Tag Archives: Toronto

Skating in Morningside Park

February 16, 2015 karimkanji

Michael Gauthier must have been proud. This past weekend the natural ice rink that Professor Gauthier and his environmental science students built (with the help of volunteers, community members and Home Depot, among others) finally officially opened.

We first came across Gauthier and his rink in the fall during one of our weekend city hikes.

Here’s a great write up of the birth of this 100% community initiative.

And here’s some photos from this weekend’s skating festivities. Can you tell it was the coldest weekend of the year?

Toronto

I met Maestro Fresh Wes: the Godfather of Canadian Rap

January 12, 2015 karimkanji

If you grew up in the 1980s and listened to rap music from that time (or any top 40 radio station in North America – if not the world) then you probably heard artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, Run DMC, LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys. As the 1980s started to close out one Canadian rapper from Toronto hit the charts with a bang: Maestro Fresh Wes with his chart-topping single, Let Your Backbone Slide.

Since then, Wes has been known as the Godfather of Canadian Rap. He’s continued to release amazing music and now also spends his time mentoring kids around the country.

I recently ran into Wes in the city. We had a great 15-20 minute conversation. Just me and him. He actually motioned for me to come over when we passed. He was very generous with his time and was very polite and engaging.

When it was time for us to separate, he obliged me by taking a selfie. (Please don’t ask what I’m wearing…)

Check out his new single, I Can’t Breathe:

Toronto

Hiking in Birkdale Ravine

January 4, 2015 karimkanji 1 Comment

Hiking in Toronto is fun.

I recently wrote about a portion of Highland Creek on the University of Toronto’s (Scarborough Campus) property. This weekend we visited Birkdale Ravine which is located in the watershed of Highland Creek. As we recently had snow and rain, the ravine was not only higher than normal but moving very fast.

Here are some photos I took of our visit.

If you’re interested in my hikes you can see them all here. So far.

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Top Articles of 2014

December 28, 2014 karimkanji

2014 is almost over. And 2015 is just around the corner. In this post we take a look back at some of the more popular articles of 2014.

Coffee Lounges

I attended a few coffee lounges at Willowdale this past year. After attending I posted some thoughts and pictures here. The most popular article that was written in 2014 was the Lounge that featured former Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed. The second most popular article from this past year featured the CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Khalil Shariff.

Toronto Politics

If you lived in Toronto in 2014 you know that politics took front page on almost a daily basis. And not because of anything good. Mostly. The third and eighth most popular articles from 2014 highlighted two personalities from Toronto politics. Third place (coincidentally) features Olivia Chow. I met Chow over the summer at a friend’s backyard barbeque. I also read Crazy Town by Robyn Doolitle which ended up as the eighth most popular article of karimkanji.com this past year. The book detailed the various shenanigans of Rob Ford and his dysfunctional political family. I also wrote about meeting eventual Mayor of Toronto, John Tory.

Social Media

The following three articles also ended up in the top ten most popular articles of 2014:

The Problem with LinkedIn;

How To Block Promoted Tweets In HootSuite;

I started teaching a couple of social media marketing courses at George Brown College here in Toronto.

Wearables

On itbusiness.ca, I started writing more about wearables in 2014. However, the most popular article I wrote on itbusiness this past year was my digital technology forecast for 2014.

Catalyst Blog

My writing can also be found on the Catalyst blog. The most popular piece from this past year was a look at the future of mobile banking.

YouTube

Did you know I also have a YouTube channel? I do. And you should subscribe! Here was my most watched video from 2014:

Toronto

The Shop.ca Christmas Market – Toronto

December 22, 2014 karimkanji

In what is now an annual tradition, Toronto’s Distillery District played host these past few weeks to the Shop.ca Christmas Market. We visited the market along with the District’s many eclectic shops and boutiques.

Enjoy our photo journey! And happy holidays to all!

Toronto

University of Toronto – Scarborough | Highland Creek

December 15, 2014 karimkanji

The city of Toronto is home to creeks, rivers and parks. I’ve just started exploring the city over the past few months and I’ve been more than amazed. Little did I know that Canada’s largest city could also be home to parks, trails, rivers and creeks. It’s like being a hundred miles away from home right in your own backyard.

Here are some photos I took recently during a walk along Highland Creek. this portion of the Creek runs through the property of the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus.

Toronto

Sunday afternoon in Scarborough | The Guild

December 8, 2014 karimkanji

The Guild Inn and surrounding Guild Park is located in the Guildwood neighbourhood of Scarborough just atop the Scarborough Bluffs in south eastern Toronto.

We visited this former artist colony this past weekend. The Park is famous for its eclectic sculpture garden consisting of the ruins of various demolished downtown Toronto buildings including banks and insurance companies.

Toronto

Today is a brand new day

December 2, 2014 karimkanji

I thought I’d never see the day that I would be so excited to see December 2 2014. You see, I’m not a huge fan of winter. I love the summer and the warmth of the sun on my face. Snow, cold and short days are not my cup of tea.

But today is not a great day because of of winter. It’s great because today is Day 1 of a new Toronto. John Tory is now officially the Mayor of the city of Toronto.

And that’s a good thing. No. That’s a great thing. His predecessor was nothing short of a huge disappointment. He may have had good intentions. He may have been a great councillor and returned everyone’s calls. But Rob Ford is not mayor material. He is not a leader. Nor a builder. And not someone who cared about creating a city that everyone could be proud to live in. He was, in my opinion, divisive and interested in cutting everything from the budget to public services that we all rely on.

Toronto Mayor John Tory speaking with Karim Kanji at 2014 Taste of Lawrence

John Tory has an opportunity to not just reverse the mess that Ford left Toronto in but he also has this opportunity to help build a great city. A city whose transportation system is once again the envy of the world. A city with a waterfront that we can all be proud of. A city we can not be ashamed of. A city that the late night comedians once again ignore.

Today is a brand new day. #fingercrossed

Toronto, Toronto Is Awesome

Hiking the Doris McCarthy Trail

December 1, 2014 karimkanji

Yesterday afternoon Minaz and I walked the Doris McCarthy Trail in the southeast part of Scarborough. It’s not a long trail but it’s a fun walk along the Bellamy Ravine as it empties into Lake Ontario at the foot of the Scarborough Bluffs.

Yes. Scarborough is most likely the most scenic part of the city of Toronto.

Here are some photos we took. I hope you enjoy.

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#FollowFriday with Tomas from MADE Clothing

June 27, 2014 karimkanji

It’s been a while since I’ve met up with Tomas. We used to work out of the same space over a year ago. It’s kinda my fault that I haven’t been over to see him at his new space. Anyways, I have this sense that things are going amazing for him and his company, MADE Clothing.

Here’s a conversation I had with him over a year ago while I was working elsewhere. I hope you enjoy his insights into entrepreneurship.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0iRndhN7iA?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

KARIM KANJI (dot) COM

Tag Archives: Toronto

Skating in Morningside Park

I met Maestro Fresh Wes: the Godfather of Canadian Rap

Hiking in Birkdale Ravine

The Shop.ca Christmas Market – Toronto

University of Toronto – Scarborough | Highland Creek

Sunday afternoon in Scarborough | The Guild

Today is a brand new day

Hiking the Doris McCarthy Trail

#FollowFriday with Tomas from MADE Clothing

By Karim Kanji