Endless Summer in this City

If you're in the city in the summertime, looking for excitement, diversity, crowded streets and sidewalks, then south of Bloor Street is the place to hang.

North of Bloor is a vacation as it seems almost everyone is away or at the cottage. You can enjoy quiet streets for biking, lazy strolls, trees and vegetation that attract birds and wildlife, or find a friendly backyard with a barbeque, hammock or a pool.

Strolling along Bloor Street with the rise of more high rises visible in the background

New condo developments clog many major street corners downtown such as the U twin towers at University of Toronto, St. Mary Street and Bay.

As glass panels let loose and fall from a couple towers downtown make the late summer headlines, owners and would-be buyers are concerned about future rising fees and what makes a good investment. Anyone living in the city for the last 25 years is shocked by the rapid growth, questions six hundred plus for a one bedroom with den, an inadequate allottment of green space, and the endless construction noise.

Early morning at Rosehill Reservoir: a glorious park to enjoy at 75 Rosehill Ave. just two blocks south east of St. Clair Ave. and Yonge St.

On the Saturday morning of Jack Layton's funeral, I rode my bike over to Roy Thomson Hall to be greeted by too many media setting up and police officers on horseback to make waiting around a pleasant experience so I headed over to City Hall. Within a few minutes of walking around, reading the messages everywhere on the ground and walls, my cheeks would be wet with tears and my heart heavy with loss. The chalk drawings covering the concrete expressed such an outporing of emotion and displayed all the optimism and hope he represented as the leader of the New Democratic Party and the official opposition.

You stole our heart. City Hall chalk drawing for Jack Layton

You're the People's Prime Minister: Chalk drawings at City Hall express the hopes of Jack Layton's admirers.

A toddler with his Dad visit the temporary Jack Layton memorial at City Hall

Jack Layton's moustache version of the Canadian flag. Chalk drawing at City Hall.

City Hall's  best kept secret: The Podium Green Garden is an expanse of underused public garden at the pod level at City Hall which may not be visible from the street but a sweet space to get away from the crowds at Queen St. and Bay.

Leaving City Hall, one block north at Village by the Grange, just opposite the art gallery, Karine's is bussling patrons waiting in line for the classics like eggs/sausage served on a porcelain plate overflowing with heaps of fresh fruit, greens and fries. No plastic here. Stainless cutlery and self serve hot beverage in a real mug.

Not your average mall food court: Karine's serves healthy all day breakfast, vegetarian and vegan delights in Village by the Grange.

Super summer salad

Crunchy Spinach Salad at the Pickle Barrel Yonge and Eglinton is a bunch of baby spinach leaves topped mandarins, red onions, almonds, crunchy rice noodles and other stuff is a filling meal on a hot night just before a movie at Silver City. If you haven't seen The Help, don't forget the tissues.

Back Yard Patio

The patio at the Queen Mother Café on Queen Street West, not visible from the street, you must venture underground to get back up to the backyard patio, more like Aunt Marge's than the Queen but you can't beat the Pad Thai noodles after 20 years in the city.

Best summer drink

Cranberry and Perrier with a twist of fresh lemon not available at Starbucks but on patios everywhere. If the music is blasting, be sure the waitress hears carnberry/soda not cranberry/vodka one hour before you get to your evening class and have to do a three-minute impromtu presentation. Yikes!

Nice out of town garden

Going out of town in search of something Victorian then an afternoon at the Royal Botanical Gardens on the border of Burlington and Hamilton, is divine.  If you take the your bike on the go train, you get off at Aldershot and it's probably a less than 15 minute ride down to the lake at your at the Gardens. Visit the tea room in the gardens for lunch.

Nice ride

Segway through the arts community in the Distillery District on a tour to explore the history and architecture of the area and includes learning how to ride Dean Kamen's  two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle.

Healthy tanning

Ride your bike all along the lakeshore from Ashbridges Bay in the east at the base of Broadview all the way west to the Exhibition.

Doula services: help with childbirth

If you're having a baby, did you know there may be free doula services available to you?

Students from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine are offering their free services as volunteer doulas.  Doulas are trained and experienced childbirth labour companions.  They provide support to women and their partners before, during and after childbirth.  Should you be interested in a volunteer doula please email heartsandhandsdoulas@gmail.com or visit the website.

The Flamenco dance
In October, when you're looking for a little something described as breathtaking with an innovative twist, the Toronto International Flamenco Festival brings internationally acclaimed and Canadian artists to Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory.

I welcome your comments and feedback.
More articles at Toronto Variety.

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