Graffiti tongue

I Spudly knew you, but the tongue says you look good. The Spud bombs and their varied faces are a staple of the downtown #Toronto graffiti scene. They look so happy.

HOPE

Listen: I fought the law!

Walking past a musical mural

A portrait of Vincent Van Gogh the painter, painting

Fire Department on Duty

Several units of the #Toronto FD roll to a Bay Street bank building. Crew members put on their bunker suits and head inside to investigate the call.

#Toronto Things

Dull grey skies of winter and early spring will soon be changing to the bright, sunny skies and warm breezes and the cosy sidewalk patios in summer. While the city slows in the cold season it still has a lot to offer - but I still like it better during the summer. 

Even the Canadian Navy drops by for a visit every now and then

Annoying yet amazingly beautiful seagulls harass everyone along the waterfront

The old Toronto Stock Exchange is like a little stone in your shoe. It sits there in the big, black skyscraper, tucked into a corner, but you still know it's there. I wonder how much everyone had to fight to save the old building from destruction?

Tall ships along the harbour

Tulips rise in the parks

Cherry Blossoms still hiding

Reports from High Park tell us that buds have turned green and are starting to swell - we are just weeks away from the #Toronto 2013 Blossoming! Since both the spring weather and the blossoms still have some time before they appear it is time to remember the colour and beauty from fruit tree flowers from the past.

PawsWay in April 2013

@PawsWay #Toronto Upcoming Event Calendar

Exciting events and activities take place just about every day in the 3,500-square-foot Pet Park at PawsWay. Join us for this month's fun events.

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Puppy Kindergarten

Saturday, April 20th 4:30pm – 5:30pm, & Wednesday, May1st 6pm -7pm, & Saturday, May 4th 11am – 12pm

New Puppy? Bring out the best in your dog in this exciting and informative four week series of classes. Topics include come when called, sit, stand and down on command, name recognition, house training, leash pulling and much more! Cost: $100 plus HST for four one hour sessions.

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Cats and Dogs International (CANDi)- Fundraiser

Sunday, April 21st 11am – 4pm

Come to PawsWay to meet Cats and Dogs International (CANDi), a non-profit organization that saves the lives of stray cats and dogs in the Caribbean and Mexico. Activities include special appearance by CANDi’s Ambassadors Andre Durie (Toronto Argos) and Ian Logan (Winnipeg Blue Bombers). Plus, silent auction and raffle draws, agility training course demos and lots of amazing prizes to be won. Small – Medium dogs welcome between 11am – 1:30pm / Medium – Large dogs welcomed 1:30pm – 4pm. Tickets $10 per family (includes five raffle tickets). For more information, visit www.candiinternational.org

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PawsWay K-9 Trick Course

Saturday, April 21st 3pm – 4pm

Teach your dog new tricks and receive dog trick titles with Tricia Waples, CTDI (trainer of the year, Do More With Your Dog!®). Trick training is the best way to build a fun, loving relationship with your dog. Dogs of any age can participate in trick behaviours. During the trick classes, a variety of reward based training methods will be explained to elicit behaviours. The six week program will provide instruction on how to train over 40 tricks. Cost is $170 and includes the cost of obtaining a novice trick dog title. To register contact Tricia Waples atchelstri@gmail.com. Do More With Your Dog! is the only official sanctioning and organizing body for the sport of Dog Tricks.

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K-9 Manners Level 1

Wednesday, April 24th 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Course designed to help pet owners teach their dogs how to be a pleasant and responsive family and household companion. It will assist pet owners in successfully teaching their dog basic skills such as sit, down, stay, walk politely on leash, come when called, and more. Problem behaviours will be addressed with clear and easy to implement solutions. All skills will be taught using positive reinforcement training. Cost: $199 plus HST for six one hour sessions.

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‘Meet the Totos’

Sunday, April 28th 5pm-6pm

Come and meet the Totos, the adorable canine stars of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the hit Mirvish production now playing in Toronto. Meet the three fantastic Norfolk Terriers who play Toto as well as Terry Shevchenko, their trainer. Earlier in the day, it will be ‘Toto Day’ at PawsWay starting at 1pm with all dog trick demos by Tricia Waples (Do More With Your Dog). At 3pm, Andre Yeu (trainer for the TV show ‘Over the Rainbow’) will demonstrate skills with his own dog and dogs from the audience. FREE, furry fun for the entire family! For more information on ‘Wizard of Oz’ performances and to purchase tickets, visit mirvish.com/shows/thewizardofoz

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Agility Skills

Thursday, May 2nd 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Learn the fundamentals of agility. Each week will focus on fun new skills and techniques. Topics include new verbal cues such as 'go' or 'turn', plus new obstacle skills such as independent weave poles. Cost: $80 plus HST for four weeks.

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Dogs With Heart Agility Olympics

Saturday, May 4th 11am – 2pm

Support the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Celebrate Heart Health with your Pooch! Join the Dogs with Heart featuring agility, ask the vet, silent auction and pet-friendly photo booth. Tickets only $25 at dogswithheart2013.eventbrite.com

Ghost Bike Memorial for Mike Rankin

A lonely white bike sits on University Avenue in #Toronto. It is a memorial for bike courier Mike Rankin who died after being struck by a taxi in November 2012. The 56 year old Zap courier was hit at University Ave and Richmond Street and suffered severe head injuries and died in the hospital.

A few days after his death a Ghost Bike Memorial Ride was dedicated to Mike, leaving Spadina Avenue and Bloor Street West at 8 am. A white bike was left at the accident scene as a further memorial to the bicycle courier. I took these photos early in December last year.

Goose Island micro-brewery coming to #Toronto

Spring will bring the Chicago's award-winning beer as part of Labatt's High End Premium brands to Canada. Starting with vintage bold Belgian-style Ales - Sofie with it's orange and vanilla notes, and Matilda's spiciness, complement the finest of foods and joined by limited quantities of Goose Island's Pepe Nero farmhouse ale with its black pepper finish. Sales at LCBO stores and restaurants starting in early May 2013.

"Elegantly designed and well-suited to share during a meal, Sofie and Matilda are ideal for the discerning beer or wine drinker and are brewed to complement the flavours in some of the finest foods." Arielle Loeb, Marketing Director for High End Premium brands at Labatt. “The addition of Goose Island to Labatt’s portfolio gives beer fans a product that they can experiment with alongside a number of different flavours and courses.”

I wonder if they are going to change their name to Canada Goose Island when they come to the big, white north?

#Toronto SPiN Ping Pong League

Its not a pong-o-cracy, its a Ping Pong league! SPiN Toronto is starting a weekly league for people that like to battle with paddles and little, white balls. The games start Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 2pm and continue for eight weeks at a cost of $5 per week. Several divisions will allow ranked competitors to challenge similar skill level players in the 12,000 square foot club with 12 tables located in the lower level of 461 King Street West. Sign up here.

"Leaguers who work up an appetite can enjoy Chef Jon Lovett’s new spring/summer creative comfort food menu, launching Wednesday, April 17, and can cool down with SPiN’s signature cocktails or one of 12 import and local beers on tap." Photos supplied.

#Toronto Buskerfest 2013 moves to Yonge St

The popular street performer festival will move out of the St Lawrence Market area and onto the World's longest street for this year's show in August 22-25. The four day event will be held on Yonge Street from Queen St to Gerrard Street. The market was home to Buskerfest for 10 years and now in its 14th year the show will be staged in the central street performer district - outside the Eaton Centre. 2012 saw over one million people check out the show. Buskers like Silver Elvis (pictured above), Kate Mior and Fire Guy were on hand at the media event.

"The downtown Yonge Street corridor is a wonderful new match for Scotiabank BuskerFest," said Geoff Bobb, Executive Director of Epilepsy Toronto. "The longest, most vibrant street in the world is the perfect stage for the largest, most spectacular epilepsy awareness event in the world."

Off with her head - I mean her wig

Scotiabank BuskerFest in support of Epilepsy Toronto: Thursday, August 22 - Sunday, August 25, 2013 in the Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood: Yonge Street all the way from Queen to Gerrard and surrounding areas. Thursday noon - 10 pm; Friday noon - 11pm; Saturday 11am - 11pm; Sunday 11am - 8pm

The St Lawrence Market edition of Buskerfest in previous years

The Flatiron building is the centre point of the market area

Justin Trudeau wins Liberal leadership

With an overwhelming majority of the votes, Justin takes the Liberal leadership crown and appears on Monday, April 15, 2013 in Canada's Parliament. The country's parliamentary website has already been updated with the new information. First elected in 2008 to the Montreal riding of Papineau the popular politician continues his dramatic rise in Canada.

“To all my fellow Liberals: Thank you for your confidence. With hope and hard work we are going to make Canada better.” – Justin Trudeau

Clean #Toronto this weekend

The yellow marker than cautions people about slippery surfaces is up at city hall, I looked but could not find the giant mop and therefore have to think that their giant sign is a dud. Friday, April 19 is the Corporate and School Clean-up while Saturday, April 20 is the Community Clean-up.

The city has decided to outsource some of the work to squirrels and flocks of seagulls and pigeons and have put the hungry beasts on the payroll. Their job is to clean up all the food that might be on the streets and in the playground. If you don't think they are up to the job, just try to eat french fries in Nathan Phillips Square or at the chess tables.

Injustice: #Toronto Batman Among Us

The brilliant caped crime fighter (@torontobatman), slightly depressed because his parents are dead, crosses a scramble intersection - his spidey bat senses tingling, and his game hand ready for the new PS3 video game Injustice: Gods Among Us. Playstation had a launch event at Yonge-Dundas Square on Sunday, April 14, 2013.

National Motorcycle and Tattoo Show 2013

Pink skin and shiny chrome marked the 32nd annual motorcycle and tattoo show in #Toronto. The pink skin was from all the needles and the ink being applied to bodies by talented tattoo artists. The chrome was from all the choppers, both new, used and custom, that bring the bikers and fans into the Better Living Centre in Exhibiton Place during the April 13-14 show.

Tattoos have become more and more acceptable and fewer daughters are keeping their tats hidden from their moms now a days! You can often see tattoos, but it is very interesting to see the artists at work putting on the intricate, colourful and probably a little painful artwork on willing recipients right in front of you.

Besides tattoos the bike show included a swap meet, new and used sales, bike auction, a marketplace and a show and shine event.

The motorcycle auction is underway

playdead cult art

Hooters ladies

See more of the show after the jump.