Cabbagetown: Rick McCarthy is Coming to the JetFuel Cafe’
August 24th, 2010 categories: Around TORONTO, Cabbagetown, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle, Neighborhoods, Toronto
Rick McCarthy was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1941. A 7th-Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, McCarthy has trained for 25 years with both Kancho Takemasa Okuyama and Renshi Shah Franco at their Toronto dojos. While working with the renowned Franco, McCarthy discovered a correlation between Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and the evolution of his own half-century career as an artist. “I see my painting and my fighting as being one and the same,” McCarthy says, “a struggle for existence.”
Rick McCarthy www.rickmccarthytheartist.com
Rick McCarthy has lived on Wellesley Street for years and here is your chance to collect some great art from a famous neighborhood artist. See you at the JetFuel!
Make sure you ask him for his C.V. or visit his web site. You will be impressed!
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Today’s Rant: In Praise of Term Limits
August 3rd, 2010 categories: Business, Lifestyle, Neighborhoods, Toronto
For a good part of my life I have been involved in volunteer organizations. From an early age volunteerism was encouraged by my family. It is something that has given me a lot of joy as well as a huge education in what is the potential of the human spirit.
I was lucky enough to work with June Callwood or as we used to call her, Saint June. She was responsible for many of the community services that support Torontonians. I worked with her at Casey House Hospice , the AIDS hospice in Downtown Toronto which has become a model worldwide. In the early days I started by writing charitable receipts for donations in a corner of the basement and within a few years became the Chair of Fundraising, then a Board member, and finally President. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Need Help to Declutter and Downsize?
June 8th, 2010 categories: Downsizing, Lifestyle, Listings, Selling in Toronto
My friend and client Ann Christie has begun a great new business to help people “Declutter and Downsize”. I have known her for years and think this is a great service she is providing that all of us can use from time to time. I have no qualms at all in referring her to you. In fact, I may be calling her to help me attack my closets….doubt I will be wearing those pants with a 32 inch waist…unless they have elastic ….
Here is some information from Ann the Downsizing GURU! :
Has your home become overrun with clutter and you just don’t know how to deal with all the ‘stuff’ that you’ve collected? Don’t worry, there’s a new service in town designed specifically to help you with this dilemma – it’s called Declutter and Downsize. We offer a range of practical and effective services for home organization. Depending on your situation, we will help you organize your current home or manage the details involved in relocating. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
Cabbagetown Garden Tour: June 6th, 2010
May 8th, 2010 categories: Cabbagetown, Getting around the City, Lifestyle, Toronto
Tour the Gardens of Cabbagetown on June 6th, 2010 from 10 AM to 3 PM and enjoy some great gardens. Allow yourself to be snoopy and at the same time raise money for the Cabbagetown Preservation Association. Check out the great poster below and help get the word out. You will see some amazing gardens…I will be at one of the gardens…so try to find me!
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Musings: Who Are Your Friends?
May 4th, 2010 categories: Around TORONTO, Lifestyle
Recently I was listening to a friend of mine describe a familial relationship that has been toxic for many years and it got me thinking about the number of people one has in one’s life that are a positive influence…and the one’s that are not…
I am not sure why we do it, but sometimes we are comfortable with people around us who do not really wish us well. They are the ones we turn to when things are not going as we had hoped because we know they will lend a sympathetic ear. They enjoy our down moments, like to be needed, and are not really happy for us as we dig ourselves out of a rut.
How many friends do you have today that you can really say want the best for you? Why would you have friends and family around who don’t? Why would you continue to have those people into your life?
And you? Are you the “sympathetic ear” or are you the “kick in the butt” your friends really need?
Which one is the better friend and which one are you?
The world is full of wonderful supportive people and I would like to really thank all those who “Kick us in the butt” from time-to-time!
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
Real Estate: What is Included in the HST?
May 2nd, 2010 categories: Business, Buying in Toronto, Economy, Food, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Technology
It seems almost daily that I am reminded how little we know about the upcoming Harmonized Sales Tax. There is so much confusion in the Public’s mind about what is to be taxed and what is not to be.
The biggest misconception that I hear because of my business is that there seems to be a concern out there that resale housing draws HST. It does not. HST is only on New Constuction. However, HST is payable on any of the services that are used in the Buying or Selling of property. But again: RESALE HOUSING AT ANY PRICE DOES NOT DRAW “HST”, only the services that are involved.
For a full view of what is taxed, I’d like to thank Lori Nichol of Forest Hill Realty Inc. who forwarded me this great summary. To make it easy to view you can easily make it “Full Screen”.
If you would like it in .pdf format jusr click here.
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Great Support for Haiti from the Toronto Real Estate Board
February 18th, 2010 categories: Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Toronto
February 17, 2010 — With Greater Toronto REALTORS’® individual donations, the federal government’s matching funds, and a TREB donation combined, Members of the Toronto Real Estate Board contributed nearly $75,000 to help those affected by last month’s earthquake in Haiti.
According to the Canadian Red Cross , Greater Toronto REALTORS’® individual donations to relief efforts in Haiti reached $12,085.
This amount will be doubled by the federal government, which pledged to match all individual Canadians’ contributions up to February 12th.
On behalf of Greater Toronto REATORS® TREB also donated $50,000 to Canadian Red Cross initiatives in Haiti. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
TRAVEL: Antarctica, Part 2
January 17th, 2010 categories: Food, Lifestyle, Travel
Part 2 of our photos from the trip:
Here are the photos of our trip to Antarctica, a 20 day cruise on HollandAmerica from Chile to Brazil. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
TRAVEL: Antarctica Trip Part 1
January 17th, 2010 categories: Lifestyle, Photos, Travel
Here is Part 1 of our photos of Antarctica. The trip was from Santiago Chile’ to Rio de Janeiro and is in 3 parts.
Here are the photos of our trip to Antarctica, a 20 day cruise on HollandAmerica from Chile to Brazil. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Real Estate: Downsizing with Style and Grace: Part Three
January 4th, 2010 categories: Buying in Toronto, Downsizing, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Selling in Toronto
The Reality of “Rightsizing”
There are times when “Downsizing or Rightsizing” becomes a must and not an option. Sadly, the topic is often controversial with the person needing to “Rightsize”. The process means a lack of independence, and many will fight any suggestion to move to a more accommodating living space.
We live in a City where there are very few spaces, other than apartments, that can allow one to live on one floor. Bungalows only exist in certain areas and those are still mostly accessible by climbing stairs. Staying in your home also means having to maintain gardens, snow removal, and routine maintenance. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
