Just answer the following skill testing question for your chance to win!

One correct answer to the following skill-testing question will be drawn:

From September 9 - 19, 2010, Toronto is the city to be in!! The Toronto International Film Festival is back and its getting bigger and better every year.

TIFF has become the launching pad for the best International, Hollywood and Canadian cinema, and is recognized as the most important film festival after Cannes.

On September 12 the Bell Lightbox opens and that will be exciting to see.

For info on movies and everything else TIFF log onto www.tiff.net.

See you at the theatre!

There is lots of news to catch up on with the team, our charity of the month, our new team member, GREEN household tips, and of course - chit chat about some of our fabulous clients... enjoy our summer edition!  Click here or on the title to link to it.

Dance as though no one is watching you; love as though you have never been hurt before, sing as though no one can hear you, live as though heaven is on earth.

Alfred Souza

In your hands by Ibrahim Iujaz

Just a note to let you know how we can help you or your friends and family.

Our clients Christa and Greig have seriously busy work lives and a young family. When they decided it was time to move from their High Park home, they wanted it to happen as quickly and efficiently as possible so it wouldn’t interfere with their work commitments and family time. They turned to The Julie Kinnear Team for help.

Having outgrown their home but really loving the neighbourhood, they were hoping to stay nearby. We helped them search for a solid older home with character intact on which they could put their personal stamp. (Christa being a very talented designer).

They were very appreciative of Julie’s advice to sell when they did, as we sold quickly in multiple offers and they received 109% of their asking price. Only a couple of weeks later we found a real opportunity in High Park. When the property became available, they were unsure as to whether they could realistically do the renovation they wanted. To help them make the best decision, we used some of the great resources and connections we have, and brought in an experienced contractor to do a reno assessment prior to making an offer. Armed with the information, Holly was able to negotiate a sweet deal for them. They bought low and sold high!

Their family is moving on with their lives and couldn’t be happier.

Guiding you home,
The Julie Kinnear Team

P.S. Who do you know with a busy life looking to move quickly and efficiently, perhaps in a similar situation that could use our help?

Our svelte client Jennifer Lo is one of the best eaters I know! 

I fondly recall the time during one of our condo hunting expeditions when we stopped for refreshment at the Drake. We ordered a bunch of things to share and much to my awe and delight Jen shared my desire to try one of everything and relished every morsel like a good foodie should!

Her blog jeniseating.blogspot.com, chronicles her culinary adventures both here in Toronto and throughout the world including Asia, Miami, Vancouver, Vegas, Paris, London, San Fran, NYC and that other food mecca, Stratford Ontario. Her blog is fun and informative and really captures her enthusiastic appetite for food and life.

Holly

Just answer the following skill testing question for your chance to win!

One correct answer to the following skill-testing question will be drawn:

This “can’t-put-down” murder mystery is the first in the trilogy. The protagonist, Swedish journalist Mikael Blomkvist, is hired to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy business tycoon’s niece. Blomkvist teams up with Lisbeth Salander , a tiny, pierced and tattooed computer hacker. This unlikely duo search for the clues of a mystery over 40 years old. I absolutely loved this book. It is more of a cottage read than a book club read, and utterly delicious in its action and suspense. At times it is tricky keeping up with the Vanger characters, but the family tree depicted at the beginning helps us along. I recommend not worrying too much if certain sub-plots get a little complicated. By the end, you realize that you really can just take the story at face value. Warning: Do not start this book if you have an important deadline to meet at work!!

As I have 3 young children, I am used to going to the movie theatre and watching animated flicks. I often use this dark and sedentary time to take a quick cat nap in my seat (usually unbeknownst to my kids). After the film I simply mirror their superlatives and hyperboles on how amazing this particular movie was. Well, I can honestly say, that Toy Story 3 is so good, that I actually stayed awake to watch it! This movie is in the league of the Shrek series (funny for both adults and children). It is always a good sign when A-list actors, like Tom Hanks, from the original Toy Story movie, sign on again for the 3rd instalment. The premise is about rescuing toys from an evil pink stuffie who dictates life in a Daycare Centre. Ken (Barbie’s boyfriend), played by Michael Keaton, is hilarious and very “metro-sexual” loving his clothes and accessories. All the adults in the audience were constantly laughing at all of the retro toys that they hadn’t seen or thought about in years - like the phone on wheels that rings as it rolls along and the monkey that bangs cymbals. It is always ingenious how the writers use these toys to enhance either escape plans or hostage take-overs. All I can say is, if you are like Mark and me, and you take turns taking the kids to the movies – let Toy Story 3 fall on YOUR turn!

Parking rates have been climbing up all over Canada during the last ten years. However, if you like to spend a lot of money on parking, you should not miss out our beloved Toronto. According to an annual survey by Colliers International, Toronto ranked the second most expensive city for parking after Calgary.

Average expenses on parking now reach $336.26 (Calgary reached stunning $453.38 a month); that was $60 less just a year ago. The median monthly parking rate rose 2% to $224.10. Obviously, parking is a great business, even during the toughest recession. When considering daily average rate, we are even at the top with $23 per day.

The reason is simple – demand is constantly growing, especially with the continuing build-up of condos in Toronto, but supply is virtually constant. Unfortunately, this is hardly going to change in the upcoming years. There are only 10 parking garage projects with 1,800 parking spaces announced in the next two year for the whole Canada. Toronto will get a share of around 220 parking spots…

If you would like to enjoy cheaper parking, you should move to Ottawa (average monthly cost $160), Halifax ($158.20), Winnipeg ($152.25) or Saskatoon ($147). The cheapest one of the ranked cities was Kitchener-Waterloo with monthly expenses only $116.94 on average.

On the other hand, Calgary was the only Canadian city, which made it to the global top list. Parking in cities like London ($933), Hong Kong ($744.72) or Tokyo ($654) is only for nobility.

We are trying to help you as much as possible with parking in Toronto – check our section about Toronto parking pads and parking permits. However, it is maybe just about the time to take the development of robust public traffic in GTA seriously.