When was the last time you went for a swim in Victoria Park? For longtime residents of the City of London, the question is a precarious one without the existence of a beach, a pool, or any body of water for that matter. That is, until March 3^rd, 2012.

The Sears Great Canadian Chill brings its polar bear dip in support of paediatric oncology initiatives to London with a twist on their traditional swims of 2012. The Chill has already raised $100,00 this year through their events hosted at beaches in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver. In London, the Chill plans to builds a temporary pool in Victoria Park for participants to take a swim as the event raises funds to ‘Stop Kids Cancer Cold’.

Anyone above the age of 14 may register for the Chill that will host hundreds of families, children, and university and college students. There will be something for everyone as the Man-made chill zone is accompanied by hot tubs, heated tents, live entertainment, food, and a LINK costume contests (so, feel free to bring your tightest & brightest!)

If you’re weary of participating, the Chill welcomes your support as a volunteer, and in the form of donations that can be made offline and online. In any case, the event will definitely be a sight to see. Benefitting the Children’s Health Foundation through the London Health Sciences Centre, you’ll hear from brave child ambassadors that will share how much of a difference you make in spreading awareness, even just by your attendance.

So, on March 3^rd, bring your friends and family and stop by Victoria Park to participate, volunteer, and enjoy a day of family activities. It’s scary to jump into freezing water, and it’s scary to give your money away. But what’s really scary is that a child can have cancer. That’s scary.

Register at www.thechill.ca

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Kantina  Restaurant - Stellar Contemporary Serbian-Inspired Cuisine

Owner Miljan karac and Chef Danijel Markovic reinterpret classic Serbian –inspired cuisine with plenty of skill, expertise and locally-sourced ingredients in their chic downtown London restaurant.  This is a scratch kitchen and all items are made in-house and by hand. The menus are thoughtful and exciting riffs on an iconic indigenous cuisine imbue with modern farm to table ideals.

Kantina’s  cuisine is characterized by such idiosyncratic ingredients as: kajmak - clotted cream; ajavar a traditional red bell peppers, eggplant, garlic and chilli pepper relish; sir, a generic term for a variety of semi-hard porcelain- white cheeses made from sheep's milk and kept in brine (feta-style) and two very distinct types of yoghurt. One from cow's milk and a more luxurious one made from sheep's milk.

Chef's wicked rabbit pottage is thick with vegetables and anchored with bacon and truffle oil. Veal soup with finely diced root vegetables, sour cream and white turnip is truly a revelation and a testament to Markovic’s ability to layer many flavours with great effect. An upscale/rustic cream of potato and leek soup with toasted almonds, crunch bacon, tiny shrimp and truffle oil is out of this world.

Field Gate Organics beef carpaccio tartare served with Soiled Reputation arugula, aged goat cheese, and toasted pine nuts is superb.  One of the chef's signature specialities is Karadjordjeva, (Black George Schnitzel) a delicious rolled fried pork schnitzel with kajmak stuffing. Chef also perfects   chevaps, rolled chicken and a delicious lamb burger.

On one memorable occasion there is a perfectly cooked stuffed calamari accompanied by black (squid ink) risotto. Another time there is a chilled, luxurious strawberry puree with balsamico that has both sweet and sour elements arrives after dinner for dessert. On yet another occasion, smooth ‘Habitual Chocolate fudgy’ pot au crème, topped with mousse is flavoured with cloves and star anise and accompanied by a whimsical jam pot of strawberry puree and a chocolate tuille.

The menu changes frequently, prices are accessible and the wine list is modest. Kantina also serves a delicious breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Try the morning poutine with bacon and a fried egg or the brioche with house smoked salmon, yoghurt, red pepper spread, tomatoes and greens.

This small independent business thrives on their creativity, dedication and commitment to the bounty of Ontario enhanced by a well-honed and sophisticated international culinary point of view.

Dinner Monday to Sunday 5:30 to 10pm

Lunch Thursday to Saturday 11:30 to 5:30

Brunch Sunday 11:30 to 5:30

349 Talbot Street, London

519 672 5862

eat@kantina.ca

www.kantina.ca

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April is shaping up to be a fun-filled month at the John Labatt Centre in nearby London, Ontario. So if you’re looking for a little adventure, check out what’s happening just north of the border!

To kick things off, Broadway in London presents Shrek The Musical at 7:30 p.m. April 2 and 3. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, Shrek The Musical brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairytale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand … and his name is Shrek! 

The Harlem Globetrotters dribble and pass their way into town for a 2 p.m. performance on April 14. On the heels of signing one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history, the Harlem Globetrotters roster includes outstanding rookies Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest pro basketball player at 7-8; Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5-2; and Fatima “TNT” Maddox of Temple University, the team’s first female player since 1993. The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including the reigning champ Jacob “Hops” Tucker!

Broadway in London takes center stage again at 7:30 p.m. April 17 with a performance of Riverdance! An innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song, few shows have touched audiences like Riverdance, now on its farewell tour. 

Alan Jackson, with special guest Ryan Laird, visit the JLC for a 7:30 p.m. show on April 20. Jackson’s amazing chart success has been chronicled in the release of “34 Number Ones,” a career-spanning, double-disc collection featuring all of Jackson’s #1 hits to date. 

For more information on any of these outstanding events, visit www.johnlabattcentre.com. The JLC is located at 99 Dundas St. in beautiful downtown London. And, for helpful information on planning a quick getaway to London, please visit www.londontourism.ca.

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