High-summer magic as Ontario peaches arrive
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Even the most casual of food shoppers will have noticed that the magic high summer moment when Ontario peaches hit the market has arrived. The splendid sweet and juicy bounty is on sale pretty much everywhere. So great for any kind of eating. Cut ’em up in wedges and gobble them down with your morning coffee. Or whatever. It gives a whole new meaning to buying produce locally. Of course the peach tradition runs deep in Ontario. This week sees the beginning of the annual peach festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Next weekend (August 9-10) NOTL’s Queen Street will be closed off through the heritage district so visitors can stroll the many farm stands. There will be peaches of course but also pies, jams, jellies, ice cream, drinks and more. Five bands will perform: The Toronto All Star Band, David Hoy, St. Catharines Pipe Band, Fort George Fife and Drum Corps and Ceol Cara. Saturday’s events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Queen Street from Victoria to King streets. The evening celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. with live salsa music, wineries, breweries and tasty delights from the Signature Kitchens of Niagara-on-the-Lake. That event runs until 10 p.m. On Sunday, the fun continues at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Picton Street. Running from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. there will be face painting, crafts, balloon animals, live entertainment, barbecued fare. And peaches. In the evening, the Shades of Summer celebration returns with a large dinner party on Queen Street. There will be tables and chairs set up in advance with live music, gourmet picnic boxes available for purchase and more. Tables of eight are $240. For more information, contact the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber at 905-468-1950 — with The Spectator Rudy Limeback (rudy.ca) does Thorncliffe BBQ
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Political gadfly, naturalist and man of science Rudy Limeback (rudy.ca) has attended the Thorncliffe Park tenants association BBQ. Rudy is high on David Soknacki for mayor. See his observations and links to his Twitter posts below.
Milos Raonic beats fellow Canadian at World Tour
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Milos Raonic defeated fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-1, 6-4, in what is proudly being called the first all-Canadian ATP World Tour in Washington. For those struggling with the alphabet soup of world tennis ATP is the Association of Tennis Professionals The 2014 ATP World Tour calendar comprises the Grand Slam tournaments (supervised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF)), the ATP World Tour Masters 1000, the ATP World Tour 500 series, the ATP World Tour 250 series, the Davis Cup (organized by the ITF) and the ATP World Tour Finals. Also included in the 2014 calendar is the Hopman Cup, which is organized by the ITF and does not distribute ranking points. — with Wikipedia. CP24
Thorncliffe BBQ popular event in great weather
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The Thorncliffe Park Tenants had a wonderful day for their Meet and Greet BBQ today (Sunday, august 3, 2014) and as predicted, many candidates were there looking for votes. For reasons not explained, Mayor Ford did not attend, even though he had been expected. John Tory, Olivia Chow, Karen Stintz and David Soknacki and Ari Goldkind were there. We know this because of the work of Leaside gadfly Rudy Limeback (rudy.ca) Click the image below to go to his Twitter assessment of the day. Rudy is quite taken with one of the many candidates running, Morgan Baskin, noting the old truth that youth matters. (Yes, but do they vote?) Candidates like John Tory were happy to have their pictures taken with local residents and to reinforce their multicultural credentials. (See link below). The topic of the day was the proposed five-per cent hydro increase, put forward by Toronto Hydro to the Ontario Energy Board last week. Other issues relating to Thorncliffe have been living underground during this campaign. The proposed Costco store is seldom mentioned by politicians because it is polarizing, especially on the west side of the tracks. In Thorncliffe Park itself, the Costco plan is wildly popular. It remains quietly before City Staff and that seems to be where almost everyone wants it to remain. Twitter search Thorncliffe BBQ
Downsview Park a 2-day electronic music mosh
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Two-day VELD Music Festival attracts thousands to Downsview Park And if you wonder what happens at this electronic music concert, take a look at Veld Music Festival The After Movie. (lol) The event rolls on tonight (Sunday, August 3, 2014) with as many as 70,000 expected.
Unicorn Day Care needs new space by 2015
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Unicorn Day Care has been located in two classrooms at Brown Junior Public School on Avenue Road near Balmoral Ave. for 25 years. But growing enrollment at the school has caused it to reclaim that space. By next year, the day care centre will have to move completely. The school is licensed to have 198 children ranging in age from 2.5 to 12 years of age. So the hunt is on for a new home for Unicorn Day Care. Josh Matlow (Ward 22) has agreed to co-ordinate inquiries and information about space that might be available.
Lawyer sues Viet bride for dumping him in days
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Lawyer Rod Mcleod fell in love with a Vietnamese mail order bride and has lived to regret it. He married Nguyen Xuan Bach Phung in Vietnam in 2009, a few months after meeting her on a social-networking site. Court documents in Kamloops say Nguyen left McLeod on January 7, 2012 merely seven days after getting to Canada on an entry visa made possible by her marriage to him. McLeod claims Nguyen acted fraudulently in her relationship with him. He also claims Nguyen lied in their separation agreement, failing to disclose “significant monies and properties” she owns in Vietnam, which were purchased with McLeod’s money before she moved to Canada. McLeod is seeking general damages, special damages and an order that Nguyen disclose all her assets to McLeod. Nguyen is believed to be living in Surrey. She has not yet been served with court documents. She will have three weeks to respond once that happens. Photo: pictures of anonymous Vietnamese women seeking to meet North American men for the purpose of marriage.
Thorncliffe Park Tenants BBQ Sunday, Aug 3
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The Thorncliffe Park Tenants Association will hold a “Meet and Greet Halal BBQ” tomorrow (Sunday, August 3, 2014) from noon to 3 p.m. This summer event is especially important in the election year. The association has arranged for a remarkable turnout of many candidates. In addition to five candidates for mayor, the meeting will also feature the four candidates for Councillor in Ward 26 as well as two school trustees, It should be an event well worth attending. Burger and pop for $1.
Caribana parade enthralls City in perfect weather
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Seriously sunny day sees hundreds dance along the parade route with thousands more watching. Twitter fan says “looks like sooooo much fun. Getting positive vibes just watching it on the news!” Officially it’s the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival. This West Indian festival of colour and music is snaking its way along the Lakeshore a distance of more than 3 kilometres. Commonly called Caribana, the event is in its 47th year, billing itself an “explosion of Caribbean cuisine, music, revelry as well as visual and performing arts.
Board Game Tournament at Leaside Library
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School Trustee Gerri Gershon has tweeted a timely reminder about the Summer Board Game Tournament at the Leaside Library on McRae Drive. This is a great way to have some fun with your friends and make new friends as you compete in (and learn) board games like chess, checkers, cards and others as well. You keep your score and challenge others. It goes on Mondays between 2. and 8 p.m. The scheduled dates are August 4, 11, and 18, 2014. Winners receive prizes at the end of August. You can drop in with no registration required. Website
Six Leaside Gardens of Distinction are named
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Six hard-working homeowners in Leaside have had their gardening recognized by the Leaside Garden Society. The homes have been declared Gardens of Distinction. It is an award that comes more or less out of the blue as garden society volunteers roamed the neighborhood taking pictures of attractive front yards. It is the first time in many years since the awards has been given. This year the following homes were chosen: 1 Kenrae Rd., 35 Heather Rd., 34 Parkhurst Blvd., 4 Divadale Dr., 36 Donlea Dr. and 142 Glenvale Blvd. The survey of homes was led by volunteer Barry Schneider. In addition to a lawn sign identifying their winning home, the chosen gardeners also received a $25 gift certificate to Sheridan Nurseries.