Vaughan Municipal Election: Will Mayor Jackson Beat it?

Question marks float like buoys in Vaughan’s political waters, where six mayoral candidates tread towards a distant City Hall. Whether or not Mayor Linda Jackson’s campaign bid will be able to transcend a trail of controversy is becoming the crux of conversation. The early stages of the municipal election leave many residents wading in a murky reservoir, probing for a channel of transparency.

“It’s been entertaining, engaging and bewildering. It will be interesting to see if there is a higher turnout in this municipal election,” says Nelson Wiseman, an associate political science professor at the University of Toronto. “What’s gone on is quite unusual, quite out of the ordinary, quite wild in terms of the city and the legal cases and the intensity,” he adds, mentioning that he’s received more calls about Vaughan’s election than any other municipality, Read more

BP Oil Spill: A Crude Conundrum

A manmade disaster of catastrophic proportions gushed through the Gulf of Mexico two days before Earth Day this year. Millions of gallons of poison surged from the seafloor, swimming throughout the world’s ninth largest body of water. The Gulf laps onto the shores of Florida, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana – states still fragile from the destructive aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

As flames licked the BP oil rig, a haunting déjà vu unfolded, eclipsing the Exxon Valdez disaster in size and depth and bringing a 40-year-old environmental movement to its trembling knees.

“The world should raise its eyebrows and say, ‘enough of this,’” says Dave Rauschkolb, who believes that many of the world’s problems are tied to our dependence on oil and prehistoric energy policies. A regular Joe and environmental prophet, if you will Read more

Are Smartphones making us smarter?

Your day begins early, and whether early is early, or early is afternoon, on the way to work or to play something begins to worry you, something is missing. Presumptions lead to paranoia and, after checking each pocket, portfolio, and underneath each car seat, your paranoia becomes an unwanted reality. You’ve forgotten the device that was created to help you remember all your important dates, numbers, and notes and without it you are nearly useless. You’ll now be forced to use the outdated, bacteria-infested box that for many people entails embarrassment as much as the opportunity to make a phone call – the dreaded public phone.

The smartphone is indeed a very smart phone, much smarter than phones from the past, but placing our social and professional lives in its microchips doesn’t leave you with much to do when you accidentally leave it at home. Not having it can Read more

Night at the Movies

Grab that buttery popcorn and pick a prime spot as you prepare to indulge in one of these hot new flicks, either at the theatre or in the comfort of your living room.

1. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps After being locked up for years, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) finds he no longer holds the top spot in the corrupted world he once ruled. Trying to salvage his relationship with his daughter, Gekko creates an alliance with her fiancé, Jacob (Shia LaBeouf), who at first sees Gekko as a father figure and friend but soon learns that Gekko is far from a changed man. www.foxmovies.com

2. The American If you can’t get enough of James Bond, this film is a must-see. Jack (George Clooney), a seasoned assassin and master craftsman of weapons, decides this mission to the Read more

Neil Pasricha and The Book of Awesome

A marriage on the brink and a best friend battling severe depression gave a Toronto man two good reasons to start reminding himself of the simple things in life. “I was in what I guess you could call a bit of a doom-and- gloom phase,” says 30-year-old Neil Pasricha, who is now a best-selling, award-winning author. While he admits that starting a blog wasn’t the most innovative idea he’s ever had, it turned out to be one of his most rewarding. Over the next year, Pasricha used his site, www.1000awesomethings.com, as a global platform to list life’s little wonders, adding colourful and often comical commentary to joys that almost everyone can relate to. Finding money in your coat pocket, watching The Price is Right when you’re home sick, popping bubble wrap, fixing electronics by smacking them and the smell of new books all made the page. “It was really fulfilling and really fun but the other parts of my life started getting worse,” says Pasricha, who earned his MBA from Harvard. Read more

Did you Know?

1. The Congo River is the only one in the world that flows both north and south of the equator – crossing over twice! We’re on the fence with this one, but some might call that indecisive.

2. What did our corneas do to deserve the callous treatment from our blood? It’s the only part of our body that it selfishly chooses not to supply its services to. The cornea in the eye survives from oxygen in the air instead. How can you do that to your own flesh and blood?

3. Dear Narcissists,
All humans spent about half an hour as a single cell. That means you were once way smaller than a coffee bean. XYXY

4. One-tenth of a calorie is what you consume every time you lick a stamp. The solution? Eat-mail … we mean, e-mail. Read more

Breaking the Law?

Thinking about dragging a dead horse down Yonge Street this Sunday? If that’s not rebellious enough for you, take a bath in the city of Etobicoke with more than 3.5 inches of water in your tub. That’ll be sure to shake things up!

From surprising bylaws to controversial criminal offenses, you may be surprised how easily and often the law can be broken.

1. Deke your way out of this one Contradicting the healthy lifestyle the government encourages, playing the active sport of hockey on the road is actually illegal. Many people have been breaking this law, which was implemented in the 1970s, their whole lives. Government officials are currently evaluating the possibility of legalizing playing hockey on the streets of Toronto. Until then, kids and hockey players around the city are at risk of being fined $55 every time Read more

Vaughan’s Rising Star: Amanda Morra

Going international and marketing in the U.S. and U.K., this Vaughan native is on the road to success. Amanda Morra’s first album was released in the summer of 2009, showcasing the strong voice she has developed over 17 years of professional training. At 22, Morra, who has always been passionate about performing, is ready for fame. Growing up as a competitive dancer at Performing Dance Arts in Vaughan, and now teaching at Art and Soul Dance Company in Kleinburg, part of Morra’s intrigue is her accessibility and connection to her hometown.

“Kisses,” Amanda Morra’s new single, is giving the world a glimpse of her artistry and growing talent. With hard-hitting dancers, innovative choreographers and a visionary director, an entertaining music video was created for the fun and up-beat song. “I actually co-wrote this song,” says Morra. The choreographers, Hollywood Read more

Fun Books for the Kids

School may be closed but your books don’t have to be! Sprawl out in the sun with one of these reads that will keep your child’s mind as active as their summer.

Toy Story Storybook Collection By Disney Press
Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang are back to share their fun-filled adventures with your kids as they flip through the colourful, action-packed pages of this book. www.disneybooks.com

Thea Stilton and the Secret City By Geronimo Stilton
Follow these five friendly, daring, travelling mouselings as they venture off to Peru to solve the mystery of a missing friend. With page after page of fun, suspenseful and descriptive narrative, your kids won’t be able to stop reading until they’ve unravelled the entire tale of the Thea Sisters’ adventurous journey. Read more

Autumn Trends for Men

Fall back into style this season with the latest in fashion, food, gifts, and gadgets. From the businessman to the homebody – there is something for everyone.

Wasabi Peanuts Give your nuts a kick and turn to World of Flavours Wasabi Peanuts, created by President’s Choice. www.presidentschoice.ca

Demaria Available at Cupido, DEMARIA blends tradition and fashion, creating an innovative collection. www.cupidodesigns.com

Guitar Cufflink Rock out in style and add a finishing touch to any outfit with this bold and adjustable guitar cuff. www.etsy.com

Hugo Boss Business meets pleasure as you embody Read more

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