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Valentine’s day has come and gone, and there is still so much love happening in #FebruaryMonthofLove.  Today, our Love blog is about Love, History of the  Maple Leaf,  and 50 year celebrations.      February 15th is  the 50th  Birthday of the Maple Leaf –  our beloved Canadian Flag  .  On Parliament Hill, at noon on February 15, 1965, The Maple Leaf flag made its first official appearance.  Since then, February 15 has been recognized  annually as National Flag of Canada Day  .

The East End has deep roots (parden the pun) with the Maple Leaf.  In 1867, local resident Alexander Muir composed the patriotic song “The Maple Leaf Forever“, which became an unofficial anthem in English-speaking Canada.  The tree that inspired this song stood strong and proud for well over 140 years on Laing St near Queen E and Leslie (in the BIA of our Easterly Neighbours of Leslieville).  The tree fell in a storm in 2013.  However, over 48 logs of various sizes were salvaged.  The City of Toronto has engaged  local designers and artists to create over 400 items to preserve the tree’s legacy.

Make Love Happen on February 15, 2015 – I challenge you to “Share your Moment with the Flag”

Coinciding with National Flag Day,  from February 15 through  to the 18, a selection of the 410 items produced from the tree will be on display in the City Hall Rotunda. The items include pieces commissioned by the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Heritage Trust and the Toronto Public Library.  Additionally, many of the items produced from the tree will be on display in museums and historical societies across Canada.

If you can’t get out to City Hall – you can celebrate  the 50^th anniversary of the Maple Leaf  anywhere, by taking part in the “Share your Moment with the Flag” Challenge.

This challenge gives us an opportunity, as Canadians, to show our love for, and to honour the National Flag of Canada, a symbol that is recognized and respected around the world and an enormous source of pride.

Express yourself! Fifty years is worth celebrating in style!  And..as East Enders – we can be Especially Proud that we are home to the Maple Leaf Forever Inspiration!

But Wait a minute…….we couldn’t do a blog about the East End and 50 years without giving a shout out to  George ‘the chess playing barber’ Iliadis .  While quite a few years after Alexander Muir’s time; George has watched the Riverside neighbourhood evolve from a former working class area to one of the most coveted communities east of the Don River, all from the front window of his Broadview Beauty Parlour and Barber Shop  at 741 Queen St E

During that time, he’s cut the hair of generations of area residents, many of whom he views as family and friends.

George is als0 is a  card-carrying ACTRA member, he’s appeared in several commercials and films in recent years including Cinderella Man, Nikita and Soul Patrol to name a few.

George recently celebrated  50 years of business and  50 years of marriage. In honour of George’s  50 years of business, he received a scroll from the City of Toronto, a plaque from the Riverside BIA, as well as certificates from Mayor Rob Ford, Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, among others.

Do pop in to 741 for a hair cut, shave…and a game of chess!  George will treat you like a king!

Happy National Flag Day!

Don’t forget to come back and read tomorrow’s Blog on the 16th Day of #FebruaryMonthOfLove!

Friday the 13th! Bad Valentine’s Eve Day – Love vs Anti-Love?…Whatever…just #LoveYourself!

We have all had our share of bad Valentine’s Day memories (ok, I have….at least) Today Valentine’s Eve, the 13th Day of February falls on what many consider to be the unluckiest day of the year!  For our 13th Blog post in #FebruaryMonthOfLove – we are  getting some inspiration from some unlucky  superstitions and some  past Bad LOVE dates on Friday the 13th.

If you are one of those who hides at home on Feb 13th, and stays in bed paralyzed by fear you have the phobia friggatriskaidekaphobia.  Frigga from the name of the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named, and triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number thirteen.  Here are some of the popular myths and superstitions surrounding the day:

• If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family will die.
• If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die.
• Do not start a trip on Friday or you will encounter misfortune.
• If you break a mirror on Friday the 13th, you will have seven years of bad luck.
• A child born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life.
• Ships that set sail on a Friday will have bad luck.
• If you walk under a ladder or if a black cat crosses you on Friday the 13th, you will have bad luck.

Not really any Love Spells happening with any of these supersitions are there.  We think it’s interesting to remember that on this Day in 2009 The famous Bad Valentine’s Day Episode went on Air.  Liz Lemon (Tina Fey ) and dashing Dr. Baird (Jon Hamm of madMen Fame) have a Horrible First Date on  Valentine’s Day,  meanwhile Elisa and Jack attend a Valentine’s Church service and find a McFlurry coupon in the collection plate.  Believing  it is a sign from God because both Elisa and Jack love theMcDonald’s dessert. they end up spending Valentine’s Day together at a McDonald’s.\

Make Your Own Love History on Feb 13, Valentine’s Eve

On Friday Feb 13th – don’t worry about scoring a Valentine’s Date – we want you to “Love YourSelf”. On the 13th Day of Valentine’s bring your true love to OMA Chiropractic at 1 Munro Ave (Queen & Munro)  and give you an evening to Love Yourself

Plan to visit OMA Chiropractic at 1 Munro Ave (Queen & Munro) for an evening to connect to your self-care practices!

$5 door, all $ going to Nellie’s Shelter for Women & Children

Light refreshments will be served!

Guests for the evening:

Anice Jewellery – create a 1 of a kind piece stamped with a special message for you or a loved one

Lisa D. Hickey – Give your loved one a Hickey! 😉

Moonstone Readings – tarot card readings

Doris Jelacic RMT – chair massages for shoulders and neck

Cathy Keenan – DIY acupressure for calming the heart

AND MORE!

PLUS:

Michelle Pobega, Naturopathic Doctor will be giving a talk starting around 8:00pm about Skin Care 101: Optimizing Skin Health Naturally for Men & Women

Stay tuned tomorrow for our post on  The Big Day – Valentines

The countdown is on.  We are on Day 12 of #FebruaryMonthOfLove and 2 days until Valentines.  Now is the time to act and make your romantic Dinner reservation.  Riverside has what you are looking for – from French to Italian to Sushi and more.  Award Winning Restaurants with Expert Chef’s,  the best hosts in the business, and amazing food for every palate.  On the 12th day of Valentine’s – my true love gave to me reservation at one of the Restaurants I love in Riverside:

Here is a sample of what you can choose from:

 Table 17  (782 Queen St E) – picked by VV Magazine as a Top Restaurant in Toronto for Valentine’s Day!

They have a Special $60 Prix Fixe Valentine’s Day menu Friday February 13th AND Saturday February 14th! Lots of room available on Friday!  Table 17 is a continental bistro with seasonally driven menus, inspired by some of the very best local ingredients Ontario has to offer. If you’re looking for an inspired meal in a casually refined setting, look no further than Table 17.Please visit here to make a reservation

Mazz Bistro 806 Queen St E  www.mazzbistro.com

Mazz Japanese Bistro in Riverside, offers an elegant Japanese experience. An wide array of sushi, sashimi, maki are available, as well as cooked seafood, vegetarian selections. Hot dishes include a variety of teriyakis and udon soups. “Love Boats” are made to accommodate large groups.  For Valentines Day – Mazz is pleased to offer:

Valentine’s Special Dinner for Two- only $55 per couple:

Soup
Two Gyoza Soup -House made mini chinken dumpling and egg in clear broth

Appetizer
Two yakitori -Grilled chicken and greenonion skewer
Two Ebi Mayo- Breaded Tiger shrimp with Japanese mayonaise
Two Kaki Fry-  Breaded Oyster with special sauce

Main (to share)
8 pcs Assorted Sashimi (4 kinds of fish) http://youtu.be/-BjD1g7ztOY

Visit Here to make a reservation

 Tabule  at   810 Queen St East

Husband and wife team, Chef Rony Goraichy and Diana Sideris, are the heart of Tabülè. Using the freshest quality ingredients, Goraichy’s special cultural expertise and interpretation of traditional dishes has created a broad menu with robust flavour that is sure to delight the senses.  For Feb 14th, they have a special Couple’s Menu for Valentine’s – please read their menu below:

 Or perhaps you might prefer  something a bit more cheeky – The County General at 798 Queen East – – is pleased to offer an Anti-Valentine’s Day Menu:

At the County General, they make great food, inspired and supplied by Ontario farms and producers, bringing flavor to the forefront of honest cooking, welcoming every one of you as friends and family, and always serving up a good time. We hope you’ll call the County home!  Call (416) 781-4743 to reserve.

This is just a sampling of the Valentine’s Menu’s in Riverside!  You gotta love it!  Book a table for 2 NOW!  They are filling up FAST!

On the twelfth day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me – a confirmed reservation at a Riverside Restaurant, a spinning package at Quad East;Flowers from Quince Flowers, Authentic British Cadbury Chocolate from Empire by Bullet , a romantic Italian dinner from Il Ponte, Red Carpet worthy Duds from Common Sort and Bergstrom’s Originals, a free Tibetan Yoga class on Feb 14th atenergyXchange  an afternoon skating on the  Jimmy Simpson Outdoor Rink;  an evening to Love myself at OMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

We are now just 3 days away from Valentine’s day – which is the mid-point of our #FebruaryMonthofLove series, if you are a regular reader, you will know that we have been posting a  daily romantic reasons to get all kissy this month – we have taken our inspiration from special moments in history and current events.  On this day, in the not to distant history we get inspired by a Hunk  from the most  successful romance story of recent times

Hunky Twilight  Love happened in History on February 11 1992

Taylor Lautner is born in Grand Rapids, MI. And that’s the obligatory Twilight reference.   I mean really, how could we do an entire series on Love, and not at least have one post on Twilight.  And as a bonus Tayler also was in the movie Valentine’s Day, released in 2010 on February 12.

Taylor Daniel Lautner is an American actor, model, and martial artist. Lautner is best known for playing Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga film series based on the novels of the same name by Stephenie Meyer.

As a child, Lautner took up martial arts and was ranked number one in his category by the American Sports Karate Association.

The late 2000s saw Lautner become a teen idol and sex symbol, after extensively changing his physique to keep the role of Jacob Black in further Twilight installments, and generating media attention for his looks. In 2010, he was ranked second on Glamour‘s “The 50 Sexiest Men of 2010” list, and fourth on People‘s “Most Amazing Bodies” list.

Make Hunky Love History on Feb 11, 2015

So, you wanna get that body in shape like hunky Taylor Lautner?  While you are at it –  get your heart in shape too!  Now is the time to go Spinning at Quad East at 672 Queen E, in Riverside .  Quad spinning is committed to providing a positive and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring every client feels  respected and pampered, regardless of age, shape or fitness ability.  – and in time for Valentines – you and your loved one can join with the special Quad Spin packages BOGO 50% off only until Monday February 16th!

Be sure to check www.Riverside-to.com tomorrow – for Day 12 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

On the Fourth Day of Valentine’s my true love game to me:  an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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.

On the Fifth Day of Valentine’s my true love game to me a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

On the Sixth Day of Valentine,s my true love gave to me:  an evening to Love myself atOMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

On the Seventh Day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me: a free Tibetan Yoga class on Feb 14th atenergyXchange  an afternoon skating on the  Jimmy Simpson Outdoor Rink;  an evening to Love myself at OMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

On the Eight Day of Valentine’s my true love game to me:  a romantic Italian dinner from Il Ponte, Red Carpet worthy Duds from Common Sort and Bergstrom’s Originals, a free Tibetan Yoga class on Feb 14th atenergyXchange  an afternoon skating on the  Jimmy Simpson Outdoor Rink;  an evening to Love myself at OMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

On the Ninth Day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me:  Authentic British Cadbury Chocolate from Empire by Bullet , a romantic Italian dinner from Il Ponte, Red Carpet worthy Duds from Common Sort and Bergstrom’s Originals, a free Tibetan Yoga class on Feb 14th atenergyXchange  an afternoon skating on the  Jimmy Simpson Outdoor Rink;  an evening to Love myself at OMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

On the tenth day of Valentine’s, my true love gave to me:  Flowers from Quince Flowers, Authentic British Cadbury Chocolate from Empire by Bullet , a romantic Italian dinner from Il Ponte, Red Carpet worthy Duds from Common Sort and Bergstrom’s Originals, a free Tibetan Yoga class on Feb 14th atenergyXchange  an afternoon skating on the  Jimmy Simpson Outdoor Rink;  an evening to Love myself at OMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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

On the eleventh day of Valentine’s my true love gave to me:  a spinning package at Quad East;Flowers from Quince Flowers, Authentic British Cadbury Chocolate from Empire by Bullet , a romantic Italian dinner from Il Ponte, Red Carpet worthy Duds from Common Sort and Bergstrom’s Originals, a free Tibetan Yoga class on Feb 14th atenergyXchange  an afternoon skating on the  Jimmy Simpson Outdoor Rink;  an evening to Love myself at OMA Chiropractic, Children’s toys from Little Peeps, British Swag from Empire By Bullet,  a Valentine’s card from     Keep Me Posted an afternoon at Dreamy Beauty Bar  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