Sesame Street: Cookie Monster Auditions for SNL

I thought I would share this as I think Cookie Monster should totally host SNL! Please watch the video and give me your thoughts?

Winter Woofstock

Woofstock is an event where dog lovers come together to celebration everything about dogs! This is a yearly event that occurs every summer in Toronto however, this year they organizers of Woofstock have created a special winter celebration.

From 10am-7pm

November 27th-28th

at the Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Place

Come celebrate the holiday season with your dog and participate in events like breakfast with Santa, best costume contest, Mr. & Mrs. K9 Canada Pageant, Stupid dog tricks contest and so much more. With over 150 vendors and exhibitors there is something for every dog lover.

For more information visit www.winterwoofstock.com or call 416-234-WOOF

7 things to know about buying a condo

A little research goes a long way to choosing the right condo.

By Mark Weisleder

A condominium is like a small town. It has a board of directors made up of its residents much like a local council, it has rules, restrictions, bylaws and even fines for misbehavior. The condo across the street that looks the same, but it may be a completely different community.

That’s why it pays to keeping a handful of things to keep in mind when it comes to finding the right unit for you.

1. The 3P’s – Pets, People and Parking

Many condos prohibit or restrict pets from dogs and cats, to goldfish and snakes. There may also be rules restricting the number of people that can occupy a unit, whether you can barbecue on the balcony or put a satellite dish on the outside wall. Other restrictions include the time of day when you can play musical instruments, use the pool or the party room.

There may be further restrictions about renting your unit. Your parking spot may be owned by you or owned by the condominium, and this will affect whether you can sell your parking space or be able to buy one from another unit for a second car.

2. Reserve Fund

How much money is in the reserve fund and how much is needed? The board must make sure that the common condo elements, including the lobby, hallways, elevators, furnace, roof and parking garage are always maintained and repaired. This means conducting reserve fund studies. Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will add approximately 4 per cent to a condo’s annual expenses because items such as utilities, security, landscaping and snow removal are now being taxed. So common condo expenses will rise going forward. If the condo’s reserve fund isn’t topped up it could lead to costly special assessments in the future. If there is no reserve fund study done, be very wary of buying.

3. Professional management

Most condo directors do not have the business, legal or people skills required to manage their building. They are responsible for a budget that could be in the millions and must also deal with disputes between owners and the condo corporation. They also require a working understanding of the Provincial Condominium legislation that governs their condo. Even a relatively simple decision such as when to turn on the air conditioning requires someone who understands how the system works, as the decision will affect unit owners in different ways, depending on whether they are on the sunny or shady side of the building.

That’s why a property manager helps. This person can offer advice and help solve problems among unit owners.

4. Insurance deductible

If your building insurance policy contains a $5,000 or $10,000 deductible, then be sure to speak to an insurance specialist about obtaining your own unit coverage to protect your contents and any improvements that you make to your unit.

5. Were alterations legal?

If any alterations were made – check to make sure that any necessary approval was obtained by the condo board, so you do not have to go through the cost of getting approved – which could require further inspection and certification by plumbers, architects or engineers.

6. Do the owners get along?

Knock on some doors before you buy and ask people about the building. Also have a look at the minutes of the last annual meeting. Was it orderly or were many items disputed. You can tell a lot about whether owners get along as a group by what takes place at the annual meeting. Be suspicious if there has not been a meeting in over a year.

7. Status Certificate

The status certificate issued by each condo should provide an up to date copy of all important condominium documents, the budget, the last annual meeting, whether there are arrears of common expenses, any special assessments being considered and whether or not there has been a Reserve Fund Study. Your purchase agreement must be conditional on your being satisfied with the contents of this important document. Review this carefully with your real estate salesperson and your lawyer.

Before deciding on which condominium town you would like to live in, ask the right questions in advance and you won’t be hit with unwelcome surprises after you move in.

Tip Box – 7 Steps

Check out all condominium restrictions – People, Pets and Parking

Is the building professionally managed – if not – be careful

Is there a reserve fund study? – if not – be very careful

Is there an insurance deductible? – if so, you need to obtain your own personal policy

Have any alterations to the unit been properly approved?

Do the owners get along? – speak to people in the building and ask for minutes of the last annual meeting

Make any deal conditional on being satisfied with the Status Certificate

The Santa Claus Parade

You know Christmas is just around the corner when you start seeing all the Christmas commercials hit the airwaves and the music at the mall turns to Christmas carols. However, nothing jump starts me more into the holiday spirit then the Santa Claus Parade. Since 1905 thousands of people have lined the streets to watch the annual Santa Claus Parade.

Ever since I was a baby my parents would take me to the Santa Claus parade as it was just down the street from my grandparents house on Euclid and Bloor. The Santa Claus parade holds many fond memories as my sisters and I would rush through our lunch at our grandparents house to then go join our Mom who was patiently saving our seats by the road. Each year my sisters and I would pick out our favourite floats and anxiously await for the end of the parade where we would get to catch a glimpse of the man in red and white. This yearly tradition only ended for me once my grandparents both passed away and I decided to watch from the comforts of my home, however my sister's haven't given it up and still go watch it with my mom to this day.

The parade route starts at Bloor Street West and Christie Street, moves East to Avenue Road, south to Queen's Park, and along University Avenue, east on Dundas to Yonge Street, and continues south to Front Street. From Front Street it turns east and ends at Front and Church streets. For information about where to park, check the official Santa Claus Parade website.

Taking place at Yonge Dundas Square as a prelude to the parade is the President's Choice Financial Santa Claus Parade Breakfast, with complimentary breakfast and coffee. The breakfast includes a pre-parade show with jugglers, balloon artists, face painting, and celebrity clowns.

Pictures from Frocktail

My friend Katie and I had a wonderful time at the Frocktail party held this past Friday. We forgot our cameras so I had to get these from the photographer who was on site. The party was a success with over 700 guests in attendance and a total of $37,000 was raised for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Clothes Shopping on the Danforth

Two of my favourite places to shop for clothes on the Danforth are Five-O-Seven and Social Butterfly.

Five-O-Seven is an ultra chic and stylish store offering the latest trends for both men and women. They carry brands such as Rock & Republic, Antik, Seven for All Mankind, Firetrap, Jack Jones, Ben Shermen and many more. They also carry a variety of unique items you won't find anywhere else as their buyer shops around the Globe to bring the latest and greatest items to this small shop. I once bought a dress from Melbourne, Australia thinking no one in Toronto would ever have this dress as and then I walked into Five-O-Seven a few months later only to find it on their rack. I was very impressed as this dress was not from any major label and bought at a small boutique in Melbourne.

Social Butterfly is an eclectic boutique that offers a little bit of everything for the urban female. Here you will find fabulous flirty dresses, gorgeous jewelry and sexy, comfortable footwear! They offer popular brands like Kensie and French Connection but also a lot of other brands you won't find anywhere else in the city. They are proud supporters of Canadian designers and sell all Canadian made jewelry and other fine accessories. The two young girls who run the store are very friendly and accommodating making your shopping experience always pleasurable.

If your ever in the Danforth area I strongly recommend coming into these stores and checking out what they have. I guarantee you will be very impressed!