Upside of Culture - You've got to move it!

Not that I'm trying to turn culture thursdays into dance party listings but there two very awesome nights going on this weekend. 

To start what will no doubt be a long running night called "Murder at The Ossington" held at the new bar The Ossington(61 Ossington.) DJ Bilbao will be 'playing weird sounds, disturdbing oddities, and guilty pleasures' every 2nd thursday of the month starting 

tonight, Thursday July 10. Check out his  murdershepodcasted podcast. It's very good, I promise.

Will Munro is kickin' up dance parties of the past with NO T.O. happening at The Beaver(1192 Queen St. W.) Back in my youngster days I couldn't pass up on this night when it was at Thymeless. It was my sanctuary. Dreams in No Wave/Italian Disco/Post Punk. Gawd my feet never hurts so much.

On a side note check out the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit at Nathan Phillips Square running Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Though some of it can be pricey and stale, occasionally you'll find an artist with some punch. If you've got any happenings you're hitting up this weekend, be sure to post them below. 

ciao!

mike.

Upside on Sustainability-Friendship For Food...anybody?

Every time we'd gather with friends the same question arose-why can't we just go back to the good ole days, the days of barter? Yeah, it would be just dandy to trade a meal for a drawing or a skill for a skill?  Well we recently befriended someone* who told us about this righteous site "The Freeconomy Community". I thought yes, finally an answer! So I clicked join community. Like every login page it asks for your name, email, place of origin, and all that jazz. Then it asks select skills you have. I felt fruitless. The only thing I could offer was cooking or sewing, baby/pet sitting or clothing swapping, maybe storytelling? I would not last five minutes in a world of barter. "Excuse me sir! For that (took you blood, sweat, tears and a whole year to produce) delicious homemade bread, I'll jaggedly re-construct your oversized  jacket* for you? heh heh..?!" What a jackass I'd be. I can't join this community. Also predominately living in an urban money based society does not help me, I'd feel embarrassed and ashamed.  My identity demands dexterity. I mean I strongly believe in a just for the love of it mentality and hope more people join and try to create a less money grueling way of life...oh okay, alright, I'll keep my profile. Who knows, someone might just want a friend to help them with odd jobs or needs a last minute crappy seamstress, or a  pretty awesome stylist, or a makeshift hairdresser or a crazy awesome babysitter or a...

lovelove

.tash.

*thanks Jason

*sorry Damien...gnyah gnyah (collar pull)

Dahling Dora: K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

I'm new to this city, what are the good make-out spots in Toronto?

signed, 

Lip Action Places in Toronto

Dearest, Lapit:

A lady never kisses and tells but in this case. I'll let you in on my top five favourite make-out spots in Toronto.

1. Right smack in  Trinity Bellwoods there is this hill looking down upon a baseball field surrounded by trees and on a secluded bench, I once kissed a boy there while the sun was setting. Just Magic! 

2. Anywhere really in the Don Valley Brick Works. It's architecture would make anyone randy. I once made-out near Mud Creek beside a purdy little pond.

3. Top level in Chinatown's Dragon Centre there is this restaurant, you must walk through the restaurant on the left to a balcony, best view of the skyline and perfect for locking lips!

4. Listening to crashing waves while sitting on rocks near woodbine beach or on any beach. 

5.  And last but definitely not the least, smooching on Centre Island in Centreville's  Far Enough Farm (the islands petting zoo). When it's feeding time for the birds and you're stuck in the middle of them, eating your chocolate icecream. Thats the best time for kissing. Oh and make sure to canoodle in the hedge maze too!

hope that helps. 

wink.

DD

Upside of...Culture is Fashion

This Friday night "Ladytron" is playing at harbour- front centre in Toronto- FOR FREE!

http://ladytron.nettwerk.com/tour

What to wear, hmmm, what to wear....
dress up like... a robotic witch
dress up like... a firework display
dress up like... 2001
dress up like...a casio watch

Upside of...Culture -See Friday

Upside on ...Sustainability, Pest Control 1

Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control

Let's face it, summer means bugs -or as some would call them, pests. You could run out and buy chemical containing repellents, and bug killers, but why should you, when there are natural and effective ways of minimizing these "visitors". Over the next few weeks, We'll share some tips to incorporate bug patrol into your lifestyle that not only cuts out the chemical middle-man, but is cheap, re-uses material, and allows for a breath of fresh air.

This week we review the ever popular fruit fly.
Many of us have experienced the annoyance of fruit flies that fester in swarms around ripened fruit. Once you have them, you can expect more if left to their own devises. 

There are a few things worth trying. If you are leaving fruit and veggies out to ripen, wash them first, and wash peels/scraps before you place into the compost; this will wash some of the eggs laid and reduce amounts hatched. Add paper on top of food scraps in your compost to keep snoopy flies at bay. For catching matured flies, you can build your own trap with a few resourceful tools (we found these instructions/pics on nyccompost.org)

TRAPPING fruit flies
Here are two kinds of fruit fly traps you can make yourself:

1. Funnel fly trap. Pour some apple cider or beer into a glass jar and add a drop of natural dish or laundry detergent. Cut the corner off a plastic sandwich bag and place it into the jar; secure the plastic-bag "funnel" with a rubber band around the rim of the jar.

2. Bottle fly trap. Cut a small plastic water or soda bottle in half. Fill the bottom half with some apple cider or beer and a drop of natural dish or laundry detergent. Turn the top half upside down and place it into the bottom half so that the neck forms a funnel. Secure the two halves with tape.

You could also try a drop of lavender, tea tree, or oregano oil instead of the detergent. Happy fly catching!

Dahling Dora is on Vacation

Dora is enjoying a quiet week sipping her americano's, reading through letters, and catching up on talk o' the town gossip. She will return next week fresh faced and bright eyed to answer your questions. 

Send questions to: dahlingdora@gmail.com, Visit her at Dark Horse Espresso Bar @ 682 Queen St East Toronto for a tete-a-tete.