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Major Toronto intersection closing down for an entire month

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City officials are advising motorists today that they can no longer drive through one of East Toronto's busiest intersections until at least the end of July.

The area surrounding Dundas Street and Broadview Avenue will be shut down completely beginning today, according to the city, so that TTC crews can rehabilitate "aging" streetcar tracks.

Phase 1 of the project is slated to take place between now and July 23. After that, crews will move just down the road to Broadview and Gerrard Street, where they will remain until September 8.

"Signs will be posted ahead of the construction zone to direct vehicle and cycling traffic around the site," writes the city on its website, noting that pedestrians will be able to detour around the work area.

Cars and bikes are a no-go, though.

"To accommodate this work, the intersection will be completely closed to vehicle and cycling traffic for three weeks," writes the city.

Ugh.


10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today mark the start of City Cinema's Rocumentaries series with a screening of Festival Express. Jill Scott graces us with her soulful presence and the Female Eye Film Festival celebrates 16 years of female-led film making.

Events you might want to check out:

Festival Express (June 26 @ Yonge-Dundas Square)
This first screening of YDS's outdoor movie series, Festival Express followed Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and The Band on their 1970 tour through Canada.
Jill Scott (June 26 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
Soul legend Jill Scott is blessing Toronto for the evening with her sensuous lyrics and powerful storytelling.
I have no memory of my direction (June 26 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
Director Midi Onodera is on hand for a free screening of her film that follows a third-generation Sansei woman who travels to Japan.
Pierce Brothers (June 26 @ The Drake Hotel)
Melbourne folk rockers Pierce Brothers mash up thumping beats and brash vocals with melodic tunes that bring a modern twist to an old genre.
Raw Storytelling (June 26 @ Social Capital Theatre)
Host Sage Tyrtle leads four storytellers as they discuss topical themes, and a special Speed Wildcard Round is meant to get the audience going.
Snarky Puppy (June 26 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
This Brooklyn fusion band stretches the limits of popular music with their unique blend of sounds in each song.
FashionTech Toronto (June 26 @ The Spoke Club, Portland Room)
Industry leaders are on hand for this fashion event centred around disruption and innovative companies and ideas coming out of Toronto.
What We Owe To Each Other (June 26 @ Mercer Union)
Artist Michèle Pearson Clarke uses video and photography to explore transformative justice alongside talks, readings, workshops and screenings.
Bloordale Bingo (June 26 @ Bar Neon)
Hit the boxes and win prizes in support of Bell Boxes, a community art effort to paint the ugly brown Bell Boxes.
Female Eye Film Festival (June 26 - July 1 @ Carlton Cinema)
Looking to provide thoughtful discussion on female-driven films, FEFF celebrates 16 years of highlighting the work of female film makers.

House of the week: 41 Great Oak Drive

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This used to be my piano teacher’s house. Every Thursday I would walk over and spend an hour (or what felt like an hour) muddling my way through scales and various pieces I never actually practiced. 41 great oak drive torontoSince those days, this house near Islington Golf Club in Etobicoke has undergone a dramatic renovation. The contemporary wood, glass and industrial touches combined with the abundance of natural light create a stunning home.

41 great oak drive torontoThe main floor is open concept and spacious. It could still easily host a piano recital at a moment's notice.

41 great oak drive toronto The kitchen is a bit of an alley, but I like how minimalist it is.

41 great oak drive torontoMy favourite room in the house is the front studio room. This used to be where I played piano, but it works just as well as an art studio, office or lovely sitting room.

41 great oak drive toronto The house boasts five bedrooms. With vaulted ceilings and unusual window layouts, they’re all so unique and quirky.

41 great oak drive torontoThe master suite has a five piece spa-like en-suite and a walk-in closet.  

41 great oak drive torontoIt also features a green roof, which I’m in love with. Look at all those succulents!

41 great oak drive torontoThe backyard is pool party ready. It’s large and they’ve done a great job with the landscaping.  

41 great oak drive torontoSpecs
41 great oak drive torontoGood For

A family who loves hosting large gatherings. With such a large living room and backyard, it would be a shame not to pack this place to the rafters for a big shindig every once in a while.  

41 great oak drive toronto Move On If

You want a basement. This house doesn’t have one of those so if you’re a fan of the below ground rec room, you’re out of luck.41 great oak drive toronto

The top 5 new bakeries in Toronto

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The top new bakeries in Toronto have brought a never-before-seen level of flair and sophistication to sweet treats in this town. Not only will you find some bang-up new versions of cookies, cakes and pies at these places, but baked goods from afar like authentic kunafa and biscotti.

Here are my picks for the top new bakeries in Toronto.

Craig’s Cookies

Over 25 varieties of cookies baked fresh at this newly-opened Parkdale cookie emporium come stuffed and topped with wild ingredients like Pop Tarts, Oreos and baklava.

Kunafa’s

Toronto now has another destination in Scarborough (at the corner of Lawrence East and Pharmacy) for Middle Eastern cheese pies soaked in sweet syrup, topped with pistachios and made with specially manufactured, ultra-stretchy cheese.

Adamson Bakery

Who would’ve thought the best barbecue joint in the city in Leaside would also turn out to do some of the best baking? Online orders can be placed in advance for the classic yet creative takes on bars, layer cakes, cookies and pies here.

Biscotteria Forno Cultura

Though technically the iconic Italian biscotti found here are baked at Forno Cultura’s central kitchen, this shop in the basement of Union Station is the latest place to retail the morsels along with plenty of other masterfully executed Italian baked goods.

Chi Patisserie

The flavours of Europe and Asia are brought together in what aren’t so much pastries, but rather works of art at this North York cafe near Yonge Street and Ellerslie Avenue.

Toronto can't handle any more refugee claimants from the U.S.

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U.S. President Donald Trump's increasingly tough stance on illegal immigration is driving more and more people north of the border than everin search of asylum — and Toronto is feeling the strain after welcoming thousands into local shelters.

More than 3,200 refugee claimants are currently being supported by the City of Toronto's emergency shelter system, according to Mayor John Tory

With emergency shelters beyond capacity, the city has been forced to rent out entire motels and college dormitories to house these asylum seekers in recent months, and 800 of those dorm room beds will soon be out of the picture.

"As of August 9, we will have no ability to accommodate the 800 refugees and asylum seekers currently housed on a temporary basis in dormitories at two Toronto colleges," wrote Tory in an urgent letter to Canada's federal government on Monday.

"Moving just this population of 800 … would require the emergency closures of multiple community centres in neighbourhoods across the City and the cancellation of public programming — a step the City is not prepared to take."

Tory wrote in his letter that, while Toronto supports the federal refugee program and welcomes all newcomers, it cannot take in any more asylum seekers without seriously impacting the general public.

"We need the appropriate support and leadership of both Ontario and Canada," wrote the mayor to Canadian MPs, noting that the city's direct cost to house this most-recent wave of refugee claimants by the end of 2018 will exceed $64.5 million.

"I think we can all agree that having the City scramble to find emergency shelter for each new wave of arrivals is not sustainable, nor is it a desirable state of affairs," he continued. "What's needed is proper housing and proper supports, something the City cannot provide on its own."

By supports, he means money. Lots of it. And fast. 

Over 7,600 asylum seekers have been caught illegally crossing the Canada-U.S. border this year alone, according to the RCMP — three times the amount we saw at this time last year — and more expected once the school year ends.

Many of these people are coming through Quebec, but end up in Canada's largest city.

"Toronto has a long history of supporting and welcoming refugee/asylum claimants including Vietnamese peoples in the 1970s, Somali peoples in the 1980s, and more recently, Syrian refugee/asylum claimants in 2016," reads a report from the Interim City Manager set to go before City Council today.

"Nothing has changed with respect to the City of Toronto's commitment to welcoming and supporting newcomers," it continues. "However, Ontario and Canada must engage and lead this effort if it is going to be successful."

10 things to do with kids in Toronto this summer

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The top things to do with kids this summer in Toronto are the stuff that great childhood memories are made of. Pack those juice boxes and slip on those Crocs: you're in for the best day ever. 

Here are my picks for the top things to do with kids this summer.

Explore Toronto’s newest park

It's not often the city gets a brand new park. Bring out the adventurer in your kid by taking them on a waterfront trail bike ride along Trillium Park at Ontario Place, replete with a beautiful fire pit and granite formations — perfect for any burgeoning nature lovers. 

Go for some rides at the CNE

No summer feels complete without a trip to Toronto's favourite fair. The Ex opens this year on August 17 and closes in early September, giving you just two weeks to hit the classic Mega Drop or the ski lift across the grounds when everyone's feeling tuckered out. 

Race around a track

If your ward has a need for speed, get them going at 40 kph at Polson Pier for a safe session on the go-kart tracks. There's also the newer K1 Speed in Downsview Park with Italian-made karts and a quarter-mile course. 

Get up close with nature

Narnia might not really exist, but Toronto's many ravines and nature trails are almost just as magical. Glen Stewart Ravine legitimately looks like a scene from the Shire, while places like Leslie Spit and the Bluffs offer some adventurous waterside treks. 

Hit the beach

Beach day, yay! Pack up the sunscreen for an afternoon at any of Toronto's many popular beaches, or even the more secretive ones. If you want to skip the swimming and stick to sunbathing and sand castles, hit up the equally satisfying Sugar Beach or HTO Park

See some animals

From the adorable sheep at Riverdale Farm to the notorious pair of runaway capybaras at High Park Zoo, your little ones will love all the fuzzy, furry things on display at Toronto's animal pens. Don't forget to visit all the cute baby animals at Toronto Zoo, too. 

Gaze at the stars

The university is yours for the viewing at the newly opened David Dunlap Observatory, where you and your wee ones can spend the evening peeping stars through the telescopes offered during the DDO's different nighttime programming.  

Spend a day on the Toronto Islands

Start off a stellar day with a ferry boat ride to the Toronto Islands. There's plenty to see and do there, from the rides at Centreville Park to the beaches (just maybe not Hanlan's). Tandem biking highly suggested. 

Go fruit picking

Pluck some juicy, juicy strawberries right off the bush at one of the many farms in and around the city for quintessential summer memories. You can also find some good spots for veggie picking and plenty of apple orchards once late August hits. 

Cheer on the local team

Head to Lamport Stadium and destroy some poutine while watching the Toronto Wolfpack kill it on the field. Toronto FC will be playing plenty of home games at BMO field too, and what's a summer without catching a classic Jays game with the kids? 

Popular Chinatown chicken restaurant closes in Toronto

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One of Chinatown's hippest and happiest chicken joints has called it quits after roughly two years of serving up crispy skin crackers on Spadina.

Jackpot Chicken Rice, a colourful restaurant from the same team behind Patois, announced on Instagram Tuesday morning that Sunday, June 24 had been their last date of service.

"We're so grateful for this beloved restaurant that literally came to life in 5 weeks during our most difficult times in 2016," reads the closure notice. "It housed our Patois staff during the Dundas West fire as we rebuilt, and in a blink of an eye it has been over two years!"

Known for its signature (and namesake) dish, Jackpot Chicken Rice, the small restaurant at 318 Spadina Avenue will be missed by many who've grown fond of its soft skin poached and sambal glaze style meat.

"We want to thank all our patrons as we close this Chapter to focus on upcoming projects," writes the restaurant.

"You can find our team at @PatoisToronto as we embark on a new opening this summer along with several exciting projects coming in 2019."

This new Toronto gaming lounge is a player's dream come true

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If you're going to spend eight hours playing Fornite, you might as well do it surrounded by friends and snacks, in an X-Rocker pedestal chair, with top-of-the-line head sets, monitors, and radio communication channels.

LAN Lords Gaming Centre, a brand new 1,500-square-foot e-sports and gaming venue in Koreatown, is the best friend's basement of your wildest dreams.

Billed as the first experience of its kind in Toronto, the space has 12 Playstation 4s, 12 Xbox Ones, Nintendo classics (SNES, N64, Switch) and a Group Play area that can host parties of up to 8 people, as well as a confectionery serving snacks and drinks (though parties are welcome to bring their own fast food, too.)

"We cater to both casual and competitive gamers alike," says Rodney Valerio, who c-founded the space with Clemens Kim. "Games are better played together in one room and we wanted to bring this experience to Toronto."

The concept is a modern take on old-school LAN (local area network) parties, where people would meet up in one room with their computers or consoles to play multiplayer games together.

The purpose of this was to form a solid connection between every gamer's machine and eliminate lag — but it also brought like-minded folks together for hours of fun and collaboration.

Better, more affordable Internet access has largely eliminated the need for building local networks like this. You can kick someone's butt in Tekken from across the world, in real time, without either of your devices skipping a beat.

You can't see their face when you beat them, though, or high-five a teammate in FIFA 18.

As Polygon's Ben Kuchera put it back in 2015, "Watching people physically react to every kill, or become frustrated when you dominate them in the scoreboards, is a delight you don't get with online play."

Valerio says that LAN Lords is looking into getting a liquor license to serve alcohol in the near future, but stresses that they're focused on providing a gaming experience (as opposed to a bar night experience with games in the mix a la Power Up or Meltdown.

A grand opening event is set to be held between July 6 and 8, but the space is already open for business at 703R Bloor Street West.

You can book a chair for $7 an hour and pick from dozens of sports, fighting, shooter and group play games, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Kirby All Stars.

"We purchase all our games digitally to prevent theft but also ease of access for our gamers," says Valerio. "After an hour of Horde Mode on Gears, they can easily switch to a squad run on Fortnite with ease."

"We are continuously updating our library of games and if we find a need for a particular game that our clients want, we will gladly purchase and download them for our consoles."


The CN Tower just got even better views

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The CN Tower just finished some major renovations to its observation deck LookOut Level, including a new glass floor, 360 degrees views, reflective ceilings and improved accessibility.

The renovations embrace the concept of universal design. Everything from doorknobs to power outlets to floor-to-ceiling windows are designed with people of all abilities in mind.

cn tower toronto new

Owner and manager Canada Lands Company worked with the Rick Hansen Foundation to ensure a barrier-free experience for all.

cn tower toronto new

Ceilings have been raised and made reflective, not only to enhance the visual impact of the view, but also to make it easier to see without having to approach the window so closely.

cn tower toronto new

A glass floor now looks down upon another glass floor on a lower observation deck. From there, it's 335 metres down to the street.

cn tower toronto new

Along with the physical reno comes a virtual update in the form of a free CN Tower Viewfinder app, which easily identifies all 360 degrees of neighbourhoods, landmarks, and entertainment hotspots. It has both a day and night mode.

cn tower toronto new

Food and beverages are incorporated on one licensed level, so it's easy now to grab coffee and snacks — or even some wine or a beer — while enjoying the view.

cn tower toronto new

First opening its doors on this day in 1976, the 553.33-metre-tall attraction set an all-time record in 2017 with 1.98 million guests visiting.

cn tower toronto new

Street safety audit highlights the need to protect Toronto neighbourhoods

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A Toronto residents' association has conducted a safety audit of the intersections in their neighbourhood — an idea born out of a decision to turn talking and lived experiences into tangible data.

They found an alarming number of traffic violations committed by motorists.

Last week, the Harbord Village Residents' Association sent a letter to Mayor John Tory and the Toronto City Council with their findings. 

The HVRA gathers members together twice a year to speak about neighbourhood issues and members say that road safety is always something that's coming up.

"We have basically anarchy on our roads," said HVRA board member Andrea Poptsis by phone on Tuesday. 

"This year we decided we would do something different about it, we would just not sit and talk about the problem but we would actually organize ourselves and sit down and try to collect some data," she said "[And] arm ourselves with some information that we could then take to our councillor and City Hall and hopefully press for change."

The association, along with with community volunteers, said they conducted the audit over seven hours at different intersections in Harbord Village.

"In a single hour 192 pedestrians crossed and while they were in the crosswalk, 55 cars failed to stop," reads the report. "In addition, we recorded 54 instances where cars were driving the wrong way on a one-way street."

Volunteers were out recording "events" during peak times, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. They recorded over 6,000 of these events and reported that "45 [per cent] of vehicles did not stop at stop signs."

Poptsis said that, while it's not shocking to anyone from the neighbourhood that drivers drive the wrong way down one-way streets, it is shocking how often they do it.

She said on Tuesday that there were a "shocking" number of instances and of drivers' failure to come to "even a rolling stop" or stop for pedestrians crossing a cross walk. 

"No one doubts the seriousness of the situation. No one doubts the commitment of politicians to keep us safe," the association wrote in its report. 

"But good intentions leave us short. Act immediately to lower the tempers that are now a daily feature of conflict between people trying simply to make their way around the City and to limit the casualties of life in this great City."

Going forward the HVRA is calling on city council to expand current motions that address Vision Zero financing and safety improvements around school safety zones to include neighbourhood streets because "they are the place where children play."

They're also hoping other neighbourhoods will follow suit and conduct safety audits of their own. 

"We're encouraging other neighbourhood residents' associations to use our little toolkit that we put together to do this study and conduct studies of their own," said Poptsis. "And I think that the results will be somewhat similar all across the City of Toronto." 

The letter also asks council to bring their concerns to the police department, who the HVRA hopes will "make obedience to traffic laws a critical priority."

Carolee Orme, a representative from the HVRA, wrote in the findings that a more comprehensive report is coming.

Popstis said that HVRA is going to "go back and study the data a little further," but that the conclusions they've drawn are already sufficiently supported by the findings in the report. 

"We seriously hope that we encourage other communities across the city to take action on themselves," she  said. "And we hope that this issue of road safety for all users — cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists — becomes an election issue because we're really tired of seeing our neighbours injured and killed on our roads." 

Toronto ties Vancouver for Canada's most expensive city

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After years of switching back and forth between first and second place, two of Canada's largest cities just tied for an international title that nobody wants to win.

Mercer's 24th annual Cost of Living Survey reveals this week that Toronto and Vancouver are equally expensive, as of 2018, when it comes to a combination of factors like housing, business costs and the price of goods and services.

Both cities came in at spot number 109 on the list of priciest places to live out of 375 cities across the world, but we can not-so-proudly say that Toronto is (tied for) first place in Canada.

"Although most Canadian cities dropped in the ranking, the country’s highest-ranked city, Toronto, jumped ten places," reads the Mercer report, noting that Vancouver dropped two spots.

"While Toronto’s cost of living ranking has risen, this year's results – combined with the results of Mercer's annual Quality of Living Survey released earlier this year– show that Canadian cities provide a world-class quality of living at a relatively moderate cost."

I'm sorry, but did you just say world-class? Come on Mercer, we'reblushing over here.

The "relatively moderate" cost of living assertion might be a stretch, however, if you ask anybody paying rent in Toronto.

cost of living toronto

It costs more money to buy a burger combo in Toronto than it does in Vancouver, but the tables are turned when it comes to gasoline. Image via Mercer.

It's important to keep in mind that Mercer's reports are primarily targeted toward governments and major companies who use their data "to protect the purchasing power of their employees when transferred abroad."

Their findings don't necessarily reflect how affordable it might be for someone who isn't in a job where they get to travel the world and such.

Just last month, a study released by the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario found at that 46.9 per cent of all Toronto tenants can barely make rent. We're also consistently ranked one of the world's least-affordable cities by Demographia.

Whatever the case, Toronto is definitely cheaper to live in as an ex-pat than Hong Kong, Toyko or Zurich, which took the top three spots, respectively, in Mercer's 2018 ranking.

Casual cyclists will soon be able to use Toronto Bike Share

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The Toronto Parking Authority recently approved changes to its Bike Share program's fee structure, allowing casual cyclists who don't want to pay for a day pass or annual membership to take advantage of the public bike network.

Starting on Canada Day, people will be able to take a 30 minutes or less one-way trip for $3.25 plus HST. 

Currently, if you want to get in on some bike sharing action, you have the option of paying for a day pass, a three day pass or an annual pass. 

This new fee will allow the parking authority to work with Metrolinx to offer integrated fees for transit services. 

According to the agenda from yesterday's parking authority meeting, a few other changes to the bike share program are coming as well. 

The annual membership fee is rising from $90 to $99 and the overage fee structure is changing so it'll now cost users $4 for every extra 30 minutes, to a maximum of $100 in 24 hours.

Changes also include the introduction of a corporate plan that offers memberships in groups of five at $90 per person. All of this will come into effect on July 1.

Toronto's vegan restaurant scene is booming

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There's no denying that vegan eats have come a long way, especially in a city like Toronto.

From the TO plant-based OG, to the latest vegan trends, to allergy-friendly dining, this episode has a little bit of something for everyone — no matter how you choose to chow.

Plus, the latest local news and a fake news quiz.

Places featured in this episode include:

Articles referenced in this episode include:

More reading before you enjoy your next vegan meal:

Ways to subscribe to the Only in Toronto podcast.

You can also listen to the Only in Toronto podcast on Alexa. Just ask Alexa to play the podcast Only in Toronto.

Toronto's homicide rate is now higher than New York's

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With just days to go before the halfway point of 2018, Toronto Police have confirmed at least 48 homicides within the city since January 1. That's more than double the 23 we'd seen last year at this point.

Five people were killed last weekend alone — four of them by guns — prompting both Police Chief Mark Saunders and Mayor John Tory to express public concern over a recent spike in shooting deaths.

"The incidents of gun violence we have seen in our city in the past few days are shocking and can in no way be accepted or brushed aside," said Mayor Tory late last month following a rash of high-profile killings.

"As mayor, I am troubled by every act of violence in our city regardless of where it happens."

'Summer of the gun' part II or not, innocent people are being slayed on the streets of Toronto at random, en masse, and firearms are only part of the problem.

Ten people were killed in April when a rental van plowed through crowds of pedestrians on Yonge Street. Alek Minassian, 25, is facing ten counts of first-degree murder and 16 of attempted murder in connection with the incident.

Just last week, a 73-year-old man died after a stranger allegedly pushed him into the path of an oncoming subway train at Bloor-Yonge Station.

Then there's the horrifying case of alleged Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur, who's been charged with eight counts of murder since January, when police found six sets of human remains in planters at a property he had landscaped.

It's been a heavy year for high-profile murders, and many in Toronto are growing concerned about what this means for our city's safety.

Several keen observers have taken note in recent weeks that Toronto's homicide rate is now higher than New York City's— and this does, indeed, appear to be the case.

toronto homicide rate

The TPS Major Crime Indicators database shows that homicides are atypically high this year to date compared against the three years previous. Image via Toronto Police Service.

The Toronto Police Service's public data portal shows 47 cases of homicide in 2018 as of Sunday night, when it was last updated.

University of Toronto Associate Professor of Criminology Scot Wortley, an expert in crime statistics, says that, based on an estimated population of 2.93 million, Toronto has a current crime rate of 1.67 per 100,000 people.

New York City, which has an estimated population of 8.62 million, had seen 130 homicides at the same point, according to the NYPD's CompStat crime data portal.

Wortley says this would put New York's homicide rate at 1.51 per 100,000 people.

toronto homicide rate

The New York Police Department's CompStat tool provides real time access to crime data, similar to Toronto's public data portal. Image via NYPD.

"So yes — Toronto is slightly higher than NYC," says Wortley. "However, these homicide rates are far lower than other major U.S. and Canadian cities."

He highlights Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Winnipeg and Regina as just a few of examples of cities with more murders-per-capita than ours.

It's also of note that NYC has seen a marked decrease in its overall crime rate over the past few years. So... take this little factoid with a grain of salt.

And you don't have to freak out too much over the spike in shootings just yet, says Saunders.

"Historically, when it comes to gun play in the city, there are peaks and valleys, and when we hit those peaks everybody gets alarmed, and then it calms down," said the police chief in an interview on Monday.

"During those moments where the peaks are occurring, we have to remember what the patterns have been telling us, year after year."

Rental of the week: 37 Caroline Avenue

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The upper unit of this Leslieville house is just darling. It’s a beautifully renovated home and there’s charm throughout, with exposed brick walls and old school radiators.37 caroline ave toronto The main floor is open concept with plenty of natural light and lovely wide plank wood floors.

37 caroline ave torontoThe kitchen is modern and spacious with all the bells and whistles needed to cook a gourmet meal. Also, there’s a dishwasher!

37 caroline ave toronto The kitchen walks-out onto a tiered deck which steps down into a fully fenced in backyard. So if you have kids you know they’re safe.

37 caroline ave torontoUpstairs are the bedrooms. The master suite overlooks the front yard. The second and third bedroom are spacious.

37 caroline ave torontoThere is, unfortunately, only one bathroom so there will be some inconveniences. But it does have spa-like features, so at least once you’re in it it’s nice.  

37 caroline ave torontoThe home is also in a great location. In the heart of Leslieville this house is just steps from Queen St. East and the awesome restaurants, brunch spots, bars and indie shops it has to offer.

37 caroline ave torontoSpecs
  • Address: 37 Caroline Avenue
  • Type: House
  • Rent: $3,500 / month
  • Listing agent: Candice Hope Frigault-Schott
  • Furnished? No
  • Utilities: No
  • Air conditioning? Yes
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 1
  • Parking: 2
  • Laundry? In suite
  • Outdoor space? Backyard
  • Pet friendly? Yes
37 caroline ave toronto Good For

A family or three young professionals. The bedrooms are big enough that you could share with roommates and split three ways rent is very reasonable.

37 caroline ave torontoMove On If

You’re a west is best kinda Torontonian.37 caroline ave toronto


10 free things to do in Toronto this July

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Free events in Toronto for July 2018 are a collection of items that embody the spirit of summer because they're, well, free. There's salsa, outdoor movies, jazz music and more waiting to be discovered — totally free of charge.

Events you might want to check out:

Free Outdoor Movies in Corktown Common Park (July 5-26 @ Corktown Common Park)
Part of the Cinematic Cities series, free outdoor movie screenings are happening in the Commons every Thursday evening throughout July.
Cultura Festival (July 6-27 @ Mel Lastman Square)
A festival of music, art, food and movies returns to Mel Lastman Square every Friday this July with outdoor movies paired alongside musical acts.
Beaches Jazz Festival (July 6-29 @ Multiple Venues)
A celebration of all things jazz music by artists both local and international is set to turn the Beaches in to a paradise for music lovers everywhere.
Afrofest (July 7-8 @ Woodbine Park)
This free festival is dedicated to showcasing African music from Toronto and around the world with storytelling, music, dance and special programming.
Salsa On St. Clair (July 7-8 @ St. Clair Ave West)
Salsa in the streets is the main event of this three-week outdoor party along St. Clair with events, food, music and, of course, dancing.
Maker Extravaganza (July 7-8 @ Toronto Reference Library)
Makers from all over come to Toronto to show off their creative goods, products, gadgets, and anything else they've been working hard on.
Festival of India (July 14-15 @ Multiple Venues)
Now in its 46th year, this annual festival shuts down the downtown core in celebration of Indian heritage and culture, and ends with a huge parade.
Big on Bloor (July 21 @ Bloor Street West)
Bloor Street explodes with music and life during this huge street festival with events, activities, displays and exhibitions peppered throughout.
OssFest (July 28 @ Ossington Ave)
Ossington Avenue shuts down this summer for a huge street festival with entertainment, food, activities and wellness programming.
Pedestrian Sundays (July 29 @ Kensington Market)
The July edition of PS Kensington capture the essence of summer with a carless street festival full of music, dance, food, shopping and activities.

How to spend 48 hours in Hamilton

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It’s impossible to see everything Hamilton has to offer in 48 hours alone. Surprised? Then it’s been too long since you’ve visited the city. After years of steel industry turbulence, Hamilton has built itself a new reputation surrounding its eclectic arts community and diverse restaurant scene.

And although there have been some less-than-peaceful protests reportedly against the city’s gentrification, new coffee shops, art galleries and restaurants continue to pop up throughout the Hammer.

Focusing mostly on the downtown core, here’s one of the many ways to spend 48 hours in Hamilton.  

Friday

5:00 p.m. - Check in to your hotel

Hamilton has a varied set of properties on Airbnb, like this studio cottage off Locke Street or this bungalow with panoramic views of the city.

For boutique-ish hotels, your best bet is the Best Western Premier C Hotel by Carmen’s on the mountain, but if you’re looking for the most convenient location, the Staybridge Suites and Sheraton will both house you in the heart of the city.

6:00 p.m. - Dinner at The Diplomat

Dining options on King William Street are endless, but one of the newest restaurants on the block is The Diplomat (from the same owners of Hamilton favourites The French and Aberdeen Tavern).

With fireplaces and lounge areas for larger groups and a 30-person patio, there’s plenty of seating options as you dine on the likes of southern fried catfish and watermelon fattoush.

Close by is Sagarmatha, a solid choice if you’re craving Indian. While Berkeley North has half-price bottles of wine between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. - Flex your backhand at Serve

Let your competitive nature shine at Serve, a ping pong bar and lounge off King Street East. Walk-ins are $20 per hour and with three televisions in the lounge, you’ll never miss a minute of Hamilton Bulldogs or Tiger-Cats action.

10:00 p.m. - Bar hop down Augusta

Treat yourself to a cold one after showcasing your superior pong skills by bar hopping down Augusta Street. Start at Gallagher's for live music, transition to The Winking Judge patio for a craft beer before ending your night at James Street South’s Uno Mas, the cocktail and tapas bar under Mezcal. They have a DJ on Fridays until 2:00 a.m.

Saturday

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10:00 a.m. - Visit the Motel Restaurant for Brunch

Indulge your hangover with the likes of champagne pancakes and ooey gooey cheesy french toast at Motel on Barton Street. The bright pink walls and neon signs may be hard on your eyes at first, but you won’t be able to resist snapping a photo in between bites. All meat, dairy and eggs on the menu are sourced from local Ontario farms.

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11:30 a.m. - Catch the Waterfront Shuttle to the Hamilton Harbour

Hiking Hamilton’s famous waterfalls are a great way to spend a morning, but the Hamilton Harbour is another option if you’re looking to enjoy the waterfront.

In the summer months you can take the Hamilton Street Railway’s free Waterfront Shuttle to Pier 8. From there you’ll find an outdoor roller skating rink and bike rentals ranging from $9.00 to $32.00 per hour, with everything from single bikes to a four-seat Surrey bike.

Stop at Grandad’s Donuts for a quick sugar rush before walking or riding over to Bayfront Park.

2:00 p.m. - Head to Boon Burger for a late lunch

Vegan chain Boon Burger has opened a shop in Hamilton with everything from burgers and poutine to dairy-free, soy-free soft serve. If vegan food isn’t your thing, HAMBRGRCaro and Cannon Coffee Co. are all great options just down the street.

3:30 p.m. - Grab a new record on Ottawa Street North

Venture through Ottawa Street North’s record alley for an afternoon of flipping through new and gently-used vinyl. Make stops at Revolution Records and Stardust Records before turning onto Cannon Street for Crash Landing Music.

As you walk west toward the city centre, stop for coffee at Emerald Coffee Co. and take a photo in front of the Hello Baked mural beside.

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7:00 p.m. - Dine on Locke Street

It’s hard to go wrong when dining on Locke Street. Head to Brux House for a rotating menu (currently featuring deep fried brie and a lime and ginger beer) while Earth to Table: Bread Bar specializes in stone baked pizzas like the Cool Hand Zucch. If you’re looking for comforting pub fare, West Town Bar and Grill has been a Locke Street staple for 25 years.

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9:00 p.m. - Game on at Moody’s

Grab a Spicy Marge, stretch your hands and settle in to the arcade at Moody’s. Open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Moody’s Arcade houses pinball classics like Street Fighter 2 as well as video game favourites like Space Invaders. The extensive list of Ontario-brewed beers will help ease any Chandler Bing claw hand you may experience.

Sunday

11:00 a.m. - Brunch at Nique

Chicken and waffles, shakshuka and the “hangry human hangover” surprisingly all come from the same brunch menu at Nique, priding itself on serving a global eclectic menu (or “inherently Canadian” as they call it). On certain menu items the restaurant partners with Mealshare to provide a meal to a youth in need.

12:30 p.m. - Snap a photo of the Hamilton musicians mural

From the walls of Rush Sugar Bar to Tim Hortons Field, @streetarthamilton’s work can be found proudly on display throughout the city. A personal favourite is the Hamilton musicians mural on King William Street, where you can find the familiar faces of Monster Truck and the unofficial-mayors-of-the-city, Arkells.

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1:00 p.m. - Beer crawl the city

Waterfalls aren’t the only thing flowing through the city. A variety of craft breweries have opened shop around Hamilton, so why not take advantage of your surroundings and go on a beer crawl?

Head to Dundas to sample homegrown brews from Grain & Grit or the Fairweather Brewing Company, or stay downtown and take a 2:00 p.m. tour of Merit Brewing’s operations. If cider is more your thing, West Avenue Cider House has won best cider in Ontario from 2014 to 2016.

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OR 1:00 p.m. - Take a flight on a vintage aircraft

Looking to shell out a little more on an experience unique to Hamilton? The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum offers 20-minute flights aboard some of their most famous planes, starting at $80. Flight dates and times vary, but the Douglas DC-3 Dakota (built in 1939) has some current Sunday openings for those feeling adventurous.

4:00 p.m. - Art, Coffee, Prosecco or Beer?

Before hopping on your GO Bus or hitting the QEW back to Toronto, make a coffee, prosecco or beer pit stop at Redchurch Cafe + Gallery. The cafe directly focuses on the arts community by featuring a rotating gallery, but with $5 mimosas all day any type of crowd will feel welcome.

The Best Splurge Sushi in Toronto

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The best splurge sushi restaurants in Toronto are havens of high quality fish and seafood that will have you exclaiming "oishii" after one bite. Just be ready to spend a pretty penny on your meal, because culinary skill and expertise like this never comes cheap.

Here are the best splurge sushi restaurants in Toronto.

3 - Yasu

This reservation-only sushi bar in Harbord Village specializes in Tokyo-style nigiri and sashimi. Its carefully-chosen omakase menu takes diners on a tour of the world, using seasonal and fresh ingredients all expertly sliced and ready to eat, seasoned with nikiri soy sauce.
7 - Ja Bistro

Specializing in aburi sushi and oshizushi (pressed sushi), this inconspicuous Entertainment District spot, with an anglerfish as its logo, is part of the Kinka family of restaurants. Offering both à la carte and prix-fixe tasting menu options, here you can’t go wrong with any of the fresh seafood.
9 - Shoushin

A temple to traditional Tokyo-style sushi, this sleek, minimalist sushi bar in midtown by Yonge & Lawrence from chef Jackie Lin sources most of its fish from Tokyo Bay. It offers a range of omakase menus with a variety of price points, from deluxe all the way up to “obsession perfection,” along with optional sake pairings.
11 - Shunoko

From the same owners as now shuttered Sushi Nomi, this St. Clair West destination sports an à la carte menu and nine-seat sushi bar where you can feast on one of two types of omakase (one requires advance reservations while the other doesn’t) with most of the fish imported from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market.
10 - Zen Japanese Restaurant

With a mix of à la carte, omakase and kaiseki menu options, this popular destination for top-notch sushi in Markham serves fresh fish and other treasures like uni (sea urchin), giant clam, snow crab, and two kinds of eel.
5 - Miku

It’s apt that Vancouver-based Miku’s Toronto location can be found by the waterfront. Famous for its delicious aburi (flame-seared) sushi, it's best enjoyed here as part of the aburi omakase or kaiseki menus. In true Japanese style, each dish is presented in a breathtakingly beautiful manner.
4 - Sushi Kaji

There are no California rolls or à la carte options at this Japanese mainstay on The Queensway. Chef Mitsuhiro Kaji offers omakase-only menus that highlight fish imported solely from Tokyo Bay, with the rest of his ingredients also sourced from Japan.
6 - Japango

While the setting and decor of this cozy Japanese restaurant near Yonge & Dundas is much more casual than one might expect of a first-rate sushi joint, appearances can be deceiving. Try the chirashi supreme set, sushi sashimi moriawase or go all-out on the omakase to best appreciate what this place has to offer.
8 - Skippa

Located on the other end of Harbord from Yasu, this charming 30-seat space (plus patio) from Sushi Kaji-alum Ian Robinson presents a menu that changes daily, featuring Ocean Wise-approved sustainable fish and produce from local, organic farms. Choose between à la carte or omakase, and then appreciate how servers will advise you on whether or not to dip each piece of sushi into the soy sauce.

What's open and closed Canada Day 2018 in Toronto

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What's open and closed on Canada Day 2018 in Toronto will be easy to navigate since the holiday will be observed on July 2. It looks like it's going to be your typical Sunday with the bonus of fireworks for Canada's birthday.

Here's what's open and closed on Canada Day in Toronto.

General
 
Closed
  • Government offices
  • Libraries
  • Banks
  • Post offices
Open
  • The TTC will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Canada Day Toronto 2018

Grocery shopping will be a breeze July 1 as stores will remain open for the day. Photo by Hector Vasquez at Nations Experience. 

Food
 
Open
  • Grocery stores
  • Restaurants

Canada Day Toronto 2018

Buying booze on July 1 won't be as difficult as it's been in previous years. Photo by Hector Vasquez at Liberty Commons.

Drink
 
Open
  • LCBO
  • The Beer Store
  • Indie bottle shops

Canada Day Toronto 2018

All the malls in Toronto will remain open come Canada Day. Photo by Hector Vasquez at CF Toronto Eaton Centre.

Malls
 
Open

Canada Day Toronto 2018

The CN Tower remains open 364 days a year. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Attractions
 
Open

Unexpected fireworks freak out Toronto's west end

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A calm, quiet evening in Toronto gave birth to an anxious late night mob when, seemingly out of nowhere, fireworks started going off along the waterfront.

Really loud ones. Lots of them. For about 10 minutes straight.

Bright, choreographed bursts of light exploded across the sky near Ontario Place shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Twitter, in turn, exploded with worried and ticked off comments.

While set off in the city's west end, the fireworks could be seen from east of the Don Valley.

The sound travelled an even greater distance. People on Twitter reported hearing booms from as far away as Jane and DundasOld Mill and Bloor, and even Yonge and Eglinton.

The noise was so intense in nearby residential neighbourhoods like Parkdale and Liberty Village that car alarms were set off all over the place. This proved incredibly annoying for those with early mornings on Wednesday.

The display was beautiful, sure...

But the sounds were disconcerting — especially for those who couldn't see the actual fireworks.

Gun violence is top of mind right now in many communities as shootings spike across the city. Four people were killed by guns last weekend alone in Toronto.

There's also the fact that fireworks sound a lot like cannons.

Loud, unexplained bangs are justifiably scary in a climate such as this.

Making matters worse was that nobody, not even the police, had been properly warned about the fireworks show ahead of time.

"Sound of gunshots: Close Ave/ King St.. several shots reported," reported Toronto Police Operations on Twitter around 10:20 p.m. "Unconfirmed. Unit in the area advises it's possibly fireworks. They are checking the area."

As it turns out, the display was put on by the organizers of ROTARYFEST at the Canadian National Exhibition Centre.

"Ah ha. Rotarians," commented Shawn Micallef. "How will the Shriners top this?!"

How, indeed?

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