Hashimoto: Tokyo Paralympics could still see some fans

Nobel laureate Toni Morrison dead at 88

NEW YORK - Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, a pioneer and reigning giant of modern literature whose imaginative power in "Beloved," ''Song of Solomon" and other works transformed American letters by dramatizing the pursuit of freedom within the boundaries of race, has died at age 88.

Publisher Alfred A. Knopf announced that Morrison died Monday night at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Morrison's family issued a statement through Knopf saying she died after a brief illness.

"Toni Morrison passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and friends," the family announced. "The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing."

Few authors rose in such rapid, spectacular style. She was nearly 40 when her first novel, "The Bluest Eye," was published. By her early 60s, after just six novels, she had become the first black woman to receive the Nobel literature prize, praised in 1993 by the Swedish academy for her "visionary force" and for her delving into "language itself, a language she wants to liberate" from categories of black and white. In 2012, Barack Obama awarded her a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Province helping youths leaving CFS system with three-month EIA ‘unconditional income’

The province is making it easier for youths transitioning out of care to access employment income assistance.

Conditions on benefits will be waived for three months, to create a “time-limited, unconditional income,” Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said Monday.

The changes will allow for direct enrolment on income assistance upon aging out of care, Fontaine said.

“The data tells us young adults exiting care disproportionately experience homelessness and insecure housing,” she said. “Financial insecurity is a key contributor to housing insecurity.”

Flop wedge needed at Phantom Lake Golf Club

In a remote land of spruce, ptarmigan and rock, Flintabbatey Flonatin — an adventurer exploring the depths of Phantom Lake with his little submarine — discovered an underwater treasure trove of minerals. Once word spread among the prospecting community, the miners came, and the head frame of Flin Flon was born.

Now, that’s not exactly how The Sunless City novel reads, and Phantom Lake is actually in Saskatchewan, but my re-interpretation connects the dots enough to introducing Flin Flon’s links.

Phantom Lake Golf Club does not technically reside in Flin Flon, but rather in its twin community, Creighton, Sask. Indeed, as soon as you cross the border, you immediately turn south for a couple of clicks to the shores of Phantom Lake.

The very old river-stone clubhouse is up the hill from the parking lot. Folks with movement challenges might want to send the young bucks ahead to get the rental cart and bring it back to the parking lot to collect you and your sticks.

Collaros locked in

It’s an interesting, if not downright dreadful thought to ponder: where might the Winnipeg Blue Bombers be today had they not crossed paths with Zach Collaros?

Today’s horoscope

MOON ALERT: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 4:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Financial discussions, especially about speculation, sports or dealing with your kids, might be confrontational. However, the bigger news is that a partner, spouse or close friend might surprise you by saying or doing something you least expect. Stay tuned.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)