In an attempt to understand, I was able to find the signification for one of them. I hope I find more.

“299″ Line Mechanic call. There are “Line Mechanic’s” posted at Kipling, Keele, St.George, Bloor, Chester, Kennedy, Eglinton, St.Clair West & Sheppard.
“101 – 120″  Supervisors
“122″  Subway Line Supervisor
“199″ Subway Line Mechanic Supervisor
“143″ Chief Supervisor
“147″  Fare Supervisor
“148″ Transit Patrol Security
“201 – 220″ TTC Armored Trucks
“301-310″  Streetcar Track/Overhead Maintenance
“506″ Station Janitor

The salesperson had failed to mention that the price on the front page was not the final one and that there were a great many extras not included in that figure.

The more I checked, the unhappier they became. I provided them with a long list of items classified as extras to be paid on closing in addition to the purchase price:

* The unit’s proportionate share of the cost of installation of gas, hydro, sewers and water service and meters, to an unlimited amount.

* Any new taxes imposed on the unit by any level of government after the agreement was signed (think HST) – also an unlimited amount.

* The Tarion warranty enrolment fee of $502.

* An unlimited levy against the unit for parks or other municipal charges.

* Provincial sales tax on the appliances included with the unit.

* An extra $300 for the paperwork to hold the purchasers’ deposits in trust.

* $150 to discharge the builder’s construction financing and give clear title after closing.

* The builder’s $52.50 transaction levy payable to the Law Society.

* $150 to subsidize the builder’s legal fees.

* Interest on the balance of the purchase price from the day of final closing to the next banking day.

* The amount of any increase in municipal, education or transit development charges imposed between Oct. 10, 2008 and closing.

* An unlimited contribution to the builder’s proportionate share of all costs associated with a development agreement entered into with the city.

The total cost of these extras could easily exceed $10,000 to $20,000. And since they are classified as extras or “adjustments,” they are typically not eligible for mortgage financing. Not one of them was mentioned in the sales office.

To make the purchasers’ cash flow even worse on closing, the offer requires that the purchasers prepay to the builder estimated property taxes for the year of closing and the year after – another $4,000 or $5,000 for taxes that won’t even be assessed for at least a year.

Going to my lawyer to check the agreement I am told this is common practice and that no builders will want to amend any of this.

I have no problem at all with builders charging whatever they want for houses or condominium units, and for imposing any extra charges they see fit.

I have a serious problem with the total lack of disclosure of the charges in the sales office – a typical failure in many builder sales offices.

The better builders are open and transparent when it comes to disclosing extra charges in the sales offices. They are a credit to the profession and help support a positive public image for the home-building industry.

The rest of them are the ones who may force the government to step in and require full written disclosure of the total purchase price and all extras in a builder offer.

Made with this site.

My interest of the day is the weather.

As you know a lot of us rely on weather.com to get an accurate weather forecast (if you know any please tell)

Lucky for us, the weather forecast allow people who know where to look to get their own forecast feeds! Just use

http://xoap.weather.com/weather/local/your location?

ie if you were in Toronto like me, it would be http://xoap.weather.com/weather/local/CAXX0504?

This would give you something like a small xml feed! You may now integrate anywhere, or parse it at wish for more fun purposes.

But what is this question mark? hehe you noticed! you can actually pass on some parameter to weather.com for you to get the info you need:

cc = current conditions
dayf = n (max of 10) – number of days forecast
unit = (s for standard, m for metric)
hbhf = hour-by-hour forecast maximum of 24

This known, I am not sure what they mean with the copyright included in the feed :

This document is intended only for use by authorized licensees of The Weather Channel. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Copyright 1995-2005, The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

You may have some of these items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water and blankets. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?

Make sure your kit is easy to carry. Keep it in a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front hall closet. Make sure everyone in the household knows where to find the emergency kit.

Print this page and check off the items as you accumulate them.
Basic items you will need to survive for 72 hours:

Water – at least two liters of water per person per day (Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order)

Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year)

Manual can opener

Flashlight and batteries

Candles and matches or lighter (remember to place candles in sturdy containers and to put them out before going to sleep)

Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries)

First aid kit

Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities

Extra keys for your car and house

Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones
Recommended additional kit supplies

It is always a good idea to have extra supplies on hand. Here are some recommendations:

A change of clothing and footwear for each household member

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member

A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)

Garbage bags for personal sanitation

Toilet paper and other personal care supplies

Safety gloves

Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, work gloves)

Small fuel-driven stove and fuel (follow manufacturer’s directions and store properly)

Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning

PJ and Sora hit Toronto’s downtown Chinatown and Chinatown East where they find some of the city’s best Vietnamese restaurants. There, they enjoy the freshness of Vietnamese Pho soup at Pho Hung, devour spring rolls at the Golden Turtle and tuck into Cha Ca La Vong- a grilled fish specialty from Hanoi.

Eating Out:

Pho Hung, 200 Bloor St. W., 350 Spadina Ave., Toronto – 416-963-5080
Golden Turtle, 125 Ossington Ave., Toronto – 416-531-1601
Hanoi 3 Seasons, 588 Gerrard St. E., Toronto – 416-463-9940
Pho Mi Saigon, 680 Silver Creek Blvd at Cawthra, Mississauga
Pho Ben Thanh, Cannon Street, Hamilton
Ginger, 695 Yonge St., Toronto
Banh Cuon St. Clair, 1772 St. Clair Ave. W, Toronto
Xe Lua, 180 Steeles Ave. W., Thornhill
Krispy Roll, 789 Warden Ave., Scarborough

Shopping:

Hua Sheng Supermarket, 293 Spadina Ave., Toronto – 416-263-9883

Episode #2 – JAMAICA

Sora and PJ soak up the sizzling tastes of little Jamaica. They kick off their journey with the island’s most popular street food – Jamaican Patties from Randy’s. They then head off to Albert’s Real Jamaican for Jerk Chicken and finish off with Caribbean Queen’s Saltfish and Ackee.

Eating Out:

Randy’s, 1569 Eglinton Ave. W. – 416-781-5313
Albert’s Real Jamaican Food, 542 St Clair Avenue West – 416-658-9445
Caribbean Queen of Patties, 1279 Bloor Street West – 416-538-1732
Island Thyme, 872 Bathurst St., Toronto
Tipper’s, 1345 Weston Road, York
Palomino’s, 83 Kennedy Road, Brampton
Granny’s Place, 2545 Hurontario, Mississauga
Rhythm n’ Spice, 1541 Victoria Park, Scarborough
Crystal Bar & Restaurant, 632 Vaughn Rd, Scarborough

Shopping:

Caribbean Corner Tropical Foods, 171 Baldwin Street, Toronto – 416-593-0008

Episode #3 – SOUTH INDIA

In Toronto’s Little India, Sora and PJ sample numerous South Indian Chaat (or snacks), Paan (after dinner digestive), and cooling ice cream called Kulfi. They then head to Surati Sweet Mart in Scarborough where they indulge in creamy, fragrant Indian sweets. Saravanna Bhavan is their last stop where vegetarian curries served with dosas, or lacy crepes, are presented in all their golden glory.

Eating Out:

India Paan Centre, 1427 Gerrard Street East, Toronto – 416-461-8914.
Surati Sweet Mart, 2628 Carnforth Road (Lawrence & Victoria Park), Scarborough – 416. 752.3366
Saravanna Bhavan, 4559 Hurontario, Mississauga
Udupi Palace, 1460 Gerrard St. E. Toronto – 416-405-8189
Hopper Hut, 880 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough
Madras Dosa Hut, 1123 Albion Rd, Mississauga
South Indian Dosa Mahal, 1284 Bloor Street West
Exotic Indian Cuisine, 1850 Albion Road, Unit #13, Etobicoke
Dosa Darbar, 1150 Albion Rd., Etobicoke

Shopping:

Singh Food Centre Ltd., 1729 Albion Road, Etobicoke – 416-741-1212

Episode #4 – EAST AFRICA – ETHIOPIA

What’s a wat? PJ and Sora taste and learn about these Ethiopian stews at Lalibela before heading to Ethiopian Village for authentic sambussas- samosa-like savoury pastries. A trip to Fasika brings the spiciest cuisine in Africa to the fore with kitfo or steak tartare and a serving of lamb tibs (pan fried, spicy lamb), finished off with an Ethiopian coffee service.

Eating Out:

Lalibela Restaurant, 869 Bloor St. W., Toronto – 416-535-6615
Ethiopian Village Food & Spice, 2229 Danforth Ave., Toronto – 416-686-1846
Faskia, 834 Bloor St. W., Toronto – 416-588-7819
Queen of Sheba, 1051 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Addis Ababa, 1184 Queen St. W., Toronto
Afgooyo Restaurant, 900 Albion Rd., Toronto
Ethiopian House, 4 Irwin Ave., Toronto
African Paradise Restaurant, 814 Bloor St. W., Toronto
New Bilan, 183 Dundas St. E. Toronto

Shopping:

Ethiopian Spices, 161 Baldwin Street, Toronto – 416-598-3014
Piassa Injera & Takeout, 260 Dundas Street East, Toronto – 416-929-9116

Episode #5 – KOREAN

Sora and PJ learn that there’s a lot more to Korean cuisine than kimchi. Some piquant dokbuki, or rice cake in spicy bean sauce and kalbi- bbq’ed short ribs on the grill start off the excursion at Mot Na Son in North York. Little Korea’s Korean Village Restaurant offers up great bulgogi- strips of tasty bbq’ed steak and Ka Chi dishes up Kamja Tang or pork bone soup for what ails you.

Eating Out:

Mot Na Son, 5374 Yonge St., North York – 416-222-1170
Korean Village Restaurant, 628 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-536-0290
Ka Chi Korean Restaurant, 612 Bloor Street W., Toronto – 416-533-9306
Seoul Restaurant, 621 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Man Doo Hyang Dumpling & Noodles House, 6068 Yonge St., North York
Korean BBQ Walker Hill, 280 West Beaver Creek Rd # 35, Richmond Hill, ON
To Dam Gol Korean Restaurant, 5935 Yonge St., North York.
Owl of Minerva, 700 Bloor Street W., Toronto
Chung Gi Wha, 5817 Yonge St., North York

Shopping:

Galleria Supermarket, 7171 Yonge Street, Thornhill – 905-771-1474
P.A.T. Central Market, 675 Bloor St. W., Toronto – 416-532-2961

Episode #6 – TRINIDAD / GUYANA

Chinese food from Guyana? That and a whole palette of other tastes from the islands await, as PJ and Sora savour Trinidadian rotis at Kori’s Roti Stop in Oakville, Shark and Bake at Toronto’s Eazy Eats and curry goat on rice and Peas from Pam’s Caribbean Kitchen. Flavours of the world found in the West Indies.

Eating Out:

Kori’s Roti Stop, 1026 Speers Road, Unit #5, Oakville Tel. – 905-849-5510
Eazy Eats, 749 Broadview Avenue, Toronto
Pam’s Caribbean Kitchen, 969C Bloor Street, Toronto
Bacchus Roti, 1376 Queen St. West, Toronto
Drupati’s Doubles and Roti Shop, 975 Albion Road, Rexdale
Simma’s Restaurant, 3417 Derry Road East, Milton
Bara’s Hut Doubles and Roti, 127 Dundas Street East, Mississauga
Lena’s Curry Pot & BBQ, 1152 Albion Road, Rexdale
Patty King, 187 Baldwin Street, Toronto

Shopping:

Charley’s West Indian Foods Ltd., 1154 Morningside Avenue, Toronto – 416-283-1441

Episode #7 – SOUTH CHINA – TAIWAN – HONG KONG

Oodles of noodles and delicious dumplings make up some of the food finds of the South China and Hong Kong episode. Pretty parcels stuffed with savoury fillings abound at the Golden Court Abalone Restaurant where Sora enjoys a delectable spread of dim sum. PJ gives congee a whirl at North York’s Congee Wong and the two meet up at the Magic Wok to try Cantonese Chow Mein and the ever-elegant Phoenix Nest with seafood.

Eating Out:

Congee Wong, 10 Ravel Rd. (Finch and Leslie Square) Units 5&6, North York – 416.493.8222
Golden Court Abalone Restaurant, 270 West Beaver Creek Rd., Units 22-27, Richmond Hill
Magic Wok, 4331 14th Ave., Markham
Swatow, 309 Spadina Ave., Toronto
Dim Sum Palace, 365 King Street W., Toronto
Ambassador Chinese Cuisine, 280 West Beaver Creek Rd., Unit #38, Richmond Hill
Tac Chong Food Restaurant, 492 Dundas Street W., Toronto
Tu Hing Bakery, 888 Dundas St. E., Mississauga
Roy’s Garden, 34 Roys Square, Toronto

Shopping:

Jin Cheng Bakery, 419 Dundas Street West, Toronto – 416-596-8878
Ten Ren’s Tea Company Ltd., 454 Dundas Street West, Toronto – 416-598-7872

Episode #8 – MEXICO

Forget the bright yellow taco shells out of a box because the real-deal Mexican taco comes in a soft-shell corn tortilla with some of the juiciest fillings you’ve ever had. Sora samples steak and tinga (spicy chicken) tacos at Mexi Taco while PJ heads to El Trompo for some chicharron de queso (griddle toasted cheese) and zucchini flower quesadillas. The duo then head to Dos Amigos where tostadas and hominy corn soup known as Pozole end their Mexican culinary adventure.

Eating Out:

Mexi Taco Taqueria, 828 Bloor St. W., Toronto – 416-537-6693
El Trompo Taco Bar, 277 Augusta Ave., Toronto – 416-260-0097
Dos Amigos, 1201 Bathurst St., Toronto – 416-534-2528
Tacos El Asador, 690 Bathurst St. W., Toronto
El Palenque Casa del Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, 816 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto
Mex-I-Can, 107 James St. N., Hamilton
Jalapeno Restaurant, 725 King St. W., Toronto
El Sol Mexican Art Café, 1448 Danforth Ave., Toronto
El Jacalito, 1500 Royal York Boulevard, Etobicoke

Shopping:

Perola’s, 247 Augusta Avenue, Toronto – 416-593-9728
Mexican Food, 200 Baldwin Street, Toronto – 416-542-1486

Episode #9 – JAPAN

Who said the British have the market cornered on neighbourhood pubs and taverns? The Japanese have been serving up savoury dishes made expressly for pairing with alcohol for decades- and PJ gives some of that fare a shot at Izakaya with chili beef ramen soup and tori kara age (deep fried chicken Japanese style.) Sora tries kushiyake (skewered, grilled meats and veggies) at Sakawaya and soba noodle master Ted Iizuka shows the two of them how to make fresh soba noodles by hand.

Eating Out:

Sakawaya Japanese Bistro, 867 Danforth Ave. Toronto
Izakaya, 69 Front St. E., Toronto
Edo Noodle House, 374 Spadina Ave., Toronto
Hana-bi Japanese Restaurant, 3235 Hwy. 7 E., Unit #28, Markham
Sushi Delight, 461 Danforth Ave., Toronto
Mye Japanese Restaurant, 143 Church St., Oakville
Tokyo Grill, 582 Yonge St., Toronto
Yumi Japanese Restaurant, 2384 Bloor St. W., Toronto

Shopping:

Little Tokyo, 199 Augusta Avenue, Toronto – 416-921-1328
Sanko Trade Inc., 730 Queen St. West, Toronto – 416-703-4550
Soba Canada Inc., Soba Master Tetsuya “Ted� Iizuka, www.sobacanada.com

Episode #10 – NORTH INDIA & PAKISTAN

Creamy, fragrant and aromatic begin to describe North Indian cuisine and the dishes that Sora and PJ sample in this episode. A stop at Spices Café gives North Indian food a healthy boost by replacing the dairy in butter chicken with a creamy smooth paste of almonds and cashews. From a sizzling cast iron skillet of spicy Chicken Tikka Haryali in Brampton’s India Curry House to King Fish at King Palace, the two feast like royalty on regional dishes fit for nobility.

Eating Out:

India Curry House, 80 Pertosa Dr., Brampton
Spices Café, 4 Temperance St., Toronto
King Palace, 105 Sherbourne St., Toronto
Khan’s Family Restaurant, 35 Brunel Rd., Unit #4-B, Mississauga
Bar-Be-Que-Hut, 1455 Gerrard St. E., Toronto
Rasoee Indian Kitchen, 4400 Highway 7 E., Markham
Lahore Tikka House, 1365 Gerrard St. E., Toronto
Tandoori Time, 1727 Albion Rd., Etobicoke
Brar Sweets and Restaurant, 2646 Islington Ave., Etobicoke

Shopping:

Asian Food Centre, 80 Pertosa Drive, Unit 21, Brampton – 905-460-0003
OM Indian Food Centre, 71 West Drive, Brampton – 905-452-1100

Episode #11 – THAILAND

Thai cuisine is renowned for its exquisite curries and exotic flavours; this week PJ and Sora taste both familiar and new Thai delights. In Oakville at Thai, Satay & More, Sora savors Tiger Shrimp Satay Skewers while in downtown Toronto, PJ tries a refreshing Green Mango Salad at the Salad King. From the familiar, they move on to more exotic dishes; Haw Mok Pla, a fish custard served in banana leaf cups and the Durian, a fruit which smells awful and tastes wonderful.

Eating Out:

Salad King, 335 Yonge Street, Toronto, 416-971-7041
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant, 3329 Lakeshore Blvd, Etobicoke, 416-259-7004
Thai Satay & More, 187 Cross Avenue, Oakville, 905-338-7934
My–Thai, 21 John Street North, Hamilton, 905–526–8373
Vinapha Lanna, 471 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, 416–484–0895
Satay on the Road, 1572 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, 416–440-0679
Bali Thai, 826 Queenston Road, Stoney Creek, 905–664–8431
Sue’s Thai Food, 414 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, 416–531–8822
Thai Paradise, 35 Baldwin Street, Toronto, 416–351–1368

Shopping:

Vientiane Supermarket, 2 Bradstock Road, North York – 416-743-2911
K & K Tropical Fruit, 298A Spadina Avenue, Toronto – 416-979-3435

Episode #12 – NORTH CHINA

Northern Chinese winters are long, cold and dry (sounds a lot like Canada!); this makes their cuisine different from their Southern Chinese neighbours. In the south, rice is king, in the north, the staple is wheat; dumplings, sandwiches, and noodles are popular street eats. At Chinese Traditional Buns, Sora samples the Ro Ja Mo Mo, the spicy Chinese Pulled Pork Sandwich; the recipe requires twenty spices and nine hours to marinate. In Markham, at Dong Bei Wang, PJ tries his hand at making hand pulled noodles, an art which takes chefs years to master.

Eating Out:

Chinese Traditional Buns, 536 Dundas Street West, Toronto, 416-299-9011
M.Y. Chafing Dish Restaurant, 357 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, 416-598-0832
Sun’s Kitchen, Pacific Mall – 4300 Steeles Avenue East, Markham, 905-947-8463
Mother’s Dumplings, 79 Huron Street, Toronto, 416-217-2008
Peking Man Restaurant, 1110 Sheppard Avenue East, North York, 416–223–5151
Asian Legend, 418 Dundas Street West, Toronto, 416–977-3909
Chinese Dumpling House, 3636 Steeles Avenue. East, Markham, 905–947-9880
Great Khan Mongolian Grill, 7131 Kennedy Road, Markham, 905–947–8288
Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum, 3235 Hwy 7, Markham, 905–943-9880

Shopping:

T & T Supermarket Inc., 7070 Warden Avenue, Markham – 905-470-8113
K & K Tropical Fruit, 298A Spadina Avenue, Toronto – 416-979-3435

Episode #13 – LEBANON

This week PJ and Sora are exploring the delectable cuisine of Lebanon. An abundance of fruits, vegetables, and fresh fish are key ingredients in Lebanese cooking and there’s hardly a meal that doesn’t include generous doses of garlic and olive oil. The first stop for PJ is at the restaurant 93 Harbord to sample some Kibbeh, the national dish of Lebanon, while Sora heads straight for desert trying some Lebanese butter cookies and baklawa at Arz’s Fine Foods & Bakery. Sahteyn! (means bon appetit in Arabic).

Eating Out:

93 Harbord Restaurant, Toronto, 416-922-5914
Akram’s Shoppe, 191 Baldwin, Toronto, 416-979-3116
Quick Pita Authentic Lebanese Cuisine, 65 Duncan Street, Toronto
Ghazale, 504 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Momo’s, 196 Robert Street, Toronto
Sababa, 390 Steeles Ave. W. (at Hilda Ave.), Thornhill
La Luna, 306 King W., Hamilton
Arabesque Middle Eastern Food, 1068 College Street, Toronto

Shopping:

Arz Bakery, 1909 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough – 416-755-5084
Samara Roasted Nuts, 1865 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough – 416-701-1718

Seen on SunTV, Street Eats… Where the female presenter is very cute, did I say very cute?
Sorah Olah

Website here