Signs had been up for awhile, announcing the sale of the building on the corner of Peter and Richmond, formerly known as nightclub Fez Batik. I passed often on my way up to Queen wondering what the next incarnation would bring. Maybe it would be another stuffy joint catering to lines of men in black leather, or a techno club for kids jacked up on Red Bull. If we were lucky, I'd thought, it would once again find the laid-back vibe of those who loved Fez, and the summer scene would once again jump to life on its patio. Seems though, that future plans may bring an entirely different kind of crowd.

Ron Jeremy, who may very well be The Hardest (Working) Man in Showbiz, swung by The Gladstone last week to stimulate us with stories from his recent autobiography. From the moment he mounted the stage the adult film icon was on a roll, dropping a few of the 1900 porn titles he's starred in: Halloweenie, Weapons of Ass Destruction (Ouch!), Fantastic Foreskin and Throbin Hood.

It was big news last July when the Docks Nightclub had their liquor license revoked because of noise complaints. Right on the water and close to Toronto Island residents, the nightclub's problems with their neighbours were inevitable, or so you'd think. While a judge had allowed the club to continue serving drinks, the management spent millions outfitting the waterfront property with noise-control systems hoping to make good with the party-poopers next door.

When it all went down last summer the club was warned they could have their license pulled at a moment's notice and weren't allowed any outdoor concerts, bad news for a venue that holds as many as 50 in a summer season. Since then, however, the club has only received two complaints. I guess that's good enough to impress the judge. Today, the entertainment complex won an Appeal Court decision to have their liquor license reinstated. Though the Docks still has another hearing in front of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, it sounds like they've got good news to celebrate for now.

This might just change the way I think about fluorescent lighting forever. Toronto design collective Castor Canadensis has found a fun way to light a space while making sure used bulbs don't end up in landfills all over the place. Using the old tubes tied together with incandescent bulbs lighting from within makes for a fantastic showpiece, especially for those eco-sensitive design fiends out there.

Made large to be hung horizontally or 2 feet tall for table or floor versions, the lamp will surely stand out from more traditional lighting. The collective notes on their cool website that they'll cut the manufacture price by half for those who bring in burnt-out bulbs from architecturally significant buildings. No word whether the design has any bearing on energy efficiency.

It's the same old story - Canadians don't seem to recognize talent at home until someone recognizes it abroad. This time it's a charming tale of luck and love called The Danish Poet, nominated for an Oscar in the animated shorts category. For the National Film Board here in Canada it's the 69th nomination. Others included the touching documentary Hardwood and the incredible achievement of animated short Ryan, which brought home the Oscar in 2005 for its portrayal of animator turned panhandler Ryan Larkin.

Last night champagne flowed and chalky-white cirque-robats glowed while media types mingled in an interior design fantasy world for IDS07. I was fortunate to gain entry into this world for a sneak peek at all that's fresh and fancy in design this year before the big opening tomorrow.

You can expect the usual design stars to be around pushing product - Debbie Travis, Lynda Reeves and Brian Gluckstein - but none seemed to offer any notion of innovation or inspiration, except perhaps what the next hot colour of the season will be. Travis' "no photographs please" living space was decked in Hallowe'eny black and orange. All I can say about that is "Boo!"

Moving away from the dens of domesticity, local designers were making a splash. Read on for my top TO best of show.