Okay... I've agreed with too many people lately on this point: it is ridiculous that the TTC does not offer some sort of route planner tool on their website. You know... go to a website, punch in where you are, where you want to go, and tell me how to get there.

They have just approved $9.9 million to be spent on a satellite system to give travelers an accurate update on for arrival times. GPS data will be relayed to bus and subway stations to let you know precisely when to expect your ride.

That's great. But someone please give me a good reason for not making a trip planner a priority. Although they have recently unveiled their new website, a trip planner is still M.I.A.

How many times have you had to download the huge PDF version of the system map, zooming in with your fingers crossed that your computer doesn't hang up, so that you can try to plot out a decent route to get somewhere? An automated trip or route planner seems like such an easy way to drastically improve service.

There is the TTC phone hotline but believe me, you won't get much help there. Call expecting someone to tell you how to get from point A to point B - they're about as helpful as a candy store is to a diabetic.

The four dedicated souls in local indie rock band Howl literally live their art. They all moved into a house on Delaware Avenue and set up a basement studio for rehearsals and recordings. They also started putting on acoustic shows in their garage. How cool is that?!?

The Toronto International Film Festival has always had the reputation of a festival where big business gets done, and this year has been no different so far. Even though the festival only really officially kicked off yesterday evening, films like Serbis, Of Time and City, Pontypool, and Food, Inc. have already picked up distribution deals.

Despite it all, some industry insiders are a little alarmed that this year's festival features few, if any, leading Oscar contenders. Sure, there are some big films playing at TIFF, but most of the rumored Academy Award frontrunners have been suprisingly absent from the festival circuit.

Speaking of awards, the third annual CFTPA Producer's Award was given to producer Rob Merilees who was chosen from a list of over 30 promising and accomplished Canadian filmmakers. Congratulations to Rob, and if you get the chance, check out his film Stone of Destiny, the closing night gala at TIFF this year.

We've now compiled the nominations for the next thirteen categories in our ongoing Best of Toronto poll. It only takes a minute of your time to tell us your favourites.

Take the survey

All categories are optional, so you can skip any you don't want to vote in. The voting period will run for two weeks - until 11:59PM Friday, September 19th.

The blogTO Flickr Forum is a weekly sampling of themed photographs taken by Torontonians and aims to not only feature the talent they possess, but also spur dialogue and reveal the stories behind the images.

Today's collection of Toronto photographs is made up of responses to our call for photos that fit the theme "Summer Vacation". These images were all recently submitted to the blogTO Flickr pool.

To the photographers: we'd love to hear about your photos. A little info on where it was taken and the story behind the photo is always a great start.

To the rest of you, feel free to ask questions to the artists, submit photos to the blogTO Flickr pool for next week's consideration, or just sit back and enjoy our weekly mosaic.

Continue for links to larger versions, and to check out the next theme.

Photo: "Kensington" by SEATTLE DREDGE, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup AND POLL for Friday September 5th, 2008:

Commuters that use routes at the 401/404/DVP junction can expect traffic nightmares to continue today, and possibly into the weekend. The cleanup and road repairs resulting from the truck fire on Wednesday night are extensive (and it doesn't help that for every working person, there are four leaning on shovels, watching).

Israeli flight crew employees of the airline El Al were reportedly being monitored by Hezbollah terrorists right here in Toronto, while they stayed at the Sheraton Centre during layovers. CSIS is saying nothing, but I'm saying we need some good non-terrorist Lebanese to come to Toronto and open a restaurant because it's near impossible to get good Kofta and Batata harra in this city.