The fiftieth edition of the Toronto International Boat Show docks for nine days at the National Trade Centre starting Saturday. Boating geeks, wannabes, and reluctant family thereof all descend on the show every year, seeking everything from fishing lures to gazillion-dollar yachts. With their displays of enormous outboard engines and boats bigger than most condos, boat shows are sometimes dismissed as the domain of boys who lust after big toys. But boating isn't just about......

On Wednesday through Sunday, it's time for the Spring One-Of-A-Kind Show and Sale--the gigantic high-calibre craft fair at the National Trade Centre. Though the spring show is not as huge and overwhelming as the pre-christmas winter version, it's guaranteed to be full of all sorts of awesome crafted stuff: pottery and jewlery and clothing and accessories and a myriad of other things you didn't even know you needed. Of course, it's also totally acceptable......

We can't say we were disappointed by the Interior Design Show because we had no expectations. We don't normally attend trade shows and we're starting to remember why. With thinly carpeted concrete floors, dry air, and despondent booth attendants gazing morosely at strolling flocks of terribly, terribly calm, distant and critical near-shoppers, trade shows have an energy only slightly less infectious than Zamboni time during long-track speed skating. We admit that given the good......

-The One of a Kind Show started yesterday, with artisans from all over the country hawking their wares. It's a bit of a trek out to Exhibition Place (the show, which seems to get bigger every year, is housed in the National Trade Centre), but it's worth it for the jam sampling alone, and it sure beats the Eaton Centre for charm and choice. Runs to December 4th. -If the One of a Kind is......