We're nearing the end of Day 12 of the unionized city workers strike, and Toronto is neither in a state of total mayhem nor is it clearly on its way to becoming a diseased-filled cesspool. But things are definitely getting messy and stinky in some parts. Garbage is piling up at residents' homes and it's overflowing at some of the temporary dump sites in parks.

Not everyone has the ability to store their own waste. Not everyone has the time or the courage to cross picket lines, or the physical ability to take their garbage to one of the city's temporary garbage dump sites or the few larger, permanent transfer stations. This is where established private companies, and other, less established (some cash hungry opportunists, no doubt) come in.

Private garbage collection services are seemingly popping up in this city faster than poutine restaurants and construction pylons.

Last week's announcement by Kodak that they were discontinuing their iconic Kodachrome slide film made me wonder what's become of the Kodak lands where their Canadian factory stood for 80 years. The disappearance of Kodachrome is just one more milestone in the end of the film era of photographic history, but for me, the closure and demolition of Kodak's Mount Dennis plant four years ago was the one that rang the death knell resoundingly.

There's nothing left of the Mount Dennis plant but Building 9, though that might not be the case for much longer - the former home of Kodak's employee centre is a derelict hulk, open to the elements and the depredations of local kids who've smashed nearly everything breakable and covered the walls with graffiti tags. Metrus Properties, the developer who demolished the plant two years ago, has obviously put the preservation of the sole remnant of what was once called Kodak Heights at the bottom of their list of priorities, and it's hard to imagine it still being around when Metrus - or anyone - finally gets around to breaking ground.

Even though June 21 officially marked the beginning of summer, it's only when certain flavours begin making their way into my meals that it really feels right. Ontario strawberries are one of these foods, and they have started popping up at grocery stores and farmers' markets across the city (and now all markets that have been affected by the strike will re-open).

Their season begins in mid-June, and it peaks in early- to mid-July. The season really only lasts about 6-8 weeks, so it's time to start thinking picking up some of these bite-sized heart-shaped beauties.

Summer means festival season in Toronto. From food festivals to those showcasing theatre or music, there's more weekend activities from June to August to boggle the mind. Some of the best ones have already come and gone - but there's a lot more on the schedule for the coming months.

We recently asked readers of this site to nominate and vote for their favourite summer festivals. Here's a rundown of the top 20, organized by month.

Sex, violence, intrigue... and comedy. The Silver Stage premiered its adaptation of David Lynch's dark and surreal mystery Blue Velvet on Canada Day, one of the group's five movie entries in the Toronto Fringe Festival 2009 lineup.

Having seen it, I can report that this is a laugh-a-minute production - both a spoof and tribute to David Lynch's 1986 film. While the original movie is projected in the background, actors are on the Bloor Cinema stage recreating, and often reinterpreting, the on-screen action. This is called "shadow casting".

As Toronto's transportation expands, many citizens are finding new ways to get from point A to point B. Whether it's on a bike, rollerblades or a long board, Torontonians are trading their gas-powered wheels for muscle power. With the weather improving to summer-like conditions in the past week, it's no wonder Toronto is seeing more alternative modes of transportation on its streets.

Surprisingly, the kick scooter is popularizing among Torontonians. Some of this may be attributed to warmer weather. Many overlook this simple 'toy', and some may even laugh, but on closer inspection, it tends to be an efficient piece of machinery. I was especially shocked when I saw a businessman on his blackberry riding down Bay St. He flew by all the other pedestrians on his shiny red scooter. At that point, I began to look at the toy as a serious way to get around, particularly when used for shorter distances. With that in mind, I borrowed my friend's scooter to see what all the rave was about.