Photo by Bruce K in the blogTO Flickr pool

Cruelty free, vegan, and organic makeup and cosmetics in Toronto have a loyal following; much like the local food movement, Torontonians like to know where our beauty goods come from and how they're being made. Buying with ethics in mind isn't the only bonus to the organic movement, either - homegrown, natural beauty resources are the sign of a healthy, thoughtful lifestyle. Your skin will thank you.

Here are my picks for the top cruelty free makeup and cosmetics companies in Toronto.

Bite Beauty
Although Bite Beauty is sold exclusively through Sephora, it's still one of Toronto's proudest natural cosmetic companies. The award-winning brand creates natural lip products - hence the name, Bite - with products that include BB creams for your lips with SPF that act as a base layer to apply before you choose your colour, agave nectar balms, and matte crayons derived from orange peels.

Cake Beauty
Cake Beauty products are paraben-free and 100% natural (plus they don't test on animals because they're nice like that). Their specialty products cover anything from your hands, body, and feet needs, though customers come back repeatedly for the dry shampoos that come in both spray and powder form and cater to different hair colours. Another fave are the 11-year-old brand's multi-purpose shower products made with Inca oils from plants supplied with plenty omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids used to nourish the skin and revitalize split ends.

DaLish
DaLish Cosmetics strives to provide an all-natural, multi-use product base that can help you achieve that whole I'm-not-wearing-makeup-but-I-really-am look in five minutes or less. The PETA-approved brand is chemical-free and can currently be found a handful of stores in the 6, including the Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt Hotel (fancy) and Green Beauty Spa on Yonge. Unlike most cosmetic brands, DaLish offers an inexpensive, full make-up kit stocked with everything you need to enhance your natural beauty.

Sudsatorium
Sudsatorium sells fair-trade beauty products designed to benefit its customers both physically and morally. Their quirkily titled lip balms, toners, bubble bath, shampoos and the like - with names like "Mac Daddy" and "Ice Man Cometh" - are made in Toronto and sold on Etsy. Sudsatorium is also a major supporter of small charities and donates 5% of their profits to grassroots efforts all over the world. The organic and vegan shop follows the ethic of "waste not want not" and works to reduce unnecessary packaging where possible while using green-friendly containers for liquid products and recycled materials.

Pelle Beauty
Pelle Beauty's variety of face oils service your beauty needs in more ways than one. The plant-based products are designed with different skin types in mind. Thankfully, founder Marnie Cipriani has outlined the basics on their website in a thorough chart that explains the range of benefits from each natural oil used, whether it's anti-aging, moisturizing, or heavy in nutrients and essential antioxidants. Products are sold individually or in helpful kits that provide all the necessary ingredients for a healthy complexion.

Province Apothecary
Province Apothecary takes its name from its company's practice: taking organic goods from each province across Canada and putting it into their vast selection of products. The Kensington-based business, run by Julie Clark, a holistic health practitioner, turns out synthetic-free, all natural goodies like makeup remover, hair and skin oils, lip balm and even offer in-house aromatherapy facials and skin consultations.

Vasanti Cosmetics
Vasanti's cosmetics are not solely made up of natural ingredients--instead, they've slowly incorporated organic ingredients into their vast range of products and are working to reduce their current use of parabens. The popular brand is sold in everyday pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, and Pharmasave, amidst a slew of big-brand makeup names that test on animals. Vasanti is guaranteed cruelty-free, and with such a wide offering of makeup and cosmetic tools, it's nice to have a go-to Canadian brand that's readily available across the country and still doing their part to contribute to animal welfare.

Pure + Simple
Pure + Simple's three Toronto spa locations (found in Yorkville, Yonge and Eglinton, and King West) believe that the switch to organic products is a lifestyle choice. While most beauty products are typically advertised as a quick fix - chock-full of chemicals (AKA parabens) and future side effects - Pure + Simple promotes individual notions of beauty. Skincare problems are treated uniquely with natural products like their Ayurvedic body and hair oils (for mind and body balance) by professionals who'll get you know your skin type and needs.

Your Feel Good Soap Co.
Your Feel Good Soap Company is a DIYer's dream. The Queen West shop boasts a personalized soap bar with three simple steps to creating unique organic shampoos, conditioners, hand and body soaps made from plant extracts and herbs. While the shop has gathered comparisons to other fresh soap boutiques like LUSH, these natural scents promise not to overwhelm: with the build-it-yourself aspect, customers are able to choose how much aroma goes into their product.

Kaia Naturals
Both cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products are covered by Kaia Naturals, a skincare company that's best known for using bamboo as their key ingredient. Kaia's bamboo tapioca beads offer a healthy, holistic alternative to chemical face cleansers that can occasionally do more harm to your skin than good. The eco-beauty company creates quality products by using natural ingredients like honey, grapefruit seed extract oil, and coconut fatty acids, each of which plays a distinct role in the skincare process.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite vegan, cruelty-free or organic cosmetics in the comments.

Writing by Alex Brown. Photo of Bite Beauty.

The Toronto gallery scene continues its push westward as condo pressure and rising rents drive more and more spaces away from previously gallery-rich areas like Ossington and West Queen West. This well established gallery joins the club in leaving its long held spot at Queen and Shaw for a larger, warehouse-style space on St. Helens. If the first show was any indication, the new location has only served to increase the popularity and creative potential of the space.

Read my profile of the new Clint Roenisch in the galleries section.

Free events in Toronto this week crest on the weekend with the Caribana Parade, though with no money showing up in full costume is going to be tricky. Better to pick through the closet of a friends with questionable taste in thrifting. Speaking of thrifting, a true story: earlier this month I wrote my dentist a cheque and promptly forgot, until I suddenly had $30 in small bills and laundry change to carry me to my next pay cheque. At least my dentist can go on vacation again - and at least I have these Tiki parties, film screenings, and indie rock to keep me busy.

Here are your best bets to play Henry Higgins this week in Toronto.

The Spoke: CULTURE SHOCK
Here's a PWYC lit event thanks to The Spoke, who are trying to re-adjust to the wilds of Kensington Market. Bring them a bongo, a soy grilled cheese, and something at least mildly contraband (or some money - they probably just want money). Monday, July 28, 8pm, Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue).

Super-Diviner: A Psychic Performance by RM Vaughan
RM Vaughan is conducting psychic experiments for free at Videofag. Find out what the "Super-Diviner" / multi-media artist is up to here, and stop by to learn if he's actually psychic by sunset from Tues-Thurs. July 29-31, 6:40pm - 8:45pm, Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue)

Indie 88 Nu Music Night with The Luke Austin Band
Indie88 is putting the The Luke Austin Band on stage, and you get their whole set for free. Not one of those deals where you only get a couple of songs and then they cut the sound until you pay up. Though that would be one way of gauging audience interest. Tuesday, July 29, 9:30pm, Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West)

AKIN CRIT 24: DUFFERIN STUDIO
If you miss art school or missed out on art school, Akin throws monthly crits for free. There's still beer after, don't worry - but maybe not the other stuff you kind of remember from art school such as soul shattering ennui and benzos. Wednesday, July 30, 7pm, 444 Dufferin Street, Unit E.

Outdoor Screening of "LUV"
LUV starring Danny Glover, Dennis Haysbert, Meagan Good, and newcomer Michael Rainey, Jr is screening for free, but bring some cash for popcorn if you can. Wednesday, July 30, 9pm, Regent Park (585 Dundas Street East).

TIKI PATIO PARTY ft. Luau Or Die, Donalyn & Tropical Burlesque
Two floors of "summer loving bands and Polynesian burlesque" means I won't be here, kitschy patio or not. Shudder to think! Sounds fun. Wednesday, July 30, 9:30pm, Bovine Sex Club (542 Queen Street West).

Toronto FILM FESTIVAL best of SHORT Event. RSVP FREE TIX for Thurs. July 31st, 7pm, Carlton
You know how this works, cinema fans: RSVP to see short films for free! Thursday, July 31, 7pm, Carlton Cinema (20 Carlton Street).

Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk - TORONTO, ON @ 3030 Dundas West w/ Whiskey Epiphany
A free concert in the Junction featuring, among others, a band named Whiskey Epiphany - I had one of those about why I'm broke (I was sober at the time). Thursday, July 31, 9pm, 3030 (3030 Dundas West)

Moroccan Night
Free cover to watch bellydancers including Evyenia Karmi. Thursday, July 31, Paintbox Bistro (585 Dundas Street East).

64 High: A Fan-Made Musical
Geek out with this musical about video game heroes Mario and Luigi at this PWYC (bring a donation for the geeky writers and actors) production at The Box. July 31 - Aug 2, 8pm, The Box Toronto: Studio and Theatre (103-89 Niagara Street).

BAD NEWS ALL VINYL DANCE PARTY!!
This celebration of vinyl and gettin' down is free before 11pm ($5 after). Friday, Aug 1, 9pm, Parts & Labour (1566 Queen St. West).

Really Really Free Market at Campbell Park
Bring your stuff before 3pm - oh, I forgot, you live with your significant other in a 5x6 square foot room in a 2 bedroom basement apartment with seven other people and five ex-stray cats and a rescue dog that all don't get along and the only thing you have to call your own is a lamp and a smart phone. Head to the park to get some more stuff, for free! Maybe a second litter box. Saturday, Aug 2, 10am-4pm, Campbell Avenue Park (195 Campbell Park Ave).

Silkscreen and Kite Making workshop with Mary Tremonte and Parastoo Anoushahpour
RSVP to learn the joys of kite making. Kite flying is always free - until you hit a power line. Then it's only free if you're a citizen with up to date health insurance. Saturday, Aug 2, 1-5pm, Xpace Cultural Centre (2-303 Lansdowne Ave)

Artfest Toronto
"75 of Canada's top artists" will show everything from photography and painting to music and crafts. I'm not sure about the "top" artists thing, but event promoters know words have power. Even I am powerless against words. Saturday, Aug 2-4, 11am-6pm, The Distillery District (55 Mill St Toronto).

Caribana Parade
The explosion of energy that is the Caribana parade marches 9am-6pm Saturday, August 2, at Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard. It's $25 to enter Exhibition Place but not to worry - most of the parade is free to attend along Lakeshore Boulevard.

Christie Pits Film Fest presents Days of Summer: Twister!
Instant classic Twister will sweep you off your feet at Christie Pits on Sunday - bring a donation and a blanket. As if a blanket and a couple of bucks could save you from nature. Sunday, Aug 3, 7:30pm, Christie Pits Park.

• Elvis Mondays at the Drake
• Foosball Battle Royale, Monday, Disgraceland
• Art Gallery of Ontario free evening, Wednesday, 6-8:30pm.
• IFOA Weekly, free for supporters, students, & youth under 26, Wednesday, Harbourfront Centre
• Skin of My Nuts Comedy Show, Thursday, Sonic Espresso Bar
• Free patio concerts, Thursday until Aug 7, Roy Thomson Hall
• Canadian Opera Company's Free Concerts series
• While nearly all art galleries in the city are free to enter, it's worth noting The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is always PWYC.
• The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) offers discounted tickets on Fridays ($10).

Photo: Irina No

Taste of Toronto kicked off earlier this week and continues today Sunday, July 27 from noon until 5pm. Boasting more than just a line-up of restaurant and booze vendors, the outdoor event also showcases an artisan marketplace, live demos, celebrity chef book signings, tasting classes and cooking workshops.

Held over four days in four-hour increments, line-ups were painfully long at some vendors while non-existent at others. While the marketplace only took cash, the restaurant vendors accepted an electronic payment system loaded with an imaginary currency called "crowns" (on par with the dollar). Each dish was priced between six and 10 "crowns" - which ultimately seemed to sway hungry atendees towards the biggest bang for their buck.

Check out this photo gallery of my favourite foods from Taste of Toronto.

The top 20 patios for brunch in Toronto will serve you eggs benedict with a touch of sky blue sky. (No, we're not talking about the sandwich restaurant - though I'm sure there will be some Wilco playing in there somewhere.) There's nothing like enjoying a delicious brunch in the fresh air and sunshine. Who cares if the hollandaise sauce splits in the sun when you can get a Caesar and tan!

Here are my picks for the the top patios for brunch in Toronto.

Union
Head past the kitchen to the chill back patio at Union, complete with a sweet line-up of whirly-gigs, and partake in one of Teo Paul's delicious brunch dishes. My favourite guilty pleasure is BBQ Rib Benny and one of their Poseidon Caesars, which has a fresh-shucked oyster on top.

Barque Smokehouse
Roncesvalles's brunch offerings were amplified double time when Barque opened it's doors. The patio on the side, gives the whole experience a picnic-y feel, which suits the BBQ type food. Barque's brunch has bite.

Smith
Smith at Church and Wellesley has a perfect patio, just to the side, narrow and cozy for when you want to be heard but not seen. The brunch is also a hidden gem, with great in-house doughnuts, and a banana bread French toast.

Harvest Kitchen
Harvest Kitchen took over from the old Tati restaurant, and inherited the amazing patio in the back, up amongst the tops of the trees. The brunch menu is as spectacular as the view, making Harvest Kitchen a bona fide winner.

Beast Restaurant
Hitting the Beast Restaurant's front patio for brunch is kind of like going to the front yard of your friend's house for an al fresco meal, and 'your friend' just happens to be the best cook around. Extra bonus if you snag one of the doughnuts by Rochelle.

Drake Café
Who hasn't tried people watching from the Drake cafe patio? Shaded by some awnings, you can keep calm, cool and collected over your eggs when some B-lister saddles up beside you.

School Bakery
Better get in line now for a spot on the patio at School Bakery and Café. Libertarians love their brunch and come in droves to sit in the sun to eat it. It's good to note that it's less busy on the weekdays than weekends, but the Caesars are available any time.

Café Belong
Make it an Old Toronto adventure and have a Brickworks brunch on the beautiful Café Belong patio. The cocktail list alone is worth the trip, but chef owner Brad Long has been a crowd drawer since his My Place days, and the patio vibe is open-air sophistication.

Globe Bistro
The Danforth has plenty of street level patios serving Greek food, but few can boast Globe Bistro's rooftop patio vibe and brunch menu to boot. With the lighter fare and sandwich options alongside more classic breakfast items, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Le Neuf Café
Hidden on a stretch near King and Spadina called Clarence Square, this Parisian-style café has a charming front patio where you can enjoy those francophone brunch favourites, like omelettes, galettes, and crepes.

Gusto 101
Tucked in and up off King Street on Portland, Gusto 101 oozes design details and charm, and there may be no cooler place to have brunch in the neighbourhood than their rooftop patio. The former mechanic's garage is totally transformed into an Italian eatery, but get there early and the wait times for outdoor eating can be long.

Hudson Kitchen
Hudson Kitchen made good use of the former Palmerston patio, not since it's Jaime Kennedy days has it seen any real action, that is until now. Best part is, it still hasn't fully caught on, so this place is perfect for those looking for sun and brunch without a wait.

Origin
The Origin patio is a luxe affair, sundrenched and spacious, with black detailing and designer greenery, and the brunch menu matches the décor. Several types of french toast and eggs benedict are given global touches like hoisin sauce and sesame seed brittle.

Farmer's Daughter / Farmhouse Tavern
Sister restaurants Farmhouse Tavern and Farmer's Daughter share ownership and a love of brunch, and sit just a stone's throw away from each other. The brunch menus and the patios are different but delicious - why not keep it in the family, and hop from one to the other?

Playa Cabana
Run, don't walk, to Playa Cabana's patio for brunch. If you're lucky to secure one of the coveted spots, you may spot a nearby celebrity diner, but you are sure to enjoy their Mexican brunch options like huevos rancheros.

Queen and Beaver
Pub, sports screening room, patios and brunch - The Queen and Beaver Public House has it all. They offer not one, but two patios- one upstairs, one downstairs, and the brunch menu has classic English items like Kedgeree, Black Pudding and kidneys on toast.

The Huntsman Tavern
What was Mitzi's loss is The Huntsman's gain. The large side patio on College is a perfect place for brunch all week long and on the weekends, and well-suited to the delicious menu items on offer, like chicken and waffles, Eggs Benny, and the classic two eggs, any style.

Starving Artist
I Hope you are friends with waffles, because that is what you get at either one of the Starving Artist locations at Lansdowne and Patton, or on St. Clair. Not to worry, they also come gluten-free, sweet or savoury, with eggs, meat or avocado or done with potatoes, and under the sun on their great patios.

Kennedy Public House
With one of the most popular patios in the Bloor West Village, the Kennedy Public House is a causal way to have a nice Saturday or Sunday brunch. Enjoy a fine selection of sandwiches, like the calamari po'boy, or go in for the hilariously named Wake & Bake, a three-egg omelette filled with pulled pork.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite patio for brunch in the comments.

Photo by Ronny Yip in the blogTO Flickr pool

Today in Toronto Mixed Company will pair eight notable Canadian actors (including Raymond Ablack - Degrassi: The Next Generation, Orphan Black) with eight notable Canadian improvisers (including Kathy Greenwood - Who's Line is it Anyway, The Drew Carey Show). The fun goes down easy at Comedy Bar.

Set in Memphis Mystery Train (Best Artistic Achievement at the 1989 Festival de Cannes) will screen at TIFF as part of Strange Paradise: The Cinema of Jim Jarmusch. If you'd rather take in some Canadian history with Don Cherry, he'll be at the WWWI 100th Anniversary Ceremony at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Maybe Rob Ford will show up in a pink satin suit? For the pinkos, you know. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Film: Mystery Train (TIFF)
• Lit: The Spoke: Culture Shock (Videofag)
• Comedy: Mixed Company (Comedy Bar)
• Music: The Old Salts Album Fundraiser (The Garrison)
• Film: In Conversation With... Colm Feore (TIFF)
• History: World War I 100th Anniversary Ceremony (Black Creek Pioneer Village)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.

CNE Bandshell announces no women needed on stage
You know what will make those absurd foods to the CNE's fair go down easier? Down with Webster, Platinum Blonde, Dwayne Gretzky, and Hanson. Oh, but no women. There will be almost exclusively white males on stage this year at the Bandshell, and pretty much everyone (maybe not this PRTY H3RO band?) will be able to non-metaphorically rock with their cock out. Food poisoning, meet your musical line up equivalent.

We deserve better, Toronto - someone call Lido Pimienta to school these bookers.

New Damage Records Summer Sampler
If you haven't grabbed this punk comp yet, it's a free download of 15 tracks including Biblical, KEN Mode, and a band called Youth Decay doing a song called "Little Winnipeg" - Youth Decay, do you mean Galleria Mall? Because Little Winnipeg proper in Toronto is Galleria Mall. I can't tell if you guys are singing about Galleria Mall because you're opening your mouth really wide when you sing.

New Toronto songs & vids

Weaves remixes
If you haven't heard these remixes yet you're in for a fun time. And remixes should either be fun, really scary, or both. Press play to hear Babe Rainbow, JFM, Beta Frontiers, Thomas and more take stabs at Weaves' tracks.

Reverend Moon - Old Graves
The raccoons, rats, crows, and possibly zombie dogs are plotting against Toronto in this old timey karaoke vid for Jakob Rehlinger's (Moonwood, Arachnidiscs Recording) Reverend Moon. I hope the animals do all kill us all. You absolutely have to watch this video - it's like Bob Dylan singing for the (inevitable) raccoon uprising. I never knew Toronto's fringe folk scene could be so evil and fun.

K-os - WiLD4TheNight (EgoLand)
Can't Fly Without Gravity isn't out until 2015 on Dine Alone Records, but here's a snack. Did you forget about K-os? Nu uh. I'm not sure about the production, but vocally it's a fun track. What's up, Toronto?

Dirty Frigs - Osiris
Toronto's grunge revival continues with the indie psych rebrand, begging the question: has anyone noticed? At least they acknowledge Nirvana in the vid.

Akells - 11:11
Did I post this already? I don't think so but it definitely sounds like 1111 things I've heard before. On Indie 8888. Or Myspace 2000.

The Wilderness of Manitoba - Leave Someone
I can't remember if I've posted this yet either! TWOM's Between Colours is out September 16.

This week's hot tickets

Veld
Taking place on the outskirts of the city and billed as "Canada's largest music festival," Veld is one of two must-see events for the EDM crowd. Veld keep the party in daylight hours, and this year's "chosen ones" are Armin Van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Ingrosso, Knife Party, Nero, Martin Garrix, and so many more manning the decks. As a bonus, it's all-ages. Aug 2-3, Downsview Park. MF

OVO
Drake's annual gift to Toronto during Caribana weekend does something amazing: sell out shows based solely on knowing that it'll be a good time. This year brings reunited duo Outkast to town for day one, Drake headlines day two, with a lineup of "special guests" filling out both days. Last year's surprises included Lil Wayne and Kanye West trust Drizzy to put together an unforgettable show. We're pretty sure Lil Wayne will be there - just saying. You don't have tickets, I'm sorry. Aug 3-4, Molson Amphitheatre. MF

Bonus round

Wiz Khalifa, Lionel Richie, Blood Orange, Jack White, Nick Cave, One Direction, Cro-Mags, Oneida, Gesaffelstein, Modest Mouse, Moon King, Das Rad, and uh, Ted Ngyuent all play in Toronto this week. Oh, and a band called Jock Club. Learn more on Just Shows.

What we got up to this week

• Music open mic nights in Toronto by day of the week
• The top 10 Toronto metal bands of all time
• 5 can't-miss Toronto electronic EPs from 2014 (so far)
• Otherland dance series to shake up Toronto party scene
• New Toronto music fest to boast flea market and arcade
• TIME Fest is reborn at Fort York Garrison Common

Photo: Brian Morton. Contributions by Matt Forsythe.

When Olivia Chow announced her plan to run for mayor of Toronto, no one was really surprised. The Trinity-Spadina MP had long been connected with a run for the office of the city's chief magistrate, especially during the Rob Ford drug scandals. Without expressing an official interest in the job, polls regularly placed her as the most likely contender to unseat Ford.

Born and raised in Hong Kong until aged 13, Chow and her family fled to Canada in 1970 amid the Cultural Revolution in China. In her memoir My Journey, she described her experience as part of a struggling immigrant family in Toronto's St. James Town.

Chow first became involved in politics in 1981 as an assistant to Spadina MP Dan Heap. She was elected a public school trustee in 1985, campaigning for gay rights, championing anti-racism and native language policies. As a Metro councillor and later city councillor and MP, affordable childcare became an important part of her focus.

Following her first election win in 1991, Chow emphasized the importance she places on working with the public. "If you work with people and organize them, they realize they can make a difference."

She and Jack Layton were forced to abandon their rafting honeymoon

In July 1988, Jack Layton "smashed his kneecap" running into a Financial Post newspaper box on the corner of Dundas and Elizabeth. Layton launched a lawsuit against the city, which placed the box, and the Financial Post for unspecified damages, saying it was too close to the road. The injury meant the newlywed couple, who were due to marry on Algonquin Island later that year, had to cancel plans for white water rafting on their honeymoon.

At the wedding, the pair recited a "long prayer" for Toronto. "This forest of towers of concrete, glass, and steel ... our city, may it look better the closer we get, not the farther away we go," they said.

Was embroiled in a scandal over a housing co-op in 1990

While a school board trustee, Chow and husband Jack Layton were criticized by several councillors and acting mayor Tom Jakobek for living in an $800-a-month subsidized co-op unit on Jarvis St. while earning a combined $120,000 a year. Jack Layton said people of all incomes were encouraged to live together in co-ops, noting the pair paid a voluntary $325 a month surcharge on their three-bedroom, seven-room unit.

Provincial co-op legislation specifically targeted tenants from a range of incomes to avoid the development of slums, the Toronto Star reported. Co-op rents are typically lower because each is set up as a non-profit organization with the monthly fee covering only the cost of maintenance and mortgage payments. Amid the furor, provincial housing minister John Sweeney called it "not an appropriate situation." The pair later moved to a home near Queen Street West.

She was the first Metro councillor of Chinese origin

Olivia Chow was elected in the Downtown ward of the Metropolitan Toronto government in 1991, beating out opponent Storm MacGregor. As a result, she became the first councillor of Chinese origin. During her campaign Chow said she'd "like to bring the community close to the police." Husband Jack Layton lost his bid for mayor to June Rowlands, in part due to the fallout from the housing co-op scandal.

Chow was elected as Trinity-Spadina MP on her third try

NDP candidate Chow narrowly finished second to Liberal Tony Ianno in the 1997 and 2004 federal elections (by 805 and 3,681 votes, respectively). In 2006, Ianno was edged into second. During the election, Mike Klander, a prominent member of the Liberal party, quit after posting a picture of Chow and a Chow Chow dog to his personal blog under the headline "separated at birth." He also said "I think Jack Layton is an asshole" in the same post. In 2007, she was re-elected in Trinity-Spadina by more than 20,000 votes over her nearest rival.

Motioned to allow conscientious objectors to the Iraq War to seek asylum in Canada

In June 2008, Chow brought a motion calling on the government to stop the planned deportation of Iraq War deserters to the United States. She likened the action to the successful bid in the 1960s to protect Vietnam War resisters. "I believe the same thing is going to happen, because Canadian values haven't changed that much, in terms of we are a peaceful country and we want to allow people that would be deported to jail to stay in Canada," the Toronto Star reported.

The non-binding motion passed 137-110 but was not acted on by the Conservative government. The same motion passed again by a vote of 129-125 in 2009. Kimberly Rivera, a U.S. army private who became the first female Iraq War resister to enter Canada, was deported in 2012 and jailed for 12 months for desertion.

See also:

• 5 things you didn't know about John Tory

Next week: 5 things you didn't know about David Soknacki

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Toronto's public parks are just one of the perks of summer in the city. We challenged our readers to share their favourite picnic spots, playing fields and green spaces. Congratulations to stilez for the above photo, which has earned our prize of a Pure Leaf Real Brewed Kit for winning this edition of our photo challenge series.

Check out all the submissions in our Toronto Parks stream.

Taking over a former Popeye's on the corner of Queen and Sherbourne, this long in-the-works pub features a tough interior that suits the rough-and-tumble location - then contrasts it sharply with an opulent menu that includes oysters, lobster poutine and house-made potato gnocchi. Talk about a transformation.

Read my profile of Black Irish Whiskey Bar & Oyster Saloon in the restaurants section.

The T&T Waterfront Night Market took place for the fifth year this weekend in the parking lot of T&T's Cherry Street location. While the event featured live entertainment, a midway and sports court, the main attraction was easily the vendors alley, where over 100 booths hawked street foods for hungry crowds.

Check out this photo gallery of my favourite foods from the T&T Waterfront Night Market.

It's easy to see the world in Toronto without traveling more than a few miles. Scoping out the city's different neighbourhoods and attending cultural festivals and events are a good start. We're an incredibly multicultural city, boasting a seemingly endless array of restaurants, festivals, and destinations that represent a huge spectrum of cultures. The world really is right in our backyard.

Here are 10 fun ways to travel the world this summer without leaving Toronto.

Spend a few hours in Japan
Just off the 404 at Steeles, J-town is a must-visit for those interested in all things Japanese. It's here that you'll find the GTA's most authentic Japanese bakery, a Japanese butcher selling deep fried hamburgers and super-thinly sliced meats perfect for Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu dishes. There's also a good ramen shop, Japanese grocery store, cafeteria-style lunch spot, izakaya and not-to-be-missed Japanese-style Italian restaurant. It's way cheaper than that $2,000 flight to Tokyo.

Go for dinner in Taiwan
Never been to Taiwan? Book off a few hours in August to see what you're missing. Besides the myriad of Taiwanese cultural events that take place August 22-24 during Toronto's Taiwanfest, they put on a massive Taiwanese banquet with over 30 different individual dishes to try, including the famous Taiwanese jumbo dumplings, chicken nuggets and the oyster omelette.

Eat the world at TO Food Fest
Ever envision taking a trip around the world? Cram that experience into one day, and one massive plate of food, as you sample the best of the city's many multicultural food offerings. The TO Food Fest is located in the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, and if you missed the Taste of Asia fest in June, you can bet much of the same vendors will be there, plus so much more. (Want a preview of what to expect? Check out our coverage of last year's Food Fest.)

Go shopping in Tehran
Yonge north of Steeles is known as Little Tehran. The epicentre of shopping action is at the Toronto Iranian Plaza, but there are tons of Middle Eastern specialty shops on the bordering streets, and it's full of Persian restaurants to refuel when you're tired of shopping. Be sure to stop by BB cafe for a slice of cake and other sweet treats and the nearby Khorak Supermarket for some fresh flat bread or hot lunch from their take-out counter.

Have brunch in Hong Kong
Funny things happen to menus when a city is a hotbed of cross-cultural influences, and Hong Kong-style cuisine is a great example of that. Canto-Western style food, served at Cha Chaan Tengs, is a wacky and wonderful blend of Western-influenced Chinese dishes like smoked salmon spaghetti, French toast and HK milk tea, and you can find a number of restaurant locations in Toronto to experience this slice of Hong Kong.

Feast in the Philippines
Little Manila, around Wilson and Bathurst, has developed that moniker because of all the Filipino shops and services in the area. It's a great place to try some Filipino dishes, baked goods and shops, but there are other Filipino spots scattered across the GTA to search out too - check out the best Filipino restaurants and spots to get lechon.

Test your eating limits in India
The world of eating contests is strange and wild (the Homer Simpson chili cook-off episode?), especially when you bring the heat. On August 24, Little India's Udupi Palace hosts their annual Spicy Dosa Eating Contest, a sure-fire way to blow your mind and bust your gut.

Take a tour of Poland
The Polish festival on Roncesvalles is always a riotously good time, but if you can't wait until September 12 to get your pierogies on, here's a list of the best in the city; you can also take a tour of the best traditional bakeries and acquaint yourselves with all things Polish in Toronto.

Start and end the day in Ireland
Irish breakfasts traditionally include black pudding, potato farl, grilled tomato and fried eggs amongst other things, and is a great compliment to a morning before (and after) a long night at an Irish pub. Try Toronto's best Irish breakfast spots for the eggs, and these Irish pubs for the beer.

Celebrate the Americas at the Pan-Am Food Fest
At the beautiful Daniels Spectrum building from August 8-10, sample the vibrant national and regional flavours of the Americas - the Latin and Caribbean countries like Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala - and, of course, the U.S. and Canada. Delicious!

Thanks to Growers Cider for sponsoring this post.

For more fun things to do this summer, check out our Toronto Fun Guide.

Toronto's Festival of Beer once again descended on Exhibition Place this weekend, bringing with it 120,000 litres of beer from 300 brands, and approximately 30,000 beer lovers (of varying degrees of sophistication) to drink it all. Beers were discussed, samples were downed, and many steins were raised, then clinked together, in a celebratory gesture.

Check out all the suds-soaked action in our gallery from the event.

Castles in the Sky's 2014 parade this past Saturday saw costumed marchers take to the streets not to turn complicated political issues into soccer-match-esque hysteria, but to add some colour and wonder to Toronto's streets via balloons, bubbles, masks, sparkles, and a possible unicorn spotting.

Newmindspace's annual parade gathered at Bloor and Spadina at 3pm and made its way from St. George Station to Union Station and up to Maple Leaf Square, where more bubbles were blown and a dance party confused onlookers before the parade continued to the Island. This year's throng seemed a little smaller than years previous, possibly owing to the sheer mass of events going on in the city, but the feeling of well-organized spontaneity (shh, why not) kept spirits high.

Check out our photo gallery for 10 memories from Castles in the Sky's renegade parade.

The best jerk chicken in Toronto is a formidable list of the best-spiced and most tender chicken on the block. It goes without saying that a big drum BBQ with plumes of nose-itching smoke outside the joint is a good sign of great taste, as it's not just the spice mixture that you create but that open-air grilling that really makes jerk chicken out of this world.

Here is the best jerk chicken in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Caribbean Restaurants in Toronto
The Best Jamaican Patties in Toronto

Photo by Francis Reyes in the blogTO Flickr pool

Today in Toronto catch The Luke Austin Band at the Horseshoe for free, or see Wiz Khalifa play an all-ages show at the Molson with Tyga, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich Homie Quan, Sage the Gemini, and more. Rush (2013) is screening outdoors at Yonge-Dundas Square - no, Rush the band will not be playing or driving race cars.

If you'd like to doodle pictures of you driving race cars with Rush, get to Cameron house and BYO pens and pencils. Steve James' documentary on Roger Ebert Life Itself screens at TIFF, while in Parkdale, Geraldine is serving up Hawaiian inspired street food. For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Music: Indie 88 Nu Music Night: The Luke Austin Band (Horseshoe Tavern)
• Music: Wiz Khalifa (Molson Ampitheatre)
• Film: Life Itself (TIFF)
• Lit: Shab-e Sher Poetry Night XX (Beit Zatoun)
• Film: Rush (Yonge-Dundas Square)
• Art: Toronto Comic Jam (Cameron House)
• Food: Penultimate Tiki Tuesday (Geraldine)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo of Wiz Khalifa by Brian Morton

The world is our movie theatre in Toronto this summer, with free screening after free screening taking over our parks and patios. The Outdoor Movie Festival, a cross-Canadian series of free outdoor flicks backed by Scotiabank, is bringing us another set of opportunities to laugh, cry and nostalgia-trip under the starry skies - this time, on the grass at Fort York throughout August.

The just-announced lineup of Tuesday night screenings proves, once again, that you can't have an outdoor movie screening series without Ghostbusters. In addition to the perennially slimy action/comedy classic, which will hit the screens August 19, the slate features crowd-pleasers like Jurassic Park (August 5), The Breakfast Club (August 12), and the mercifully Tobey Maguire-free Amazing Spider-Man 2 (August 26). There's free popcorn for the first 300 folks at each screening; the fun starts at sundown.

Photo by the City of Toronto in the blogTO Flickr pool.