Thestar.com Morning Headlines

Sunday, December 18, 2011	Hello Cabuyano!
Morning Headlines
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Former Czech president Vaclav Havel dies at 75 The dissident playwright led the 1989 Velvet Revolution that peacefully toppled communism in the former Czechoslovakia.
Message from the Star’s publisher: We need your help for Christmas As of today, the fund, one of the oldest children’s charities in Canada, has raised $1,328,146. That’s $272,000 short of its target. Queen rules Christmas at Sandringham The presents are generally cheap, but everyone better come with at least a half dozen different outfits for the royal festivities. Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara ‘indomitable,’ says David Fincher Rooney Mara, star of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, admits she is a shy person, especially with media. But the 26-year-old actress is described by director David Fincher as “indomitable.”
Santa Claus Fund     Donate Now Donate now to the Toronto Star's Santa Claus Fund and you will help provide gift boxes to 45,000 needy children. It's a small thing that makes a big difference.		Must Reads - Home Page Editor's Picks     Tanenbaum: A giant footprint in T.O. The MLSE co-owner likes hoops, hockey and soccer â€" and vodka, picking up tabs and working those quads on the elliptical.
Business
Stores unlikely to offer big, last-minute discounts for toys this year The hitless season has retailers stocking less, leaning on classic items rather than new ones and possibly discounting less in the final days before Christmas. The year in tech law, from A to Z Fierce debates, lawsuits and crucial court decisions reshaped the tech and media landscape in 2011.		Shoppers feeling frugal amid debt, global woes Only 6 per cent of Canadians say they plan to spend more on gifts this year, while 41 per cent plan to spend less. Here’s why. Investors punish RIM for grim outlook Research In Motion Ltd. yesterday beat its reduced earnings guidance for the third quarter but offered a current quarter forecast that badly trails analyst expectations, sending its shares 7.5 per cent lower after hours.
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Sports
Feschuk: Even-strength play Leafs’ weak spot in loss to Canucks Exactly what killed the Leafs in their second straight loss in two evenings, this one against those guys with the killer whales on their jerseys? 5-on-5 play is the answer. Toronto Maple Leafs pay for mistakes in 5-3 loss to Vancouver Canucks The Buds have gotten themselves into a fair bit of trouble in the standings, thanks to efforts that have exposed issues on defence and in net.		‘I don’t smack kids’ â€" Milbury says in response to assault charge Milbury was taken off the air by CBC and NBC after story broke Friday. Finnish Flashback â€" Jets fans cheer return of Teemu Selanne welcomed back to Winnipeg as fans remember glory days
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Entertainment
Salem: Sequel series makes Firm commitment TV update of John Grisham’s The Firm stars Juliette Lewis, Josh Lucas and Molly Parker Ben Rayner’s Reasons to Live for Dec. 18 Two new records and a nostalgic favourite, thanks in part to Claire Danes.		Review: Motown Gold calls for dancing in the streets Stage West review of Motor City pop classics is a winner. Arcade Fire releases new ‘dancing’ interactive video For Sprawl 11 (Mountains Beyond Mountains), Arcade Fire creates both traditional and an interactive video version.
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Living
Porketta bingo is Sudbury's delicious passion If it's Saturday afternoon in Sudbury, it's time to head to the Beef 'n Bird tavern to play porketta bingo. FED: Only veggies on the menu for food sharers Corey Mintz prepares dinner for a new vegetarian and a co-worker who toil at the nonprofit community group Foodshare.		New Toronto centre hopes to lead the way in music and medicine research It has been called a window to the soul, the “brandy of the damned” and, most famously, the food of love.Now scientists believe music may also be an important form of medicine. Cribb: Gifts guys really want Don’t risk the fake gush over the Mr. Dressup argyle sweater he’ll never wear in public. Here is a list of gifts sure to please the men in your life.Argyle socks just won’t cut it as a gift for the men in your life. How about a nice impact driver for $230, or trade up to a gift certificate for a blepharoplasty with a local plastic surgeon?
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Travel
Ottawa to crack down on misleading airline ads Transport Canada says moves will “enhance consumer protection” with “greater transparency” of air fares; a huge win for consumers. 2 days/2 nights in Zurich How to spend 2 days and 2 nights in Zurich, the Swiss city that’s got more nightlife than most people give it credit for.		New Zealand draws new interest with 'Hobbit' Folks flocking to Matamata to see where new Hobbit movies are being made. Holiday deals in the Arizona sunshine Phoenix’s too-toasty summer temperatures mellow considerably for winter and spring, making it an ideal getaway spot not just for golfers but anyone seeking for a little Arizona sunshine. Several of the city’s resorts are offering special deals and packages for the holiday season and beyond, including The Saguaro, a brand new property with a $100 (all prices U.S.) per night introductory rate to celebrate Arizona’s Centennial. Also offering low rates, the lead-in at the Courtyard Marriott is $89 over the holidays and that includes high-speed Internet and daily breakfast. At the iconic Arizona Biltmore, opened in 1929 with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture, the Dream Holiday package starts at $179 and come with $25 in resort credit, while the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa’s Family Escape package comes with $100 in resort credit. And the Wigwam Arizona Resort’s golf package includes fairway accommodation, breakfast and unlimited golf from $189 (single) or $259 (double) per night. Holiday happenings in the capital include an annual Gingerbread House contest at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo, Las Noches de Las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden, even ice skating at the downtown NRG Ice Rink just in case you get homesick. For more Phoenix information see www.visitphoenix.com. PICKS OF THE WEEK
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Diversions
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