Photo by lejano (Fernando A) in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Tucked off of Bloor on Brunswick Avenue in the Annex, the Tranzac originated in 1965 as the Australian, New Zealand Anzac Club and is currently one of Toronto's few remaining non-profit member supported art-spaces.

Local music fans know the Tranzac best as a multi-room concert venue, hosting musical performances from indie rock and electro-indie pop to folk to improvisational jazz to classical, as well as a long list of theatrical and cultural events.

Upstairs it houses the Toronto Zine Library, Bob Wiseman's recording studio, and the Girl's Rock Camp office.

The library is run by a collective of volunteers. As a lending library, a nominal membership fee grants borrowing privileges. Otherwise, items are free for reading during staff hours. The Girl's Rock camp supports girls 8-16 years old with music education and performances.

In fall 2010, an emergency fundraising campaign was launched to "save the Tranzac." Hard times had fallen on the venue, with major repairs required (a new roof and floor were required), a decrease in revenue, and rental shortfall having put the club at risk of closing its doors.

Through special concerts, an anonymous donor, increased membership and mortgage re-financing, the club was able to match the required 40K needed to obtain a City of Toronto Culture Build Grant.

With the venue still in operation, the question today is, "what's up with the Tranzac?"

There's both good and bad news for the venue. It still remains in a precarious financial position. Like many old buildings, crumbling infrastructure needs constant maintenance. Funds are always being leveraged to repair things like the aging furnace and bar fridge.

The Tranzac, however, would like to stop being viewed as a charity case. Despite its bohemian appearance (perhaps because of it), it is beloved community institution.

Current board president (yes, the club has a board) Collette Savard informs me that there are currently changes underway for the good. Since the 2010 emergency fundraiser, roofing has been replaced, floors repaired and many infrastructure changes most people don't see have been made.

Members of the Tranzac community also held a strategic planning day in April. Discussions took place as to the Tranzac identity, finances, improvements still required, special/branded events, staffing, and future goals. Perhaps most importantly, the board talked about how to stop having to save the Tranzac and turn it into an enterprise capable of self-sufficiency.

"There's no reason why the club should not be able to stand on its own two feet," Savard explains. "Unlike commercial venues, the Tranzac has a potential to gain revenue from four separate streams: alcohol sales, membership fees, granting, and room rentals."

"In order to do that however, we need help from the community on an ongoing basis not just when the roof is literally caving in," Collette tells me.

The current board is more active. Using funds from a recent refinance, they are shining the place up. New carpets have been installed in the Southern Cross Lounge and Tiki Room and dance lights are now up in the Main hall.

An exterior refresh and landscaping are underway. A bathroom retrofit allowing the club to be functionally wheelchair accessible will be completed by the end of May. Further bathroom upgrades will follow.

They have a wish list of bigger projects like soundproofing between rooms and renovations to the upstairs to create more community space. Plans are underway for a crowdfunding campaign with details to where future funds will go.

The club is also expanding its programming. New events include a weekly ukulele jam run by Steve McNie and a reggae night via JuLion King. There's also events like Drunken Shakespeare and Baroque and Beer.

Board members are passionate about the process and Collette is enthusiastic, if practical. She recognizes that if the plan for the next year doesn't turn things around, more drastic changes could happen.

"The Tranzac has a huge community that loves the place. We hope that that community steps up to help us keep the Tranzac rolling for another 50 years and beyond," Collette confides. "I have every faith that we can make this happen!"

On May 3, the Tranzac is hosting a special feast in support of the venue. The lineup includes a group of alumni and current community members. There will be an in-house vegan dinner with a free drink included. Tickets can be purchased online or at the club.

Funds go towards current and future Tranzac improvement projects.

Collette describes the night as "a celebration of great music and great food, but most importantly a love-in for a great community venue."

In order to ensure the continued operation of the club, help is required beyond financial contributions. Many volunteer opportunities exist from painting to grant writing. The Tranzac board and information for membership, space rentals, and other special events can be reached through Collette Savard at president@tranzac.org.

Photos by John Maynard, blogTO, Girls Rock Camp, and the Tranzac.

Free concerts and music festivals in Toronto have always been welcome, but particularly since the festival scene has become richer and richer (ahem, how much was that wristband, again?). Music in Toronto is as diverse as the city's neighbourhoods, and thankfully you don't need to make a six figure salary to enjoy it all.

Here are my picks for the top annual free music events in Toronto.

Beaches International Jazz Festival
The Beaches International Jazz Festival continues to grow each year. The festival features international, local, and "new generation" Jazz, Latin-salsa, reggae, hip-hop, big-band and even workshops. Events happen on six stages (and on the street) from Qew Gardens to Woodbine Park. Total attendance is approaching the million mark.

Harbourfront Centre
The Toronto Harbourfront Centre has long been home to family-friendly festivals and special events year round on its five concert stages, though the more adult programming has recently gotten better. From July though September, the Summer Music in the Garden series presents contemporary interpretations of music from around the world.

Yonge & Dundas Square
Throughout the summer Yonge & Dundas Square becomes a concert area. Weekday lunch hour shows are open to all-ages at no cost with a mix of folding chair seating and standing room. They feature a range of genres from indie singer-songwriter to alternative adult. NXNE invades YDS during mid-June with special free shows from big name acts.

Pedestrian Sundays
On the last Sunday of each month throughout the summer, Kensington Market is closed to vehicular traffic. Residents and non-residents are free to explore the sights and sounds of the market on foot. As eclectic as the shops are, so too are the blend of street musicians performing on street corners.

Junction Music Festival
Only a few years in, the Junction Music Festival demonstrates the growth of the neighbourhood as a music destination. Local venues do special programming while a main stage brings out a huge crowd each September.

Roncy Rocks
Demonstrating that Toronto neighbourhoods are full of locally grown talent, Roncy Rocks shows off the best of its own. Roncy musicians fill several outdoor stages all day long during the multi-arts celebration (Saturday June 6, 2015). Sidewalk sales, art sales, and a youth talent show complete the event.

Toronto Bicycle Music Festival
The pedal-powered music festival takes to Toronto parks and streets every September. Organizer James Davis was inspired by a similar bicycle festival in San Francisco. The music part involves musical performances powered by human bicycle power in area venues. Bike marshals guide cyclists safely through city routes with on-the-way music.

Great Hearts Festival
During NXNE week each June, Young Lions Club and Humble Empire present the Great Hearts Festival in Trinity Bellwoods Park. About 20 NXNE artists (even though it's not an offifical NXNE presentation) perform completely acoustically over the course of four days for hundreds of listeners.

Bloor Ossington Folk Festival
Don't let the name deceive you. The Bloor Ossington Folk festival includes other genres and from well outside the Bloor-Ossington hood. Headliners take to the stage at Christie Pits where a beer garden, food, and crafts are all available. Each year the festival has grown with all-day programming and community support.

Mel Lastman Square
North of Sheppard on Yonge St., Mel Lastman Square has a number of summer concerts that are free. Early evenings by the water stream the are a concerts under the stars with big bands, Broadway tunes, and community music/performing groups. The annual Hispanic Fiesta also takes place, drawing thousands to listen to Latin music.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions for Toronto's top free annual music events in the comments.

Photo of the National at Yonge-Dundas Square

Cuban food in Toronto is alive and well. Case in point the achiote roasted chicken, plantains and deliciously thin pressed sandwiches layered with ham, pork and cheese at this new Cuban eatery on Ossington.

Read my profile of the new location of La Cubana in the restaurants section.

Digital cartographer Eric Fischer first released his Geotaggers' World Atlas back in 2010. Using geotagged information on Flickr, the project sought to highlight the places that people took the most photographs in cities around the world. From there, one might argue what the most interesting locations in a given city are based on the frequency with which they've been photographed.

Now, five years later, Fischer has done a massive update to the project, which adds loads of additional information to the first maps he produced in the series. The new maps are visually stunning documents layered with hints at how we use and appreciate cities.

"A cluster of geotagged photos is a good indicator of the interestingness of a place because it signifies that people went there in the first place, saw something worth taking a picture of, and put the extra effort into posting it online for others to appreciate," Fischer explains.

"And a sequence of photos along a route is even more significant, because it indicates that someone sustained their interest over distance and time rather than taking one picture and turning back."

You could make an argument that the inevitable tourist factor challenges Fischer's interestingness theory, but if you take the term literally -- as in those places that attract that most photographic interest -- then you have what might be thought of as a gravitational portrait of Toronto, one which highlights the places that have the most pull.

Use the map below to view the entire Geotaggers' Atlas of the World.

Twitter is a great way to stay updated and in contact with all of your favourite Raptors, Jays, Leafs and TFC-ers. But who to follow? If you want to take your cues from the masses, these five Toronto athletes have proven to got game in their sport and on in the Twittersphere.

Here are the five most popular Toronto sports stars on Twitter.

@JozyAltidore
We all know that TFC fans are a passionate crowd and it turns out they're passionate tweeters too. With over 862,000 followers, TFC forward Jozy Altidore is on the top of his Twitter game and this list. From sharing his passion for the game to answering fan questions, Altidore is actively engaged with his fan base.

@JoeyBats19
With almost 700,000 followers Blue Jay and Booster Juice aficionado Jose Bautista is by far the most popular boy in blue. Staying engaged with updates from the team as well as the occasional reply to haters keeps this right fielder busy online. He's also not one to shy away from the occasional inspirational quote too.

@DeMar_DeRozan
There's no question the Raptors were the guiding light in Toronto sports this season (at least until the playoff meltdown) and team captain DeMar DeRozan reaped the benefits of that on Twitter. DeRozan often refers to his fans and followers as the best fans in the NBA and is constantly tweeting his We The North pride.

@Pkessel81
Of all the Leafs, right winger Phil Kessel was the one fielding the most words of encouragement and disappointment from fans online this season. After teammate and active Twitter user Joffrey Lupul threw in the Twitter towel earlier this year it was Kessel that took the brunt of the Twitter heat.

@KLow7
Another Rap that gets a lot of attention on Twitter is Kyle Lowry. 200,000 plus followers isn't bad for the first time All Star although he's been eerily silent online since he tanked in the playoffs.

Who are your favourite Toronto athletes to follow on Twitter? Let us now in the comments.

Photo of @JozyAltidore via TFC on Facebook.

Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 10 this year and if your celebration plans include mimosas and eggs, there's no better time than now to book a table. Whether indulging in a spring prix fixe, festive buffet, or a la carte menu, expect restaurants to be bustling reservations are advised.

Here are my top picks for where to take Mom for brunch this Mother's Day in Toronto.

BRUNCH BUFFETS

• Colette Grand Cafe (550 Wellington St. West) is doing their usual indulgent brunch buffet with expanded seafood offerings priced at $75 per person.
• The Chase Fish & Oyster (10 Temperance St.) wants to treat mom to a brunch buffet priced at $60 per person, Meanwhile, The Chase will offer a prix fixe menu for $75.
• Montecito (299 Adelaide St. West) offers an all-you-can-eat brunch feast every Sunday, and Mother's Day is no exception. Expect a a special mom-inspired Spring menu featuring made-to-order pancakes and omelettes, home-baked pastries, and menu signatures like kale salad and fried chicken. Book a table for brunch, served from 11am to 3pm.
• TOCA at the Ritz-Carlton (181 Wellington St. West) is holding a Mother's Day Brunch featuring a special buffet for $89 per adult, and $48 per child.
• Casa Loma hosts a Mother's Day brunch buffet will feature a full seafood bar, oven baked frittatas, lobster ravioli and filet mignon, plus, miniature French pastries and tempura banana splits for desert. Adults can dine for $55 while children 13 and under eat for $35. Reservations are required.

PRIX FIXE MENUS

• The Geraldine (1564 Queen St. West) collaborates with Kitten & The Bear for a special Mother's Day high tea instead of their usual brunch service. Two seatings (at 10am and 1pm) are available for reservation to share in this spread featuring savoury and sweet towers, scones, jams, and clotted cream for $75 per person.
• Campagnolo (832 Dundas St. West) will offer a $45 prix fixe for Mother's Day brunch that opens with a basket of viennoiserie, followed by selections for starters and mains that including brunch time burrata, spring leek tart, scotch eggs, and chicken and waffles.
• Looking for something more unique? District Oven (842 College St.) is serving a mezze style Mother's Day brunch for the table. Priced at $22 per person, expect a chef's selection of dips and egg dishes with fresh baked pita. A la carte options are available too.
• Mildred's Temple Kitchen (85 Hanna Avenue, Suite 104) is serving brunch per usual between 9am and 3pm, as well as, offering a prix-fixe menu for $27.50. Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis. If brunch isn't Mom's thing, op for the Sunday Roast feast starting at 5:30pm.
• The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. West) is serving up a $36 prix fixe fit for a queen this Mother's Day. Mommy-to-be, Chef Feswick will offer selections like yogurt with preserves, blueberry buckwheat pancakes, and even steak and eggs.
• Globe Bistro is serving up a $29 prix fixe brunch menu for Mother's Day this year. The menu opens with fresh scones and preserved the offers selections over three course including a mix of breakfast and lunch foods.
• George Restaurant is serving up a three-course a la carte brunch menu from 11am to 2:30 on Mother's Day. Adults can dine $60, while kiddies eat for $15.
• Destingo (741 Queen St. West) is serving up a $35 prix fixe menu featuring selections like pastries or charcuterie to start, followed by a choice of egg dishes, pizzas and pastas, and then desserts.
• Auberge du Pommier (4150 Yonge St.) is serving brunch from 11am to 2:15pm featuring a three-course prix fixe for $55 that includes choices like salmon dill crepes and fresh-baked quiche.

BREAKFAST IN BED

• Planning breakfast in bed? Pre-order Mother's Day brunch from any Pusateri's location for pick-up. Catered packages include a five dish tasting menu plus fresh squeezed juices for $35 per person, while second package features shared plates like lemon-ricotta stuffed pancakes with maple blueberry syrup. Last-minute shoppers can pick up breakfasty selections in store the day of.

MORE TOP PICKS

• Thoroughbred Food & Drink (304 Richmond St. West) will treat moms to a complimentary box of truffles during brunch. Pre-order tiered platters of pastries, as well as selections from the from the la carte menu. Reservations are recommended.
• Patois (794 Dundas St. West) is collaborating with The Rolling Pin for Mother's Day weekend from May 8 to 10. In addition to the usual line-up of brunch foods, the Jamaican-Chinese restaurant will be selling a Pineapple Upside Down Donut along with a White Rabbit Candy Donut in support of a women's charity in honour of Mother's Day.
• The Good Son (1096 Queen St. West) wants to get your Mom day-drunk. Look forward to Cocktail Dim Sum featuring spins on classic brunch bevys, plus delicious brunch items like Southern fried chicken and maple waffles, or a wood-fired breakfast pizza.
• Gusto 101 (101 Portland) is adding fresh juices and avocado toast to their brunch menu, as well as offering a little chocolate truffle treat for Mum.
• THR & Co. (97 Harbord St.) recently launched an all new brunch menu featuring shrimp and grits, baked eggs, and buttermilk fried chicken. Expect celebratory menu specials on for Mother's Day too.
• Biff's Bistro (33 Yonge St.) is offering a special a la carte menu for the day featuring indulgent offerings such as quiche florentine and crepes Madame.

SEE ALSO:

• The Best Restaurants that take Reservations for Brunch in Toronto
• The Best Splurge Brunch in Toronto
• The top 50 brunch restaurants in Toronto
• The Best Brunch in Toronto

Photo from the patio at Auberge du Pommier by Jesse Milns.

Queen St. West is packed with some of Toronto's top bars, lounges and live music venues. Looking for a bar crawl? Grab a group of friends and head to these spots to get a good cross section of nightlife in neighbourhoods spanning from Yonge St. to Roncesvalles.

Here are my picks for the top bars and pubs on Queen St. West.

See also:The top 10 bars and pubs on Queen St. East

The Horseshoe Tavern
Ah, The 'Shoe, an oldie but a goodie. One of Toronto's oldest bars, The Horseshoe Tavern, is a great live music venue with a rich history and no plan on slowing down anytime soon. Check out their Twitter feed for updates on the upcoming events and shows.

The Cameron House
I mean, live music seven nights a week! I'm not talking about your ex-boyfriend's high school SKA band either - the live music at this Toronto staple never disappoints. Rotating art installations add to the dark and funky atmosphere. A must stop on your Queen West bar crawl.

Bovine Sex Club
With a name like this you have to expect a bar with some balls, and you get just that. An old stand by when it comes to the Queen West bar scene, Bovine Sex Club feels like if a garage sale and a rock band had a baby - needless to say, it's awesome. You haven't truly experienced the old Queen West until you've had a night here.

Rush Lane
Those who like creative cocktails will love this bar which has a scientific preoccupation with perfection. Their team of expert mixologists create beautiful cocktails which are best paired with something from their snack menu.

416 Snack Bar
Not sure you want to head out tonight? Flip through 416 Snack Bar's Instagram and you'll be convinced to throw on some pants and head to this cozy hang-out. Their bite-sized snack menu and ever changing specials are the major draw of this place, but its atmosphere alone is worth the visit.

Done Right Inn
This divey watering hole is perfect for the easy-going Trinity Bellwoods crowd. In warmer weather the back patio is as good as spot as any to get away from the hustle and bustle of Queen St.

Bar Fancy
Don't let the name fool you. From the small draught list to the supreme comfort food, Bar Fancy is delightfully uncomplicated. If you're looking for a low key kind of night this is your spot. P.S If you haven't had their fried chicken yet, what are you waiting for?

The Drake Hotel
The Drake has something for everyone - the Drake Underground music venue, funky lounge and restaurant on the main floor and rooftop patio Sky Yard. In other words, it's perfect for the indecisive friend group. Planning to party too hard to make the 501 trek home? Book a room in advance and stay all night long.

The Yukon
This Parkdale establishment abandons its neighbourhood's ravenous need for edginess and embraces its own classic and intimate vibe. Dark wood, narrow space and craft beer makes for a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. It's perfect for a date-night or for solving the world's problems with some friends.

Food & Liquor
Food & Liquor keeps it simple just like its name implies. Forgoing a complicated specialty cocktail menu they focus on beer, wine and classic cocktails. Also, their kitchen is open until 2am Thursday through Monday so it's a tasty alternative to the usual late night spots.

What did I miss? Let us know your favourite Queen West bars and pubs in the comments.

Photo by Jason Cook in the blogTO Flickr pool.

At first glance this new shop on Queen might look like just another design store complete with cards, candles and a collection of jewellery but upon closer inspection I found it a treasure trove of unique and interesting finds.

Read my profile of Contrast Living in the design section.

TCAF 2015 kicks off in Toronto this week, and though it's a joyous time of year for fans of independent comics and graphic novels in Toronto, the annual comics fest is, year after year, becoming a growing draw for artists and publishers from across North America.

The two-day fair at the Toronto Reference Library is still the main draw, with hundreds of exhibitors taking part, but the calendar of affiliated events is rammed, and the list of new books and featured artists is stronger than ever (plus, there's that new gift shop to check out). Clear some space on your bookshelf.

Here are my picks for what to check out at TCAF 2015.

Top talent
This year's festival lineup doesn't skimp on the special guests: Scott McCloud, Seth, Adrian Tomine, Lynda Barry (a first-time TCAF visitor) and Jillian Tamaki are among the featured attendees, with the latter four appearing at the festival's kick-off event May 8.

Hot new releases
You'll find plenty of new must-reads on the tables at TCAF, but several are getting their own launch bashes: Mary Sue editor Sam Maggs' The Fangirl's Guide To The Galaxy, the fourth issue of Ethan Rilly and John Porcellino's Pope Hats, and Geoff Berner and Tin Can Forest's dark folk tale We Are Going To Bremen To Be Musicians.

Local content
If you missed the film adaptation of Toronto-set graphic novel SNOW, you can see it for free at the fest. There's also some notable books from Toronto creators debuting including the latest from Skim and This One Summer's Jillian Tamaki, SuperMagic Mutant Academy; Jenn Woodall's FIGHT! zine and the trade paperback of Kat Verhoeven's St. James Town-set Towerkind.

Digital extras
The festival's collab with the Hand-Eye Society, Comics Vs. Games, returns for a fourth year to give visitors a taste of the latest and greatest in indie gaming. (They promise you can find love in a cat cafe, defuse a bomb or throw things at a bear, and if that doesn't sound like a fun weekend, you are beyond my help.)

Party time!
The festival's after-hours programming provides plenty of chances to rub shoulders with your fellow artists/geeks/both: A Wednesday night Drink & Draw, the official welcome party on Friday, and the Queer Mixer and TCAFete double header on Saturday (the latter DJ'd by the beautifully-named Chest Hair Brown).

Did I miss any? Leave your top picks for TCAF 2015 in the comments.

Photo via tracer in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Free events in Toronto this week will have you viewing everything from photos to fashionable footwear. There is a cost-free electric dance party, a film viewing, and a OCAD photography exhibit.

Here's what to do to in Toronto this week without spending a dime.

Contact Photography Festival (May)
The world's largest photography festival is officially underway and spans the month of May with numerous free art shows, public installations and events to take in. A good strategy is to hit up the exhibit openings - best bets for the week include The Black Cat (May 6), Corkin Gallery (May 7), Ryerson Image Centre (May 7) and Arsenal. (May 8) Consult the official calendar for more.

SNOW Film Screening (May 6)
If you're looking to take in a free film this week, look no further. SNOW, a film based on a graphic novel, features a Toronto cast and crew and promises an endearing narrative based in our home city.

Synthesexer: May 8, w/ARP 2600, Digits, & Little Kicks (May 8)
Who doesn't want to kick off next weekend with a dance-party? Electro hits will be played all night, promising to keep you synthesweating to the beat. And good news, if you're free before 11pm so is this event.

Learning from Latin American Sub-Urbanism: Alejandro Cartagena lecture and conversation with Shawn Micallef (May 8)
If bold imagery is your cup of tea, OCAD is offering a free viewing of photographs from Mexican photographer Alejandro Cartagena. Also go for the insightful words from Toronto Star writer, Spacing scribe and brunch hater Shawn Micallef.

Bata Shoe Museum's 20th Birthday Bash (May 9, 10)
Get your kicks from looking at kicks? The BSM is where it's at this upcoming weekend. Saturday is the main event, offering free entertainment and cupcakes. Even better news - the museum is opening its doors to everyone on both Saturday and Sunday.

ONGOING FREE EVENTS IN TORONTO

Elvis Mondays (Mondays, The Drake)
Toronto's longest running indie showcase, William New's free show has put thousands of bands on stage. It's at the Drake Underground every Monday.

Free Nights at the Horseshoe (Monday/Tuesday, The Horseshoe)
The Legendary Horseshoe has a storied history, and hosts free indie rock shows in the early week with Shoeless Mondays and Dave Bookman's Nu Music Night on Tuesdays.

AGO Free Evening (Wednesday, AGO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario's free evening runs from 6-8:30pm. It can be a little crowded, but sometimes the people watching is as good as the art (sometimes).

Aga Khan Free Evening (Wednesday, Aga Khan Museum)
The brand new Aga Khan Museum for Islamic art has launched Free Wednesdays from 4-8pm.

CINSSU's Free Friday Films (Fridays)
The Innis Town Hall is back with free movies every Friday. Follow the Cinema Studies Student Union or check out our event section.

Canadian Opera Company (Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre)
September through to early June, catch free classical shows at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts "most Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and some Wednesdays at noon or 5:30 p.m."

MOCCA (Tuesday - Sunday)
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.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our event calendar using this form.

Photo from the Bata Shoe Museum on Facebook.

Party supply stores in Toronto will make your harried, obligation-juggling self look like a seasoned event planner. A few well-chosen decorations and table settings can make all the different between a simple gathering at your place and a pro-looking birthday bash - and if you want to kick things up a notch with a fancy balloon design or party favours, so much the better. Either way, these stores will help you nail the details with ease.

Here are my picks for the top party supply stores in Toronto.

Party City
This Canadian party-supply chain has three GTA megastores - Orfus Road, Eglinton Town Centre and Keele and Finch - that supply pretty much everything your next event might need. On top of 21 colours of coordinating tableware, their sizeable inventory includes specialized products for weddings, baby showers, seasonal and theme parties, as well as costume gear and patioware.

It's My Party
This Danforth party supply store does double duty as a one-stop party shop - featuring seasonal decorations, a library of balloons, invitations and confetti - and as a repository for costume gear (particularly during Halloween).

Cry If I Want To
In Leslieville, this charming indie shop does things a little differently: Instead of stocking paper plates and balloons, they design invitations, plan events, offer table and barware rentals, and stock great gifts and tableware. (Note to aspiring party store owners: The rest of the lyrics to Lesley Gore's greatest hit were available as of press time.)

Party Supply Depot
This Thornhill shop, in business since 1990, has earned plenty of loyal customers thanks to consistently reasonable pricing and frequent specials. In addition to the usual birthday, wedding and baby shower gear, they also include a selection of products geared toward Jewish holidays.

You Send Me
Located in the PATH under King and University, You Send Me has the downtown crowd covered for last-minute bunches of balloons, stationery, or gag gifts before an evening or weekend bash. The tiny store is packed to the gills with merch, and owner Barry will happily help you navigate.

Balloons on Bloor
They deliver what they promise at this Bloordale party shop, where they stock latex and foil balloons in all kinds of colours and shapes for any occasion, and will even create balloon bouquets and installations to your specs (in case your next party needs a floating champagne bottle pouring out balloons).

Balloon Queen
If you're looking for a big balloon arch, a cheery floating message spelled out in gold Mylar, or an exploding balloon cascade, give this Corktown vendor a ring - they'll consult with you to figure out a showstopping balloon installation for your next party. Custom printing and helium tank rentals are also available.

Balloon King
This Mississauga party store appears to have no relation to the Queen. What they do have, however, are 50 colours of balloons available for purchase, or for use in bouquets. They also include other spheres of party decor, including decorations, confetti, seasonal items, and novelty gear.

Amazing Party Store
Costumes are a big focus at this party depot in Etobicoke, but if you're not looking to dress up like a pirate or Captain America anytime soon, their party gear selection is wide enough to include oddities like divorce party decorations, X-rated novelty stuff, and tons of unusual themed supplies. (Oh, and fireworks.)

Little Party Shoppe
This Yonge and Glencairn shop maintains a healthy general mix of supplies that tend slightly toward the more youth-oriented set (lots of licensed gear). The selection is bolstered by some unusual finds that would make perfect gifts (or party favours).

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite party supply store in Toronto in the comments.

Photo via the Amazing Party Store.

You might be hard pressed to see a skunk in Toronto, but chances are you will smell one some time this spring and summer. The acrid burnt-rubber stench of freshly deployed skunk spray is often the only lingering clue that one of these retiring members of the weasel, otter, and marten family have been on your street.

"You don't see them as much or as often as raccoons because there aren't as many," says David Sugarman from the Ontario Science Centre. "Skunks continue to be very shy, even though they've got tremendous weaponry in their smell production, they really are quite retiring. They really would much rather just find something to eat and go back to their dens."

Typically skunks live in small burrows, underneath sheds, porches, or decks, sometimes in the hollow of a woodpile. They don't like to climb, and unlike raccoons, they won't make a home in your attic crawlspace or roof of your shed. What keeps skunks hanging around in cities like Toronto, like many critters, is the abundant availability of food.

As devoted omnivores, urban skunks are happy to pick through food scraps discarded by humans. In the wild, however, a typical menu consists of grubs, slugs, nuts, insects, bird eggs, and other small mammals, like mice. Because of their fearsome defence mechanism, few animals like to eat skunk.

Great Horned Owls, which have a dull sense of smell and razor sharp talons, are the only animals that regularly prey on the malodorous mammals, Sugarman says.

And what a defence mechanism that spray is. A pair of glands near the skunk's anus secrete about 28 ml of sulphurous alcohol so potent it can cause temporary blindness. Still, given a choice, skunks would rather not use it, especially as they have a good sense of smell themselves and are not immune to its powers. In disputes over mates or food, males wisely tend to use their teeth and claws instead.

"They only have enough to spray about five or six times, and then it takes 10 days to replenish their supply," Sugarman says. "It takes a fair amount of metabolic energy to make these fancy chemicals that come out in the spray."

Skunks also have killer aim. Tests have shown they are able to accurately target their defensive ejections up to five metres away, a fact made all the more remarkable considering the creatures must turn around prior to release.

Sugarman says a mix of baking soda, peroxide, and dish soap is scientifically proven way of removing the smell, should you or a pet get hit. (Tomato juice and other popular home remedies tend to mask the sulphurous stench rather than break it down.)

Typically skunks only live about five years, about the same as a mouse. The males are solitary, polygamous creatures that play no role in the raising of the young. Females usually give birth to a litter of four to seven "kits" in the spring, which may explain why there's an uptick in skunk-related stenches this time of year.

Don't worry, Toronto. It probably won't last.

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

Image: Tambako The Jaguar/Creative Commons, Sam Javanrouh/blogTO Flickr pool.

Just shy of 400 acres, High Park is among Toronto's largest downtown green spaces. The gently undulating landscape is home to a river, a lake, a zoo, a famous grove of Japanese cherry trees, even a historic homestead complete with the tomb of its former owners.

Those departed former residents were the Howards, and Toronto owes the existence of High Park to them. John G. Howard, an architect and city surveyor, owned a sprawling sheep farm on the property with his wife, Jemima, until 1890. 17 years earlier, in 1873, the Howards cut a shrewd deal with the city that dictated the land become a public park upon the demise of the couple in exchange for a downpayment of $300 and an annual, tax-free pension of $1,200, payable as long as one of the pair remained alive.

By the time John G. died in 1890, the city had paid more than $20,000 to the Howards. Somewhere upwards of half a million dollars in today's money. The terms of the deal also stipulated that the Howards tomb, which is just outside their former home, Colbourne Lodge, be maintained with frequent coats of fresh paint and varnish in perpetuity. The land was also to be called High Park.

Here's a look back at what High Park used to look like.

The grave of John George and Jemima Frances Howard near Colborne Lodge. The iron fence surrounding the Howards' resting place was sourced from St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England. Their will also stipulates that the gates to the headstone be kept locked.

During the first world war, the natural expanse of High Park was used as the backdrop for military training exercises.

A makeshift baseball game in April 1933. According to the caption, there's a goat somewhere in this picture.

The High Park Mineral Baths, nicknamed "The Minnies," were located north of Bloor in a natural swimming hole. In the background a deep ravine is being filled in for an extension of Boor St.

The spring-fed pools were operated as the High Park Sanitarium by Dr. William J. McCormick, who claimed a dip in the water would prevent illness and boost the immune system. The natural pools were cleared during construction of the Bloor-Danforth line.

The depth of the manhole cover shows just how much fill was required to push Bloor through the ravine north of High Park.

A genteel game of lawn bowls in High Park in 1908.

A couple poses on top of a historic brass cannon outside Colborne Lodge. The weapon was made in 1845 and can still be found in the park, despite damage by vandals.

Vehicles in High Park in 1913.

The park's roads were popular with recreational motorists in the early 20th century.

A dog, "Tinker," meets a caged deer in July, 1928.

A mule deer fawn at High Park Zoo in 1925.

Fishing in Grenadier Pond in July, 1939.

Those birds in the distance are flamingos.

An ostrich in High Park Zoo.

Athlete Tom Longboat in a toboggan in High Park in 1909. In 1907, Longboat came to national attention by winning the prestigious Boston Marathon, smashing the record for the course by almost five minutes. During the first world war he served as a dispatch runner in France.

Mounted police officer in May, 1926.

Students at the Forest School in High Park. The mostly outdoor facility served as a summer school for under-nourished children. "Here the repairing of wasted little bodies is a matter of prime concern to the staff," the Globe wrote in 1922.

The Forest School had outdoor exercise sessions, classes, even nap times. Rows of cots were arranged under the trees during warm summer afternoons.

A "little mothers" class at the Forest School in 1913.

Meals were served in a large open-sided pavilion. The main building of the Forest School is still standing off Colborne Lodge Dr. at the north end of the park.

Hockey on a frozen pond in High Park.

In the days before domestic freezers, ice was cut from the surface of large bodies of water, such as Grenadier Pond. Another popular source of ice was Lake Simcoe.

Snowshoers crowd a horse-drawn wagon around 1920.

The hills of High Park made for excellent toboggan runs. In summer the same tracks were used for motorcycle hill climbing competitions.

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

Images: City of Toronto Archives

Beer festivals outside of Toronto obviously can't be as good as those held in Toronto by virtue of the fact that everything we do here, we do way cooler, but that doesn't mean that they aren't worth checking out if you happen to be in the area, right?

Besides, if you're at a festival that no one in Toronto really knows about, doesn't that make you cooler than them? Look, I don't know what cool is, OK? Here are some fun events related to beer that would make a great excuse for a road trip. Stop worrying about what everyone thinks.

These are my top picks for beer festivals and events happening this year outside of Toronto.

The Fort Henry Beerfest and Food Truck Festival (Kingston, June 13)
Technically part of Ontario Craft Beer Week, this event will actually feature breweries from both Ontario and Quebec--and, as the name suggests, food trucks. For some local flavour, check out the increasingly interesting offerings from Kingston's own Stone City Ales.

Tickets are $25 and include $10 worth of "taste tickets."

The King City Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival (King City, June 13)
Live music, some great food trucks, and local beer at King City's Memorial Park. If you've never had it, try the pilsner from King Brewery. Technically King Brewery is in Nobelton, 10km away from King City, but they're both called King and, hey, it's a really nice beer.

$10 in advance or $15 at the door and includes a glass for the first 1500 attendees and three drink tokens.

The Collingwood Craft Beer and Cider Festival (Collingwood, June 13-14)
The inaugural, eponymous downtown event goes down at Eddie Bush Memorial Arena and the adjacent parking lot and will feature beer from a handful of Ontario brewers and a couple cideries. Look for local guys Side Launch Brewery, Northwinds, and The Collingwood Brewery.

Tickets are $20 for one day, includes a stein and three beer tokens.

The Kawartha Craft Beer Festival (Peterborough, June 20)
Peterborough's first craft beer festival at Louis Street Park has legitimate claim to the "most indie" beer festival of the summer (a title I just invented). Check out beer from small breweries your friends definitely haven't heard of yet including Publican House, Smithworks, Bobcaygeon, Old Flame, William Street, Church Key, and Boshkung Brewing.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and include a glass and four drink vouchers.

Because Beer (Hamilton, July 10-11)
The Hammer is kind of a happening beer scene, man. Case in point, the second installment of Because Beer at Hamilton's picturesque Pier 4 Park, which will feature over 30 breweries, live music, and food trucks. There will be brewers from across Ontario, including Hamilton's own Collective Arts Brewing, Garden Brewers, The Hamilton Brewery and even Toronto transplant Brad Clifford.

Tickets $29.95 in advance for one day $35.00 at the door, includes a mug and four tokens.

The Burlington Beer Festival Burlington, July 17-19)
Burlington is really up and coming. In 1974, when the population exceeded 100,000, Burlington was finally incorporated as a city. And then last year, they got a beer festival.
Raise a glass to The Burl's blazing progress this summer when a handful of brewers will descend on Spencer Smith Park for the hottest ticket in town. Take that, Royal Botanical Gardens!

Tickets are $35 a day and include a mug and six tokens.

Ribfest and Craft Beer Fest (Kitchener, July 17-19)
If there's one thing most beer events are lacking, for my money it's ribs, man. This event at Victoria Park has you covered with "some of the best ribs and chicken in the country" to soak up the lengthy selection of craft beer that's being poured. (Seriously why aren't there more ribs at beer events?)

Admission is free but you'll pay for your beer and BBQ.

Griffin Session Muskoka (Bracebridge, August 2)
Griffin Session Muskoka is a lot like Toronto's version of Session, except it's in Muskoka (and run by the owner of the Griffin Gastro Pub). 30 Ontario craft breweries will descend on Annie Williams Park in an event that also features Ontario wine, cider, and spirits. There's beer/wine/spirit education and even some acoustic music. Drink beer from Muskoka, Lake of Bays, and Sawdust--resident Muskokan brewers.

$10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the gate.

The Forest City Beer Festival (London, August 15)
London, Ontario is the 1847 birthplace of Labatt Brewery, and the arena there, once called the John Labatt Centre, is now called Budweiser Gardens. That's why it's sort of badass that directly across the street from said arena, at Covent Garden Market, organizer Aaron Brown will host a beer festival for craft beer for the third year. Seek out unique offerings from local guys Forked River Brewing and try the lineup of new local guys Toboggan Brewing Co.

Admission is free; you'll pay for your beer.

Ottawa Craft Beer Festival (Ottawa August 28-30)
The second installment of the Ottawa Craft Beer Fest will feature 40 craft breweries and one fake St. Louis Brewery that's actually owned by one of the biggest beer companies in the world. Visit the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park and sip locally-made offerings from Beyond The Pale, Beau's All Natural and Ashton Brew Company while you discuss why the hell Shock Top is at a "craft" beer fest.

$15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the gate.

Now that we've got your road trip schedule filled up, stay tuned for blogTO's annual list of local summer beer festivals, coming soon.

Ben Johnson also writes about beer over on Ben's Beer Blog. Follow him on twitter @Ben_T_Johnson.

Photo via Griffin Session Muskoka

Photo by diane in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto it's time to geek out with Stars Day. You'll get some points for a Hans Solo costume, but the big kudos wait for those who go full out Storm Trooper. If you feel like getting nerdy in a different way there's always a screening of Alex Gibney's Scientology and the Prison of Belief at the TIFF Lightbox. I'll abstain from jokes lest I get blacklisted by Tom Cruise & Co.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Stars Wars Day 2015 (Various venues)
• Discovered Chefs Competition 2015 (Nella Cucina)
• Take Two: Reflecting on Toronto Filmmakers from 1965 to 1972 (Ryerson Image Arts Building)
• Women on Screen Salon Series (Windup Bird Cafe)
• Scientology and the Prison of Belief introduced by Alex Gibney (TIFF Lightbox)
• Where Did you Sleep Last Night Book Launch (Cadillac Lounge)

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

Photo by Anthony B

I was born and raised in Oshawa, that southern Ontario blue collar suburb about an hour east of Toronto, sometimes referred to as the "armpit of Ontario." I spent my youth trekking to Toronto (by way of the GO Train) for shows, while my friends and I yearned for big city life, often taking jabs from pals for being from "the dirty 'shwa."

Here are 10 signs you grew up in the Oshawa.

1. You're related to, or friends with, at least one person who works for GM.

2. You remember when Oshawa's official motto was "The City That Motovates Canada."

3. When someone says "The OC," you immediately think of the Oshawa Centre, not the television show about Californian teens.

4. You remember back when the Oshawa Centre still had a movie theatre and when they had the ugly brown floor tiles pre-renovation.

5. When you think of south Oshawa, you think of mullets.

6. You knew spring had arrived when you spotted your first shirtless dude of the season driving his car.

7. You know that Billy Madison (the Adam Sandler movie) was filmed at Parkwood.

8. Your high school prom was probably at Parkwood.

9. You know that Cuff the Duke originated from Oshawa and their song Rossland Square makes you feel nostalgic and oddly affectionate towards your hometown.

10. You've eaten at Teddy's.

What did I miss? Add your 'shwa memories in the comments.

Photo by mbernero

The best restaurants for a first date in Toronto don't need to be fancy, just fun. Skip the multi-course menus that'll commit you to staying seated through dessert and opt instead for small plates or shareable platters that come alongside stiff drinks.

Here are my picks for the top restaurants for a first date in Toronto.

Mr. Flamingo
A vibrant room, strong cocktails and an exciting selection of small plates make this Dundas West eatery a great first date destination. The menu is sure to impress with menu items such as lobster baked oysters, butter poached scallops in crab bisque, and a luscious (and veg-friendly) mushroom gnocchi. If things go well, saunter downstairs to Bambi's for more cocktails.

Nuit Social
Court your latest love interest while nibbling on olives, cheese and charcuterie at this intimate West Queen West restaurant. As if tailored to the specific purpose, the room is populated by two tops and lit with flattering, warm lights, not to mention there's an eclectic wine list and range of cocktails to help lubricate the flow of conversation.

Little Sister
This fun street hawker-inspired snack bar in midtown offers a fun and delicious array of nibbles like satay skewers and rendang tacos. The place can get packed, so impress your date by booking a table in advance.

People's Eatery
Start with drinks and a few small plates while you test the waters. This Chinatown snack bar is perfect for a first date because it's just as easy to cut the night short as it is to keep it going.

Snakes & Lagers
Board games and beer are pretty much the best icebreaker, and if that's not enough, the kitchen has got game too. Munch on charcuterie and/or cheese boards, snacky items and sandwiches while gauging if this one's a keeper over some friendly competition.

Tabule
Did you forget to cover dietary restrictions when you agreed to meet on Tinder? This Middle Eastern eatery will save you any awkward embarrassment since there's just as many options for vegetarians as there are for meat eaters. Start with a spread of mezze and cocktails before deciding if you'll stay for a second course.

Bar Buca
The cool vibe, dim lighting and drinks-focused menu make this intimate Italian restaurant on King West an ideal first date destination. Get acquainted over wine, cocktails, and an array of small bites and shareable plates including highlights like fritto misto or stuffed burrata. Best of all, the kitchen is open late.

Burdock
Are beer and live music listed among the six things your date could never do without? This bar/restaurant/music hall/microbrewery is sure to impress. The menu offers beer-friendly snacks, starters and hearty mains while live music promises the perfect distraction to fill any awkward silences.

The Wren
This laid back local on the Danforth has got a lot of heart and a great casual atmosphere for a first time encounter. Craft beers are the drink of choice, while the menu offers above average pub food like guacamole and chips, chilaquiles and Southern fried chicken sandwiches.

The Hole In The Wall
Let sparks fly at this live venue and bar in The Junction where the music will give you reason to lean in a just a little closer. The bar is well stocked with craft beers, while the kitchen is famous for its crispy calamari and duck confit wings.

Thanks to Lavalife for sponsoring this post. Enter their contest for a chance to win a dinner and a movie night out for two.

Photo of The Wren by Jesse Milns