Looks like that extra $5-million coming to the TTC probably won't be saving those planned route reductions. Instead, the transit commission's chair, Karen Stintz, wants the money to go towards new streetcars. And if that fails, Stintz believes it should go towards new buses serving the routes that have been saved. That's not going to be welcome news for those who rely on routes with scaled back service.

The Star has a Q&A with rookie councillor, Josh Colle, the unexpected "hero" who led the opposition against Rob Ford's budget cuts. Some of the highlights of the interview: As for why he was the guy to put the motion forward, Colle says it was the result of a consensus; he thinks Ford's doing a good job as mayor, all things considered; and he's hopeful that people will now stop referring to him as councillor Josh Matlow.

Back in the day, architect Raymond Moriyama had proposed a five-storey, glass-walled, building to house the new Toronto Reference Library planned for a site just north of Yonge & Bloor. As Mark Osbaldeston explains in Unbuilt Toronto 2, that particular proposal didn't go through and we instead got the very brick-y one we have today. With the TRL's $34-million revitalization complete, the Grid dug up a rendering of the unrealized design, which confirms that there's a nice circle-of-life going on. The centrepiece of the renovation project is a new glass cube entrance that recalls the original plans. Its designer? Ajon Moriyama, Raymond's son.

The launch of the Ford brothers' "Cut the Waist Challenge" has some asking how healthy is Toronto in general? Well, not very. Despite the increase of gyms and health food stores in our city, WHO says people living in neighbourhoods that require cars to travel tend to be fatter and less healthy than those who live within walking distance of their needs. So we need more outdoor initiatives like a more robust transit system and bike-friendly traffic policies. So, yeah, don't hold your breath.

CUPE has rolled out a new ad campaign in support of City of Toronto workers as an early February labour disruptions looms. I expected the production quality to be shitty, but that's not the case at all — in fact, they're quick slick. According to the Post, "The 30-second television spots, which will air on all major networks for three weeks, are costing between $500,000 to $1-million."

IN BRIEF:

• Raptors lose sixth-straight to Celtics
• Scotiabank set to sell Bay Street tower; could go for $1-billion

Photo by Tanguero Chino in the blogTO Flickr pool