Only In TO: Is Mom Dead?

So last night after my Wife won The Toronto Monologue Slam (she was by far the best) we went to an after party at a friends house.  As soon as we got in the door I looked for a place to hang my coat and almost had, as everyone knows, what I like to call a polite puke.  There was this poor old woman belly-up on the coach.  I don't know if she is dead or sleeping, but someone should have left mom at home!!!
(Photo Credits by Kenny Baughan)


Only In TO

The Power of AMY's Voice

Last Sunday afternoon my roommate Brittany told me of this event that she would be singing at.  Now I have seen Brittany perform many times in many different venues, but I just don't have the time to come to every show stopping performance of hers.  But when she told me the performance was for a great cause I completely forgot about my ethics paper I needed to write.

She said the event was called "Creators In-Sync", an arts mentorship program for young women, called the AMY Grad Program.  I knew this sounded interesting so I dropped my PR Ethics book and headed to their hosting venue ..... Harlem.

Around the corner of Church and Richmond there stood the quaint, yet trendy Harlem.  As I walked up the stairs I did not only hear the talent from above but could also feel the energy as I progressed to the top floor.

On the upper floor the event took place, with a small stage set up at one end of the room with many attended young artists.  Though the stage was small, the talent in the room was larger then life.  The audience was graced with poetry, songs, and musical talent all composed and created by these young artists.

The AMY Grad Program was started by two AMY grads Kate Welsh and Copper Brown.  This special program was first awoken in 2011 to continue developing the skills, networks, and leadership opportunities for young women who completed the annual AMY program.

AMY Program Elements


AMY Buddy Program - a peer mentorship training of AMY grads followed by partnering them with new participants to pay-it-forward.

Grad Workshop Series - professionally designed development sessions to help the growth of young artistic talent. 


AMY Outings - Trips to cultural events and shows bringing the many grad generations from the program together to meet and build networks. 


All the money raised for the event was used to keep the spirit of, not just the AMY Grad Program strong, but those of the young women and the talent they love to share.




To know more about the AMY Project check out their blog and their Facebook.  To help donate to their cause check out their indiegogo campaign on-line, which closes Friday so hurry!!!! 



I ♥ TO

Only In TO: Barbie's Trashy Cousin

In a small corner store on Queen West you will be able to find the residence of Barbie's trashy cousin that was never purchased off the shelves, Scuba Booty.


Only In TO

Get Your Coffee Fix

Hello Everyone.  My name is Cole and I am a caffeine-aholic.

Anyone that knows me is aware that I have a slight addiction to coffee.  Actually lets be honest, I am almost at the point of shooting coffee up my veins.  So I was extremely excited when my friend Yuki agreed to come to Jet Fuel with me.  I have only heard of how great the coffee was here, but it was also the atmosphere that makes Jet Fuel a worthy place to visit in TO.

This hip coffee spot is located in Cabbagetown close to the corner of Parliament and Carlton street and is a clear hot spot of the area.  The second you walk in there is a bar equipped with a real espresso machine and jars of baked goods.  Right beside the cash register there is also a stand with your choice of sweeteners and milk to add.  My favourite was the molasses sugar they had.

If you walked further through the venue there are tables and booths filled with people on their laptops, reading or just catching up with a long lost friend.  The walls are red giving the place this vibrant feel, with a great amount of current art work splattered throughout the coffee shop.  But what really wins you over is all the sports swag supporting Jet Fuel's cycling team, which is one of Canada's longest running cycling teams.

However it was not until I looked over the counter to see our two entertaining servers when I realized I was in a unique place.  When I noticed their saucer like eyes and the slight perspiration on their brows I knew that they shared my same addiction.  I was only able to get them to stand still for this slight second to snap a photo and then they were off again talking a million miles a minutes and pumping out amazing cups of caffeinated heaven.  They may not have a menu, only serving the regular espresso based drinks, but what they lacked in variety they made up for in quality.

Yuki's Drink: The wonderful Jet Fuel latte where you could watch the art of the steamed milk swirling with the espresso.


Cole's Drink: The classic cappuccino with a head of foam so stiff and thick you had to eat it with a spoon.


If you want a vibrant coffee shop to visit, go to Jet Fuel.  If you want to be entertained by your barista behind the counter, go to Jet Fuel.  If you need to itch that caffeine addiction, go to Jet Fuel.  But remember to bring cash because those baristas don't take plastic, they want their cash up-front for the drug they sell.


I ♥ TO

Only In TO: Tiger Body Suit?

Lions, tigers.... wait, oh my!!!!!  Someone needs to let this boy know that tiger body suits are and never will be in style.  For God's sake Lady Gaga hasn't even attempted it.  I feel bad for his girlfriend.


Only In TO

Only In TO: Cole Street

Toronto is the only place that is bound to have a street named after you!!!!


Only In TO

Tis The Season To Get Violent

Don't let this beautiful view of the Swarovski Crystal Christmas tree give you any false assumptions of the environment at the Eaton Centre over the holidays.  What ever happened to "tis the season to be jolly" or "peace on earth and goodwill to all men"?  Well that was run over by, "Move out of the F*$#en way, I have to get that new iPhone 4S!!"

It is clear that shopping at the Eaton Centre is a battlefield of fit soccer moms, desperate husbands, and super grannies.  However, it is not just the Eaton Centre that experiences this yearly time.  The whole city of Toronto is blown into this frenzy of finding the perfect gift for the holiday season. 

There is no need to get upset Lindsay, I will give you some tips about your holiday shopping to kill as many birds as you can with one stone.

• Don't leave your Christmas shopping last minute, it will prevent you from opening up your wrists when others are opening up their presents.
• Avoid the masses by shopping during the early or late time periods of the extended holiday hours.
• Remember you are buying for someone else, not yourself.  So put down those fierce looking boots and get your head in the game.
• Make a game plan of what you want and where to get it.  Don't window shop, that is how people will lose limbs over the holiday season.
• Protect your treasure and hold on to your bags tight.  Don't assume that once you have purchased that gift it is yours, for if you lose your focus for one second another shopper will snag that gift for themselves.

It is a very stressful time of year, so save some time with Cole's Christmas shopping tips.  These tips will get you out of the mall and give you more time to spend with your fam-jam or loved ones.  After all Christmas is not about the Louis Vuitton bag you got or the new sports watch you opened up.  It's about the loved ones that you spend your life with and a time for you to show how much they mean to you:)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!



I ♥ TO





 

Only In TO: 35 Foot Reindeer

It looks like Christmas threw-up at the Toronto Eaton Centre, but I have to admit the giant reindeer decorations are really cool.



Only In TO

Anyone Remember What Happened at The Madison?

Two weekends ago was my good friend Tammy's Birthday and she decided that we were going to go to the Madison.  Then when I discovered that it was located in the Annex village, I knew that this was going to be an interesting night. 

 The pub did not look large when we were standing in line, but once you were inside, I felt like I was Alice in Wonderland.  The different rooms within this bar, consisting of three Victorian homes, were never ending.

Founded in 1983 this bar consists of:

• Six British style pubs
• A total of 12 bars!!!
• Three kitchens
• Five patios
• Four fireplaces
• Two pool tables
• Three dart areas
• Over 50 TVs

But the best thing about the Madison was that there were live singers and musicians in almost every major section of the pub.  We ended up in an area with this amazing singer who could play and sing anything the crowed threw at him.  It was clear that he was a favourite at the Madison.

What made it even more exciting was when the singer knew one of our friends and asked her up to sing.  The amazing Stacey Bulmer is quite the power house singer herself and had the bar at her fingertips.  I have to say it was nice after she was done singing that we got a lot more attention for the night. 

When the pub got busy at 11:30 pm I knew that it might be a crazy night.  Plus before we started we only had sushi.  What was that going to soak up?

Luckily we were able to get a good group shot before the night got messy.  This actually might be the last thing some people remember, right Carolina?  I never knew this beautiful little girl could be such a party animal.  Clearly a girl after my own heart.  I also recommend they make the table booths closer to the floor for those who accidentally tumble, but I won't mention names... for the birthday girl's sake;)

If you have any stories from the Madison let me know if they were as crazy as mine.


I ♥ TO

Only In TO: $20 Mac & Cheese?

$20 Mac & Cheese?  Really Drew?  Out of all the other gourmet selections on the menu? 



Only In TO

Only In TO: Walking is Soooo Last Week

While Jenn and I walked down the street we realized that no one walks in TO anymore.

Only In TO

Dumplings In Chinatown

Some friends from out of town and some from way-out of town (Japan) were in TO and as usual I was given the fun task of finding a place to eat.  When trying to think of a place to go that would be interesting my friend Jenn mentioned Mother's Dumplings located in the heart of Chinatown.

Now you do not go to Chinatown for great service. No, you go for cheap food and a unique experience.  This Tapas style restaurant was not given the award of "Best $5 Lunch" by Now Magazine for nothing.  Between the six of us we were able to stuff ourselves for no more then $10 each. Even I was surprised!!!

Some recommended dishes of the evening:


Seaweed Salad
You can't go wrong with seaweed salad, especially since it is no more then $2!!!!

Chicken and Mushroom Dumplings
Who does not like dumplings?  Honestly, one of the best creations for human consumption, and even better when stuffed with mushroom and chicken.

Chicken Fried Rice
Anyone who loves Chinese food knows of chicken fried rice, and Mother's Dumplings makes a mean chicken fried rice.

Noodles and Beans

This may not sound appetizing, but the amazing mix of pan fried beans and cucumber with noodles is to die for.

• While we were looking through the extensive menu I noticed something hilarious under the "Sides" section.  At Mother's Dumplings you can order a side of "Peanuts."  So if you are a really  hard core peanut fan, this is the place for you.

Survival Guide for Mother's Dumplings

1. Watch out for flying plates, they literally throw your food at the table.
2. Don't ask for cutlery or any eating utensil. You WILL get a dirty look.
3. Sometimes they run out of boiling water (how that happens? I have no idea) so ration your tea.

Despite the service, I would definitely go back to Mother's Dumplings because it has amazing food for unbelievable prices.  This clearly is a place that adds to this unique city and the busy atmosphere that night proved that customers feel the same.


I ♥ TO