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Believe it Or Not Toronto will soon have a Ripley's Aquarium

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Artist's drawing of proposed Shark tank and glass walkway Canada’s Biggest City Building Canada’s Biggest Aquarium By Stephen Weir   Believe It or Not Toronto is finally going to have an aquarium. Work has already begun on a new building at the base of the world famous CN Tower.  Even though it will be two years before the first Sand Tiger Shark and Carpenter Shark  (sawfish) move into Shark Lagoon , three levels of government have already laid out the welcome mat for Ripley Entertainment, the owners of the future aquarium which is scheduled to open in 2013. At a late August press conference Canadian entrepreneurs, Jim Pattison Senior and Junior, officially launched the construction project.  The Jim Pattison Group, one of the country’s largest private companies, owns Ripley Entertainment (Ripley’s Believe It or Not), and operates aquariums in both Tennessee and South Carolina.   The new Toronto aquarium project has strong financial support and redevelopment monies from th

Ladies and Gentlemen - a big hand for the big (and little) fish!!!

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CUE THE FISH :  - Aquarium is all about fish, but, who are the stars in 45 different display tanks? notes for a news article that will appear in the next edition of Diver Magazine.  Sand Tiger Sharks thrive in captivity. Toronto Aquarium will feature the species. Photo - North Carolina. sweir files.  For now the  aquarium isn't releasing much information about what it will be showing inside.  Ripleys' Vice President Joe Chromanski told Diver they will be releaseing information closer to the opening date. " We don't want to steal our own thunder," he said.  " I can say that we will have up to 45 different tanks inside  - the largest is the 750,000 galleon shark tank, the smallest will be a 6 to 10 galleon space for baby seahorses." "In the Great Lakes (tank) we will have a cross section of what divers are likely to see  - everything from pike to paddle fish,"said Chromanski."  Paddle fish aren't in the Great Lakes but we do f

Beaver Bra supporting the town of Parry Sound at the Ex this year

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  Beaver Bra one of 42 hand-decorated bras on display at the EX New to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) this year is the Art Bra project. Forty-two one-of-a-kind hand decorate bras are now hanging in the Queen Elizabeth Building (beside the McMichael's Marilyn Monroe Show).  The town of Parry Sound is showing these pieces of hand-crafted lingerie to support their Health Centre's purchase of a digital mammography unit.  The Beaver Bra was made by Josephine Hazin from Windsor Ontario. Hazin is recovering from a double mastecomy.

Inn the Spotlight feature from the last issue of the Maple Gazette

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Ashworth by the Sea means blue skies, comfy rooms and renowned food and services. Simply a seaside heaven.  Come Sea - Ashworth By The Sea - And Sea Hampton Beach For almost a century the Ashworth by the Sea has been a destination for New Hampshire seaside visitors.   Located in Hampton Beach , on the beautiful Seacoast , the Ashworth offers the best in comfortable, oceanfront accommodation. The Ashworth is tastefully appointed to reflect the New England traditions and charm. www.ashworthhotel.com/ This comfortable hotel has maintained the historical aspects of this Hampton Beach landmark. Historic yes, but modern too, the 95-year old hotel has been updated with all the modern conveniences and latest technology.  Ashworth by the Sea offers the best views overlooking New England's nicest beach. Ashworth has 98 spacious guestrooms and seven suites. All rooms are air-conditioned and have spectacular ocean views.   There is a coffee shop and the renowned Breake

Cool is Hot. Some White Men Can Dance.

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Justin Trudeau stopped by the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival BBQ One Year Later,  One Liberal Learns To Dance To A Soca Beat It is carnival time in the city of Toronto.  Soca Music. Mas. Calypso. A million people in the hot and hot streets. More media than at the G20.  For Federal Liberals,  the world famous Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, has always had a  huge publicity attraction.  It is sometimes their PR Waterloo. And while Martha Reeves does say that  summer is here and the time is right for dancing in the street, it doesn't mean that a politician just has to show up to be instantly seen as being one with the people. It was a year ago, that Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, rented a bus and rolled into town for what was then called Scotiabank Caribana.  He had a steel pan orchestra and champion calypso singer,  Macomere Fifi in tow.  They barnstormed the festival, entertaining the crowds with long speeches, soca and calypso music and spectacularly bad dancing.

Images from yesterday's Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Launch

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 THE 44th SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL IS OFFICIALLY JUMPIN' UP !!! Successful Media Event: 75 media registered.  35 costumed Mas Dancers.  50 musicians. 15 cameras (TV, film makers and web based broadcasters), 5 radio stations and just one daily newspaper -- the Toronto Star!  Big Events? Mayor Ford danced with Mas Dancer and cut a special cake.  Michael Chan and Chief Bill Blair spoke at the opening. There was a silent protest by the Caribana Arts Group, owners of the Caribana trade mark.  Their protest signs didn't really explain why they were there (and the typos got a few laughs) giving it a minor role in a big event. Councillor Michael Thomson, Chris Alexander, Mayor Ford and Denise Herrera Jackson Jamaican Sprinter was introduced to auidence The CEO of Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Denise Herrera-Jackson, is interviewed by  Nathan Downer (CP-24)  live from Nathan Phillips Square  This press release was issued at the press co

No Butts About It (although judges liked his Butt!). Mr. CHIN Bikini chosen today

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 Moonzir Butt Wins! Mr. CHIN International Bikini 201l chosen today at the Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic,  the Bandshell, CNE Grounds, Toronto. WINNER: This year’s winner is 22-year old Moonzir Butt.  The Oakville native beat out 14 other contestants in this evening’s outdoor competition. Second prize was awarded to 29-year old John Burdo and third place went to Troy Campbell. Immediately following the crowning of Moonzir Butt, the winner and two finalists were joined on stage by Serena DiMillo, the winner of yesterday’s Miss CHIN International Bikini contest.  Pictured above are, from left to right: John Burdo, Moonzir Butt, Troy Campbell and Serena DiMillo. The 3-day Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic is produced by CHIN radio /TV international; a Canadian radio and television broadcaster that produces and airs programming in over 30 different languages. The contribution of CHIN Radio to the cause of multiculturalism, understanding and tolerance between people of ma