Spook in the City - High Park & More

Happy Hallowe'en Toronto!

Six scary episodes of Spook in the City are online at blogTO including the latest, the hauntings of Colborne Lodge and Grenadier Pond in High Park.

Have a taste for more chilling ghost stories? Follow John and I as we take you to the scene of several high-profle hauntings in some of Toronto's most historic places.

Prepare to be spooked!

The Distillery District

The Royal York's Haunted Stairwell

The Royal York's Haunted Hallway

The Royal York's Crystal Ballroom

February Gets A Long Weekend

Premier Dalton McGuinty, feeling fresh from his latest victory, took to the podium to announce a new long weekend for Ontarians. Beginning this February, on the third Monday of the month, we'll all be celebrating Family Day. I've been hoping for another day off to hit the hills when the snow starts piling up. Great idea. This also puts Ontario on par with B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Territories, giving us 9 days a year off from work and more time for leisure.

Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show Starts Today

If you're one of those people who, all winter long, talk of nothing but the crappy weather there might be something you can do to turn that frown upside down: snowboarding. All summer long while everyone talks about how beautiful it is I'm secretly wishing snow would fall, and keep falling.

Finally the wait is almost up. This weekend's Toronto Ski, Snowboard and Travel Show marks the unofficial start to the season. From today at 3PM through to Sunday at the Automotive Building, Exhibition Place, you can find all the snowgear you'll ever need and plan any winter getaways too. Gear is usually last year's stock and priced to fly. It's not just boards and bindings, great deals can be found on sporty winter jackets and "underwear" too.

All that's left to consider is where to board when the flakes start falling. Mount St. Louis Moonstone offers great beginner "discovery" packages which include a lesson, rentals and lift all for under $55, but if you're serious about the white stuff Blue Mountain's selling a 5x7 - all nights and weekdays lift pass - for $164 until October 22nd. Last year I waited too long and had to pay double - still worth every penny. This time, I'll pick up my pass at the snowboard show. They'll take my picture and I'll be done with it - no hour long lines when I'm busting to get on the hill.

Admission to the show is $15.

A Greener Cause

This is what I love about politics. There's a whole lot of talk about what's right and wrong but when it comes down to it it's really all about action.

Last election I did my research to see how much (or how little) the political parties in my riding, Parkdale - High Park, were doing to support the environment. It was on everyone's agenda and they were all purporting to support it. The release I wrote last election, A Greener Campaign will show you just how well the other parties act on their promises, however this little video will show you that too, in only 9 seconds.

Despite promises from the Liberal, the NDP or even the Conservatives, only the Ontario Green Party have spent the time to plan and deliver an agenda that will put the environment on the right track while being sure that your tax dollars are not spent frivoulously (read NDP) by your future government. Besides that you've got to love a leader like Frank de Jong who blasts by Howard Hampton's idling tour bus while on his bicycle.

PS. Election day is Wednesday, October 10th. Get out and vote!

Wakestock Style

While I'm not quite close to having enough pictures or fashion knowledge to publish something like The Sartorialist blog, I did snap some shots of people in Toronto this summer that I thought took their style the extra step and thought I'd share them with you here.

This guy was working the yellow, right up to his canary-coloured Blue Jay's baseball cap. Fortunately sports teams are modernizing their gear.

Because I'm more about sporty style than high-fashion I totally dug this girl's seventies throwback sporty mix. Pat Benetar would be proud. Notice she's also busting the gold chain.


My J.Crew catalog shot. Hot boy in board shots. 'Nuff said.


Simple, cute and sexy summer style. Athletic to boot.

Read more about Wakestock Weekend in Toronto.