Results tagged “mountpleasant”

Some Canadian cattle will now be allowed into the United States following a 4-year ban in the wake of several cases of "mad cow" disease. American Homeland Security regulations will still require that any bovines wishing to cross the border carry a valid passport.

Oh man! What a pickle. This week we have the release of one of our favourite films in ages, This is England, and one of our favourite films of all time, Blade Runner, in its super-special, Ridley Scott-approved final cut.

Each week, Torontoist shows off the most interesting, creative, and cool submissions to our Torontoist Flickr Pool. We're especially partial to photos that show our city in a new light, highlight a recent event, and remind us why we live here. Join the Flickr pool and show us what you've got.

You've traced your roots through to great-grandma Edna back to the early 1900s, but that's when the trail suddenly goes cold. Who were her parents? And their parents? Has a seemingly futile search left you wanting to beat your pretty head against a brick wall?

The Belt Line Railway opened in July 1892 to service the new neighbourhoods of Rosedale, Moore Park, Forest Hill and Swansea. A recession and competing rail services led to the railway’s closure only 28 months later. Parts of the railway were purchased and used by other companies over the years, but much of the old Belt Line sat abandoned for many years. In 1972, the city purchased a stretch of the railway east of Allen Road to create what would become the Kay Gardner Beltline Park. This is where the Central Ravines, Belt Line and Gardens Discovery Walk begins.

It's been almost four years since Firefly was cancelled and nearly two since the release of Serenity, but the series' following is still as strong as ever.

Our title this week of course refers to Catch and Release, a film which has been so endlessly trailered on TV (and we don’t even watch that much) that Torontoist feels like we could recite the whole bloody film right now. “The man I was going to marry is dead! I’m sitting wearing my wedding dress and moping – it’s a girl thing! Kevin Smith is fat and talentless, but friends with Ben Affleck so he can be in this! I’ve fallen in love with you now, sexy and stereotypical unshaven male lead! The End!”

Elected municipal officials across Toronto now have four-year terms thanks to Queen's Park. Citing the increased complexity of municipal affairs the province rushed through a bill lengthening municipal government terms. The reform divided council and raised criticism from local activists like former mayor John Sewell.

If you don’t bring home the love tonight, you are so screwed. Here’s Torontoist’s romance Rolodex. Downtowners, head straight to chocolatier JS Bonbons, either the midtown or downtown location. Get the Big Box of Love (about $35) and fill it with handmade chocolates and truffles in unusual flavour pairings –like ginger cardamom caramel or tarragon and black pepper. Cheaper still, a chunk of square Callebaut dark chocolate embossed with -aaaw- a big heart (about $9). For the truly time-strapped, Torontoist strongly recommends playing Willy Wonka with a gift certificate for a hands-on class at the upstairs Chocolate School (about $60). Uptown commuters: before getting on the DVP, take a detour to the Distillery District's Soma Chocolate, open especially for today’s heart-fest. It’s got a more ancient take on chocolate (think spicy Mayan morsels). If you’re still desperate for blooms, pop in to Midge (651 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-488-0875, at Hillsdale), the petite florist and gift boutique named after an Archie Comics character. Less is more, like affordable silver mint julep cups planted with a single striking bloom. Downtown, there’s Cindiloowho (134 Ossington, 416-538-7887, north of Queen), a charming antiques and flower shop for stuffing pockets full of posies, usually for less than $20. And if the day's overload of hearts and flowers has left you dizzy, queezy and as a result especially cheesy, join the Aphrodisiac-of-the-Month Club. (Yes, Virginia, there really is such a thing.)