magazine and the Canadian Football League, has signed on to build 350 apps for the Windows Phone--Windows' first foray into the Smart Phone industry.

"The deal means that Polar will build Windows Phone versions of virtually all its existing 350 apps for BlackBerrys, iPhones, phones powered by Google's Android operating system and other smart phones. The firm will also build Windows-compatible apps for other content providers that it signs up in the future."

"For Microsoft, the contract means it can launch its new product with readily-available apps � Polar plans to have at least some of them completed by the time Windows Phone 7 handsets hit the market � as it struggles to compete with its rivals' app stores, which already contain tens or hundreds of thousands of apps."

"What has changed today versus two years ago is that they're not selling phones on hardware and price," said Polar CEO Kunal Gupta. "They realize that people are buying based on apps and content, and they see us as a one-to-many strategy."

"Unlike traditional app development shops of similar size � Polar's staff numbers 40 people � Polar doesn't develop custom applications for clients from scratch. Instead, the company uses a template model. In essence, its customers fill out a digital form listing their requirements, their content feeds and other variables, and the software creates the app automatically."

"That process allows Polar to churn out products at a much faster pace. At the beginning of the year, the company had produced 50 apps. Today, that number is up to 350, and Mr. Gupta expects to hit 500 by the end of the year."

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original source Globe & Mail

Torontonian Laura Berg has been declared "Mom Entrepreneur of the Year" by Canadian online webzine SavvyMom. Berg is the founder of My Smart Hands, a Toronto company that teaches parents how to use sign language to communicate with their pre-verbal hearing babies.

"This award and the prizes that go along with it could not have come at a better time," said Berg on winning the national business award from SavvyMom Media, now in its fourth year."

"My business has reached a point where I need to invest some serious money to take it to the next level. The prize money and professional services will definitely be put to good use. I am excited to see the vision I have for My Smart Hands come to fruition and the SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur Award will play a huge role in getting me even further ahead!"

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original source TheStreet

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre has been chosen as the site of the The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2010 Annual Meeting. According to Business Travel News the confrence, to be held from 15-19 of October, is expected to generate C$13 million in delegate spending

"ASBMR is a truly-international organisation, with nearly half of our membership residing outside the US," said Ann Elderkin, ASBMR's executive director."

"Hosting our meeting in Toronto reflects our commitment to our global membership and our dedication - without boundaries - to bone and mineral research excellence."

"The ASBMR 2010 Annual Meeting scientific program will showcase the latest in bone and mineral research, technology and treatment, including such areas as osteoimmunology, mineral metabolism, genetics, stem cells, osteoporosis, metabolic bone diseases and treatments. During the event, Osteoporosis Canada will release its latest clinical practice guidelines, supporting up-to-date health care management of osteoporosis."

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original source Business Travel News

As reported by Xtra, a new cafe called Fabarnak has opened in the 519 Church Street Community Center to serve as training ground for people with employment challenges. Built using a $30,000 start-up grant from the Toronto Enterprise Fund, Fabarnak had its "soft opening" on October 15 and will celebrate its official grand opening this November.

"Fabarnak, now open for business, will celebrate its official grand opening in November, says Matthew Cutler, manager of resource and development at The 519. Oct 14 was the eatery's "soft opening."

"Cutler, munching on a brownie and sipping coffee, says he loves the openness of the caf� and the connection with Church St through the expansive front windows. "I really feel part of the neighbourhood when I sit here having coffee," he says. "I can look out the windows and see cars rushing by and people walking their dogs."

"The caf�, which has been in development for about a year, will serve as a training ground for people with employment challenges, a key element in the community centre's expansion, he says."

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original source Xtra

The New York Times recently featured Moss & Lam, a Toronto-based art studio that specializes in custom-designed art works for hotels, restaurants and stores across the globe. Moss and Lam's newest product--laser-etched cowhide and wool felt rugs--marks the company's first foray into "more intimately scaled" products.

"I was wanting to make objects again, going back to my roots as an artist," said Deborah Moss, who runs the company with her husband, Edward Lam, and who designed the new pieces, which include a series of laser-etched rugs. "These are more personal."

"The rugs come in wool felt or cowhide (starting at $140 a square foot) and are decorated with re-creations of hand-drawn patterns: the felt version with maps of cities like Paris, London, Berlin and New York; the Peau de Bois hide rugs with faux wood grain."

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original source New York Times

Radio Canada International interviews Hargurdeep Saini, principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga campus (UTM). The interview, in which Sani discusses his views on education and the future of UTM, can be streamed from the Radio Canada website.

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original source Radio Canada

The Hindustan Times Travel Section recently featured the "dynamic city of Toronto" -- lauding the city for its array of tourist attractions, its impressive selection of entertainment and its renowned international cuisine.

"The dynamic city of Toronto has a lot to offer when it comes to culture. Its cosmopolitan air, numerous local festivities, rich international cuisine and wide range of musical and theatrical entertainment make it a must-visit for anyone who digs variety�the memories of the clean, beautiful and safe city are here to stay forever."

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original source The Hindustan Times

Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has been selected to test the updated diagnostic criteria for the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) -- the manual used by medical professionals around the world. CAMH is currently one of only seven adult field trial sites in North America and the only Canadian organization selected to test the manual. As reported by The Medical News, the selection process was competitive, out of 65 organizations that submitted proposals only 11 participants were chosen.  

"We are honoured to be selected as one of the field trial sites," said Dr. Michael Bagby, Director of Clinical Research at CAMH. "Our role in the development of DSM-5 is a reflection of CAMH's standing in medical research, particularly in the field of psychiatry and mental disorders." APA has reported that the selection process was very competitive; only 11 organizations were chosen from the 65 that submitted proposals to be considered for a field trial site, and CAMH was the only Canadian site chosen."


"The field trials held at CAMH will be led by Drs. Bruce Pollock, Michael Bagby and Kwame McKenzie. Disorders being studied at CAMH include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, attenuated psychotic symptoms syndrome, and personality disorders. Clinicians participating in the field trial will evaluate new and existing patients at different stages of treatment using the proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and measures."

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original source The Medical News

The Globe & Mail features Toronto startup Symtext Corp. developers of the Liquid Textbook, a software program that allows educators to build customized electronic course readers. Since its release in July 2008, Liquid Textbook has been adopted by professors at Queen's, McGill, Ryerson, Concordia, Brock "and a handful of other universities and colleges across Canada". 

"Because there was no single textbook he could use for the class at Ryerson University in Toronto, Mr. Monkhouse gathered materials from various sources and had the university's bookstore obtain the necessary permissions and make copies. The process was cumbersome, not environmentally friendly and not especially convenient for the students. "

"Mr. Monkhouse wanted to replace the course package with something electronic. He had heard of electronic textbooks, but he needed a way to package materials from multiple sources. He found it in the Liquid Textbook, a product of Toronto startup Symtext Corp."

"Symtext's creation can include content drawn from multiple sources � chapters of textbooks, research papers, articles, even video clips. The company's service includes arranging permissions with publishers for whatever material an instructor wants to include. It's also easy to modify the text, a plus for Mr. Monkhouse since sustainability is a rapidly changing topic."

"The professor and the students can also add their own annotations, which are available for everyone in the course to see. That creates a sort of discussion forum within the electronic text itself."

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original source Globe & Mail

Route planning on Goolge Maps has recently become easier (and more fun) for Torontonians who navigate the city by transit. As reported by Torontoist a TTC function has finally been added to the popular internet trip planner.

"The addition of TTC to Google Maps fills in a substantial void in transit directions, as the service is already provided for GO Transit, York Region Transit, and the Hamilton Street Railway. Also, it joins the TTC's list of notable achievements in customer information in the past year, including a new mobile site, text-based next streetcar arrivals, and more next vehicle displays at subway stations."

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original source Torontoist

MSN International News writes on Toronto's abundance of authentic and delicious Indian restaurants.

"Thanks to the sizeable NRI population in Toronto, Canadians' food experience is not limited to some certain dishes. The foodies here know the difference between butter chicken and chicken tandoori. Items like butter chicken, shrimp biryani, chicken tikka masala, chicken vindaloo, garlic naan, kebab and biryani form part of a many a gastronomer''s dictionary."

"Visiting an Indian eatery, it comes as a surprise to find it packed with people other than Indians."

"Toronto alone has some 7,000 restaurants and with a multicultural population from over 100 countries, it is a melting pot of all the cultures, which is reflected in the food habits of the people."

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original source MSN News

As reported by Blog TO, St. George and Harbord has recently become the first Toronto intersection to host bike boxes. Bike boxes--lines painted on the road marking a spot for cyclists to pull out in front of stopped traffic--were added to the City of Toronto Bike Plan in order to make turning on bike safer and easier.

"For those unfamiliar with bike boxes, they basically enable cyclists to pull out in front of stopped traffic so as to make turns more safely. They're particularly effective when turning left, but by giving cyclists a head start (intersections with bike boxes also feature no-right-on-red signs), they also help to diminish the chance of a cyclist being swiped when turning right. Cyclists might be a bit nervous the first time they try out a left hand turn in traffic, but by getting oneself visible, the endeavour is far safer. Just make sure to avoid oncoming traffic. Obviously!"

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original source Blog TO

The Evergreen Brick Works, one of Toronto's most anticipated development projects, has officially opened to the public. For the past eight years Evergreen, an environmental non-for-profit, has been working diligently to transform 16.5-hectares of the Don River flood plain into a lively and sustainable public space. The Brick Works--which now houses, among other amenities, a museum, a year-round camp, and a food market--has already been hailed by the Globe & Mail as "cultural beacon for Torontonians and tourists alike" and by the National Geographic as one of the "world's best geo-tourism destinations".

"In many ways, [the Evergreen Brick Works's] arrival � a definitive argument for a better conserved, more sustainable Toronto � could not be more timely, coming only weeks before a municipal election that many regard as a referendum on the shape of the city's future."

"In the course of a single day, depending on the season, visitors will be able to hike, fish, scale a 27-metre climbing tower, ice skate, study trees and plants, tend a garden, fix or ride a bicycle, study art, attend a lecture on urban issues, walk the Beltline (it starts right there), dine on Brad Long's family-oriented meals, explore for fossils, watch deer, picnic, and more."

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original source Globe & Mail