In The News

Blog TO writes on the 2011 edition of Come Up to My Room (CUTMR), an annual design event at the Gladstone Hotel. CUTMR, curated by Deborah Wang and Jeremy Vandermeij, brings in over 30 designers/artists to temporarily redesign one of the hotel's many rooms. Blog TO hosts pictures and reviews of this year's exhibition.

"As usual, it's impossible to assign a controlling theme to CUTMR. In keeping with the original idea behind the show, the curators select the artists rather than the pieces. "Once these creative individuals and collectives have been selected, they are given a public space or one of the 11 exhibition rooms on the hotel's second floor. Curators consult and discuss public space projects with their makers, but know next to nothing about the room installations." There are two ideas behind this arrangement: 1) each is designed specifically for the show and 2) it helps to foster artistic creativity by removing as many constraints as possible."

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original source Blog TO

As reported by the National Post, the federal government has declared 2011 the "Year of the Entrepreneur". The announcement, made at the Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University, was the result of a combined effort from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business to make entrepreneurship in the coming year a top federal priority.

"In a joint statement, CYBF and CFIB said "Year of the Entrepreneur initiatives will bring together like-minded organizations from across the country to exchange ideas, establish networks and collaborate on partnerships that will help drive sustainable economic growth." Vivian Prokop, chief executive of CYBF, said the designation will help build momentum "to show the world Canada is propelling economic recovery and growth through entrepreneurship." As part of the celebration of entrepreneurs, CYBF plans to launch the entrepreneurial Educator of the Year Award, continue to build on Canada's presence at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit, and start new programs for innovation, socialpreneurs and newcomers."

"Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) and Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) were on hand to make the announcement but the message was clear � the Harper Government was passing on the baton of Canada's economic action plan to the private sector."

"As we move into the next phase � Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs and the small and medium-sized business community will play even greater roles in securing our fragile economic recovery. Designating 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur marks the symbolic beginning of the new phase of that recovery," Mr. Moore said."

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original source National Post

Toronto's symphony orchestra has received rave reviews and international acclaim after 6-city Florida tour. As reported by Florida's Herald  Tribune, the TSO made a memorable impression on the sunshine state with their "crisp, clean and refined" performances.

"It's a well-loved symphony and the orchestra tastefully, but surely, hit every button to please the audience. The famous horn solo of the second movement was clear and yearning. Woodwind solos and countermelodies sang out with beauty and balance. And, when needed at just the right moments, the brass had that most satisfying buzz and edge that so many look for. It was exciting and fresh, and quite rightly drew warm cheers from their southern neighbours."

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original source Herald Tribune

The Toronto Star writes on the 2011 DiverseCity Fellowship, a year long leadership and networking program for Toronto's future city-builders. This year's fellowship, a joint initiative of the Maytree Foundation and Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance, has been offered to 24 notable Torontonians.

"This year's group includes city planners, bankers, health workers, research analysts, accountants and the founder of the Black Daddies Club community organization in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood."

"Now in its third year, the fellowship is a joint initiative of the Maytree Foundation and Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance, formerly the Toronto City Summit Alliance."

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original source Toronto Star

A National Post feature looks at Toronto's "unstoppable" condo market. The continued growth of the condo industry--5,500 new units will be built in the downtown core this year--is attributed to a stable Canadian economy, high levels of immigration, and a vibrant downtown.

"Brad Lamb believes Toronto's downtown condominium market is out of this world."

"There's no other place on the planet where all this [activity] is happening," says the president of Brad J. Lamb Realty, who specializes in downtown condo sales. "We have a large immigration of people coming to Toronto every year. We have a diverse economy that can support a reasonably affluent lifestyle. And we have a very stable Canadian economy. Everyone is recognizing how great Canada is, and Toronto is the centre of Canada."

"According to Urbanation, numbers cruncher to the development industry, 16,000 new condo units are expected to come to the Toronto CMA area this year (5,500 will be in the downtown core), down slightly from last year but still a healthy level. RealNet Canada reports that in the first 11 months of 2010, 36% of new condo units sold in the Greater Toronto Area were situated in the downtown core between Bloor Street and the waterfront. Twenty-two per cent of GTA's new condo sales took place in what RealNet calls Downtown West, between University Avenue and Dufferin Street, which RealNet president George Carras says totalled more than all of Calgary's new condo sales in the same time period. With interest rates low and close to 100,000 new immigrants arriving on Toronto's doorstep every year, 2011 is expected to continue drawing in the masses."

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original source National Post

Concord Cityplace this week unveiled its latest art installations, two massive and highly-detailed murals by Brooklyn-based artist Jose Parla. The Ministry of Artistic Affairs features photos of the stunning pieces (available for public view) and an interview with their creator.

"On January 20, 2011, a gala party was held in downtown Toronto for Jos� Parl� to celebrate the reveal of two massive public art murals he painted as a commission for Concord CityPlace."

"Interwoven into the art and very fabric of his life, travel is something Jos� Parl� does constantly. Born in Miami to Cuban parents, raised in Puerto Rico and now based in Brooklyn, Parl� has spent the last decade journeying with exhibitions of his work around the world. Throughout his years of global wandering, he has developed a highly sophisticated system of calligraphy that reflects, like a mirror, the wear and tear of the urban environments he passes through. Capturing the light in Havana, colors of Istanbul, or the pace of Tokyo, his works are visual meditations on global locations and the people that occupy them. This last point is important because, though abstract, Parl�'s paintings are all about the characters he meets and the friends he makes along the way. With a Clooney-esque degree of charm spun around a warm, Latino spool, Parl� leaves behind a thread of admirers, companions, and connections whenever he departs for his next destination."

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original source The Ministry of Artistic Affairs

The Huffington Post reports on the announcement this week that the 2011 International Indian Film Academy Awards will be held in Toronto. The 3-day event, which will see the stars of the world's largest film industry converge in Toronto, is expected to draw thousands visitors.

"Bollywood superstars Preity Zinta and Anil Kapoor were in Toronto on Wednesday to announce the IIFA celebrations in Toronto, and were joined by the affable Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty, and a host of other Canadian dignitaries."

"The excitement in the room was palpable and with good reason -- the Indian film industry has 23 million fans watching its movies each day. But despite those astonishing numbers, many people in North America are unfamiliar with Bollywood films, though that's something sure to change after the 2011 IIFA celebrations in Toronto."

"Premier McGuinty spoke about the ability of cinema to bring people together and IIFA certainly hopes to strengthen the already friendly and favorable ties between Canada and India, not just through film but through tourism, culture and trade as well. "It's not just about an award," said Bollywood beauty and 2011 IIFA ambassador Preity Zinta,"it's about cultural exchange, it's about business opportunities, it's tourism exchange, it's so much more!"

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original source Huffington Post

The much-anticipated Ballroom, Toronto's first downtown bowling alley in 30 years, has officially opened its doors for business. Located at
Richmond and John, the Ballroom boasts 10 lanes, pin ping pong tables, a sports-bar, and restaurant.

"There's a new alternative for entertainment in clubland, where you can still act like a kingpin from the gutter with perfect game, but your friends won't laugh at you when you strike out."

"It's called The Ballroom, Toronto's only downtown bowling alley, now open for business at the corner of Richmond and John.  But as Co-owner Thanos Tripi told CityNews Tuesday, there's a lot more to it than Turkeys and 7-10 splits."

"The Ballroom is currently open to the public but with a limited menu.  They'll be having their grand opening on February 1st."

"We're about 80 percent there," Tripi adds.  "We've got all the bones we just have to put on the makeup."

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original source CityTV News

The Toronto Star features local entrepreneur Dana Moore, co-owner of two bustling Toronto hot-yoga studios. Moore, who took over a struggling Queen East yoga studio four years ago, succeeded in doubling the studio's customer retention rate using a combination of clever promotions and personalized customer service. Moore has been so successful that she and new business partner Damien Smith, recently opened another location in Yorkville to keep up with demand.

"...Moore's studio on Queen St. E. has grown from just two to three classes of between five and 15 participants to today's busy schedule of five packed sessions each day with 30 to 40 people."

"We are averaging about 150 people a day, it's packed."

"At Moore's studio, the biggest business challenge is client turnover. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the high heat and novel physical positions the uninitiated must endure during each 90-minute session, the drop-out rate after that first class is extremely high. Most studios see just two out of 10 first-timers return for a second class, Moore says."

"Her big success has been a series of measures designed to double that retention rate."

"We follow up with an email and we call all of our new students the day after," explains Moore, who describes the immediate reaction of most first-timers as "they feel like they got hit by a yoga truck." Quick follow-up is the key to getting them back, she says."

"Usually, they are kind of light-hearted the next day. That's why we wait until the next day. Most often, people have had a really great night's sleep and are enthusiastic. Operating under the assumption that customers will be hooked if they can be convinced to suffer through those first few classes, Moore promotes discounted trial offers and gives regulars various ways to pay � from 10- and 20-class packages that never expire to unlimited year-long memberships. As a result, few customers pay the per-class rate of $18 for a single session."

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original source Toronto Star

The Hindu Magazine hails Toronto in a recent Travel Section feature, describing the city as "every tourist's delight" and "the perfect mix of old and new". "Canada's most bustling city" received high praise for its eclectic architecture, multitude of attractions, and commitment to diversity.

"The first impression about Toronto is its vertical limitlessness. Everything appears to be racing up-up-upper to meet the sky. Winch your neck and all you see is a bit of blue peeping from between two tall orders of concrete and glass."

"A Canada's most bustling city, Toronto is considered its financial and entertainment capital, and Central District is the place to catch this buzz. It has the best spread of gourmet restaurants, nightlife, hotels, visual arts, fashion and more. To mention a few, there's the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres; the new permanent home of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Bell Lightbox; the happening Yonge Street�the oldest street of the city and also considered the longest in all North America; pr�t shopping hot-spot as King Street or ritzy boutiques of Yorkville and Bloor St West; the outdoorsy St Lawrence Market and Kensington Market known for fresh food products; the ever- popular Queen West, the city's one-stop trendy and hip cultural street; and of course it's got the CN Tower that lord's over them all."

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original source The Hindu

The Globe and Mail writes on the growing body of Toronto-centric graphic design, from band posters to detailed maps, that "celebrates the city as artistic muse".

 "Ian Gillies, who owns Telegramme Prints, which has locations in Leslieville and on Ossington, says urban pride has established itself as a design aesthetic for many Toronto residents."

"If it's got a Toronto reference on it, people want it," he said. "We have a bad hockey team and the political culture can be a little bit irritating at times, but I think there's just a lot of people who really like living in the city."

"Among Mr. Gillies's best sellers are the Ork Posters, city maps created by Chicago artist Jenny Beorkrem that depict urban centres, including Toronto and Vancouver, by assembling the names of individual neighbourhoods."

"In Toronto, posters with a local bent have become an accessible entry point to the art scene and a way of demonstrating hometown pride."

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original source Globe & Mail

In January of last year Toronto City Hall announced an ambitious and innovative sustainability policy, requiring all new buildings and retrofits to include a green roof. Now, one year later, Blog TO looks at some of the most noteworthy projects that have emerged as a result.

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original source Blog TO

The Toronto Star writes on Toronto's Centre for Youth Development and Mentoring Services, a non-profit mentoring program that works with youth vulnerable to gangs and drugs. Started by four friends -- Alihashi, Abdifatah Warsame, Ali Sheikh and Abdi Qami -- in 2006, the program has had tremendous success. None of the 300 teens who participated have dropped out of school and many have gone on to higher education.

"The program has carried on quietly for five years, keeping a low profile; but its results have been miraculous. None of the 300-odd teens who participated in the program have dropped out of school. Their grades have gone from low C's and D's to high B's and, in some cases, A's. And many have gone on to college and university."

"But most of all, the teens have stayed out of trouble � away from the street crime that has plagued the community."

It's a well-documented fact that children from Somali, Arab, Iranian, Portuguese and Vietnamese communities have a dropout rate two to three times greater than the national average.The four Somali-Canadian friends, in their 30s, could never wrap their heads around those numbers. Back in 2006, they chatted about how they could help teens in their community."

"They (teens) faced the same problems as we did," says Alihashi. "Poor neighbourhoods, low-income families. We made it through school and based on our experiences, we wanted to help other kids."

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original source Toronto Star

The New York Times writes on the allure of Toronto's fashion district, "once a hodgepodge of textile factories and auto lots", the old warehouses have been transformed into upscale restaurants, trendy boutiques and sleek glass condos.

"The roughly 17-square-block area where most of the development is taking place is named for its link to the textile industry. Just west of Toronto's downtown and theater district, the fashion district is bisected along King Street by the city's most popular streetcar line. Development has been centered on the diminutive Victoria Memorial Park, which is surrounded by stylish midrise buildings and industrial brick structures given new life with trendy shops and restaurants."

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original source New York Times