When winter is more like spring, fauna and flora may suffer

Here’s how our absurdly warm winter may affect everything from geese to greenery.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1132161
Student council vote at Western nullified by ‘Justin Bieber’ hackers
The University of Western Ontario has scrapped two days of voting for its student president, a position worth $39,000, because of allegations of vote rigging.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1132162
When winter is more like spring, fauna and flora may suffer

Here’s how our absurdly warm winter may affect everything from geese to greenery.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1132161
GTA women charged with cocaine smuggling behind bars in Dominican Republic
Three GTA women were arrested in the Dominican Republic Monday for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine to Toronto.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1132189
Portrait of Mayor Rob Ford selling for $5,555.55 (U.S.) on eBay

A Toronto artist’s painting is listed on eBay at a price cheekily tagged to Ford’s opposition to the bag tax.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1131462
Maximize Your Remodeling Dollars and Go For Hot Trends
As the economy recovers, we’re seeing movement in the housing market and remodeling. Homeowners and remodeling contractors understand that once popular features aren’t so popular these days. Smart remodeling contractors in 2012 are tuning in to what buyers want in today’s times; helping homeowners make their homes more modern and relevant.
Many home features that were once desirable are way out of date now. Once hot features and home finishes aren’t so fashionable anymore; make homes look out-of-date. Today’s homeowners are working with contractors to make their homes more relevant for times and living nowadays.
If a homeowner wants to sell their home in the future, they had better remodel with modern homebuyers in mind. Today’s homebuyers are more practical than homebuyers of the past. Buyers today want homes that are smart. Homebuyers today are looking forward to staying in their homes longer; not so interested in making a great return. They are more interested in security and long-term stability. If the homeowner plans to stay in their home, remodeling to remove unfashionable elements and update their homes for the future, is a smart approach.
For homeowners that are staying, single story space fits well with aging knees and climbing stairs. For the homeowner looking to sell, single-story appeals to all, particularly people looking for a home to retire in. Two story additions are on the way out. Expanding space on main floors is in. When remodeling with plans to expand space, have your contractor figure out yard space that can be legally used to expand out rather than up.
Open spaces permit creative use of space that is better geared to any family. Boxy separate rooms are out. Flowing open spaces are in. Contemplate knocking down walls to add this flowing floor plan. If you plan on selling, buyers like open floor plans far more than separate boxed off rooms. These new open spaces allow easy furniture placement in ways that aren’t easy with closed off formal rooms.
If you’re remodeling a master suite, jazzy showers are out and dual sink counters are in. Massive bathroom storage is in. Jacuzzi tubs are out and simplicity rules. Practical remodels adds great ROI should you plan to sell. Spending your remodeling dollars this way rather than fancy multiple showerheads and tubs saves money to, as fewer people spend luxurious amounts of time in their showers anymore in these days of water conservation. Walk in closets and massive storage is the new remodel. Get rid of small rooms and open them up or convert to a great closet and dressing area.
Luckily, finding information from a reputable source about discount kitchen cabinets toronto won’t take up your time anymore!
Toronto man charged with performing indignity to a dead body
Toronto Police have charged a man with performing indignity to the dead body of a woman found rolled up in a carpet in a Junction laneway earlier this month.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1132523
Rick Vaive not drunk during trip, former Leaf teammate tells trial

The impaired driving trial of former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive continued in a Newmarket court Thursday, with a well-known former NHL star taking the stand in defense of his former teammate.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1132502
How to Care for and Maintain your Swimming Pool
Who doesn’t enjoy the idea of having a personal pool in their backyard to splash in when the summers become unbearably hot? However, if you want to make the most of your swimming pool, you have to extend proper care and maintenance during the season. The best way to do that is to make sure nothing goes wrong in it. As you may know, fixing the damage is always more expensive than taking a few preventive measures.
This should not intimidate you, though. Once you establish a complete cleaning routine, you will find maintenance quite easy. Without doubt, the first items on your cleaning checklist should be weekly sanitization (using either bromine or chlorine) and ensuring that you have a functional water circulation system in place. There are different circulation and sanitization methods available, and your choice will depend on your budget and the kind of pool you have.
Besides these, it is important to make sure that your pool is ‘oxidized’ every other week. This process cleans your pool of all forms of debris and waste that inevitably accumulate over time, and ensures that chlorination continue to be effective. Along with oxidization, if you simply skim your pool once a week, you will have little to worry about, as far as hygiene goes. Lastly, consult your dealer once to check how often your pool filter needs to be changed, and as a precaution carry across a sample of your pool water to the dealer’s office every month. He will check if the pH balance is right.
Before your swim season begins, you should also check that there are no glitches in your pool equipment, including diving boards, ladders and platforms. There should be no cracks, rust or loose bolts. Also make sure that the pool’s O rings are not cracked and damaged and that they are properly greased. With these steps, you can look forward to a great year of swimming!
It’s easy to getlost on the Web looking for facts about pool services, but we can assist you.
Jim Curran to retire from CBC Radio One
Veteran radio reporter Jim Curran announces he’ll be retiring from CBC at the end of March.