While there are already loads of great and award winning films to add to your must see list, as well as a bunch that didn't hit their mark, there were so many great movies this year that didn't sneak into my festival favourites worthy of celebration.

Here are ten more TIFF 2018 selections definitely worth your time.

Mouthpiece

Patricia Rozema's adaptation of Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava's play was one of the best of the fest, an emotionally rich and sophisticated work that takes the best of the theatrical project and merges them with Rozema's well honed filmmaking sensibilities to craft a fabulous film.

Heartbound

The longer I'm away from this film the more it's sticking with me. Another non-fiction home run from the Danish Film Institute, Janus Metz and Sine Plambech's decades long journey to tell this tale of love and sacrifice makes for one of the year's best.

Carmine Street Guitars

Perhaps the most accomplished of the Canadian films that played TIFF - it debuted to great success at Venice, is off to New York for NYFF and then heads off on a long festival journey - this short, sweet journey to a Greenwich Village guitar is highly musical and a warm, welcome respite from some of the more dour films that litter the fest.

Cold War

I adore this film so much, and even sneaked in during a busy schedule to watch the opening for a second time. A beautiful love story told against a political backdrop by an ace filmmaker, it was a shoe-in for Best Foreign Oscar contention before Roma showed up. It's OK, we can love and worship both black and white masterworks without any compromise.

Dogman

This is another film I loved at Cannes and is well deserving of many more fans than it has. Matteo Garrone's latest is a twisted allegory on the Italian fascination with alpha males, a rumination on fascism that's cunning in its canine construction.

Halloween

I was excited to see David Gordon Green taking on this franchise, and thanks to co-writers Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley, as well as an exquisite turn by the franchise's queen Jamie Lee Curtis, it makes for a funny, gory, entertaining film that may well be considered the best of the entire series, including the esteemed original.

Mid90s

While it doesn't stick the landing, Jonah Hill's directorial debut, a coming-of-age skate story, has so much to admire. The cast is great, it's shot extremely well, and it takes a narrative that easily could have suffered from over-familiarity and made something that feels fresh and exciting.

American Dharma

Errol Morris' doc does extremely well what it sets out to do - illustrate the sociopathy of Steve Bannon and make explicit the rhetorical and hermeneutic gymnastics that lay the intellectual foundation for Trump's rise to power in America.

Climax

I dig this film a lot, and would have loved this to play as part of the dearly departed Vanguard selection, but having Gaspar Noé's fever dream play out during the witching hour isn't a bad compromise. A trippy, purient, cacophonous film that is unlike anything you'll see this year.

Ash is Purest White

I celebrated it in our best foreign films list, but Jia Zhang-ke's crime drama deserves all the attention it can get. Thanks to a terrific turn by his muse Zhao Tao, this story manages to simultaneously be a tale of one woman's rise to power and an allegory for decades of Chinese political turmoil.

Sir Elton freaking John — perhaps the greatest living songwriter and rock pianist on Earth — is in Toronto right now, apparently enjoying the wide selection of vinyl records at Sonic Boom.

The 71-year-old icon bought "a lot of stuff" this morning, according to staff at the independent record store on Spadina Avenue (Canada's largest, by the way.)

Store workers couldn't say what Sir Elton bought, specifically, as that would betray their incredibly famous customer's privacy. He did pick up many vinyl records though, among other things.

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We've had a summer of fabulous guests but Elton John might be just be the only knight we'll ever have in Sonic Boom history. What an absolute and total delight ! ☄

A post shared by Sonic Boom Records (@sonicboommusic) on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:50am PDT

The bajillion-time Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winner was said to be friendly, cracking jokes with workers and kindly taking the time to pose for a photo with them.

Sonic Boom didn't reveal who he was with, or why he's in town, but it stands to reason that it might have something to do with his husband, Toronto native David Furnish.

He's also set to perform at the Scotiabank Arena next Tuesday and Wednesday as part of his #EltonFarewellTour.

Does John's black and gold Adidas track suit foreshadow a surprise appearance by Drake? Probably not, but you can't blame a girl for (friend)shipping the two.

Ford Fest is back this year and apparently it will be bigger than ever. Premier Doug Ford tweeted today that Ford Fest will be happening on Saturday, September 22. 

FORD FEST is back!

This Saturday, you're invited to join the Ford family for a BBQ in Vaughan.

Everything is FREE! Join us for Live Music, Dancing, BBQ, Entertainment and Fun!

RSVP here: https://t.co/IBzT4NzWSq#FordFestpic.twitter.com/OgxuT9NOW3

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 18, 2018

One big change to this year’s festivities is the location.

For the past two years, the BBQ has been held at the Ford family home in Etobicoke. This year, Ford has decided to move the event to the Veneto Centre in Vaughan, and it’s likely that the crowd will be much bigger than in previous years.

This will be Doug Ford's first time hosting Ford Fest as Premier.

With all the recent controversy surrounding the PC government’s decisions, one has to wonder if protestors will choose to disrupt the day’s activities too.

The annual BBQ hosted by the Ford Family begins at 5 p.m. and will feature live music and entertainment, dancing and food, all for free.

A prominent Starbucks location in downtown Toronto has closed "as a normal part of doing business," according to the company, but regular customers are confused.

First and foremost, it was a popular coffee shop (though not the best). The Starbucks at 167 Church Street, right on the southeast corner of Church and Shuter, always seemed to be bumping with people.

Secondly, it closed in a flash — so fast that it prompted one local to email us and ask what happened.

"I walked past the location 12 hours after it had closed," wrote Jean-Paul Bédard by email. "All the outside branding had been removed and the entire inside of the store was stripped bare!"

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🚫☕️. 😭My local Starbucks is GONE. We had our #sotw #janfam meeting here! #Starbucks #starbuckscanada

A post shared by Don N (@djnewton7) on Sep 17, 2018 at 3:20pm PDT

Bédard says that staff members were made aware of the closure one week in advance and that they were "all asked to sign NDAs telling them not to alert any customers about the impending closure."

The NDAs have not been confirmed, but Starbucks Canada spokesperson Tim Gallant says that the chain's location at 167 Church Street is indeed closed for good.

"Our customers mean the world to us and we will be happy to welcome them at nearby Starbucks locations," he said by email this week. "I'm happy to let you know that every partner in this store has been offered a transfer to a nearby store."

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Day 8 of my #selflovejourney : today I spent working at my old store in Toronto. I was surrounded by the most amazing team and we had a brilliant morning just laughing away. I went and saw my old coworkers who are now some of the closest people in my life to me. I waited for Cam to finish work and just reflected on how much growth I have achieved in this area. This store has been the place where I’ve almost died, cried with laughter, made amazing memories and grown as a person. I guess everything does happen for a reason and all the years I spent here in this store have added up, today I was shown that. #starbucks #tobeapartner #toronto #memories #selflove #selfreflection

A post shared by @ therealkatdashian on Jul 27, 2018 at 5:12pm PDT

As far as reasons go, Gallant only said that Starbucks considers "several factors" when deciding which locations to close.

"We continue to experience high growth across Toronto and are proud of our success," he said. "As a normal part of doing business, every year we open many new stores, we close some and relocate a few others."

Could this abrupt closure have anything to do with the massive condo building Menkes is building across from 167 Shuter Street? Construction cranes were only moved into place at the end of August, after all.

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A post shared by CSM (@cornerstone_marketing) on Sep 9, 2018 at 11:28am PDT

Regardless, disappointed regulars can still get their frappuccino fix at any one of the five other Starbucks locations in the immediate vicinity.

Wednesday means we're halfway to the weekend and events in Toronto today have lots of stuff to get you there. Hozier is here and there's a vegan feast to be had while comedy, theatre and art help to round out the day.

This gorgeous three-bedroom home is full of classic charm and has just a touch of modern flair.

The over 100-year-old home has been recently renovated but it still has its classic Victorian trademarks, like the soaring ceilings, plaster medallions and moldings and stained glass windows.

The main entrance is grand with hardwood flooring throughout, and an original wooden staircase leading to the second level of the home.

The open concept living and dining spaces are bright and airy, with a vintage decorative fireplace, crown mouldings, bay window, decadent wood trim and intricate architectural details.

The kitchen is spacious with plenty of natural light and is complete with stainless steel appliances. I’m kind of in love with the blue cabinets. They’re a nice pop of colour.

The kitchen looks out onto the beautiful backyard, with plenty of shady greenery and a large deck.

Upstairs are the three bedrooms. The master bedroom is massive with large bay windows, offering plenty of light.

The master bedroom also has a completely renovated four-piece  bathroom with a white claw-foot soaker tub.

Specs

• Address: 7 Fuller Avenue
• Type: House
• Rent: $4,495 / month
• Listing agent: Toronto Luxury Rentals
• Furnished? No
• Utilities: No
• Air conditioning? Yes
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: Private 2 Car Garage $200/month
• Laundry? In suite
• Outdoor space? Backyard
• Pet friendly? No pets preferred

Good For

A family. Located in Roncesvalles, this house is close to a bunch of great schools, lots of parks and green spaces as well as the High Park zoo. What kid doesn’t love a zoo!?

Move On If

You have pets. The landlords have a strong preference for people without furry family members.   

The same team behind the city's first pay-what-you-can grocery store is opening up a PWYC soup bar at Humber College at the end of the month, meaning students no longer need to study while hangry and broke.

The community food program Feed It Forward (FIF) will start serving soups, stews, and fresh-baked bread to students at Humber's North Campus on September 25, using rescued produce and leftover ingredients from the college's culinary program. 

FIF's soup bar, which is run by Chef Jagger Gordon, the executive chef of Humber's culinary program, will offer two to four items, with options rotating every week. 

Partnering with companies around the city, FIF's culinary interns and volunteers will source landfill-destined ingredients from grocers like the Whole Foods Market in Yorkville, Fresh Co. in Scarborough and local bakeries like Fred's Bread and Cob's.

Chefs will use these ingredients to cook up nutritious meals like bone marrow soup and Indian dahl. Offering meat, veggie, and vegan options, Gordon says it will start off operating two days a week before hopefully going on to operate on more days.

“We noticed the large amount of students that are struggling with food insecurities," says Gordon."By addressing that, this is a way to fill up their bellies." 

FIF has been operating for several years as a community food program dedicated to keeping food away from landfills. Gordon's first Soup Bar opened up in a shipping container at Dundas West's Market 707 in May 2017, but was evicted earlier this year.

He's since expanded with similar endeavours at U of T and with the Feed It Forward grocery store, which opened a couple of months ago and which Gordon claims to be the first PWYC grocer in the world. 

There's no minimum as to what Humber students can pay to get a hearty meal at the soup bar once it opens, meaning they can save their dollars to pay for more important things like books and ever-looming OSAP bills. 

Today, the three-storey building that once housed the legendary Barn & Stables gay nightclub sits abandoned and degrading at the centre of Church Street's ongoing condo boom.

But in the early 1980s, the 418 Church St. building—in dire need of repairs even then—was more than just a nightclub: it was a place where gay men could dance and celebrate their identity at a time when they weren't welcome to do so anywhere else. 

"It wasn't safe on the streets," says Dean Odorico, the longtime general manager at Woody's, another gay mainstay on Church. "The police were not our friends at that time, so you needed a sort of safe haven to be with people like you." 

It's been almost 30 years since Odorico worked as a bartender at The Barn (he left in 1989 to help open Woody's), but he, along with many others in the gay community, still have fond memories of the iconic nightclub that shuttered its doors officially in 2012. 

"It's a large part of Toronto's gay history." 

The gay dance scene in Toronto was at its prime when The Barn & Stables' owner Janko Naglic first set up shop at 418 Church St. in 1975. 

Starting with a flashy disco joint called Jo-Jos, Naglic built a reputation as the place to be after hours, while a piano bar called Les Cavaliers, a classier affair, operated downstairs. 

By the 80s, the glimmering lights of Jo-Jos had been transformed into the bustling two-tiered Barn & Stables, a pit stop for local and well-known DJs who entertained the crowd from the booth, smack dab in the centre of the club.

"The DJ was always the king there," says Odorico. 

But by 2004, the party came to a devastating halt when Naglic was found murdered in his home—a case which remains open to this day. Considered a nightlife trailblazer in the gay scene, his death effectively put an end to the Barn & Stables golden era. 

"It was a horrific death, especially for someone who had been an important part of the community for a long time," says Odorico.

The nightclub re-opened in 2007 with a black-and-white portrait of Naglic hanging over the fireplace of the building's first floor, but it wasn't long before it closed again in 2012. 

It explains why the excitement is palpable, then, for the reunion party being held in honour of the "grandaddy" of the gay bar scene at the end of the month.  

Run by two of the Barn's former resident DJ's, Cory Activate and well-known synthpop producer Barry Harris, the Barn & Stable party will take over the venue Club 120 on September 29 with go-go dancers and tunes from the 80s and 90s. 

Advance tickets are sold out already and Odorico, who is hosting the event, says that the young kids and old heads alike are looking forward to the reunion.

"We've lost a lot of people over the years...but they're looking forward to seeing old friends." 

Old patrons of The Barn, many of whom haven't seen each other in decades, will soon come together under the same roof once again to celebrate the memory of the iconic club that shaped Toronto's current—some would say, less vibrant— dance scene.

As for the new generation who likely won't remember College Night Wednesdays, Circuit Bump Thursdays, or Sunday's Underwear Party, they too can revel in some local history by staying up all night and dancing to disco—lots of disco. 

The top concerts in Toronto this fall make for an incredible season of music with Florence + The Machine, Travis Scott and Fleetwood Mac dropping by. And while Elton John, Mitski and Blood Orange are coming as well, this list includes only concerts that aren't yet sold out.

It looks like the City of Toronto will have a 25-ward election on October 22 after all.

In a massive win for Ontario's PC government, a panel of three Ontario Court of Appeal justices just stayed an earlier court ruling that struck down Ford's controversial Better Local Government Act, or Bill 5.

This means that Bill 31 — which Ford was invoking the Canadian charter's notwithstanding clause to push through — will be withdrawn. There's no need for the revised bill at this time, as the original bill is allowed to stand.

This is very disappointing.

I thank everyone who stood up against Ford's unconstitutional attacks on Toronto's democracy in the courts, at City Hall and Queen's Park. This fight isn't over. Ford may have reduced the size of Council but he will not take #Toronto. #VoteTO#TOelxnhttps://t.co/NFCS4am6RB

— Kristyn Wong-Tam (@kristynwongtam) September 19, 2018

Toronto is expected to appeal the decision, but not before its municipal election in just over four weeks.

Some may try to call this legal decision a win for Doug Ford. Don’t believe it for a second. His vindictive attack against Toronto has spurred a new popular urban movement. Now more than ever, our work to build a truly fair and just city will continue. Onwards.

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) September 19, 2018

As it stands now, the city will have 25 seats on city council (as opposed to the current 47) come election day.

After a long, dramatic weekend at Queen's Park, Doug Ford and dozens of Ontario MPPs got the heck out of dodge and into some tractors roughly three hours south of Toronto.

The Premier and his cabinet members had long been scheduled to visit Pain Court, Ontario on September 18 for the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo— North America's biggest and most important agricultural event.

Thank you for holding our rights in the face of Doug Ford at #IPM2018 in Pain Court #DontPlowOurCharterpic.twitter.com/DzMJ8RKE76

— Susan (@SusanMoonshadow) September 18, 2018

It's a tradition of sorts for provincial leaders to attend the IPM and pose for photos, regardless of what's going on in the legislature.

Many of those photos happen to be taken while they're riding, or even driving tractors.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford sits on a Ford tractor as he plows a furrow at the International Plowing Match in Pain Court Ont. Tuesday, September 18, 2018. pic.twitter.com/HHZVUEEjsP

— spacewoman reporter (@SpacewomanR) September 18, 2018

Quite fittingly, Doug Ford chose a blue Ford tractor.

Premier Ford and the PC caucus visited Chatham–Kent for the 2018 International Plowing Match. Ontario's government was proud to celebrate rural Ontario, our agricultural sector, and our farmers. #IPM2018pic.twitter.com/o6Yo8sfM0t

— Ontario News Now (@OntarioNewsNow) September 18, 2018

He quickly learned that operating expensive agricultural equipment isn't as easy as it looks.

Doug Ford, pictured here looking for the tractor's notwithstanding clause pic.twitter.com/Jbin3rS62C

— Ashley Perna (@ashleyjperna) September 18, 2018

Some members of the PC Party chose to ride in wagons behind the tractors instead — wagons with banners bearing Doug Ford's face.

It's great to be in Chatham-Kent today for @IPM2018 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo with the whole @OntarioPCParty team. We're committed to expanding natural gas access to rural communities across Ontario, ensuring Ontario is Open For Business! #ForThePeople#IPM2018pic.twitter.com/X3R48edJ8c

— Todd Smith (@ToddSmithPC) September 18, 2018

Perhaps confusing Chatham-Kent with Calgary, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli decided to wear cowboy boots.

Yup ... we've arrived at #IPM2018 in Paincourt! pic.twitter.com/gOP2SZ3u5k

— Victor Fedeli (@VictorFedeli) September 18, 2018

Ontario Attorney General Caroline Mulroney also attended and posed for a photo-op.

An a-maize-ing day with my colleagues in the PC Caucus at the International Plowing Match @IPM2018! #ckont#IPM2018pic.twitter.com/Q3p1UVIV0k

— Caroline Mulroney (@C_Mulroney) September 18, 2018

But back to Ford — he drove not one but two blue tractors in beautiful Pain Court on Tuesday.

That’s Ontario Premier Doug Ford driving the tractor to lead the parade at the @IPM2018#ck#ckontpic.twitter.com/1iAg8DkkFG

— Angelica Haggert (@AngelicaHaggert) September 18, 2018

He even did a pretty good job with the plowing, according to PC MPP Ernie Hardeman.

Fitting that our Premier @fordnation drove a Ford tractor for the VIP plowing competition at @IPM2018 and more importantly, he plowed a straight furrow! #OntAg#RuralOn#IPM2018pic.twitter.com/Gx473UlAv8

— Ernie Hardeman (@erniehardeman) September 18, 2018

Some attendees were happy to show our Premier the ropes.

Spending some quality time with #FordNation at #ipm2018 / teaching him how to drive with all its techniques we us on modern farms pic.twitter.com/q1do6xcrvB

— Markus Haerle (@marhaerle) September 18, 2018

Others were there to protest his use of the notwithstanding clause to reduce the number of seats on Toronto City Council.

Yes! Look what came out today when Ford got up to speak in #ChathamKent today at #IPM2018! Opposition is everywhere pic.twitter.com/08qFqhLCqL

— Rima Berns-McGown (@beyrima) September 19, 2018

Some in Toronto were displeased with the government's decision to halt legislative proceedings on account of the farm trip — especially with Ford's controversial Bill 31 hanging in the air and a municipal election less than five weeks away.

Passing the bill earlier would have meant missing the plowing match, and — all jokes aside — it's a huge event for one of Ontario's most important industries.

In Chatam-Kent during the #IPM2018 while #DougFord was addressing the crowd, two individuals said loudly, "Don't Plow Our Charter!"
Well, it appears the people's voices AGAINST Ford's charter-bashing, anti-democratic #Bill31#bill5 aren't only in #Toronto.✊👍👏#onpoli#topolipic.twitter.com/QanK2QTtGJ

— Jill Andrew (@JILLSLASTWORD) September 18, 2018

However, it looks like they needn't have worried about Bill 31 after all.

A panel of three Ontario Court of Appeal justices just stayed an earlier court ruling that struck down Ford's controversial Better Local Government Act, or Bill 5 (an earlier version of the bill slashing Toronto city council almost in half.)

This means that Bill 31 — which Ford was invoking the Canadian charter's notwithstanding clause to push through — will be withdrawn. There's no need for the revised bill at this time, as the original bill is allowed to stand, and Toronto is expected to have a 25-ward election come October 22.

Grossman's Tavern has been a Chinatown staple for live jazz and blues since the 1940s, persevering through all the closures of other local music venues.

In this episode of the Only in Toronto podcast, the grandson of the man who started it all at Grossman's tells us about the history of this space and the secret to its success.

Plus, a recap of TIFF and a look back at one of Toronto's most iconic dance bars on Church Street.

Background information on this episode:

• Iconic Toronto bar Barn & Stables returns for one night only
• TIFF announces award winning films for 2018

Articles referenced in this episode include:

• Someone dumped money all over a Toronto Highway
• This is what Drake's mansion looks like right now
• Bacchus Roti is closing after 33 years in Toronto

Places mentioned in this episode:

• Bacchus Roti
• Robo Sushi
• Grossman's Tavern

Ways to subscribe to the Only in Toronto podcast:

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Play Music
• Stitcher
• Tune In
• Libsyn

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

Traffic woes continue to plague poor Queens Quay this week as yet another vehicle finds itself stuck on the streetcar tracks along Toronto's waterfront.

That vehicle is an ambulance, which is notable in and of itself — but what's truly problematic is which vehicle isn't on the tracks: The 509 Harbourfront streetcar.

Ambulance hit a streetcar, knocking it off its tracks. Never a dull moment at York and Queens Quay. pic.twitter.com/MIgFiNGEe2

— Judy Sims (@Judy_Sims) September 19, 2018

Photos from the scene of a collision that took place around 10 a.m. on Queens Quay West at York Street show a derailed streetcar veering northbound, off the tracks, next to a Toronto ambulance.

Both vehicles appear to have sustained some damage: The ambulance with a crumpled passenger side door and the streetcar with a driver's side panel hanging on by a thread.

At Queens Quay and York: a streetcar and an ambulance say hello in derailing fashion. #ttc#yyzpic.twitter.com/nPoTUYs5hI

— Garnet Fraser (@garnetfraser) September 19, 2018

The information display at the front of the new Bombardier streetcar also appears to be garbled as a result of the collision.

Queens Quay Toronto just now: collision with ambulance derails streetcar! pic.twitter.com/qGtxRf4ezt

— gary hanson (@garyhgaryh) September 19, 2018

Nobody was injured in the incident, according to Toronto police spokesperson Katrina Arogante, but traffic is a mess and will remain so for at least a few hours.

Police have not yet revealed how or why the collision took place.

An ambulance and a streetcar on Queens Quay at York St just collided. Ambulance took a right turn off of Queens Quay, where it was t-boned by the streetcar. Streetcar is off the tracks and riders are being taken off. #TTCpic.twitter.com/LxmJKFg4A2

— Fallon Hewitt (@fallonhewitt_) September 19, 2018

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green says transit officials are currently on scene trying to re-rail the streetcar.

Service has been suspended between Spadina Avenue and Union Station on Queens Quay while police investigate and clean up, but shuttle buses are up and running along the 509/510 route.

@CP24 York And Queens Quay. Sadly this just occurred. pic.twitter.com/mVI71UgtMY

— Fox and Fiddle (@FoxandFiddle) September 19, 2018

The best slice of cake in Toronto isn't something you should only have on your birthday. In fact, it's something you can have pretty much any day of the year! Whether it's dense cheesecake, fluffy sponge, light chiffon, layered or not... let yourself eat cake. Especially if it's at one of these spots.

Here are the best slices of cake in Toronto.

Remember when a huge Canadian bank took over the ACC and changed its name? You should. It happened less than three months ago.

The Scotiabank Arena, home to the Raptors and Maple Leafs, has yet to be formally christened as a sporting venue, as Scotiabank's naming rights only came into effect on July 1.

This will change in October when the Toronto Maple Leafs kick off their season with a home opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

To celebrate the venue's inaugural NHL season (like, with the new name), Scotiabank is giving away free, pre-loaded PRESTO cards out to the people of Toronto. A lot of them.

Then, on October 17, they'll be doing it again when the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Toronto Raptors at home.

Scotiabank Arena Giving Away FREE Loaded PRESTO Cards https://t.co/1HD61tz1STpic.twitter.com/uJl6BOjoz5

— SmartCanucks Canada (@smartcanuck) September 19, 2018

"The start of the season is an exciting time for all of Toronto and we want to get fans to Scotiabank Arena and Maple Leaf Square to cheer for their Maple Leafs and Raptors," reads their website.

"We will be giving away FREE pre-loaded PRESTO cards starting at 4 p.m. on both days and will continue until we run out."

The cards will be available at select TTC and GO stations across the city on October 3 and 17. Cards picked up from a TTC station will be pre-loaded with $6, while those obtained at the GO will have $8.

Spadina, College, Kipling, Finch, Eglinton, Don Mills and Kennedy Stations will all have 1,000 cards to give away, while the Oakville, Mimico, Pickering and Scarborough GO stations will have 750 cards each.

Go sports!

The Central Perk—I mean, Central Cafe—has officially landed in Toronto. 

The much-anticipated iconic coffee shop from Friends has finally come to life, and people have been flocking to 52 Bathurst St. to see if it lives up to the hype. 

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A post shared by Sheryl 🍰 (@she8theworld) on Sep 19, 2018 at 2:17am PDT

It's been two years since the cafe was supposed to appear in Toronto and was cancelled last minute due to a possible trademark violation against Warner Bros.

Opening late last month, the cafe is definitely not an exact replica considering the Central Perk was, you know, a TV show set and not a real operating cafe.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🍁Stephanie Pearl🍁 (@itsstephaniepearl) on Sep 11, 2018 at 8:39pm PDT

There are, however, a few key recognizable features here and there, most notably the quintessential comfy couch lookalike where you and your gaggle of good-looking friends and/or lovers can exchange quips over cups of coffee.

Whether or not they'll have open mic nights for people to sing renditions of Smelly Cat has yet to be seen, but for now, they do have coffee and paninis. 

Construction on the Hullmark office development in Liberty Village is well under way, meaning pretty soon, Toronto will soon have another building constructed from timber.

The five-storey building at 80 Atlantic Ave. has been in the works since early 2017. Now that below-grade work and the elevator core is ready, crews have begun assembling the building's wooden framework. 

According to Hullmark's website, 80 Atlantic will be the "first new timber-frame commercial building to be built in a generation."

Designed by Quadrangle, 80 Atlantic is only one of two projects in the city currently being built using cross-laminated timber (CLT) posts and beams. 

Replacing more popular building materials like concrete or steel, CLT—which is made from glued layers of wood—is durable, fire resistant, and considered far more sustainable than its more traditional counterparts. 

The office building at 80 Atlantic will have both office and retail space. Photo via Hullmark.

Crews are now also installing large nail laminated timber (NLT) panels, which will make up the ceilings and walls of the 79,758 square-foot office building. 

Expected to have a significantly reduced carbon footprint, 80 Atlantic is an exciting project that follows the provincial government's 2015 amendment to the Ontario Building Code, allowing for wood frame buildings as high as six storeys.

The office building (which will also have 7,719 square feet of retail space) will be two storeys taller than Toronto's other CLT project in Yorkville: a rebuild and expansion project on the Shoppers Drug Mart heritage building at 728 Yonge St.

Buildings made from wood are definitely on the up and up in the city: Both U of T and George Brown have plans to complete tall wood towers on their respective campuses, and Sidewalk Labs plans to populate its proposed 'smart city' with tall timber buildings too.

Thousands of Toronto-area home buyers are once again furious to find out that the prestigious condos they'd purchased more than a year ago will no longer come to exist.

The Icona Condo project, first announced in January 2017, was set to be a marquee property in the fast-growing neighbourhood of downtown Vaughan.

At 51 and 53 stories high, the two-building Gupta Group development was billed as "Vaughan's tallest tower," just steps from the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre with 20,000 square feet of its own retail space at ground level.

#iconacondos is just around the corner! Message or email me to book your unit right away. #investment#RealEstate#condos#vaughan#iconapic.twitter.com/RJQHbs6w8M

— Mashhood K. (@realtormashhood) January 13, 2017

An unprecedented amount of demand for living space near Hwy 400 on Hwy 7 saw all 1,140 available units sell out within record time.

Buyers were looking forward to a move-in date sometime in 2021, but — just like the nearby Cosmos Condos project, which was cancelled in April — the Icona condos will not come to be.

A local realtor who did not want to be named said by email on Wednesday that more than 20 clients who had purchased units in one of the two Icona buildings got their deposits back today.

They received identical letters from the Gupta Group on Wednesday morning stating that "The Icona project has been cancelled because of circumstances beyond our control that make the project un-financeable."

When reached by phone, a representative for The Gupta Group (parent company to The Easton's Group of Hotels) said that they had no comment at this time.

The project's website has been completely dismantled. All that remains is the text "For inquiries regarding ICONA Condos, please email info@theicona.com."

Emails to that address went unreturned as of Wednesday afternoon.

So @City_of_Vaughan we now have TWO cancelled condo projects in the Vaughan Metropolitan centre. What’s happening in our city?? #Icona#Gupta#Cosmos#LibertyGroup#Vaughan#Condos

— SOKVIN • VANN (@SVannRealEstate) September 19, 2018

This marks the second sold-out condo development to be scrapped in Vaughan lately, and based on how people reacted when Liberty Development Corporation cancelled all three of its Cosmos Condos buildings, the news won't land very well.

"I am not at all impressed about what has transpired," said Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua in April of the Cosmos development cancellation.

"While the developer cites financing challenges as the reason, I am much more concerned about the hundreds of people that have purchased a condo where they could live, experience and enjoy life in our community."

Funny people are set to take over Toronto as today marks the beginning of Just for Laughs. You can also try a free oat milk latte, catch a screening of The Godfather or see Ziggy Marley, Shakey Graves and Still Corners perform.

This penthouse suite is stunning. With huge windows at every turn you’ll feel like you’re floating above the city.

Right in the heart of Yorkville, this place is ideally located for high-end shopping, tons of food options, the Varsity Cinema and more.

The kitchen, living and dining area are open plan and filled with natural light.

The kitchen is sleek and modern with seamless cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bedroom is spacious and has a walk-in closet as well as a five-piece spa-like en suite.

The en suite is delightfully contemporary and the huge soaker tub seems divine.

The second bedroom is well-lit and roomy. It also has its own three-piece en suite.

As for outdoor space, this condo has two balconies. One of them in the living room and the other outside the master bedroom, both of which are perfect for taking in the Toronto skyline.

Specs

• Address: #PH2 - 21 Balmuto Street
• Price: $2,475,000
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: 2
• Walk Score: 100
• Transit Score:  97
• Maintenance Fees: $1,874.74 monthly
• Listing agent: Boris Kholdov
• Listing ID: C4240553

Good For

Views of the city. With huge windows in every room you get a panoramic view no matter where you are, including the bathtub.

Move On If

You don’t like heights. When you’re 36 storeys up it can be vertigo-inducing.