Massive Fire Tears Through Downtown Toronto, Tom Cheek Snubbed by Hall of Fame: TorontoIAM

This is a selection of recent popular blog articles from TorontoIAM where you will find the best blogs from Toronto, Ontario as well as video uploads, social networking, rumors, and blog authoring

Massive Morning Fire on Queen West Block

Marc Lostracco, blogging for the Torontoist, reports on a massive fire that broke out on the south side of Queen around 5 AM this morning (February 20). The fire “spread through eight low-rise buildings,” including thought stores like “Suspect Video, Duke's Cycle, National Sound, Preloved, the Jupiter head shop, Room+ furniture, Pizzaiolo, and apartments on second and third floors.” Residents of the apartments were all safely evacuated. About fifty emergency vehicles and 150 firefighters were on the scene.

According to the post, “one building collapsed at about 7:30 a.m., and fire crews fear that other buildings are on the verge of collapse.” The only reported injuries were to three people “for minor smoke inhalation.” Fire crews will be present most of the day. “Early reports say the fire may have started in a rear shed, though a cause has yet to be established.” Transit has been diverted until the area is cleared, and “power is still out for a large section of the street.”

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Ford Frick Award

The Tao of Stieb laments that once again, Tom Cheek has “been denied entry into the Hall of Fame through the Ford Frick Award.” He anticipates “another year of campaigning to get him on the ballot, and another year of wincing and waiting to hear that someone else has received the nod.” There is a lot of anger on the Jays blogs and there is “a lot of love out there for Tom.” There isn’t a Blue Jays fan out there who “doesn't long to hear his dulcet tones, if only just for one more inning.” Tao of Stieb calls Cheek “the voice of baseball in Canada, and amongst the great radio voices in the game.”

This process has been going on for a few years, he continues in his post, and “we've had this reaction of anger and frustration when we felt like Bob Costas and his cabal of fatuous ugly Americans did us wrong.” We’ve felt “slighted,” like he was ignored because he broadcasts baseball in Canada. However, “we don't need their recognition or their approval to recognize what a great man Tom Cheek was.” We will continue to get him nominated, and celebrate it if he does finally get the award, but “we're not going to get all bilious about our reaction to his not getting in.” We know how much of an impact he has had on baseball in our country, and he is “enshrined in Canada's Baseball Hall of Fame, and he is enshrined on the Blue Jays' Level of Excellence.”

No Tantalizing Offers for Sundin

From Hockey Nation, a recent post reports that no relevant offers have been made to Leaf’s interim GM Cliff Fletcher for Mats Sundin. And, since Sundin claims he doesn't want to leave his team, “unless the NHL squads that are whispering in Cliff Fletcher's ear come up with some more entertaining offers, then Captain Mats won't be getting bothered with a request to waive that no trade clause.” Flethcer has been “dismissive” of fellow GM’s, “who seem to think that the tumbling Leafs are ready to make a panic deal.”

According to the post, the NHL meetings are set to adjourn on Wednesday afternoon. Fletcher “doesn't expect to be taking a request to his captain just yet” due to lack of quality offers, but the “seeds of potential moves have been planted.” Our blogger writes that “one person who hopes that something percolates quickly with Sundin is Atlanta GM Don Waddell,” who looks to swing a deal for Marian Hossa. So far, it’s all “on hold while teams try to figure out their Sundin strategy.”

Second Harvest Holds 10th Annual Lunch Money Day

Sheryl Kirby, from Taste TO, reminds us that tomorrow (February 21) is Second Harvest’s 10th annual Lunch Money Day. “This annual promotion encourages Torontonians to take the money they’d normally spend eating lunch out, and donate it to Second Harvest.” Torontonians are encouraged to take a brown bag lunch to work or school instead “or to organize an event in their office or school to encourage others to participate.”

If you don’t have a school or office , you can make a donation by visiting the Lunch Money Day site or volunteering. “For every $5 donated, Second Harvest is able to provide enough fresh food for 10 meals.” In her post, Kirby encourages all to pack a lunchpail “and send your lunch money for the day to some folks who could use a good meal.”

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