Visit your local library

Still reading real, physical books like me? I know Amazon can deliver books right to your doorstep, and sure, it's a super cheap way to get your hands on new books, but wouldn't it be cool to get new books for free? Sounds crazy, right? Remember those places that are free to join, free to visit, and let you borrow books for free? Libraries are all around us, but they might not be for much longer. Most offer internet access, music, movies, and a comfy, quiet hangout so you can curl up and get acquainted with a good read. Toronto public libraries are under attack as a means to save money. Don't let this happen! Book lovers who can't afford to buy books, students studying, kids who are learning to read, clubs who meet to discuss their passion, tutors who lend a helping hand to those in need, a completely free way to spend an afternoon, shelves upon shelves of wondrous books GONE. This is cultural suicide. Don't let this happen to our city. Support libraries. Visit them. Borrow books. Volunteer. Attend an event. Voice your opinion. Sign a petition. Tweet about it. Blog about it. Email Mayor Rob Ford mayor_ford@toronto.ca. Call him 416-397-FORD (3673). Keep reading. I hate to think of a Toronto without free access to books for everyone...

TIFF Toronto International Film Festival

Go to TIFF this year! Have you ever been to Toronto International Film Festival? Do you say you're going to try and make it next year, year after year, and have still never been? Today the first official press conference for TIFF 2011 aired, and the opening film was announced to the world: Davis Guggenheim's From the Sky Down is a documentary featuring music group U2. The list of films is finally posted, and the movie lovers of the world are blogging, tweeting, and facebooking like mad. A Dangerous Method, Take this Waltz, Melancholia, Twixt, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Jeff Who Lives at Home, The Ides of March, Drive, Chicken with Plums, Rampart, Dark Horse, Albert Nobbs, 11 Flowers, and 360 are a handful that I personally cannot wait to see. So many great concepts, directors, actors, and such a diverse collection of films! Not a huge movie buff? Then come for the A-list celebs! George Clooney, Jane Fonda, Keira Knightly, Madonna, Seth Rogan, Brad Pitt, Michelle Williams, and the list goes on!

Fresh Restaurants - Gourmet Vegetarian Dining in Toronto

I am crazy about these restaurants! There are 3 locations downtown Toronto: Queen St. W, Spadina, and Bloor. My favourite dish is the Super Protein Salad, which is filled with all kinds of goodness! Chick peas, goji berries, grilled tempeh, grape tomatoes, cucumber, puffed quinoa, currants, pistachios, and almonds on a bed of mixed greens, drizzled with your choice of fresh dressings. My personal fave is the tahini dressing. Fresh restaurants offer a variety of fresh and healthy options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, each one of them either vegetarian or totally vegan. They have an awesome take-away menu as well. Don't even get me started on their fresh juices, smoothies, and shakes. If you're feeling brave, try a wheat grass shot! Surprisingly tasty.

O.NOIR, "dine in the dark" restaurant

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be blind? O.NOIR is a "dine in the dark" restaurant where you literally dine in a pitch black room. If you have never visited a restaurant like this, I highly recommend it!

It is such a strange experience. Upon arrival we were invited to have a drink and read through the menu at a bar in a lit room. Once we ordered, and had a drink or two, we were introduced to our blind waiter. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention? All of the waiters are completely blind! So we met our waiter, were instructed to turn off our cell phones, and guided into the darkness.

We followed each other with outstretched arms trusting one another to guide us safely to our table. Our waiter kindly described to us what we could find on our table as we proceeded to feel around and get familiar with our cutlery, glasses, and serviettes (which will come in handy later, believe me). It was so dark, I couldn't even see my own hand. I couldn't see how large the room was, how many people were in the room, or how close I was to other guests.

The food was absolutely delicious. It was such a bizarre sensation as I tried to locate my next bite of food on my plate with my fork, find my mouth with my fork (with an undecipherable amount of food on it - sometimes none at all), and try not to make too much of a mess. Also, if you're feeling brave, you have the choice of ordering a "surprise" appetizer, entree, and/or dessert!