Courtesy of mynews.ctv.ca

Fall is one of the prettiest times of year and the leaves will be coming into their most vibrant in the next few weeks. Do you know why leaves change colour in the fall? The major factor in why leaves change color in the fall is the length of day and night. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in trees and plants. It absorbs sunlight and helps photosynthesis occur so that a tree can make its own sugar for energy and growth. The fall brings less sunlight and cooler temperatures so photosynthesis slows down, causing the chlorophyll in the leaves to break down and as a result we have breathtaking colours. The best fall colours occur when there has been a warm, wet spring, a summer that’s not too hot or dry, and a fall with plenty of warm sunny days and cool nights.

There are many places to take in the breathtaking scenery in Ontario and some places right in our own backyard in Toronto.

• High Park
• Ashbridge’s Bay Park
• Trinity Bellwood’s Park
• Centre Island
• Muskoka
• Algonquin Provincial Park
• Renfrew County
• Huntsville
• Lake of Bays
• Beaver Valley
• Caledon
• Haliburton Highlands
• Elora Gorge
• Kingston, Rideau Waterway and the Thousand Islands
• Oro-Medonte
• Orangeville
• Hockley Valley
• Monocliffs Provincial Park
• Erin

 

Courtesy of dcnonl.com

No one suspected that there was a drug lab in an apartment on the 6^th floor of an upscale condo building on Fort York Boulevard that was used to process methamphetamines. The residents are predominantly well educated yuppies in their 20s and 30s working as doctors, lawyers and business professionals. No one suspected that they could have been blown to kingdom come as a result of cooking methamphetamines, which are very volatile.

Three people, middle dealers known to police - Nathanial Tarlo, 23, David Back, 22, and Mark Szczygiel, 24 - were arrested and police seized drugs with a street value of over $1.3 million.

• Cocaine - 2,200 grams
• Heroin - 1,200 grams
• Methamphetamines - 2,400 grams
• Ecstasy - 1,300 grams
• Marijuana - 2,100 grams
• Hashish - 430 grams
• GHB - 6 litres

In addition to the drugs, police also confiscated a loaded 9-mm semi-automatic pistol stolen in Peel in 2006, a pellet gun, unrelated ammunition, a bulletproof vest, cellphones, bags of cash, and a Lincoln automobile. Police believe that these drugs were meant for distribution to kids in the Entertainment district.

If you have information about this crime contact the 55 Division detectives at 416-808-5504 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers, 416-222-TIPS (8477).

Courtesy of yongeeglinton.com

After a two year battle, fought with passion and conviction, the Eglinton Park Residents’ Association has thwarted the attempt of Top of the Tree Developments from rezoning two city blocks in their neighbourhood - Yonge Street to Edith Drive, from Eglinton Avenue West to Roselawn Avenue. Top of the Tree Developments applied to build a 25 storey condo building on the northeast corner of Montgomery and Duplex Aves., northwest of Eglinton Avenue and Yonge Street. There are 100 members in this association which worked tirelessly for two years compiling written submissions and creating a presentation. After a 5 week hearing last March the Ontario Municipal Board finally denied their application.

Many neighbourhoods are facing similar problems, referred to as the “condofication” of Toronto. Putting up massive high rises in residential neighbourhoods causes many problems including increased traffic and overtaxing the existing infrastructure, not to mention changing the entire feel of the neighbourhood. However, Toronto is experience a massive condo boom, with no signs of letting up. Just look up at the skyline and count the cranes. According to developer Alan Vihant, Toronto is the top condo market in North America and one of the top five in the world.

According to Mayor Miller Toronto currently has about 105 buildings over 12 storeys going up in the city. This includes residential and commercial buildings. Phase one of the Bay Adelaide Centre - 51 storeys distributed over 1.2 million square feet – just opened. Cadillac Fairview will be opening the 43-storey RBC Centre complex near University Ave. and Wellington St. and Menkes’ 780,000-square-foot Telus Tower near the Air Canada Centre will be opening in November. Toronto keeps growing skyward, but every once in a while a residential neighbourhood says NO.

Courtesy of veg.ca

The 25th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair is on from September 11^th – September 13^th. Admission is absolutely FREE. Let’s do what ever we can to be as environmentally friendly as possible and please bring your own cutlery and plates in order to reduce waste.

Fair Hours:

Friday, September 11^th from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, September 12^th from 12:00 PM 9:00 PM

Sunday, September 13^th from 12:00 PM 7:00 PM

Fair Location:

Harbourfront Centre

235 Queens Quay West

The Vegetarian Food Fair is the largest of its kind in North America. Over 100 exhibitors will be on hand displaying new products, conducting workshops, making interesting presentations, and offering cooking demonstrations. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore vegetarian cuisine whether you are a vegetarian, considering the possibilities of transitioning to a vegetarian diet, or are interested in how to add nutritious and ethical foods to your diet. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Keynote Speakers:

Brenda Davis - Registered Dietician and Nutritionist

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau - Author and founder of Compassionate Cooks

Gene Baur - President and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary

These exciting keynote speakers and other presenters will be offering valuable information on how we can live healthy, well balanced lifestyles by making some dietary changes.

Reduce your carbon footprint and leave the car at home. Harbourfront Centre is easily accessible by TTC. From Union Station take either the 509 Streetcar or the 510 Streetcar. Both of these streetcars stop in front of Harbourfront Centre. There is also bicycle parking available on site.

Courtesy of schools.tdsb.on.ca

According to the Toronto District School Board last year 92 of 533 public schools in Toronto had an enrollment of less than 60%, and the attrition is continuing. The TDSB loses about 4,000 each year. Add this to the fact that the TDSB is hard up for cash and there seems to be no alternative to closing schools. It is estimated that closing 25 – 30 schools would save between $10 million and $15 million per year.

In order to deal with this issue trustees have voted to close Scarborough’s Timothy Eaton Business and Technical Institute in September. It is also reported that Grade 9 has been cancelled at West Toronto Collegiate because of too few students. Instead of massive school closures Josh Matlow, trustee for St. Paul’s, will be presenting a motion at the August 26^th school board meeting, requesting that the board consider closing 10 of its undersubscribed schools this year and 10 more the year after.

The quality of education should be of paramount importance. Today’s Parent magazine has compiled a list of the best elementary and middle schools across Canada. The criteria was based on factors including community commitment, serving special needs, quality of teachers, clubs, programs, and the cool factor. Here is the list of the top schools in Ontario. Only one is in Toronto. Let’s hope that it’s not slated for closure.

• Cedarvale Community School (Toronto, 220 students, JK-6)
• St. John Bosco Catholic School (Brockville, 380 students, JK-6)
• Briargreen Public School (Nepean, 330 students, JK-6)
• Pioneer Park Public School (Kitchener, 316 students, JK-6)
• Castlefrank Elementary School (Kanata, 315 students, JK-8)
• Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School (Waterdown, 500 students, JK-8)

Courtesy of tysonwilliams.com

The Canadian National Exhibition is known by several nicknames – the CNE and the EX – but by what ever name you call it, Torontonians come out in record numbers each and every year to attend the Grand Dame of attractions. The Ex has been around for over 130 years. In that time it has become the largest annual fair in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. Last year over 1.3 million attended. Once again the CNE returns to Exhibition Place, located at 100 Princes’ Boulevard, from August 21^st – September 7^th, marking the end of summer and Labour Day.

This year the Ex is featuring over 500 attractions, a large carnival midway, international entertainment, shopping, great food, and agricultural exhibits. The main attractions are just spectacular:

• Celebrate the Olympic Spirit: A Tribute to the Winter Games
• Movie Magic: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show starring Elvis Stojko
• E - Evolution…Emergence…Energy: Nighttime Light Show
• Canadian International Air Show
• FLOWRIDER Mobile Wave
• Daily CNE Mardi Gras Parade
• President’s Choice SuperDogs Show
• The Original Wheel of Thrills

If you buy your tickets by August 21^st you can save up to 31%. You can purchase tickets online however you must have access to a printer to print out your barcoded ticket.

Leave the car at home and take the TTC or GO Transit. Take the subway to Union Station and then the #509 steetcar westbound to Exhibition Place. Or, take the subway to Dufferin Station and then the #29 bus south to Dufferin Gates. Or, take the subway to the Dundas West Station and then #193 Exhbition Rocket. Or take the Lakeshore GO Train to Exhibition Station.

Courtesy of www.twisia.com/mtp/pictures/Tall%20Busker.jpg

Come out and celebrate the 10^th birthday of Buskerfest from August 27^th – August 30^th. Not only is this a one of a kind event with over 100 of the best street performers in the world – aerialists, stilt walkers, comedians, contortionists, magicians, mimes, sword swallowers, human statues, silent comedy and slapstick, puppets, high wire acts, acrobats, clowns, and more – but Buskerfest raises awareness for Epilepsy. Instead of charging admission for this fabulous it is requested that you make a donation to Epilepsy Toronto in any amount that is comfortable for you. Last year Buskerfest raised $165,000 for Epilepsy Toronto.

Buskerfest is one of the highlights of the summer season in Toronto and last year over 1 million people attended. It is the largest festival of its kind in North America and the largest Epilepsy awareness raising event in the world. Buskerfest is a terrific family-friendly event with special treats for the small fry like face painting and balloon sculptures. For the second year in a row Buskerfest been named as one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario by Festival and Events Ontario. In addition it has been chosen as an event to support by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and awarded a Celebrate Ontario Grant.

Where can you find Buskerfest? Buskerfest is a street festival that takes place in the St. Lawrence Market area including Market Lane, Market Square, Berczy Park, Front Street East, and Jarvis/Church. Take the subway to Union Station and take a short walk east along Front Street and you’ll be in the heart of the action.

Courtesy of www.shootsoft.ca/clearsoft/images/handguns.jpg

Shootings in the U.S. are as commonplace as fast food restaurants, but in Canada we liked to think that we are a much less violent society. Perhaps so, but it is getting harder to believe if you read the news. Perhaps Dick Wolf should start a “Law & Order” Canadian edition to add to his string of hit television shows.

The latest victims of violent handgun crimes were two men that were shot from behind at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel on Avenue Road in the very chic enclave of Yorkville. Many were shocked to read this news but we have got to wake up to the fact that gun crime is not restricted to Jane & Finch. The two men, a 22 year old from Montreal who has not yet been identified, and 25 year old Wesler Fabian from Ottawa, were in town for Caribana. All that is known at the moment is that they returned to the Howard Johnson’s Hotel at 4:30 AM after a night of partying. After they exited their car a man walked up, shot them from behind, and fled the scene. Mr. Fabian died from his injuries and the unidentified man remains in hospital. As of yet no motive for the crime has been established.

In a separate and unrelated incident this weekend a 17 year old boy, Nerio Valdez, was chased by two men in a car and shot and killed near Steeles and Martin Grove Road. The lifeless body of Nerio Valdez was found in brush. There are no descriptions of the killers nor are police even certain if there were two or four men involved. There were some witnesses, but it is uncertain as to what they saw or if there recollections can be considered reliable. Nerio Valdez’s shooting death is Toronto’s 33^rd homicide of the year. Is that a lot for a city the size of Toronto? One shooting death is too many, but what measures can we take to ensure that the homicide numbers go down and not up?

Maclean’s Magazine recently ran this cover and it pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? I wish that Toronto would get the amount of international press for being a world class city as it’s getting for the garbage strike. As the CNN commercial says, it is “the most trusted name in news”. When Mayor Miller went on CNN recently and created a public relations disaster, it set off a tempest in a teapot. The reality is the Americans had no idea that we were in the midst of a garbage strike, until Mayor Miller went on CNN and told the world. It was accompanied by photos showing overflowing trash bins and fenced-off temporary dump sites populated by thousands of garbage bags. If that didn’t give tourists a reason to stay away… Thank you Mayor Miller. In the World Travel Watch section of the San Francisco Chronicle, Canada heads the watch list that includes other world powers like Honduras, Mexico, North Africa and Thailand. Many travel agents across the U.S. have issued travel advisories, warning tourists about travel to Toronto.

Couldn’t we have left well enough alone? No, we decided to really see if we could kill tourism entirely when the federal government went ahead and imposed a visa requirement on Czech and Mexican visitors to Canada. What are our politicians thinking? In 2008 Canada welcomed 266,000 Mexican visitors. One of the reasons that so many Mexicans visited Canada is that the Americans imposed a visa requirement on them. So what do we do? Instead of enjoying the increase in tourism, which at the moment we badly need, we go ahead and discourage the Mexicans from coming to Canada. Why did we do this? Apparently there has been an increase in unfounded applications for refugee status. Maybe we should impose an intelligence requirement for all government officials.

Opa! It’s almost time for one of Toronto’s favourite summertime food festivals – the Taste of the Danforth. Now in its 16^th delicious year, a large part of the Danforth will be closed to traffic from August 7 – August 9 so that we can all be out and about eating, drinking, dancing, and shopping.

Taste of the Danforth days, dates, and hours:

• Friday, August 7^th from 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Saturday, August 8^th from Noon – 11:00 PM
• Sunday, August 9^th from Noon – 8:00 PM

Greektown is the largest Hellenic business community in North America and the third largest in the world after Greece and Melbourne, Australia. The Taste of the Danforth is the largest Greek festival in the world outside of Greece. Over 1 million people – locals, national, and international guests - flock to the Taste of the Danforth. Why? The food of course – mouth watering authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Over 50 restaurants in the area will be participating. In addition to dining in or on one of the many fantastic patios, there will be food samples sold on the street so that you can walk from restaurant to restaurant sampling their wares. It’s a great opportunity to revisit your old stand-bys or discover a new favourite. In addition to fabulous food there will be live music, lots of great deals from local retailers, and even children’s activities.

With the Danforth closed to cars, please leave yours at home and use the TTC. Take the Bloor-Danforth Subway Line and exit at Chester, Pape, or Donlands.