tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8073829946981464532024-03-13T08:34:39.625-04:00Savouring ThoughtsShirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-40932767893382392462017-01-25T17:21:00.000-05:002017-01-25T17:21:16.227-05:00Happy Chinese New Year! Let's Welcome the Year of the Fire Rooster!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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Ready to bid <i>Adieu </i>to the Year of the Fire Monkey and <i>Welcome</i> in the Year of the Fire Rooster? </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Last weekend, on Saturday and Sunday January 21st and 22nd, 2017 I had the pleasure of hosting my annual Chinese New Year Preps FoodWalks, complete with curated dim sum and shopping for necessary decorations and cooking ingredients to be ready by the evening of Thursday January 26th. We had newcomers who relocated to Toronto, adventurous travellers yearning to get behind-the-scenes with locals, and best of all, long-time Toronto residents with vivid memories of a changing city. Those lucky folks love the fact that Chinese New Year festival last 15 days! Yes, that translates into 15 glorious days of feasting! If you missed my Chinese New Year's Preps FoodTours, you are still in luck, as I have the Celebrations FoodTours and for the Grand Finale, the Lantern Festival FoodTours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> <a href="http://facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-the-world-walks/187276987505?ref=ts">Chinese New Year's Celebrations Food Tours of Toronto's Second Chinatown</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Saturday February 4th, 2017 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Sunday February 5th, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> <a href="http://facebook.com/pages/A-taste-of-the-world-walks/187276987505?ref=ts">Chinese New Year's Grand Finale - Lantern Festival Food Tours in Toronto's Second Chinatown</a>; </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Saturday February 11th, 2017 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Sunday February 12th, 2017</span></div>
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Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve takes place in 2017 on Friday January 27th. Traditionally, Chinese New Year's Eve is the evening for the Grand Feast. Some Chinese families might have the multi-course dinner at home on Friday night if mom or grandma is home to cook all day long. Some families might celebrate with a big bash on Saturday, the Firdt Day of Chinese New Year. Some families, like mine for the first time, will celebrate on Sunday night due to busy school and work schedules! Some folks would have pre-booked tables. Some will pre-order for take-out. </div>
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The traditional Chinese Lunar New Year banquet in China is always a sumptuous, communal feast of at least ten courses and occasionally more. </div>
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For many Chinese, the banquet at the beginning of the lunar year is more than a meal, as it gathers together a family of several generations. A New Year’s menu is a poetic collection of rich symbols, omens and superstitions as well as a family’s food history. </div>
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This year, my family's food history really comes to the forefront in threefold. First, I'll be sharing my early childhood connection with chocolate, as we savour <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">during the chocolate</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> tastings,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> the artisan chocolates I created as SChocolateMagic . Second, the unique fish which Simon, co-owner of historic Kowloon Seafood Dim Sum Restaurant will proudly pick for our Whole Steamed Fish dish, which will bring back memories of old school Cantonese cooking and be a memorable experience for banquet newbies. Third, replacing the deep fried chicken dish with a new dish, the Salt-Baked Chicken, a dish that is made from a recipe of tradition, but prepared in the classic manner. While discussing this revised menu with my mom, I discovered that this main course dish has a dish my mom eaten once during her childhood in Guangdong, China. We are talking about early 1930s, and it was made by my maternal great-grandmother, bound-foot and all ! Since arriving in Canada in 1952, my mom has not had it prepared in the classic manner. </span></div>
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The following New Year‘s Day meal will welcome the Year of the Fire Rooster at <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Kowloon Seafood Dim Sum Restaurant,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> one of the oldest remaining Chinese restaurant from Toronto's lost first Chinatown area, while paying homage to local Food Historian Shirley Lum’s ancestral Cantonese roots in Guangzhou and celebrates the completion of her Professional Chocolatier Certificate (chocolate tastings of artisan chocolate concoctions using quality chocolates, Valrhona Chocolates, Michel Cluizel and Callebaut Chocolates). </span></div>
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Culinary Historian Shirley Lum of A Taste of the World hosts </div>
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2017 Chinese New Year 12-course Banquet </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_302186850" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday January 28th, 2017 6:00-9:00 P.M.</span></span> </div>
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Kowloon Seafood Dim Sum Restaurant, 5 Baldwin Street, Toronto. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: red;">***<b><i> Menu for Chinese New Year 12-course Banquet</i></b> *** </span></div>
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* Chocolate Tastings (artisan chocolates by Shirley aka @SChocolateMagic )</div>
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* Sweet and Sour Chicken </div>
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* BBQ Platter </div>
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* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup </div>
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* Braised Oysters & Fatt Choy on a Bed of Lettuce </div>
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* Phoenix Nest with Medley of Vegetables </div>
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* Classic Salt-Baked Chicken </div>
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* Braised Medley of Vegetables </div>
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* Steamed Whole Fish </div>
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* Double Lobsters in Garlic, Scallion & Ginger </div>
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* Yeungchow Fried Rice</div>
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* Yee-Fu Noodles </div>
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* Sweet Soup: Red Bean </div>
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EVENT CAPACITY: Two Tables with 10 seats each</div>
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*** PRE-REGISTRATION & PAYMENT ***</div>
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Tickets (includes pre-ordered food, tea, Chinese New Year’s Food History Talk & memento, and chocolate tastings):</div>
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$80.00 CAD p.p. by E-Transfer at <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a> by <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_302186851" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;"><b>WED. JAN. 25th 9:00 P.M</b>.</span></span>, After which, ticket price of $85.00 will be accepted by Credit Cards only. </div>
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RESERVE your spots using your Credit Card by calling <a href="tel:(416)%20923-6813" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+14169236813">(416)923-6813</a></div>
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(NO SHOWS will be charged $85.00 on the Credit Card) </div>
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Note: At the time of publication of this blog, Table One just Sold Out. </div>
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Purchase your seats now as seating is limited to ensure an intimate and memorable experience for all! </div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Happy New Year! </i></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">San Nin Fai Lok</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;"> in Cantonese ! </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><b>Xin Nian Kaui</b> <b>Le</b></span></i><span style="color: #222222;"> in Mandarin ! </span></div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-17750463309329917412016-02-25T21:00:00.001-05:002016-02-27T09:53:32.299-05:00Marmalade Love: Captured in Jars & Pastries at Redpath Marmalade Competition #M4M2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Blue Barracks Room, all set and ready for #M4M2016 Judges and participants!<br />Thanks Bernardin for continued sponsorship! </i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Sneak peak of Judges' ribbons in<br />Redpath Marmalade Competition Judging Room</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i><b>Wondering what it’s like to be held captive for two solid hours <br />in a small room with <br />eight Marmalade Competition judges, <br />plus thirty jars of jelly, jam, and marmalade, and <br />nine pastries baked with marmalade? </b></i></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">On Saturday February 20, 2016 that was case at the Mad For Marmalade Competition, which was renamed as the Redpath Marmalade Competition. The Marmalade Competition Judging Room was buzzing with Marmalade Love. This event was a part of the 9th annual Mad For Marmalade, Crazy For Citrus! presented by Culinary Historians of Canada (CHC) in partnership with Fort York - National Historic Site and the Aga Khan Museum. The 2016 theme was Citrus in the Persian Kitchen! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I have grown up with an appreciation for marmalade thanks to both parents working at different Canadian/Chinese diners in Toronto in the early 1950s, as their respective diners served homemade marmalades with toast. That love for all things marmalade turned into leading hands-on Marmalades With Asian Twists workshops at the Mad For Marmalade, Crazy For Citrus! in 2008 and 2009. Over the years, I turned my marmalade love to appreciating the different flavours of Persian culture, and was excited upon joining the planning committee in June 2015 with CHC and Fort York to work on this event.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Volunteering as the 2016 Redpath Marmalade Competition Chair includes long hours of meetings, going behind the scene and more. But it can be totally fun and rewarding when the big event finally arrives! There's nothing like standing in the hallway with all eight judges, and hearing them chat. The energy! The excitement! You should see the loads of hugs and warm greetings when we spy the much beloved Elizabeth Baird, as she arrives early for her workshop. Then it's Naomi Duguid, our Keynote Speaker who arrives. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QnUaXr2xBEU/Vs9q_Rkq8FI/AAAAAAAABBM/zec3pTzSmVM/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QnUaXr2xBEU/Vs9q_Rkq8FI/AAAAAAAABBM/zec3pTzSmVM/s200/photo%2B1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Yvonne Tremblay & Christine Manning</i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Once we get the signal that it's time to go through the Main Lobby and head through the doorway into the Judging Room, all the judges stop chatting. It's serious business from here on. All the while, I feel like a “fly on the wall” while witnessing up-close eight amazing Canadian professionals in their own fields, go into the “Marmalade Zone” once it was time to march into the Marmalade Competition Judging Room from the little hallway adjoining the cloak room. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The room went into a hush at first, then we started to hear murmurs as each judge begins to concur with their judging partner about the colour of the jars, the texture, the headspace, and more. The energy shifted as they slip into using different sensory modes to judge their chosen category. I wish there was an App for the heady aromas of the various jams, jellies and marmalades as we all started hearing the distinctive pop of the perfectly processed jars open. Immediate olfactory responses of sighs and swooning were witnessed. What a rich experience to see the varying facial reactions as each jar popped open. Each of the below listed jury members were amazing. What a memorable experience of tutored tasting with all of the senses coming alive! Each judge took their time in writing down thoughtful and helpful tips for many entrants and even graciously shared some more tips during the Awards segment of the event. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppzeuzfugp4/Vs9rECTq-hI/AAAAAAAABBM/FGPyX_273mI/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppzeuzfugp4/Vs9rECTq-hI/AAAAAAAABBM/FGPyX_273mI/s200/photo%2B4.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Kyla Eaglesham</i></b> <b style="font-style: italic;">& MaryCatherine </b><b><i>Anderson</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="s1">Once each pair of judges were done with their category, we saw the top three jars (or cakes) in ranking ordering for the other jury members to judge. Once the jury panel concurred on the top three of each category, then first place winners of category were selected. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30jOdzC_jVo/Vs9q-OJ6OUI/AAAAAAAABBM/A4TKaHOuEh0/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30jOdzC_jVo/Vs9q-OJ6OUI/AAAAAAAABBM/A4TKaHOuEh0/s200/photo%2B2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Emily Richards & Daphna Rabinovitch</i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Moving the three top jars to the designated table by a window, allowed all the judges to marvel at the gem-like quality of the jars as sunshine shined though the window. We witnessed a brilliant way to test the top three finalists: a spoonful of each jar on a small vintage plate. This permitted a much closer side-by-side scrutiny of the depth of colour, the texture, the finesse in cutting, etc. Of course, more tasting takes place plus a Marmalade Competition Judge group selfies after being pumped with so much sugar. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wc9K8aLSLA/Vs9-0bywisI/AAAAAAAABBQ/_fKlAgdcPcc/s1600/photo-27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wc9K8aLSLA/Vs9-0bywisI/AAAAAAAABBQ/_fKlAgdcPcc/s200/photo-27.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Alison Fryer with plate of 1st Place winners<br />just before Judges' Choice is made</i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Bravo to each of these busy professionals willing to volunteer their precious time on a Saturday! A heartfelt thank goes to Daphna Rabinovitch for saving the day with the unforeseen last minute cancellation of another judge just the night before the big day. Fans of Canadian Living Cooks loved having her back during the Awards ceremony. Here’s the jury panel that helped judge the fabulous 39 entries. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6K0gIxQ1X0/Vs9rUNJ-FTI/AAAAAAAABBM/hbhT3RSpQp0/s1600/photo-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6K0gIxQ1X0/Vs9rUNJ-FTI/AAAAAAAABBM/hbhT3RSpQp0/s320/photo-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="s1"><b>2016 Redpath Marmalade Competition Judges</b>: </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Category 1: Pure Seville Orange Marmalade</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>* <a href="http://www.twitter.com/manningcanning">Christine Manning</a></i></b> a returning judge and proud owner of Manning Canning. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>* <a href="http://www.twitter.com/yvonnetremblay">Yvonne Tremblay</a></i></b>, five-time Grand Champion Jam & Jelly Maker (The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair) and author of Prizewinning Preserves, 250 Home Preserving Favorites and Thyme in the Kitchen. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Category 2: Citrus Marmalade</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">* <b><i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/daphnarabinovitch">Daphna Rabinovitch</a></i></b>, Freelance Food Consultant, Food Writer/Editor/Recipe Developer. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">* <b><i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ERiscooking">Emily Richards</a></i></b> is a highly experienced and well-regarded Professional Home Economist. Her newest cookbook, shares her family’s Italian culture. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Category 3: Preserves with Citrus (formerly Citrus Preserves</b>)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">* <b><i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/alisonfryer">Alison Fryer</a></i></b> was a fixture at the helm of the seminal The Cookbook Store for over thirty years. Since the store’s closure in 2014, Alison has been teaching at culinary schools, on the lookout for the next wave of culinary talent. A longtime judge of major international cookbook awards. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">* <b><i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/hendersonfarmsjams">Robert Henderson</a></i></b> is the 2015 Grand Champion Jam & Jelly Maker and First Place winner in Heritage Jams (The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair). Owner of Henderson Farms, on Wolfe Island, he has been making and selling 50 different flavours for 30 years.He sells at the Kingston Farmers Market 3 days a week for over 25 years and do juried craft shows in Ontario, One of a Kind; Quebec, Salon des metiers d’art; and Vancouver, One of a Kind. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Category 4: Baking with Marmalade</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>* Pastry Chef <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kylachef">Kyla Eaglesham</a></i></b> is owner of Madeleine (a Bespoke Pastry Production Kitchen in Toronto). </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>* <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mc_cooks">Mary Catherine Anderson</a></i></b> is a culinary instructor and freelance chef in Toronto. She has been teaching preserving, as well as other courses at St. Lawrence Market, for Aphrodite Cooks, Nella Cucina, the LCBO and the TDSB. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">In 2015, the competition had 29 entrants and in 2016, we witness an increase to 39 entrants. Here’s a little Stats:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Pure Seville Orange Marmalade: 2015 (5 entries) 2016 (9 entries)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Citrus Marmalade: 2015 (10 entries) 2016 (14 entries) </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Preserves with Citrus: 2015 (8 entries) 2016 (7 entries) </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Baking with Marmalade: 2015 (6 entries) 2016 (9 entries)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcJ7pO_4F_w/Vs9rQPpAi3I/AAAAAAAABBM/lMaixT6WWzE/s1600/photo-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcJ7pO_4F_w/Vs9rQPpAi3I/AAAAAAAABBM/lMaixT6WWzE/s320/photo-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Genevieve Shave: Judges' Choice and 1st Prize winner of Citrus Marmalade </i></b><br />
<b><i>Image with Permission by Genevieve Shave </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="s2">Congratulations to </span><span class="s3">Genevieve Shave, who once again entered this year, and this time she wins the <b>Judges’ Choice </b></span><span class="s1"> and<b> </b></span><span class="s3"><b>1st Prize</b> in the <b>Citrus Marmalade</b> category for her </span><span class="s1">Scotch Marmalade! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">We all loved the food history she shared about her heirloom recipe from her great-grandmother, Florence Watson. With permission, here’s what Genevieve C. M. Shave shared with us at Redpath Marmalade Competition: </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>Scotch Marmalade </i></b></span></div>
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<li class="li3"><i><span class="s2"></span><span class="s1">Florence Watson (referred to as “Great-Grandmother”)</span></i></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s1"><i>Made from my Great-Grandmother’s recipe. As many from her generation, she found recipes and wrote them down in her own cook-book. She never mentioned where she found the inspiration for this recipe. She used to make and give this marmalade every year at Christmas for decades of her life. Since she passed away over a 10 years ago, my Grandmother found her recipe, attempted it a few times, and gave it to my Mother who carried the tradition for a few the years as well. Ever since I was old enough to safely make it in 2005, I have been keeping the annual tradition alive. </i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i>My Great-Grandmother didn’t drink whiskey, so the only whiskey she had in her house was a single bottle that she would use for this recipe, so she didn’t experiment much with types of whiskey, and how it may strongly affect the marmalade outcome. I have experimented, and O have found a particular Blended Scotch Whiskey that seems to carry a subtle, but incredible flavour to the marmalade. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLgQ58m8ndU/Vs9q_J8eZyI/AAAAAAAABBM/oCwiYIk0oYo/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLgQ58m8ndU/Vs9q_J8eZyI/AAAAAAAABBM/oCwiYIk0oYo/s200/photo%2B3.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Yvonne Tremblay & Christine Manning<br />Jars of Pure Seville Orange Marmalade</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"><b>Redpath Marmalade Competition, </b></span><b>February 20, 2016</b></span></div>
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I would like to congratulate everyone who entered as every single entry was a worthy one. </div>
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<span class="s1">The complete standings are listed below. Lest anyone felt downhearted about their results, we had one entrant who placed 1st in one category and then much lower in another category! </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Judges’ Choice</b></span></div>
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<li class="li5"><span class="s1">Genevieve Shave (Scotch Marmalade)</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s1"><b>Pure Seville Orange Marmalade (9 entries) </b></span></div>
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<li class="li5"><span class="s1">1st Prize: Muriel Thompson (Pure Seville Orange Marmalade) </span>Recipe source: Mary Norwak Cookbook </li>
</ul>
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<li class="li5"><span class="s1">2nd Prize: Roshi Ebrahim (My Dad’s Marmalade) Recipe source: Family </span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="li5"><span class="s1">3rd Prize: Mary Mucio (Classic Seville Orange Marmalade) Recipe source: Canadian Living </span> </li>
<li class="li5"> 4. Susanne Tabur (Oxford Marmalade) recipe: Caroline Conran: British Cooking) </li>
<li class="li5">5. Sarah B Hood (Seville Orange Marmalade) recipe: original </li>
<li class="li5">6. Patrick Forbes (Pure Seville Orange) recipe: n/a </li>
<li class="li5">7. Stephen Ferguson (Ferguson’s Finest) recipe: Radio, experimentation </li>
<li class="li5">8. Julien Sleath (Pure Seville Marmalade) recipe: traditional </li>
<li class="li5">9. Mark Whitcombe (Seville Orange Marmalade) </li>
</ul>
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<span class="s1"><b>Citrus Marmalade (14 entries) </b></span></div>
<ul>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">1st Prize: Genevieve Shave (Scotch Marmalade) Great-grandma’s recipe </span></li>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">2nd Prize: Susanne Tabur (Clear Marmalade) Recipe source: New Dishes from the Daily Telegraph 1953 </span></li>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">3rd Prize: Mary Mucio (Grapefruit & Lemon Marmalade) Recipe source: Bridget Wranich, Fort York </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s1">4. Veda Karlo (Lemon w/ Honey & Cardamom) recipe: personal & original <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAijpspH0bE/VtCzaxi_IbI/AAAAAAAABCU/n2RGk_4-2P4/s1600/photo-28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAijpspH0bE/VtCzaxi_IbI/AAAAAAAABCU/n2RGk_4-2P4/s200/photo-28.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Fathiya Rahim proudly wears<br />2nd Prize ribbon: Baking with Marmalade<br />Places 8th in Citrus Marmalade<br />(image with permission)</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span class="s1">5. Sandra Boyes (Rustic 3-Citrus Brandy Marmalade) recipe: Bernardin </span></div>
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<span class="s1">6. Mary-Louise Graven (Meyer Lemon/Blood Orange Demerrara Sugar) </span></div>
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7. Julien Sleath (4 Fruit Marmalade) recipe: popular methods-cookbook/internet </div>
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8. Fathiya A Rahim (Lemon Saffron Marmalade) recipe: personal & books </div>
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9. Pam Edmonds (Five Fruit Marmalade) </div>
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10. Muriel Thompson (Costco Magazine Marmalade)</div>
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11. Moira Sanders (Sky Valley Heirloom Navel Orange & Ginger Marmalade </div>
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12. Jean Sterritt (Meyer Lemon & Clementine Marmalade) </div>
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13. Mark D’Aguilar (Seville Orange Marmalade w/ Quince Juice & Saffron) </div>
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14. Mike Layton (Grapefruit Compari Marmalade) recipe: <a href="http://www.spectacularlydelicious.com/"><span class="s4">www.spectacularlydelicious.com</span></a> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wquS7Ttir4/VtCvjUm06xI/AAAAAAAABCI/tCGv2n--Aq0/s1600/thumb_IMG_1603_1024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wquS7Ttir4/VtCvjUm06xI/AAAAAAAABCI/tCGv2n--Aq0/s200/thumb_IMG_1603_1024.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Congrats Donna Pitcher!<br />1st Prize: Bake with Marmalade (see below)<br />2nd Prize: Preserves with Citrus<br />Photo Credit: Donna Pitcher </i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="s1"><b>Preserves with Citrus {formerly Citrus Preserves} (7 entries)</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">1st Prize: Pam Edmonds (Apricot Orange Cardamom Marmalade) Recipe source: adapted from blog by Margaret M. Tripp </span></li>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">2nd Prize:Donna Pitcher (Ruby-Red Grapefruit Cardamom & Orange Flower Jelly) Recipe source: inspired by BH & G Blood Orange-Vanilla Bean Jelly </span></li>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">3rd Prize: Lisette Maillette (Orange and carrot jam) </span></li>
<li class="li5">4. Sarah B Hood (Lemon, Fig & Lavender Marmalade) </li>
<li class="li5">5. Veda Karlo (Blood Orange w/ Raspberry & Chambord) recipe: personal </li>
<li class="li5">6. Grace Bellamy (Jaffa Mandarin, Lime Marmalade) recipe: internet </li>
<li class="li5">7. Mike Layton (Pomegranate Orange Marmalade) <a href="http://www.foodpreserving.com/"><span class="s4">www.FoodPreserving.com</span></a> </li>
</ul>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2wZ8fynKjI/Vs9rIBR9TqI/AAAAAAAABBM/SdpNtbdxZOE/s1600/photo-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2wZ8fynKjI/Vs9rIBR9TqI/AAAAAAAABBM/SdpNtbdxZOE/s200/photo-20.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Congrats Donna Pitcher!</i></b><br />
<b><i>1st Prize - Baking </i></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>with Marmalade</i></b><br />
<b><i>Spiced Orange Marmalade Cake with Orange </i></b><br />
<b><i>Marmalade </i></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>& Date Filling. </i></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Topped with </i></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Honey, </i></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Marmalade Cream </i></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Cheese Buttercream.</i></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Image with permission granted.</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="s1"><b>Baking With Marmalade (10 entries)</b> </span></div>
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<li class="li5"><span class="s1">1st Prize: Donna Pitcher (Spiced Orange Marmalade cake with Orange Marmalade & Date Filling. Topped with Honey, Marmalade Cream Cheese Buttercream) Recipe source: personal; “A World of Cake” cookbook; <a href="http://www.allrecipes.com/"><span class="s4">www.allrecipes.com</span></a> </span></li>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">2nd Prize: Fathiya Rahim (Sourdough Marmalade Breakfast Rolls) Recipe source: personal,
books & inspiration </span></li>
<li class="li5"><span class="s1">3rd Prize: Mark D’Aguilar (Orange Marmalade, Quince & Saffron Cheesecake with Pistachio crust) Recipe source: personal, original </span></li>
<li class="li5">4. Aaron Caplan (Orange Marmalade Cake) recipe: NYT Cooking Recipe Box </li>
<li class="li5">5. Moira Sanders (Orange Pistachio Baklava) recipe: original </li>
<li class="li5">6. Sherry Murphy (Festive Fruit Wreath) recipe: Canadian Living Christmas Book </li>
<li class="li5">7. Inese Grava-Gubins (Honey Meyer Lemon Cidonijas Platsmaize: sheet cake) </li>
<li class="li5">8. Melanie Garrison (Chocolate Marmalade Pie) recipe: cookbook </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Judges Kyla Eaglesham & MCAnderson<br />Fathiya Rahim's 2nd Prize winning<br />Baking with Marmalade:<br />Sourdough Marmalade Breakfast Rolls</i></b></td></tr>
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<li class="li5">9. Diane C. Vachon (Orange Marmalade Cake) </li>
<li class="li5">10. Mark Whitcombe (Seville Marmalade Almond Date Squares) Recipe: Mark's blog <a href="http://sevillemarmalade.wordpress.com/">www.sevillemarmalade.wordpress.com </a></li>
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<span class="s1">I don’t know about you, but I am feeling inspired to make some more marmalade or even try baking with marmalade I have already made in the last few weeks. The Weather Network is predicting that another snow storm is headed for southern Ontario. Perhaps, another chance to test a jam, jelly or marmalade recipe and then share the Marmalade Love with loved ones? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Mark the date! The 10th annual <b>Mad For Marmalade, Crazy For Citrus! </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Saturday February 18th, 2017... See you there! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">#M4M2016 #MadForMarmalade #RedpathMarmaladeCompetition #MarmaladeLove</span><br />
<span class="s1">#CHCFoodHistory #Jelly #Jam #Marmalade #MarmaladeCompetition </span><br />
<span class="s1">#ThrowbackThursday #PhotoFriday </span></div>
Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-5203142292605085952015-04-01T23:24:00.000-04:002015-04-01T23:24:24.801-04:00Hey Toronto! Lets Celebrate Chinese Spring Festival! <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Hey folks, I’m celebrating Spring a third time! Yup! I will be celebrating on Sunday April 5th, 2015 with Qing Ming Festival, a little-known Chinese Spring food festival in Toronto, yet it is widely celebrated in China. Did you know that Qing Ming takes place exactly 106 days after the WInter Solstice? This is just one of several ways I celebrate the beginning of the new season. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Don’t you love the many exciting ways of celebrating Spring in Toronto in 2015?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My early childhood spring celebrations were quite different growing up in Toronto in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite becoming the token Chinese family in the Annex neighbourhood upon my parents’ decision to move there from the old Cabbagetown area in the mid-1960s, our young family observed this festival with very traditional practices that made our family stand out. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjwhdVfGUc8/VRynzGaTs7I/AAAAAAAAA-g/sG2KCzph4Ts/s1600/20130214%2BQing%2BMing%2BDimSum%2B01987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjwhdVfGUc8/VRynzGaTs7I/AAAAAAAAA-g/sG2KCzph4Ts/s1600/20130214%2BQing%2BMing%2BDimSum%2B01987.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Like many fellow Canadians, my childhood springs were marked by March Break, or Spring Break, followed by Good Friday and Easter Sunday with one big hollow chocolate Easter bunny shared with my siblings. Qing Ming Festival falls between these two holidays and it made us “unique” because of the food my mom would make, and items my dad would pick-up from the Chinese BBQ shop with all those funny meats in the window display! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Qing Ming is a little-known Chinese Spring festival. It’s not yet as appealing as Harvest Moon Festival, nor as commercial and mainstream like Chinese Lunar New Year. In the Cantonese dialect, Qing Ming literally mean ‘pure’ and ‘clean’. Many of the early Toronto settlers from 1878-1970s, who had ancestors connected with building the Canadian railroad, were buried either in Mount Pleasant Cemetery or somewhere back in the old country called Southern China. Traditionally, it is spring cleaning of your deceased relatives’ graves in the countryside of China. We have descendants on both side of the family, and they are all buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. If you’ve ever tried traipsing through this cemetery after the winter thaw, it is mucky challenge, especially when you have three kids in tow and bags of cooked food and drinks as offerings. So my parents made a pact: mom makes the white-cut chicken and use it as an offering at home in April, and then we visit the cemetery in the summer once the ground is dry. It’s the very traditional food practices that made us cringe. Imagine a boiled white chicken with its head and feet intact, cooled off, and placed on a platter in the open doorway of your home door. Placement is important. The chicken should face inward. Yes, any bystanders strolling by, will see the chicken’s butt. My siblings (and of course I was not exempt) must slowly bow from the hip three times as a sign of respect, with our hands clasped together with burning intense sticks. One consolation: we get to eat this #nomnom chicken AND a white sticky rice cake from the bakery! This is Act I, followed by Act II which I will share on Sunday April 5th, 2015 Chinatown food tour as we celebrate Qing Ming, all its quirky rituals, superstition and traditions. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our family’s tradition are very similar to the Mexican holiday between October 28-November 2nd, Dia de los Muertos aka Day of the Dead in Spanish. It is just as celebratory in terms of families bringing food and offerings to the cemeteries for the departed relatives and friends. If you love Chinese roasted pork, char siu, chicken, steamed buns, and wicked food history... this is a fabulous way to greet Spring! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As a long-time resident who has travelled but still lives in Toronto, I am now witnessing Toronto live up to its First Nation reference as Toronto, the meeting place...a meeting place of festivities! We now see different cultures embracing each others’ food history and food practices and we’re witnessing growing curiosity to try new fascinating foods plus the willingness to share. So on Sunday April 5th, 2015 exactly 106 days after the long winter solstice, I am going to share the wonders of the special treats my dad would get from the Chinese BBQ shop, and bakery. I can guarantee you that you’ll come away with new pair of eyes, palate and mind. Join us on by booking your spot(s) on this intimate food tour with Chinese brunch of hosted dim sum and tastings along the way at the various via Facebook<a href="http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-Of-The-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts"> A Taste of the World </a>! Tour capacity is 11 spots to keep it an intimately fun event. </span></div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-51881995978739638862015-02-18T13:26:00.000-05:002015-02-18T14:48:40.792-05:00Butting Heads over which Chinese New Year Hashtag to use? #YearOfTheGoat #YearOfTheRam #YearOfTheSheep<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Happy Asian New Year!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">G</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">ung Hei Fatt Choi.</span></i></b>... in Cantonese!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Gong Xi Fa Cai</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">.</span>... in Mandarin!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Chuc Mung Nam Moi</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">.</span>... in Vietnamese! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's Wednesday February 18th, 2015 and it is the final day of the Year of the Wood Horse in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. So tonight is the Lunar New Year's Eve, whether you're Chinese or Vietnamese, and hopefully, it's a big family dinner gathering, if all of your family members are in the same city and province of Canada. On Thursday February 19th, 2015 we welcome the Lunar NewYear. The Year of the Wood Goat. Or the Ram. Or the Sheep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Did you know that the Chinese character for the upcoming year is "<b><i>yang</i></b>", which can refer to any member of the caprine subfamily aka ruminant horned animal? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the last few years, we have witness increasing debates and interchangeable use of the word goat, ram and sheep. So which of these hoofed creatures should be used in the lunar New Year mythology? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Folklorists from the Nanjing Museum say that beginning tomorrow, the Chinese Lunar New Year is NOT the Year of the Ram nor Sheep, but the Year of the Goat! Are there differences between these adorable hoofed creatures? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to Wang Tao, a folklorist from Nanjing Museum, based on records and cultural relics, the goat appeared more often than a sheer or ram. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Xu Longmei, an associate researcher from Nanjing Museum says that the Chinese Zodiac originated from the Han culture. The Han group lived in the central region where goats were taken as common livestock. Meanwhile, sheep were mostly found in mountains, tundra and desert, where other ethnic group reside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Talk to Fang Binggui, a folklorist based in southeast China's Fuzhou City, the image of the Zodiac Yang is open to regional interpretation. Often sheep is depicted in the north while goats in the south. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here's a bit of food for thought. According to Wikipedia the adult female Sheep is called an Ewe, meanwhile intact male sheep is a Ram. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So how will I settle this without butting heads as we have this food-for-thought discussion at our 8th annual 12-course Chinese New Year banquet on February 20th, 2015? Well, I had Ontario goat milk on my homemade granola for breakfast, I might treat myself to a curried goat patty over lunch, and then savour lamb chop with a salad sprinkled with sheep milk cheese at dinner. By the way, the goat/sheep milks and the goat/lamb meats are all #Ontario raised ;-) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">*</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">**</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Breaking News for Fans of Metro Morning on CBC Radio ***</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Tune your radio to 99.1FM on Thursday February 19th, 2015 at 7:25 AM EST ! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> I'm scheduled to be interviewed by Metro Morning host, Matt Galloway !!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bon appetit and Happy Lunar Asian New Year! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">#AsianNewYear #ChineseNewYear #Têt #YearOfTheGoat #YearOfTheRam #YearOfTheSheep #LunarNewYear </span></div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-43625741114218179822015-02-14T21:41:00.001-05:002015-02-15T17:04:15.412-05:002015 Chinese New Year's Sights & Sounds <br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pssst! Can you hear it? What’s that racket? </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcCpCeQsUpg/VOABaoVci6I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/6mWHy-kamp8/s1600/IMG_2961.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcCpCeQsUpg/VOABaoVci6I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/6mWHy-kamp8/s1600/IMG_2961.MOV" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Click </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://Instagram.com/A_Taste_of_the_World">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"> to hear 6 seconds of exciting Chinese New Year</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">sights & sounds captured on Instagram</span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>(Note: click same image and then click <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">PLAY</span> button)</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Isn't it exciting to hear these wonderful sounds and view some of the dazzling sights that are signs of the fast approaching 15-day Chinese New Year’s festivities?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year!</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gung Hei Fatt Choi </span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in Cantonese or ....</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gong Xi Fa Cai</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in Mandarin or ....</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chuc Mung Nam Mui</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in Vietnamese!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-t5CINCwIE/VOAHAA1oeaI/AAAAAAAAA8E/iDUMtWZb1M4/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-t5CINCwIE/VOAHAA1oeaI/AAAAAAAAA8E/iDUMtWZb1M4/s1600/photo-10.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Each of these Asian New Year’s greetings are some more unique </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">signs</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of the fast approaching 15-day festival to end all festivals. If you count the preparatory week prior, it gets even more exciting and gives more reasons to rejoice! Celebrate the Year of the Goat/Ram/Sheep with Culinary Historian, Guide & Founder, Shirley Lum of A Taste of the World while peeling back the layers of history in Toronto’s second Chinatown on intimate food tours and/or hosted multi-course banquet. You will experience equal portions of food-for-thought, palate and full-sensory experiences as Shirley shares old and new customs, traditions, and superstitions behind the festive food and drinks! We can’t wait to share these amazing rich experiences with long-time locals, newcomers and visitors who have three exciting weeks to immerse themselves in this festival. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Folks who love the thrill of going behind-the-scenes to better understand the food preparations and decorations for the festivities, will absolutely want to join us on the Prep Tour scheduled for February 15th, 2015. People who want to see the curtains go up, will love the Lion Dance Celebrations the weekend on February 21st & 22nd; and then there’s the grand finale, the Lantern Festival, on February 28th, 2015. If you’ve done our tours, you’ll want to come back for our 8th annual 12-course banquet. This year is even more special, as one lucky person’s spot will be sponsored by Karim Bhaloo of Dominion Lending Centres - Edge Financial! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Asian and/or Chinese New Year’s Eve will be on Wednesday February 18th, 2015. I can’t believe how fast the Year of the Horse has galloped by, and the Year of the Wooden Goat/Ram/Sheep is about to trot in on Thursday February 19th, 2015! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Can you smell the heady aromas of festive pastries at the bakeries and grocery stores? Are your eyes getting blinded by the array of red and gold trinkets? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here are more details to get you excited! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">18th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Food Tours (3 unique periods/ways to immerse oneself):</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJBv5rkK__4/VOES1mBJUPI/AAAAAAAAA8s/whVmax0LLn4/s1600/CNY%2BLuckyCandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJBv5rkK__4/VOES1mBJUPI/AAAAAAAAA8s/whVmax0LLn4/s1600/CNY%2BLuckyCandy.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(A) Preparations for Chinese New Year’s Eve Tour:</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Sunday February 15, 2015 10:00 am - 1:00pm </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Enjoy equal portions of food for thought and palate over hosted dim sum aka Cantonese brunch! Culinary historian Shirley will review chopsticks & tea pouring etiquettes over Chinese horoscope book for Year of the Goat and sampling dishes of varying flavour, aromas and textures. Bring along eco-bags for anticipated shopping as you enjoy the Asian grocery store, bakery and to pick-up ingredients to prep in cooking/decorating restaurant supply store for essential decorations & replenish pantry; bakery for symbolic pastries) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fees (include food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00 </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp1r8zDwKkc/VOENHm6seXI/AAAAAAAAA8U/x53_dYVTndw/s1600/20130210%2B%40ATasteOfWorld%2B2013%2BCNY%2BLion%2Bdancers%2Bbow%2Bat%2Bofferin%2Binside%2BDCM%2B01945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp1r8zDwKkc/VOENHm6seXI/AAAAAAAAA8U/x53_dYVTndw/s1600/20130210%2B%40ATasteOfWorld%2B2013%2BCNY%2BLion%2Bdancers%2Bbow%2Bat%2Bofferin%2Binside%2BDCM%2B01945.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(B) Lion Dance Celebration of the Year of the Goat Food Tours</span></span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saturday & Sunday February 21, 22, 2015 10:00 am -1:00 pm</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Over hosted dim sum aka Chinese brunch, culinary historian Shirley Lum will share the interesting history and uses of the Lion Dances and give pointers for fabulous photographs on the streets. Bring along eco-shopping bags for anticipated shopping as we taste along Asian grocery store tour to pick-up ingredients to cook/decorate/to be gifted; and enjoy bakery tastings of symbolic pastries. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NOTE: Do NOT eat prior to the tour. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tour Capacity: 11 spots per tour</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00 </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(C) Lantern Festival Food Tour aka Grand finale of 15-day CNY festivities</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saturday February 28, 2015 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">10:00 am - 1:00pm </span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyY4MUSW6U8/VOEQBgGrV9I/AAAAAAAAA8g/KJKGm7HTBEg/s1600/%40ATasteOfWorld%2BCNY%2BTap%2Bphong%2Blanterns%2B75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyY4MUSW6U8/VOEQBgGrV9I/AAAAAAAAA8g/KJKGm7HTBEg/s1600/%40ATasteOfWorld%2BCNY%2BTap%2Bphong%2Blanterns%2B75.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Over hosted dim sum aka Chinese brunch, culinary historian Shirley Lum will share the interesting history and uses</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">of all those pretty lanterns as the 15-day festivities wraps up. Find out what the Year of Goat/Ram/Sheep will bring for your Chinese animal sign over a delicious yet healthy brunch. Bring along an eco-bag for anticipated shopping as we pop into an Asian grocery store, bakery and BBQ shops along the tour to pick up ingredients to cook/decorate for the Lantern Festival. NOTE: Do NOT eat prior to the tour. </span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tour Capacity: 11 spots per tour</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12 yrs old) $35.00 </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8th Annual Chinese New Year Banquet (12-course)</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Friday February 20th, 2015 6:00- 8:00pm </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant, Toronto</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fees: $60.00 per person (4 spots left as of February 14th)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pre-Registration info@torontowalksbikes.com or call (416) 923-6813</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>~ MENU ~ </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Crab Meat & Fish Soup</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Sauteed Jumbo Shrimps on a lush bed of lettuce</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Phoenix Nest with Seafood Medley & Vegetables </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Whole Crispy Chicken with flavoured Salt/pepper + Crunchy Shrimp Chips </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Pork Chops with House BBQ sauce on Sizzling Platter</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Four Treasure Braised Vegetables</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onion & Garlic</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Whole Steamed Fish </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* E-Mein Longevity Noodles</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Yeungchow Fried Rice </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Sweet Dessert Soup</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Chocolate creation by Shirley aka @SChocolateMagic</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you <b><i>Karim Bhaloo</i></b> of <b><i>Dominion Lending Centres - Edge Financial</i></b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for generously sponsoring one lucky guest's dinner spot ! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Join us in welcoming in the Year of the Goat/Ram/Sheep </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>& </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Savouring the unique flavours of Chinese New Year! </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Pre-Register Your Spot(s) Now </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>(416) 923-6813 info@torontowalksbikes.com</i></b></span></div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-54946489645117521252014-05-09T16:21:00.001-04:002014-05-09T16:21:37.063-04:00April Showers Bring May Flowers, Mother's Day, Asian Heritage Month...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i>April showers bring May flowers... </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i>and Mother's Day.... </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i>and Asian Heritage Month...</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i>and 30x30 Challenge! </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I love the month of May. Who doesn't love the lush spring colours thanks to the vibrant green shoots and tender buds, and then there are the splashes of white, creamy shades of yellow, different hues of indigo, and various shades of blushing pink in the guise of crocus, hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, paper whites and more! Yes, it seems like Earth is wakening after a long wintry slumber. It's fascinating to see the spring flowers bloom just in time to celebrate new life and how much better than by celebrating all mothers, and saying thanks for their years of mothering us! Is it a coincidence that Mother's Day is in May and not June? </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1YvIzugN50/U203pXHJAtI/AAAAAAAAA6M/pg5_WdOel8o/s1600/20130430+ATasteOfWorld~30x30++Pop+up+Picnic+poster+00122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1YvIzugN50/U203pXHJAtI/AAAAAAAAA6M/pg5_WdOel8o/s1600/20130430+ATasteOfWorld~30x30++Pop+up+Picnic+poster+00122.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And here's another reason for rejoicing when it's May. Heard of David Suzuki Foundation's 30x30 Challenge? I found out about it last year, and I was fortunate to be able to take my parents to the Kick-off last year before my dad had his second and major stroke, which landed him in the hospital and eventually a wonderful nursing home. Life is short. Make it count. Take your beloved mom and dad out for a stroll together as a family. You never know when is the last time you'll be able to do so as a family. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And here's another reason to rejoice over the month of May. Over the last 12 years Toronto has been celebrating Asian Heritage Month. As a local culinary historian who happens to be born and bred in Toronto, I am fascinated by the continual demographic changes and shifts in Toronto's Lost First Chinatown and even its more well-known Second Chinatown (Dundas/Spadina area). How much is this latter area changing? Well, I'm seriously dubbing the Second Chinatown Foodies Tour as Asian Town Food Tour as it's slowly changing to reflect who we are, what we savour, how we eat, and where we congregate! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So how many ways are we celebrating the month of May at A Taste of the World? Lets see... Food tours, and a LitWalk for all those LM Montgomery fans out there, and even a hands-on workshop near the end of the month in preparations for the popular Dragon Boats Festival! Read on and book your spots now! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">* <b>Kensington Foodies Roots Tour: Multi-Ethnic Spring Bounty & Mother's Day Fest</b></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUK9K4H9uBE/U20176pO77I/AAAAAAAAA54/SwoYxZ2vgRo/s1600/20130211+ATasteOfWorld~Cha+Lau+leaf+chopstix+rest+01973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUK9K4H9uBE/U20176pO77I/AAAAAAAAA54/SwoYxZ2vgRo/s1600/20130211+ATasteOfWorld~Cha+Lau+leaf+chopstix+rest+01973.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Saturday May 10th, 2014 9:30 am - 1:00 pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Meet: Red Art Pole with Black Cat at 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St (1 bl N of Dundas St W)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">*<b> Second Chinatown Foodies Tour: Mother's Day Then and Now</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Sunday May 11th, 2014 10:00 am - 1:30pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Meet: Lucky Moose Statue, 393 Dundas St W/Beverley St by Lucky Moose Mart</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Note: 11 spots at the hosted dim sum table, a memorable experience complete with chopsticks etiquette reviews, Chinese horoscope book</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yti35QL7T9k/U201Jv-3tbI/AAAAAAAAA5o/td_bQ6YZBvs/s1600/20130519+@ATasteOfWorld+Lost+1st+Chinatown+OCH+Mandarin+face+w+4+others+00213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yti35QL7T9k/U201Jv-3tbI/AAAAAAAAA5o/td_bQ6YZBvs/s1600/20130519+@ATasteOfWorld+Lost+1st+Chinatown+OCH+Mandarin+face+w+4+others+00213.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">VICTORIA DAY LONG WEEKEND</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">*<b> Lost First Chinatown Foodies Tour </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Saturday May 17th, 2014 10:00 am - 1:30 pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Meet: Old City Hall, front steps </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> NOTES: *Eat breakfast before this tour as eating takes place at near the end</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> * Wear comfortable walking shoes as this tour involves good distance as we trace where seeds of 1st Chinatown were planted and uprooted several times before arriving at Spadina/Dundas area</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> * We end with food & non-alcoholic drinks at the latter part of the tour</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DciVm53H3I/U20zmiXa9UI/AAAAAAAAA5c/KC_r1VuJOLM/s1600/20120503-+LMM+portrait+0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DciVm53H3I/U20zmiXa9UI/AAAAAAAAA5c/KC_r1VuJOLM/s1600/20120503-+LMM+portrait+0401.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">*<b> Swansea & Lucy Maud Montgomery LitWalk</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Saturday May 17th, 2014 3:00 - 5:30 pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Meet: Runnymede Stn *** Runnymede exit by phones ***</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To reserve your spot(s) on any of these Foodies or Literary Detective walking tours:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Call for limited spots at (416) 923-6813 or</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> e-mail info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH FINALE:</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMl7YvCjseo/U20y0i3gTFI/AAAAAAAAA5U/l3WRK5ow51s/s1600/20130612+@ATasteOfWorld+%23DragonBoatFestival+sticky+rice+dumpling+ingredients-+enoki,+chives,+shiitake+duck+egg+00460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMl7YvCjseo/U20y0i3gTFI/AAAAAAAAA5U/l3WRK5ow51s/s1600/20130612+@ATasteOfWorld+%23DragonBoatFestival+sticky+rice+dumpling+ingredients-+enoki,+chives,+shiitake+duck+egg+00460.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We are wrapping up Asian Heritage Month by celebrating once again with Lillian H. Smith Library on Saturday May 31st, 2014 from 11:00 am -12 Noon with a FREE hands-on Dragon Boat Festival Demonstration & Tasting of Sticky Rice Dumplings! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Space is limited. It sold out last year. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Please register in the Lillian H. Smith Branch or by calling the branch (416) 393-7746 or via Library's website<a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT161479&R=EVT161479">http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT161479&R=EVT161479</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Enjoy the month of May! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Just get out there and enjoy it! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Don't forget to grab mom and treat her to a wee bit of fresh air, sun and fun! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-60267874104020471182014-04-16T21:02:00.000-04:002014-05-03T14:22:54.804-04:00Come & Share Toronto's diverse Spring Celebrations: Persian New Year, Qing Ming, Passover, Easter & Spring Equinox!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Live in each season as it passes; </span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">breathe the air, </span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">drink the drink, </span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">taste the fruit." </span></span></b></i></span></span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">~Henry David Thoreau</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">@SOMAChocolate 's<br />Easter Egg is a sign of spring</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Magnolia tree blossoms:<br />a true sign of spring</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hey Toronto, it's spring! Well, if you went according to the calendar, spring started as of March 21st, though you wouldn't know judging by the flip flopping back and forth between Old Man Winter and Spring! When I'm not tempering a bowl of dark chocolate as <a href="http://www.twitter.com/SChocolateMagic">@SChocolateMagic</a>, or leading one of my theme Foodie/LitWalks/GhostWalks as <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/ATasteOfWorld">@ATasteOfWorld</a>, I go off-the-beaten-paths in various Toronto neighbourhoods on long, relaxing strolls, to savour the unique four seasons with my hubby. <br /><br />I'm always thrilled when I spy my first signs of spring: the red breast robins hopping around in search of fat, juicy worms... the tender buds starting to grow on tree branches... and of course, the kaleidescope of spring flowers and herbs popping up out of the soil. It's spring! The earth is finally waking up from its long wintry slumber. I don't know about you, but this year, more than ever, I'm truly relishing the beautiful unfolding of spring's lush bounty.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As a Toronto-born and -bred, culinary historian, I love how Spring comes in many guises and it is increasingly celebrated in many diverse ways in Toronto, from March 21st to end with Summer Solstice! March 21st gets a nod from most folks, but for Toronto Persians, this same date marks the first day of the Persian New Year, and the beginning of a new agricultural season. It's a week long of festivities surrounded by family, friends, and lots of good food. The Chinese community then gets a turn at celebrating spring with the Qing Ming Festival, which means 'pure and clean'. It takes place 106 days after the Winter Solstice. Traditionally, it is spring cleaning for your deceased relatives' grave sites, and celebrating their lives with food and drink offerings around April 5th (April 6th if Leap Year). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Next, you have Passover which begins April 14th and then ends April 21st, so you'll see this being observed by Torontonians of the Jewish faith. Following on the heel of Passover, we have Easter Sunday. Then we have the Spring Equinox on May 1st, if you're practicing Wiccans. Each of these spring festivals include a common denominator - food, food, food! Does Toronto, the Meeting Place live up to its namesake? I think Toronto does, and for that reason, we figured that it's much more fun to celebrate as many of these spring festivities as possible on our Foodies, LitWalks and even, surprisingly on the Ghost Walks as well! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />On our food tours I get excited about taking advantage of seasonal Ontario produce and intense fresh flavours. Since April is National Poetry Month, we'll definitely recite the late Canadian poet, Irving Layton's poem "Ode to the Olives" and then savour the wickedly delicious black Moroccan olives along our Kensington Foodies Roots tours. If you always wondered about the Chinese BBQ treats, you'll savour the connections with the Chinese food festival called Qing Ming!<br /><br />On the two Literary Detective walks, we get to see Toronto through the eyes of British author, Charles Dickens during his brief visit in 1842, and beloved Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery while living in Toronto between 1935-1942. The existing and lost landmarks come alive as your tour guide uses old diaries, letters, excerpts from books and maps. Did I mention that along the Swansea & LM Montgomery walks I bring along Aunt Maud's Recipe Book? Ever tried her Boston Cookies? </span><br />
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On the four unique ghost walks, we share with you the unique energy on the evenings before/after Spring Equinox, when the veil between light and darkness is the thinnest, thus making it easier to contact beloved dead ones. Since our ghost walks are limited to 13 lucky guests, the experience is intimately spookier! Bring along your digital cameras, as you'll have a higher chance of a ghostly bonus!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"Walking is man's best medicine." ~Hippocrates</span></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">SPRING BOUNTY FOOD TOURS at A GLANCE:</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">* Second Chinatown Foodies Tour with Qing Ming Festival *</span></div>
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Friday April 18th, 2014 10:00 am - 1:30 pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Sunday April 27th, May 11 (Mother's Day) 2014 10:00 am -1:30 pm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i>* Kensington Spring/Easter Foodies Roots Tours *</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Saturday April 19th, May 10th, 2014 </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i>* Lost First Chinatown Foodies Tour *</i></b> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Sunday May 4th, 2014 10:00 am - 1:30 pm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">** Asian Heritage Month Workshop with Toronto Public Library **</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Chinese Cooking with Shirley Lum in Preparations for the Dragon Boat Festival</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Saturday May 31st, 2014 11:00 am - 12 Noon </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">FREE Hands-on Demo & Tasting of Sticky Rice Dumplings of various regions</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Space is limited</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Register: in person at Lillian H Smith Branch or calling branch (416) 393-7746</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Details: <a href="http://www.TorontoPublicLibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT161479&R=EVT16479">http://www.TorontoPublicLibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT161479&R=EVT16479</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">SPRING LITERARY DETECTIVE WALKS at A GLANCE : </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Do you think Dickens or Montgomery knocked on this door?</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">* In the Footsteps of Charles Dickens: Toronto 1842 *</span></div>
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Saturday May 3rd, 2014 3:00 - 5:30pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">* Swansea Village & Lucy Maud Montgomery * </span></div>
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Saturday April 19, May 17, 3:00 - 5:30 pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">SPRING EQUINOX GHOST WALKS at A GLANCE:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">* Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows * </span></div>
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Friday April 25th & May 2nd, 2014 6:30 - 9:00 pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">* Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park *</span></div>
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Tuesday April 29th, 2014 6:30 - 9:00 pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">* Phantoms, Players & Pundits *</span></div>
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Wednesday April 30th, 2014 6:30-9:00 pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">* Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange * </span></div>
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Thursday May 1st, 2014 6:30-9:00 pm</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pre-Registration is necessary to ensure your spots and treats are reserved under your name. You can call to reserve at (416) 923-6813 or e-mail info@TorontoWalksBikes.com or RSVP on our Facebook page for <a href="http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-The-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts">A Taste of the World</a> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I hope you're all enjoying the warmer weather, longer days, and brighter sunny days! See you on one of our unique repertoire of off-the-beaten-path theme walks!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"Walk and be happy. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Walk and be healthy." </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">~Charles Dickens</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-29292623065398703692014-03-06T15:09:00.001-05:002014-03-06T15:13:35.391-05:00If You Do One Thing in 180-year old Toronto This March Break - Explore the Nooks & Crannies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"The real voyage of discovery </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>consists not in seeking new lands, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>but in seeing with new eyes." ~Marcel Proust</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sssshhh! ThIs is one of the best kept secrets around March Break when you decide to join one of our cool theme walking tours as part of your Staycation! For someone who is Toronto born and bred, I fell in love with this fabulous quote at a workshop, and I decided right there and then in 1993, to use it. This food-for-thought quote still captures the very essence of what we strive for along each, and every one of our Foodies, Literary Detective and Ghost walking tours; shake off that jaded feeling about the big sprawling metropolis, and re-discover a city of fascinating neighbourhoods with nooks and crannies to be unearthed, by going off-the-beaten-track ever so often. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, did I mention that 2014 is the Year of the Wooden Horse, and whenever it has been the Year of the Horse, it has been a time to embrace doing something new. So if you have been on guided walking tours whenever you are in another city, then it's high time to do it in your own city, and you will come away with a new pair of eyes, palate and senses. Make it this March Break to unearth 180-year old Toronto's amazing nooks and crannies with your guide/culinary historian/ghost walker, Shirley Lum and discover quirky things like a lost Chinese Fortune cookie factory in Chinatown OR a lost public hanging square nearby the historic St. Lawrence Market OR a lost vaudeville theatre near the Bay store. Do something intimate, interactive, experiential while learning together how to properly use chopsticks.... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">* * * MARCH BREAK FOOD TOURS * * *</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>(all with equal portions of food for thought and palate; each 3.5-hr duration; come hungry as we nosh from beginning to end)<br />Fees (incl food+drinks): Adult $50.00 SR(65+)/ST(ID) $45.00 CHILD (3-12yrs) $35.00</span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fICrteVv80E/UxjM0OqtoDI/AAAAAAAAA1g/2AfspqiSeOc/s1600/KFR+MBC+Lucky+hot+choc+170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fICrteVv80E/UxjM0OqtoDI/AAAAAAAAA1g/2AfspqiSeOc/s1600/KFR+MBC+Lucky+hot+choc+170.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b><i>* * Kensington Foodies Roots **</i></b><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Date: Thurs. March 13th, 2014<br />Time: 10:00 am-1:30 pm<br />Meet: Red Pole with Black Cat, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peel back the layers of immigrant food roots in Kensington Market , starting with the founding family and then successive waves of immigrants. Join culinary historian Shirley Lum in getting ready for Spring, St Patrick's Day and Easter Day! Cheese lovers will love paying homage to the founding family and paying a nod to St Patrick's Day (Guinness Cheddar ;-) while tasting cross-Canada artisan cheeses! Come hungry as we'll graze from beginning to end! Bring eco-shoppings and cameras.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b><i>** Toronto's Second Chinatown Food Tour **</i></b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgS3g25LrOI/UxjOAEkk40I/AAAAAAAAA1o/fHjWMyy7tbA/s1600/2ndC+Lucky+Moose+Stat+close+0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgS3g25LrOI/UxjOAEkk40I/AAAAAAAAA1o/fHjWMyy7tbA/s1600/2ndC+Lucky+Moose+Stat+close+0680.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Date: Fri. March 14th, 2014<br />Time: 10:00 am -1:30pm<br />Meet: Lucky Moose Mart, 393 Dundas St W/Beverley St</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join culinary historian Shirley Lum for equal portions of food for thought and palate as she gets you ready for a little-known Food Festival called Qing Ming. Whether you're a Novice or Advance dim sum eater, Shirley will introduce you to varying aromas, colours, flavour, and textures! Prepare to swoon over your BBQ and bakery experiences... Always wondered about your Chinese horoscope sign? Over dim sum, check out the Year of the Horse book to get the most out of this year! <br /><br />NB: ROM's Forbidden City exhibit opens Sat March 8th in case you want to make it a "theme" day and zip over after this food tour with a TTC Family Pass ;-)<br /><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* * * MARCH BREAK GHOST WALKS * * *</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>* Each of the Ghost Walks has interesting snacks at unique foodie sites (hint: some are haunted) and your guide/ghostly storyteller, Shirley Lum will share some famous local ghostly tales as well as little-known eerie personal accounts of lucky guides and guests over the past 13 years! Warning: Some sites with strong, eerie vibes are NOT for the faint for the heart guests! Bring digital cameras! <br />* Rates (incl snacks): Adult $25 SR(65+)/ST (ID) $20 Child (3-12) $15<br />* Each tour is limited to 13 lucky guests to ensure quality ghost walk experience<br /><br /><br /><b><i> ** Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park ** </i></b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYsRExpsfiE/UxjOyAN4F_I/AAAAAAAAA1w/SpUCvy8J4J0/s1600/HYUT+UC+Dual+grotesques+1790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYsRExpsfiE/UxjOyAN4F_I/AAAAAAAAA1w/SpUCvy8J4J0/s1600/HYUT+UC+Dual+grotesques+1790.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Date: Tues. March 11th, 2014<br />Time: 6:30-9:00pm<br />Meet: ROM,100 Queen's Park, steps</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What lurks in the shadow of the buildings around the ROM, Yorkville Village, and U of T? Find out as we stroll in and out of buildings in these 3 areas, and even pause to tell a ghost story while tasting the best Hungarian coffee cake in Yorkville's oldest café before heading to one of U of T's most haunted lecture halls! Warning: Not for the faint of heart as we will trace the route of a chase connected to a famous U of T murder and mystery disappearance! <br /></span></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEqYrTWkj60/UxjPTBQS6hI/AAAAAAAAA14/kyFjzUeOsKU/s1600/20121031+A+Taste+of+World+PPP+OCH+goth+tower+1169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEqYrTWkj60/UxjPTBQS6hI/AAAAAAAAA14/kyFjzUeOsKU/s1600/20121031+A+Taste+of+World+PPP+OCH+goth+tower+1169.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> <b><i>** Phantoms, Players & Pundits **</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Date: Wed March 12th, 2014<br />Time: 6:30-9:00pm<br />Meet: Old City Hall, front steps, 60 Queen ST W/Bay St </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever wondered about how many people have encountered ghostly experiences while working within the Financial and Entertainment Districts? More than you think. Lucky for us, we get quite a bit of folks trying to get down to the bottom of the hijinks at work, and they join us and ends up sharing some interesting experiences! Find out as we check sites like the Old and New City Halls, Osgoode Hall, Campbell House, and Royal Alexandra Theatre to name a few! Warning: Not for the faint of heart due to strong, weird vibes at the forgotten public hanging square. Bring digital cameras.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br />** Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange **</i></b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaQo3oXvAyQ/UxjQg7pSv8I/AAAAAAAAA2M/Q4Xonzoah9A/s1600/20120426+@ATasteOfWorld+HKCG+KFFR+MBCafe+6+hot+choc+rugulachs+0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaQo3oXvAyQ/UxjQg7pSv8I/AAAAAAAAA2M/Q4Xonzoah9A/s1600/20120426+@ATasteOfWorld+HKCG+KFFR+MBCafe+6+hot+choc+rugulachs+0369.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Date: Thurs. March 13th, 2014<br />Time: 6:30-9:00pm<br />Meet: Red Pole with Black Cat, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St (1 bl N of Dundas St W)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As dusk approaches, the spirits lurking in the shadows come out to share their 200 years of memories... Fans of ghosts, vampire and zombies, will discover eerie tales with multicultural twists within the commercial and residential quarters of Kensington and Chinatown. When we end with eerie accounts of past tour guides and guests at the backside of AGO. We dare you to return the next day to the AGO, and experience The Grange on your own.<br /><br /><br /> <b><i>** Ghosts, Greasepaint, & Gallows **</i></b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LSZBEbIEMc/UxjRjBfWv5I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/vW3YxlK4KiA/s1600/GGG+Confed+Life+face+II++772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LSZBEbIEMc/UxjRjBfWv5I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/vW3YxlK4KiA/s1600/GGG+Confed+Life+face+II++772.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Date: Fri March 14th, 2014<br />Time: 6:30-9:00pm</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet: St Lawrence Market, middle Gate, 92 Front St E</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />This ghost walk is not for the faint of heart due to the strong, weird vibes from the long forgotten public hanging square, the old jail and the vaudeville theatres. Did we mention Toronto's first mayor and his much haunted home-turned-museum? You might find Canadian politics to be hauntingly a thrilling topic after this ghost walk! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: this tour ends at Eaton's Centre.<br /><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">*** MARCH BREAK LITERARY DETECTIVE WALK ***</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> <b><i>** Swansea & LM Montgomery **</i></b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FiUEhSxjt_s/UxjSrorQsnI/AAAAAAAAA2o/rBgy2zpUp0Y/s1600/20120503-+LMM+portrait+0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FiUEhSxjt_s/UxjSrorQsnI/AAAAAAAAA2o/rBgy2zpUp0Y/s1600/20120503-+LMM+portrait+0401.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Date: Sat March 15th, 2014<br />Time: 3:00-5:30pm<br />Meet: Runnymede Stn, Runnymede exit, by phone booths</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Anne of Green Gables fans unite! Follow in the footsteps of Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, who lived the last 7 years of her life in Swansea Village. As your guide, Shirley share excerpts from LMM's journals, letters and the novel, Jane of Lantern Hill, you'll understand the connections with her last home and some buildings still standing! Ever wondered which type of cookies filled the family cookie jar? Find out as your guide let you have a sneak peek at LMM's recipe book! Bring cameras. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who said that March Break can't be goof-off time for the little and especially the big kids at heart? On that note, call up a few friends and goof-off together with us. Don't forget to pre-book your spots to avoid being disappointed, as we are limiting each tour to an intimate size of 11 guests (each food tour) to 13 guests (each LitWalk and each Ghost Walk) to ensure quality interactive experiences. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> e-mail info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-286570113488184302014-01-01T20:16:00.000-05:002014-01-24T22:53:27.488-05:00Foodies! Celebrate the Year of the Horse Together! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Find out what the Year of the Wood Horse<br />holds in store for your Chinese animal sign!</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Gung Hei Fatt Choi in Cantonese or...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin or ...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chuc Mung Nam Mui in Vietnamese! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSLPXAwNsfY/UsNAvFhB4AI/AAAAAAAAAyk/LypFPhRTdog/s1600/CNY+LuckyCandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSLPXAwNsfY/UsNAvFhB4AI/AAAAAAAAAyk/LypFPhRTdog/s200/CNY+LuckyCandy.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Lucky Candies in lieu of Lucky Money</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Foodies unite! Chinese Lunar New Year takes place earlier in 2014 than in 2013! Most folks think it's only a 15-days food festival to end all festivals, starting on New Year's Day which happens to be Friday January 31st, 2014 and wrapping up with the Lantern Festival 15-days later on Valentine's Day. Shhhh! We'll let you in on one of the best-kept secrets. If you count the exciting preparatory week prior to curtains going up on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, it becomes a 21-day food festival to rejoice, relish and share! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to believe, but 17 years ago I had guests who had done either the </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lost First Chinatown Food </span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tour</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or the </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second Chinatown Foodie Tour</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and requested for behind-the-scenes food tours during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, so they can understand and embrace the richness of old and new customs, traditions and superstitions. So in 1997, I obliged by launching my first annual Chinese Lunar New Year food tours lasting two weeks, and by 2007 we offered the exciting preparatory celebratory and Grand Finale periods on the 3-week food tours, but I also launched a hosted Chinese New Year's Eve and Day multi-course banquets for folks intrigued by the dictate of old customs, traditions and superstitions. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hosted multi-course banquets were also a reflection of the demographic trends: my own mother, who like many others Chinese moms and grandmothers, was beginning to find it too challenging to cook 8 to 12 symbolic dishes from scratch. It was time to gracefully take the task away from her, and allow her to enjoy the numerous dishes sans exhaustion, and my sister and I no longer had to deal with the mountain of dirty dishes, pots and pans afterwards! Thanks to a request three years ago, I will be hosting my second annual Lantern Festival banquet. As a locally born and bred Chinese, I feel lucky to be able to share my own culture/heritage mixed in with local Toronto Chinese history, and then toss in full sensory experience as we experience the gastronomic part of this festival. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So lets celebrate together by bidding the Year of the Water Snake farewell, and welcoming in the Year of the Wood Horse with Culinary Historian, Guide & Founder, Shirley Lum of A Taste of the World while peeling back the layers of history in Toronto’s second Chinatown on intimate food tours and/or hosted multi-course banquets. You will experience equal portions of food-for-thought, palate and full-sensory experiences as Shirley shares old and new customs, traditions, and superstitions behind the festive food and drinks! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--g1H8GhbPj0/UsNDgbFV-cI/AAAAAAAAAyw/GLGXmqKjcDY/s1600/20130119+@ATasteOfWorld+CNY+2013+Lucky+God+toy+DCMall+jewel+shop+window+01858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--g1H8GhbPj0/UsNDgbFV-cI/AAAAAAAAAyw/GLGXmqKjcDY/s320/20130119+@ATasteOfWorld+CNY+2013+Lucky+God+toy+DCMall+jewel+shop+window+01858.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Long-time locals, newcomers and visitors </div>
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have three exciting ways to </div>
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immerse themselves in this festival of all Chinese food festivals!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(I) </span></span></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">17th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year's Food Tours (3 unique periods to immerse oneself on intimate tours):</span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>(i) Preparations for Chinese New Year’s Eve</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dates: Fri., Sat. & Sun. January 24, 25, 26, 2014 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time: 10:00 am-1:30 pm<br />Meet: Lucky Moose Mart, 393 Dundas St W</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mh6xe1LTojo/UsSbGBEa1oI/AAAAAAAAA0g/pvfUt-tvks0/s1600/20130201+@ATasteOfWorld+2013+CNY+yellow+sprigs+w+lucky+$+++oranges+01890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mh6xe1LTojo/UsSbGBEa1oI/AAAAAAAAA0g/pvfUt-tvks0/s200/20130201+@ATasteOfWorld+2013+CNY+yellow+sprigs+w+lucky+$+++oranges+01890.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Floral decorations 2013</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Need more luck in 2014? Find out how you can get the most out of the Year of the Wood Horse as Culinary Historian Shirley Lum shares some of the necessary ways to spruce up your home and office for this exciting new year! This behind-the-scenes food tour includes hosted dim sum complete with review of chopsticks & tea pouring etiquettes over Chinese horoscope book for Year of the Wood Horse; Asian grocery store tour with bi-lingual shopping list to pick-up symbolic and essential ingredients to prep in cooking/decorating; restaurant supply store for essential decorations & to replenish your pantry; and bakery visit and tasting of symbolic festive pastries. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: Each tour is limited to 11 spots to keep it intimate<br />Fees ($CAD; Cash on day of the tour; include food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(ii) Celebration of the Year of the Wood Horse</span></span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Dates: Fri., Sat. & Sun. January 31, February 1, <b>2 (Sold Out)</b>, 8, 9, 2014 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time: 10:00 am-1:30 pm<br />Meet: Lucky Moose Mart, 393 Dundas St W </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7Z62VTJeEM/UsSesTe1aoI/AAAAAAAAA08/OTWl86R0gPk/s1600/20130210+@ATasteOfWorld+2013+CNY+red+lion+stretched+for+$+Yellow+watches+inside+DCM+01946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7Z62VTJeEM/UsSesTe1aoI/AAAAAAAAA08/OTWl86R0gPk/s200/20130210+@ATasteOfWorld+2013+CNY+red+lion+stretched+for+$+Yellow+watches+inside+DCM+01946.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Lion Dance 2013</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />If you love the thrill and excitement of celebrations, then the food tours that take place on these dates will tickle your fancy! Each tour includes hosted dim sum where your host aka culinary historian, Shirley Lum orders a variety of aromas, flavours, and textures to tantalize all your senses while keeping with symbolism needed for luck! An Asian grocery store tour to pick-up ingredients to cook/decorate/to be gifted will make folks popular as they attend parties afterwards! Don't forget to save some room for the bakery tastings of symbolic pastries; and high chances of catching Lion Dances this weekend. Bring digital cameras for added bonus of Lion Dances! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: Each tour is limited to 11 spots to keep it intimate</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iii) Lantern Festival: Grand finale of 15-day festivities</span></span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Date: Fri. February 14, 2014 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time: 10:00am-1:30pm</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_y6vigmuOYE/UsSf2d3i-gI/AAAAAAAAA1E/bIC4Nd9GMuA/s1600/CNY+Tap+phong+lanterns+75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_y6vigmuOYE/UsSf2d3i-gI/AAAAAAAAA1E/bIC4Nd9GMuA/s200/CNY+Tap+phong+lanterns+75.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Lanterns 2013</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet: Lucky Moose Mart, 393 Dundas St W.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, formally ends the New Year celebrations, marking the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day! In 2014 it is double luck for attendees as it also falls on Valentine's Day! This tour includes hosted dim sum; lantern shop; Asian grocery store tour to pick-up ingredients to cook/decorate; and bakery tasting of symbolic pastries for the grand finale of Chinese Lunar New Year plus Valentine's Day. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: Tour is limited to 11 spots to keep it intimate<br />Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EFerqsvLOk/UsNF9hjZ18I/AAAAAAAAAzE/9eqWureUSdc/s1600/20120121-CNY+table+set+up+0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EFerqsvLOk/UsNF9hjZ18I/AAAAAAAAAzE/9eqWureUSdc/s320/20120121-CNY+table+set+up+0124.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Reserve your place setting now! </span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(II) Join our 7th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year's Day 11-course Banquet to kick-off the Year of the Wood Horse</span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Date: Fri. January 31st, 2014<br />Time: 6:00- 8:00 pm <br />Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant<br />Fees: $58.00 per person OR $500.00 a table of 10</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notes: Two tables have been reserved. Total 18 seats available at this point. Please book your spots soon to avoid being disappointed. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join Culinary historian, Shirley Lum and other guests as she shares the rich symbolism, rituals and superstitions behind this elaborate communal meal traditionally reserved for immediate family members, now limited to a few special guests. Each guest gets a keepsake at the end of this splendid night! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">2014 Menu:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exQFAFMAALs/UsOeENxayXI/AAAAAAAAAzU/ytBdp2n8KE8/s1600/20120121-CNY+lobster+0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exQFAFMAALs/UsOeENxayXI/AAAAAAAAAzU/ytBdp2n8KE8/s200/20120121-CNY+lobster+0130.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Lobster platter 2013</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> * Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup<br /> * Stir-Fried Big Shrimps<br /> * Phoenix Nest w/ Seafood Medley & Vegetables<br /> * Whole Crispy Chicken w/ flavoured Salt/pepper + Shrimp Chips<br /> * Pork Chops w/ House BBQ sauce<br /> * Four Treasure Braised Vegetables<br /> * Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onion<br /> * Whole Steamed Fish<br /> * E-Mein (noodles)<br /> * Yeungchow Fried Rice<br /> * Sweet Dessert Soup & Fortune Cookies</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(</span></span></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">III) Grande Final: Second Annual Lantern Festival 8-course Banquet (and hint...hint... Valentine's Day)</span></span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />Date: Fri. February 14th, 2014<br />Time: 6:00-8:00 pm<br />Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees: $50.00 per person OR $480.00 a table of 10</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: Two tables have been reserved. Total 18 seats available at this point. The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, formally ends the New Year celebrations, marking the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day! How are lanterns connected with this day? Find out over this special communal meal. Each guest gets a keepsake at the end of this splendid night. Bring digital cameras!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P78Ss166YuQ/UsOeRTHaeFI/AAAAAAAAAzc/bh-k8NpvEhM/s1600/20120121-CNY+Shrimps+0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P78Ss166YuQ/UsOeRTHaeFI/AAAAAAAAAzc/bh-k8NpvEhM/s200/20120121-CNY+Shrimps+0126.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Shrimp platter 2013</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">2014 Menu:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> * Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup<br /> * Scallop with Meat<br /> * Big Tiger Shrimps<br /> * Crispy Whole Chicken with Flavoured Salt/Pepper and garnished with Shrimp Chips<br /> * Traditionally Braised dish of Tofu, Meat & vegetables<br /> * Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onions<br /> * Steamed Whole Fish<br /> * Sweet Dessert Soup & Fortune Cookies</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have we whet your appetite yet? Don't wait until the last minute to book your spots, as each of the food tours and even the banquets are kept at intimate size, which translates to limited spots. Once we're filled to capacity on each event, we will turn away folks! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Feng Shui tip:<br />Place bamboos in your SE corner for Wealth in 2014! </span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Book your spots now by email <a href="mailto:info@Torontowalksbikes.com">info@Torontowalksbikes.com</a> or </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">via Faceook <a href="http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-The-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts">http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-The-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts</a> or by phone (416) 923-6813</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-86338769439578330122013-12-03T13:44:00.000-05:002013-12-03T13:44:23.636-05:00Make Time for Life with Loved Ones On Intimate Food Tours Over the Holiday Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i></i> author of best-selling book, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Swim With the Sharks</span></div>
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<i>Time is life." ~Ann Voskamp </i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">author of best-selling book, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">One Thousand Gifts</span></span></div>
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Are you also finding that once Toronto's Santa Claus parade arrives in town, it's a cue for the city to flip on the "Holiday" switch? It's time to enjoy (or dread) the onslaught of holiday parties, time to play festive music in all the shopping malls, and time to savour the early sunsets giving way to twinkling cavalcades of lights on buildings and trees. December may have 31 days, yet it always seems to be shorter as it ends up jam packed with early deadlines, staff parties, and shopping for the perfect gifts for loved ones.<br />
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2013 marks 20 years of designing and conducting intimate Food Tours, LitWalks and GhostWalks for <b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/schedules-dec.html">A Taste of the World</a></i></b> in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Over the years, I have felt honoured to be leading a food tour whenever a loyal patron/guest returns, and book themselves and a loved one to join one of our popular holiday food tours (i.e. <i><b><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/schedules-dec.html">Kensington Festive Food Roots</a></b></i> or <b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/">Chinese Lunar New Year tour/banquets</a></i></b>). The gift of your precious time to others is a gift to yourself. Time well spent together on a food tour is one of the most rewarding and cherished in life. From time to time, over the 20 years, I get patrons dropping a line or two via a hand written 'Thank You' note, an email, a Facebook update or even a Twitter 'shout out' - and often it's about their cherished memories of the fantastic foodie moments shared with their loved ones and yours truly.<br />
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In the month of December, I look forward to celebrating all the Festivals of Lights along the <b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/schedules-dec.html">Kensington Festive Food Roots</a></i></b> tours (Sunday December 8th, 15th @ 10am-1:30pm; Saturday December 21st 9:30am-1:00pm). Toronto, lives up to its namesake, The Meeting Place, as we celebrate the festivities and foods behind Diwali, Chanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Each tour will be kept to an intimate size comprising of 11 lucky guests, so book your spots now to avoid being disappointed! You can still book by phone at (416) 923-6813 or via email <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a> . These food tours will be extra special as the lucky foodies will be treated to artisan chocolates, personally made by my alter ego <a href="http://twitter.com/SChocolateMagic">@SChocolateMagic</a>, as I complete the Chocolate Confections course while working my way through George Brown College's Professional Chocolatier Certificate programme. I hope you will be able to set aside some time to join me in lighting up and celebrating life as 2013 wraps up.<br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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<b><i>Shirley Lum,</i></b> Founder, Culinary Historian & Food Tour Guide<br />
<b><i>A Taste of the World </i></b><br />
<b><i>Est. 1993</i></b><br />
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#Toronto #FoodTours #Time #Gift #KensingtonMarket #Holidays #Diwali #Christmas #Chanukkah #WinterSolstice #Kwanzaa<br />
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-33545764330825364242013-11-11T10:35:00.001-05:002013-11-11T10:35:50.056-05:00Lest We Forget... Remembrance Day on November 11, 2013 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honour of those who fought & those who fell. May peace be our future.<br /></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Mahatma Gandhi to come back - but they are gone. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We are it. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It is up to us. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It is up to you." ~Marian W Edelman </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lest we forget on Remembrance Day the Canadians who fought and gave us peace in the past and those who continues in the present time. This grateful Canadian-Chinese is headed off to Hart House Circle for the service, and will wear this hat in Remembrance...</span></div>
Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-25154362398966669792013-10-25T14:23:00.002-04:002013-10-25T14:23:25.512-04:0013th annual Halloween Week Spook-tacular Toronto Ghost Walks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can you imagine the collection of eerie accounts and tales we've collected since launching theme Toronto neighbourhood ghost walks in 2000? Ever wondered if Toronto's finest police officers have a sighting or two while on their beats, who would OR can they tell? Ghostbusters???<br />
Or hair stylist at one of Toronto's most swankiest Yorkville hair salon, who attends your Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk and ends up sharing his late night experience? Do we have a la Oprah style confessionals during/after a ghost walk? You betcha. And we're expecting it to be a quite another Halloween Week in 2013 as the moon wanes and it get closer and closer to the Fall Equinox... and the veil between Dark and Light gets thinner... thought you caught something out of the corner of your eyes? Perhaps we can shed light on what's going on... join us if you dare... BY the way, each night, the ghost walk is limited to 13 lucky spots to ensure quality paranormal experiences for all participating! Do bring along digital cameras, you might end up with your bonus ;-)<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">*** Halloween Week Ghost Walks ***</span></b><br />
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<b>GHOSTS, GREASEPAINT & GALLOWS</b><br />Dates: Fri. Oct. 25*, 2013<br />Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.<br />Meet: St. Lawrence Market, 93 Front St. E.- middle doors<br />
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<b>HAUNTED YORKVILLE, U OF T & QUEEN'S PARK</b><br />Dates: Tues. Oct. 15 (SOLD OUT), 22, 29*, 2013<br />Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.<br />Meet: Royal Ontario Museum, steps between 2 marble lion statues, 100 Queen's Park</div>
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<b>HAUNTED KENSINGTON, CHINATOWN & GRANGE WALK</b><br />
Date: Thurs. Oct. 31*, 2013 <br />
Time: 6:30 - 9:00PM<br />
Meet: Red Pole with Black Cat @ 350 Spadina Ave. (1bl. N. of Dundas St. W.)</div>
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<b>PHANTOMS, PLAYERS & PUNDITS WALK</b><br />
Dates: Fri. Oct. 18, Nov. 1st* 2013<br />
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. <br />
Meet: Old City Hall, front steps (Queen/Bay Sts.)</div>
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- Include pre-ordered snacks at sites we drop into (that might be haunted ;-)</div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-12720467416836577212013-04-24T22:13:00.001-04:002013-04-24T22:18:03.952-04:004 Ways to Savour Haunted Toronto: Eerie May Equinox Ghost Walks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Is Toronto the meeting place for the living, or...the dead? Each of my Toronto neighbourhood ghost walks starts off with that eerie kicker and we wrap up the night, asking each other the question again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As Earth comes back to life this Spring, spirits of the dead will begin to stir in anticipation of May 1st, a halfway-point to Halloween celebration of old tradition. Several nights before and after May 1st are devoted to the supernatural, when the door to the Other Side has been known to creak open and reveal the shadowy realm of ghosts and spirits.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Comforting treats on Haunted Kensington, <br />Chinatown & The Grange Walk</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Don't wait for a dark stormy night around Halloween to find out on one or all four of <b><i>A Taste of the World'</i></b>s eerie neighbourhood ghost walks, whether Toronto lives up to its old Huron tribe's name. Since launching a trio of ghost walks in 2000 (fourth ghost walk was added around Halloween 2003 due to popular demand), we've discovered with our guests that there's another period of optimal sightings! Yes, we've had folks who'd try a ghost walk in late October, and be contacted when the veil between dark and light was the thinnest, making it "easier" to be contacted. These same folks would return six months later on the very same tour, and sure enough, they'd be contacted at the same site... Already feeling a chill go down your spine similar to childhood camp fire experiences with haunting legends? Remember clinching your hot chocolate, and noshing on comfort food as you took turns telling creepy, hair-raising ghost stories? Well, your guide will dole out accounts of actual sightings on past tours with snacks that will sooth your sweet tooth and soul (hint: this give us an excuse to go into haunted spots). <br /><br />Just think... not one but four eerie ghost walk experiences under the full moon, whether you're a longtime Toronto resident, newcomer or seasoned traveler... By the way, we highly recommend bringing along your digital cameras - as you might end up with a bonus or two aside re-discovering Toronto carved in stone! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows Walk</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sneak peek at the May Equinox Toronto Ghost Walks schedule:</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <b><i>Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows Walk <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Fri. April 26th, 2013 6:30-9:00pm</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <i>Highlights:</i> Strong vibes from the lost public hanging square; site of Grand Opera; and Toronto's First Mayor's Home </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i> Starts:</i> St Lawrence Market</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <i>Ends:</i> Eaton's Centre<br /><br /> <b><i>Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk </i></b>Tues. April 30th 6:30-9:00pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <i> Highlights:</i> old Christie Mansion; tracing last steps of tragic chase in famous lecture hall<br /><i> Starts/Ends:</i> ROM's steps between 2 marble Lions</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /> <b><i>Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange Walk </i></b>Thurs. May 2nd 6:30-9:00pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <i>Highlights:</i> Vintage shop, old abandoned church<br /> <i>Starts:</i> Red Pole with Black Cat on Yellow Chair, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <i>Ends:</i> AGO</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /> <b><i>Phantoms, Players & Pundits Walk </i></b> Fri. May 3rd 6:30-9:00pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Highlights:</i> strong vibes at the forgotten public hanging square<br /> <i>Starts/Ends</i>: Old City Hall's front steps, 60 Queen St W</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />See details of Ghost Walks, and pre-register via Events at <b><i>A Taste of the World's</i></b> <a href="http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-The-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts">FaceBook</a> page or send us an email info@TorontoWalksBikes.com or call us (416) 923-6813</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-85115025971586082442013-03-14T16:12:00.001-04:002013-03-14T16:33:23.157-04:00How Many Ways Can You Celebrate 3.14 or Pi or Pie Day?! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQU5HcwB434/UUIjaxJIpeI/AAAAAAAAAuc/WXLaJuf5UC0/s1600/20120314-pie+0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQU5HcwB434/UUIjaxJIpeI/AAAAAAAAAuc/WXLaJuf5UC0/s320/20120314-pie+0307.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">You say Pi! I say Pie! <br />He says Yum! She says Patty!<br />Goat Patty from <a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/schedules-mar.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kensington Foodies Roots Tours</span></a></span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Today is March 14th and it is Pi Day! Happy Pi Day aka Pie Day!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Here are a few food-for-thought <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Q3.14</span></b> questions/jokes for you: Are you planning on baking a #pie squared in honour of #πday? If Marie Antoinette had said, "Let them eat Pi a.k.a Pie" instead of cake, would she have saved her pretty little neck? Hmmm... food for thought! While I'm on a roll with these pies... I mean Pi jokes, here are some old Pi related jokes to share at the office or during the remainder of March Break:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Mathematician:</span></b> Pi r squared </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Baker: </span></b>No! Pie are round, cake are square!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Q:</span></b> What do you get if you divide the circumference of a jack-o-lantern by its diameter? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A: </span></b>Pumpkin Pi!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Q:</span></b> What do you get when you take the moon and divide its circumference by its diameter?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A:</span></b> Pi in the sky! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Addicted to Pi Day and need a few more pie in-the-face jokes? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://math-fail.com/2010/03/pi-day-jokes.html">http://math-fail.com/2010/03/pi-day-jokes.html</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Need something more substantive now that I got you salivating thinking about pies? What about empanadas? Jamaican Patties? Cornish Pasties? Chinese Bao or Vietnamese Bahn? Boreka? Spanikopita? So, what actually is a pie you might ask.... Here's a little secret I'm going to let you in on as we wrap-up March Break with two awesome food-for-thought food tours this weekend. Want to explore multi-ethnicity of pie? Then join me on our popular<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span><b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/schedules-mar.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kensington Foodies Roots tour</span></a></i></b>, Saturday March 17th, 2013 as this food tour definitely will tickle the fancy of those who loves diversity. Did I mention that we're going to discuss how many delicious ways our ancestors from all four corners of Earth had to solve the challenge of making a portable meal sans Tupperwares. Yes, when you have a food tour designed and conducted by a Culinary Historian, you're bound to savouring equal portions of food for thoughts and the palate (and other senses); though really, the food tour truly gives us a grand excuse to sample a variety of "pi" creations with multicultural twists ;-) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I did mention our second way of extended celebrations of Pi Day - on Sunday March 18th on our other food tour, <b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/schedules-mar.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Toronto's Second Chinatown Foodies Tour</span></a></i></b> we will explore the diverse shapes of Chinese "Pi" a.k.a. "Pie". I say, it's a grand way to wrap-up the March Break or a relaxing weekend filled with reflective foodies thoughts! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So what kind of pie will you have on March 14 to honour #PiDay /#πday or if you have to extend it to this weekend? Sweet or savoury pie? Well, we'd love to hear from you and salivate as we read what's your "pie in the sky" ! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-54170930911482924982013-01-16T15:16:00.002-05:002013-02-07T11:10:10.990-05:00Revisiting a Timely Old Post: The Power of Superstitions - Chinese New Year's Traditions & Angsts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b>Vintage & Contemporary Lie See (Lucky Money)<br />& Lucky Candies </b></span></i></td></tr>
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It's hard to believe, but two years ago I noted that Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve was fast approaching on Wednesday February 2nd, 2011). It's happening again, and just as fast approaching (now Saturday February 9th, 2013). The time of uncertainty and opportunities associated with the Year of the Dragon should come to an end, and I should feel a state of calm and reflectiveness come over me as the Year of the Water Snake kicks-off on Sunday February 10th, 2013. Well, once again I'm anxiously tackling items on my "Prep for Chinese New Year 2013" checklist just as I did two years ago, all the while having the same angsts over traditions so steeped in superstitions passed on by my ancestors. The superstitions dictate the frenzy, I and likely many others within the Chinese community, are going through right now until New Year's Eve. My list has been amusing and bemusing anyone outside of the Chinese culture, as in the case of my hubby. He finds it hard to believe that this CBC (Canadian-born Chinese), raised in Toronto, could be tied to so many "silly" superstitions and/or rituals despite all that hi-tech!<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">*** </span>Top 9 Chinese New Year Superstitions in 2013 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">***</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* Sweep kitchen floor & Wash kitchen floor</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">I've noted in my daytimer to sweep and wash the kitchen floor by Friday February 8th. It would be bad luck if I did it on February 9th, Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve! I'd be sweeping out the good luck from home! Likewise for dumping the dirty water! </span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: 800;">* Garbage/Recycle Days <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 900;">Taboos</span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: 800;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Two years ago, we lived in a house with alternating Garbage Collection and Recycle Day on Thursdays. That year, Chinese New Year's Day fell on a Thursday Garbage Collection Day! Aye-Yah! You should have seen my hubby's look of sheer amazement (or horror?) as I pointed out that by January 20th, 2011 we needed to pitch whatever needs to go into the garbage collection, and that on February 3rd, 2011 we must keep any garbage in the house! Well, we've since moved into a condo with fabulous daily recycling program. Guess what we're doing on Friday February 8th, 2013 when it's Recycle Day at our new place? Hint: No garbage goes out Saturday as that's New Year's Eve in 2013 and tossing out your garbage is equivalent to tossing out your good luck! </span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: 800;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">* Hair Cut Appointment before Chinese New Year's Eve </span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: 800;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">This subject is always a huge bone of contention as one ponders over <i>when </i>is the ultimate last day you can slot your hair cut appointment into a packed agenda, as it's considered bad luck to have it done too close to Chinese New Year. You'll sever your good luck! Yes, there are chances of accidents, where you get snipped and not your hair! Keeping all this in mind, I set my hair appointment with my amazing stylist, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;">Guy Krouse </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">at <b><i>Salon Vivace</i></b> for this Thursday January 31st so I'd be ready for the Chinese New Year's prep tours and of course, the two banquets: <a href="http://SavouringThoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/need-more-luck-try-these-5-chinese.html">Chinese New Year's Eve</a> 11-course banquet on February 9th, 2013 and the inaugural <a href="http://SavouringThoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/need-more-luck-try-these-5-chinese.html">Lantern Festival </a>9-course banquet on February 23rd, 2013.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* No Showering on Chinese New Year's Eve</span></i></b><br />
It's bad luck to wash your hair and have a shower! If you're active and go to the gym, this one can be a challenge as nobody wants to go to school or work stinking like a skunk! Apparently, in the good old days, most Chinese villages lacked plumbing, whereas in Toronto, we have great plumbing! Try telling your mom this one. Anyway, I and other Chinese friends just go to the gym and not inform mom about showering after that vigorous gym class! The other solution: not go to the gym just prior to New Year's Eve and be stressed out from skipping your workout! Hubby could barely contain his laughter when I informed him about this superstition and the angst behind it.<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* Get Chef Knives Sharpened Before Chinese New Year's Eve </span></i></b><br />
Two years ago I called before dropping off my chef's knife at <b><i>Nella Cucina</i></b>. They promised that I'll get it back within a week, before it's Chinese New Year's Eve! Whew! Meanwhile, fast forward to 2013, it has been a busy year. My bold plan: sharpening the chef knife on my own by Friday February 8th, Shhh! Don't tell my mom. Superstition: knives severs good luck, so you'd want to sharpen before it's the new year and retain good luck in the new year! Aye-Yah!<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* Bad Luck to Start with Broken Crockery</span></i></b><br />
I must pitch any broken dishes, cups, plates and any other crockery as it's considered to be "bad luck" to start a new year with broken stuff. After my Friday tour, I'll replace a few chipped cups while picking up Green Chopsticks for my banquets. Aye-Yah! So much to do, and so little time!<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* Replace Dead Houseplants with Fresh, Live Plants!</span></i></b><br />
It's inauspicious having dead plants as you're carrying over the bad luck from one year to the next! So I better swing by one of those Chinatown shops on Sunday after my tour and replace one of the bamboo shoots in my planter to ensure a lucky Year of the Water Snake! Agghhh!<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* Settling Debts in order to Start New Year with a Clean Slate</span></i></b><br />
It's funny how Chinese New Year follows right after the holiday season of gift spending, as it make settling debts a tad challenging... Sigh, it got to be done, otherwise you hear your ancestors murmuring about the bad luck for the new year!<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* Exchange Old Bills for Crisp New Bills at the Bank </span></i></b><br />
Bank tellers in Toronto's Second Chinatown banks (Spadina Ave/Dundas St W) or other areas wouldn't blink an eye when an Asian patron request for crisp new $5, $10 and $20 bills. It's considered good luck having crisp new bills in the pair of Lie See (Lucky Money) you hand out to little kids and any unmarried adult siblings. I must also buy more of those red/gold envelopes. Sigh!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Money Tree Decoration for Chinese New Year</span></b></i></td></tr>
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Before it's "Curtains Up" for the Chinese Lunar New Year festival, here are a few more other items I'll try to tackle to ensure more even luck in the Year of the Rabbit ...<br />
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* Buy 3 Kumquats (fruits) with green twigs & tie with red string/ribbon for good luck!<br />
* Buy a box of Lucky Pastries from Chinese bakery (re-fills of wallet-shaped pastries, fire cracker-shaped cookies; smiling face cookies)<br />
* Buy more bags of Lucky Candies for the food tours, <a href="http://SavouringThoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/need-more-luck-try-these-5-chinese.html">Chinese New Year's Eve banquet (Feb 9</a>) and inaugural <a href="http://SavouringThoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/need-more-luck-try-these-5-chinese.html">Lantern Festival banquet (Feb 23)</a><br />
* Pick-up 3 Sesame Balls from Kim Moon Bakery<br />
* Find golden platter to place fruits, candies & Lie See as decoration on table in lobby for guests!<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Happy New Year!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Gung Hey Fatt Choy in Cantonese or</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin or</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Chuc Mung Nam Mui in Vietnamese! </span></i></b></div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-32525247870155527272013-01-16T02:49:00.000-05:002013-01-16T12:33:14.842-05:00Need more luck? Try these 5 Chinese Lunar New Year's Experiences<div style="text-align: right;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEmqiEh8Fmg/UPZNQmJegYI/AAAAAAAAAss/fiXWPHIUx8I/s1600/20130115+CNY+Snake+CHBook+01836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEmqiEh8Fmg/UPZNQmJegYI/AAAAAAAAAss/fiXWPHIUx8I/s320/20130115+CNY+Snake+CHBook+01836.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012 was a totally colourful, exciting and vibrant year as soon as it was January 23rd, 2012. That day marked the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or more appropriately, Asian Lunar New Year (as the Taiwanese and Vietnamese communities also celebrate this festival to end all festivals). On that day, we all welcomed the fast-paced Year of the Dragon, where the proverb to live by is: "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Better to do it than miss</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" Dragon years are typically filled with opportunities knocking on your door! If you missed a few golden opportunities in 2012, I have good news for you: the Year of the Dragon ends on February 9th, 2013. You still have a wee bit of time to make the most of this auspicious year! Now that you're on a lucky roll, here's the next good news: you have five ways or opportunities to get lucky! Yes, it's so simple too. I kick-off celebrating A Taste of the World's 20th anniversary with my annual Chinese New Year celebrations five different ways, while bidding adieu to the intensely active Year of the Dragon and welcoming the reflective Year of the Water Snake, where the Chinese proverb to live by is: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If you have foresight, you are blessed, but if you have insight, you are a thousand times blessed."</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Ready to find out what the Year of the Snake holds in store for you?</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">*** </span>Try these Lucky Chinese New Year's Experiences</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">***</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you're a Foodie, who love food tours that involve noshing while popping into various venues for the essential festive ingredients and symbolic decorative/gift items over the three exciting festive periods, or you're a food lover, who prefers a completely sit-down banquet experience to start/wrap the festivities, you'll submerge yourself with the rich symbolism, rituals, and superstitions as hostess/ Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum. There will be equal portions of food for thought, palate and all the senses at all five occasions.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Preparatory Period of Chinese New Year's Eve Food Tours </span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsPjOUpyimk/UPZH9emc4hI/AAAAAAAAArk/33l9BoNlz40/s1600/CNY+Lucky+Candy+bags+1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsPjOUpyimk/UPZH9emc4hI/AAAAAAAAArk/33l9BoNlz40/s200/CNY+Lucky+Candy+bags+1705.JPG" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 1st, 2nd, 3d, 8th (Sold Out), 9th, 2013 </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 10:00 am - 1:30 pm</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Foodies, who love food tours you'll love the thrill of the Preparatory week prior to the curtains going up for Chinese Lunar NewYear's Eve. You're going behind-the-scene for the festive party food items/ingredients, decorations, items you might need to replenish/replace to receive and give the Good Luck of the New Year.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Focus on preparatory timeline/countdown for cleaning home, & personal grooming</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Chinese Horoscope book for remainder of Year of the Dragon will be used at the hosted dim sum</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Space availability: 11 spots per day to ensure quality experience</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00</span><br />
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2. Celebratory Period of Chinese New Year's Eve & Day Food Tours</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> February 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 2013 </span></i></b><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jy0e6kF_XrI/UPZJ2R9zuCI/AAAAAAAAAr8/uG0VEM4g_58/s1600/20120122-CNY+Eve+DimSum+0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jy0e6kF_XrI/UPZJ2R9zuCI/AAAAAAAAAr8/uG0VEM4g_58/s200/20120122-CNY+Eve+DimSum+0134.jpg" width="150" /></a><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 10:00 am - 1:30 pm </span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join in on the spirit of celebration, and find out what the Year of the Water Snake has in store for your Chinese animal sign over hosted New Year dim sum, a luncheon to please all the senses! Your guide will order a healthy dim sum with harmonious blending of the five elements – colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture – a principle that applies to the making of each individual dish as much as to the dim sum meal as a whole. NOTES: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour. Private tours/talks, available weekdays for schools and groups. Book now to avoid disappointment, space is limited.</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Only on February 10th tour: Symbolic New Year dim sum items will be the key attractions of the hosted dim sum experience as we crack open the Year of the Snake horoscope book to get the most of the year</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Lion Dances in the streets of Toronto's second Chinatown - high chances of encounter on February 15th, 16th & 17th - the rituals will be explained by your guide/host</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Visit to grocery store, BBQ & bakery to shed light symbolic items needed to be served over this period (plus tastings)</span><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Grand Finale of Chinese New Year's Food Tours: Lantern Festival</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> February 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 2013 </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 10:00 am - 1:30 pm </span></i></b><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wprO2y8R_6c/UPZLznpypLI/AAAAAAAAAsU/obP-nQbXlqI/s1600/CNY+Tap+phong+lanterns+75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wprO2y8R_6c/UPZLznpypLI/AAAAAAAAAsU/obP-nQbXlqI/s200/CNY+Tap+phong+lanterns+75.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, on the 15th day of the first moon, dates from the rule of the Emperor Ming (58-75 AD) of the Han Dynasty, and formally ends the New Year celebrations. This marks the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day. Traditionally, lanterns were lit in homes and temples. Children were bedazzled by the spectacular processions of exquisite silk and paper lanterns in every shape and form in the dark streets. At the end of each procession a glorious dragon, usually carried by at least a dozen men, dances to the deafening rhythms of cymbals, drums and red firecrackers. Traditionally, Tang Yuan - delicious little sweet or savoury glutinous rice dumplings are savoured. Your guide will order a healthy dim sum with harmonious blending of the five elements – colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture – a principle that applies to the making of each individual dish as much as to the dim sum meal as a whole. NOTES: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour. Private tours/talks, available weekdays for schools and groups. Book now to avoid disappointment, space is limited.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* The wrap-up of this fantastic 15-days festival ends with the hunt for lanterns on the streets, in shops, and eateries (no surprise) and more food!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* The grocery tour will include the bi-lingual shopping lists, and we'll look for the dumplings you can buy and take home! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Hosted dim sum will include a variety of dishes varying in textures, colours and flavours. Chopsticks & tea pouring etiquettes will be reviewed; beginners to advanced chopstick users welcomed! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. A Taste of the World's 6th Annual Chinese New Year's Eve 11-course Banquet Dinner</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Saturday February 9th, 2013 </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 6:00-8:00pm hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum</span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MJt6nCz6mw/UPZQtkS__cI/AAAAAAAAAts/h0JuqP8Y8PY/s1600/CNY+Eve+Shrimp+&+lettuce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MJt6nCz6mw/UPZQtkS__cI/AAAAAAAAAts/h0JuqP8Y8PY/s320/CNY+Eve+Shrimp+&+lettuce.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foodies unite! Savour the opportunity to experience an authentic communal Chinese New Year’s Eve banquet hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum. Traditionally it’s restricted to immediate family members, hosted at home, and all 8-12 lavish dishes cooked by the Matriarch. Now, an increasing number of aging Chinese Matriarchs are relinquishing cooking the numerous courses to restaurant chefs. Join us as we embrace this emerging trend. It will be an evening of equal portions of food and facts, as Shirley shed light on old and new customs, plus superstitions throughout the evening. Novice banquet attendees will appreciate the tips on how to pace themselves to enjoy the banquet to the fullest, and all guests will love the stories behind the auspicious names of the decadent dishes. What will the Year of the Snake hold for your Chinese animal sign? Pre-Register now and find out!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six years ago, my family chose to give my mom the long deserved break from shopping, preparing and cooking (marathon dish/pots washing was relegated to us kids). My mom now plays a very important role in this fabulous feast: she gets to approve the menu and to transcribe it. Make her day after the feast, Tell her how much you loved the whole feast! Bon appetite! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6P6L06JwO0/UPZNqemgWXI/AAAAAAAAAs0/YeyGXLKVlBM/s1600/20120121-CNY+table+set+up+0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6P6L06JwO0/UPZNqemgWXI/AAAAAAAAAs0/YeyGXLKVlBM/s200/20120121-CNY+table+set+up+0124.jpg" width="150" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese New Year's Eve 2013 MENU</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family: Times; font-style: normal;"></span><br />* Stir-Fried Lightly Battered Jumbo Shrimps<br />* Phoenix Nest w/ Seafood Medley & Vegetables<br />* Whole Crispy Chicken with flavoured Salt/pepper & Shrimp Chips <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-style: normal;"></span><br />* Pork Chops w/ House BBQ sauce<br />* Four Treasure Braised Vegetables<br />* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onion<br />* Whole Steamed Fish<br />* E-Mein (Noodles)<br />* Yeungchow Fried Rice<br />* Traditional Sweet Soup & Chinese Fortune Cookies</span></i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees: $58.00 per person OR $500.00 a table of 10</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pre-registration and Payment to hold your spot(s): </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and we will confirm availability by email. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Payment by cash or cheque payable to "A Taste of the World".</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sx90cS12jR0/UPZHVLD7lRI/AAAAAAAAArQ/YJfmabjOg2I/s1600/CNY+nite+lanterns+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. A Taste of the World's 1st Annual Lantern Festival 9-course Banquet Dinner</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Saturday February 23rd, 2013 </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 6:00-8:00 pm hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></span></span></i></b><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWQjnpz6s30/UPZPVQzer6I/AAAAAAAAAtM/xyv7t3M7U0c/s1600/20120121-CNY+lobster+0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWQjnpz6s30/UPZPVQzer6I/AAAAAAAAAtM/xyv7t3M7U0c/s320/20120121-CNY+lobster+0130.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NEW! In 2013, I am launching the 1st Annual Lantern Festival Banquet after several requests by past guests of the popular Chinese New Year's Eve banquets. The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, on the 15th day of the first moon, dates from the rule of the Emperor Ming (58-75 AD) of the Han Dynasty, and formally ends the New Year celebrations. This marks the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day. Traditionally, lanterns were lit in homes and temples. Children were bedazzled by the spectacular processions of exquisite silk and paper lanterns in every shape and form in the dark streets. At the end of each procession a glorious dragon, usually carried by at least a dozen men, dances to the deafening rhythms of cymbals, drums and red firecrackers. Traditionally, Tang Yuan - delicious little sweet or savoury glutinous rice dumplings are savoured. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sx90cS12jR0/UPZHVLD7lRI/AAAAAAAAArQ/YJfmabjOg2I/s1600/CNY+nite+lanterns+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sx90cS12jR0/UPZHVLD7lRI/AAAAAAAAArQ/YJfmabjOg2I/s200/CNY+nite+lanterns+68.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family: Times;"></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1st Annual Lantern Festival MENU 2013:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup<br />* Scallop with Meat<br />* Stir-fried Lightly Battered Big Tiger Shrimps<br />* Crispy Whole Chicken with Flavoured Salt/Pepper & </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shrimp Chips<br />* Traditionally Braised dish of Tofu, Meat & Vegetables<br />* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onions<br />* Steamed Whole Fish</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Steamed Rice<br />* Traditional Sweet Dessert Soup & Fortune Cookies </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees: $50.00 per person OR $470.00 a table of 10</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pre-registration and Payment to hold your spot(s): </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and we will confirm availability by email. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Payment by cash or cheque payable to "A Taste of the World".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feeling the good luck coming your way yet? Don't wait until the last minute to purchase your E-Ticket(s), as space is limited at each event to ensure an intimate and quality experience. To avoid being disappointed, book now by calling our office or dropping us an email, as we did sell out the Chinese New Year's Eve food tour scheduled for February 8th even before 2012 ended! I look forward to hearing from you, and having you at one of food tours and/or at one of the tables set for the banquets! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gung Hei Fatt Choi in Cantonese </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin</span></div>
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</span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-7276188118241786962012-12-01T01:51:00.003-05:002012-12-01T01:51:56.278-05:00How Many Meaningful Foodie Gifts Can You Give?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ym-SGIX_iYg/ULmYYCQY78I/AAAAAAAAAoo/RMOflZBYP7E/s1600/20121116+Santa+lites+YCollege+01311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ym-SGIX_iYg/ULmYYCQY78I/AAAAAAAAAoo/RMOflZBYP7E/s200/20121116+Santa+lites+YCollege+01311.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where did November go? I barely bid Adieu to Halloween Week madness and started off November with the final two ghost walks on All Saints' Day and All Souls Day. I don't know what's scarier: the spine-chilling ghost tales told along those ghost walks or the clipping pace of November! For a brief moment we're pausing to reflect on our cherished freedom in the middle of the hosted dim sum along the Remembrance Day <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second Chinatown Foodies tour, and then we're stopping by a Chinese BBQ shop to sample the items used as offerings for beloved dead ancestors. The following Sunday, we find downtown Toronto's traffic held up as Santa sweeps into town with the popular annual Toronto Santa </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claus parade, and bringing along with him, the festive holiday spirit!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you in the holiday mood yet? As a Culinary Historian I love this time of the year, as Toronto lives up to its First Nation namesake, and becomes The Meeting Place of diverse Festivals of Lights. Like our ancestors from all four corners, we hunker down when it get dark and cold out there. Nothing unites us more than the warmth of a roaring fire or glowing candles and holiday lights as we prepare for our first snow fall and the holiday season. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5j1uJzUBBFk/ULmcEpfEyII/AAAAAAAAApE/p-AggTOCutE/s1600/20111129-Fest+Lites+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5j1uJzUBBFk/ULmcEpfEyII/AAAAAAAAApE/p-AggTOCutE/s200/20111129-Fest+Lites+08.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a local Canadian-born Chinese, born and raised in Toronto, I've noticed over the last 10 years or so, inclusiveness in celebrating the various Festivals of Lights is a growing tradition. I have a confession: I love celebrating ALL the holidays as each involves not only lighting up, but breaking bread or more a case of sharing decadent treats! Anyway, the holidays kicks off with Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, then it's Chanukkah, Winter Solstice, followed by Christmas, and ending with Kwanzaa. Since 2000, I would host my annual multicultural holiday home party, and my humble living quarters would glow with all the candles used for the various Festivals of Lights. Food of various cultures would be shared with guests. How more inclusive can you get? </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivDdQ8weypM/ULmgPHYsWHI/AAAAAAAAApg/y10QjHS8WBI/s1600/20121129+KFFR+MMBakery+Xmas+cookies+01416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivDdQ8weypM/ULmgPHYsWHI/AAAAAAAAApg/y10QjHS8WBI/s200/20121129+KFFR+MMBakery+Xmas+cookies+01416.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, guests along the Kensington Foodies Roots tours started requesting for a chance to participate, and that's how <b><i>Kensington Festive Foodies Roots</i></b> tours came to be. Yes, the December food tours give us a chance to celebrate, embrace and share the rich cultural diversity Toronto has to offer long-time residents, newcomers and travellers. Over the years, I've witness folks give the gift of quality time, as they treat their beloved foodies to a shared food tour experience filled with equal portions of food for thought, the palate and all the other senses. I always feel honoured to be sharing those precious moments with folks on these food tours as we bring the year to a close. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a happy and safe holiday season and don't forget to treat yourself and your friend or a family member with one of the following food tours this holiday season! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zcxHEYpDMw/ULmg5wHIdTI/AAAAAAAAAps/2864HEhTWi8/s1600/20121129+KFFR+MMbakery+Santas+01415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zcxHEYpDMw/ULmg5wHIdTI/AAAAAAAAAps/2864HEhTWi8/s200/20121129+KFFR+MMbakery+Santas+01415.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Kensington Festive Foodies Roots Tours </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dates: Saturday December 1, 8, 15, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check-in Time: 9:20 am</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tour Duration: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet: Red Pole with Black Cat in front of 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St (1 Bl N of Dundas St W)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees ($CAD; includes pre-ordered holiday food & drinks):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Adult $45.00 SR(65+)/ST (ID) $40.00 Child (3-12) $30.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Note: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour, nor book luncheon afterwards as you nosh from beginning to the end! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pre-register: Call A Taste of the World (416) 923-6813</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Second Chinatown Foodies Tour</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Date: Sunday December 9th, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check-in: 9:50 am</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tour Duration: 10:00 am - 1:30 pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet: Lucky Moose Statue by Lucky Moose Mart, 393 Dundas St W (near Beverley St)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fees ($CAD; includes pre-ordered holiday food & drinks): </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Adult $45.00 SR(65+)/ST (ID) $40.00 Child (3-12) $30.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Note: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour for full enjoyment! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pre-register: Call A Taste of the World (416) 923-6813</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izqEDgnXTNs/ULmhycFYuNI/AAAAAAAAAp0/es1mYAslR-Q/s1600/20120708+2ndC+GoldDiamon+dessert+w+Golgi+berries+659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izqEDgnXTNs/ULmhycFYuNI/AAAAAAAAAp0/es1mYAslR-Q/s320/20120708+2ndC+GoldDiamon+dessert+w+Golgi+berries+659.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Have a fun & safe holiday!<br /><br />Don't forget to treat yourself & loved ones <br />to meaningful foodie gifts! </span></span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-80028965849535024562012-11-11T00:16:00.000-05:002012-11-11T00:16:02.508-05:00Lest We Forget... Remembrance Day in Toronto's Chinatown, Nov 11th, 2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwFdQF6duIQ/UJ8pZIy7sqI/AAAAAAAAAns/rpVTHRihIfo/s1600/20121103+Day+of+Dead+Remembrance+1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwFdQF6duIQ/UJ8pZIy7sqI/AAAAAAAAAns/rpVTHRihIfo/s320/20121103+Day+of+Dead+Remembrance+1188.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Day of the Dead display,<br /> Courage My Love window<br />along Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & <br />The Grange Walk, 2012</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he days keep getting shorter and the nights are getting longer... we slow down, reflect and remember the deceased loved ones... All Hallows' Eve became Halloween, and for the vast majority, Halloween has become synonymous with sweet treats, ghoulish movies, and vampy costume parties... as the Hispanic population grows within the Toronto area, we see more authentic Dia de los Muertos aka Day of the Dead events from October 28th through to November 2nd. Meanwhile, there is an interesting overlap as Halloween and Day of the Dead wraps up with All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd). Halloween 2012 flashed by but we can't help but find markers or reminders that within the cycle of Life, there's a beginning, middle and an end. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Have you noticed lately as you watch the news on TV, that the anchors are wearing their red poppies? Stroll along the streets of Toronto and you'll start to see them pinned on coats, blazers or hats (yes, yours truly has done that in the past and will do it again this year). Remembrance Day is coming. Lest we forget...<br /><br />Usually if I am within the vicinity of the University of Toronto, I will drop by for the Remembrance Day service by Solders' Memorial Tower. Growing up in Toronto, it was a tradition since public school years to recite on Remembrance Day </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Flanders Fields</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> poem written by John McCrae, an Alumni of Victoria College at University of Toronto. Those of you, who attended my </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Parks Walks</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, would have seen his haunting poem carved on a special wall close by Solders' Memorial Tower. If you've had wedding photographs taken near the Soldiers' Memorial Tower, you might have stood right by it and didn't see it as it is fading due to time and elements.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvlcUY4X71U/TrodGtbBVzI/AAAAAAAAARw/cYiQMHDfae0/s1600/Poppies+0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #cc6411; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvlcUY4X71U/TrodGtbBVzI/AAAAAAAAARw/cYiQMHDfae0/s200/Poppies+0982.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Flanders Fields </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Flanders fields the poppies blow</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Between the crosses, row on row.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That mark our place; and in the sky</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The larks, still bravely singing, fly</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scarce heard amid the guns below. </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are the Dead. Short days ago</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Loved and were loved, and now we lie, </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Flanders fields.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take up our quarrel with the foe:</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To you from failing hands we throw</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The torch; be yours to hold it high.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If ye break faith with us who die</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We shall not sleep, though poppies grow</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Flanders fields. </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- John McCrae </span></b></i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(November 30, 1872- January 28, 1918)</span></b></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">This year, I'll be hosting my <b><i><a href="http://www.TorontoWalksBikes.com/descriptions.html">Second Chinatown Foodies Tour</a> </i></b>on Sunday November 11th, 2012. We will meet under the auspicious Lucky Moose Statue (393 Dundas St W) to start at 10:00 am sharp. Plans are to pause at 11:00 AM during the hosted the Dim Sum experience, so all attending can contemplate, reflect and pay thanks to all Canadian soldiers for the freedom we all enjoy. Were there Chinese-Canadian soldiers? Find out along the tour... Those attending will come away with new eyes and a better appreciation of the Chinese BBQ and bakery shops, as Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum makes the connections with remembering dead loved ones with food offerings within the Chinese culture. You're going to find that Toronto, the Meeting Place lives up to its unique name, as we end up with a plethora of ways to remember loved ones lost... Pre-register at (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and join us for this unique Remembrance Day experience...</span></span><br />
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</i>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-33184055740055446122012-10-19T01:54:00.002-04:002012-10-19T01:54:27.826-04:00How do Foodies & Ghostologists Celebrate October in Toronto?<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVZvQIAPY4k/UICz8jk67GI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Pm4YW3tftRc/s1600/20121001+KFR+Apple+1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVZvQIAPY4k/UICz8jk67GI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Pm4YW3tftRc/s320/20121001+KFR+Apple+1060.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVZvQIAPY4k/UICz8jk67GI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Pm4YW3tftRc/s1600/20121001+KFR+Apple+1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">t's getting darker sooner each day... As the temperature dips with each glorious Toronto sunsets, the crisp autumn air returns, and the vivid green leaves morph into breath-taking kaleidescope of colours... Yes, the clock is ticking away, but don't wait to celebrate and embrace all that the Fall season has to offer in the remainder of October, whether you're passionate Foodies hankering for comfort food or Ghostologists seeking bone-chilling local legends along eerie Toronto neighbourhood ghost walks! If you swing back and forth between being comforted and spooked, well you are in for a wicked treat or two with us! That's right... Come on, take a bite of that juicy Ontario apple it's good for you (unless your name is Snow White, and we all know what happened to her) and read on before it's too late! </span></a></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>A Taste of the World's </i></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Multicultural <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">l</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">l</span> Bounty Experiences:</i></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The Foodie in me always rejoice in Toronto's local, seasonal bounty. As a matter of fact, Toronto, the Meeting Place lives up to its name as it become increasingly multicultural in its Fall harvest. This time of the year, I'm always excited to be able to share the diverse Fall bounty in the form of multi-ethnic comfort food on food tours within the Kensington Market and Toronto's Second Chinatown neighbourhoods. As you stroll through either areas with a culinary historian like myself, you come away with a deeper appreciation of the layers of food history while all your senses are awakened... </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvMRLUPVQWk/UIC17Zl5U1I/AAAAAAAAAkU/hJc2NN8wCf0/s1600/20120927+KFR+dates+Akram+1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvMRLUPVQWk/UIC17Zl5U1I/AAAAAAAAAkU/hJc2NN8wCf0/s200/20120927+KFR+dates+Akram+1031.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Celebrate Fall bounty connected with 200 years of immigration waves within multicultural Kensington Market/ residential quarters past and present with culinary historian Shirley Lum! We will pay homage to the founding family with a cheese from that area (as well as artisanal cheeses to give you a true cross-Canada tasting). There will be equal portions of food for thought and the palate! NOTE: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to the tour for the fullest enjoyment of this food tour! NOTE II: I'll be winding down in the month of November but stay tuned for the holiday food tours in December.... Yes, the ever popular </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Kensington Festive Foodies Roots Walk</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> returns on December 1, 8, 15, 2012 and we will celebrate ALL the Festival of Lights holidays - Diwali, Winter Solstice, Channukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Stay tuned! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Dates & Time: Sat. OCT 20, NOV. 3, 2012 9:30 AM-1:00 PM</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Fees ($CAD: incl pre-ordered food & drinks): Adult $45 SR/ST $40 Child $30</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Meet: Red Pole with Black Cat, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St (1 bl N of Dundas St W)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Pre-register: (416) 923-6813 or <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Dessert - a feast for <br />the eyes & palate!</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Celebrate and savour the Fall harvest! Go behind-the-scenes with culinary historian Shirley Lum! Sit back and enjoy hosted dim sum, complete with Chinese Horoscope Book plus review of chopsticks and tea pouring etiquettes. After this treat for all the senses, we head off to an Asian grocery store for a tour complete with a bi-lingual shopping list we provide to our guests. Ever wondered where's Toronto's 1st Chinatown? Find out at the finale in one of the oldest Chinese bakery as we sip hot tea and delicious traditional and contemporary pastries.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Dates & Time: Sun. OCT 21, 28, NOV 4, 2012 10:00AM-1:30PM</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Fees ($CAD; incl pre-ordered food & drinks): Adult $45 SR/ST $40 Child $30</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Meet: Lucky Moose Statue, 393 Dundas St W/Beverley St</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Pre-register: (416) 923-6813 or <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>A Taste of the World's 12th annual </i></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Toronto Hall<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">❍</span>ween Experiences:</i></span></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHYC8CNeDM/UIDS90l_A1I/AAAAAAAAAmc/IFONAcFW2iY/s1600/PPP+OCH+scary+face+II+0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHYC8CNeDM/UIDS90l_A1I/AAAAAAAAAmc/IFONAcFW2iY/s200/PPP+OCH+scary+face+II+0952.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Time flies by when you're having fun scaring the daylight out of big and little kids! The Ghostologist in me loves donning the period costumes to lead the eerie and spine-chilling Toronto Halloween Week experiences! It's hard to believe that 12 years ago, Spring 2000, I launched three unique neighbourhood ghost walks: </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Ghosts,</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Greasepaint & Gallows Walk</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">; the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange Walk</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">; and </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">! Pretty soon folks went on all three of them, and there was increasing requests for another Toronto neighbourhood ghost walk. During Halloween Week 2003, I obliged by launching </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Phantoms, Players & Pundits Walk</i></b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> as an "Invitation Only" to repeat guests who experienced paranormal activities on all three previous tours with us. We were not disappointed that evening. Each year our Halloween Week ghost walk experiences gets better since then. Why? The already eerie tales from inaugural tours get spookier over time with the cumulative accounts of past guests' paranormal experiences over the years... So look out for the Grey Lady or perhaps that's your tour guide transformed by her period costume... We dare you to find out if Toronto is the Meeting Place for the Living... or... the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Dead</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">? Our ghost walks are not for the faint of heart... but definitely for those who loves a mystery or two... </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Ghost, vampire & zombie stories with multicultural twists told along this eerie ghost walk tour, with loads of indoors and outdoors make this tour ideal for adults and kids! Not for the faint of heart if you can't handle discovering which cafes, shops and eateries have lively spirits to boast. This ghost walk has been used as part of Ryerson University's Anthropology of Death course in the past, so need we say more... Join us if you dare!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Limit: 13 spots each night</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Dates & Time: THURS OCT 25, NOV 1, 2012</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> SAT OCT 20, 27, 2012 6:30-9:00 PM</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Fees ($CAD: incl snacks): Adult $25 SR/ST $18 CHILD $15</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Meet: Red Pole with Black Cat, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St (1 bl N of Dundas St W)</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Pre-register: (416) 923-6813 or <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a></span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Event: </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">GHOSTS, GREASEPAINT & GALLOWS WALK</span></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--y0PLv5F_H0/UIDKAe1sVaI/AAAAAAAAAlk/KYCkafl0ES0/s1600/GGG+Confed+Life+face+II++772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--y0PLv5F_H0/UIDKAe1sVaI/AAAAAAAAAlk/KYCkafl0ES0/s200/GGG+Confed+Life+face+II++772.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Ghost tour with eerie tales and vibes connected with a lost public hanging square, jails and vaudeville theatres in the St. Lawrence Market, Old Theatre District & Financial District. Bram Stoker fans will delight in his connections with a very haunted lost theatre! We will share our own accounts of hair-raising paranormal sightings over the 12 years at the famous FIrst Mayor's home-turned-museum. Eaton's Centre is the spine-chilling Finale! NOTE: Young Children must be accompanied by an adult due to strong paranormal activities at the lost public hanging square. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Limit 13 spots each night.</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Dates & Time: FRI. OCT 19, 26, NOV 2, 2012 6:30 - 9:00 PM</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Fees ($CAD: incl pre-ordered snacks): Adult $25 SR/ST $18 CHILD $15</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Meet: St Lawrence Market's middle door, 93 Front St E.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Pre-register: (416) 923-6813 or <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Event: </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HAUNTED YORKVILLE, U of T & QUEEN'S PARK WALK</span></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVWqQdgnn_w/UIDP33Kp5AI/AAAAAAAAAmE/p8xQwNntLCE/s1600/HYUT+UC+inside+faces+704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVWqQdgnn_w/UIDP33Kp5AI/AAAAAAAAAmE/p8xQwNntLCE/s200/HYUT+UC+inside+faces+704.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">This popular ghost tour starts at the ROM, and by the time we back there, we'll have you wondering who is dead or living on the tour! Yorkville Village is famous for its equal number of hair salon, art galleries, and some expensive haunted sites. Planning on entering politics or attending university some day? You might think twice chance after this attending this ghost walk. Warning: time permitting, we go into one famous university building after sharing the legend, we'll give you a chance to try "paranormal CSI". Ideal for adults and kids! </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Limit 13 spots each night.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Dates & Time: TUES. OCT 23, 30, 2012 6:30-9:00 PM</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Fees ($CAD: incl snacks): Adult $25 SR/ST $18 CHILD $15</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Meet: ROM, steps between the 2 Marble Lions, 100 Queen's Park Circle</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Pre-register: (416) 923-6813 or <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">As dusk approaches, the buildings get empty, or are they? We launched this tour during Halloween 2003, and right away guests experienced paranormal contacts... Can you handle more scary ghost stories of forgotten jails, public hanging square and vaudeville theatre in the Entertainment & Financial Districts?If you work downtown, we dare you to come along and discovery which one of these buildings are highly spirited: Old & New City Halls, Osgoode Hall, Campbell House, Malabar, and Royal Alexandra Theatre. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Limit 13 spots each night</b></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Fees ($CAD: incl pre-ordered snacks): Adult $25 SR/ST $18 CHILD $15</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Meet: Old City Hall, front steps, 60 Queen St W/Bay St.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Pre-register: (416) 923-6813 or <a href="mailto:info@TorontoWalksBikes.com">info@TorontoWalksBikes.com</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ignorance can be bliss... </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>after a spooky ghost walk or a foodie tour .... </i></b></span><br />
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-35846885443894167822012-09-13T16:02:00.000-04:002012-09-13T16:02:27.575-04:00How many ways to celebrate Fall in Toronto? Part I<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpOmiDu0naE/UFIbDPueNuI/AAAAAAAAAiA/7LWEIqkQchE/s1600/Gaslite+Fall+leaf+781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpOmiDu0naE/UFIbDPueNuI/AAAAAAAAAiA/7LWEIqkQchE/s320/Gaslite+Fall+leaf+781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shhhh! Don't tell anyone ... Toronto, lives up to its First Nation name, the Meeting Place in the Fall season! I don't know about you, but there's something soothing about that crisp autumn breeze after the intensely HOT, HOT, HOT summer... meanwhile the days get darker sooner everyday... I always find the months of September and October come hand-in-hand with rich full sensory experiences thanks to multicultural Fall Bounty celebrated all over town - Farm Harvest Tables, farmers' markets, the kaleidoscope of Fall foliage, and the various festivals and holidays. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how many ways can we celebrate the Fall season in Toronto? Well... I am kicking off with something totally new for me... it's different from what I normally do while conducting one of my cool Foodies, Literary Detective or Ghost Walks as I'm kinda staying in one spot... Hint it takes place at a hot Pan Asian food event hosted by Harbourfront Centre! </span></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortune Cooking Festival: Street Food Demo </span></span></i></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday September 16th Noon - 1:00pm</span></span></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWdJjcmdmSk/UFIzHL05KGI/AAAAAAAAAic/nTlgArVtUw8/s1600/20120912+FortuneCook+ingredients+0968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWdJjcmdmSk/UFIzHL05KGI/AAAAAAAAAic/nTlgArVtUw8/s320/20120912+FortuneCook+ingredients+0968.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join yours truly - Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum of </span><b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Taste of the World</span></a></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, at her unique Street Food Demonstration at Harbourfront Centre's </span><b><i><a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/festivals.cfm?id=4576"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortune Cooking</span></a></i></b><a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/festivals.cfm?id=4576"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a><b><i><a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/festivals.cfm?id=4576"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Festival</span></a></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> . </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Explore Pan Asian street food and Toronto's multicultural bounty! Always wondered what to do with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bean Curd skin? If you're looking for healthy, yet tasty and easy snack and lunch ideas then come on down to Harbourfront Centre for this FREE demonstration! </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been along one of the </span><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second Chinatown Foodies Walks</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, you've been shown the dried ruffle-edged Cloud Ear Fungus at the Chinese herbal shop. At the grocery store, you might have had a chance to handle the the stringy Chinese Long Beans and the Silk Squash which comes in many names: Chinese Okra or Angled Luffa or Silk Squash or Taiwanese Okra. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g5bgT9D_XI/UFIzOLtF5vI/AAAAAAAAAis/EqiwuqLnmFc/s1600/20120913+FortuneCook+wet+Bl+Fungus+0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g5bgT9D_XI/UFIzOLtF5vI/AAAAAAAAAis/EqiwuqLnmFc/s200/20120913+FortuneCook+wet+Bl+Fungus+0980.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you have the golden opportunity to watch me pull together these ingredients at a live cooking demonstration, and of course, the best part is sampling Shirley's delicious cooking! You're bound to love this delicious but healthy dish so much, that you can't wait to get home to try the recipe handout. By the way, I heard the weather forecast is going to be fantastic, so it will be a great way to get another shot of vitamin D by the lake before it's flu season! Anyway, drop by Harbourfront Centre and come by to say, "Hello"! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're wondering about the other ways to celebrate Fall Season in Toronto for the rest of September and the month of October... stay tuned on Monday for the multicultural Fall Bounty Food Walks, the Fall Colours Literary Detective Walks and Ghost Walks. Can't wait? Like us on our </span><a href="http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-the-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> page to get updates! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-52911698936664036522012-07-06T12:57:00.000-04:002012-08-29T22:33:36.918-04:00How Many Ways to "Goof Off" for the Summer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can you feel it? Summer is here!!! Yipeee! For some folks, summer officially starts with Summer Solstice... For those still in school, the last day of school was the marker... The marker for me seems to kick-off with the Canada Day/July 1st long weekend... meanwhile a few days later, our American neighbours celebrate the American 4th of July holiday. It's summer vacation time right up until Labour Day (Canada) or Labor Day (USA).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Canada Day weekend if you're one of my Canadian readers! Happy Fourth of July, if you're my American readers! It's "Goof-Off Time" whether you call it vacation or you decide to stay put and dub it a "staycation". Oh wait, did I hear you mutter something like you're NOT taking time off?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a question (from Alan Kearns of CareerJoy, one of my favourite career consultants) I am sharing with you to savour: why are you NOT taking a vacation/staycation? Yes, I can already hear all of your reasons; </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span></b><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am busy, who will do my job, I will have too much work to do when I get back, I just want to complete this project</span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and so on, and so on... I am hoping this will give you some food for thought. If you are truly a </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011Wz4VZ7XilNKQFQ1rIDP8zAG2W3poP_szLQedeXEMqhM66kHNF31EDCNtLs68CqLnuYEE0Z0GtJAVUtub3R8FOQJTierPkXER4Yy6a9jPwO_cWCeFsE1NHYOz25B-kfWGLrw_nX1rX1wF07SlwsozQ==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" track="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dedicated employee</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, then TAKE your vacation. You, your family, and </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011Wz4VZ7XilP3GwpfBjtp0XKnJAKBgkPzxDX9EiCzwwSsDPoVKeU-Hydg87JJ0PBVEQzLgTI3dti739qh7dRFT_CAaTd3-USxj9m_y2UsAhkq9zkZZZjdowj1M1oFLNr6gWjVTLDk0-ZKjqaMLeaRwg==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" track="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">your employer</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> will benefit. To get you going, here are our own juicy events and more between July to Labour Day...</span></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Foodies Friday Series Returns 10am-1:30pm</span></i></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VP7KOD45hw/T_cLN5bQf-I/AAAAAAAAAfI/9mEdeJmwwcs/s1600/2nd+C+Rambuttan+631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VP7KOD45hw/T_cLN5bQf-I/AAAAAAAAAfI/9mEdeJmwwcs/s200/2nd+C+Rambuttan+631.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When's the last time you block off just a day (that happens to be a Friday ;-) as your "Goof-Off" Day? Well, a few years ago, some of you requested for private food walks on a series of Fridays... As you're aware, often we have interesting food for thought discussions. We discovered that some of our local folks merely wanted to avoid the weekend crowd and the long line-ups while shopping. At the same time, many expressed an eagerness to peel back the layers of culinary history in a given area while tasting new and familiar items. Meanwhile, there's an increasing crave for a balance between healthy and decadent tastings and cooking ideas. Well, the </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Foodies Friday Series</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is back July/August 2012 as it was well received in summer 2011 by locals treating themselves to "Goof-Off Fridays" as we all get a chance to catch a glimpse of the market gearing up for the weekend madness. If you're visitors leaving Toronto by Saturday morning, we were thinking of you too! </span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check-out </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Taste of the World</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'s </span><b><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/descriptions.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tour Descriptions</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and watch for </span><a href="http://Twitter.com/#!/ATasteofWorld"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Taste of the World's tweets</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> on Twitter as we announce the new twists on these special Fridays. Do </span><a href="mailto:info@torontowalksbikes.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">book</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> your spots right away to avoid being disappointed as space is limited to ensure quality tour experience.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kensington Foodies Roots: Summer Bounty</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 13th, August 10th, <b>17th SOLD OUT</b>, 31st, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Second Chinatown Foodies</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 27th, August 3rd, 24th, 2012</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Saturday Foodies Walks 9:30-1:00pm</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's something exciting about getting to the market as early as possible and tasting the bounty, be it multicultural harvest or not... We are thrilled to announce that the Broadview Gateway: 4 Cultures tour will be held on Saturday mornings instead of Sunday because there's a new exciting farmer's market we thought had to be included so we can all support the local farmers and of course, the best part, savour the local produce! Again, we highly recommend booking via </span><a href="mailto:info@torontowalksbikes.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">email </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or call(416) 923-6813 sooner than later to avoid being disappointed! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kensington Foodies Roots</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 7, 28, August 4, 25, September 1st, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Broadview Gateway: 4 Cultures</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 14, August 11, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Foodies Gaslight Stroll: Rosedale & Yorkville Village</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 21, 18, 2012</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sunday Foodies Walks 10:00am-1:30pm</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's something about the quiet calm air of Sunday morning... hence, we like to "ease" into a Sunday morning, and traditionally starts any of our Sunday Foodies with Check-in time 9:50AMish ... You'll get your excitement as the day progresses... Need the </span><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/descriptions.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tour Descriptions</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">? Both of these tours include hosted dim sum. The difference you might wonder? The Lost First Chinatown Foodies Walk's finale is hosted "Low-wah Kew" dim sum a.k.a. Old Timers' dim sum ordered by your hostess/culinary historian, Shirley Lum (taking into account food allergies and/or dietary restrictions). There is aways much food for thought as we pour through the latest Chinese horoscope book for insights into the Year of the Dragon, a year of opportunities! </span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Second Chinatown Foodies Walk </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 8, 22, August 2nd, 19th, September 2nd, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lost First Chinatown Foodies Walk</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 15, 29 August 12th, 26th, 2012</span></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Toronto Summer Ghost Walks 6:30-9:00pm</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know you're on one of the eeriest ghost walks when your tour guide uses this kicker at the beginning of a ghost walk, "Is Toronto, the Meeting Place for the Living... OR the Dead?" and then wraps up the ghost walk with a chant to bring closure and everyone is stunned silent... Each ghost walk includes a stop into an eatery of some sort, of course, giving us a "reason" to go for some local treats, public restrooms, and paranormal sightings (not all in that order).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Tues. July 3, 10, 17, 24, August 7, 14, 21, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Phantoms, Players & Pundits</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Wed. July 4, 11, 18, 25, August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & Grange</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Thurs. July 5, 19, 26, August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2012</span><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Fri. July 13, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2012</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Calling All Literary Detectives</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Saturdays 3:00-5:30 pm!</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have a bit of Nancy Drew in you or perhaps you've fancy yourself in Da Vinci's Code following a trail of clues that leads you to the next clue? Well, you're in luck whether you're a Charles Dickens fan as 2012 happens to be special thanks to 200th bicentenary celebrations and 170th anniversary of his actual visit of Toronto. </span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the Footsteps of Charles Dickens: Toronto 1842</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 7th, August 4th, September 1st, 2012</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now you're probably wondering about Canadian literary scene and if you happen to be a big fan of either children's book, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anne of Green Gables</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jane of </span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lantern Hill</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, you can follow in the footsteps of this famous Canadian author, LM Montgomery as we trace sites connected with her over the last seven years of her life in Swansea Village, in the west end of Toronto! Make it this summer to explore this neighbourhood. Bring cameras! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Swansea & LM Montgomery</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> July 28th, August 25th, 2012 </span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">If There's One Thing You Have to Explore in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Toronto</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> this week...</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Need some more inspiring ideas to go off-the-beaten-path in Toronto? Just to get us started... May I suggest supporting local theatre whether you're a local exploring a new neighbourhood or a visitor exploring Toronto. Lucky for you, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">July 4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>th-15th, 2012</b> is the </span><b><i><a href="http://FringeToronto.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">24th Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival</span></a></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> where 155 shows were "picked out of hat" and "this is art without a filter, and that is bubbling up from every corner of Toronto" ! Yes, you just might be rubbing shoulders with me at any corner of T.O. at one of these awesome theatrical productions! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stay tuned for more ideas as I'm going to launch once a week on <b>Tuesdays </b>over the summer of 2012... Those who follows my tweets on Twitter on Tuesdays, will be familiar with the Hashtag: #TravelTuesday. Travel could include staycation and vacation ideas that are within a skip or a hop from one of <b><i>A Taste of the World's Walk</i></b><b><i>s</i></b>. Oh, and feel free to jump right in, add a comment or two about your own nook and crannies you'd share with friends! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Week of Tuesday August 28th:</span></i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>DREAMLAND; TEXTILES AND THE CANADIAN LANDSCAPE</i></b> at the <b>Textile Museum of </b><b>Canada</b> (55 Centre; S of Dundas St W) now to September 30th, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adult $15 SR $10 ST $6 Wednesday 5-8 pm PWYC </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Unlike countries like India, Iran or Japan, Canada does not immediately jump to mind when we think "rich textile traditions". Most definite, you'll thank this museum's curators for deepening your appreciation of Canada's woven, hooked and sewn heritage as they juxtapose the work of 10 contemporary Canadian artists with Canadian clothing and domestic textiles from the collection. Look out for Michael Snow's video of billowing cabin curtains and Barbara Todd's quilt and prints based on beach pebbles; both works give you a taste of Canadian summer. Enjoy before it's the end of summer!</span></span></span></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-42629941490122883092012-07-01T15:38:00.000-04:002012-07-03T18:05:37.894-04:00Happy 145th Canada Day!It's July 1st, 2012! It is ... Canada's 145th birthday! Happy <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Canada Day</span></b> folks!<br />
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What sweet irony this moment is for me... I am wrapping up this Canada Day post to dash off for a glimpse of the 11th annual National Congress of Chinese Canadians Parade and Toronto Pride Parade... Meanwhile, my adoring husband is steam ironing his own shirts! I would stop my writing, and step in every so often to help out...<br />
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There's something about the hot steam spewing out of the new iron that transports me right back to Elizabeth Street circa 1930s when over 300 Chinese hand laundries existed in the vicinity... and I'm talking about the stretch from behind the New City Hall up to Dundas Street W... this little unassuming and quiet side street is one of my favourite nook and crannies along my Lost First Chinatown Foodies Walk (formerly known as Toronto' First and Second Chinatowns Walk)... out spills the Chinese hand laundry stories I usually share with guests, be they long time Toronto residents, new comers or visitors. This Foodies Walk traces where the seeds of Toronto's first Chinatown were planted back in 1878, uprooted and transplanted north and west to the present-day and thriving Chinatown. This current site in the Spadina/Dundas axis is more of a reality for most folks, meanwhile the old Chinatown quarters of the very first Chinatown is fast slipping away with new shops moving in, and office tower and condominiums going up.<br />
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What's hard to grasp - all of the folks who resided and worked in hand laundries were men from the Canton province, a lush agricultural southern region of China. Any who survived working on the hazardous Rockies segment of Canadian Pacific National Railway. Yes, our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald's National Dream of uniting all the provinces from coast to coast brought many of those men to Canada, and the rest as they say is history! These brave men made their ways to Toronto to join a family member who started up one of those labour intensive businesses. It's hard to believe that the hushed street of present day was bustling as the customers drop off or pick-up starched laundries: the judges, lawyers, nurses and housewives!<br />
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Thank you! Do-jeh! Thank you! Merci! </div>
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Happy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Canada Day</b></span> from a technically fourth generation Canadian-Chinese! </div>
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<br />Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-38582473626426670462012-05-02T18:16:00.000-04:002012-05-29T14:15:06.963-04:00April Showers bring May/June Flowers & WalksApril showers bring May flowers... and May/June 2012 are two months jam-packed with celebrations! Wait till we get into July... it will be 19 fun years since I launched <b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/">A Taste of the World Walks!</a></i></b> Wow! Time sure flies by quickly when you're having loads of fun on Foodies, Literary Detective or Ghost walks. Meanwhile, here's a peek at May and June....<br />
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<i>"Walk and be happy. Walk and be healthy." </i></div>
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<i>- Charles Dickens </i></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May 1st or May Day</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">is Paranormal Week</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIdSzrnttGk/T6GmIiMbtSI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Br6D01ZlsvI/s1600/TO+Gdn+May+pole+w+CNTower+598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIdSzrnttGk/T6GmIiMbtSI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Br6D01ZlsvI/s200/TO+Gdn+May+pole+w+CNTower+598.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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- Your chances of Otherworldly contacts are much anticipated around this period the few days before/after <b><i><a href="http://savouringthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-paranormal-activity-week-in-toronto.html">May 1st </a></i></b>and the Halloween week... Remember to bring along your digital cameras, as you might end up with your bonus a.k.a. a paranormal sighting that you can post on our Facebook Page and/or yours! We've put together a pretty cool program... All ghost walks start at 6:30PM sharp (Check-in by 6:20PM), and ends around 9:00PMish (pending on questions, amount of sharing personal paranormal sightings, walking pace). <br />
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Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk -TUES MAY 1st, 2012<br />
Phantoms, Players & Pundits Walk - WED MAY 2nd<br />
Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange Walk - THURS MAY 3rd 2012<br />
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and the ghost walks continue on in late May into June for a sizzling time...<br />
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Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk - TUES MAY 29, JUNE 12, 19<br />
Phantoms, Players & Pundits Walk - WED JUNE 27<br />
Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange Walk - THURS MAY 31, JUNE 21, 28<br />
Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows Walk - FRI JUNE 22, 29<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">200th Birthday & 170th Anniversary of Dickens' Toronto visit</span> </i></span></b><br />
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2012 marks several "firsts" for us. For the first time, we will be conducting <b>I<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1403371040">n The Footsteps of Charles </a></b><b><a href="http://savouringthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/02/true-story-behind-charles-dickens-visit.html">Dickens: Toronto 1842</a></b> tour three days in a row, thus marking the duration of his actual visit. It will be the first time a tour took place on May 4th and in the evening tour. We are honoured to be able to mark the actual day and time his arrived in Toronto on May 4th at 6:30PM! That special walk literally kicks-off 3 days of exploring Victorian Toronto before he sailed off for Kingston, Ontario.<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Most Amazing Gift</span></span></i></b><br />
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What is the greatest Mother's Day or Father's Day gift? Sharing laughter, love and time - all intangible gifts. Remember, we... All of us... Are a "Time-Limited Offer"... Yes, time (aside health) is a precious thing to cherish. Over the years, it's been an honour hosting the <b><i>Second Chinatown Foodies </i></b><b><i>Walk</i></b> or <b><i>Lost First Chinatown Foodies Walk</i></b> on Mother's/Father's Day or even Kensington Foodies Roots Walk (Mother's/Father's Day weekend ;-). I'd get folks who might have attended the very same foodie tour a short while ago, but then returns with their favourite loved ones to share a memorable, intimate and nostalgic foodie event. The foodie experience of hosted dim sum complete with review of chopsticks/tea pouring etiquettes, and reading the Year of the Dragon Chinese horoscope book is a lovely way to ease into a relaxing Sunday morning. The tour of the Asian grocery store is another highlight as folks come away with their list of shopping items and queries taken care of. The grand finale of tea with traditional/contemporary Chinese pastries and history of Toronto's Chinatowns simply wraps-up a beautiful Sunday!<br />
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<b>Foodies Tours to Consider for that Special Someone...</b><br />
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<b><i>Second Chinatown Foodies Walks</i></b><br />
Sundays May 13, 20, 27th, June 10*, 24*, 2012 10:00AM-1:30 PM<br />
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<b><i>Lost First Chinatown Foodie Walk</i></b><br />
Sunday June 17*, 2012 10:00AM-1:30 PM<br />
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Tours designated with (*) indicates preparations for the tasty Dragon Boat Festival & tasting of the sticky rice dumplings made just for that occasion<br />
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<b><i>Kensington Foodies Roots Walk</i></b><br />
Saturday June 2, 16, 30, 2012 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Celebrate Asian Heritage Month in May 2012!</span></span></i></b><br />
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Have you picked up the beautiful Program Guide & Reading List booklet? If you haven't yet, then dash to the nearest Toronto Public Library and get yourself a copy. They are celebrating city-wide Pan-Asian Culture and the 10th year of Asian Heritage Month in Canada. By the way, if you turn to page 3 of their booklet, you'll see my special event, A Taste of the Dragon Boat Festival with Shirley Lum hosted by Lillian H. Smith branch. Come out and join the fun! More details and how to register at <b><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1403371032">2012 Speaking </a></i></b><i><b><a href="http://savouringthoughts.blogspot.com/p/speaking-engagements.html">Engagements</a></b></i>. Book your spot(s) now to avoid being disappointed, as space is limited to ensure quality hands-on workshop. Register with the Lillian H Smith Library at (416) 393-7746<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Calling all Lucy Maud Montgomery Fans!</span></span></i></b><br />
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Love Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery? I got hooked after reading her popular book, <b><i>Anne of Green Gables</i></b> when I was twelve years old. I even took along my touring bike and a few gal pals on a pilgrimage to her birthplace, Prince Edward Island (PEI)! Imagine my excitement when I discovered Ontario connections with her! It's not well promoted fact that she lived the final seven years of her life in Swansea Village, a beautiful west end neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. Join us along the <b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/">Swansea and LM Montgomery Walk</a></i></b> as we all don our Literary Detective caps and follow in her footsteps using clues from old maps, letters, journals, and best of all, excerpts from her novel,<b><i> Jane of Lantern Hill</i></b>. Book your spots (and the pre-ordered snacks) now as space is limited.<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/">Swansea and LM Montgomery Walk</a></i></b><br />
Saturdays May 26, June 30, 2012 3:00-5:30 PM<br />
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<i>"The town (Toronto) is well adapted for wholesome exercise at all seasons..." </i></div>
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<i>- Charles Dickens </i></div>
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<i></i><b><i>American Notes</i></b><i>, Wednesday 4th May 1842</i></div>
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<br /></div>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-63801374675795134072012-04-27T17:50:00.000-04:002012-04-27T17:50:05.737-04:00It's Paranormal Activity Week in Toronto!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">May Pole at one of Toronto's best-kept secret: <br />Toronto Music Garden </span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The spring flowers are poking out of the ground... The robins are out and about chirping their little hearts out... It's spring time and there's a sense of renewed energy in the air! I don't know about you, but I'm excited about shedding my heavy winter coat and donning my colourful spring trench coat. I'm ready to venture out for my ghost walk series and feel my skin kissed by the warm spring sun and then be embraced by the cool breeze as the sun sets. Ghost walk series over late April-early May, you might ask with an arched eyebrow? You're probably scratching your head and wondering if we're already in the month of October and I'm hosting our very popular Halloween Week ghost walks... or you're wondering if that crazy tour guide is going to have you dancing around the May pole in the Toronto Music Garden. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Well here's a little tidbit from Wikipedia - In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_mythology" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Irish mythology">Irish mythology</a>, the beginning of the summer season started at Beltane (May 1st). Great bonfires would mark a time of purification and transition, heralding in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year, and were accompanied with ritual acts to protect the people from any harm by <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other_World" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Other World">Otherworldly</a> spirits, such as the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aos_S%C3%AD" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Aos Sí">Aos Sí</a></i>. Like the festival of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Samhain">Samhain</a>, Beltane was also a time when the Otherworld was seen as particularly close at hand.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The days just <i>before</i> and <i>after</i> May 1st would be a fabulous time for paranormal sightings! Ah hah! Now when you revisit our website at <a href="http://TorontoWalksBikes.com/descriptions.html">A Taste of the World</a>, you'll understand why I dole out that crucial tip to bring along your digital cameras on any of the four eerie ghost walks! Yes, since year 2000 my guides, guests and myself have seen some interesting "things" through the viewfinder of digital cameras. As a matter of fact, I have relished sharing actual encounters along my tours over the last 12 years... hence you will hear many of the spine-chilling tales not told by others in the business... yes, things that have happened to guests while on our tours or while on duty at work! I swear that we seem to have many "paranormal" Oprah moments as Torontonians share their personal experiences and they end up saying "Ah hah"! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Meanwhile, time is ticking away... May 1st will soon be upon us and then it will slip away.... Have a peek at the schedule below and book your spots and the pre-ordered treats to avoid being disappointed, as space is limited to ensure a nightly quality tour! Call the office (416) 923-6813 or e-mail <a href="mailto:info@torontowalksbikes.com">info@torontowalksbikes.com</a> now! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Greetings at beginning of<br />Phantoms, Players & Pundits Walk</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"> Date & Time</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span> <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">2012 May 1st period G</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">host Walk</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Tour</span> </span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> </span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Thurs. April 27th 6:30-9:00 PM Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & Grange</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Fri. April 28th 6:30-9:00 PM Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows Walk </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Tues. May 1st 6:30-9:00 PM Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Wed. May 2nd 6:30-9:00 PM Phantoms, Players & Pundits </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Thurs. May 3rd 6:30-9:00 PM Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & Grange </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCAOb6LCSD8/T5sJEriuCLI/AAAAAAAAAc8/8frQsI9B5qc/s1600/GGG+Pantages+770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCAOb6LCSD8/T5sJEriuCLI/AAAAAAAAAc8/8frQsI9B5qc/s200/GGG+Pantages+770.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Eye-catching vaudeville theatre details on<br />Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows Walk</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">See you at one of these fantastic ghost walks! Don't forget to bring along your digital cameras so you'll have your "bonus" to post and share at our <b><a href="http://Facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-The-World-Walks/187276987505?ref=ts">Facebook</a></b> page! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807382994698146453.post-91101614057775256182012-02-29T23:07:00.000-05:002012-03-05T14:32:11.888-05:00March Break 2012: Learn with Your Whole Family!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SvNFs70jPeo/T06jinHO4zI/AAAAAAAAAac/f8Bq9M4qrXI/s1600/KFR+Zombie+cupcakes+0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SvNFs70jPeo/T06jinHO4zI/AAAAAAAAAac/f8Bq9M4qrXI/s200/KFR+Zombie+cupcakes+0926.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Einstein or Scarecrow Brain Cupcakes?</span></i></b></td></tr>
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How will you learn with your family during March Break 2012? Shhh... Here's a little secret we're letting you in on - we get guests who attend a foodie or ghost walk at other times of the year, and then return with their whole family for March Break or any other holidays. By "whole family", I'm referring to their own parents plus their children, all in tow, for good old-fashioned quality tri-generational time-out filled with equal portion of food, food for thought, fun and a wee bit of physical activity called gentle walking that meets Dr. Oz's approval.<br />
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Here's something to mull over: learning happens in everything we do. If you decide to stay home half of March Break Week, learning still happens in everything we do. Yup. Whether you team up to sort laundry, draft a grocery list, or discover a new route to grandma, you are learning <i>together</i>. You could also learn with your family on interactive, theme walking tours... Imagine the fun and challenge in learning Dim Sum chopsticks and tea pouring etiquette for grandparents and the kids along one of our <b>Second Chinatown Foodie Walks</b>; learning to read a Toronto map circa 1842 on the hunt for clues that would lead us to sites connected with Charles Dickens along<b> In The Footsteps of Charles Dickens: Toronto 1842 Wal</b><b>k</b>; discover how to research a haunted site for one of the four ghost walks. Learning together, whether it's tri-generational or bi-generational, is a memorable, experiential and fun journey for all. Don't forget to bring along your digital cameras (and spare batteries!). Have a glance at which repertoire of walks will tickle your family's fancy...<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">*** March Break 2012 Schedule ***</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVYE0awbMvQ/T07vaCFvZdI/AAAAAAAAAas/HIUTkqxmhpU/s1600/KFR+MBC+Lucky+hot+choc+170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVYE0awbMvQ/T07vaCFvZdI/AAAAAAAAAas/HIUTkqxmhpU/s200/KFR+MBC+Lucky+hot+choc+170.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Foodies Walks for the budding Culinary Historians/Food Professionals - </span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i> </i></b></span>*<b> Kensington Foodies Roots Walk *</b><br />
Saturday March 17, 24, 2012 9:30 AM-1:00 PM<br />
Meeting Place: Red Pole with Black Cat, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St<br />
Spots available: 11<br />
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* <b>Second Chinatown Foodie Walk *</b><br />
<b></b> Sunday March 11, 18, 25, 2012 10:00 AM- 1:30 PM<br />
Meeting Place: Lucky Moose Statue, 393 Dundas St W/Beverley<br />
Spots available: 11<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Literary Detective Walks for the Da Vinci Code crowd - </span></i></b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpyqtcSYPeA/T07t-YY5oxI/AAAAAAAAAak/v1YbZ-BUVHE/s1600/Dickens+1842+pic+01013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpyqtcSYPeA/T07t-YY5oxI/AAAAAAAAAak/v1YbZ-BUVHE/s200/Dickens+1842+pic+01013.jpg" width="200" /></a> * <b>In The Footsteps of Charles Dickens: </b><br />
<b> Toronto 1842</b> <br />
Saturday March 10, 2012 3:00-5:30 PM<br />
Meeting Place: St. Lawrence Market,<br />
middle door 93 Front St E<br />
Spots available: 12<br />
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* <b>Swansea & LM Montgomery Walk </b><br />
Saturday March 24, 2012 3:00-5:30 PM<br />
Meeting Place: Runneymede Stn,<br />
Runneymede exit by phone booths<br />
Spots available: 12<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ghost Walks for the Ghost Busters/Vampire Vanquishers - </span></i></b><br />
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* <b>Haunted Yorkville, U of T & Queen's Park Walk</b> *<br />
Tuesdays March 13, 20, 2012 6:30-9:00 PM<br />
Meeting Place: ROM's front steps between 2 marble lions<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-3xP1r5TuA/T06i0ECgsNI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Ws4wQl-mg30/s1600/PPP+OCH+scary+face+II+0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-3xP1r5TuA/T06i0ECgsNI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Ws4wQl-mg30/s200/PPP+OCH+scary+face+II+0952.jpg" width="200" /></a> Spots available: 12<br />
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* <b>Phantoms, Players & Pundits Walk</b> *<br />
Wednesday March 14, 21, 2012 6:30-9:00PM<br />
Meeting Place: Old City Hall, front steps<br />
Spots available: 12<br />
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* <b>Haunted Kensington, Chinatown & The Grange Walk</b> *<br />
Thursday March 15, 22, 2012 6:30-9:00 PM<br />
Meeting Place: Red Pole with Black Cat, 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St.<br />
Spots available: 12<br />
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* <b>Ghosts, Greasepaint & Gallows Walk</b> *<br />
Friday March 16, 23, 2012 6:30-9:00 PM<br />
Meeting Place: St. Lawrence Market, middle door 93 Front St E.<br />
Spots available: 12<br />
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What are you waiting for? </div>
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Space is limited to ensure that participants enjoy an intimate, </div>
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interactive learning experience. </div>
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Book now to avoid being disappointed!</div>
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Give us a shout at (416) 923-6813 or </div>
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send us an e-mail booking at <a href="mailto:info@torontowalksbikes.com">info@torontowalksbikes.com</a></div>
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We look forward to a fantastic March Break journey with you and your loved ones!<br />
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<br />Shirley Lumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217212324887668481noreply@blogger.com0