Photo: "Polar Bear Dip" byGeorgie grrl, member of theblogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Along with the resolutions and hangovers, the beginning of a new year also brings price hikes. Those who drive in and around the city should be aware of the fact thatthe fines for a host of driving infractionshave been drastically increased for 2010. The financial penalty for running a red light, for instance, is now $325 (up from $180). Failing to stop for an emergency vehicle? That'll now cost you $490 instead of the paltry $110 of last year.

And, not to be a buzz kill, but The TTC Fare hike kicks in tomorrow, so remember to put in three bucks if you're paying cash fare. Otherwise you risk the dreaded turnstile lock, which I recall from my high school days when I failed to show my student card. A full breakdown of the new pricing can be foundhere.

On a more positive note, theSunhaspolled prominent GTA residents for their New Year's wishes. Not surprisingly, the Maple Leafs making the playoffs is a common refrain. But, perhaps the most ambitious of those polled is George Smitherman, who's looking for two victories in 2010: "One on Oct. 25 and the other that the Leafs win the Stanley Cup." For better or worse, I'd say the former is far more likely than the latter.

ThePost'sChris Selley thinks that Jack Layton would be a good fit for Toronto's mayoral race (if not as the mayor). Ina provocatively titled piece, he makes the argument that with Layton's political career stalled on the federal level, he might want to throw his hat in our municipal race so that he actually has a chance to "[run] something for a change."

And thoughwe've reported on it before, the construction on Roncesvalles Ave. is gettinga bit more attention. Local business owners reported a temporary pick-up in retail activity with the Dec. 22 stoppage of construction for the holidays, which saw parking once again available on the street. But with renovations set to resume on Jan. 4 -- and to continue throughout the summer -- any excitement local business owners have with the prospect of a renewed thoroughfare is tempered by fear that they might not make it through the renovations.