Showing posts with label Things to do around town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things to do around town. Show all posts

Nov 10, 2013

Ontario Science Centre

It was a long time since I've been to the Ontario Science Centre, and since I never blogged it in the 'Things to Do Around Town' section of my blog, this cold and blustery fall afternoon seemed as good as a time as any.  As you enter the Science Centre you will be taken down a long hallway (known as 'The Bridge').  This was one of my favorite spots in

the Science Centre as a child because of the awesome views of nature out of the windows.

Today, the views are still there and just as awesome, as well as a long line of ancient rocks up to four billion years old (the actual rocks aren't that old, but tiny grains in them called zircons are.)  The earth is 4.5 billion years old.  You may wonder why the oldest rocks aren't that old too?  It turns out shortly after the Earth formed, in the violent early days of the solar system, it was hit by a Mars-sized planet and mostly liquified into lava again! The debris launched into space coalesced and became our Moon. It's mind-blowingly daunting and humbling that a human lifetime on this scale is a thousandth of a millimetre, much thinner than a coat of paint!

Jul 1, 2013

Happy Canada Day!

Falling Star (my fave)

Hi All!

I've been quite busy for the last three weeks as Trustee of an Estate.  There isn't much time for play, but thanks for the emails and will be back on the trails soon enough!

Here's a few of Canada Day's Fireworks. 
Do you see a flowerpot? I Do!!











Jun 29, 2012

Swansea Brew Club

With all the hundreds of brands of beer available at the beer and liquor stores, why would anyone want to put in any time and effort in making and bottling their own? Well, for a start, it's cheaper, purer and tastes better than the beer you buy at a retail store!

Swansea Beer Club is located in Toronto's Swansea village right near the Queensway and the South
Kingsway.  Just like other Brewing Clubs, the beer is made on the premises and is all -natural and unpasteurized, so pretty much free of any additives and  preservatives that make you sick! 
It takes about two weeks from your order date for your "batch" to be ready.  There is a one-time investment of reusable plastic bottles and caps, and that is your only other expense.  It takes about an hour to bottle.  But what an hour that is! With the gregarious James keeping you company and discussing the intricacies of beer and wine.  The beer you will end up with tastes better than commercialized, pasteurized beer.  The pasteurization does make the beer keep longer, but it also removes much of the flavor, including the sweet honey aroma of the hop nectar and bready hints of the barley. 
 
Unpasteurized is how draft beer is, and how beer has been for hundreds of years when it was a staple of the European diet (as well as the only safe source of drinking water!) Being pure and free of additives is less likely to give you a hangover, and the cleanliness of the well-maintained premises means you won't be getting one from dirty lines, as one may from the draft from seedy bars.  Oh but I'm not putting down commercialized pubs and taverns, they're a lot of them out there that run a clean establishment and hey it's great to get out for a pint with some friends, but this is a great alternative to the beer fridge at home!  Less cost (actually 2/3 or less than the price of commercial beer) and great taste (naturally carbonated, with no added sugar!)  Now I'm sounding like an ad.


After bottling, just be sure to keep your beer as cool as possible and out of direct sunlight and it will stay fresh. I really think that if more people knew about the superior product of Swansea and other brew-on-premises shops, the commercial breweries wouldn't dominate the market as they do. But anyways, what do I know? 



 Cheers!

Jun 10, 2012

Old Mill Inn & Spa in Toronto



A very popular venue, the Old Mill Inn and Spa is an English-style Inn and restaurant.  It was originally a saw mill built in 1793.  In 1914, it was owned by R. Home Smith who opened it as "the Old Mill Tea Garden".  Following that the Inn was used as a dance hall for during the Big Band era in the 20's.  More recently in 1983 it was designated as a 'Heritage Property' by the City of Etobicoke (now Toronto).  Currently it is owned by the Kalmar family.  The Spa opened in 2001 with over 47 rooms and 13 suites. The property over looks 2.5 hecacres of parkland surrounding the Humber River making it a perfect spot for weddings, business conventions or a romantic getaway.

When you look at this gorgeous property both inside and out, its not too difficult to imagine that almost 300 years ago the area surrounding the Old Mill, was once used as a fishing and hunting area for the First Nations before the Europeans took settlement here.  By about 1720, the French had made it their home calling a small piece of land the Magasin Royale, was was close to the present site of the Mill.  They used this fort-like property to trade with different native bands.

50 years later, the English came and built homes, using the Mill to cut lumber.  The first homes were built in York, Upper Canada which is now known as Toronto.  There are so many beautiful piece of furniture inside, surrounded by lush gardens on the outside, patios, gifts shops and a chapel onsite.  


see Etienne Brule Trail
see Humber River Trail





May 28, 2012

Todmorden Mills, Toronto


Todmorden Mills was discovered actually quite by chance while on an unadventurous bike ride southbound on the Don River recreational trail. Deciding to veer west off Pottery Road in Toronto, I saw the ‘Fantasy farm’ up ahead.  I had always wondered where this was as you could see it off the Don Valley Parkway, but I had never seen it up close.  As I discovered it’s a banquet hall, and set in some really pretty and private country-like scenery great for Weddings.  Right across the lane is ‘Todmorden Mills’.  It’s an historic site owned now by the City of Toronto, but was once a Lumber mill located in a small settlement called, "Don Mills" in 1790's.  
There remains todays two historic miller’s homes, a Brewery building and over 10 hectares of fields containing wildflowers and walking trails including upland and bottomland forests. 

I was surprised when I walked into the historical mill house near the entrance of Todmorden, there were walls of artwork and a stage door leading to a renovated Papermill Theatre and Gallery.  Interesting setting for this.  Honestly didn’t even know it was here.   If you want to find out more about the Papermill Theatre and what's on, click here.













Apr 26, 2012

CONTACT 2012 Photography Festival



Courtesy of Barry Frydlender, Grosvenor Garden
Courtesy of Berenice Abbott, Blossom Restaurant
If you are a photographer, either novice or pro OR you are interested in the relative art of photography, you must add this to your calendars for the month of May.  The 16th annual CONTACT Photography Festival is the the largest photography event in the world! Toronto is hosting this years event which attracts over 1.8 million people over the entire month of May.
You’ll see over 1000 local and worldwide artists exhibiting their photographic genius at almost 200 venues.  

This all began over 16 years ago when a global interest in street art started to form, which is the theme for this year’s event, entitled “PUBLIC” which showcases social and political issues all in a photographic framework, literally.

For more information including map of exhibit locations, please go to CONTACT 2012 Details

Dec 2, 2011

The Toronto Zoo

Peacock checking out the menu!
Cutie Polar Bears!
We can't complain here in Ontario about the weather.  In fact it's been pretty pleasant give or take a few days.  This is the good side of global warming I suppose, and most of us know the bad side.  The poor Polar Bears are feeling the brunt of it, in fact are in the danger zone of becoming extinct forever while the polar ice caps are melting down.  I mean there is only so much we can do to help transport them to colder climates. It was this frame of mind that brought me to the zoo to visit the Polar Bears.  Why not?  There are still a lot of animals at the zoo at this time of year to view and the price is far more reasonable in the cooler months than in the heat of summer, which is their peak season.  From September 3rd to May 18th every year, you can see Polar Bears, Elephants, White rhinos, Grizzly Bears, Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Hippos and even Giraffes!   
The North American Grizzly

Sorry didn't catch their names!

The exhibits 'Around the World, Grizzly Bear trail, Camel Trail and Savanna Trail take about 3 to 4 hours to cover on the outside.  There are also many pavilions that are able to stay open all year round because they are indoors and kept at very warm and humid temperatures to ensure the survival of the species.  That's where I was able to visit the Gorillas and Orangutans, Komodo dragons and several fish (including the Lake Malawi Aquarium), birds, bats and snake species, among others.
Moose/Spotted Hyenna
Honestly, not only is it great exercise to walk through the park (especially coming out of the Grizzly Bear trail!) which is all uphill but since the animals are there anyways, it doesn't matter if you believe that they should be kept in captivity or not (which I don't personally), but you might as well enjoy them.  Enjoy seeing and being a part of their surroundings (even if its mock) because most of us will never get to experience the Savannahs in Africa, Eurasia or Australia.  But for a few hours you can still get as close as possible in a safe environment to explore the wonderful world of wild animals.  

Click here for a short video of the GORILLAS! :)





 

Jun 6, 2011

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Historical landmarks are my favorites places to discover and Black Creek Pioneer Village is a historical treasure situated in Toronto, Ontario.  We spent the entire afternoon exploring the expanse of this place.  

Doctors House and Waiting area
Black Creek Pioneer Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway and Steeles Avenue West.  There is something for everyone here to enjoy! Like a country trail for kids which includes stops around the Village and hands-on activities for example in the Cabinet Makers shop where we found lots of kids playing and building with blocks of wood. The historical atmosphere is also excellent for large and events such as Weddings, Bridal Showers, and Fundraisers.

Top: Tinsmith  / Bottom: Blacksmith
19th century brewery and an upstairs bar
A particular point of interest is that there is actually a working mill here! A print shop and a brewery that shows visitors how to work a print press and how to make beer like they did in the 1800s!  We visited the brewery, which for $4.50 you could select 3 different types of beer from Porter, Stout and Dark Ale. I preferred the Dark Ale, as the other two were a little odd tasting.  None of the beers in the 1800s had any effervescence so they all tasted very flat, but were easier to digest with less stomach upset.
Make a visit to the 'GiftShop' before you leave
Interesting historical sign :)

Cabinet Maker and Cobbler Shops

There is a "Halfway House", the "Blacksmith", "the Cobbler", "the Town Hall", The "Mennonite Church and Meeting Hall", "The Physician's House" and several other typical homes in that era.     In fact there are over 40 historical 19th century buildings there all decorated with 1860's furniture inside.  It isn't unusual to come across an
Inside Flour Mill
historical re-enactment while visiting there and you will also see women and men dressed in 19th style clothing just walking around.  I would have loved to be able to wear those dresses!    The building is made of stone but the mechanisms are all made of wood! It's absolutely incredible and a must see!