Dessert Trends Patisserie & Café also serves breakfast and lunch.

Dessert Trends Patisserie & Café
154 Harbord Street
NE corner of Harbord and Brunswick
Toronto Canada
Tel: 416.916.8155

Annapurna, 1085 Bathurst Street (south of Dupont), Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G8, 416.537.8513

[source: ryerson.ca]

You can choose from a myriad of designs so you’re bound to find something that suits your personality. His style seems inspired by street art and it’s mixed with fun and whimsy topped with a splash of modern art. It’s as though he was a street tagger that decided to channel his creative energy and work onto something smaller: shoes. That way, he doesn’t risk getting arrested by police whilst trying to escape their pursuit after getting caught tagging a train. You know. It’s safer but with less exercise and way less toxic fumes.

Back to his shoes. You can order the shoes and designs from Ndeur or you can send him your own shoes to have them painted. This is not only an ingenious business idea, but it’s just plain cool and fun.

Ndeur Shoes (at Etsy)
Ndeur MySpace – you can see his other art here

All deliveries are done on the same day every week. Deliveries take place in the evening, 2pm. – 9pm.

Green Earth Organics buys locally grown produce whenever possible and 10% of their profits go to various non-profit groups around Toronto.

Give them a call or sign up online so you can order organic food and have it delivered to your door.

Green Earth Organics
3 – 70 Wade Ave
Toronto,Ontario
Canada. M6H 1P6
Tel: 416.285.5300
24 Hour Hotline: 416.532.2713

The Cupcake Shoppe
2417 Yonge Street
Tel. 416.322.6648
2 blocks north of Eglinton Avenue,
on the east side of Yonge.

Hours
Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Agincourt – 155 Bonis Ave. Toronto, Ont. M1T 3W6, T: 416-396-8943
Albion – 1515 Albion Rd.Toronto, ON,M9V 1B2 T:416-394-5170
Albert Campbell – 496 Birchmount Rd. Toronto, ON, M1K 1N8 T: 416-396-8890
Bridlewood – 2900 Warden Ave. Toronto, ON, M1W 2S8 T: 416-396-8960
Centennial – 578 Finch Ave. West Toronto, ON, M2R 1N7 T: 416-395-5490
Eatonville – 430 Burnhamthorpe Rd. Toronto, ON, M9B 2B1 T: 416-394-5270
Flemingdon Park – 29 St. Dennis Dr. Toronto, ON, M3C 3J3 T: 416-395-5820
Gerrard/Ashdale – 29 St. Dennis Dr. Toronto, ON, M3C 3J3 T: 416-395-5820
Lillian H. Smith – 239 College St. Toronto, ON, M5T 1R5 T: 416-393-7746
Mimico – 47 Station Rd. Toronto, ON, M8V 2R1 T: 416-394-5330
Morningside – 4279 Lawrence Ave. East Toronto, ON, M1E 2S8 T: 416-396-8881
North York Central Library – 5120 Yonge St. Toronto, ON, M2N 5N9 T: 416-395-5535
Parkdale – 1303 Queen St. West Toronto, ON, M6K 1L6 T: 416-393-7686
Parliament – 269 Gerrard St. East Toronto, ON, M5A 2G3 T: 416-393-7663
Richview – 1806 Islington Avenue Toronto, ON, M9P 3N3 T: 416-394-5120
Riverdale – 370 Broadview Ave. Toronto ON M4K 2M8 T: 416-393-7720
Toronto Reference Library – 789 Yonge St. Toronto, ON, M4W 2G8 T: 416-395-5577
Woodside Square – 1571 Sandhurst Circle Toronto, ON, M1V 1V2T: 416-396-8979
York Woods – 1785 Finch Ave. West Toronto, ON, M3N 1M6 T: 416-395-5980

For more information

Canada is brutally cold in the winter. This weekend Toronto had one massive winter storm. 30cm (about a foot) of snow accumulation, gusting winds creating wind chills of -20°C (sub 0°F) and complete road carnage were enough to keep most of us in the city holed up in our homes this weekend. The closest I came to “surfing” was when, in my pajamas, I sank into the couch with a mug of fresh coffee and remote control in hand, and flipped through the channels looking for something to watch on TV.

Hardcore Toronto surfers Mark Karvonen, Walter Tuokkola, and Geoff Johnson, on the other hand, got suited in their neoprene wetsuits, waxed their boards, and headed down to Ashbridge’s Bay to ride the wicked waves of Lake Ontario.

Nuts, I say. NUTS! These guys surfed up a….

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Ontario Ministry of Environment officials are downplaying the discovery of high levels of a radioactive substance called tritium (radioactive waste) found recently in the groundwater of a Pembroke landfill.

“While there was tritium in the ground water at the site, [it was] well below our ministry standards,” said Ministry spokesperson Kate Jordan. “We don’t feel that they pose a risk to the community or to the environment.”

Tritium is widely used in nuclear weapons for boosting a fission bomb or the fission primary of a thermonuclear weapon.

The highest level found in the dump’s groundwater was 1,000 Becquerel/Litre – which is 7 times lower than the level considered “safe” under Ontario law.

Not very reassuring when you consider that the the European Union’s “safe” level of Tritium concentrations in water is 100 Becquerel/Litre. In California the allowable level of Tritium in groundwater is 15 Bq/Litre.

The LUNA Project is an alternative learning center that provides opportunities for people to develop and reflect on their values and to consider how they might take an active role in creating a healthier environment for future generations.

Lunatic Adventures Inc.
250 The East Mall
Suite #1691
Toronto, Ontario
M9B 6L3 Canada

If you’ve ever dreamed of a Guitar Hero battle in the midst of a safari disco dance party, you’re in luck. With its painted jungle décor, basement vibe and some of the city’s hottest weekly events, Tiger Bar is bringing out College Street’s wild side.

If you have no idea where Tiger Bar is on College Street, you’re not alone. Although its parties have been on everyone’s lips as of late, the venue itself is as hidden as a hidden gem could be, with two completely hidden entrances and no signage. One entrance is in the alleyway behind popular brunch spot Aunties and Uncles on Lippincott Street, while the second is tucked inside the brightly lit, cafeteria-esque College Street Diner. In fact, the only way you’ll find it is if you look for the handwritten sign simply stating “Bar.”

But don’t expect Tiger Bar to look anything like the above bar College Street Diner. Tiger Bar is dark and appropriately dressed like a…

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Soundscapes is an independent CD and music book retailer located in the Little Italy neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. The shop was founded with the simple intent of carrying the best music of all styles and persuasions. Our inventory includes (but is not limited to) folk, jazz, world, psych, garage, prog, blues, soul, reggae, classical, experimental, noise, americana/country, electronic, hip-hop, R&B, metal and pop/rock. We also devote our energies to finding the best in reissues of all genres and imports from across the pond. Finally, our store has one of the city’s best selections of local indie artists.

Soundscapes is a ticket outlet for many independent promoters and we regularly provide tickets for the town’s cornerstone venues, such as The Horseshoe Tavern, Lee’s Palace, The Mod Club, The Music Gallery and The Opera House, among others. A long-time supporter of Toronto’s independent music scene, we have a large consignment section and a seven-year relationship with local indie club night Wavelength (the breeding ground for Broken Social Scene, The Constantines, Royal City and Do Make Say Think to name a few).

Since its birth in August of 1999, the store has quickly grown into one of Toronto’s most-respected and loved music shops. Most importantly, our shelves are stocked not only by the tastes of our staff, but also through suggestions of many a regular customer. We pride ourselves on a relationship with our clientele that is based on respect and a mutual love of music.

In August 1999, Greg Davis first opened the doors on a modest shop in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood. The space used to be a children’s clothing store. Now it was a fledgling CD shop called Soundscapes. Greg had arrived at this place in a very un-rock n’ roll way. Although a native son of nearby Burlington, he had spent the previous two years as an accountant living in San Diego. Like a lot of number-crunchers he found his job profitable but boring. Unlike the majority of his cohorts, he decided to do something about it.

Greg’s record-store-owner-by-way-of-accountant history was unconventional and so was his approach to the indie record shop. Instead of the cluttered bins and surly attitudes depicted in High Fidelity, he favoured clean lines, broad genre stocking, and wide-eyed enthusiasm. The idea was that while he was a huge fan of music himself, he had as much to learn as the next person. Soundscapes was to be a meeting place of like open minds, where the customer had as much to say about the stocking of the shelves as the owner himself.

When the shop first started, it had no more than a couple thousand titles and Greg was the only employee: day in, day out. In the years since, the store has greatly expanded with an inventory of some 20,000 CDs, books and DVDs, as well as over a dozen employees. The shop’s well-chosen, always-improving stock ranges from folk, pop, rock and soul to jazz, classical and experimental, not to mention numerous reissues and import titles.

Soundscapes
572 College Street
Little Italy
Toronto, Ontario
M6G 1B3 Canada
ph: (416) 537-1620

Sunday-Thursday:
10AM-11PM
Friday-Saturday:
10AM-midnight

Sometimes you try unusual recipes that call for uncommon spices. You inevitably just forget about the recipe unless you can find the spices. If you’ve ever been stumped trying to find Ras Al Hanout or quality reverse osmosis cando twigs from antarctica (ok. I made that one up.), look no further. It’ll be a rare occasion that you don’t find what you’re looking for. To note: there’s an excellent sel­ection of salt, from hand-gathered, flaky Welsh Halen Mon to Pacific Alderwood Smoked Salt. Also try the shop’s signature spice blends—including a dill-fennel salt for fish—and assorted dry rubs.

That’s not all. There’s a good variety of accessories, too, from quality spice grinders (Peugeot grinders, graters mortars and pestles, etc.) to frying pans. You might even turn your nose up at William’s Sonoma! Maybe.

The Spice Trader regularly creates new blends, coming up with different ways of using traditional flavours. There are also The Spice Traders own blended salts and herb spice infusions.

The gift boxes make wonderful presents for those who have everything. There are starter kits, salt samplers, and custom gift boxes.

The Spice Trader
805 Queen St. W. (at Niagara St.)
Main level
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1G1
647.430.7085

Where and When?
SpeakEasy
8 times a year on the first Thursday of the month
from 8pm-Midnight
The Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen West, Toronto
Admission is “Pay What You Can” ($4 Suggested)

It was voted among The Top 10 Bars List in the World ‘07 by Conde Nast. This is what they had to say about Melody Bar:

With walls paneled in rich wood, alabaster lamps hanging from the 10-foot ceilings, fat Romanesque pillars, and an original 1930s wooden bar, the Melody Bar isn’t so much nouveau retro as a rollicking saloon. Weekend karaoke nights have become the stuff of legend, with the host brandishing a giant APPLAUSE sign to stoke the crowd—an interesting hodgepodge of expertly coiffed hipsters, ad execs, pixie punk girls, and dust-caked construction workers.

Could it be their fabulous burgers? Maybe their rockin’ karaoke (Thursday through Saturday)? Or their famous Hump Day Bump Wednesday night party? Go there and tell me about it!

Open 11am – 2am Daily. No Cover.

To Note: Holiday Hours
Dec 24 Cafe open until 4pm – Brunch Menu | Melody Bar closed
Dec 25 Cafe + Melody Bar Closed
Dec 26 Cafe open at 8am – Brunch Menu | Melody Bar open at 5pm
Dec 31 Serving bubbly till 3am
Jan 1 Cafe open at 8am – Brunch Menu | Melody Bar normal hours

Melody Bar
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto ON M6J 1J6
416 531 4635

The Gladstone Hotel in Toronto is an urban hotel providing both travelers and Torontonians with a truly authentic experience of the local creative culture. Our historic landmark hotel features artist designed hotel rooms and suites, affordable short-term artist studios, exhibition spaces, and versatile event and conference venues. The hotel also offers great food and drink in the Ballroom Cafe and Melody Bar. Visitors can experience Toronto from within the comforts of the hotel’s thirty-seven artist designed guest rooms, eat, drink, attend art related, social, or corporate events held within the historic landmark architecture, and then step out into the heart of the city’s vibrant art and design neighbourhood.

This isn’t just a place to stay overnight. The Gladstone is more than a hotel. It is a place where local artists exhibit their work and perform and more importantly a place where artists and regular neighbourhood patrons come just to hang out. From cabaret performances to film screenings, art exhibitions to wedding parties the Gladstone hosts events for a vast range of artists, community groups, businesses and individuals.

Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON Canada M6J 1J6
Canada
416.531.4635

Secret Toronto: The Unique Guidebook to Toronto’s Hidden Sites

You will be able to purchase Roots products: Graphic T-Shirts, Short Sleeve T-Shirts, Long Sleeve T-Shirts, Sweats & Jackets, Hoodies, Pants, Hats & Accessories, Watches, Athletic Watches, Backpacks & Bags, Leather Bags, Leather iPod Cases, & Travel Gear & Bags – and more.

Love that store!

Some trivia: Guess who was hanging out at the Roots Lounge. YES, they have a lounge!!! Give up? Wyclef Jean. Love him!

Roots
220 Yonge Street, Unit B006 Level 2 Toronto
416 593 9640
Location: Yonge & Queen Streets, Inside Eaton’s Centre

Daft Punk – Electroma
The Royal
608 College Street
Toronto Canada
416.534.5252

Fresh meals unifying local culinary traditions are served alongside all natural craft brewed beers, award winning wines, and hand picked premium spirits. Original favorites include; the Lamburger, Falafel, Mango Chicken Salad, Moroccan Stew, Porter Beef Ribs, and the Tourtière. Their daily specials include home cooked soups, sandwiches, noodles, and curries.

Entrées are priced between $7 and $14. Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., seven days a week.

C’est What
7 Front Street East
Toronto ON Canada
M5E 1B5
Telephone: 416-867-9499

Sorry to remind you of sad remembrances of things past but how about getting your loved one a trip to Toronto? Give them a travel book and they’ll then wonder why you’ve given that to them for Christmas. Then the lightbulb moment will turn on (hopefully) and you then have to plan your wonderful trip to the largest city in Canada. Here are some suggestions:

1. Lonely Planet Toronto – This comprehensive guide is your entree to its many facets: the culinary scene is as deliciously diverse as its population, the artistic community breaks conventions on a daily basis and its great outdoors are awash with options – from cycling and skiing to hiking and hockey. Socially enlightened, multicultural and uniquely Canadian.

2. Fodor’s Toronto – Skyrocket to the top of the CN Tower, hit the patois for great eats and people-watching, sail on Lake Ontario, wander through the Hockey Hall of Fame, or browse the art at a downtown gallery – Fodor’s Toronto offers all these experiences and more.

3. Top 10 Toronto – Whether you’re looking for the finest cuisine or the least expensive places to eat, the most luxurious hotels or the best deals on places to stay, Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides provide useful information by local experts to find the best of everything at each destination.

Le Petit Dejeuner
191 King St. E. (at Jarvis St.)
416-703-1560

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto went hunting for a dinosaur skeleton only to discover that it already had the massive creature buried in its own collection for over 45 years. The Barosaurus skeleton, affectionately nicknamed Gordo after Dr. Edmund, will be the largest dinosaur skeleton on display in Canada, as well as the only Barosaurus skeleton on display in the world made mostly of real fossil bone. It lacks the original skull.

[via]

As climate change makes longer, drier summers a reality in many parts of the world, a new trend in landscaping is taking root in Canada.

“It’s about trying to keep a balance,” said Landry. “Finding different ways to keep those areas a little more environmentally friendly.”

Private vehicles are not permitted on the Toronto islands.

[photo courtesy of wikipedia]

About Dundonald House

The Church – Wellesley corner is center of the Toronto gay village– Shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and public transportation, are all a quick three minute walk from the guest house. Voted Best Bed and Breakfast 6 years in a row by the gay community, Dundonald House offers an oasis of calm in a busy yet exciting area of downtown.

Dundonald House Bed and Breakfast
35 Dundonald St Toronto
Ontario M4Y 1K3 Canada
Email: dh@dundonaldhouse.com
Phone: 1-800-260-7227

Over The Rainbow – Denim deficient rock stars Mick Jagger and Hilary Duff in search of the coolest duds can be spotted here.

Holt Renfrew, the Canadian equivalent of Bloomingdale’s, is a magnet to celebs like German actress Diane Kruger and her Canadian boyfriend Joshua Jackson. Trek farther west along Bloor Street, and who might you run into? Ashton Kutcher and Canuck celebrities like Mike Myers and singer Deborah Cox emptying their wallets for leather goods and athletic gear at Roots.

Kidding Awound – Famous parents such as Julianne Moore and Pierce Brosnan are known to shop at this Canadian version of FAO Schwartz (toy store).

Starbucks (139 Yorkville Ave.) has taken orders for Sienna Miller, James Franco and Colin Farell, while other celebrities like Wesley Snipes head to Canadian-coffee staple, Second Cup (170 Bloor St. W.).

Four Seasons Hotel – Particularly during film festivals, A-listers like Bruce Willis and Gwyneth Paltrow stay at this Yorkville sanctuary, with equally star-studded room service going on downtown at the Fairmont Royal York, which attracts festival favourites like Mira Sorvino and John Cusack.

Vikaspa – is the spa where Kate Hudson, Robert Downey Jr. and Hilary Swank chill.

Thomas Hinds Tobacconist – attracts the likes of stogie sportin’ Alec Baldwin, Sean Penn or Charlie Sheen.

Kultura, is a multi-floor lounge where Jude Law, Vince Vaughn, Ethan Hawke, Sofia Coppola, Scarlett Johansson and Christina Ricci have all hung out.

Bistro 990, a French bistro, is one of the city’s biggest stomping grounds for visiting celebs like renowned Canadian director Norman Jewison (Moonstruck, In Country), Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.

Note: These star gazing ops are more successful during film fests when Hollywood descends upon the beautiful Canadian haven of Toronto.

It is home to a variety of art and events at varying levels so you if show up without knowing what’s going on for the night, you may get anything from screaming performance artists to a more classic art exhibit. You never know and that is the beauty of this place. The crowd there is diverse so if you see some grannies or people over 30, and you can’t handle that (because you have some issues), check beforehand about what is going on. But really, people are people and it’s what’s INSIDE that counts so try to rid yourself of those shallow beliefs.

Surprise! If you’re looking to partake in some over 21 drinking, don’t expect that here. Go next door. I know it’s called an art BAR but oh well. Deal with that.

The Art Bar
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto M6J 1J6 Ontario
Canada
Phone: 416-531-4635

Note: The Art Bar Poetry Series is now held at Clinton’s, 693 Bloor Street West, by Christie subway station.

2. Beaches – When thinking about Toronto, “beach” probably doesn’t come to mind but yes! There’s an area that can fill all your beach dreams albeit lake beach dreams.

3. Chinatown – How can you not visit the Chinatown? Grab a taste of lacquered duck or take in all the aromas of a place far, far away, but with the convenience of being right here in one of Canada’s most visited cities.

4. Don Valley – Nature lovers and active travelers will get a kick out of the bike paths, hiking trails and climbing areas of Don Valley.

5. Harbourfront Centre – Especially lively during the summer, the waterfront area if filled with live music and entertainment, festivals, kids camps and other activities that will keep you and your family busy and smiling.

6. Kensington Market – You’ll find this colorful of corner fruit stands, thrift stores and pubs, a fascinating meeting place for some of Toronto’s most interesting people. Every month the neighborhood blocks off the narrow streets for a Sunday afternoon festival celebrating the beauty of diversity with live music, dancing and food!

7. Riverdale Farm – Smack dab in the middle of Toronto’s Cabbagetown in the downtown area, is a 7.5 acre farm with wooded paths, flowered vegetable gardens and a variety of animals, including turkeys, ducks, geese, cows, horses, donkey, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and rabbits. This is a great free opportunity to show your kids that chickens aren’t shaped like nuggets.

8. St. Lawrence Market and Market Gallery – Wander and visit, or just sit and people watch. The gallery space hosts changing art installations and exhibits of paintings, artifacts and furnishings that visually describe the history and culture of the area. Admission to the market and the gallery are free.

9. Toronto Islands – Check out the trails, picnic areas and beaches of the Toronto Islands. Explore the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, or bask in the sun on the clothing-optional beach on the west side of Hanlan’s Point. For the sportif, baseball diamonds, volleyball courts and wading pools welcome you with open arms (if they had any).

10. Wednesdays at the Art Gallery of Ontario - 36,000 works of art in its collection, the AGO is gallery worth visiting. Wednesday evenings are free of charge between six and nine o’clock pm.

“There’s a new fast food eatery in town! Their name is Smoke’s Poutinerie and poutines are the only thing you will find there. The poutine lovers (me, crazyDiva, and tooVee) drove all the way downtown to check it out. We had high expectations for their poutine since it was the only dish they specialized in. After spending 10 minutes hunting down a parking spot, we hopped out of the car with big smiles on our faces, excited for the worst combination of grease you can ask for.

Strategically placed in the heart of the entertainment district (218 Adeladie Street W.), they are open until 4:00 am for drunks to get fat on after their night of…”

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“Torontonians are justifiably proud of their vibrant and exciting metropolis. Canada’s largest city and its financial hub, Toronto has a tremendous amount to offer, including a thriving theater, music, and arts scene, top museums, world class restaurants and shops, a beautiful lakeside location with lovely beaches and streets safe and inviting to walk along. Its cultural diversity – over 90 ethnic groups are represented in Toronto – enhances the urban experience.”

The Top 10 Guides use exciting colorful photography and excellent cartography to provide a reliable and useful pocket-sized travel. This Top 10 list provides vital information on Toronto, as well as insider tips, from avoiding the crowds to finding out the must-have freebies. To be released on March 30, 2009.

Click here to Order Top 10 Toronto

Order now and if the Amazon.com price decreases between your order time and the end of the day of the release date, you’ll receive the lowest price.

That is a deal, isn’t it?

Order Frommer’s Toronto 2009 now

“Canadian street artists Fauxreel and Specter have renovated an old warehouse into a dilapidated fake urban wonderland.

The artists fear that the practice of tearing down old buildings and putting up brand-new condos is destroying their city’s cultural history. Even the building the show is housed in is scheduled to be knocked down to make way for new apartments. A City Renewal Project is up until November 23, at inconsistent hours, so check the website for details. “ [source]

Generally speaking, it is a basic batter using a fish broth rather than water, eggs and rice flour or wheat flour. Added to that are thin strips of cabbage, green onions, beni shouga (pickled ginger), thinly sliced pork belly, shrimp, chicken or whatever meat you want. Topping it would be an otafuku sauce (like a tonkatsu or thick steak sauce) or mayo, katsuobushi (shaved dried bonito) and aonori (seaweed). The famous Hiroshima okonomiyaki features yakisoba noodles on top with an egg.

Not only is it yummilicious, it’s nutritious so don’t worry about your waistline or the scary side of food. In any case, most Japanese food is pretty healthful, which is likely why the Japanese live the longest. At Okonomi House in Toronto, which is a very authentic Japanese restaurant, you will have a singular authentic Japanese dining experience. With reasonable prices, make sure to orde thirst quenching, tasty Asahi or Sapporo beers…

Okonomi House
23 Charles St W (Yorkville)
Toronto, ON M4Y Canada
Telephone: 416.925.6176

“CityFlitz, a Toronto-based marketing company that provides advertisers with a fleet of MINI Coopers, MINI Cooper Clubmans and Smart cars that are wrapped with attention-grabbing graphics and logos that act as mobile billboards, launched their auto-sharing service in the GTA today.

For just $1 a day, members of CityFlitz will have access to its fleet of cars, wrapped in an advertisement from one of its clients, Yahoo! Canada.

“Using the CityFlitz fleet of wrapped MINI Coopers for our latest campaign was a viable and effective channel to reach our target audience in a way that is measurable,” said David Soyka, Yahoo! Marketing Manager. “Having the cars on the road 24/7 gives us the opportunity to offer a unique consumer experience and reach a broader audience in a more cost effective and creative way.”

Unlike other auto-sharing companies, high mileage is not an issue for CityFlitz. In order to access the $1/day CityFlitz cars, members are required to drive the vehicle at least 30 kilometres each day, with unlimited mileage within the city after that.

“The reason why our rental fee can be so low is the fact that our advertisers want to have their branded cars on the road so they can achieve maximum exposure to their target audience,” said Andreas Kotal, President and CEO of CityFlitz. “We are able to offer this exceptional value of $1/day rentals to consumers as part of the agreement to maximize exposure of a client’s branding.”

CityFlitz vehicles are also accessorized with the latest technological gadgets for use by the renter and the advertiser. At no extra cost to the renter, each vehicle comes with access to Wi-Fi High Speed Internet that make experiencing a CityFlitz vehicle more enjoyable. For the advertiser, each car is equipped with a GPS tracking system which enables them to have access to real time information about the use of the car, giving them measurable results for their marketing purposes.

Renters will be able to use the vehicles within the GTA. Once consumers have registered with CityFlitz, they will be able to use the vehicles for up to one week at a time.

CityFlitz plans to expand their auto-sharing service to include Vancouver in the near future. Drivers interested in becoming a member of CityFlitz can sign up at www.cityflitz.com. “

Biodynamic farming and gardening combines common-sense agriculture, an understanding of ecology, and the specific environment of a given place with a new spiritual scientific approach to the concepts, principles, and practices of agriculture. From biodynamics.ca

Feast of Fields farm has been certified biodynamic by Demeter Canada since 1996. The Biodynamic method goes beyond organic in a sincere effort to enliven the farm entity through growing in harmony with nature and working towards the goal of a self sufficient farm entity.

During the growing season, visit Feast of Fields at Riverdale Park Farmers Market on Tuesday 3-7 pm, Dufferin Grove Thursdays from 3-7pm, The Brickworks Saturday 8 -1 am or Withrow Park Saturdays from 9-1 pm. Feast of Fields also maintains a B&B cottage.

Feast of Fields Biodynamic Vineyard
RR # 1 St Catharines
Ontario Canada L2R 6P7
email: laura-sabourin@sympatico.ca

Products and cooking equipment under kosher supervision are given regular inspections to ensure rigorous compliance with the Kashruth laws. A person known as the mashgiach does the actual supervision. A Hechsher (certifying mark) can be found to identify kosher foods and serving locations.

Below you’ll find some of the best kosher restaurants in Toronto (D=Dairy M=Meat P=Parve):

Central

Brooklyn Pizza (D), 3016 B Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3B6, 416.789.4085
Colonel Wong Restaurant (M), 2825 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3A4, 416.784.9664
The Fortune Cookie (M), 2835 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B 3A4
HaKotel (M), 1045 Steeles Ave W Toronto Ontario M2R2S9, 416.736.7227
Kosher Pizza Delight (formerly Jerusalem One) (D), 3028 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3B6, 416.256.7115
King David Pizza, Bourekas, Falafel (D), 3020 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3B6
Noam Malka (M), Lawrence/Bathurst Plaza-Hot Dog Cart Toronto Ontario
Not Just Yogurt (D), 2997 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3B3, 416.783.7604
Omni 2 – Jewellery & Java (D), 2793 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3A7
Perl’s Bais Burger (M), 3015 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario, 416.787-.4234
Shalom Shanghai (M), 3022 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B3B6

Downtown

Oasis Cafe & Health Bar (D), 2 First Canadian Place, Exchange Tower, Toronto ON M5X1A6, 416.368.8805
Olde Spadina Ave (M), Air Canada Center & Rogers Center, Toronto Ontario, 416.823.6313

Midtown

Bistro Grande (D), 1000 Eglinton Ave W Toronto Ontario M6C2C5
Gladstones Bar & Grill (M – formal), 398 Eglinton Ave W Toronto Ontario M5N1A2, 416.487.9500

North York

Amazing Donuts (P), 3772 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M3H3M6, 416.398.7546
Baycrest Cafeterias (D, M), 3560 Bathurst St Ontario, 416.789.5131
Chicken Nest (M), 3038 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6B4K2
Dairy Treats European Cafe/Bakery (D), 3522 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6A2C6, 416.787.0309
Isaac’s Bakery & Cafe (D), 221 Wilmington Ave Toronto Ontario 416.630.1678; and
3390 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6A2B9, 416.789.7587
King David/Country Style Coffee (D), 219 Wilmington Ave Toronto Ontario M3H5J9, 416.636.3456
King Solomons Table (M – formal), 3705 Chesswood Dr Toronto Ontario M3J2P6, 416.630.1666
King Kosher Pizza, Burekas & Falafel (D), 3774 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M3H3M6
Marky’s Restaurant & Deli (M), 280 Wilson Ave Toronto Ontario M3H1S8, 416.638.1081
Milk ‘n Honey Restaurant (D), 3457 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M6A2C5, 416.789.7651
Rachel’s Centre Cafe (D), Bathurst Jewish Centre 4588 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M2R1W6
Second Cup (Baycrest) (D), 3560 Bathurst St ext 2871 Toronto Ontario M6A2E1
Second Cup (BJC) (D, 4588 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M2R1W6, 416.636.1880

Uptown

Country Style Kosher Coffee (D), Winter’s College, York University 4700 Keele St Toronto Ontario
Tov-Li Pizza & Falafel Ltd (D), 5982 Bathurst St Toronto Ontario M2R1Z1, 416.650.9800

North

Cafe Sheli (D), 7700 Bathurst St Thornhill Ontario L4J7Y3, 905.762.0640
Cookoos Inc (M), 7241 Bathurst St Thornhill Ontario L4J3W1
Fine Touch Catering (M), 927 Clark Ave W Thornhill Ontario L4J8G6, 905.889.2690
Golden Chopsticks Chinese Food (M), 7000 Bathurst St Unit C-6 Thornhill Ontario L4J7L1, 905.760.2786
King David Pizza, Bourekas, Falafel (D), 531 Atkinson Ave Unit 3 Thornhill Ontario L4J8L7, 905.771.7077
Kosher King (M), 7000 Bathurst St Unit C1 Thornhill Ontario L4J7P2, 905.760.1118
Miami Grill (M), 441 Clark Ave W Thornhill Ontario L4J6W7, 905.709.0096
My Zaidy’s Pizza (D), 441 Clark Ave W Thornhill Ontario L4J6W8
Not Just Yogurt (D), 7117 Bathurst St Unit 109 Thornhill Ontario L4J2J6, 905.889.1598
Yehudale’s Falafel & Pizza (D), 7241 Bathurst St Thornhill Ontario L4J3W1, 905.889.1400

What can you buy?

- Fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, dairy products and free-range eggs
- Bulk grains, flours, seeds, spreads, dried fruits and nuts
- Frozen foods,including organically raised meat
- Renett-free cheese
- Bulk grains, dried fruits & nuts
- Coffees and teas, coffee substitutes, herbal teas and fresh spices
- Canned and packaged foods
- Household and personal care items (dental and skin care products, supplements)
- Environment-friendly cleaning products

Interested in becoming a member? Only members can shop at Karma Co-op. But you can do a one-time trial shop to try us out before joining (payment in cash only). Join Karma

Karma Coop
739 Palmerston Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 2R3
(416) 534-1470
Hours: M: 11am-7pm; T,W,Th: 11am-9pm; F: 10am-9pm; Sa: 10am-6pm; Su: 11am-5pm

The Bloor Cinema is a host for gobs of film festivals, movie premieres, special gala events, classic films and Hollywood blockbusters. They showcase a variety of perspectives from across Canada and around the world: independent films, fascinating stories, important documentaries and sometimes just wild, unbridled entertainment.

This historic landmark should be a must-see item on your list when visiting Toronto, whether you go see a movie or not. LOVE this place.

Browsing tonight’s listing, I noticed that Ghost World (with Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi) is playing. Don’t miss that excellent film!

Bloor Cinema
506 Bloor Street West,
Toronto ON M5S1Y2 Canada
(416) 516-2331

Live Green Toronto

Look for your meetup group here

1. Go to Cherry Beach – Cherry Beach is a “blue flag” beach, meaning, it has been deemed safe and environmentally sound. It’s respected and recognized international eco-label. Find this cool lakeside park at the foot of Cherry Street just south of Unwin Avenue. More info.

2. Go swimming – There are many pools around the greater metropolitan Toronto area. Check them out here.

3. Eat the best gelato in Toronto. ‘nuf said.

4. Go to the movies – movie theatres are cool as cucumbers.

5. Water Slide! – at the Delta Chelsea. You have to be a guest at the hotel, however.

6. Go to the mall – There’s always Yorkdale but you have lots o choices.

7. Use Common Sense in the heat – Wear light, loose, comfortable cotton clothes; keep yourself hydrated (drink lots of water and natural fruit juices and cold herb teas); avoid overextenuating activity that can cause heat stroke; never leave children or pets inside a car; wear hats and stay in the shade if outdoors; eat light meals.

Gandhi’s Roti
554 Queen West, Toronto
Toronto ON M5V3P2
(416) 504-8155

Other rotis in Toronto: Roti Hut on Pitfield, Tarin Roti Shop on Gerrard east of Parliament in Regent Park, Patty King on the south side of Baldwin, Blue Water on Vic Park n of Eglinton, Island Foods at King and Dufferin, Bacchus and Ali’s on Queen West, and Roti Lady in Parkdale, Drupati’s at 925 Albion Road, Roti Roti on Islington, Alima’s, Village on the Grange on Dundas and University, Don Mills on Don Mills north of Lawrence, Caffeteria at the Bay at Yonge & Queen, Coconut Grove, Dundas east of University, Mona’s in Scarborough, Pam’s Kitchen, Brendan’s Roti Garden, on Hayden just south of Bloor, Ritz Caribbean Food on Yonge Street, Danforth Roti in East York on Danforth, Roti King on Eglington W between Dufferin and Oakwood, Caribbean Queen of Patties on Bloor just east of Lansdowne.

This week, Collected Wisdom is driving to the supermarket in its luxury Globe and Mail company car — a 1978 AMC Gremlin. But do we reverse into that parking space or drive forward into it?

“I was reading a book that mentioned that bell-bottom pants were long associated with the Royal Navy,” says John Manuel of Golden, B.C. He wonders if there was a functional reason for this.

Downtown Toronto

889
889 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4W 2H2
416 925 7206

A Taste Above
74 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1P1
416 203 0396
www.atasteabove.com

Cafe 260
260 Richmond St. East
Toronto, ON M5A 1P4
416-368-9222

Celestin
623 Mt. Pleasant Rd
Toronto, ON M4S 2M9
416 544 1733

The Cheese Boutique
45 Ripley Avenue
Toronto, ON M6S 3P2
(416) 762-6292

The Chiropractic and Health Associates Clinic
1407 Yonge St. Suite 400
Toronto, ON M4T 1Y7
416-924-0777

Divine Scents
151 Harbord Street
Toronto, ON M5S 1H1
416 962 0000

Elixir Organic Spa
766 King Street West, Unit 5
Toronto, ON M5V 1N6
416-203-5261

Flow Nail Spa
753 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1G1
416 910 2827

Hammam Spa
602 King Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 1M6
416-366-4775

Kahawa Coffeehouse
Nairesiae Kipusi
388 College St
Toronto, M5T 1S7

Lileo
55 Mill Street – Building 35
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
416 413 1410

The Mercantile
626 College Street
Toronto, ON M6G 1B4
416 531 7563

Niche Coffee & Tea Company
626 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1E4
416-203-0458

The Outer Layer
577 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 2B6
416 869 9889

The Outer Layer
430 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1X5
416 324 8333

Pure Intent
64 Oxford Street 2nd Floor
Kensington Market
Toronto, ON M5T 1P1
416 466 3237

Red Rocket Cafe
1402B Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M4L 1C9
647-889-2338

Satori Urban Wellness
33 Hazleton Avenue
Toronto, ON M5R 2E3
416-972-9355

Shizen Spa
8 Colbourne Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5E 1E1
416 350 2424

Summerhill Market
446 Summerhill Avenue
Toronto, ON M4W 2E4
416 921 2714

Upper Village Spa
1112 Eglinton Ave. West
Toronto, ON M6C 2E2
416-782-1539

Verity Spa
111 Queen St E
Toronto, ON M5C 1S2
416-368-6006

Vika Spa
88 Avenue Road
Toronto, ON M5R 2H2
416 929 5509

Water Lily
1984 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4S 1Z7
416 488 4387

North Toronto

Galati Market Fresh
5845 Leslie Street
North York, ON M3H 1J8
416 756-2000

Two Blonds & a Brunette Gift Co.
46 Glen Echo Road, 2nd Floor
Toronto, On M4N 2E3
647 343-3446

West Toronto

Agora
3015 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
416-761-9991

Balance Integrated Health
24b Liberty Street
Toronto, ON M4K 1A5
416 588 8282

Peach Tree
2239 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M6S 1N7
416-913-4466

East Toronto

Dark Horse Espresso Bar
682 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 1G9
647-436-3460

Dash Kitchen
236 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON M4K 1N2
416 463 3274

Leslieville Cheese Market
891 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 1J4
416 465 7143

Pho Hung
200 Bloor Street West
Another location: 350 Spadina Avenue in Chinatown
Toronto Canada
(416) 963-5080

“* It’s a chowhound’s paradise, with everything from Nigerian to Laotian, Moroccan to Azerbaijani food

* An architectural renaissance is transforming the skyline with additions by Daniel Libeskind and native son Frank Gehry

* Toronto has become one of the most ethnically diverse cities on the continent, with lively neighborhoods, festivals, and restaurants to match

* The Eaton Centre. It’s a big suburban-style mall with all the wrong kinds of shopping

* When to go to Toronto: May, June, September, October”

More here

Check them out

Now imagine that this tunnel flows into Niagara Falls, emerging behind the pummeling curtain of water that nearly everyone in North America journeys to see at some point in their lives.

This tunnel exists. In the autumn of 2004, thanks to the work of two people with the experience and equipment to make it happen, I had the chance to feel Niagara Falls.

Hydroelectric generating stations work by capturing the kinetic energy of falling water and converting it into mechanical energy using a turbine and then into electricity in a generator mounted at the other end of the turbine. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this technology had just begun to reach industrial maturity, and something of a race developed among competing private interests to capture the gravitational potential of the most spectacular water feature in Eastern North America, Niagara Falls….”

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[Via]

“The Canadian military has resumed handing over prisoners captured in Afghanistan to the Afghan government, a practice it quietly suspended late last year over concerns about torture, the military said Friday.

The transfers were ended in November after a Canadian prison inspection team concluded that at least one detainee had been tortured and heard complaints of torture from several others. A heavily censored government report said that one detainee showed inspectors a braided electrical cable and a rubber hose that he said were used for beatings…”

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“The Canadian government will reintroduce a controversial anti-terrorism measure as early as today in a bid to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that has forced Parliament to give more rights to immigrants accused of links to terrorist groups.

In addition to assigning so-called “special advocate” lawyers to act for defendants in closed hearings, the new law bans making detainees answer allegations flowing from torture in foreign jails.

Further, government officials have privately signalled they will no longer use evidence from alleged al-Qaeda trainer Abu Zubaydah. The Guantanamo Bay detainee’s statements had figured in two of Canada’s six ongoing “security-certificate” proceedings.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency this month admitted to “waterboarding” Abu Zubaydah to get information about possible terrorist cells. The interrogation method is designed to make a suspect talk by inducing fears he is drowning.

“I can confirm that the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration will not rely upon information provided by Mr. Zubaida,” John Sims, deputy minister of Justice Canada, wrote in a Jan. 11 letter.

The correspondence was sent to defence lawyer Paul Copeland, who represents an Algerian held under a security certificate. Mr. Sims’s letter pointed out that Canadian judges were already giving “no weight” to the Abu Zubaydah evidence.

The old law left admissibility of such evidence up to…”

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Thanks to the action of microbes that live on the plant roots, common pollutants such as formaldehyde, toluene and benzene are transformed into harmless water and carbon dioxide. While the plants themselves have little impact on contaminants, they provide the environment for the microbes to work efficiently…”

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