Latest News From TREB Sept 3 2010

TORONTO, Friday September 3, 2010 - Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6 ,232 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August 2010. This represented a 22 per cent decrease compared to the 8,035 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings decreased by one per cent year-over- year to 10,488.

“The prospect of interest rate hikes and new mortgage lending rules prompted some households to purchase a home sooner than they otherwise would have this year. The result has been a larger than normal dip in sales over the summer months. With this said, it is important to recognize that sales on the year were eight per cent higher than in 2009,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston.

The average price for August transactions was $411,012 – up six per cent compared to the average of $387,921 reported in August 2009.

“Market conditions have remained tight enough to support higher home prices in comparison to last year. Under current mortgage lending standards, a household earning the average income in the GTA can comfortably afford the mortgage payments on an average priced home. Market conditions and the affordability picture would have to change dramatically before a sustained drop in the average selling price would take place,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Click here to read the complete report...

The Canadian Int'l Air Show is back!

The 2010 Canadian International Air show is the culminating event of the Canadian National Exhibition and is held annually in accordance with all Canadian air regulations.

This year the show will take place on Saturday, September 4th, Sunday, September 5th and Monday September 6th from 12:30 PM to 4:30 P.M. with rehearsals on Friday, September 3rd from 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. (intermittently to allow for commercial airline traffic).

Click here for more info...

3S's Restaurant in Oakville...Lovely!

Those of you who know me, know that I am a Toronto gal but I went "out of town" this wkend and I had to share my great find. On Saturday I was out for dinner and it was a warm evening and we wanted to eat by the water..long story short..we ended up in Oakville.

We were attracted to this lovely restaurant 3S's at 266 Lakeshore Road East, telephone 905-339-2777. Why 3S's? Seafood, Steak & Song! The food is spectacular (the 10oz Angus Sirloin from Alberta was so tender and the 'jus' was superbe), the service is discreet & impeccable and then there are the songs! Every so often we would hear a little bell ring which caught our attention and one of the waiters would start singing, opera, musical or pop as in Michael Bublé and they really get into it, they are playful and obviously enjoy the mini performance portion of their jobs. Next time you're in Oakville, it's a must!

Cooling Centres in Toronto

Click here to find the Cooling Centre near you and air conditioned public places by region...

Best Bike Trails in Canada!

Check out some of the country's most interesting cycling routes.

Strap on a bike helmet and hit the trails. Across Canada, cycling routes are gaining high marks among newbies and experienced aficionados alike.

Source: CAA Magazine online
By Ilona Kauremsky

Click here to see the Five Best Bike Paths in Canada...

Road closures around the city Aug 28/29

BuskerFest

•Market Street will be closed from Front Street to the Esplanade from Thursday at 7 a.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
•The westbound lanes of Front Street from Church Street to Jarvis Street will be closed on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. (NOTE: This closure will go back into effect from Friday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.)
•The eastbound lanes of Front Street from Church Street to Jarvis Street will be closed from Thursday at 9 a.m. to Sunday 11:59 p.m.
•Front Street will be closed from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street from Friday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
•Church Street will be closed from the Esplanade to Front Street from Friday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Chinatown Festival

•The southbound lanes of Spadina Avenue from St. Andrew Street to Sullivan Street will be closed from Saturday at 6 a.m. to Sunday at 11 p.m.

Live Green Toronto Festival

•On Saturday, Yonge Street will be closed from Edward Street to Queen Street from 6:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Kensington Pedestrian Sundays

•Parts of Augusta Avenue, Baldwin Street, Kensington Avenue and St. Andrew Street will be closed on Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

Source: 680News staff Aug 27, 2010 08:30:23 AM

The 39th Annual Cat Show Sat & Sun Aug 28/29

How can you not love this face?

Let the sun shine in as our fine feline friends convene at the 2010 CNE for the 39th Annual Cat Show. There will be more than 125 cats from across Ontario that will be showcased in display and in competition.

Saturday, Aug 28th & Sunday, Aug 29th
Time: 10 am - 5 pm
Cafe Soleil, Direct Energy Centre, CNE

FanExpo Canada in Toronto Aug 27 to 29th!

If you're a Fan of Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, Animation & Gaming, this is the show for you and probably your children.

Meet William Shatner (Star Trek), Adam West, Burt Ward & Julie Newmar (Batman), James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Michael Dorn (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Tahmoh Ballard (Battlestar Galactica), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes), David Cronenberg, Stan Lee and many more!

Where: At the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Click here for the full schedule and appearances and much more...

Scotiabank BuskeFest Aug 26-29 at the St. Lawrence Market

In support of Epilepsy Toronto...check it out it's a cool festival for a good cause and you have to love St. Lawrence Market

Click here for the YouTube video channel


Click here for more info at the web site....

Our Chefs are cooking at the CNE!

The Art and Science of Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Join Chef Michael Smith, host of Food Network Canada’s Chef at Home as he demystifies this all important kitchen staple while exploring ways that you can personalize your own heirloom recipe. With his signature high energy style and entertaining stories Michael will show how one recipe can be modified simply to yield numerous versions of this kitchen classic. This session is an exploration of freestyle cooking and how all recipes can be personalized!


Featured in the fun new Food Network Canada series Pitchin' In, Chef Lynn Crawford is well known as "the Renegade Cuisine Queen"! The former Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Manhattan has competed against Bobby Flay in the popular Iron Chef America competition and has been a favourite on Food Network Canada's Restaurant Makeover. She is taking time out from her busy schedule and her new Toronto restaurant Ruby Watchco to appear at the CNE!


Chef Anthony Rose takes time out from his duties as Executive Chef at Toronto's Drake Hotel to share his California "farm house" cooking with a New York City edge culinary background with CNE audiences.

Click here for the web site and schedule....don't miss this!