Location, location, location has always dictated the real estate prices in Toronto. Competition is fierce and everyone is looking for a way to lure in the moneyed set. It seems that Toronto condo builders have found a hook, and that hook is culture.

High priced condominiums and culture are truly a match made in heaven and driving the cost of living in Toronto in a downtown condo higher and higher. Condo projects that are near museums, concert halls, or cultural events are selling like proverbial hotcakes in spite of price tags that can extend well into the millions of dollars.

There is a certain element of the population that wants a connection with culture even if all that they are going to do is look at it. It does offer a certain cache, doesn’t it? A new high-rise condo is being built directly across the street from the new ROM expansion and yet another is slated to go up next to the Sony Centre. However, the most prestigious and sought after of the new projects on the books may be the Festival Tower which will be going up alongside the new home of the Toronto International Film Festival, located at the corner of King St. and John St. Privileges of living in the Festival Tower will include being first in line for festival tickets.

Would you choose to buy a condominium because of its proximity to a museum or the film festival? Is this really any different that buying a place on a golf course?

Can you believe that it’s time for one of Toronto’s most beloved traditions?

Ho, ho, ho! Sunday, November 18th is the date that kids of all ages and all cultures will be lining the Toronto streets waiting patiently for one of the great Toronto events and traditions – The Santa Claus Parade.

The Toronto Santa Claus Parade route is 5.7 kilometres in length and begins at the corner of Bloor and Christie Streets at 12:30 PM. The parade will finish at the Flat Iron Building at Front and Church Streets. There are great views all along the parade route. And, there is a designated area for wheelchairs that provides a great view from a small park on Front Street, directly across from the Sony Centre. For a map of the parade route follow the link below.
Santa Claus Parade Map

This great Toronto tradition was started by Mr. Timothy Eaton on
December 2, 1905. Santa Claus did not arrive by sleigh in the night sky, but he did arrive by train at Union Station. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Eaton were there to greet him. Santa then walked through the downtown streets to the Eatons’ store, chatting with the children along his route. The Eatons provided the funding for Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade for 77 years. Today the parade is a not-for-profit organization funded by Canadian corporations and the individuals who take part in the celebrity clown program.

Although parking can be found all along the parade route the TTC will definitely be your best option. There are many TTC stops along the parade route - Christie, Bathurst, Spadina, St. George, Museum, Queen’s Park, St. Patrick, Osgoode, Queen, and King Stations.

For more information on Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade follow the link below.

http://www.thesantaclausparade.ca/

Did you know that “extended stay” is the fastest growing segment in the hospitality industry today? ELEMENT Hotels which launched in 2006 and has set out to capture this market is getting ready to launch its first Canadian Toronto hotel. Called the ELEMENT Toronto Downtown, this exciting extended stay Toronto hotel will be open and ready to do business in January 2009. Its 220 guestrooms are being created to maximize both productivity and relaxation. Ideally located on Front Street West, guests will be in close proximity to the heart of the financial district, as well as the sights, landmarks, culture, and entertainment that Toronto has to offer.

Extended stay hotels are designed to recreate a residential feel for travelers who spend a lot of time on the road. The ELEMENT Toronto hotel will be designed to make travelers as comfortable as possible and ensure that their suites are fully equipped with features including multi-purpose modular furniture, entertainment units equipped with flat screen televisions, fully equipped kitchens, and spa showers. On site will be a fitness centre, 700 square feet of meeting space, a technology centre, and an outdoor fire pit and barbeque where guests can meet each other and enjoy a meal and drink together.

A complimentary breakfast of hot breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, and tea will be served daily. The staff is trained to be attentive and intuitive, never intrusive. These properties marry the best of hotel living with the touches of home.

We are constantly hearing about the labour shortage in Toronto. Do you know about JOIN, the Job Opportunity Information Network for people with disabilities in the Toronto region? Why aren’t we looking to our entire available labour force to fill the vacancies? And that includes people with disabilities. We should be making it as easy as possible for people with disabilities to find gainful employment, not making the problem worse by discriminating against them.

Disabled does not mean incapable and unemployable. JOIN offers services for persons with disabilities looking for employment and for businesses looking to hire. They can help your company recruit excellent candidates with the appropriate skill set for your open positions.

All candidates are pre-screened and their skills are verified. JOIN’s success with employment placement speaks volumes! In 2006 they successfully placed over 600 candidates with an 83% retention rate. And some of the best and most successful companies in the country are their clients. JOIN really prepares job seekers for employment by offering services including job search, resume and cover letter preparation, job preparation, job placement, job coaching, and follow up.

Persons with disabilities want to contribute to society in a meaningful way. They are not looking for a handout. They want to be working, productive, tax paying members of society. All that they need is an opportunity. Let’s give them a chance to shine. Open up your employment opportunities to all candidates and you may be very surprised to find out how able the disabled can be. To find out more about JOIN visit:
www.joininfo.ca

From November 15 – 18 the Metro Convention Centre, South Building, will be filled to the brim (excuse the pun) with people who all share a passion for fine food and fine wine at the Food and Wine Expo. Some of the highlights of this incredible Toronto food event are:

• 9 of Dine Awards
• The Art of the Cocktail
• The Cheese Corner
• The Connoisseur’s Corner
• A Fine Wine Tasting Lounge
• The Food Network Canada Stage
• The Wines of Chili

Thursday November 15th from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM you are invited to attend a VIP evening. For $55.00, which includes $20.00 in sampling tickets, you can be among the first to gain entry to the Expo. You will not only have the opportunity to sample premium wines and spirits featured on this evening only, cheeses and gourmet foods, but you will be able to meet and talk with the winemakers, chefs, restauranteurs, and the celebrities in attendance. And there will be live entertainment and music from Chili – the featured country this year. This is one Toronto food event that you won’t want to miss.

General admission is on Friday, November 16th from 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturday, November 17th from noon – 6:00 PM and Sunday, November 18th from noon – 6:00 PM. Entry is $15.00 which includes a wine glass. Now in its 13th glorious year, this world class Toronto food event is expecting an attendance of over 35,0000 who will have the pleasure of sampling more than 1,200 fine wines, spirits, and beers from countries spanning the globe.

For all of the details follow the link below.
Food and Wine Expo