Toronto has seen more than its fair share of online newsmakers this past year – those folks who have embraced the growing popularity of Twitter and used it to make and break news across the city.
From hot chicks to stinky smells – a range of topics made waves on the social media service in 2011 as users sparked outrage and spurred conversations in actions that spread across Toronto with help from Twitter.
Here are some of the most memorable Toronto moments that played out on Twitter in 2011:
John Stamos @JohnStamos (644,741 followers)
Uncle Jesse made one Ontario woman's dream come true this year when he personally responded to an online plea for tickets to a sold-out Beach Boys concert in Niagara Falls.
The Full House actor, who also plays drums for the rock band, spotted a tweet from a Ryerson University student that read, "Freaking out because @JohnStamos comes to Niagara Falls on Thursday and I still don't have tickets for The Beach Boys!!!! HELP!"
Stamos sent her a message, saying a pair of tickets would be left for her at the "Will Call" window. She was even called onto the stage during the concert and helped her childhood crush sing the Beach Boys' hit "Barbara Ann."
Yu Darvish sweepstakes (#Darvish)
Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays thought they were living in a fantasy world when their team was listed as the likely North American landing spot for Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish.
Local sports fans voiced the pros and cons of signing the unproven pitcher using the hashtag #Darvish, while many more took the chance to blast out pun-heavy messages regarding Yu's first name (Yu try not to make puns, it's harder than it seems).
As the deadline ticked by and it was revealed that the Texas Rangers, and not the Jays, had paid for exclusive negotiating rights with Darvish, Toronto's communal glee dissipated and comments posted on Twitter turned sour.
Coun. John Parker @johnparker26 (698 followers)
Parker, like many politicians, uses Twitter to connect with the public and opine on topics of debate at City Hall, but he does it with a little more humour than most.
That tone made headlines earlier this year when he commented on the "hot chicks" at a Heritage Toronto event.
The tweet, which was later removed, read: "Delighted and honoured to help unveil eight new Toronto heritage plaques and meet hot chicks in the bargain. I love my job."
The Internet quickly lost its collective mind at the audacity of the tweet, but the issue was quickly dropped when he offered an apology to anyone who had been offended -- and no one raised a hand.
Parker later joked that the tweet had helped him increase his Twitter following and poked fun at the whole affair in a post a few days later:
"A mild day in Toronto. Plenty of birds, young and old, each attractive in its own way, sing outside my window."
Toronto Odor (#whatsthatsmell, #SmellyTO)
Toronto raised a stink on Twitter this year when the spring thaw released a pungent odor across the city, making breathing unbearable and sending afflicted residents in search of a sounding board.
Residents shoveled their complaints onto the social media site, some describing the smell as a mixture of garbage, rotten milk and sewage.
Others felt the city smelled more like a litter box, while others surmised the smell was somehow caused by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tim Hudak @timhudak (11,936 follower)
The Leader of the Ontario PC Party mostly uses Twitter to update his followers on his agenda, thank people he met with, opine on family and occasionally weigh in about the Buffalo Bills.
But it was an accidental tweet by his daughter, Miller, which launched a tidal wave of retweets and tongue-in-cheek responses.
"Xkdkdkdsdf. $fcfdfjfhhffhfhhffhhfhjjhhfhfhfhfhrhd. Cvbbcbcbnfgbfbfbfbfbfbfbg$$$$$$bnncfnrn," reads one post from Nov. 27 that was retweeted by more than 100 users.
Hudak responded: "Congrats to all who guessed Miller tweets, she had BB while I was driving. Turns out she's pretty good tweeter, tweets are now trending lol!"
Ron Wilson @coachrw63 (36,848 followers)
The Toronto Maple Leafs head coach made headlines on Twitter over the holidays when he first hinted at a contract extension and then, on Christmas, announced that Santa Claus had brought him a new deal.
Wilson launched his Twitter account this year during a time of tension with beat reporters, and began taking his message directly to the fans.
He often talks about his family and hockey, banters with players and needles Toronto's news-hungry media corps.
At one point, after being accused of lying to the media about who his starting goaltender would be, Wilson posted: "Favourite movies: "'Liar, Liar'; ‘The Invention of Lying'; Big Fat Liar.' HaHa!"
Jack Layton's funeral (#jacklayton, #laytonfarewell)
When the federal NDP Leader passed away in August, his death was profoundly felt in Toronto, where he had sat as a city councillor or federal representative for more than 30 years.
During his funeral supporters gathered in downtown Toronto as well as online to pay their respects for the charismatic leader. Photos were shared online, as were thoughts and tributes. Others chose simply to honour Layton by reposting excerpts from a letter he left on his deathbed.
One man, who described himself as a lifelong Conservative supporter, tweeted out photos after having Layton's farewell words tattooed on his arm.
Margaret Atwood @MargaretAtwood (287,873 followers)
Margaret Atwood is best known by most of us for her literary work -- but it was a Twitter spat with the Ford brothers that dragged her into the city's political arena.
The Handmaid's Tale author took to Twitter to help save city libraries from Mayor Rob Ford and his councillor brother (who she called Twin Fordmayor) as proposed budget cuts threatened to close several branches.
"I don't even know her, she could walk by me I wouldn't have a clue who she is," Coun. Doug Ford later said. "But she's not down here; she's not dealing with the problem. Tell her to go run in the next election, and get democratically elected. And we'd be more than happy to sit down and listen to Margaret Atwood."
Aside from the social media spat, Atwood uses her account to promote her work and interests, and to interact with followers.
