If you happen to see a bunch of cops with plastic weapons chasing bad guys around the Distillery District this weekend, don't be alarmed.

Toronto Police are scheduled to practice a series of emergency drills on Sunday in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Market—one of the city's biggest and busiest holiday attractions.

Global News reports that residents of a nearby condo building received letters warning of potential "elevated voices" coming from the area on Sunday, November 11, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

"The Distillery District and the Toronto police take the safety and security of the Distillery District very seriously," reads the letter.

"As a part of this and leading up to the busy season within the Distillery District, Toronto police would like to utilize our site to carry out various emergency scenarios."

These scenarios will include actors playing armed assailants, though their weapons will be loaded with blanks. Areas of the historic neighbourhood will be blocked off while police drills are taking place.

Extreme as they may sound, the precautionary measures aren't entirely new. The Toronto Christmas Market first enhanced security measures in 2016 after an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin that killed 12.

With multiple public massacres taking place at home over the past year (including the Toronto van attack and Danforth shooting), it makes sense that police are upping their game again to reassure the public.

The Toronto Christmas Market is scheduled to open on November 15 and will run until December 23.

Mamma mia! Italian restaurants are known for being run by a passionate, fiery bunch, but one Toronto spot thinks another is taking its geotags too far.

Sugo is actually located at Bloor and Lansdowne, but often tags their Instagram posts of epic Italian dishes with other locations, such as Sully’s Boxing, Through Being Cool, and even the AGO.

The locations range far and wide. Some like the bakery next door seem like nods to local neighbours, the gym pays homage to a fierce love of boxing, and tagging their location as revered Italian restaurants like Gio Rana’s in Leslieville feel more like a tribute than a joke or error.

However, lately they’ve been creating a bit more of a stir by tagging their location as high-end restaurants like La Banane, Alo and Gusto 101. One Toronto Italian powerhouse, Terroni, clapped back.

In this Instagram post, Sugo calls out Terroni for not liking that they tagged their location.

On Thursday, Sugo posted a photo of the night’s pasta special captioned “@terronito doesn't like me Geo Tagging them, They also don't like Seafood and cheese! Sooooooooooooo, Pasta Special Tonight is SHIRMP, CHEESE, TOMATO. Come in Order it, Snap a pic and Geo Tag @terronito and I'll buy you a GLASS OF WINE.”

After that, Terroni reached out on Instagram DMs, which Sugo posted to their story. After Terroni implored Sugo to stop with the geotagging, Sugo fired back by asking that Terroni cut pizza for customers (which they notoriously refuse to do).

Sugo posted their private Instagram conversation with Terroni to their Instagram Story for all to see.

The DMs make it clear that Sugo’s tags are all in good fun, and are only intended to have the possible side effect of getting the casual little Bloor-Lansdowne Italian restaurant a little attention.

Toronto fans of the wildly popular true crime podcast My Favorite Murder are devastated after tickets for the live show sold out within minutes of going on sale on Wednesday. 

The way my heat broke when I saw that tickets are sold out for @MyFavMurder live show in Toronto — rozuh (@_rozuh) November 9, 2018

Murderinos have been taking to Twitter to bemoan the lost opportunity to weet-woo at Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark at the Sony Centre on February 23. 

it is extremely annoying that I was unable to buy tickets to the Toronto show of @MyFavMurder yet people are ALREADY reselling tickets for 3x the price on stubhub - so not right

— Ang (@angelamaryy) November 9, 2018

Admission has been selling for three consecutive days, but it seems that no matter how hard people tried, tickets for the L.A.-based comedians ultimately ended up on StubHub at jacked-up prices. 

@GHardstark@KarenKilgariff@MyFavMurder y’all need to recognize that you’re basically on the Taylor Swift level of needing to do TWO live shows in Toronto. This one show in Canada thing ain’t cutting it🙅🏽‍♀️

— D. (@daniiellegordon) November 9, 2018

We all know Toronto is obsessed with true crime, but the level of MFM dedication is insanity.

You bet I virtually fought to get my hands on a ticket to #myfavoritemurder in Toronto 😍🔪 I can't wait to see @GHardstark and @KarenKilgariff live again! #MFMToronto@MyFavMurderpic.twitter.com/Gn6ch5tWc7

— Alexa Pereira 🌕 (@_alexapereira) November 9, 2018

For those who managed to snag tickets: here's the thing, relax.

Crossing my fingers and toes that @MyFavMurder will add a 2nd show in Toronto after the first sold out in literally 2 mins. By the power of @StevenRayMorris, please make it so!

— Joe Lipsett (@bstolemyremote) November 9, 2018

The fans have been praying to George, Karen, Steven, and all their furry and fuzzy friends for a second show. 

@MyFavMurder@KarenKilgariff@GHardstark@StevenRayMorris second show added to Toronto!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! You guys are so fucking sexy #SSDGM

— Linnéa (@shoegal07) November 9, 2018

And it looks like all the sweet baby angels have had their dreams and prayers answered. 

After the most tense 10 minutes of my life, I GOT TICKETS TO @MyFavMurder IN TORONTO pic.twitter.com/0UuCVS97Ah

— Vicky (@vfensehl) November 5, 2018

Look and listen folks: a second live show for the MFM podcast has been added for February 24 at 7 p.m. 

When you nail down those @MyFavMurder tickets. See you in Toronto!! pic.twitter.com/zUyoP0WZRd

— merissa (@wheatandwool) November 5, 2018

Stay sexy and stay out of the forest to prepare yourselves for pre-sales on Monday.

Ticketed!!! See you in Toronto, can't wait! pic.twitter.com/nakzP8vEze

— Amy Binning (@AmyBinning) November 5, 2018

Looking for someone to help you with a rental agreement? A pre-nup, maybe? A divorce? Maybe you need to register a trademark, or write a legal will.

Whatever the case, at some point in your fabulous adult life, you're probably going to need a lawyer (or at the very least some legal advice).

Now, with the launch of a unique new spot on Eglinton Avenue West, you can find one lickety-split without needing to search for a firm or their rates. Also, there's coffee. And macarons.

Lawyers and Lattes, now open at 511 Eglinton W., is the first cafe of its kind in Canada: A legal cafe. Essentially, it's a cute restaurant where anyone can go to get help from a lawyer. The team also hosts free legal seminars, from time to time.

Large menus exist for both the law services and beverages offered here, allowing patrons to kill two birds with one stone (or scone, as the case may be).

The rates for all home, business, family and even tax-related legal jobs are listed in plain sight on the website, too, so you know what you're paying for up front. 

A purchase and sale agreement costs $99, for instance, while a notary stamp will only run you about $25. More complicated services like a business incorporation or separation agreement will cost you a fair bit more, but often they're necessary evils.

What Lawyers and Lattes provides, aside from a more convenient way to access legal help, is the option to work with a lawyer while eating pulled BBQ mushroom sandwiches and drinking flat whites.

You really can't put a price on that.

Just kidding, you can. It's $9.99 for the sandwich and $3.49 for the drink. Avoiding all of those unnecessary hours in a stuffy law office, though? That's free.

Getting from point A to point B using public transit can be hellish, especially when you factoring in things like delays, overcrowding and... you know, other people.

Imagine if there were also restrictions in place that meant you couldn't get on or off the train at almost half of the subway stations in Toronto?

For people with disabilities or injuries that prohibit them from taking the stairs, moving throughout the city can not only be uncomfortable, but sometimes impossible.

The TTC subway is one of the easiest ways to travel downtown Toronto. But, if you’re in a wheelchair it can be challenging. 35 stops are NOT accessible, therefore sometimes the subway is NOT an option #maketoaccessible#disability#inaccessible#ttc#subway#torontopic.twitter.com/EoO8vWQ7e2

— MakeTOAccessible (@MakeTOAccess) December 13, 2017

The TTC is constantly working to make public transit more accessible for everyone, and has indeed made quite a lot of progress in that regard since the 1990s.

TIL that these lines of tiles on the subway platform are not for decoration. They are textured to help visually impaired people navigate the platform with their cane. Awesome! #ttc#tysse#yorku#cnib#blind#accessibilityhttps://t.co/XfQab4jSX9pic.twitter.com/05xrpcTGUt

— busdriver365 (@busdriver365) May 9, 2018

All TTC buses and bus routes are currently equipped to serve passengers using wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices, as are subway trains — but only 43 of the system's 75 stations have elevators (something, it should be noted, that the transit agency hopes to fix by 2025).

Current schedule for elevator installation at TTC stations. AODA deadline for accessibility is 2025. https://t.co/cPHlfZUqOS (PDF) pic.twitter.com/mkVNvVaHOt

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) April 4, 2018

Prolific Toronto Redditor u/cspikes has compiled a map based on the TTC's own public information to highlight how much harder it is for those with limited mobility to ride the subway.

"TTC Map with only accessible stations," they wrote when sharing the image. "How would your day change if this is what your map looked like?"

This version of the TTC subway map shows the only stations at which elevators are available. Image via cspikes/Reddit.

A lot of people weighed in to voice their shock and share suggestions.

"You should update the map with elevators that are down for maintenance lol," wrote one person, raising an important point.

"If a staircase were completely unusable at a station, a lot of passengers would be extremely upset that they had to reroute and potentially miss important transfers or meetings," replied u/cspikes.

And yet I am forced to lose my independence because you are not fully accessible. #AODA means nothing to the #TTC. @PRESTOcard can stop using a wheelchair user in their ads, it is offensive.

— Erin Courcelles (@eldavey) September 7, 2018

The map isn't perfect, as some point out (Islington station is not, in fact, fully accessible) but it is making many in Toronto think today about what it it's like to live in a world where taking the stairs isn't always an option.

For the estimated 3.8 million adult Canadians who report being limited in their daily activities due to a disability (as of 2012), it's just the way things are right now.

It's Saturday in the city and there's lots of events in Toronto worth checking out. A new film produced by Eminem takes a look the competitive world of rap battles and a pop-up showcases local designers. Parties, comedy, music and more are all happening as well.

Gas stations have always featured prominently in Toronto, and have evolved significantly over time. 

It's tough to pin down exactly what it is about this particular part of the urban fabric that so marks the difference between contemporary culture and that of past, but these images certainly seem to illustrate a different value system at work, if only architecturally.

Although corporate giants like Esso, BP and Shell are represented here, it's interesting to note that stations themselves are anything but homogeneous.

Also interesting are the prices. Although not visible in the majority of what's below, one particular image of an Esso pump from the early 60s shows the price of gas starting as low as 42 cents a gallon. Assuming that's a Canadian rather than an American gallon, that would put the price at about 10 cents a litre.

Check out these photos of what gas stations used to look like in Toronto.

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Food banks in Toronto help nourish our communities and those in need of the most crucial resources. Whether you require access to these vital programs or wish to contribute your time, money, or goods, here's where to find these services close to home.

The Annex

Knox Presbyterian Church at 630 Spadina Avenue offers Out of the Cold Meal Programs that provide Tuesday suppers and a food bank for youth up to 25 years.

Bloorcourt

The Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre at 789 Dovercourt Road is a member of The Daily Bread Food Bank and offers drop-in programs and food access almost every day of the week. You can donate or contribute funds or time here.

Cabbagetown

The Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank serves vegetarians, vegans, and people trying to transition to a meatless diet but who have been unable to because they rely on conventional food banks to eat.

Corktown

Good Shepherd Ministries offers food, shelter, clothing and more to anyone in need. You can help in a number of different ways, including monetary donations, gifts of time, goods and services, third party fundraising events, the donation of Shopper's Drug Mart PC-Optimum points, and by organizing food, clothing and toiletry drives.

Danforth

Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre at 86 Blake Street is a member of the Daily Bread Food Bank that has been operating for over 40 years. Monetary donations can be made online, while members of the community are also encouraged to reach out to find out how to run a successful food drive in schools or workplaces.

Dundas West

The Fort York Food Bank delivers programs and services focused on reconnecting people with their respective communities. Donations of money, food, clothes, and books are needed to help support programs to feed the hungry, give access to trained counsellors (including lawyers, accountants and other professionals), and a drop-in centre with community kitchen and internet access.

Etobicoke

Haven on the Queensway operates a food bank that provides groceries, household products, personal hygiene items and even pet food to anyone in need in the community. Its website lists ways to give including types of goods sought, monetary contributions, and corporate sponsorships.

The Junction

The Sharing Place at 624 Annette Street is a non-profit compassion organization that provides warm meals on a weekly basis as well as a food and clothing bank for all people regardless of faith, income, or culture. Donations of non-perishable food items or funds are always needed.

The Junction is also home to a pay-what-you-can grocery store and coffee shop named Feed it Forward, which is always looking for volunteers. 

Little Italy

The Caribbean Canadian Catholic Centre at 867 College Street is a member of Daily Bread Food Bank and operates a soup kitchen on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until noon and also arranges for emergency food when necessary.

Mississauga

The Mississauga Food Bank accepts donations of funds and food. For every $2 collected, the agency is able to distribute five meals to hungry children, families and seniors.

Parkdale

The Parkdale Community Food Bank relies on donations from the community and encourages individuals to organize or fund a food drive at your workplace, tenants association, church, union, or corporate group.

Scarborough

The Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities provides a multitude of social support programs including a food bank, community kitchen and Meals-On-Wheels. Support SCHC by making financial contributions online.

St. Clair West

The Stop Community Food Centre helps people meet emergency food needs with dignified services that make healthy food accessible. Among the programs offered are a food bank, community kitchens, markets and bake ovens, healthy Beginnings & Family Support, and urban agriculture. Donations and volunteers are welcome.

Yonge and Dundas

The Ryerson University Students' Union supports the Good Food Centre at 55 Gould Street. Services include the Community Food Bank that operates on an honesty basis with an open door policy, as well as the Good Food Box, a non-profit fresh fruit and vegetable distribution service provided by FoodShare Toronto.

Yonge and College

The Yonge Street Mission provides hot meals and nutritious snacks daily to youth at the Evergreen Centre and to all ages at the Christian Community Centre. The food bank welcomes adults and families and offers clothing through a voucher system at their Double Take store. Donations are always in need and can be made online.

Also in this neighbourhood is Covenant House, which is devoted to helping homeless youth and offers the option to gift street kids with essentials like nutritious food for a day or food and shelter for a week.

Cheap winter coats in Toronto, like in most cities, are generally the provenance of end-of-season sales at department stores and retail chains. But what if you don't want to wait around for Boxing Day? A little bit of digging will get you well on your way to a high-quality winter wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Here are my favourite places to score cheap (but solid) winter coats in Toronto.

Value Village

Local thrift stores are a first stop for many a stylish bargain hunter, and each one has their own secret source. Outerwear selection and pricing vary widely, but the payoff can be insane. There are other thrift shops around the city, but VV boasts tons of stock.

Public Butter

This Parkdale mainstay stocks the closets of Toronto's savviest vintage style hounds, and for good reason. It's huge, it's cool, it's fun to shop in and, of course, it has some of the best vintage duds in town. You can check out a myriad of winter coats on Instagram before visiting the store near Dufferin and Queen.

Winners

Canada's favourite discount chain trucks in plenty of outerwear for the winter season. Not everything is crazy cheap, but you can find deeply discounted designer coats here if you're lucky and/or visit frequently. Check out the list of the best and worst Winners stores in Toronto as a starting point.

Black Market

You may not know what you're going to find, but I guarantee you'll be getting a deal on vintage threads in this dirt-cheap Queen West basement. Almost everything here—including winter coats—costs only $10.

Costco

Believe it or not, the American warehouse club (which has several Toronto locations) boasts some very high-quality winter gear for much less than you'd pay at a regular athletic goods store. If you're looking for function over fashion, it's worth borrowing your mom's membership card to take a peek.

Courage My Love

This Kensington Market staple has been around for forever, and it's a great spot to hunt for some serious bargains. While this thrifty shop stocks a bit of everything, you'll definitely be able to find that perfect winter coat among the colourful racks.

Chinatown

Want the designer look without the designer price tag? You can find knock-off Canada Goose puffers at many of the markets on Spadina between Dundas and Queen. Some of them are dead ringers for the real thing—just don't expect designer quality.

Bungalow

This award-winning clothes and furniture store in Kensington Market is unique in that it sells new, used and their own "remade" fashions. You can find sportier vintage pieces and men's wool coats for around $60, but rarer finds will have a higher price tag.

Common Sort

With locations in Leslieville, Parkdale and The Annex, this classy-cool consignment shop keep things tightly edited (read: you won't have to spend hours rooting through racks.) Still, their prices are stunning for legit designer jackets—and they'll purchase your old ones, too.

Flashback 2

Like its sister stores Flashback and King of Kensington, this vintage shop is on Kensington Market's second main drag (the road that's actually named Kensington Ave). You'll pay $50-100 for a winter coat here, but I'm talking about full-on real fur coats and Gloverall duffles that will last you for years to come.

Remembrance Day 2018 is Sunday November 11 and Toronto will host a number of ceremonies that commemorate those who served and continue to serve Canada at home and overseas. Also known as Armistice Day, the event marks the date when armies stopped fighting World War 1. This year marks the 100th anniversary of that date. 

Hidden bars in Toronto are places you sometimes need to hear about by word of mouth, or discover yourself in the off-chance that you actually notice them when walking by. While many of these secrets are terribly-kept, these places still make for a great spot to get away from the busy clubs.

Here are my picks for the top hidden bars in Toronto.

Vatican Gift Shop

Concealed behind a quaint little gift shop in Leslieville is this secret watering hole. After finding your way through the door, you'll find yourself in a dimly-lit speakeasy with beer, pizza, and other staples.

Mahjong Bar

If you don't know Dundas West spot is there, you'll probably walk right past it. Mahjong specializes in wontons, crispy pork, and solid drink choices.

Roywoods

What started as a small takeout spot blossomed into a second restaurant with a secret bar in the back. This Ossington fixture can fill you up with delicious Carribbean as well as give you a stiff drink with a nice jerk seasoning rim.

Bar Batavia

This sultry cocktail bar is found above Little Sister near Yonge and Eglinton. Just go up the stairs to sip on refined cocktails and chow down on Dutch-Indo snacks in a dimly-lit intimate setting.

Cold Tea

There's a doorway inside Kensington Mall with a single red light above it that reveals this popular Kensington Market bar. Here you'll find the bartenders making specialty cocktails based on your liquor preferences, with a patio outside that's always packed in the summer.

Escobar

This secretive spot can be found on an upper level of Baro. There’s an elevator to get up there, but you’ll have to know the password to sample the cocktails and take Instagram shots of the, 'Pablo loves you' neon sign.

The Gift Shop

Find this bar at the back of Barber & Co., a men’s barber shop on Ossington. Here you can drink some beer and cocktails, even if you have no interest in getting a cut.

LoPan

Above Dailo on College, LoPan is a quaint second floor bar that you won't find on your radar unless you know it's there. Its sophisticated décor is the prime setting for a late night spent sipping cocktails and snacks.

SP184

In the alley behind Superpoint on Ossington there’s a door marked simply SP184. Step through the door and find yourself in a bare-bones industrial hangout where music, booze and pizza will keep you entertained throughout the evening.

The Cloak

Inside Marben on Wellington, this bar is entered through a doorway marked by a neon sign and then a flight of steps. Sip on cocktails while enjoying the speakeasy vibe.

The best hot yoga studios in Toronto are built on the mantra that practice makes progress. While your first hot yoga class may leave you too drenched for comfort, hot yoga can be unusually addictive. A hot yoga sweat session has been associated with detoxing the mind, body and soul.

Here are the best hot yoga studios in Toronto.

Walking tours in Toronto take you through all the twists and turns of Toronto's past and present. Journey by foot through your neighbourhoods of choice on guided expeditions where even those born-and-raised Torontonians will learn something new. 

Here are my picks for the top walking tours in Toronto.

Toronto history tours by Muddy York Walking Tour

Explore Old Town Toronto—better known these days as the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood—and let Muddy York's guide immerse you through some 19th century history. Scheduled and private tours runs for ninety minutes $15 to $25 per person.

Beer Makes Better History by Urban Adventures

What better way to learn the back story of a city than through its relationship with booze? Over four hours you'll visit three classic Toronto watering holes in St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District—just keep in mind drinks aren't included in your fee of $48.

Walk Ward's Island

Tourists and locals alike know that Ward's Island is like a city of its own, so what better way to explore the area than with Linda and Susan, a pair of longtime Island residents. Take the ferry across the lake and pay $30 for 90 minutes of walking through this tightly-knit community.

Downtown Toronto Tour by Tour Guys

Tourists will see the essential attractions of the downtown core on this free 1.5-hour-long tour. Both city halls, the skyscrapers of the Financial District, Union Station, and of course, the Toronto sign are must-visits, though even locals might benefit from the tour of the PATH.   

Kensington Market tour by Chopsticks+Forks

A journey best embarked on by lovers of food from around the world, this tour is pricey at $79 but comes with samples from six restaurants in the market. By the end of three hours, you'll have eaten food from eight different countries, while learning about T.O.'s most eclectic area.

Ultimate Chocolate Tour by Tasty Tours

For anyone who likes chocolate, this walk is for you. This three-hour tour runs every weekend, looping around Trinity Bellwoods to hit a bunch of chocolatiers along King West, Queen West, and Dundas West. Your $49 includes a chocolate-making demo and samples galore.

Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour

Walk the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District where you can get to know the history of the Gooderham and Worts distillery within an hour. It runs year-long, and $21 gets you tastings at Soma, Mill St. Brewery and hot chocolate vouchers.

Graffiti Tour by Tour Guys

A popular stop for out-of-towners, Graffiti Alley is one of Toronto's must colourful attractions. This 1.5-hour tour is completely free (though tipping your guide is highly encouraged) and takes followers through 2-kilometres of graffiti history, rain or shine. 

Sweet Sensation by Savour Toronto

This tour through Kensington Market, Chinatown, and Queen West is all about the sweet tooth. For $60 you'll visit a bunch of different food destinations serving up a hodgepodge of six sweets like chocolate Belgian waffles, Asian-inspired gelato, and macarons. 

The Original Haunted Walk

This group has been guiding ghost-enthusiasts on their spooky walk through the city for over 20 years. Start at the Hockey Hall of Fame and embark on a 90-minute tour of the city's historical hauntings (and the paranormal activities at Mackenzie House) for $23.75. 

Volunteer opportunities in Toronto are all about the gift of giving this holiday season. Festive months and philanthropy work best hand-in-hand, and as always there's plenty of chances to donate your time and effort this year. 

Here's a roundup of some volunteers opportunities in Toronto this holiday season. 

Holiday Helpers

Lend a hand to this charity that provides Christmas packages to low-income families with kids in one of two ways. Help out at their Etobicoke office with things like family calls and data entry, or help load, organize, and move donated items at their Mississauga warehouse.

The Salvation Army

There's plenty of volunteer positions to be filled at your local Salvation Army, from helping with food hampers to putting toys under the tree. Find the location nearest you and be part of their Christmas Assistance team. 

Daily Bread Food Bank

This food-focused charity is running its yearly Holiday Drive Public Food Sorts. There's three weekend dates in December where you can help sort through all their holiday food donations.

Meals on Wheels

Drivers are desperately needed for this organization which delivers food to seniors. Groups likes Dixon Hall, the Canadian Red Cross, SPRINT Senior Care, and West Neighbourhood House (the list goes on) all need volunteers as the holidays draw nearer this December. 

Epilepsy Toronto

Use your gift-wrapping skills at this month-long fundraiser at Scarborough Town Centre, which raises funds for epilepsy-related programs and services.

Habitat for Humanity 

Help this organization dedicated to affordable housing with their 16th annual Gingerbread Build. Whether you're setting up, registering guests, handing out Gingerbead kits, your time helps all proceeds of the event go to low-income families. 

Second Harvest

Be part of the annual Turkey Drive by volunteering at several Loblaws locations around the city. There's plenty of ways to help, either by loading donated turkeys into trucks, helping customers, or the most coveted position of all: turkey mascot.

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Nimble fingers are needed for this donation-based gift-wrapping endeavour. You can volunteer three or more shifts at the RioCan Yonge-Eglinton Centre or at the RBC Plaza on Bay Street this December.

Yonge Street Mission 

There's definitely no shortage of people willing to help out at this spot, but you can help with a shift by signing up through the Mission's Christmas Volunteer Hub.

Non-holiday related volunteer opportunities in Toronto

• Best Buddies
• Boys and Girls Club of Canada
• Bluffs Food Bank
• Canadian Blood Services
• Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
• Canadian Cancer Society
• Canadian Centre for Men and Families
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Central Neighbourhood House
• Children's Aid Society
• Circle of Care
• Covenant House
• Fort York Food Bank
• Haven Toronto
• Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto
• New Circles
• North York Harvest Food Bank
• Red Door Shelter
• Reena
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto
• Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
• SickKids
• Sistering
• The Scott Mission
• The Stop Community Food Centre
• Toronto Humane Society
• Toronto People With Aids Foundation
• Toronto Wildlife Centre
• Trek for Teens
• UHN
• West Toronto Support Services
• Youth Without Shelter

Holiday lights ceremonies in Toronto for 2018 offer up the chance to ring in the season with all the excitement that comes with twinkling lights and giant Christmas trees. Cavalcade of Lights is on and several spots around the city are set to become mini winter wonderlands. 

One of Toronto’s major destinations for inexpensive Thai comfort food will shutter its doors next week.

On November 14, the owners of Flip Toss & Thai Kitchen will be packing it in, apparently to retire. The restaurant has been operating in Harbord Village since 2001, the chef and owner formerly employed at Toronto Thai institution Salad King.

Never fear, though, one Asian comfort cuisine may be replaced with another, as it’s rumoured an Indian restaurant is moving in. 

Owning any type of real estate in Toronto seems like a dream for most young Torontonians, as does the idea of ever having $5 million to spend on a house. Those who do have that cash to blow, however, will be able to spend it on a beautiful abode that's about four times the price of the average detached Toronto home.

Here's what a $5 million house looks like in Toronto versus other cities.

Toronto - $4,995,000 CAD

Situated in one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the whole city, this Forest Hill stucco home is a three-storey with five bedrooms that's perfect for entertaining. Covered in vines, this pristine home comes with an outdoor pool and media room in the basement.

Vancouver - $4,999,999 CAD

It's not just a ten-bedroom two-storey you'll get with this Otter District estate, you'll also be getting 34 extra aces of blueberry fields. That's right: this massive home also produces three types of berries, plus an extra 10 acres of land to do what you will. 

Ottawa - $5,000,000 CAD

A cool five million will get you this six-bedroom detached in a cul-de-sac of Ottawa's coveted Rockcliffe neighbourhood. This recent reno sits comes with a master suite terrace, six parking spaces, and proximity to the esteemed Ashbury College.

Seattle, Washington - $4,954,687 CAD

It's significantly under the $5 million mark but this 39,204 square-foot property is larger than most places you could get in Toronto for the same price. This four bedroom comes with its own share of waterfront and a full-size tennis court.

Biscayne, Florida - $4,994,325 CAD

Built just this year, this five-bedroom comes with a terrace on the upper floor that has an excellent vista of Miami-Dade county. The house comes with porcelain floors, an Italian kitchen and direct access to the outdoor pool from the living room.

Los Angeles, California - $4,990,354 CAD

It doesn't get more Cali than this sprawling Bel Air home once inhabited by Truman Capote and Joanne Carson. There's already plans drawn up to convert this four-bedroom into a seven-bedroom with ten bathrooms, but in the meantime there's still the flat pad and an outdoor pool.

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France - $5,003,581 CAD

Invest in this incredible chalet dubbed Roc de la Lune and you'll officially have a home in one of the most beautiful towns in the French Alps. Perfect for ski-lovers, this six-bedroom home come with a spa and is close proximity to the Michelin-starred restaurant La Bouitte.

Mugla, Turkey - $5,096,433

This mountainous city in Southwestern Turkey is a quiet retreat that looks out over the Aegean Sea. It's basically a solid $100K over the $5 million budget but the extra splurge gets an incredible seven-bedroom Yalikavak home with access to cafes and shops lining the Aegean Sea.

Today marks Remembrance Day in Toronto and events include a gathering at Old City Hall to honour those that have served and continue to serve Canada. Elsewhere, there's a pie contest and a Toronto fashion pop-up. 

Yonge and Bloor is an intersection well-known in the city, as it is home to not only the busiest TTC station, but acts as one of the main crossroads of Toronto. 

Now home to soaring condos and upscale shopping, Bloor-Yonge has a storied history. As new developments transform the historic square, we'll have to collectively wait for Yonge and Bloor's next transformation, but in the meantime, let's look back at the seemingly ever-changing intersection.

Here's a history of Yonge and Bloor in Toronto. 

A postcard from the 1920s. Image from the Wikimedia Commons.

The southeast corner. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

Shops with signs, in the 1920s. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

Shoppers crossing in the 1930s. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

Streetcar tracks in the 1950s. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

Taller buildings start to rise in the area, in this image of Stollerys from the 1970s. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

Shops and theatres dotted the streets of the intersection for many decades, including these in the 1970s. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

The northwest corner, 1971. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

A snowy scene following a storm, looking south on Yonge in the 70s. Photo by citatus.

Chalk artists spruce up the sidewalk, 1984. Photo by mcwidi_2.

Pedestrians cross between cars, late 1980s. Photo from the Toronto Archives.

The UPTOWN sign being removed, 2000s. Photo by TOrebelXTguy.

A hot dog vendor in the rain, 2000s. Photo by caughtonfilm.

The intersection, with people crossing before the scramble was added. Photo by inventor_77.

An old Harvey's sign is seen missing as the intersection undergoes a transformation. Photo by Derek Flack. 

Construction on the lower floors of the now-built One Bloor East, 2015. Photo by Marcanadian.

The 1980s were a time that seems not-too-distant from today, but were a completely different world. 

Toronto in the 1980s was defined by video rental stores, Degrassi's original seasons, and $5-baseball tickets. 

It's unquestionable that there's an 80s "feel" to certain images that immediately sparks an emotional response. Tough to pin down, it's probably the closest one can get to the experience of "authentic" nostalgia, if they lived through the era.

Here are photos of what Toronto looked like in the 1980s.

Trolley Bus at Dupont/Annette and Dundas. Image from barp.ca.

The monorail at the Toronto Zoo. Ontario Place from the CN Tower.

A GO train coming into Union Station.

Yonge Street toward the end of the 80s.

1050 Chum radio advertisement.

(Card likely pre-dates the 80s, but not the host)

Bloor Street near Bay, facing north with the Holt Renfrew building in sight.

The Flatiron building with Derek Michael Besant's mural looking quite fresh.

A diner on Bellair Street

The skyline in 1986.A postcard featuring Exhibition Stadium.

A photo from the modern day, featuring a 1980s-era police car from Metro Toronto.

Yonge Street, looking north from Front Street. 

The Caribana Parade in 1987.

The PATH in the 1980s. Overlapping signs in Chinatown.The Skydome under construction, some time around 1988. ​​