Nintendo 3DS truck

There was a big truck parked on the boulevard of Yonge Street just outside the Eaton Centre. The truck had big windows and people were invited in to see the Nintendo 3DS system. Available for only $250 - yeah that's right, expensive at half the price - but now in 3D.

Toronto hits 37.9 degrees C on July 21, 2011

At the Toronto Airport - and humidity makes it feel close to 50 degrees Celcius today- booyah! The temperature in Toronto peaked at close to 5pm. It's summer now so find a beach, an umbrella, sunscreen and a wobbly pop and enjoy Mother Natures' blast of heat. If you can't find a beach look for a pond or fountain - like the one found in the Toronto Eaton Centre.

Sometimes you have to give in to the weather and find fun wherever you can cool off. Time for watersports, beach volleyball and walking around in bikinis.

The Weather Network reports this weather warning from Environment Canada.

Weather Warning

Issued at 9:35 PM EDT Thursday 21 July 2011

Summary

Extreme temperatures and humidex values will continue this evening. The humid tropical air mass has arrived as expected. The strong July sun has caused the mercury to soar well into the middle and upper thirties. Combining the record setting temperatures with the high humidity in this tropical air mass has resulted in oppressive humidex values in the low to mid forties across all of Southern Ontario. The situation will continue into this evening. Current indications suggest that a weak front will slip through tonight. However in the wake of the front it will continue to be hot on Friday with temperatures in the low to mid thirties but somewhat less humid. Well above normal temperatures will continue into the weekend for most of Southern Ontario with temperatures reaching the low thirties again on Saturday. It will be the combination of the duration of the high heat along with warm overnight conditions which makes this heat event particularly significant. During times of high heat and humidity, it is critical to stay properly hydrated by drinking Plenty of fluid like water or juice. Strenuous outdoor activities should be scheduled during the early morning or evening hours. Wear loose fitting, light weight clothing and spend as much time as possible in air conditioned places. Stay out of the sun and never leave elderly, children or pets unattended in a car.

Kate Mior: Wings of an Angel

I have seen Kate Mior busking as an Angel many times at Yonge and Dundas, right outside the Toronto Eaton Centre. Her costume is interesting and I like how she interacts with the people who pass by but I am concerned about the size of her wings - they should be almost as big as the Virgin Mobile Angel wings.

Besides Kate, the buskers that I like the most that regularly show up at this popular spot are Silver Elvis, Batman, Copper Cowboy and Charlie Chaplin. I am hoping that with the opening of Victoria's Secret in the Eaton Centre that we would see more Angel buskers.

Drumstick carts in the wild

Shhhh, the wild Drumstick cart herd gathers near the drinking hole. The older bull cart keeps a lookout while the   other carts huddle under the shade of the nearby Eaton Centre as they try to avoid the deadly heat. They don't see the approaching hot dog vendor and, the horror, one of the carts is grabbed by the umbrella and it's wheels quickly removed. Helpless, the little cart has no chance. The circle of life ends for an innocent little cart.

In the next episode of Wild in Toronto I will discuss the carts mating habits.

Free Syria Rally

Everything was happening on Saturday in Toronto. I saw plenty of flags fluttering in the breeze at the corner of Yonge and Dundas, just outside the Eaton Centre. People were rallying for Syrian Freedom.

CIBC celebrates diversity

CIBC celebrated diversity in Trinity Square behind the Toronto Eaton Centre on June 16, 2011 and they had a number of performers dancing in the style of their rich cultures. The bank was celebrating the diversity of their employees, clients and communities.

Taste the rainbow

There was some rainbow coloured candy being given out in the heart of the Eaton Centre and at first I thought Justin Bieber was drawing on an imported sidewalk but there wasn't enough young fans screaming! Instead it was the 'world renowned pavement chalk artist' Julian Beever. They brought in a big load of patio stones, set up the booth giving out the candy and elastic wrist bands, and Julian was chalking up a storm.

Even Angels do paperwork

Beautiful busker Kate Mior dressed up as Angelina (Toronto's own lovely Angel) stops to do some paperwork. Every time an Angel gets her wings, they have to fill out a couple of forms! She might have gotten a fine because her wings were smaller than heaven allows, or maybe she was checking this guys application for heaven, he looked a little devilish so maybe he will be taking a trip to the sunny south.

Then Angelina slowly ascended skywards. I am not really sure but she may have climbed atop a small box.

Don't forget to look for and support the hard working street performers and mark your calendar for the Scotiabank Buskerfest, scheduled for August 25th to the 28th, 2011 in the St Lawrence Market neighbourhood.

GLEE Matthew Morrison in Toronto

I have to say that I am a GLEEK, yes a fan of the television series GLEE, although not unconditionally. I like their scrappy us against the world bravado and spirit. I enjoyed when they practiced and sang some great songs and when Lea belted out some snappy tunes with her spectacular voice. Now they seem to sing all the time, going to the bathroom – break out in song. And where did that band come from? I also miss all the cheerleader outfits that they wore everywhere – it must be a 24/7 thing in the States.

Anywho, I have exclusive photos of the place where GLEE’s Matthew Morrison (they guy with the tall, creamed hair – the teacher and GLEE club coach Mr. Schuester) who has released his album called “Matthew Morrison” will do his HMV meet and greet. I know it was exclusive because everyone was covering their eyes as they walked along the area, bumping into each other, or looked in another direction (it might have been the sign with ET Canada’s Rick Campenelli name that caused the eye avoidance). I muscled past security (or shoppers just standing there, what am I, psychic?) flashing my secret non Main Stream Media (MSM) media pass and took the long awaited pictures of the seat that may or may not support Matthew’s own ass. If people had only known of this secret location there would be girls swooning everywhere – they would cover the ground with their sheer numbers and I am sure panties would also be flying in the air before the ladies collapsed unconscious to the ground.  Since no one was looking I took the opportunity to throw my own underwear as well (prep for the naked bike ride?), however my thong didn’t fly very well and I think it got hooked on the roped paddock area which winds around in front of the stage and will contain the fans in an orderly fashion.

HMV (http://www.hmv.ca/) is allowing the first 300 people to purchase the album by Matthew – damn, I already forgot what it is called, to receive a chance for one autograph and to take a picture of him today, Monday May 30, 2011, at 4pm in the Eaton Centre. The location is just beside an escalator and right outside the main inside mall entrance of Sears (at street level) which overlooks the grand hall and, far away, the flying geese at the other end of the mall. The fans with their wristbands gather in a large lineup ready for Matthew scheduled to arrive in just a few minutes from when these last pictures were taken.

Yonge Street - fun along the strip

Yonge Street cuts through downtown Toronto and at very centre of the universe, which would be at Dundas Street, life was booming with people shopping and having fun in the city. The festivals and marches helped to fill the streets of the Big Smoke (that name was really appropriate yesterday) and at the entrance to the Eaton Centre people pressed close together to watch the buskers (Charlie Chaplin, Silver Elvis, balloon guys and the drummers were performing) or move along to the their shopping, dining or entertainment destination.

See more excitement on the street after the jump.

Silver Elvis was in the house

9/11 was an inside job

Walking along Yonge Street with a large stuffed bear

Judgement Day continues it's relentless march. If you go to Port Dover for Friday the 13th have extra fun because these guys think that May 21, 2011 is the big one.

Some yoga ladies formed a human pyramid in the midst of  thousands of people 

Black history passed out literature

Now I need a pair of boots like this so I can see over the crowds

The Square across from the Eaton Centre was jammed with people waiting to hear Kardinal Offishall sing as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Coca-Cola.

Prince William and Kate Middleton in TO

Just one day before Britain's Prince William marries Kate Middleton when I stumble upon the couple in front of the Toronto Eaton Centre. They must have been on a walking tour with a friend, trying to get over their nervous state of mind waiting for the big day. They seemed a little stiff, but I figured that was just the stiff British upper lip. Cheerio and time for tea.

Just across the road and down the street I saw a small tree full of fluttering cards. They were promoting the movie 'Something Borrowed' starring Kate Hudson. The title calls to mind the marriage saying "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" that some people follow at weddings. You could add a hope to the tree and get a gift mirror or little neon martini glass. I took the glass and had a little nosh after work.

Sears Stars on Ice at Eaton Centre

Sears presented the stars of the show ‘Stars on Ice’ at the Sears store at the Yonge & Dundas Eaton Centre. It was great to see Kurt Browning who is also know as the celebrity skating host of ‘Battle of the Blades’ and ultra-cute skater Jamie Sale signing autographs and meeting fans. You can get tickets for Friday April 29, 2011 show at the Air Canada Centre at their Stars on Ice website.

More from the Stars on Ice "This year's Sears Stars on Ice presented by Samsung brings an all-star cast of world renowned figure skaters to an arena near you. Four-Time World Champion Kurt Browning will be joined by a phenomenal cast of some of the world's most respected athletes, including 2010 Olympic gold

medalists Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir. Evan Lysacek, Olympic gold medalist, will bring his flare and passion for the ice to the Canadian tour for the first time as well. Returning for another great season are Stars on Ice fan favourites, Jamie Sale & David Pelletier, Joannie Rochette, Sasha Cohen, Jeffrey Buttle, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, Shawn Sawyer and Kyoko Ina."

See more pictures after the jump (click on read more >>, below).

Schick Quattro for Women at the Eaton Centre

Three beautiful ladies were promoting Schick Quattro razors for women at the Eaton Centre. The four bladed razor is manufactured by Schick Canada who sponsors the Honda Indy Toronto. Posted by Joe Hamilton.

More chalk in the streets

It is a nice combination of art and busking - chalk in the streets. These chalk artists draw large tableaus on the sidewalks with high pedestrian traffic, here today and gone tomorrow - sooner if it rains. This tiger seems to come alive as it forms take shape and people stop and stare at the work.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada - Breathing life into the future

A logo showing an adult and child flying a kit is the new logo for the Cystic Fibrosis Canada (www.cysticfibrosis.ca) and it was released today inside the Toronto Eaton Centre.  The new logo goes together with the new name for the charitable organization, started in 1960, which was formerly known as the Canadian Cycstic Fibrosis Foundation.

There were several speakers which gave personal, emotional accounts of the diagnosis and battle to keep their children healthy and to help raise awareness and funds to continue the journey to find a cure. The disease impacts breathing and the digestive system and most deaths are due to lung disease. Maureen Adamson who is the brand new CEO has said “Cystic Fibrosis Canada is the only national charity in Canada that funds cystic fibrosis research. Our research is second to none and, our community is active in every corner of the country. Despite the progress to date, our work continues. Ever week, in Canada, two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and one dies from this fatal genetic disease.”