Au Revoir! But see you at our new location!

Hello folks,

I'm sorry but we can't go on with this blog.

Blogger won't let me upload any more photos, sadly. We've maxed out the quota for pictures.

But thanks for three amazing years of blogging on this spot!

So, people, let's go over to this other location. See you there!

Field Trip Friday: CBC Sounds of the Season

Our annual visit to CBC's Sounds of the Season open house event happens this Friday. It's not something you'd want to miss. The all-day program includes choir, instrumental, and solo performances by famous musicians.

We will be leaving in two groups:

1. Those leaving from Don Mills at 9 a.m. should look out for Peter.
2. Those leaving from Sheppard Yonge at 9:30 should look out for me.

We should get off the subway at St. Andrew or Union. For a map, type this into the address bar: http://goo.gl/maps/albSo



View Larger Map

Want to drop off a food donation? You can visit us at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and drop off a food donation in the bins located at each of our entrances (250 Front St. West, 25 John St, or 205 Wellington Street West).

What are the most needed food items?

• Baby formula & food
• Beans & lentils
• Canned fruits & vegetables
• Canned fish & meat
• Cans of soup or hearty stew
• Dried pasta & tomato sauce
• Macaroni & cheese
• Peanut butter
• Rice
• Canned, powdered or Tetra Pak cartons of milk

Delay, Debouch, and Delight

Jenny, Miao Ying, Di, Helena, Yan, Mindy, Daniel, Diana, Terry, Reza, Katie, Radwa, and her mom and daughter made up the number!

An hourlong delay on the TTC line due to a signal problem resulted in our having to make a quick dash from Bloor Station to the Ontario Legislative Building.

The never-ending ride afforded opportunities to get to know one another.

Leaving out Yorkville and U of T from our itinerary, we managed to hit some major landmarks on Bloor Street before hightailing south, through the cold and the flurries, to the Pink Palace.

Quick breather at classy Holt Renfrew

It was brisk walking all the way!

What a prorogued provincial parliament looks like!

Our guide, Adrian, let us watch a video of the real session!

So, how did it go? Did everybody enjoy themselves? Where did you go for lunch? Did anyone go shopping? Be sure to write up your experiences and reflections on your blogs! And feel free to comment on each other's blogs, too.

Field Trip Wednesday: Queen's Park

WEATHER UPDATE: Bundle up, especially if you're coming with kids or seniors! It's getting colder throughout the day, and there's nothing we can do to prorogue it. If you don't bundle up, we might have to get to Queen's Park via the PATH underground city instead.

We're leaving (what tense is that?) Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. on the Southbound Platform of Sheppard Yonge Station for a field trip downtown.

The train leaves at 10:34 a.m. (what's the tense?) Don't be late. We're covering possibly Yorkville and Bloor, Philosopher's Walk, and the University of Toronto, before participating in a guided tour of Queen's Park at 12 noon.

Bring good walking shoes, some water and snacks, and a camera. Watch the weather forecast for the day. We should be done by 1:30 p.m. Let's have a merry good time!

Monday's Assignment

Welcome to a week of banking and field trips (Wednesday and Friday)!

1. Field Trip Research and Blog Writing: Google for Images and Videos on Queens Park. Write three things you’re curious about, and include relevant videos and pictures.
2. Vocabulary and Roleplay: Types of Bank Accounts 
3. Listening: First Mountain Bank 
4. Blog writing: Compare the features and fees between PC Financial and ING Direct.

Gates, Gould, and God

As the fog lifted, we emerged from St. Clair Station and began a walking tour of Toronto's historic Deer Park neighbourhood.

First on the list was Upper Canada College, a gated institution catering to students from SK through Grade 12. As we traversed west from Yonge, the houses got bigger and better, signalling the ascendant prestige of the area. Lovely nosebleeds!

And then it was over to Glenn Gould Park and his apartment building, at 110 St. Clair West. At least, speaking for myself at least, he was like the rest of us slobs, the apartment cleanup after his death taking more than a week, the first week alone consisting of putting his vinyl records back in their sleeves. At the park, Katie gave a good talk about Gould's techniques and antics, plus his chair!

And then it was over to the free concert over at Yorkminster, where Sarah Svendsen pulled out the stops for Liszt's rendering of Bach's Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, or "What God does, that is done well." A fitting end to a lovely visit to this exclusive neighbourhood.

Click below for videos ...

Wednesday's Field Trip to Deer Park

On Wednesday, our class is on a field trip to Toronto's Deer Park unique neighbourhood.



Please meet at 10:45 a.m. sharp on the Southbound Platform of Sheppard-Yonge Subway Station. From St. Clair Station, we'll begin a walking tour that will take us through various places to Yorkminster Baptist Church for a free organ concert at 12:30 p.m. Sarah Svendson, Assistant Organist, Metropolitan United Church, Toronto, will be performing.

Please have a good breakfast, bring a camera if you like, and wear good walking shoes. You may wish to buy some new shoes from that area, on the other hand.