I've been the the Barns a few times over the years for different events. A few times when they…read morehave held their Vintage Fair here (amazing vintage items, clothing, jewellry); once for a play and most recently for the Tabasco Hawkers Market. This is a great place to hold an event, party or wedding. This is a former hub for streetcars back in the day but has now been turned into an event space. Interior brick walls, high ceilings and open floor plan allows the venue to become accommodating to almost any kind of event. It has that vintage but industrial kind of ceiling. There are a lot of great photo ops in here. There are also photos/info on the walls that tells the history of this place.

This is probably one of the best things to happen to the neighbourhood in recent history. Grand…read moreopening was November 2008 and it hasn't looked back since. The space is a reclaimed TTC barn and has five 'barns' each labeled with giant steel numbers. First is the artist live-work space, 2 is the event space where you will find the market on Saturdays in the winter and various other community events, 3 is the community theatre, 4 is The Stop greenhouse and kitchen, and 5 is the open air barn. There is also a children's playground on the east side of the building, an open field that becomes an ice rink in the winter on the south end, an off-leash dog park at the south-west corner, beach volleyball court on the west side, and plenty of benches and picnic tables scattered throughout. I find that their website is not as informative as it could be, perhaps because it is administered by the umbrella Artscape organization: http://www.torontoartscape.on.ca/places-spaces/artscape-wychwood-barns So it's better to go directly to the Stop's website to find out about the market and the many very interesting fund- and awareness-raising events they have: http://www.thestop.org/green-barn-market I find that being on the mailing lists for The Stop and our local city councillor Joe Mihevc (http://www.joemihevc.com) keeps me informed of upcoming events like the solar energy info session this Sunday. Some additional notes: ** The Market ** During the cold months it is indoors and runs 8 a.m. - noon. It gets crowded by 11 and goodies like cinnamon buns don't last until then. Bring cash, your own bags and if you're really good, your own travel-mug for the wonderful Kurtis coffee. Interesting vendors include the venison guy, sweet potato man, Mennonite meat lady, knife sharpening guy, tofu dude, the fungi, and the freshwater fish people. In the warmer months it is outdoors and runs a bit later until 1 I think (it is still indoors as I write this so I'm not sure). The vendors are spread out over the walkways under their tents. Half the fun is stopping to chat with neighbours so check your usual Toronto sidewalk pace as you might get stuck behind a stroller and wagon jam. There are several vegetable vendors that also sell organic and heirloom variety seeds and seedlings in the spring. Too bad last summer was so cold and rainy - even so the purple tomatoes I planted were wonderful! ** The Dogpark ** It has weird hours and no commercial dog walkers are allowed. It is closed everyday between noon-3 p.m. and opens later in the morning on Sunday. I'll take a picture of the sign next time I'm there because it's confusing. There is a human + dog drinking fountain but the city doesn't turn on the water until mid-May so bring water for your pooches. Best doggy party times (as with most parks I'm sure) are from 5 - 7 p.m. There might be a morning party but I'm never up early enough to find out.

I'm a fan of the daycare at St. Stephen's near Kensington. In fact, when dropping the kids off, I'm…read moretempted to try and blend in with them and sit down for the communal breakfast. The cooks have been highly regarded with their consistent menu selections and portions. No one goes away hungry. And on PA days and holidays, St. Stephen's is the place to hang with friends with the excellent and competent staff going out of their way to provide fun activities with games, guest appearances, trips to the market, cooking activities with scrumptious and fun food projects, and good times! You can't go wrong with St. Stephen's.

416 is an amazing hub for femmes in downtown Toronto to come hang out at our drop in, enjoy a meal,…read morepartake in amazing fun programming and get specialized services such as case management, food bank or the Farmer's Market. The staff are extremely kind and open-hearted, believing in the spirit of each community member who walks through their door. It's got an elevator and first floor disabled, gender-all-inclusive bathroom, fun games and exciting programming - with a dynamic calendar that focuses on important moments during a month like Black History Month or Indigenous Celebrating Month, or dates likes International Women's Day and Ramadan. Drop by during the week (except Tuesdays for right now) and ask a staff member how you can participate in our wonderful, little community!

It's easy to miss this Salvation Army Thrift Store, as it's tucked away in the corner of a small…read moreplaza off Queen. But despite its small frontage, it has ample room inside housing a decent selection of used clothes and other thrift store miscellany. The weird thing about this location is that they sell "brand new" mattresses (it's even advertised outside). At first I was suspicious; but sure enough, inside at the back were a number of mattresses of various sizes, looking fresh and sealed up in plastic. The prices (couple hundred bucks apiece) helped confirm that these weren't dodgy, "refurbished" mattresses. But I'm at a loss why anyone would come here for new mattresses if they're the same as at some regular store.

Oh-my-oh-my-oh-my... this place stinks, literally and figuratively. As a thrifter I'm accustomed…read moreto the distinct definitely-not-new-aroma, but this place scares me away like no other! The stench of mildew and mothballs is so strong I can barely spend a few minutes inside. Judging by how busy it always seems to be, there are plenty who just don't care. But if you value your health, seriously, go somewhere else. I think the air in here actually takes days off your life for every minute you spend within! Aside from the abundance of rank clothing, it also offers the usual dingy toys, early to mid 90s video games, old (likely non/mal-functioning) electronics, and the occasional bit of furniture. They also have lots of books. Really, it's like most Salvation Army Thrift Stores only thrice the stink. Finally, the staff seems mostly surly. Just no redeeming qualities to the place whatsoever... Avoid!

Among the most interesting non-profit sites I've visited in Brampton…read more Community Door Brampton is certainly an interesting place, which presented an experience I hadn't expected. It may not look like it at first glance, but this building hosts at least ten offices for various non-profit groups that operate out of Peel, including Volunteer MBC (Mississauga/Brampton/Caledon), the Peel HIV/AIDS Network, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, a United Way Greater Toronto branch office and other agencies. They're also spread out through the building, so you have to walk to the back to access some of them. I say that the visit was a unique experience because, whether due to my existing volunteer/community work or my role as a writer and editor, a number of people in there knew me by a first-name basis, despite the fact that I'd never visited the site before and didn't know half the people who greeted me. The level of service presented to me on that day was very unusual to me. On this day, I was visiting a reception that was jointly held with a number of agencies. Though small, they had quite the impressive spread of food and a number of silent auction items that had been donated by agencies and businesses throughout the GTA and beyond. I wound up sticking around for the presentations, which were given to recognize outstanding volunteers who had made a difference in the lives of the less-fortunate throughout the region. I also enjoyed some stimulating conversation with a good friend of mine, who asked me whether my prominence in the community was due to my job or my personal brand as a community advocate. Definite food for thought. Community Door is certainly worth a look, as it offers a number of services including employment help and resource connections. (Fun fact: If you visit the Volunteer MBC office, keep a look out for the Charter of Volunteerism and look in the lower-left corner - my signature is there!) Well-recommended and a great community destination.

Art of the Brick was easily one of the coolest experiences I've attended recently…read more Located near Rogers Stadium in North York, in the newly dubbed YZD area, it feels like part of a larger effort to bring more attractions into this space. I've included photos of the entrance and surrounding buildings as landmarks so you'll know you're in the right place. A few things worth knowing before you go: * It's a bit out of the way if you live closer to the downtown core * Paid parking is available * Purchase tickets in advance if possible What stood out most is that one person (Nathan Sawaya) created all of this. There are various installations with different themes throughout, and I strongly recommend taking your time to move through the exhibit and read the context behind the pieces. It added a lot to the experience for me. I was lucky enough to visit when crowds were light, which made it easier to take everything in. While there are a few tables where visitors can build and play with Lego, it's important to keep hands away from the exhibit pieces themselves. I noticed several people allowing children to touch displays either out of curiosity or while taking photos. That said, I genuinely think this exhibit can be appreciated at any age. At a time when arts funding seems increasingly limited nationwide, places like this feel like a reminder of what can happen when people pursue creative passions. You also have to respect someone who gave up a career in law to pursue what they loved and built something like this.

Okay so this place is truely the best it was my very first time going. Here is what I would have to…read moresay. Parking is a mess if I were you I would get dropped off. They also have a pop up bubble and titanic experience as well. I went for ice skating and I truely have never skated in my life. They have free entree on weekends and free skates and helmets for kids. The kids have to were helmets on the ice, the skates for adults costed about $15. One thing I didnt know before I got there I didnt know you have to reserve your spot because aparently everyone knows about this place. The staff was so considerate they still let us in at skate. I would tell anyone and everyone to go.

My son goes here. Has been for 1 year now. The staff is really friendly & kind to the children…read moreand parents. Lots of play time outside. Good food menus. Clean and plenty of toys and activities Reasonably priced. I would defiantly recommend havering your children here.

Our older daughter, who is two now, has been going to St. George's Daycare for the past year and a…read morehalf now and she absolutely loves it there. The teachers are so warm and friendly and you can clearly tell that they love their work. Her teachers in the Infant and Toddler programs really take the time and effort to come up with creative activities for the kids. The daycare director is also very friendly, approachable and hands-on with the kids. As a parent, when you see your child excited each day to go to daycare and see her teachers and friends, that is all the proof that you need that the daycare is excellent. I can't tell you how lucky we are to have found a daycare so good right near our place and we have no reservations whatsoever in sending our second daughter there when my wife goes back to work.