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 dinemagazine.ca

I’m sure that most of you have seen the classic movie with Julie Andrews and our very own Christopher Plummer, but have you seen the Mirvish hit play of the same name? In celebration of the Sound of Music’s first anniversary on stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre, there will be a FREE Sound of Music lunch time concert on Friday, October 2^nd at 12:30 PM at Nathan Phillips Square which is located right in front of Toronto’s City Hall. And that’s not all! If you come dressed as a nun you will have a chance to win free tickets to the Sound of Music on Saturday, October 31^st, Halloween night, at 7:30 PM at the Princess of Wales Theatre. One pair of tickets will be given out to the first 99 nuns that appear in Nathan Phillips Square.

This fantastic event will be hosted by Breakfast Television’s Kevin Frankish. All of your favourite Sound of Music characters will be on hand to delight and entertain you - Maria, the Captain, the children, Mother Abbess, Sister Berthe, Sister Sophia, Sister Margaretta and some of the other nuns. This is your opportunity to see some world-class theatre absolutely FREE. Come out and enjoy!

Courtesy of monado.files.wordpress.com

The festival season is winding down and after a summer of eating, drinking, and film, it’s time to celebrate literacy. Word on the Street is an important event that takes place across Canada in Toronto, Vancouver, Kitchener, and Halifax on Sunday, September 27^th. All of the events are FREE and it’s a great family friendly event.

Where: Queen’s Park

When: September 27^th from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

What can expect to see? Famous authors will be on hand reading from their new books, most notably Margaret who will be reading from her new novel “The Year of the Flood”, and using LongPen technology her appearance will be broadcast to Word on the Street events in Halifax and Vancouver. There will be an amazing selection of books and magazines and you can get great deals. I got a fantastic price on a magazine subscription last year. Bring the kids along and take them to the Children’s Activity Tent, Children’s Reading Tent, Little Readers’ Tent, and the TVO Kids’ Stage. There will be food on site at the world food market.

As a fundraiser for literacy organizations in Toronto, Word on the Street is launching two Literacy Murals that will be signed by authors and performers on site and auctioned off this fall (date to be determined). Donate a loonie to this worthwhile cause and you too can sign the mural.

How can you get to Word on the Street?

• Take the subway to either Queen’s Park Station or Museum Station on the University section of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.
• Take the 506 Carlton West Street Streetcar and exit directly south of Queen’s Park.
• Take the 5 Avenue Road Bus and exit at Queen’s Park.

Courtesy of altiusdirectory.com

It’s hard to believe that it’s already September and that the summer is gone. Considering the weather that we had, most of us are still waiting for summer to arrive and unfortunately that ship has sailed. There is always a lot of confusion about what is open and closed on Labour Day weekend. Saturday, September 5^th and Sunday, September 6^th are just regular weekend days and regular weekend hours of operation will apply. Monday, September 7^th is an entirely different story because Labour Day is a legal statutory holiday and that means lots of closures. The TTC and GO Transit will be running on a holiday schedule.

What will be closed on Labour Day?

• Government offices
• There will be no mail delivery because the post office is closed
• LCBO
• Beer Stores
• Most supermarkets – notable exceptions are Bruno’s and some No Frills stores
• Libraries
• Most businesses
• Malls in Toronto, except for the Eaton Centre
• Most stores

What is open on Labour Day?

• Yonge Street from Richmond Street north to Grosvenor
• The Eaton Centre
• Queen’s Quay
• Yorkville – stores will decide individually to open or close
• Vaughan Mills will be open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Pacific Mall will be open from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

What is there to do on Labour Day?

• Visit the CNE.
• Attend the Labour Day Parade. It starts at 9:30 AM at Queen and University and proceeds down Queen to Dufferin and then south to the Dufferin Gate at the CNE.
• Take in Brazilian Day at Yonge-Dundas Square from 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM. It promises to be a great event and it’s FREE.
• Enjoy the Hispanic Fiesta at Mel Lastman Square.
• Learn all about Dogs with Jobs at PawsWay, located at 245 Queens Quay West.

Courtesy of tiff.net

The Toronto International Film Festival is one of most prestigious film festivals in the world. From September 10 – 19 an incredible list of luminaries from the film world – film makers, actors and actresses, and industry professionals – will all be in Toronto to celebrate the art of film making. Stake out a spot on your favourite patio because this is a just partial list of just some of the celebrities that have confirmed to date.

1. Ally Sheedy
2. Amanda Seyfried
3. Atom Egoyan
4. Chris Rock
5. Cillian Murphy
6. Clive Owen
7. Colin Farrell
8. Colin Firth
9. Colm Feore
10. Danny DeVito
11. Danny Glover
12. David Duchovny
13. Demi Moore
14. Drew Barrymore
15. Edward Norton
16. Ellen Page
17. Emily Blunt
18. Ethan Coen
19. Eva Green
20. Ewan McGregor
21. George Clooney
22. Georgina Reilly
23. Gordon Pinsent
24. Guy Maddin
25. Hugh Hefner
26. Ian Fitzgibbon
27. Isabella Rossellini
28. Jack White
29. Jacob Tierney
30. James Purefoy
31. Jane Campion
32. Jason Reitman
33. Jeff Bridges
34. Jennifer Connelly
35. Jennifer Garner
36. Jimmy Smits
37. Joel Coen
38. Johnny Hallyday
39. Jon Amiel
40. Jonathan King
41. Julianne Moore
42. Juliette Lewis
43. Keanu Reeves
44. Keir Gilchrist
45. Keisha Castle-Hughes
46. Kevin McDonald
47. Kevin Spacey
48. Kerry Washington
49. Kristin Scott Thomas
50. Kyle MacLachlan
51. Liam Neeson
52. Lisa Kudrow
53. Marica Gay Harden
54. Mariah Carey
55. Matt Damon
56. Megan Fox
57. Sir Michael Caine
58. Michael Douglas
59. Michael Moore
60. Michael Sheen
61. Miranda Richardson
62. Naomi Watts
63. Natalie Portman
64. Neil Diamond
65. Neil Jordan
66. Nicolas Cage
67. Oliver Parker
68. Oprah Winfrey
69. Patricia Clarkson
70. Paul Bettany
71. Paul Schneider
72. Paula Patton
73. Penélope Cruz
74. Peter Berg
75. Peter Sarsgaard
76. Philip Hoffman
77. Rachel Ward
78. Ricky Gervais
79. Sir Ridley Scott
80. Rob Lowe
81. Robert Duvall
82. Robin Wright Penn
83. Rossif Sutherland
84. S. Epatha Merkerson
85. Samantha Morton
86. Sarah Ferguson
87. Sarah Polley
88. Sheila McCarthy
89. Sissy Spacek
90. Snoop Dogg
91. Steven Soderbergh
92. Tatiana von Furstenberg
93. Ted Kotcheff
94. Terry Gilliam
95. Tilda Swinton
96. Tom Ford
97. Tyler Perry
98. Viggo Mortensen
99. Willem Dafoe
100. Woody Harrelson

The films this year promise to be outstanding and tickets can be purchased online.

Courtesy of airport.ca

It seems that anything to do with the Toronto Island Airport is contentious, and the proposed pedestrian tunnel is sadly no different. Like it or not the wheels have been set in motion and it looks as though this is one battle that Mayor Miller will lose. Last week the CEO of the port authority requested $19 million from the federal government’s stimulus fund to finance the project. The total amount to build the tunnel is $38 million. The feds have been asked for half. The other half will come from the provincial government - $12 million, and the port authority - $7 million.

The pedestrian tunnel could encourage more traffic, resulting in more daily flights and increased revenues. It would be eight metres wide, four metres high, and have moving sidewalks for passengers. Engineers have estimated that the tunnel would take one year to build. An environmental assessment will probably take about 4 months and it should prove that a tunnel would reduce carbon emissions. Potential contractors will be submitted bids within 3 weeks.

Of course Mayor opposes the tunnel. He opposes anything that makes sense. The good news is that the port authority would not need signoff from the city to build the tunnel because it’s permitted under the existing three-government agreement that governs the airport. In July Pollara Strategic Insights conducted a poll for the port authority. It showed that 62% of respondents supported the construction of an airport island tunnel which I’m sure is much higher than the Mayor’s approval rating – particularly after his bungling of the city workers’ strike.

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 thevitaminm.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/beer

Celebrate one of the world’s most beloved libations at the Toronto Festival of Beer from Thursday, August 6^th– Sunday, August 9^th – rain or shine!

Toronto Beer Festival location: Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place located at 200 Princes’ Boulevard.

Festival Hours: Thursday, August 6^th from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday, August 7^th from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturday, August 8^th from 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Sunday, August 9^th from 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

It’s all about the beer! The Festival of Beer will give you the opportunity to sample over 250 brands, from lagers and stouts, to wheat beers and pale ales. If you are interested in Ontario beer this festival is for you with over 95% of Ontario brands represented. In addition you can expect great food, live music, and over 100 vendors on site.

Toronto’s Festival of Beer is a great party for adults only. No one under the age of 19 will be admitted. No pets are allowed either, although I can’t imagine why anyone would want to bring their pet. Tickets can be purchased online.

Please don’t drink and drive! Use the TTC instead. There are many options.

• From the Dufferin Subway Station take the #29 bus south to Exhibition Place.
• From the Bathurst Subway Station take the #511 streetcar south to Exhibition Place.
• From Union Station take the #509 streetcar west to Exhibition Place.
• Exhibition Place also has a GO Station located right on our grounds. The station name is EXHIBITION.

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.