Earth Day war against Drake's Ice Wall

And on the day to celebrate the earth and the bounty it provides, the Toronto Fire Department began the destruction of Drake's now famous mountain of ice. And behold the people in the city said, WTF!

The frozen art installation is apparently a publicity stunt to promote the release of Drake's new album. Inside of the 25 foot high pile of ice blocks there hides the release date of his new album "Iceman". When Drake released the teaser info about the ice, fans began to scratch and look for the reveal date (spoiler it is May 15, 2026) which concerned the police. First they blocked off the parking lot which is located at 81 Bond Street, just off Dundas Street East, close to the Eaton Centre, then on Wednesday they began to blast the ice with a fire truck.

People watched as the streets filled with what was fresh, clean water found that passersby were getting soakers walking by the site. A perfect story for opposite Earth Day, the only thing more fitting would be to pour Middle Eastern oil onto the ice and light it up!

@jmhcet #Toronto #firedepartment is going to war over #Drake's frozen #artinstallation ♬ How Bizarre - OMC

Smoke-A-Palooza Toronto

Sankofa Square is hosting Smoke-A-Palooza 2025 on Saturday, September 6 from 11am to 11pm. Surprisingly this is not a weed themed event, no it is a french fry type of event, if the fries were coated in gravy and cheese curds. 

From the Square's website "Smoke-A-Palooza is back! Join Smoke’s Poutinerie for 12 hours of non-stop entertainment, featuring FREE fries, curds & gravy, daredevil stunts, activations, prizes, and the legendary World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC)."

@jmhcet #stiltperformer at #Toronto #smokeapalooza 2025 in #sankofasquare ♬ suara asli - SONG OF THE DAY

Odd Burger Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant Canada Day giveaway

Odd Burger on Church Street in Toronto along with Peta had a free vegan burger giveaway on July 1, 2025 and Peta animal allies were on hand to hand out literature and the burgers. The restaurant provides a menu of made from scratch vegan and vegetarian fast food items at 229 Church Street, Toronto. The peta organizers wore costumes depicting some delicious vegan options - the vegan burger and the vegan pizza. The restaurant is just off of Dundas Street East just a few blocks from the Toronto Eaton Centre.

A curious passer by stops to check out the free offer

Offering free vegan burgers

The Canada Day giveaway promoted compassion and animal free food options at the Odd Burger location, a local vegan hotspot. Standing outside and getting the message across with posters and signs like "every animal is someone", a calf with the message "I am you, only different" plus the crowd favourite "free vegan burgers".
 
Peta hopes to get people to think about how cows feel and to encourage people to go vegan and let the animals live in peace. Peta says, “From mouthwatering meat-free burgers to animal-friendly poutine, there’s a vegan answer to any craving these days,” says Vikki Lenola. “We’re encouraging everyone to celebrate Canada Day with kindness by leaving cows and other animals off their plates.” They also note that Odd Burger has over 50 menu items based on plant proteins with "burgers, tacos, pizza, gyros, breakfast sandwiches, loaded poutines, soft serve, and more"

Peta estimates that around 200 animals are spared suffering and death by going vegan and it helps to have healthy and tasty alternatives to help people make the switch to an animal free diet.

Vikki and Cassandra with vegan burgers at the ready

Vikki Lenola offers your one-stop reference guide to going vegan with the Peta Vegan Starter Kit

Tiny motorized advertising in Toronto

In early April 2025 I was walking downtown at the Yonge Dundas intersection, waiting for the light when a small remote controlled vehicle wheeled by and seemed to get stuck at a door. A nearby woman tried to open the door because she thought it might be a delivery drone, however it didn't go in the door, it just kind of hung there.

I took some photos waiting for it to do something and didn't really notice that its sail was talking about advertising, which seems to be the opposite of what they want to accomplish. So if you can't afford a billboard, this might be your thing.

It was a busy intersection where they were driving this little wireless wonder

Mad Max Furiosa Wild Boys in Toronto

Toronto baseball fans got their taste of the post-apocalyptic chaos at Roundhouse Park as the upcoming Mad Max saga Furiosa movie held a promotion featuring a couple of wild boys grunting up a storm in front of a metal sign showcasing the movie's name.

You can drop by Roundhouse Park across from the Rogers Centre every day of the Victoria Day long weekend to see the display, meet and pose with some wild boy characters and also get some movie related swag which includes hats, shirts, temporary tattoos, posters and more.

From Warner Brothers Canada media release, "The display will be on-site for the entirety of the long weekend. However, it will only have active brand ambassadors, War Boys, performers, and giveaways between the hours listed. Active Hours: Saturday, May 18 - 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 19 - 12 noon to 5PM and Monday, May 20 - 1pm to 6pm."

Cheetos CHEETLE and the NHL Fan Fair 2024

Cheetos is coming in hot for the NHL All-Star Weekend and the upcoming 2024 NHL Fan Fair with a temporary statue by the Rogers Centre at Roundhouse Park from January 25 to 30. The 16 foot statue shows what they term as CHEETLE which is the cheese dust that coats your fingers when eating Cheetos. From Cheetos, "Cheetos Top Cheetle statue features a Bauer Hockey glove proudly displaying Cheetle-tipped fingertips, bringing together two iconic brands set against a backdrop of Toronto's most recognizable landmark." See provided photo of the statue at top.

Photos from Saturday, January 27

The statue has been set up first for the NHL All-Star Weekend festival will be taking place Feb 1 to 3 at the Scotiabank Arena. Feb 1 will have an all-star draft and a women's hockey 3 on 3 showcase, Feb 2 is the all-star's skill competition and Feb 3 will be the all-star hockey game.

"This is a huge moment for the city and we wanted to create an unforgettable experience for fans to celebrate the return of NHL® All-Star Weekend," said Jess Spaulding, CMO PepsiCo Foods Canada. "With our hockey-fied statue, we want to continue to give hockey fans and Cheetos fanatics a memorable way to mark this moment and show the world how we All-Star."

Then from February 1 to 4 the statue will be moved into the 2024 Hyundai NHL Fan Fair at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

And more from Cheetos, "Get your fingertips ready, there will be plenty to do! Fans can try their hand at a claw machine game for Chester approved swag, say "cheese" at a larger-than-life photo op with THE Top Cheetle statue, and of course get their mitts on some amazing Cheetos snacks. The Cheetos Top Cheetle statue is only here for a limited time so get in on the fun while you can."

Ann's TikTik video 

Laser Clinics launch at Union Station

Laser Clinics Canada launched in Union Station today, one of over 200 global locations, and now six in Canada, of the Australian-based group. Media gathered in the York Carriageway under the glass archway running along Front Street to watch the introductions. On hand to begin the launch was Laser Clinic Canada's brand ambassador Natasha Garguilo who also introduced a panel to discuss the opening and the experts necessary to run clinics around the world.

Natasha begins the introduction and panel introduction

From their website; "Laser Clinics Canada believes beauty is tailored to you. They are passionate about delivering best-in-class treatments and services using medical-grade, industry-leading technology at affordable prices. They specialize in skin treatments, laser hair removal and cosmetic injectables, tailoring treatments to the individual and ensuring all clients achieve their desired results. As the global leader in advanced beauty treatments and skincare with over 15 million treatments delivered – you know you’re in trusted hands."

Jenna and Natasha

The panel, led by Natasha, included some of the medical team Dr. Waqqas Jalil, Medical Director and cosmetic surgeon, Shameeza Kassamali NP, Head of Inject along with Franchise Manager and Olympian Jenna Caira.

They talked about accessibility and making the laser services more affordable, with modern technology and private treatment rooms. Their program of 50/50 franchise ownership was also discussed and they were actively looking for people to open and run new locations.

The Laser Clinics Canada location along the Front Street Promenade

I also found it interesting that the Union Station location will be the flagship and the training centre for the Canadian operation, which from the sounds of things will continue to grow in Canada. Their six locations include one in Ottawa and five in the GTA - including one at Square One Shopping Centre, now part of the world's largest cosmetic clinic. Very impressive for a company started in Australia in 2008.

Baskin-Robbins and the Ultimate Take-Home Sundae

I don't know if you know that July is National Ice Cream Month but the tip off should be the toasty warm temperatures! Baskin-Robbins Canada, fine purveyors of ice cream recently held a media launch of their new line up of Ultimate Take-Home Sundaes and they were very, very tasty. Plus we got to see one of their newest stores at 1029 King Street West (at the corner of Shaw Street), with their newest store design in Toronto.

The limited time offer of three ready to eat sundaes, available in 12 ounce packs are Cookie Dough Deluxe, Caramel Cookies 'n Cream and Chocolate Brownie Deluxe, each costing $9.99. The sundaes certainly live up to their tagline "Scoop the Joy!"

The sundaes were split open so you can see how loaded these sundaes are

“Going to the ice cream shop has always been an adventure,” says Natalie Joseph, spokesperson for Baskin-Robbins in Canada. “But now, more than ever, our guests can bring the party home. I’ve tasted the flavours and watched as others have dug in, and I can tell you the reaction is priceless. Cookie Dough Deluxe features five layers of indulgence including Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream, chocolate fudge, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, more chocolate fudge and topped with cookie dough pieces. Caramel Cookies ‘n Cream features Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream, caramel sauce, Chocolate Chip ice cream, more caramel sauce and is topped with Oreo® cookie pieces. Chocolate Brownie Deluxe features Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge, Pralines ‘n Cream ice cream, more chocolate fudge and bite-size chocolate brownie pieces."

These tasty products come from Baskin-Robbins which was started in 1945 by two ice cream lovers that will be celebrating 52 years in Canada in just a short while. I found out that they have a ice cream library that features 1,400 flavours but I am unsure if you need a library card to take out the ice cream.

The media seemed to love ice cream

Coca-Cola Dreamworld Experience in Toronto

It really seems like something you would see in a very colourful dream, but this free experience can be found at the Coca-Cola Dreamworld Experience. The show takes place in a long room in a building on the east side of Yonge Street across from the Toronto Eaton Centre (south of Shuter, just a few doors north of Firkin on Yonge) and will be there until October 28, 2022.

From the Dreamworld website, "A fantastical look-and-feel complements the beverage’s flavor profile by fusing whimsical shapes, electric colors and a 3D expression of Coke’s signature script to create an illusionary visual landscape on Coca-Cola Dreamworld packaging, in-store merchandising and other physical and virtual elements.

This video show almost comes to life as Coca-Cola has these creations to promote their new beverage to Canada and the United States. “Coca-Cola Dreamworld taps into Gen Z’s passion for the infinite potential of the mind by exploring what a dream tastes like,” said Alessandra Cascino, Creative & Shopper Program Director, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit.

A small youtube clip that I took of the experience