Playing around at Doors Open Waterloo and other events

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 12/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Attention sports fans, here’s the pitch.

   Waterloo Region is hosting its Doors Open event next Saturday (Sept. 19) with a theme “Play On! Sports Past, Present and Future.”

   The widely popular provincial event of the Ontario Heritage Trust and involving 44 communities is marking the province’s sport heritage.

Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex is one of the sport sites participating in Doors

Open Waterloo Region.

   It explores the traditions, innovations, heroes and diversity of sport in Ontario while featuring community centres, sports fields, halls of fame and arenas.

   Continuing until mid-October, the doors to historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, industrial areas, green buildings, heritage gardens and other interesting venues – many of which are rarely accessible – are open for free public viewing.

   Ten of the 40 sites open for visiting in Waterloo Region, mostly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., have a sports theme, said publicist Jane Snyder.

   As well, there are four interactive sports sites offering a chance to learn some basics, test your skills or pick up a little expert advice, she said.

Ninth annual Stratford Kiwanis Garlic Festival details, 2015

                                                                          

 
Bigger and Better than Ever (News Release)

Stratford, ON – The 9^th annual Stratford Kiwanis Garlic Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever as September 12^th and 13^th will be jam packed with double the presentations. There is a great lineup of entertainment, children’s attractions and of course the garlic and Ontario artisan market.  The festival offers demonstrations, competitions and workshops so that visitors can learn how to grow and enjoy garlic there and at home.

Garlic growers, chefs and cooks of all kinds and people who love garlic will flock to this annual event to celebrate garlic, the most delectable of all garden crops. Visitors will enjoy tasting garlic spreads, garlic sausage and many other products that are made with or are designed to accompany garlic’s unique flavour.

The festival is a family-friendly event.

Children will delight by the kids cooking classes, garlic planting, face painting, and crafts. Bogle the Clown’s will keep kids entertained on Saturday with his Magic Show and balloon sculptures.  Sunday kids of all ages will be captivated by the Birds of Prey high flying demonstrations. 

Disney On Ice returns to Kingston, Ontario in October for Treasure Trove

Tickets on Sale Now: Opening Night Tickets $12*

KINGSTON, ON – September 8/15 — Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove sets the gold standard with a magical medley of Disney tales in one jam-packed ice show that commemorates the legacy of Disney animated films.

This skating spectacular visits Kingston from October 1-4/15 for seven performances at Rogers K-Rock Centre.  Tickets are on sale now.

Circle of Life

Get tangled up in Disney’s 50^th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favourite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White.

The Guitar Trail & David Wilcox Live on Saturday (Sept. 12, 2015) at Blue Mountain Village

HIKING WITH A MUSICAL TWIST!

This Saturday noon-4pm 

Garlic breaths unite in Stratford; Haute Dog in Toronto

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 5/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Consuming garlic has long been associated with health and medicinal properties while being widely used for its pungent flavour as a seasoning or condiment in cooking.

   It’s good for the heart – some say it can even ward off colds – and loaded with anti-oxidants, but it creates an unpleasant odour called “garlic breath.”

Brian Mailey demonstrates how to make a garlic braid. (

   Allyl methyl sulphide, a compound in the species of the onion genus allium, it doesn’t break down during digestion but is released in breath and sweat.

   Besides avoiding garlic, scientists say that eating an apple, parsley or spinach and drinking lemon juice or green tea can help freshen breath.

   With those cautions in mind, Stratford will be taking on a distinctive odour for the Kiwanis Garlic Festival on Sept. 12 and 13.

Monarchs and Migrants Weekend event at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, Sept. 5-6, 2015

Hudsonian Godwit is one of the species of shorebirds

(News Release)

BRIGHTON, Ontario -- The migration season is now underway at Presqu’ile and the 30th annual Monarchs and Migrants Weekend (Sept. 5 and 6, 2015( at the park celebrates this natural spectacle.

Come and join us on the Labour Day Weekend to witness a spectacular scene repeated for millennia by migrating bird and Monarch populations.

The birds and butterflies are stopping at the Park to refuel on their long journeys to the south, heading for points between Mexico and the tip of South America.

On Saturday and Sunday, Presqu’ile will offer Bird Banding demos, Monarch Tagging and informative guided walks and children’s programs. 

Expert butterfly tagger, Don Davis, will be available, has he has been for all 30 years of this event, to help you understand migration theories and provide a hands on experience in tagging and releasing Monarch butterflies Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 3pm at the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.

The Halls Creek Festival of Creativity happens on Sept. 12-13, 2015

Summer days may soon be over but Oxford Creative Connections is just getting started!  Come out this fall for a festival like you've never seen before.  On September 12-13th, head up to the Halls Creek Festival of Creativity and have a blast getting artsy.  Hear the music, taste the food, see the art and of course, make your own!

Some of the highlights...

Live it up in Montréal on Labour Day weekend

Bonjour! Summer is still shining strong in Montréal, so why not get busy planning on an extra special September long weekend? Just think: gourmet food, great outdoor fun, all that European charm – and, no jet lag.

INDULGE A feast is on when YUL Eat hits the Old Port, September 5 to 7. Unbelievable eats from the cream of the city’s culinary crop, pop-up restaurants, food trucks, tasting areas, workshops and more, all peppered with parties and live music.

Haute Dog returns to Queen's Quay Terminal in Toronto, Sept. 12 and 13 (2015)

Toronto, Ontario – August 26, 2015 – Enjoy daily dog fashion shows and have your dog strike a pose on the red carpet for two days of FREE outdoor fun and activities for dogs, owners and animal lovers of all ages at Haute Dog presented by Queen’s Quay Terminal on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 from 11am-4pm outside Queen’s Quay Terminal (207 Queens Quay W) rain or shine. Visit www.qqterminal.com or call 416-203-3269 for more information.

“We are expecting the pawparazzi to descend upon Queen’s Quay Terminal for the return of Haute Dog,” stated Kathi Bonner, Senior Property Manager, Queen’s Quay Terminal.  “We encourage dog owners to dress up their best friend and enter them to take part in the daily fashion shows. Drop by the photo booth to have your dog’s picture taken and then Spin the Wheel for a chance to win great prizes!”

Enjoy treats, prizes and more all weekend long, from doggie fashion shows and dog demonstrations to grooming tips and advice for pet owners, there will be something for every dog and their parent.

Stratford Festival to pay tribute to Colm Feore at gala celebration

August 31, 2015… The Stratford Festival will honour the extraordinary career of one of Canada’s greatest actors, Colm Feore. His tremendous contributions to the Festival and to the performing arts in Canada will be celebrated at a gala at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel on Monday, September 28.

“I am very proud and honoured to host this gala in celebration of one of the most distinguished actors in Canada today,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino.

“Colm joined the Festival at a young age and very quickly leapt to the forefront of the company, giving some of the most memorable performances in the Festival’s history.

Over the years, his extraordinary talents have captured international attention, yet he remains deeply committed to creating great work in our country and makes time to come back to Stratford as frequently as he can. He has been a faithful supporter of the Festival for many years and it gives me tremendous pleasure to have the chance to express our gratitude and celebrate his illustrious career.”

Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, Ontario is going to the dogs

(News Release)

London, Ontario – On Sunday, September 13^th, bring your four legged family members to A Day for the Dogs at Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

Meet dog groomers, rescue organizations and local services for your pet. Vendors will showcase a variety of doggy toys, fashion, food and more.

Erin Woodgate Photography will be the official photographer of the event and will provide mini-sessions for dogs in the Historic Village.

Da Mao celebrates his 7th "Bear-thday" at the Toronto Zoo

 

Da Mao, Canada’s only male giant panda, celebrated his seventh birthday today (Sept. 1) with much fan-fare. The Toronto Zoo's very artistic keeping team created the special Out of This World themed enrichment items which were filled with some of his favourite treats including apples, leaf eater biscuits and bamboo! 

In honour of this special day visitors enjoyed some panda themed birthday activities at the Giant Panda Exhibit, including arts and crafts and making a conservation pledge on how they could help save the world's species. Visitors were also encouraged to drop off birthday cards for our furry, bamboo loving friend! Da Mao, the giant panda mascot, was also on hand for a fun birthday themed photo op!