Photo: "Road Van" by Michael D'Amico, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Wouldn't it be great to never have to shop for factory-farmed eggs again, instead getting them as fresh as fresh can be from chickens in your own backyard? Toronto is once again looking at doing what other cities have pulled off effectively, and allowing residents to do just that. Question for those in the know: how do chickens fare in mid-January?

The Entertainment District BIA is announcing major makeover plans that aim to dramatically change the face of the area. Turning John Street into a promenade, narrowing roads, widening sidewalks, bringing in more trees, and a reflecting pool/ice-skating area all aim to improve the area plagued by a reputation as being the rowdy, dangerous club zone.

How this will be financed is worth questioning, especially since the city is having a hard enough time with general maintenance at public parks all across Toronto. The backlog on repairs is astounding.

The Hard Rock Cafe in the SkyDome is not renewing its lease at the end of the year. After a 20-year run, and amidst the tough economic downturn, the stadium resto/bar is calling it quits. Although I've been to the dome many times, I've never been to the Hard Rock. Is it worth checking out before it's gone?

If the city's unionized workers go on strike next Monday, there are contingency plans. What they are will be announced later today, but the National Post has some early info on what may be done (say goodbye to your summer vacations, non-unionized workers!).

The fate of a pit-bull that got into a fight with another dog, and has been in a legal battle and physical lockup since 2005 as a result, will be learned today. Will Ginger be ordered destroyed, or will the initial decision be overturned and her life spared?