Nestle Ice Cream stand at Harbourfront Centre

Nestle Drumsticks, hmmm good. Setting up the ice cream stand at Harbourfront Centre. The early morning shows the calm before the storm of visitors fill the area. As we head into summer - everyone screams for ice cream!

MEC Toronto Paddlefest 2011

The annual Mountain Equipment Co-op MEC Toronto Paddlefest returned to Sunnyside Park for their June 11-12, 2011 celebration of small watercraft. Canoes, kayaks, surf boards in brilliant colour filled the beach in preparation of all the paddling that will happen.

Hopefully no one will fall in because the water is probably a little cool still. More pictures after the jump.

Pink Dress Run 2011

I saw a bunch of people, both men and women, running down Queen Street West on Saturday, June 11, 2011. What was amazing was they were all wearing pink dresses. I witnessed the 4th anal TWAT Pink Dress Run. From their name and website I can tell that I like them already. The pink was for support of breast cancer research and the run is a part of the Toronto Women's Alternate Thursdays (TWAT) Hash House Harriers. The object of the group is to socialize, run between places and drink beer.

Bride and Bridesmaids at the foot of Yonge St

A gorgeous group of pretty ladies gathered at the foot of Yonge Street, right beside Captain Johns, to get some wedding photos taken. The beautiful bride was in white and the bridesmaids were pretty in black and everyone held a large bunch of white flowers. I couldn't help but crash the photo setup so I could post some of the pictures. I think the bride was still a little nervous and is it just me or is it Jennifer Love Hewitt! She probably hates the paparazzi.

Woofstock 2011

Some damn cute dogs, some in damn cute outfits, were out in force in the St Lawrence Market area for Woofstock 2011. Meet and greets took on a whole new dimension when there are hundreds of dogs meeting for the first time.

Besides some hilarious costumes and a lot of neckerchiefs the big look for dogs seem to involve a lot of tongue.

The St Lawrence Market makes a great setting for all the vendors, dogs and visitors that pour into the area for the weekend event - a dog and dog lovers paradise.

See more cute dogs than you thought possible after the jump.

Toronto WNBR 2011

Update 2012: The ride goes Saturday, June 16! Be as bare as you dare, put on some bodypaint and enjoy the freedom of the ride and help to support the fight against oil dependency. Gather at Coronation Park at noon, ride begins at 1pm. See my photos of the 2012 event here.

It was time for the annual 2011 Toronto World Naked Bike Ride and the weather cooperated to make this an enjoyable romp through the downtown streets - passing thousands of surprised city dwellers calling out support to the naked bikers. You can always join in next year - you go as nude as you want to go. This ride is a protest against dependence on oil and the negative impact of our car culture.

Coronation Park filled up fast as the bicyclists gathered and stripped away their clothes, ready to begin their journey which included a stop at City Halls Nathan Phillips Square. We pick up quite a few riders just before the ride starts and more join in along the route.

See more pics after the jump.

Toronto Ride to Conquer Cancer 2011

There were a lot of people on bicycles crammed into Exhibition Place for the 2011 Toronto Ride to Conquer Cancer charity bike run from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The 200 mile ride and the 200km ride would be amazing accomplishment and they said they raised $17.5 million dollars with this edition of the race.

some emotional speeches strike a chord with the riders

The riders pour out of the holding pen

heading onto Lake Shore Boulevard

Toronto Ferry and the Islands

A magical place exists across Toronto's harbour on the Islands that grew up from the sand of the Scarborough Bluffs. The collections of Islands are full of excitement with the Centre Island Centreville Amusement Park, the yachts and other big boats in the marinas and the many beaches (including that clothing optional nude beach known as Hanlan's Point Beach). The Islands are so much fun to roller blade, bike or walk that you forget the fun of riding the ferries that run between the various islands and the City of Toronto Ferry Terminal at Harbourfront's Queens Quay ("half the fun is getting there!). The view of the city's skyline is fabulous.

The ferry service runs from the mainland to Centre Island (in the middle), Hanlan's Point (west) and Ward Island (east) and the adult ticket only costs $6.50 (return included for free!). The ferries run 7 days a week, generally from 30 minutes to an hours between each trip (times are different on the weekends and weekdays). The islands are connected so you can start on one side and travel through to the other side - you can even rent bikes on the islands.

See more pictures after the jump.

PawsWay - barkTO

Yes, I just invented a new year long festival - barkTO. See, you take something related to the object at hand, here dogs therefore the 'bark', and you add 'TO' for Toronto and voila, it's barkTO. This is the expression to describe the fun your dog will have at PawsWay down at Harbourfront. Don't have a dog? Doesn't matter, just go inside and watch all the dogs playing and looking for toys and dog clothes.

They say "PawsWay Toronto is dedicated to the understanding and celebration of pets. It's the first place in the world where pets, owners, and pet lovers can come together to enjoy exhibits, activities, special events and more." Check out the doggie events on their website.

Giant Toronto Inuksuk

This giant Toronto Inuksuk came together along Lake Shore Boulevard, just beside Ontario Place, in celebration of World Youth Day in 2002. The stone structure is a landmark made for various purposes and has come to symbolize the vast northern territories of Canada and it's peoples that live in the harsh lands.

I post the photo in celebration of our friend Goretti Kakuktinniq from Rankin Inlet. Goretti works with the Nunavut Development Corporation (NDC) and she recently went to Paris to promote Inuit art.

ttc streetcar boneyard

I think I found a place where dying streetcars go when they know their time is running out. The ttc streetcars slowly lumber into the boneyard, somehow following genetic instinct that leads them to the hidden place (or the overhead wires, I am unsure at this time in my research) where they gather in groups, seeking comfort and group friendship as their time comes to an end.

I feel sadness as the huge beasts settle to a squealing halt and the last of remaining life exits the metal body. Maybe scavengers will come to pick over the carcasses much like a copper thief in an electrical station looking for copper wire. Or maybe the place is sacred and people will stay away while the dry air keeps the remain remarkably in good shape - it looks like they could stir and head out on the tracks at any time.

I will try to return when it is a little foggy out, I need to see these streetcars in the mist. It's time to contact David Suzuki, I think he can help in my studies, or give me a transfer.

Even Angels do paperwork

Beautiful busker Kate Mior dressed up as Angelina (Toronto's own lovely Angel) stops to do some paperwork. Every time an Angel gets her wings, they have to fill out a couple of forms! She might have gotten a fine because her wings were smaller than heaven allows, or maybe she was checking this guys application for heaven, he looked a little devilish so maybe he will be taking a trip to the sunny south.

Then Angelina slowly ascended skywards. I am not really sure but she may have climbed atop a small box.

Don't forget to look for and support the hard working street performers and mark your calendar for the Scotiabank Buskerfest, scheduled for August 25th to the 28th, 2011 in the St Lawrence Market neighbourhood.

Throughout the universe, forever

You could live on forever, throughout the universe if you wandered past the cameras at Yonge and Dundas today during the filming of a Government of Ontario tourism production. Throughout the universe - man, I didn't realize the government could plan so well for the future when we travel between planets and solar systems watching a Toronto tourism film for the early turn of the century in 2011! At least the rights are for something public and fairly innocent - I believe the title was 'Down and dirty in the streets of TO - the Yonge Street Strip'.

Of course this will expire when the revised Judgement Day strikes this October. See the writing on the poster after the jump.

Things to do in Toronto June 11-12, 2011

From 10am to 6pm on Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12, 2011 the St Lawrence Market will once again be the location of mass shedding, sniffing and petting - and some dogs will also be there! For Woofstock! Everyone and their dog heads down to Front Street where you can spend all day saying "OMG, she/he is so cute" and "what a funny costume". Even if you don't have a dog it is so worth the trip. Update: Here are some of the cute little butt sniffing doggies in the 2011 edition of Woofstock.

The Toronto Roller Derby league semi-final gets slamming Saturday June 11 at the Hanger in Downsview. Chicks Ahoy and the Death Track Dolls meet again to determine who will go up against the Gore Gore Rollergirls in the June 25 Championship game.

The World Naked Bike Ride WNBR returns for another peaceful protest against oil dependence and the negative impact of our car culture - plus you can toss the skivvies and parade around in the buff. Make an art installation of your body and apply a little sunscreen and bodypaint. Check out my 2011 coverage on my post here. Meet at noon on Saturday, June 11, 2011 in the memorial sculpture next to the water in Coronation Park. The ride leaves the park at 1pm. PS Happy Bike Month.

Luminato starts on the 10th and continues to the 19th. Illuminate your mind and free yourself.

Toronto Horse Day 2011 at Exhibition Place on Saturday, June 11 from 11am to 4pm. I don't know if you can bring your own horse down to the show like you can bring your dog down to Woofstock.

Festival on Bloor (Street West) takes place on the 12th from noon to 6pm. Music, entertainment and vendors.

Don't forget about the free entrance to Ontario Place. While things inside may cost money it could be a time to take advantage of the offer and check out the large facility again - when was the last time you wandered around the Place?

There are some more dog pictures after the jump - aw, they are so cute.

Banksy: cop and pink balloon

It's been over a year since Banksy blew into town, a mysterious artist hiding his identity, letting his art speak for him (well, some art and a movie). While some of his graffiti works remain, I don't think anything survived untouched. The Lake Shore Boulevard painting of the police officer holding back a floating, pink balloon dog is still there with only the modifications that were done soon after the art went up - namely the dog's Grrr!, the white highlight with the vulture on top of the cop's head and the yellow "Robbin' BANKSY". You can see the original here on BlogTO and one of my post of the paintings here.

What I find fascinating is that the painting is still pretty pristine, other than the above noted additions, yet the barrels that were beside the graffiti still remain, rusting. I mean who leaves barrels outside like that? I think that it's something out of the Simpsons - they are full of spent nuclear fuel or toxic waste. I think Banksy realized the danger of these barrels - his dog was trying to get to the bad waste.

UPDATE Aug 2011: The building is surrounded by a big blue construction fence and large equipment has been ripping apart the exterior and interior. The former Ontario Provincial Police headquarters building from 1975 to 1979 (known as the Workers Compensation Building from 1953). The Province owns the building located at 90 Harbour Street and objected to a City of Toronto historic designation and the Ontario Realty Company has the site identified for development from mid 2010 and in February of 2011 the City issued a demolition permit. I think they will try to save the Banksy graffiti as it is covered over in plywood.

All that is visible is the three white dots which were added by another someone else. You can see the original work here.

The building being demolished.

Caution at 33 Dundas East

I think a group of buildings got into a fight. It started with words, harsh words. Violence progresses quickly and soon a dance fight breaks out. Then someone pulled a knife and the next thing you know a building has been stabbed and it's lifeblood leaks onto the street, although it might have been rain water discharge because we have got a lot of rain lately. Police are called, yellow caution tape goes up saying 'Crime Scene - do not cross' and the coroner makes the call. Northing remains except the horror and the investigation - a nearby building might be going away for a long, long time.

The TV studios at 33 Dundas Street East (CityTV and the OMNI twins) are having some work done and caution tape and a police officer keep the area around the man lift clear and safe.