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14 Days of Valentines in RiversideTO – Day 3 #FebruaryMonthOfLove

February 2, 2015

General Interest

Day 3 of RiversideTO’s #FebruaryMonthofLove series takes a look at a very significant piece of Love History from the early 1800s, and by sheer coincidence in 2015, this day marks the first day of “Nineties Week” as proclaimed by Riverside’s own The Tiny Record Shop . So much to celebrate – and we are only on day 3!! Let’s begin by looking back in time…

Love happened on February 3, 1809

On this day – Felix Mendelssohn, German composer, is born. Mendelssohn has sent bouquets a-flying down the aisle thousands of times since with his iconic “Wedding March” composition, which was performed in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, portraying the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and Hippolyta. Mendelssohn wrote the overture for A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1926 when he was only 17 years old. But it was 16 years later that in 1842 that he wrote the incidentals for the play which included world-famous Wedding March. Both the song and the play are enduring.

Make Your own History on February 3, 2015

In honor of Felix, the ultimate Love Composer – we pay tribute to Music and Weddings for the inspiration behind the song… On the 3rd day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me…

First – Music – The hottest music scene in town is The Tiny Record Shop in behind Token Gift Shop at 804 Queen St E. Trevor and Maude are the duo behind the shop – they live and work in the East End and are all about LOVE.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE – they love music, love each other and love the east end – there’s a triple love threat for Feb 3rd!! Coincidence that it is the opening day of Nineties week. I think not! Come in and pick up some previously loved vinyl (from the 90’s). These original vinyl pressings will all be waiting for you at the shop for Nineties Week! — withBeastie Boys, Sunny Day Real Estate, Teenage Fanclub, Lenny Kravitz, Sonic Youth, Looper andSpacemen 3. Today on the 3rd day in the Month of Love- The Tiny Record Shop is celebrating Nineties week!

Hold on there…we can’t celebrate the First Day of Nineties week, without a shout out to Common Sort at 800 Queen St E – just next door, pick up some Vintage 90s – or search for other gently loved items.

Come often (not just Feb 3rd) check out vintage finds – and some new stuff . Sign up for Tiny Record shop newsletter here for Vinyl updates and check out Common Sorts Facebook page

Second – Weddings! People from all over search out the talents of Desmond & Beatrice at 750 Queen St East. They strive to create memorable cupcakes and the most delicious treats for the special events in your life. Weddings – ya sure, but why not the 3rd day of Valentines too! (or any other day) Try one today, and give a nod to Felix and William!

Be sure to check www.Riverside-to.com tomorrow – for Day 3 of #February Month of Love.

In the mean-time – keep singing …(you know the tune)

On the First Day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me: A love letter, framed by Dimensions Framing

On the Second Day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me: Fuzzy Soft socks from IDH , Massage Oil from Keep Me Posted and a love letter framed by Dimensions Framing

On the Third Day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me: 90’s Vinyl from The Tiny Record Shop, swanky duds from Common Sort , cupcakes from Desmond & Beatrice, Fuzzy Soft socks from IDH , Massage Oil from Keep Me Posted and a love letter framed by Dimensions Framing

14 Days of Valentines in RiversideTO – Day 2 #FebruaryMonthOfLove #GroundHogDay #WheneverWherever

February 1, 2015

General Interest

Some may think that February 2nd is the time to celebrate GroundHog Day. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will persist for six more weeks.

February 2nd is also the 2nd Day of Valentines. Inspired by the cute, soft and fuzzy groundhog, it is the day to love all things cute, soft and fuzzy.

Continuing with the RiversideTO FebruaryMonthOfLove Series …on the 2nd day of Valentines – we will look back in time and then see how we can make Love history today.

Love happened on February 2, 1977 –

International pop sensation Shakira (née Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) is born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Let’s cut to the chase…there comes a time in any romance when the sentiments expressed in the lyrics to her hit song “Whenever, Wherever” are exactly what’s needed.

Make your own History February 2, 2015 –

We’ve got ground hogs and Shakira to work with. Let’s start singing the Valentine’s Song….on the second day of Valentines, my true love game to me…..

soft and fuzzy lambswool socks from Irish Design House (IDH)

When visiting their store at 756 Queen St East, you will fall in love with Sinéad Clarke – IDH owner and knitwear designer. There is a sense of calm within the store with soft lighting and the sound of the vintage records playing in the background. Check out their website here for more fantastic products – sweaters, headbands and more – many of them are cute, soft and fuzzy too!

Now that we have Ground Hog day covered..lets have some Love Fun with Shakira’s anthem…You will be singing Whenever, Whenever after you belt out “On the second day of Valentines my true love gave to me:

Spice of Amour Massage Oil from Keep Me Posted at 724 1/2 Queen St East

Owner Christine has brought in some new Massage oils. Pick up a Sampler Kit for your true love – each comes with 4x 4ml vials of massage oils, Do Not Disturb sign and a tea light packaged in kraft bag with anatomical heart image. They are made locally with essential oils and blended with coconut oil, olive oil and almond oil. Why not add some to a bath with your true love….and sing like Shakira ..”Whenever…Wherever…”

Be sure to check www.Riverside-to.com tomorrow – for Day 3 of #February Month of Love.

In the mean-time – keep singing …(you know the tune)

On the First Day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me: A love letter, framed by Dimensions Framing

On the Second Day of Valentine’s my true love game to me: Fuzzy Soft socks from IDH , Massage Oil from Keep Me Posted and a love letter framed by Dimensions Framing

14 Days of Valentines in RiversideTO – Day 1 #FebruaryMonthOfLove #LoveSuperBowl

January 31, 2015

General Interest

It is official: February, the month of love has arrived.

February is the month when some of us celebrate Valentine’s Day by the giving of candy, flowers, and much more. Let’s not limit ourselves to only one day in February to celebrate romance. The month is still bleak and chilly, it’s the middle of winter but there are so many things to look forward to and LOVE about February. February is a perfect time for gathering with friends and loved ones in a local gathering hole, splurging for a massage or make-over, sending love notes, and lets not forget romantic dinners, chocolate, and flowers

During February – the month of Love -, we will be posting 28 romantic reasons (one each day) to get all kissy this month. We will reflect on some special moments in history, and how you can make your own history during February.

So…Happy February to all – and let’s get started on our daily tribute to February…

It happened on February 1, 1811

Jane Austen spends the month writing Mansfield Park, her last novel. I think we can all agree that the world is a better place now that Jane Austen has been in it? Yes, we most certainly can.

Take a stroll down Queen St East, and visit Riverside’s Lovely Library – Queen/Saulter Branch. Ask Judy or Sam to help you find some of Jane Austin’s or other romance novels. Too chilly for a stroll – well check out their new facebook page here and love it (ok, “like” in facebook terminology).

Make Your own History on February 1, 2015

In the spirit of the writing about the season of Love, let’s begin this little number …(go ahead, Sing-a-long – you know the tune)

On the First Day of Valentine’s, my true love gave to me:

A love letter, framed by Dimensions Framing

Truly romantic AND unique. The perfect gift for your loved one – any day of the year, but especially in February….Whether or not you can write like Jane Austin, channel your inner Mr Darcy or Miss Lizzy and write your loved one a letter – then pop in to Dimensions Framing and let Dimensions work their magic for a one-of-a-kind gift. Dimensions Custom Framing & Gallery is located at 732 Queen St East – call 416 463 7263 or email art@dimensionsframing.com . piece of art might be the perfect gift for the one you love.

Stay tuned for the second day of Valentines – Feb 2nd !!

Wait. we can’t continue a blog post on Love, written on February 1st – SuperBowl Sunday, without mentioning “Love for Football”

It’s the big game of the year that people all across North America are making plans to watch the Big Game together – many gather their friends and head down to the big screen at the local sports bar.

What causes this love for football? Is there something deeper going on inside people’s heads when they cheer for their team? Here’s 3 reasons we love football – especially the Superbowl,

1) The Passion! – When your team makes a long run to the touchdown zone in the last few minutes of the game, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed with joy. It’s not just the good feelings that keep people coming back to the TV screen, It’s the passion.

2) We are Social! – Humans are social creatures. We love being around each other. We love to talk. We like discussing sports, not simply because we enjoy the thrill of talking about entertainment, but because we enjoy the thrill of talking to others.

3) We like to be part of a team !Football is all about teamwork.
When people talk about football games, why do you think they use words like “we” when describing what happened? It’s because, in some small way, they are a part of the team.

Wow – that’s quite a start to the Month of Love – Happy February 1st and…

On the first day of Valentines’s, head to Dimension’s Framing to get your hand-written love note framed, then cross the street and spend an afternoon FootBall Love-in at AnSibin Pub at Queen & Broadview .

I wonder what Feb 2nd has in store….check back tomorrow

How Accessible is your Business? Free Workshop on Jan 27th

January 21, 2015

General Interest

Is your business in compliance with AODA?

AODA Workshop-Riverside – Jan 27 | 6 – 8pm RTC – 765 Queen E

With the Para/Pan Games coming up, improved accessibility is of prime importance.

People with disabilities dine out, work, travel, shop and do business. People with disabilities have spending power! A Royal Bank study released in the year 2000 estimated the spending power of people with disabilities to be $25 billion dollars a year in Canada. Businesses that are accessible attract more customers and improve services for everyone.

Register NOW for the FREE Accessibility Workshop Jan 27 ; 6 – 8pm at the Ralpth Thornton Centre (765 Queen Street East) Visit HERE

AODA stands for Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act – Here is your opportunity to find what your requirements are- by law; if you are accessibble, and what you can do to be accessible

Plan to attend – Jan 27th – 6-8pm for an Accessibility Workshop .

The workshop will cover:

The business case for accessibility
Practical tips and best practices for BIAs and their communities
Tools and resources for you to take away
Opportunity to ask an accessibility expert questions and personalized support
Network and coordinate with BIA and community members
A clear understanding of what you need to do to comply with the AODA.

Register NOW for the Free Accessibility Workshop Jan 27 ; 6 – 8pm Visit HERE

Free Accessibility Workshop – Jan 27 – 6-8pm 765 Queen St E – #RiversideTO

January 7, 2015

General Interest

Accessibility is good for Businesses.

Do you know what your requirements are under the Accessibility for Ontarian s with Disabilities Act (AODA)?

Do you know how to use accessibility to build profit, strengthen employee retention and gain new and repeat customers?

Find out all this and more at the Accessibility Workshop Jan 27th

AODA Workshop-Riverside – Jan 27 | 6 – 8pm RTC – 765 Queen E

The workshop will cover:

The business case for accessibility
Practical tips and best practices for BIAs and their communities
Tools and resources for you to take away
Opportunity to ask an accessibility expert questions and personalized support
Network and coordinate with BIA and community members
A clear understanding of what you need to do to comply with the AODA.

Details:

Who: All Riverside BIA Members (please bring along any colleagues/ friends)

When: Jan 27th (2015)

Time: 6 – 8pm

Where – Ralph Thornton Center – RTC – 765 Queen St E

Register: click here

The Ralph Thornton Center is an accessible venue. In consideration of others, this workshop is scent-free.

Questions? Please contact Constance Exley 647-502-7047 or training@accessontario.com