Downsview | LNN: Levy News Network

Designated Survivor Filming Washington, DC in Toronto & North York

December 20, 2016 Dan Levy 29 comments

us-capitol-downsview-park-designated-survivor-20160805_135533

Mystery building to the left of the street light on the far side of the road. (Click to Enlarge)

This summer I was meandering around my neighborhood in North York (fine, I was playing Pokémon Go and was on a poke-walk! Don’t judge me!) when I noticed this weird building to the west of the Allen Rd in what was either Downsview Airport or the grounds of the upcoming Downsview Park TTC Station. It looked like it was a medieval castle but not. I knew I needed to find out what it was so I came back with my point-and-shoot camera that has 21x optical zoom and took a bunch more snaps.

I asked friends and neighbours if they knew what it was and showed the photos but no one had any better idea what the mystery building was.

Fast forward to September 28 when I watched the second episode of the new Kiefer Sutherland show, Designated Survivor made by ABC and aired here in Canada on CTV. The show’s plot involves the destruction of the US Capitol building and they were showing the destruction’s aftermath when I noticed some familiar shapes.

Toronto Christmas Light Display 2011 Outside House Near Wilson Station

November 30, 2011 Dan Levy Leave a comment

I was walking to Wilson Station in Toronto on November 28, 2011 at around 6pm and saw that some people in my area on Goodwill Avenue had already gotten their Christmas decorating well underway.

This was one of the most extravagant demonstrations I have ever seen in my neighborhood! It was complete with motorized/moving decorations and its own soundtrack – which I hope you’ll be able to hear.

I am sure there are crazier displays out there but didn’t know the hardcore people started it up this early! I always they did it progressively not in one fell swoop. Maybe they wanted to get it done before it REALLY cold? (If so, good timing because today we got out first stick-on-the-ground snowfall, light though it was.) I would love to know how many people it takes to set this up and how long. I am guessing they did it over the weekend.

As I say in the video, easily one of the most insane lawn decorations at someone’s house I have ever seen. You also gotta love it when they do this level of decoration outside a house which is not a massive house. These people are really into the holidays and are taking joy out of it and good for them! I can say this even though I’m Jewish because I am all for people enjoying the positive aspects of any religion and spreading cheer and joy at any time.

Know of any other over the top houses in the Christmas decorations category? I am sure there are plenty around Toronto and I am sure there will sooner or later be some sort of geeky twist on someone’s Christmas decorations – like the family who hooked their lights up to the internet and let people control it at certain times during the day and see the livestream on a webcam. You also got to appreciate this amount of dedication in celebrating any holiday.

Categories: Life, The Universe, & Everything Tags: Canada, Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Christmas lights, Downsview, Goodwill Ave, North York, postaday2011, Toronto, video

Blogging On A Budget II: Giving Stock Images & Photos

April 11, 2011 Dan Levy 7 comments

Still dunno which one to choose.

In yesterday’s post ,”Blogging On A Budget: The Unglamorous Part – Getting Stock Images & Photos”, I talked about trying to blog on a budget and getting stock imagery. I mentioned how learning what the rights are to use images from Flickr or elsewhere on the web and knowing how to abide by the Creative Commons Licenses can be tedious. I also mentioned how knowing exactly the right thing to do in terms of correctly using the images takes way more effort than I am willing to put in when I have to post something that day for the Post-A-Day 2011 Challenge and it is 11:30pm. I still don’t even know which of the licenses to choose from the Creative Commons Licenses available on the flickr but I guess I will have to read through the FAQ they give for choosing at some point. The pictures I have thus far posted are available on my flickr stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/danlevy/ but until I get the whole license thing worked out don’t worry – I got some pics for you right here!

So ya, this isn’t going to be a wordy post at all but I hope I make up for it in the value these photos gain for you should you ever need them. They are mundane, I know, but they are or could be useful to you at some point and then you’ll know where you can grab them. I am always open to suggestions of pictures I should take around Toronto, just let me know.