Union Summer, a pop-up market presented by TD, returned this year from July 1st to August 19th. On the agenda was various themes of entertainment for every day of the week. For example, Wednesdays would showcase City Hall Live Music and Outdoor Movie Nights, while Fridays featured DJ ‘Nooner’ and hand-picked TD play list. In addition to visual appeal, the aroma of food cooking was equally appealing. Nestled in a shaded outdoor space at the John A. Macdonald Plaza, ten participating restaurants offered select menu items in a temporary food-hall setup.
Whether be it tourists exploring Old Toronto, locals that peered over at the scene after stepping off the subway, or coworkers that stumbled upon this outdoor patio-like display, Union Summer was a pleasant discovery for all passerby-ers by providing a taste of some of the best Toronto fare within a convenient location.
Additionally, all the restaurants at Union Summer are a glimpse as to #WhereTorontoIsGoing. In other words, you will be seeing these eateries establish a permanent location shortly within the Union Station area. Looking forward to see what’s in store next year!
Whether you have trees in your home backyard or around your business, tree shaping is one thing you should give a lot of attention to. Tree shaping will improve the health of your trees, enhance growth, lower the risks of diseases as well as prevent breakage. Proper tree shaping can also boost the perceived value of your property when getting ready to sell. With all the many benefits that come with tree shaping, you need to ensure that you do everything the right way. Most of the time, you will need to work with an arborist Toronto. Other than that, here are the top tips you should consider using.
To Prune Or Not To Prune
This is the first question you need to ask yourself before you start doing any work. If you are not sure what needs to be done, you can always contact a certified arborist for advice. Arborists have the training needed to determine if pruning will be good or you will have to remove the entire tree. They will advise you honestly on the best approach.
You Should Consider Tree Shaping In Late Fall Or Winter
The reason why shaping or pruning is ideal during these cold months is because the tree sap is not running at this time. As a result, you will be able to avoid stressing the tree. Most insects that attack trees are also dormant in these months. You will, hence, be able to avoid infections.
All in all, you can still do periodic pruning to get rid of the damaged or dead branches. This can be done in any month. Annual or semi-annual pruning will also help get rid of the old branches and enable you to effectively control the size of your trees.
Know What Needs To Be Removed
Not all tree parts need to be removed. When pruning, you should start by removing branches that rub against other branches or the ones that are growing across. Branches with odd angles can also be trimmed. You should also go for those branches that are diseased, damaged or dead.
Know How To Properly Cut The Branches
You must take great care of the tree trunk else you will cause the whole tree to die. Don’t cut the branches too close to the trunk. You also need to angle away from the trunk when cutting the branches. Bark stripping can be avoided by cutting portions on the underside of the affected branch before you cut the topside.
Don’t Over Prune
Over pruning means you will rob the tree of its ability to produce enough food. You can talk to an arborist for advice if you are pruning to allow for the growth of grass under multiple trees.
Avoid The Lion’s Tail Or The Broccoli Tree
You have over trimmed your tree if it looks like a lion tail or a broccoli. Tree shaping experts can help avoid this problem.
Tree shaping may seem like a simple task but it is not. There is a high risk of damaging your tree if you trim it wrongly. Always seek expert advice before engaging in tree trimming.
Comments Off on The Best Ways to Experience Toronto on a Budget
Toronto is one of the greatest cities in Canada – if not the entirety of North America – but it can also be expensive. Tourism to Canada in 2018 so far is largely surpassing the levels that 2017 achieved, and once the stereotype of the cold Great White North has been abolished, people are getting on board with how great the city really is. The city shouldn’t be skipped just because the budget doesn’t quite stretch. There are plenty of things to do in Toronto even with a shoestring budget. From visiting natural sites free of charge to finding free entertainment: from the opera to trying your luck at a Canadian casino.
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Go Natural in Toronto
Indulge in some nature with a trip to Trinity Bellwoods Park. The sprawling greenery and collection of trees provides a breath of fresh air when the weather begins to heat up. With an indoor pool, running track, volleyball and tennis courts, the park is also home to the elusive sight of the white squirrel. The experience allows you to get back into nature and reconnect with the earth. Similarly, the Evergreen Brickworks – a former industrial site that has been transformed into a rambling 40 acres of natural beauty provides an experience like no other. With a bent towards eco-living and being green, the surrounding buildings are designed to uphold to green tourism, while a farmer’s market ensures any food you purchase is local and reduces the carbon footprint.
Entertainment From Opera to Casinos
If you’re looking for something to do more than something to see, the Art Gallery of Ontario is a fantastic place to peruse art from around the world and flare up your own inspiration. Usually at a cost, Wednesday evenings offer a free trip round the culturally significant landmark. The Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre of the Canadian Opera Company often host free events to give a taste of the operatic arts to those who might be reluctant to play. Canada is an up and coming entertainment district as can be seen through the many nightclubs and casinos popping up all over the city. If you’re looking to save by not going out, there are plenty of online Canadian casinos like Royal Vegas and Jacpot City, too, to satisfy your entertainment needs. Toronto’s ties to the casino industry are growing as it positions itself as a good fit for Niagara Falls weddings – with bachelor and bachelorette parties flocking to indulge in some of the finest games the casino industry has to offer. It just doesn’t need to break the bank.
Manmade Outdoor Experiences
For a vista of a more modern nature, Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre provides a pleasant place to promenade. The huge non-profit complex commits to hosting a series of cultural and interesting events at low cost or no cost. Visitors are able to view the majesty of Lake Ontario in the 10-acre centre. If you’re wanting to do more of an activity yourself, Nathan Phillips Square allows you to experience one of the most popular Canadian past times: ice skating. Ice skates are cheap to rent and entry is free if you bring your own. During winter, the square is peppered with sparkly lights to give guests a true winter wonderland feeling to rival 30 Rock in New York City.
Tourism planners in Toronto understand that in order to drive how spectacular the city is, there has to be some give and take. When tourists visit, by providing a plethora of free or low-cost events – or driving footfall to the free vistas and experiences – they are more likely to see repeat visits and drive word of mouth excitement for the city. You can truly enjoy all Toronto has to offer by soaking up the atmosphere are trading those things that might eat into the budget with free alternatives, such as finding free deals on days out or swapping casinos for online casino equivalents.
Comments Off on How to Choose the Best Lawyer in Toronto for your Legal Needs
In most Canadian law schools, students pick their own courses based on their areas of interest in the second year of study. Although all Canadian lawyers who have been admitted to the bar can practice in any field of law, you should only go for lawyers in the practice area specialties relevant to your cases. These practice areas range from corporate law to environmental law, from personal injury law to immigration law, from sports law to criminal law, from property law to family law, and from constitutional law to employment law, and tens of others in between.
In Ottawa, law students can either do 10-month articling or complete the Law Society of Ontario’s Law Practice Program (LPP) before licensing. In articling, most law students join law firms in their area of interest, meaning they will have honed important skills and experience by the time they sit the Barrister and Solicitor examination for admission to the Law Society of Ontario.
Other than specialization in the relevant practice area, other important tips when picking between lawyers include:
Consider membership to relevant lawyer associations. These include the Toronto Lawyers Association, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, and the Women’s Law Association of Ontario. These organizations have strict codes of ethics that lawyers have to abide by.
Take opportunity of the free initial consultation most lawyers give to gauge the lawyer’s competencies. Ask about such things as major cases won, number of years in practice, and the percentage of caseload dedicated to handling your type of legal issue.
A good lawyer is one who carries malpractice insurance. This ensures you are covered in case of malpractice.
Cost considerations should be secondary if you want the best lawyer. You should, however, consider the billing method vis-à-vis your particular legal problem as this will greatly determine how much you have to part with. You should also consider if there are additional fees such as postage, copy, and filing fees.
You could get tips on good lawyers from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, from friends/relatives, and from other lawyers that you may have.
Do a background check on your lawyer and contact the relevant disciplinary agency to confirm if the lawyer is in good standing.
Choosing the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
Under Canadian law, you are entitled to compensation should you be injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of negligence in the part of another person, a government agency, a company, or any other entity. The injury could be as a result of a slip and fall accident, medical malpractice, incorrect dosing of prescriptions, animal bites, and automobile accidents, among many others.
You could represent yourself in a personal injury claim, but hiring personal injury lawyers in Toronto gives you much-needed experience and skills (since it is your responsibility to prove that the at-fault party did not comply with acceptable standards or behaviour, leading to the injury). It also allows you to recuperate from your injuries.
Canada has Worker’s Compensation laws that protect injured employees by providing them with fixed monetary awards. Personal injury lawyers represent clients in such cases to ensure they get the most from the award and if need be, to represent the clients in court. The coverage could be under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), the business may take a group disability cover, or you could take an individual disability cover.
A long term disability lawyer also helps clients file for short-term or long-term disability insurance benefits. In Canada, it is mandatory that businesses carry this insurance for clients in case they suffer short-term or long-term disability. A lawyer also helps clients in case the disability claim ends up in court such as if the insurance company underpays or fails to pay.
Choosing the Best Criminal Lawyer
The Canadian Criminal Code codifies most criminal offences and procedures. If you are charged with an offence that falls within the Criminal Code or the other criminal laws that do not make part of the code such as the Firearms Act, the Contraventions Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Food and Drugs Act, the Canada Evidence Act, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act, you face jail time or hefty fines.
You should hire a criminal defence lawyer to represent you, especially in case of indictable offences. A lawyer will poke holes on the prosecutor’s case to ensure the case is not proven beyond reasonable doubt. If you are at fault, a lawyer will argue that you were not in the right state of mind (Mens rea). He/she will take care of all legal proceedings which include bail, preliminary inquiry, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
Picking between criminal defence lawyers is not easy. Given the importance of hiring the right lawyer, below are tips to help you.
Go for an experienced lawyer: An experienced lawyer will have the right connections in the justice system, something that often comes in handy.
Ensure the lawyer is able to dedicate enough time to your case: He/she should not have a heavy caseload. Go for a lawyer from an established law firm as this ensures you benefit from such resources as paralegals and libraries.
The lawyer should specialize in the relevant field: Criminal offences range from sex to theft crimes, from embezzlement to drug crimes, from domestic violence to gun crimes, from murder and DUI, and many other crimes.
Choosing the Best Immigration Lawyer
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), under the mandate of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, allows for the immigration of thousands of foreign nationals into Canada each year, primarily as a way of strengthening Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity.
IRCC, to safeguard the safety and security of Canadians, has a tough admissibility policy that ensures only those who deserve to get into the country do so. Given the complexity of the process, you should hire an immigration professional to guide you. This could be an immigration lawyer or an immigration consultant. So, what is the difference between the two?
When it comes to basic immigration law services such as visa applications, immigration lawyers and consultants offer mostly the same services. However, a lawyer can represent you in a federal court in complicated cases while a consultant cannot.
While lawyers are required to have studied in a law school for 3 years and to have 10 months of articling before writing the bar exam, consultants only need to do a 6 to 12 month course on immigration law and to write a national exam.
Although consultants tend to charge slightly less than lawyers, this varies from one lawyer/consultant to the next. In any case, don’t let cost considerations blind you – your future in Canada depends on who you pick.
Hiring a lawyer is the best option because you do not have to change professionals in case of claims and appeals. However, you should only hire an immigration lawyer in Toronto who has helped people coming from your country because he/she will have specialized experience.
Choosing the Best Business Lawyer
Every business needs legal representation from time to time. A lawyer can be an asset for your business or a huge liability – you have to make the right choice. So, how do you pick the best corporate lawyer in Toronto?
Different lawyers have different practice areas and you should, therefore, pick the one in the relevant areas. The practice areas range from Franchising Law to Industrial Law, from Joint Ventures to Mergers and Acquisitions, from Privatization Law to corporate taxation, and from contract law to distributorship law, and everything in between.
Your lawyer should be interested in what you do. Even without legal specialization, the lawyer should express a willingness to learn about your market and your niche. Masterly of your market, niche, and strategy ensure he/she catches problems before they exacerbate and takes care of issues in good time.
It is important you understand when you need a business lawyer. If you can, you should have a long-standing relationship with a business lawyer as this ensures the business grows smoothly. Even when you are contracting a lawyer from time to time, go for a long-standing relationship when making major business moves like forming a partnership, seeking money from investors, entering into a lease, and putting a major product in the market that may cause liability issues.
The best business lawyer is one who is part of a law firm. A law firm has the necessary resources, including associate lawyers and paralegals, to handle your case. You should particularly pick a large law firm if you have a complex case.
The lawyer you go for should offer more than legal representation. It is not uncommon for Toronto lawyers to organize networking opportunities in the form of live events and webinars. Some are members of trade associations that can be beneficial to your business. A good lawyer could introduce you to other clients and potential customers and strategic partners.
Finally, ensure the lawyer is based near Toronto. It will be cheaper and more convenient to have a lawyer who has an office you can visit any time and vice versa.
Comments Off on Medical Office Design: What Your Contractor Should Know
When it comes to medical offices or clinics, there is no standard design. The budgets and needs vary significantly. This is because the medical office design is dependent on what really works. The right design is one that allows efficient processes, cuts costs, provides sensible workflows and improves patient care. This is why it is very important to think through the design of your medical office before you even contact a contractor. You have to consider such things as the overall goals of your practice, medical operational details, medical equipment needs, patient care needs, and personnel needs. The objective of this post is to help you make the most educated choices when planning your health-care facility.
Creating an efficient layout: tying tasks to locations
The job descriptions of your staff will help identify the services and tasks that will be performed in your clinic or medical office. You need to use the job descriptions of your staff to determine the priority of tasks, pick the most convenient locations for the staff rooms and make sure the right equipment and rooms are available for the defined tasks.
When you consider the job descriptions of your staff during planning, you will make the most functional use of the space. This will also ensure your team achieves their expected performance and save costs.
Creating an efficient office flow: Importance of traffic patterns
When driving to a destination, extra traffic or using inefficient routes can cause delays. If you do this daily, the time wasted will add up. This is the exact same thing when you don’t minimize traffic in your medical office or clinic. Minimizing traffic inefficiencies in offering patient care and completing general office tasks can have a tremendous positive impact on your daily office activities. This will also improve the bottom line. For example, an incorrectly located exam room or a prescription printer that is outside the exam room can cost you valuable time. The time wasted might not seem like much but it will be prominent on a busy day.
Having an optimal layout is very important. This is more so when you consider the fact that every decision will impact your efficiencies as well as costs. Your medical office design must be created with a clear understanding of the traffic patterns.
Key design elements: Visual aesthetics
Research has shown that the colours and interior finishes have a major impact on the mood, health, and well-being of the staff and patients. On the other hand, there are some colour schemes and materials that can soothe and create a positive view of the healthcare experience.
Your choice of colour schemes has to be done with great care. There is a correlation between spaces that are stimulating and healing. For example, colours that are not overly neutral and those that offer positive distractions tend to promote healing. Although the colours are just part of the overall design, they have the most visual as well as immediate effect on the sense of comfort.
When it comes to your medical clinic or office, you should note that the choice of colours is no longer a personal choice. You need to hire a professional interior designer to help pick the best colours. An expert can apply the principles of colour psychology and offer suggestions for a look that makes the space more appealing while at the same time conveying the desired image.
Technical specifications
Now that you know how your medical office needs to look like, it is time to tackle the technical aspect of the design. The selected concept will be the basis of the technical interior architectural drawings. It is the drawings from the structural engineer that will offer the roadmap for what needs to be constructed and how it should be constructed. Your planning/design consultant has the idea and the contractors will follow the plans as approved by applicable authorities and you. Here are the most important technical elements:
Building permits
This is required by law. You need to get the building permit from your municipality. You will need to have the interior drawing package that conforms to the applicable regulatory standards for you to get a permit.
Drawing package
This details everything from the installation of fire sprinkler systems to drywall partitions. The inclusions here must be based on the set construction budget.
Sound proofing
There is a sound proofing requirement for the medical interiors. This applies to the drywall construction. As you search for a drywall supplier, ensure you find one that conforms to the applicable drywall STC and NRC ratings.
As you work on a medical office design, you have to think about the well-being of the patients. You also need to consider your overall space needs and objectives. By doing this, you can achieve the objective of a medical office that is highly functional and one that enhances patient care.
