I guess this is kind of like a "live-ability" tool for Toronto residents. The Wellbeing Toronto website is set to launch this week, giving Torontonians easy access to a load of neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood data that's usually difficult to obtain. Users will have the chance to rank the city's 140 neighbourhoods based on criteria such as crime, economy, health, and education. Following the user votes, the website will then produce a custom neighbourhood rankings list. The site was developed over two years and is seen as crucial in terms of telling the government and charities what areas they need to focus on.

Not only does being in Toronto's gridlock suck, but it's also the greatest threat to economic prosperity in the region, according to the Board of Trade, and they're recommending that politicians make the issue part of their campaign in the upcoming provincial election. They estimate that gridlock is costing the region $6-billion annually, and it's growing.

Speaking of the Board of Trade and gridlock. In response to its report that suggests road tolls be used to pay for infrastructure improvements, city Councillor Doug Ford says no way. But, he is open to a private sector tunnel under the Gardiner that would charge $5 a trip; he'd also like to add levels beneath the Gardiner: one for trains, one for toll traffic and another for regular traffic, adding, "And then let's develop on top of the Gardiner and that would pay for itself." Uhh, does he get the point of the report?

It's what every little girl dreams of becoming when they grow up: The Budweiser Pit Crew Girl. The search is on to find the next gal who'll be strutting around in a bikini at major events and "competing" in pageants at the Honda Indy next month. Not only will the lucky lady put the feminist movement back about twenty years, she'll win $1,000 and the chance to be a beloved Sunshine Girl.

IN BRIEF:

• Tributes for fallen York police officer
• Maple Leafs headed to Hockey Hall of Fame
• Inflation rises to highest in 8 years

Photo by louise@toronto in the blogTO Flickr pool.