Mar 30, 2016 - 4 Great Car Podcasts

Podcasts have become increasingly popular with commuters. Many of us will listen to a podcast instead of a playlist during a workout or on the way to work because podcasts offer a little more than a good tune to mindlessly drift off to - they offer information and stories that engage you, sort of like a radio talk show but with less celebrity gossip and more substantial content. A podcast is kind of like reading an article or watching a tv show, but you don't have to look at something to keep up with it. Seeing as we are a body shop, it's important to us that quality information is circulated about cars. If you're a car lover, we've put together a short list of some of our favourite and most useful auto podcasts:

The Smoking Tire

The Smoking Tire pretty much offers anything you might want to hear relating to cars. Their podcasts centre around anything from interviews with leaders in the automotive industry to tips for restoring your car. Their website is complete with videos, merchandise, reviews, podcasts, and even written pieces, like interviews with leaders in the automotive industry.

Car Talk

You don't have to know much about cars to enjoy Car Talk- probably one of the most entertaining car podcasts. Car Talk is almost like a radio comedy show centred around cars, so it's less information-based but more about other listeners' car-related dilemmas (although you'll still learn a few things along the way).

Everyday Driver

Hosts, Paul and Todd, review cars and help their listeners figure out what car would be best for them. While they occasionally discuss high-end, exotic cars, they most often talk about issues pertinent to the "everyday driver", like affordable cars and relatable situations, like one of their most recent topics: Enthusiast Dad on a Budget. They also have a YouTube channel so listeners can watch the video component of their car reviews.

AmmoNYC

Detailer and host of AMMO NYC, Larry Kosilla uploads weekly podcasts to provide his listeners with his best tips and tricks for cleaning, restoring, and maintaining their vehicles.This is a great podcast to check out if you restore cars as a hobby or if your car is your most prized possession.

What kinds of podcasts do you guys like listening to? Are there any really great ones about cars that we missed?

Mar 09, 2016 - Family-Friendly March Break Activities

March break is the awkward in-between season when it's too warm to do winter things like skiing and ice skating, but too cool to do spring things like go camping and outdoor swimming. It can be hard to keep your kids entertained during March Break: you don't want them to spend the whole week sleeping in and watching TV all day, but you also don't want to spend the week acting as their chauffeur, which only interferes with your work schedule. Instead, why not use March Break as an excuse to take some time off and plan some forced family fun. We've put together a few family-friendly March Break trips within driving distance of Toronto that will not only entertain your kids, but will get you out of work for a few days.

Tap Into Maple (pictured above)runs from March 1st through May 31st in Ontario's Lake Country and Springwater and as the name suggests, celebrates "all things maple". Check out local maple syrup producers, or attend some of their events (syrup-related or not). Over March Break, you can even learn about maple syrup production with a horse and wagon tour through the sugar bush.

Fulton's Pancake House and Sugar Bush is a 400-acre farm a little closer to Ottawa, so it's a bit far for a day-trip, but a great family vacation if you're looking to get away for a few days. Every day of March Break has a different theme that your kids can even dress up to, and if there's still snow you can even bring your skis and toboggans. They offer family packages which include pancake meals, face painting, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides.

What kid doesn't thrive off of doing crazy things that impress their peers? BugFeast! begins March 12 at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory and gives kids the chance to taste foods made with bugs! The event only runs through March Break and will even have food truck-style foods using insects! 

If you can't take time off but want to get your kids out of the house for the week, send them to Petit Chefs Academy's March Break cooking camp. At Petit Chefs Academy, your kids will learn how to cook healthy and delicious meals that will hopefully appeal to even the most picky of eaters. Maybe you and your kids can even start taking turns cooking dinner for the family (or at the very least, they'll have a new appreciation for the effort you put into it).

Feb 09, 2016 - Valentine's Day Gifts for the Car Lover

As the most romantic day of the year approaches, most of you are probably frantically looking for the perfect gift to give your significant other. Sure, chocolate and flowers are nice, but what's more romantic than showing someone how well you really know them by getting them something they'll actually use. We've compiled a list of 8 great Valentine's Day gifts that your car loving boyfriend or girlfriend will love (and will last longer than a day).

1. Shift Knob $30-100 - If he or she drives a manual car, a fun shift knob is an easy and practical way to decorate the inside of their car. Whatever their hobbies, you can find tons of different designs suited to their interests, like this Poké Ball shift knob that we found on Etsy.

2. Sports car lego set $100-200 - If your significant other is a child at heart, why not get them a lego set to build their favourite sports car. Tell them you got them a Ferrari and see how excited they get - after all, isn't a lego Ferrari the next best thing to owning an actual Ferrari?

3. Senna F1 documentary $10 - The Senna documentary, which documents World Champion Formula 1 racer, Ayrton Senna's life until his death at age 34, is a great add-on if you've already gotten a gift, but want to throw in a little something extra.

4. Grand Prix Tickets $33-400 - If you're looking for an excuse to plan a weekend away, consider the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Montreal. Not only are tickets reasonably priced, but even if you aren't into F1, you'll still look like the greatest partner ever and you'll get to spend a few days exploring Montreal.

5. Cayuga racing pack $400-1,100 - Toronto Motorsports Park's racing packs can be a bit pricey, but the cost is totally worth it for a car fanatic. Until the 14th, they're even offering Valentine's Day specials, so if you have a higher budget and are still on the hunt for a gift, a Cayuga racing pack won't make you look like you forgot.

6. License plate frame $20-30 - A license plate frame is a great option when you don't want to spend too much money. Get one with a funny saying or check out their favourite sports team's memorabilia website and get double brownie points for knowing that they love cars and what their favourite team is.

7. Toronto International Auto Show tickets $23 - The Auto Show runs from February 12th until the 21st and is a great reasonably-priced gift option (or Valentine's Day date idea, if you're both car fans). While you're in the area, you might as well make it a Toronto Tourist day and also check out Ripley's Aquarium of Canada or the CN Tower.

8. Dash Cam $100+ - A dash cam is a great gift idea for the boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife who is into drifting or racing and wants to get footage of their races. You can get a basic camera for $100 if it's just a part-time hobby or go up to $500 for more professional quality.