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Newsstand: April 11, 2013
Hey Thursday, is that freezing rain and ice pellets, or are you just incredibly unhappy to see us? In the news: the City goes after abandoned bikes, the GTA has some economic issues to work out, the TDSB looks to expand Africentric programs, and the police give out fast food coupons.
It’s horrible outside, and it’s going to continue to be horrible all freakin’ day. Apparently the storm started in California and, like so many other things from California, clearly nobody considered the climate difference before sending it up our way. Seriously though, it’s going to be horrible all day.
If you’ve got an old, dilapidated bike you’re prone to leaving locked up in various parts of the city for extended periods of time, take heed: the City is starting a big abandoned bike removal foofaraw over the next few weeks. It’s all part of the City’s spring cleaning initiative, which encourages Torontonians to get out there and make up for being horrible litterbugs over the past few months. No word yet on whether smokers will be scooping up all the butts they tossed in now-melted snowbanks.
A new report, out today, looks into the economic challenges facing the GTA in the coming years. For the most part, it’s the same points that have been tossed around for what seems like ages, with little to show for them. But it never hurts to bring another voice into the region’s collective wake-up call.
Success knows no bounds, so it only makes sense that a school program that has managed to attract 18 students for next fall would start to be rolled out across the city. Then again, maybe we’re being unfair to a novel curriculum in its infancy. Perhaps someday the TDSB’s Africentric program could engage a lot of young people. However, misquoting the film Field of Dreams might not be the best way to argue that point.
Have you ever helped someone and thought that, while the feeling you get from aiding a fellow human being is great and all, you should maybe be compensated in some more tangible way? Well you’re in luck, because Toronto police are now handing out positive tickets for good samaritans. While the apparently fast food-centred rewards might draw criticism from some people, let’s face it: a warm feeling in your heart is good, but a warm slice of pizza is better.