HOToronto Now Available On FACEBOOK

HOToronto has joined the social networking revolution by creating a Members, Sizzle Sheet News and Event listings group on the popular website Facebook.

Online social networks and communities appear to have hit the Internet with the momentum of a runaway locomotive. A new study released by Ipsos Reid has found that nearly four-in-ten Internet-enabled adults in Canada (37%) have visited an online social network or online social community and three-in-ten (29%) have placed a profile on at least one such site.

"Creating a social networking group on Facebook just makes sense", says HOToronto Publisher and Editor Joey Cee. Canadian adults who have heard of and/or visited an online social network spend an average of 5.4 hours per week browsing and using online social networks. Facebook is the most popular online social network among Canadian.

"Canadians have embraced social networking and Toronto is currently the most popular Facebook network," says Cee, "by opening ourselves up to these kinds of social networks, Canadians and tourists can more easily learn about Toronto's premier entertainment and events."

Large proportions of Canada's population centres are linked on the popular social networking site. Toronto, as an example, is the largest geographic group, with member numbers (940,988 Facebookers ) surpassing those of major urban centres like London and New York.

Check out the concise guide to What's Hot in Toronto Entertainment and join our HOToronto group on Facebook for exciting event news, photos, and videos!
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Hope beams radiantly over Toronto from atop the Lindt And Hilton Tree Of Hope - an annual fundraising program benefiting SickKids Foundation. Serenaded by the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus under Artistic Director Ann Cooper Gay and featuring pianist Gergely Szokolay and host Kim Stockwood, 2-year-old SickKids Foundation ambassador Ethan helped The National Ballet's Sugar Plum Fairy (Sonia Rodriguez) illuminate the tree, which is crowned by a figure of Elpis, the Greek goddess of hope, designed by Mag Ruffman (Road to Avonlea, ToolGirl).

Hilton Toronto General Manager Armin Schroecker said, "Like this tree, we all have the power to spread goodwill this holiday season, to be an example of the spirit of giving ... and ultimately offer comfort to someone else." "Lindt is proud to continue inspiring this tradition of giving," Lindt CEO Rudi Blatter added. "Like many traditions, The Tree of Hope program gives not only Toronto's citizens but also its businesses a new way to gather together and feel part of a community."

The launch event featured a creativity centre, where children designed their own version of the Tree of Hope. On hand to assist the kids were Toronto Argonauts' Offensive Guards Taylor Robertson and Brian Ramsay, Defensive End Ronald Flemons and Offensive Tackle Glenn January. The resulting artwork will be on display in Adelaide Place and the PATH during the holiday season.

Also on hand at the event was the legendary Cabbagetown Santa, portrayed by Alex Punyi since 1994, when he assumed the role after the passing of his father in law, Tom Crewe Sr. The Cabbagetown Santa attends the annual kid's St. Cyril's Church Christmas party and hands out gifts to 500 children in the Regent Park area-gifts collected at the annual Crewe Christmas Toy Dance, a tradition started by Tom Crewe Sr. over 60 years ago, but continued by his son, Tom Crewe Jr.

Lindt and Hilton Toronto hope to surpass last year's total of $26,000 through innovative ways to donate, from bidding on two luxury travel packages on www.sickkidsauctions.com to indulging in chocolate-infused desserts and cocktails at the Hilton Toronto or enjoying the Hilton Buffet Breakfast. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of select products at the three Lindt boutiques in the GTA will also be donated, as well as from the sale of Lindt Ornaments and Advent Calendars in the Hilton Toronto lobby. In addition, $2 from every special feature dessert ordered by groups celebrating the holidays at Hilton Toronto will be donated.

This year's 50-foot tree pays tribute to patients and staff of Hospital for Sick Children. SickKids 266 patients are represented by 266 strings of light, bearing 7,000 light bulbs-one for each full-time staff member. Meanwhile, 1,200 bows sparkle amongst the boughs to represent the funded research projects at SickKids. The tree will be on display until January 6, which will also be the final day of the fundraising campaign.

Toronto school children will raise their voices in a song of hope during Hilton Toronto's Sounds of the Season choir series sponsored by Lindt.