March Fun in K-Town!

News this week - Springer Market Square skating rink is closed for the season.  On one hand, bummer (my older daughter was going to go skating on Friday with school) but on the other hand, spring is here!  The market vendors will soon be in the square selling their wares.

Maple Madness is starting this weekend (March 12) and running through til early April.  This takes place at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.  My younger daughter is going to this with school on Friday.  I've been with the school trips in the past and it's fun and educational for everyone.  Due to the weather, I'd suggest splash pants and rain boots - be prepared for mud!

There's a convention of sorts occurring next weekend (Mar 10-13th).  The King Con festival is taking place around downtown Kingston, but it looks like it's centred around the library.  Many local businesses are involved, and if you click the link above you can find a list of events and sponsors.  There is also a Facebook Page with more details here.

Over March Break Little Ray's Reptile Zoo is holding their annual event at the Frontenac Mall.  Starting on Sunday, Mar 13th, you can see their displays set up in the mall, and there are live shows a few times a day.  They are only there until Wednesday so catch them while you can.  The March Break event is free of charge.

Looking far into the future, one of the things we love doing is catching some "Movies in the Square" on warm summer nights.  DowntownKingston! should be starting to think about what movies to show this season.  They provide a vote so we have a say in what movies we'd like to catch, and if I'm organized enough I'll be sure to craft a post when they do and share the voting page with you, my loyal readers.

There are also lots of concerts and hockey games at the Rogers K-Rock Centre.  I don't follow the hockey much, but I understand the Kingston Frontenacs will be in the playoffs for the OHL.  They've managed to be Eastern Division Champions! (I think that means they have the most points in their division for the regular season...)  That means more games yet to come!  And if you're more into music there are a bunch of concerts coming up.  Tonight is Marianas Trench, but also Metric, Hedley, Santana, Jonny Reid, and James Taylor are all on the docket over the next few months.  There is also free skating March 14th at 1pm as a March Break promotion, and the Science Rendezvous in May.

I'm sure there are many other events or activities happening around town this month.  These are just a sampling (and the ones I've heard about, or may be going to!) of the fun that routinely goes on in K-Town.  If I've left anything out, please tell me in the comments.  I'm always up for local events (especially if they're free!)

Enjoy the month!

~Jess

5 Things To Check Out in Kingston This Winter

Winter is well established now in the Limestone City.  That is not an excuse to pass up the fun winter activities coming up (or already going on) around town.

I'll be the first to admit that winter is not my favourite season.  But now that we've passed the shortest day, and the streetlights don't come on until almost 5pm I think it's time to see what the city has to offer.

1. Skating: We have been to the rink at Market Square once so far this year.  Some years we only make it once.  This year Emma is loving the skating so we're hoping to go a few more times before winter's end.  The city has also got most of the community rinks up and going.  There's a list on the city's website HERE of community staffed and un-staffed rinks.  There is one in our neighbourhood that I don't see on the list so I'm not sure how many others there may be that they don't list.
2. FebFest is fast approaching.  Every February Downtown Kingston puts on this fun event with skating and hockey exhibitions, some snow fun in Confederation Park (ice slides and a snow maze) and this year: free maple candy every day!  This year's fun runs from Feb 4th until the 7th and is mainly centered around Market Square.
3. On Valentine's day the Cataraqui Centre is hosting the band Ambush.  It's a show for kids to introduce their new CD for children.  There are two shows, one at 1:30 and one at 3:30 - the guys will be signing autographs after the shows and there will also be a performance from the Kingston Gymnastic Club.
4. For anyone (or their kids) interested in construction or excavation, go check out the Big Dig.  The Grand Theatre has a blog feed in which they talk about what is going on and how it's affecting the foot traffic (and car traffic) at any point in time.  Right now Princess St is closed to vehicle traffic from Bagot St to Montreal St (the intersection at Montreal is open) and then also closed from Montreal to Sydenham St.  You are able to walk through the fenced areas and see some of what they're doing.  The crews are usually very friendly as well, if you have any questions.  I find it fascinating - the last segment they did was right outside the store where I work and it was constantly changing, the foot paths were different every few days, and the stages of work were so interesting.
   
5. Cantabile Choirs of Kingston is holding a Sing-A-Long concert Sunday February 7th,  Donations are accepted on behalf of Joe's M.I.L.L. and Systema Kingston but admission is free.  The choir is fantastic and who doesn't love a sing-a-long?

Year round there are events at the libraries around town and there are also a ton of museums to visit if the weather isn't so great for being outdoors.  Sledding is popular at some locations around town - Fort Henry Hill, the Reservoir on Third Ave above Victoria St, and anywhere else there's enough of an incline and a few kids.  My kiddos make their own fun in the park across the street from our house - the enthusiasm of my kids for the snow astounds me every year.

And one last thing I just saw on Facebook the other day - Little Ray's Reptile Zoo is again visiting the Frontenac Mall this March Break.  I know that's a big far away yet, but we are always excited to visit Little Ray's exhibits.  We always learn something neat and get to touch some cool animals.  We'll try our best to get there this March Break!

I feel there were more things I was thinking about while I was at work today that I wanted to share, but they've escaped me.  I'll draft a follow-up post if I find more fun things coming up this winter.  And if there is anything I've left out, please post in the comments.

August Long Weekend 2015

Lots to do in Kingston this long weekend.  Some of the things we'll be checking out are:

• Princess St Promenade - Princess St will be closed this Saturday from 10am til 4pm, in the downtown core (Division to the water, I believe).  Stores, restaurants and community groups fill the street with activities, wares and information.
• Kick and Push festival - the family is hoping to catch a performance of Shipwrecked! likely on Sunday at the Grand Theatre.  My mother's cousin's son is acting in the performance (what does that make him to me?)
• Rockin' the Square (part 2) is happening Friday evening, with Miss Emily opening for Big Sugar.  This is the free concert in Market Square (part 1 was Hawksley Workman that I went to in the rain).  I believe it starts at 8 but go early as it's free and it's not supposed to rain this time!
• Of course Movies in the Square on Thursday night - this week is Shrek.  I don't think we'll go this week, but Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid will likely see us there!
• On Monday there is a ParaPanAm torch relay at Lake Ontario Park.  The flame will arrive at the park at 7pm.  I saw the PanAm torch downtown on it's way to Fort Henry (I think) prior to the games beginning and it was pretty neat.  We won't be attending this (I don't think) but still would be fun - and likely quite kid-friendly.

Whatever we (and you) choose to do it will be a fun and busy weekend.  Leave me a comment of anything else you know of going on around town this weekend - so we don't miss out on anything fun!

Toodles!

Lego Movie in the Square

Tonight's free downtown movie - The Lego Movie!  My kids want to see it, but due to the summer solstice we will not be attending.  By that I mean it won't be dark until 9pm and both my kids are way in bed by then.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go!  It's free! (did I say that already?)  Grab your lawn chairs and some snacks and head down to Market Square - they start setting up the screen sometime after 6pm.  There is also popcorn available (maybe drinks too, I'm not sure) and you're close to stores if you need something else.

Let me know how it was (and what time it started) to I can plan the rest of our Thursdays accordingly!

Kingston Buskers Rendezvous 2015

Every summer since I was a kid I've looked to forward to the Buskers!  My grandparents used to take me (and my sister) when we were "tweens" as the current term is.  When I got older and started going to Queen's University I started dragging my university friends.  I'm still dragging family and friends along whenever I can, but now I have 2 little people who seems to also have my enthusiasm for them!

I'm looking forward to it this year, as every year.  July 9th to 12th the streets of downtown Kingston will have performers everywhere!  Sections of streets are closed down, Market Square has bleachers for watching, and there are kids activities during the afternoons.  It's so much fun!

My workplace - Quarry Medical Pharmacy - has been sponsoring the Buskers for many years.  I think I'm the only one that works there who really takes advantage of the free (donations suggested) events of the Buskers, but as a vibrant downtown store we really try to support the community.  The store supports many other events and local organizations.

Anyway, I will post again as the Buskers get closer, but you know me and my family will be downtown as much as possible during this years Rendezvous.  I hope you will be too!

Toodles!

Movies in the Square Every Thursday

The City of Kingston, every summer, plays outdoor movies for free on Thursdays.  The first movie is this week (June 18).  Bring your chairs, snacks, blankets (umbrellas the way the weather's been this week) and all your friends and family!

Movies in the Square - Downtown Kingston

We are not going this week - maybe next week for The Lego Movie.  There is also popcorn for sale in the square, and the local radio stations usually give away stuff at the these nights as well.  The movie doesn't start until it's dark, and this time of year that's pretty late (like 9pm) but as the summer goes on they start sooner.

It's such a good time.  We've been to many movies in the square over the past few years.  My little ones are almost old enough to stay awake for 9pm starts, buy my youngest is going to bed at 7pm these days so we'll see how it goes this summer!

I'd love if readers would comment if they are finding these posts interesting and/or helpful for things going on around town.  Please post below with any comments!\

Toodles!

Rocking the Square

Rockin the Square

I am going to this - Friday June 12th.  It's free!  I'm hoping to drag someone (or more than one) along with me, but I'll go on my own if no one wants to come.  It's been a while since I've been to a concert alone, but it's all good.  That means I can stand where I want and do what I want without worrying about whether someone else is having a good time!

If the girls were older I would totally make them come along, but it doesn't start until the time Emma is usually in bed, so it would not be fun for me to do that this year.  I'm sure there will be many more opportunities to drag them along to concerts.

Anyway, if anyone I know is going, let me know - I am happy to hang out with people who actually want to be there!

Toodles!

Favourite Locales in Kingston

I thought I would try to compile a post about the place I go in town for my regular life.  I will try to link to ones that have links, but I'm still trying to get an idea of how to properly do this blogger thing, so bear with my and please comment with any ideas or things you did or didn't like about my posts!

First, some local websites I use to get in information about what is going on around town, or which recycling night it is!

City Of Kingston - this is the city's website.  You can find almost anything you need to know about Kingston here.  I use it for waste collection schedules, transit maps, community events, parking info and lot of other stuff.

Downtown Kingston! - their tag line is: Dine.Shop.Enjoy.  This is more of a tourism website.  Here is what is says in the About Us section; The Downtown Kingston! Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of more than 700 businesses located in the core commercial area of the City of Kingston. The BIA promotes Downtown Kingston! as the vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential, and entertainment centre of our region, attracting more people to live, shop, work and gather.  This site is great for events happening downtown, as well as restaurants and retail stores you might like to check out.

Now some places I frequent::
Quarry Medical Pharmacy - this is my workplace, and also my pharmacy.  We are great.  I love everyone at the store, both staff and customers alike.  We pride ourselves on our fantastic customer service.  If you need a pharmacy (or a tube of toothpaste) please consider QMP.

Greco's Wine Bar and Grill -  I would say this is my favourite restaurant in the city.  There are a ton of restaurants, but this one is always great.  Casual fine dining, small space, also great customer service and they always recognize their repeat customers.  Oh and the food is fabulous too!

Kingston School of Dance - my daughters take dance classes here.  I believe this is the only non-competitive dance school in town.  The people there are fantastic and really care about the kids working at their own pace and developing skills individually.  I understand many of the "big girls" go on to dance in esteemed dance troupes or schools after they graduate from high school (or in the summers between)

The Tett Centre - this is where Kingston School of Dance is located.  Taken from the website: The J.K. Tett Centre is a City of Kingston-owned heritage building on the Lake Ontario waterfront. It is operated by the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, a not-for-profit arts organization made up of tenant groups and community members... If you are visiting Kingston, The Tett Center offers lots of opportunity to enrich yourself in the Canadian arts, such as plays, concerts, and dance. We have many visitors and members who join us from nearby places like Inverary, Verona, Seeley's Bay, Mallorytown, Belleville and Odessa.

Springer Market Square - the hub of downtown Kingston.  Many events happen here, as well as a Farmer's Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May until it snows.

Kingston's Grand Theatre - the prime performing arts venue in town.  Kingston School of Dance puts on it's end-of-year performance here every year, as well as concerts, comedians, other dance and ballet performances, and of course plays are all performed here.

Cataraqui Centre - this is the indoor mall in town.  The kids like to go run around, and there are occasional "shows" (My Little Pony, Toopy & Binoo, fashion shows etc) we catch sometimes.  Of course there are stores and they just re-did the food court.  It's a fine rainy-day activity, but can be quite congested with people at times.

I'm sure there are many more places we go on a regular basis, but I've hit the wall for this post, I think. More posts to come!

Toodles!