The Winter lights festival at Ontario Place is back for it second year. Brave yuletide warriors are enduring the cold to catch a glimpse of the stunning show. 

Check out the photo gallery of the winter lights festival at Ontario Place. 

It's been quite the wait for those who love to skate, but it's finally time. 

This weekend, the majority of Toronto's public skating rinks are set to open. 

One of the most notable will, of course, be Nathan Phillips Square, which features not just the fan-favourite skating rink under the arches, but will open to the dazzling Calvacade of Lights on Saturday. 

The annual celebration features musical performances, skating parties, and the official lighting of the giant Christmas tree. 

Another quintessential spot opening this weekend is the Harbourfront Centre's Natrel rink, which gives visitors a breathtaking glide along the waterfront. 

Strap on those skates, as one of the only good things about winter is finally here.

There's an old adage that says the heart of a home is its kitchen, but is it really? In 2018? In a city where most of us live in sky shoeboxes or have multiple roommates to share the fridge with?

I don't hang out with loved ones in my kitchen. I don't read, nap, chill, entertain, watch TV or even eat there, most of the time. That stuff happens on the couch, where everything always feels comfy and right.

Toronto-based photographer Adam Coish understands the allure of a living room sofa. He's been photographing them (and the people who own them) for more than five years now as part of a project he calls "The Couch Series."

Janine, Phillip, Minna and LC in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

"Capturing real people in everyday environments has always been my greatest source of inspiration," says the artist. 

"The main goal of the series was, and still is, to showcase individuality while tying us together with that one piece of furniture we all possess in our home: a couch."

Ken Ferguson and Gracie in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

As of last summer, Coish had photographed 50 different couches across the city—all of them unique in their various human and pet-occupied environments.

He's just as prolific today, but says that his work has evolved beyond its initial premise.

Michelle, Jeremy and Weiland in Hamilton. Photo by Adam Coish.

"As this series has grown, I realized that I was missing out on so many interesting items that the subjects had in their room that weren’t making it into the frame of the shot," Coish explains.

"Now, I take a more collaborative approach with subjects and in a communal effort, we set up the frame and decide what we could add to the scene to show more of their personality and interests."

Briony Smith in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

The Toronto artist just dropped a fresh new batch of photos on his website this week, featuring couches from all over the GTA.

Looking through the images, it quickly becomes clear that his series is about more than just people and pets sitting on furniture.

Jon Fiddler and Dillion Katrycz in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

"Each couch has a story to tell," says Coich. "However; it’s the couch owner who develops the grooves in the cushions and surrounds the couch with art and other keepsakes that bring the story to life."

"I don't want the viewer just to see a person sitting on a couch," he continues. "It is my wish that the viewer will get lost in the details of the image and feel connected with the subject, their space and what makes them unique."

Allie Banks and Midnight. Photo by Adam Coish.

Coish says that, while he does plan on having a gallery showing or even creating a book at some point, he's been holding off for the time being in favour of finding more subjects.

"I am in no rush," he says. "I plan on continuing this project for many years to come and I want plenty more couches to fill out the pages before I approach that idea more intently."

Sarah, Keith, Danforth, Guiness and Monty in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

The award-winning photographer is currently appealing to locals who might be interested in showing off their space.

"Of course it's free of charge and they will get a rad photo of themselves," he says, noting that interested parties can email him photos of themselves and their couches for consideration.

Thierry, Evan, Luvy, Baby and Gary in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

"What I would love to capture is more diversity," he says. "Considering most of my subjects are from Toronto, I would love to showcase the variety of different cultures that make our city so incredible.

Right now he's particularly interested in shooting eldery people, high fashion types, people with loud hair, families with grand spaces, families with humble spaces, hardcore music fans, people with lots of pets and workplace couches (a firehall would be cool).

Andrea and Chico in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

That said, Coish is open to "any and all types of subjects" — real people from all walks of life, not just those with edgy or wild-looking living rooms.

"Whether a space is simple or full of interesting trinkets, if I feel like it’s adding to the series," he says, "I'm all for it."

Andrea, Lay and Birthday Boi in Toronto. Photo by Adam Coish.

After a devastating three-alarm fire in March 2018, Brock Sandwich is battling ferociously to reopen. 

While the cause of the fire is still unknown, the cause of the shop remaining shuttered isn’t: an outdated insurance policy is to blame. 

Owner Dominic Amaral says the biggest lesson he’s learned and what he’d recommend to every restaurant owner is to demand reassessments from brokers every time new equipment is obtained. All the thousands of dollars in updates made to equipment at Brock over the years ended up not being covered by the shop’s policy. 

Crazy fire just now near Bloor and Margueretta, during the magic hour cc: @bigonbloorfest#TorontoFirepic.twitter.com/xhy1JBfNqm

— Andrew Williamson (@aswilliamson) March 24, 2018

The restaurant was actually open for business at the time the fire started. Apparently it originated outdoors in the laneway while customers were being served, and by the time Amaral hurried outside to check it out, the blaze had already spread to the roof. 

From there it was knocking on every business and apartment door to ensure everyone could evacuate. While no one was injured, Brock Sandwich as it stands is still a shell, everything inside completely destroyed.

Brock Sandwich put about $100,000 over time into equipment upgrades, and by-laws and prices have changed since they opened over six years ago. For example, electrical that cost about $7000 then costs about $14,900 now.

Wages have gone up, but Amaral is actually still paying employees that have stayed loyal to the shop, and can work there again as soon as it’s open.

It has been a difficult last six days for us , due to the fire that occurred Saturday. We are thankful no one was hurt. Cannot describe the pain and the emotional roller coaster we have been on since. We... https://t.co/GTIGo8h26Z

— Brock Sandwich (@BrockSandwich) March 30, 2018

A GoFundMe page will be up and running on Tuesday. The main expense Brock Sandwich is hoping to cover through that is replacing their HVAC and hood systems, with a goal to raise $30,000. That doesn’t even include the electrical, plumbing, drywall, and operational costs the business will need to incur to reopen. 

Restaurateur friends of Amaral like Basilio Pesce and the folks from nearby Sugo, The Emerson, The 47, and Actinolite will also be doing all they can to help get Brock Sandwich up and running again, including promoting the GoFundMe on their social channels. 

Donate, because really, who can live without pulled jackfruit sandwiches and truffle poutine?

Food events in Toronto this week have two markets full of festive goodies, a pig roast, free pasta and a Christmas dinner. There's also cheap cinnamon buns and two beer festivals to look forward to.

The Toronto Zoo, home to myriad famous baby animals, wants to install a fully functional Magnetic Levitation (maglev) train atop what used to be known as the Canadian Domain Ride.

It's exactly as cool as it sounds, trust me.

In a proposal set to go before The Toronto Zoo's Board of Management next Thursday, zoo Chief Operating Officer Robin D. Hale asks for approval to work with a company called Magnovate Transportation Inc. on an ambitious piece of innovation. 

That project, if successful, would result in the creation of North America's first ever commercial maglev transit system, right here in Toronto—at no cost to the city.

Magnovate simply wants a space to show off its cutting-edge high-speed trains, according to the proposal (plus a cut of the revenue said trains bring in for 15 years).

Holy hell. Toronto Zoo staff are recommending their board approve the installation of a MAGLEV TRAIN on the zoo grounds. https://t.co/RY5pEKTaOhpic.twitter.com/toBBCvjx3p

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) November 23, 2018

"The maglev ride proposal is based on innovative modern technology, and would be an opportunity to visit the Rouge Valley in the comfort of an enclosed climate controlled vehicle on a year-round basis," reads the proposal from Hale.

The collaboration "would ultimately result in a maglev Ride on the Zoo site that will not only serve as a prime site for Magnovate to exhibit the technologies, but would also create a new attraction for Zoo visitors," it continues. "This will serve to improve mobility options at the Zoo and would be an opportunity for demonstrating sustainable technologies."

Maglev systems, which power trains by magnetic force as opposed to engines or electricity, are already in place across some parts of Asia.

They're quiet, smooth and incredibly fast (the highest recorded maglev speed to date is 603 km/h on a Japanese railway in 2015.) Plus, there's a ton of research into the concept, which was first patented all the way back in 1905.

Japan's 603 km /Hour Japan's Maglev Train Set A New World Record. The SCMaglev: https://t.co/ypB6s5UgSw via @YouTube

— Rockitfish Ray (@Webseographics) November 15, 2018

Still, maglev has yet to catch on globally due, at least in part, to how expensive these systems and trains are to build.

The fact that much of the Toronto Zoo's old Domain Ride, shut down in 1994, remains in place presents an opportunity, according to Magnovate, which wants to "create a lower-speed maglev system that emulates the high-speed examples in Shanghai, China and Linimo,
Japan."

From test track to grand opening, the system would take about 36 months to build. It won't be free to ride, however. Magnovate predicts it will cost between $12.00 and $15.00 per customer at launch.

"However, due to the high-quality service and excellent view of the zoo provided by the maglev Ride, it is possible that the revenue could be further enhanced," reads the proposal. 

Let's just see if this thing gets approved before we go raising prices, shall we?

The top bars on Church Street include some of the Gay Village's historic hotspots along with more recent additions. Expect some wholesome entertainment like board games, queer literature, and—of course—drag shows aplenty to go along with your beers and booze. 

Here are my picks for the top bars on Church Street.

Woody’s

This iconic gay bar has been the beating heart of the Village since 1989. Grab a drink and watch a cast of budding drag queens and pros alike—including longtime host Georgie Girl—do their thing. And make sure to tip if you like. 

Storm Crow Manor

This bar is a refuge for lovers of all things nerd. Play a variety of board games while sipping on some smoking, shareable cocktails. They even have a take on the Harry Potter essential Butterbeer. 

Glad Day

Who says bookworms don't know how to have fun? Glad Day isn't just Toronto's original queer bookstore, it's also a community event space, cafe, and bar, serving up some tasty cocktails too. 

The Drink

Whether you're looking for a good ol' drag bingo night, a comedy show, mimosa specials, coffee, or even both, this place has it all. Entertainment is abundant here, and the fact there's usually no cover (and free popcorn) is probably why it draws a crowd.

Church St. Garage

Sitting on a corner in the heart of the Village, this buzzing bar has a simple food menu and cheap drinks to get you through a night of dancing, karaoke and drag shows,

Statlers

Open early (for a bar) and closing late, there's two floors to explore at this community staple, where you can expect something different happening every day of the week. Hit up Shit Show Sundays for live music or Open Mic night on Thursday. 

Pegasus Bar

Head to the second floor of the building to find this OG bar, where you can play an assortment of games like pool and ping pong. There's also weekly events like saucy bingo and VJ's on weekends. If you're looking for laid-back community vibes, this is the spot.

Crews & Tangos

It's drag galore at this Village mainstay, where you're bound to get your dance on. There's performances every night on the first floor of this two-tiered Victorian Home; expect a lineup on weekends. 

Black Eagle

Pull out your favourite piece of fetish wear and head on over to this leather bar known for a killer patio and dark room. While it's not totally required to be decked out in something tight or even revealing, that's kind of the point. No need to be shy, it's all positive here. 

Hair of the Dog

This corner pub does everything well, all while being totally laid-back and casual. Nom on some delicious nachos while imbibing on tons of Belgian beers on their amazing patio. 

Saturday is here and events in Toronto today promise a spectacular fireworks show with the Cavalcade of Lights. A new festival dedicated to all things Nordic is on and you can get all your holiday shopping done at the Drag Market.

Epic hot chocolate drinks are available in Toronto just in time for the frigid weather. While the city has plenty of places serving up excellent cups of hot cocoa, some local shops are taking the winter staple to new heights with wild ingredients and preparations.

Here are my picks for Toronto's most epic hot chocolate.

Peace Treats

This Ossington spot dishes out next level drinks that are almost too pretty to drink. If you're looking for something to warm you up, order from their lineup of hot chocolates, featuring toppings like toasted marshmallows and graham crackers.

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A post shared by Sweet Jesus (@sweetjesus) on Nov 14, 2017 at 9:03am PST

Sweet Jesus

The Toronto-born ice cream chain may be famous for their epic soft serve, but come winter, they pull out all the stops on their drink menu. They have multiple hot chocolate options on the menu, but a real standout is their salted dark hot chocolate.

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A post shared by El Habanero & Churrobar (@elhabanerochurrobar) on Nov 14, 2018 at 9:08am PST

El Habanero & Churrobar

After you're done stuffing your face with fresh churros, wash it down with some s'mores hot chocolate that doesn't skimp on the marshmallow topping at this Cuban restaurant in Scarborough. 

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A post shared by Sofia (@brazilianfoodie) on Nov 18, 2018 at 2:28pm PST

Chocollata

It's all about the brigadeiros at this chocolate shop in the Upper Beaches. If the bite-sized chocolates aren't delicious enough, you can also drink it this winter in the form of their brigadeiro hot chocolate.

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A post shared by Fugo Desserts (@fugodesserts) on Nov 14, 2018 at 9:21am PST

Fugo Desserts

Mini donuts aren't the only thing on winter menu at this dessert spot in Little Toyko. Opt to try their hot chocolate beverage, which is coated in a thick layer of roasted marshmallow.

Toronto of the 1910s is remarkably well-documented in photographs.

Whether it be the soldiers heading off to war at old Union Station, the style of the signs and advertisements on downtown streets, or just how undeveloped the city was north of St. Clair, the photos below offer a portrait of Toronto that's fascinatingly removed from what the city is like today. 

Here's a glimpse at what it all looked like in the 1910s.

1910

Arrival of immigrants at (old) Union Station

Old Union Station exterior

Toronto Street

Auditorium Theatre

King looking west from Yonge Street

South Parkdale Station

Church and Wellington streets

1911

St. Charles Hotel bartenders

Meyer's Hotel

Queen and Terauley streets

Queen Street Viaduct under construction

1912

Looking south from Richmond and Bay streets

Northeast corner of Yonge and Shuter streets

Pro hockey at Christie Pits

Public Library at Broadview and Gerrard street

Withrow Park from Logan Avenue

Yonge and Eglinton

1913

Bank of Montreal Building at Yonge and Queen streets

Toronto Armouries

Danforth looking east from Pape

Eaton's Delivery Wagons

1914

Carlton street looking east from Yonge Street

Soldiers leaving from Union Station

Men at the recruiting tents

Timothy Eaton Memorial Church on St. Clair Avenue West

Toronto Waterfront at York Street

1915

Bloor Viaduct Construction

Construction begins on New Union Station

The Queen's Hotel

1916

Victory Loan Parade

Bloor Street Viaduct construction

Bathurst Street Bridge

Mount Pleast Street near Merton Street

North Toronto CPR Station

1917

Queen Street looking West from River Street

Streetcar track work at Queen and Bond streets

Union Station construction

Gooderham Worts Distillery

1918

Car accident on Bloor Street near Walmer Road

Bloor Viaduct complete

Tobogganing in High Park

Flooded Don River

Merton Street

1919

299 Queen Street West

Allen's Theatre on the Danforth

Union Station Interior

Old City Hall

Neighbourhoods in Toronto that still don’t have a Starbucks are examples of coffee communities that thrive without the presence of the chain. Why spend way too much on a passion iced tea or clamber for a unicorn frapp when you could get a totally original, great-tasting beverage made with love at one of these indie cafes? 

Here are the neighbourhoods in Toronto that still don’t have a Starbucks. 

Kensington

A local hotbed of independent businesses, one of Toronto’s most colourful neighbourhoods with iconic cafes like Cafe Pamenar, I Deal Coffee, Jimmy’s and Moonbean will have you saying “who bucks?”

Baldwin Village

No one needs their coffee more than art students, and thankfully this OCAD-adjacent neighbourhood has lots of it with a familiar standby in a local Jimmy’s outpost as well as more out-there options like Aussie cafe Library and Asian spot Light Cafe.

Chinatown

The Toronto bakery that might have inspired Starbucks' unicorn latte is in this neighbourhood. It’s also home to countless Asian tea joints like Icha Tea, Ten Ren, Crimson and many more. It’s also home to stalwarts like Sam James, Dark Horse, and Sonic. 

Junction Triangle 

Locals who call this eccentric little slice of Toronto home know it’s where to seek out some hidden gems in our city’s cafe scene, like coffee pockets Alcove and Wallace as well as Hula Girl, Cafe Neon, Noble and popular roaster Hale. 

Bloordale Village

You’ll never find hot cakes or avo toast like at Baddies within the confines of a Starbucks, and Daily Grind may be simple but has way more heart than any big brand. Don’t forget to stop by some of this neighbourhoods excellent bakeries like Home Baking Co. or TBC for a sweet treat to go along with your joe in this area along the Bloor line.

Weston-Mount Dennis

Though there’s no Starbucks in this area, an easy ride to union on the up Express and more affordable rent means java drinkers are increasing in this tucked-away area. Try a peppermint mocha from Supercoffee instead of one a Starbucks holiday monstrosity. 

Riverside

Locations of three of Toronto’s most popular cafes (Dark Horse, Boxcar Social, and Tokyo Smoke) in this neighbourhood mean there’s no need to turn to chains for coffee. Plus, one of those options is also a bar, and the other is also a head shop—and Starbucks still can’t say that. 

Canary District

A Dark Horse has taken up residence here too, in one of Toronto’s newest neighbourhoods. Hopefully no chains will be infiltrating this burgeoning area anytime soon. 

Distillery District

Seeing as this is one of Toronto’s most historic neighbourhoods, putting in a Starbucks would just feel wrong. Instead, the revitalized area has been smartly populated with cafes like Arvo and Balzac’s.

Corktown

Old Town Bodega and Henrietta Lane in this old Toronto neighborhood both have a cafe bar vibe, the latter actually serving alcohol, though it doesn’t take booze to forget all about Starbucks in this charming area. 

There are lots of things to eat in Toronto that have the almost mythical power to warm you up, even if this winter turns out to be a doozy. When those cold weather warnings hit, head indoors and curl up with a bowl of one of these dishes.

Here are my picks for things to eat in Toronto that will warm you up this winter.

French onion soup 

Kingston Social House is only open a couple nights a week, but the wait only stretches half as long as the gooey gruyere topping molten onion soup here. 

Hot tea and house special noodle soup from Pho Metro are just the ticket on a chilly day.

Pho

Pho Metro at Lawrence and Warden is a destination for deals on steaming, warmly seasoned bowls of noodle soup so hot the broth cooks thin slices of beef almost instantly. 

The Chashu Lover with seven slices of pork at Hakata Ramen.

Ramen

When it comes to Japanese, in winter cold sushi just won’t don’t do. You need a piping hot bowl of hearty noodle soup with fatty pork, rich egg and salty nori from Hakata Ramen. 

Bone-in white and dark chicken karahi, served in the same pan it was cooked in.

Karahi

It only makes sense to head to the place named for this dish, Karahi Point, in order to obtain the spicy, thick curry cooked in a vessel with the same moniker.

The butter chicken served with naan and rice at Indilicious. 

Butter chicken 

Indilicious brings deliciously layered curries of all sorts to the junction, but nothing beats this creamy tomato-based crowd pleaser on a chilly day.

The Super Supreme Super Bowl Congee is big enough to share.

Congee 

Not much beats a bowl of warm congee that requires pretty much no chewing when it comes to warming the soul, and Congee Town is the place to get this essential winter dish. 

Sheng jian bao at Sang-Ji Bao stuffed with pork and pork soup.

Fried bao 

Sang-Ji Bao and it’s dumplings may be little, but you’ll warm up big time after one bite and slurp of the crispy pan-fried sheng jian bao served here. 

Filipino spaghetti with bolognese and house garlic pork hot dog.

Filipino spaghetti 

Sweet spaghetti may not sound particularly warming to the soul, but anyone who knows this steamy dish can attest to its comforting benefits, chunks of house-made hot dog topping the pasta at BBs Diner in Little Italy.

The combination soon tofu with beef, shrimp, mussels, and an egg you crack in fresh yourself.

Soon tofu 

This hearty dish of spicy broth, velvety soft tofu and your choice of protein that can be modified to your heat preference can be found at Koreatown’s Buk Chang Dong.  

The Magic Beef at Magic Noodle; add chili oil for tons of extra heat and colour!

Hand-pulled noodle soup

Magic Noodle has a downtown location in Harbord Village near Spadina, where you can get seven types of la mian from skinny strings to wide ribbons, so you have all kinds of options when it comes to beating the cold with a hot beefy noodle soup.

The best public library in Toronto is where bibliophiles of the city flock to for books, workshops, and a little quiet time. As one of the biggest library systems in the world, there's no shortage of TPL branches to peruse your favourite authors or get shushed by a librarian—all you need is a library card.

Here are the best public libraries in Toronto.

Toronto Reference Library

The winding atrium of Toronto’s foremost keeper of books is a thing of art, in a very carpeted, 70s way. From the clear glass study pods and Sherlock Holmes room to the Balzac’s and the TCAF store on the first floor—this place has it all.

Bloor/Gladstone

Since it’s shiny renovation, this branch—which was built in 1913—has become a favourite spot to study and work. The glass box added to the old building by Alfred Chapman offers tons of natural light and has a soothing reading garden that bookworms will love.

Fort York

Built in 2014 to serve the growing number of residents in City Place, this shiny building is one of the newest on the list. It also offers really great free programs, like Adobe workshops and green screen for beginners.

Scarborough Civic Centre

This beautiful building is definitely not your typical old brick library. Built in 2015, its interior and exterior features tons of black spruce, green roofs, floor to ceiling windows, 3D printing, and over 40,000 items to explore.

North York Central Library

Recently renovated, this multi-floor branch now has tons of kid friendly areas like the Discovery Zone, which has an Everbrite wall that even adults will want to play with. They’ve also got the first fabrication studio of any TPL location, offering free workshops on how to sew.

Brentwood Library

An $8 million renovation turned this library in Etobicoke from a regular TPL branch to a modern affair with reading lounges, living rooms with fireplaces, and a reading garden with stone bench seating.

High Park Library

This branch on Roncy is is a heritage building that’s undergone multiple renos. As one of the original trio of libraries first built with $50,000 grant from New York’s Carnegie Corporation, it’s definitely not the largest, but it’s definitely cozy.

Beaches Library

Local residents actually protested the construction of this library back in 1916—they didn't want a building on park property—but now it’s one of the most loved branches in the city. Like all Carnegie libraries, it’s small, but it does have an outdoor reading garden that’s open all summer.

Lillian H. Smith

Aside from having one of the best collections of rare science fiction and fantasy books in the city, this branch also has some whimsical architectural features like the winged lions in the arched entrance (look closer to find more animals) and a beautiful cylindrical atrium. 

Must-see concerts in Toronto for December 2018 have lots of homegrown talent slated to perform, with Jesse Reyez, Alvvays, Loud Luxury, Shad and Fucked Up ready to rock 'n' roll. This list includes shows that still have tickets, so sadly the lovely Jorja Smith is not on here.

You are the dancing queen, feel the beat at events in Toronto today with a big ABBA ice skating party on the waterfront. Etsy goodies, a Chanukah market and record sale are all on as well.

Buying a home in Toronto with a starting budget of $900,000 basically puts you right on track to purchasing an averagely-priced detached house. While it won't necessarily get you the most glamorous abode in the city, it'll get you a property with all the necessities, and maybe some potential for remodeling in the future.

Here's what a $900,000 house looks like in Toronto vs. other cities.

Toronto - $899,999 CAD

This three-bedroom bungalow is nestled right in the heart of the ample green space by Jane and Sheppard. It's humble exterior doesn't allude much to its fully renovated interior, which has a self contained basement with its own entrance and a second kitchen.

Point-Claire, Quebec - $899,900 CAD

Built in 1951, this stately home has been renovated to include teak floors, multiple fireplaces, a heated salt-water pool with a patio, and a second-story deck. It's also right next to Terra Cotta Park, Point-Claire's beautiful urban woodland park.

Surrey, British Columbia - $899,000

You'll get a beautiful view of the mountains from the living room of this three-bedroom half duplex. There's a double car garage, a large deck, and a west-facing backyard with a cute little outdoor sitting area for entertaining guests. 

Calgary, Alberta - $900,000 CAD

Sitting on a cul-de-sac in Calgary's residential Patterson neighbourhood, this five-bedroom comes with more than the usual well-to-do home. There's a pantry, two living rooms with a huge shared fireplace, spa room with a hot tub, a gym, and a private backyard.

Chicago, Illinois - $899,624 CAD

Not far from the Old Irving neighbourhood, this modern-looking four-bedroom sticks out from all the nearby historic homes with its tall ceilings and hardwood floors. The property is in close proximity of schools, which is convenient for anyone with kids.

Denver, Colorado - $899,751 CAD

Nicknamed "The Boulderado", this large home sits in a quiet street in the Green Valley Ranch area. It has five bedrooms, boasting rustic floors, quartz counters in the kitchen and a huge 1,500 square-foot basement.

Miami, Florida - $898,962 CAD

Featuring the Mediterranean roofing that's common in Miami, this three-bedroom home also comes with a guest cottage for visiting friends and family. Another big plus of the home is that it's not in a flood zone, which is something to note in this town. 

London, England - $898,879 CAD

This quaint property is conveniently located right by Northumberland Park Station and the busy Tottenham High Road. It has a very old school interior, with three small bedrooms and a private back garden. 

When Oakwood Hardware caught on fire last November, it was just four days shy of celebrating its first anniversary.  

The charming neighbourhood restaurant had quickly built a reputation in the area for phenomenal food and cocktails, and over the last year had become a favourite for locals of Oakwood Village and beyond. 

Holidays were just around the corner so Christmas bookings were filling up fast, and owner Anne Sorrenti was just getting ready to introduce a new food menu with a wine list to match. 

But on November 13, 2017, she got a devastating call in the wee hours of the morning from her alarm system company: there had been a fire.

Our hearts go out to our friends at The @OakwoodHardware after the fire today. Glad everyone is OK, and looking forward to the grand-re-opening.

— LastStrawDistillery (@LastStrawDistil) November 13, 2017

Sorrenti recalls dashing out of her home at 5 a.m., clad only in pyjamas, to arrive at the horrifying scene of her smoking restaurant—victim to a fire, caused by a spontaneous combustion involving residual heat and a bin of clean laundry.

"It was pretty traumatic," says Sorrenti. "Going in there was horrible." 

The restaurant's kitchen had caught fire just four days before its first anniversary. Photo by Jesse Milns.

While the front dining area of the spacious restaurant went largely unscathed, the entire kitchen in the back had suffered from serious fire, water, and smoke damage.

Luckily, the restaurant had insurance. Sorrenti's company provided her with contractors, who initially said that the kitchen would take two weeks to fix, effectively benching the restaurant for the majority of the holiday season.

It turned out they would miss out on much more than that. The two-week job turned into a four-week project, which then turned into months.

"I fully expected I would be reopen in February, which turned into March, then July." 

In between all that time was a series of events that could lead one to believe the restaurant has the worst luck ever.

In January, the upstairs radiator flooded during a particularly frigid cold snap and a chunk of the ceiling froze, then fell down. In August, the restaurant fell victim to the heavy rains which caused flooding citywide—their basement included.

And in September, the contractors who failed to secure a number of crucial permits were eventually fired by the insurance company, pushing the date back some more. 

Now a year later the restaurant is closer to opening than ever, but remains under wraps. If going by the flooding (no pun intended) of supportive messages on Oakwood Hardware's Facebook posts, many are anticipating its return.

The re-opening date is still up in the air, but despite the painfully prolonged process of fixing a business that literally went up in flames, and the fact they'll have to miss yet another holiday season, Sorrenti remains surprisingly positive. 

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There’s bottles on the shelves in there! Can’t wait for @theoakwoodhardware to finally re-open so we can try it for the first time. Gonna be our new #local.

A post shared by Mike Bell (@mikedbell) on Sep 19, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

When asked what the new menu will look like once Oakwood Hardware finally opens its doors once again, she laughs and says, "Everything can be smoked." 

Toronto taxis have been a staple in the city for a century, but rarely become the focus of photographic endeavours. 

Given the ubiquity of cabs in the city, one would think they'd play a more prevalent role in Toronto's visual record.

Between 1931 and 1971 the number of taxis in Toronto increased from just below 1,000 to around 3,000, and yet it's only recently that they've become a more common feature in photographs. 

Nevertheless there are fascinating tales to be told about Toronto's cabs and cabbies, including that of Thornton Blackburn, the former slave who escaped to Toronto from Kentucky and set up the city's very first taxi service in 1837. 

Blackburn's first cab was reported to be red and yellow, a colour scheme that's still seen on the streets today in the form of Co-Op cabs.

Here's a visual history of Toronto's taxis.

The 1990s, in the Yonge and Summerhill area

Chinatown, 1990s.

The late 1980s, around Yonge and Eglinton

Downtown on Yonge Street, in the 1980s

Yonge and Gould in the 1980s

A Metro Cab, 1980s

Near Avenue and Bloor, 1980s

In the 1970s, near College Park

Metro Cab on Queen West, 1970s

The 1970s, in front of a very dirty Union Station

Richmond and Victoria, late 1960s

Bay Street in front of the Temple Building, in the 1960s

Bay Street again, 1960s

The 1950s, in a bit of traffic

On Ossington, 1950s 

Near Davenport and Dupont, in the 1950s

A small taxicab office, 1950s

Taxi stand in front of Union Station, in 1931

Taxi stand by Union Station, 1930

Reed's taxis, on Victoria Street, in 1911

A new Christmas-themed pop-up bar just opened up by Osgoode station, and it's probably the most festive thing you'll see this holiday. 

Decorated from top to bottom with everything Christmas, Miracle on Queen Street just took over the top floor of the event space at 251 Queen St. West and it's a holiday reveler's dream. 

From the hanging baubles and the twerking robot Santa to the festive, ultra-boozy cocktails, this cozy hideout will make even the most bitter Grinches and Scrooges get into the Christmas spirit. 

Open until Dec. 26, this ridiculously fun project from Nick Kennedy—owner of the bar Civil Liberties—and Lauren McKenna is actually the Toronto franchise of the worldwide Miracle pop-up concept. 

The idea first started in New York, and now has over 80 versions in the Montreal, Calgary, the States, the U.K., and Panama springing up this holiday season. 

Toronto's version boasts thousands of Christmas lights, and according to McKenna, half a mile's-worth of wrapping paper covering the walls. 

You'll have to journey up a long flight of stairs to get there—this place is not accessible—but the trek is worth it.

Aside from the fact the whole place smells like cinnamon candles, and that there's a giant automated bear that gives great hugs, an equally impressive aspect of Miracle on Queen Street is the cocktails. 

The menu consists of 10 very strong Christmas-themed cocktails—no surprise given Miracle's affiliation with Civil Liberties—made by one of 19 bartenders on deck at Miracle.

Don't be fooled by the ugly Christmas sweaters: these are some of the best bartenders in the city, and they shake up a mean drink. 

Drinks like the Snowball Old Fashioned (it has an actual ball of ice in it) and the Koala-La La La, La La La La (which has eucalyptus syrup) don't come cheap at $15 each, but $1 of every drink goes to Nellie's Women's Shelter.

There's even a drink called the Bad Santa: a potent hot milk punch with rum that comes in an adorbs little mug. 

If you're more the brew type, there's a Yuletide beer courtesy of Henderson Brewing, non-alcoholic drinks like cider, and some snacks like a platter of cookies for $7 made with from Kennedy's mom's recipe. 

Miracles opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays, and at noon on weekends, closing at 2 a.m. daily.

It's likely to get busy so you can leave your name with the host at the door and maybe get some shopping done on Queen until they call you—just don't forget your Christmas sweaters.

One Toronto neighbourhood seems to be very, very lucky lately when it comes to the local food scene. 

Riverside will soon be home to a new Blackbird Baking Co. location when it opens in summer 2019 at 635 Queen St East. 

The neighbourhood has recently become home to a cidery HQ for Brickworks, craft breweries Eastbound and already has a go-to French bakery in Bonjour Brioche.

Blackbird, operating in Kensington Market for years now, is known for making some of the city’s best baguettes, challah and all-around bread.