Photo: "Open For Business!" by dzgnboy, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

There are a number of things I like doing in the dark... like watching fireworks, catching fireflies, and... sleeping. One thing I've never tried (intentionally, anyhow) is eating in the dark. Toronto's first dining-in-the-dark restaurant has just recently opened. I guess the chefs at O. Noir need not worry too much about presentation, eh?

A St. Catharines man has been awarded $50,000 in punitive damages after a judge agreed that he'd been unjustifiably Tasered and falsely arrested back in 2003. The moral of the story? Don't yell "Hey, Baby!" to a police officer unless you want to get zapped and spend 6 years of your life fighting for your rights in court for a measly $50k.

Toronto police officers, especially those on bikes, have a problem with body armour in the summer - it's just too hot to wear it and remain hydrated, comfortable, and free of sweaty pits. Although current Kevlar vests are several times lighter than steel, they still create a dilemma for our boys and girls in blue. Until new technology comes about, I guess it'll continue to have to be a trade off - if you want protection, you have to be uncomfortable.

Time and time again it's been demonstrated that what you say online can get you into trouble in the much the same way (or even more) as saying it out loud in public. Frederic Geisweiller, owner of Le Select Bistro, is getting this lesson first hand after posting his political opinions to their web site and causing a wave of reaction in Toronto's Jewish community and beyond.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public about beef tainted with E.coli. President's Choice steaks, roasts, and ground beef may be affected, so check the detailed list on recall and check your freezer.

And the Toronto Star is nearing the end of their 'List Week'. Many of their short, themed lists are Toronto-centric, which is cool. I particularly like the top 10 speed trap locations, the Most-read stories of all time on thestar.com, and the 7 nastiest insults hurled in the House of Commons.