BMO Kicks off Second Year of BMO Team of the Week Youth Soccer Program

Canadians will again get to vote for their favourite youth soccer team

TORONTO, Ontario Marketwire - April 2, 2012 - BMO Financial Group today launched the second season of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Team of the Week. The contest, open to youth soccer players ages 7-12, recognizes 15 weekly winners who demonstrate team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game.

The 2012 Champion will be crowned this summer when Canadians cast their vote to select their favourite team from the 15 weekly winners. The winning team will receive: $125,000 towards a field refurbishment; a trip to see a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact or Canadian National Team home match; and a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice.

"The response we had last year to the BMO Team of the Week program was truly amazing, as 300,000 Canadians from communities across Canada - from Whitehorse, Yukon to Gabriola Island, B.C. to Hunter River, P.E.I. and everywhere in between - voted for their favourite teams," said Sandy Bourne, Vice-President, Corporate Advertising & Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. "We've heard from people across the country who have told us that the program has done an excellent job in promoting the value of participating in sport, along with the importance of being involved in the community. Our hope is that the achievements of last year's winners will encourage other youth soccer teams across Canada to rise to the challenge and participate."

For the next 15 weeks, Canadian soccer coaches, parents and community members can nominate their favourite youth soccer team aged 7-12 at BMOsoccer.com. BMO Team of the Week winners will be announced weekly starting on April 18th, and will receive $500, Team of the Week tracksuits, and a donation to a local charity. Each of the winning teams will become finalists for the grand prize and Canadians can vote for the winner starting on August 13th at BMOsoccer.com.

To learn more about the contest, including the story of last year's winner, click here.

BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion: Glen Shields Sun Devils

Last year's BMO Team of the Week champion, the Glen Shields Sun Devils, U - 11 girls team from Vaughan, Ontario, have since put their title - and the prize - to good use. In addition to raising money of their own, the team successfully rallied the community and the City of Vaughan council to help with a larger refurbishment of their local soccer field. They also generously gave the $5,000 donation from BMO to the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

About BMO and Soccer

BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities all the way up to the professional level. Our deep commitment to 'The Beautiful Game' is evident from the beginning of the curve with our grassroots sponsorship of more than 900 youth teams nationally. The relationship continues with support of Canada's men's and women's national teams, our professional teams (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact) and our soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field).

Internet: BMOsoccer.com

Canadian Congress on the Future of Fish and Wildlife

photo credit: explorethebruce

Bi-national event to address fish and wildlife
conservation in a changing world

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, April 24, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - From May 27 - 31, 2012, the first ever National Fish & Wildlife Conservation Congress will take place at the Westin, Ottawa, bringing together governments, policy and program managers, fish and wildlife experts from across Canada and the U.S., nongovernment organizations (NGO's) and others to chart a course for the future conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife resources.

The Congress is being led by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) in partnership with the federal government, government of Ontario, and a long list of national and international NGO's such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Boone and Crockett, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Wildlife Society, among others. The event has attracted over 100 speakers from government, conservation organizations, academia and industry, who will deliver presentations and facilitate workshops designed to develop recommendations for the road ahead. Topics will include invasive species, fish and wildlife diseases, sustainable use, funding policies and a host of other topics relevant to the conservation of our valuable natural resources for today and into the future.

"The Congress is the first event of its kind to be held in Canada. Many leading experts in the field of fish and wildlife conservation from Canada and the U.S. and most of the largest conservation based organizations across North America will come together to discuss the challenges we face, and opportunities for the future in a unique format that will result in key recommendations being developed. These will serve as the impetus for creating a collaborative map on both sides of the border for the road ahead," said Greg Farrant, OFAH Manager of Government Affairs & Policy, and Congress General Manager.

Notable speakers include the Hon. Peter Kent, federal Minister of Environment, Hon. Keith Ashfield, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Hon. Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Newfoundland and Labrador, Hon. Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Poter, Director General, Canadian Wildlife Service, Rosie Cooney, World Conservation Union and Simon Roosevelt, Boone and Crockett.

For further information on the Congress program and the Congress agenda, or to register and book hotels, visit www.nfwcc.com.

With over 100,000 members, supporters and subscribers, and 675 member clubs, the OFAH is the province's largest nonprofit, conservation-based organization and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information visit www.ofah.org or follow the OFAH on Facebook and Twitter.

Harry's Spring Run-Off Enables Personalized Prostate Cancer Medicine at The Princess Margaret

More than $2 Million Raised for The Princess Margaret

TORONTO, April 7, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - On a beautiful Saturday morning in High Park, almost 5,000 participants showed their support by raising $300,000 for the internationally recognized Prostate Centre Program at The Princess Margaret in the 34th annual Harry's Spring Run-Off 8K and 5K to Fight Prostate Cancer. This was the 7th year of Harry Rosen sponsorship. The run was the first event of the year in the East for Canada Running Series 2012, and kicked off "Run Canada Month" in the country's largest city.

"We are so proud to say we've raised over $2 million with the $300,000 from today's event," said Larry Rosen, CEO and Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc., who led Harry Rosen's team of 55 associates in the event. "It's amazing to contribute to the incredible work and significant advances made by the doctors of the prostate team."

"We are thrilled to partner with Harry's Spring Run-Off, as the monies raised are being used to advance personalized prostate cancer medicine - a unique and comprehensive program that focuses on four key areas from prevention to survivorship." said Dr. Bristow, Senior Scientist at the Ontario Cancer Institute and GU Radiation Oncologist at The Princess Margaret.

Participants in the event, sponsored by luxury menswear retailer Harry Rosen, ranged from serious elite runners, to those attired in outlandish outfits, and even children as the event also included an 800 metre dash for kids.

Matt Loiselle of Athletics Toronto battled the scenic, rolling hills of High Park to take first place in the 8K competitive run, with a time of 23:55. There was a great duel for second and third with Kitchener's Derek Nakluski surging away from Kenyan Kibet Rutto on the final spring road hill. Tarah McKay-Korir of St. Clements, Ontario was the first female to cross the 8K finish line with a time of 27:12. Brapton's Kate Van Buskirk was second, and last year's champion Dayna Pidhoresky of Tecumseh, Ontario placed third.

The $300,000 raised in today's event came from the combined efforts of over 600 individuals and 30 teams who participated in fundraising for The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. In addition to title sponsor Harry Rosen, funding for the event was generously provided by The Globe and Mail and CBS Outdoor, media sponsors.

More information about today's run, including full results, and photos, visit www.springrunoff.ca

About The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and the enhancement of compassionate patient care at one of the world's leading cancer research hospitals, The Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute. For more information, please visit www.pmhf.ca. University Health Network consists of The Princess Margaret, Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, and is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

About Harry Rosen

Harry Rosen Inc., Canada's leading quality men's wear retailer, is celebrating its 58th year in business in 2012. Founded in 1954 by the man whose name the chain still bears, Harry Rosen Inc. has grown from a single 500-square-foot store in Toronto to become a powerhouse in Canadian retailing with 15 stores across the country, accounting for 40 percent of the Canadian market in high-end men's wear. Harry Rosen stores offer extensive collections of the world's finest men's wear labels including Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Armani Collezioni, Brioni, Canali, Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace, Hugo Boss, Prada, Cole Haan, Salvatore Ferragamo, Loro Piana and J.P. Tilford by Samuelsohn.

About Canada Running Series.

Canada Running Series is the country's premier running circuit, comprising 8 events in Montreal Toronto and Vancouver. Recognized for innovation and international-class organization, it brings together Canada's top distance athletes, thousands of recreational and charity fun runners. In 2011 the Series attracted more than 60,000 participants and raised $6.5 million for 238, mostly local charities. Information at www.RunCRS.ca

Tee off at GOLFZON PARK starting this month!

Advanced 3D Golf Simulator Technology now available in Canada

TORONTO, March 14, 2012 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - GOLFZON Canada Inc., an international leader in the distribution of golf simulator systems, is pleased to announce the launch of its 3D, virtual golfing experience in Canada. From mid-March until May, the Company will open its first five locations in the Greater Toronto Area under the GOLFZON PARK banner. By integrating its online and offline products and services, GOLFZON PARK will create a rich new golf culture, making the experience of simulated golf more real, enjoyable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their skills.

"We are proud to bring our brand of golf simulator technology to Canada," says Jay Park, Director of GOLFZON Canada Inc. "Not only do we offer an alternative to indoor sports, but we also offer an alternative to avid golfers. Our systems allow everyone to play golf, in any climate and without the hassle of scheduling tee times. Our high-end 3D graphics also make the experience feel real as it lets you play some of the most famous golf courses in the world right in your own city. The GOLFZON technologies are easy, fun and enjoyable - a real crowd pleaser!"

Golf simulator technology has opened doors for a unique golfing experience and opportunity, and GOLFZON PARK goes beyond the typical virtual reality. Real golf clubs and balls are used in a closed environment in order to simulate an authentic 3D golfing experience and help everyone improve their swing and overall game. With its screens, swing plates sensor mats and specialized cameras, all players will feel like they are on a real golf course. Furthermore, a number of games are available to help either improve golf skills or to simply have fun from stroke play, match play, skins to longest-drive, nearest-to-pin, putting and driving range.

The golf experience does not end when customers leave GOLFZON PARK locations. The experience continues on the GOLFZON website with the 'My GOLFZON' feature where players can check their score cards and swing motions.

Founded twelve years ago in Korea, GOLFZON continues to build on its successful history, making Canada's opening its first expansion in the Western hemisphere.

GOLFZON PARK locations and openings:

Markham
(7501 Woodbine Ave.) March 19 I 10 AM - 11 PM

Richmond Hill
(9737 Yonge St.) March 26 I 10 AM - 11 PM

Milton
(1095 Maple Ave.) April

Meadowvale, Mississauga
(6677 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle) April

Toronto
(214 King Street West) May



2012 Canadian GOLFZON Tournament:

GOLFZON will also hold special Live tournaments every two months, which will include a competition from contestants that have signed up under each GOLFZON PARK location. The contestants from each location will then compete for three weeks in the qualifying rounds. The top scorers from this round will then be selected to compete in the final round, also known as the "Branch Representative Players" round, and will be placed in the store's ranking system.

The first tournament will begin on March 26 with the qualifying rounds and will end on April 22 with the final round. Each final round will take place at the most recently opened GOLFZON PARK location. Winner and runner up will be awarded with $2,000 and $1,000 respectively, while the third place finisher will receive an iron set of clubs. A golf gift set will be awarded to all final participants.

For more information about GOLFZON, please visit www.golfzon.ca

About GOLFZON:

GOLFZON was established in May 2000. Two years of research and development later, the company produced its first golf simulator models, GOLFZON P and P+. Manufactured with cutting-edge South Korean technology, GOLFZON virtual golf systems commanded tremendous industry attention by capturing majority share of the Korean market in its first year. As of 2010, GOLFZON is the biggest player in the international golf simulator market, earning worldwide recognition and having exported golf simulators to over 30 countries. Also, by inventing GOLFZON LIVE, a service involving on-offline golf competitions and events, GOLFZON continues to offer innovative customer satisfaction. The current model being used in Canada is GOLFZON N, while its newest model being used in Korea at the moment, GOLFZON VISION, will be introduced next year. It will provide more realistic graphics through CryENGINE2 and Vision camera sensors.

Memories Lost To Climate Change: End Of Outdoor Ice Skating & Ice Fishing May Be Near

Tomato Geezer/CC BY 2.0
"In winter, a section of the Rideau Canal passing through central Ottawa becomes officially the world's largest skating rink."

from TreeHugger.com
by John Laumer Living / Culture
In Canada, Ottawa's famous Rideau Canal had a shortened skating season this year because of warm weather. Canadian researchers project that because of climate change, the "number of viable ice-flooding days could reach zero by mid-century."

Where I live in Eastern Pennsylvania there are virtually no winter sports this year due to unseasonable warmth and those who do want to ski or snow board, for example, are driving north as far as Vermont.

I have many wonderful childhood memories of flooding our backyard to make a rink. My Dad would let us run the hose out a basement window. All the kids in the neighborhood would pitch in with snow clearing and sweeping and on weekend evenings we'd have a group skate and maybe a game. By mid-March it was lumpy or gone, which was OK because, by then, we were sick of skating and winter in general.



M. Gifford/CC BY 2.0
"Backyard Hockey"

Kids who grew up in the South probably have no such memories so why would they care? But, in the Upper Mid-West through New England and all across Canada, outdoor skating will be sorely missed.

When I bring up our warm winter here in PA as a topic of conversation - not even mentioning climate change, mind you - there is a discomfort in their body language. It is simply too unpleasant to continue with the personal cognitive dissonance if the language centers of the brain have to kick in. So they look at the ground and change the subject.

Ice fishing too?
The following excerpts are from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, reporting on an unfortunate ending to a February 2012 ice fishing contest on Lake Winnebago Wisconsin.

No contest: Lake Winnebago swallows sturgeon fishermen's vehicles

By Gitte Laasby of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 26, 2012


Fishermen participating in the annual Lake Winnebago ice fishing contest over the weekend found themselves instead scouting for their modes of transportation after 36 parked vehicles went through the ice, authorities said Sunday...

Tournament organizers for the Battle on Bago reportedly warned people about parking on the ice Saturday, but some had trouble finding spots elsewhere and parked on the lake anyway. Of about 50 cars parked on the ice, four were submerged more than half way, 18 were partially submerged, and 14 sunk to the top of their wheels, according to the sheriff's department.

"They all started early in the morning. Throughout the day with the sun and everything else, vehicles started to sink," the dispatcher explained.

The ice was about a foot thick.

I lived on the shores of Winnebago for many years. To have the ice rot that badly during the last week of February is not unheard of. But, on average, this is way ahead of time. The sturgeon fishermen are disappointed and probably thinking about what it means.


Actually, the ice was bad much earlier that that: at beginning of February 2012. And that's weird. It goes against all cultural memory. As reported by the local Fox News station on 03 Feb 2012,
With just a week to go before sturgeon spearing starts, normally there are hundreds of ice shacks out on Lake Winnebago, but local fishing clubs say the thin ice is a bad sign that may keep many people off the lake altogether.

The story is similar at other places around the lake.

Ryan Kamba of Chilton made several signs for the Quinney Fishing Club, warning people venturing out on the lake of the dangers of the thin ice. It's a warning many may have never seen before on Lake Winnebago this time of year.

Mats Sundin establishes medical fellowships at U of T, Karolinska Institutet

TORONTO, February 10, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Former Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Mats Sundin announced today he will establish an elite scientific exchange program in the field of developmental health between the University of Toronto and Karolinska Insitutet in Stockholm, Sweden.

Sundin's gift - one-third of $1 million dollars - was announced today at a press conference at U of T. The gift will support two fellowships at world-renowned labs in Toronto and Stockholm where scientists are probing how maternal health and our earliest life experiences can determine sickness, health, learning ability and overall well-being down the road.

"We all want our children to grow up healthy, with the best opportunities to learn and live free of disease, but how do we make that possible? What can we do to give our kids the best shot at reaching their full potential?" said Sundin. "By establishing this program at U of T and KI, we're creating an Olympic training camp for our brightest young minds to work with global leaders and answer these challenging questions."

"Every player knows we have a responsibility to pass on our skills and knowledge to the next generation - that's how the sport moves forward, and science as well," Sundin added. "It means so much to me to be able to support these two great universities and their incredible drive to find the breakthroughs that can change our lives."

Historically, genetics were thought to be the sole factor in determining whether a child would grow up to be a healthy, well-functioning adult. Now, scientists are realizing that the interaction between genes and the environment is critical. Teams at U of T and KI are leading the global charge to figure out what environmental factors - from breast-feeding to stress to nutrition - might impact the way a person's genes are expressed, effectively determining their well-being from the early years to later on in life.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that the early environment of the fetus and infant can have major influences on susceptibility to developing cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health disorders in later life, not to mention on learning and social functioning," said Dr. Stephen Matthews, Professor of Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Medicine at U of T. "These elite research fellows will help us advance our understanding of this complex relationship and assist in our efforts to build trajectories towards health and away from disease."

The Mats Sundin Award in Medicine will establish two post-doctoral fellowships in developmental biology - one at U of T and one at KI. The fellows will be chosen from a highly-competitive pool of researchers at each institution, and starting in September 2012, they will travel to their partner institution for a year of research under the direction of world-leading scientists in the field. At U of T, Dr. Matthews and Dr. Stephen Lye, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Physiology, will lead the program. Dr. Ola Hermanson, Associate Professor in Molecular Neurodevelopment, will lead the program at KI.

"Research that is happening right now at U of T and Karolinska Institutet is resulting in unprecedented opportunities to pre-empt, regulate and even eradicate some of the world's most common illnesses," said U of T President David Naylor. "By establishing these fellowships, Mats Sundin is helping us mobilize the power of our respective research towards areas that intrinsically shape the human condition."

"Karolinska Institutet is very proud to receive this gift. It is our clear goal to promote interactions like this and make the future even brighter for true young ambitious talents in science," said KI President Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson. "The support from Mats Sundin is a great step to improve the already fruitful collaboration between KI and U of T."

The fellowships build on a long and successful exchange program between U of T and Karolinska Institutet dating back to 1996. The exchange program leverages the very best research themes from both institutions to train and develop students into future scientific and medical leaders, with a particular focus on maternal-infant health, neurodevelopment and regenerative medicine.

TO2015 Reports Milton Council Confirms Velodrome

photo credit: InsideHalton.com

TORONTO, January 31, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Town of Milton made a landmark decision at last night's municipal council meeting to build a permanent velodrome at the Milton Education Village for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

"On behalf of TO2015, we would like to thank the Town of Milton for making this velodrome a reality," says Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "This is the result of sound deliberation and an appreciation for the potential associated with a permanent velodrome."

This legacy cycling centre also includes an infield that could support other recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball or badminton.

"This is a great day for cycling and amateur sport in Canada," said Olympian Curt Harnett. "This will result in a world-class facility that will make Milton a cycling hub for the surrounding community, the province and eastern Canada."

TO2015 looks forward to working with Town of Milton and the Organizing Committee's partners to build a velodrome that will attract the best athletes from the Americas in 2015 and leave a lasting sport legacy.

About the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

The Pan and Parapan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature 48 sports in 17 municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14.