Toronto can't seem to keep its trash out of trouble. Those giant sidewalk trash bins aren't generating enough in ad revenue to honour their $1-million-a-year payout to the city, so now what? Well, bids for Toronto's street furniture contract are still being accepted. The winning companies will be supplying garbage bins, bus shelters and bike racks for no cost, but will reap the benefits of the "furniture"'s potential adspace.

The Big International Headline: US forces storm an Iranian consulate in Iraq, not a day after Bush pledges to send 21,500 more troops in order to secure victory. Condoleeza Rice warns that the US will take action against countries working against American efforts to stabilize Iraq (cough cough, Iran and Syria). Will Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment lead to an invasion in the near future? Well, it ain't lookin' pretty.

Legal hearings from the Ontario Court of Appeal will soon be televised in efforts to "clear up glaring public misperceptions about the justice system". Attorney-General Michael Bryant claims this this reality show will have all the heart of Judge Joe Brown with the sassy street sense of Judge Judy. The Department of Justice will be holding open casting calls for the role of the softspoken bailiff.

Love it or hate it, the cold weather is back. As a result of this week's temperature drop, Blue Mountain is re-opening with snow machines at full-tilt and the Niagara region can begin its ice wine harvest. If only we could get some snowfall in Toronto, winter would start to feel like winter again.

Independent booksellers complain that publishers are favouring large national retailers like Chapters and Indigo rather than smaller local companies. This feels like a scene from You've Got Mail that was left on the cutting room floor. Come on, Book City, Tom Hanks isn't such a bad guy!

Photo courtesy of ronestar on Flickr.