The Food and Wine Expo returned to Toronto on Friday for another showcase of new wines, spirits, beers, and food at the Metro Convention Centre. Featuring over 1500 different things to sip and slurp on, the event is its biggest ever, and requires more than a single night's attendance to navigate the myriad offerings at hand.

I visited during the preview on Thursday night and walked away with a number of impressions, and potential hangovers. If you're heading out there this weekend, make sure to partake in as much of the fantastic food that's available.

Whilst many familiar faces from the Toronto food and beverage scene are present, the real reason to attend is to get the scoop on the myriad new products being showcased, with libations and creations alike getting ready to hit the store shelves across the province over the coming weeks.

I sampled everything from Burlington's NickelBrook's fantastic new artisanal root beer (available on draught right now at Wvrst, Home of the Brave, and C'est What) to WoodChuck hard cider, hailing from Vermont, which is well worth snapping up from local LCBO shelves.

Food vendors were out in droves, from Rodney's (showing off some fantastic PEI Peasant oysters) to food trucks (Franki Fettucini) and pop-ups (Liko's, with their Hawaiian BBQ pork, and the accompanying pineapple salsa) giving out samples to the hungry throng.

In truth, the Food & Wine Expo is a packed affair, with punters arriving from all corners of the megacity (and beyond) to see what might next take Toronto by storm. Thankfully, the enthusiasm of the exhibitors means that even if you only catch a handful of stalls on a visit, you're still guaranteed a great time.

Hogtown's newer additions, such as Hudson Kitchen, were eager to show off their wares, dishing out braised pork sandwiches with pickled veg, sour cream, sriracha, and crispy shallots, whilst liquor companies like Three Olives enlisted the help of a Marilyn Monroe lookalike to highlight their strawberry vodka.

If you're heading down this weekend, make sure to catch the bartending competition, featuring some of the city's hottest bartenders, as well as some of the many educational seminars on offer from the LCBO. Otherwise, make sure you stop by the San Pellegrino guys for a non-alcoholic refresher, otherwise it might be easy for the evening to catch up with you pretty quickly.

Photos by Morris Lum

This week in theatre rounds up the most noteworthy live theatre playing right now in Toronto. It includes just-opened shows as well as productions that are about to close.

Needles and Opium / Bluma Appel Theatre / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $24-$79
A Robert Lepage production is once again on offer and that's reason enough to celebrate. What's more is that the Canadian Stage production is a contemporary retake on Needles and Opium, which originally premiered in 1991. Lepage revisits the journey of Parisian filmmaker Jean Cocteau who is en route to spend time with jazzman Miles Davis. In true visual brilliance, no doubt, Lepage traces the creative genius' struggle with displacement and drug addiction.

God of Carnage / Panasonic Theatre / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $19-$69
Yasmina Reza's play, presented in English translation by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton, swept up a host of awards (Tony, Laurence Olivier Award) upon its premiere in 2008. Featuring wicked-sharp dialogue and fleshed-out character sketches, the play zeros in on two couples who sit down to hash out what to do after their children are involved in a playground incident. The play adheres to the Aristotelian unities of action, place, and time in its study of what sets us off.

The Gay Heritage Project / Buddies in Bad Times / 8:00pm/2:30pm / $20-$37
Historically, cultures grow and strengthen as the stories that bind a group together are told and re-told, forming a foundational mythology of sorts. Gay culture faces a challenge to this model due to the scattering of its "members" across the globe. Buddies in Bad Times artists Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn, and Andrew Kushnir take up a noble cause, an attempt to trace a gay heritage through a look at the figures and movements that led the way to and continue to strive towards social acceptance.

The Sacrifice Zone / Factory Theatre / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $19-$25
Theatre Gargantua's newest piece, amidst the backdrop of numerous train derailments in Canada, is a timely exploration of the destruction caused by an industrial explosion in a rural community. The ensemble uses physical performance and visual elements to consider individual, corporate, and environmental roles and responsibilities during a time of crisis. Director Jacquie P.A. Thomas and playwright Suzie Miller, who met while working on a Lepage project, have collaborated on the new work.

Hi-Fi / Dancemakers Centre for Creation / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $20-$25
The resident company dancers at Dancemakers are using the Rite of Spring as inspiration for their recently created, Hi-Fi. The group re-edits the Wikipedia description of Stravinsky's ballet, originally choreographed by Nijinsky, to describe their exploration thusly: "[in] various contemporary rituals celebrating the advent of something new, nine young people consented to sacrifice themselves into a history of sorts."

Still from Needles and Opium

Owen Pallett immediately brings to mind Toronto's reputation as an indie music stronghold. Formerly the force behind Final Fantasy, winner of the first ever Polaris Prize in 2006, the composer and violinist is now a solo artist and a remarkably busy musician, touring and collaborating with the likes of Arcade Fire, The Mountain Goats, The National, and even Taylor Swift and Duran Duran.

It's less likely that Pallett's name would bring to mind ballet, but that's exactly what he's set his hands on this fall. The National Ballet of Canada's new series Innovation will present the words of four Canadian choreographers starting next week, including Toronto choreographer Robert Binet's Unearth, a half hour long dance which features an original score by Pallett.

While chatting about his work on Unearth, and his take on Toronto, Pallett also dropped some news on us about his upcoming 2014 album, and some interesting opinions about Toronto's burgeoning music festival scene. While the condo-jaded (and who isn't) musician has been living in Montreal for about a year, Pallett's love of the city (especially Kensington Market) and his ties to the Toronto music scene will always remain undeniable.

What can you tell us about Unearth, the ballet you scored for Innovation?

It began as a lark. Robert and I were giddily throwing ideas at each other. Harpsichord drones, sci-fi soprano, Star Trek costuming! It's Robert's first large-form work and I'm still what is considered a "young composer" so we're flushed with excitement - lots of action, lots of info. It is already looking so good. I went to the piano rehearsal and immediately called all my cousins and was all "get down here".

What was it like scoring a ballet? Had you ever done it before?

I haven't written dance music before, no. My first time! I listen to a lot of ballet, though, have many ballet scores. I know the drill. I e-mailed Nico Muhly about it and he said "ballet is easy, ballet is fun, just make sure you're always changing the tempi so the dancers don't get comfy". I sent Robert a bunch of rhythmic ideas, like, 15 of them or so, with the intention of expanding the ones he liked into full statements. He liked all of them, so I went from there.

How is scoring a ballet different than scoring a film?

Scoring a ballet is a jog in the woods. Scoring a film is running around hideous tourists in a rickshaw and then bickering about the fee.

Thinking back, what are some of the most meaningful collaborations you've done over the years?

Arcade Fire have been the most meaningful collaborators... they argue with me, challenge me and support me. I grew up with a solid idea of music-as-art, they introduced me to music-as-industry; a very necessary lesson for anybody trying to make music, for any purpose. More recently I worked with Brian Eno on my new record, he was singing backing vocals and doing treatments and synth work, and that was thrilling. I also have to shout-out my long-time collaborators, Matt Smith and Robbie Gordon, my partners in Les Mouches and the foundation of my current solo music.

What is an average day like for you?

Typically I spend the morning with coffee and oatmeal, writing lyrics and enjoying the internet. I visit the gym every day at 10:30 am, not for the guns, but to keep the crazy away. I write and/or record all afternoon but stop around 6 or 7pm and cook dinner while listening to records. In the evening I'll have cocktails with friends or see a concert or stay in and play video games. I do not take days off, except once a month to go shopping, and in the winter, when I might take a few days of skiing.


You've lived in Toronto your whole life, right? What do you think has changed for the better about the city over the last 10 years?

I moved to Montreal last year after 15 years of living in Toronto. In Toronto, not so much has changed for the better in the past 10 years. Condos, man, those condos? They're selling young adults and new Canadians into fiscal slavery.

Why did you finally make the move?

Lots of reasons, the biggest one was simply that I'd lived in Toronto for 15 years and felt that it was no longer showing me anything new. I tried out Montreal for a few months and immediately fell in love with the amount of space that my modest budget afforded me, the music scene, and the winter weather - cold and snowy and dry, as opposed to Toronto's medium-cold and slushy and wet.


What do you miss most about Toronto?

Chinese Traditional Buns in Kensington Market.


How could Toronto be more supportive of the artists living here?

I don't know! That is such a complicated question! Fundamentally, the biggest issues facing artists in Toronto have less to do with arts funding, and more to do with the quality of life and living space that is offered.

What Toronto neighbourhood still feels most like home to you, what are some of your favourite spots?

My favourite neighbourhood is Kensington. I became an adult there - or, at least, I prolonged my adolescence there for many years. My favourite meal in the city is the soup and salad plate at Hibiscus. I like Xe Lua and Chinese Traditional Buns. I like the Mexican and Colombian food. I love every coffee place, even that place with all the Jimmies on the walls.

I love Paul's Boutique, I love Urban Herbivore, I love Sneaky Dee's. I love walking up Major St. from College to Bloor late at night to go to see Ryan Driver play at the Tranzac. I love Double Double Land, I love Rainbow Palace, I love Kinton, I love Konnichiwa, I love the Grange Park, I love swimming for free at Harrison Pool.


What are some Toronto places that hold the strongest memories for you?

Too many to mention. I would walk around Toronto and feel burdened by the weight of nostalgia. Mostly dark dance parties at 56 Kensington and Thymeless.

What was the last really great show you saw in Toronto, and what was memorable about it?

Alex Lukashevsky and Thom Gill at the Holy Oak. I have seen both men perform dozens of times but I remember every show, every detail. In my opinion, they're the two greatest musicians in the city.


What's the best live setting to see a band or musician you love? Can you name some venues around Toronto that are your favourites?

A lot of people would disagree with me on this, but I like The Horseshoe. It's a great sounding room and the staff are fantastic and it's the right mix of comfy and filthy. I like the new Koerner Hall, and of course Massey Hall is the greatest concert hall in North America.


How do you think Toronto's music scene stacks up against other major cities?

There was a wonderful period from 2002-'06 when the indie music scene in Toronto was the best in the world, but that period is nearly 10 years past. The classical and new music scene in Toronto is excellent and I am constantly seeing world-class chamber and symphonic performances. I am also a big fan of the COC.

Did you go to any Toronto music festivals this summer? If yes, which were the best and why?

I generally don't like Toronto music festivals. What is this "Urban Roots" festival that features only straight white men? I like Caribana and I liked ALL CAPS!

Your Twitter account is a riot. Who are some of your favourite people to follow or banter with?

Thank you! I have fun with it, but I've been taking it easy until the new record is out. Twitter hibernation. The best Twitter account of all time was of course @UtilityLimb, but also I like @rare_basement. I follow a lot of music writers because I like to see them bicker: Maura Johnston and Alex MacPherson. I really love @joshbupkes but I'm not gonna tell you why.

What else are you working on right now?

I am touring as a member of Arcade Fire, that is occupying most of my time these days. I have finished my fourth solo album and it's really good! It will be out in 2014 on Secret City Records. I am doing some work with two other ex-Torontonians, Dan Snaith and Warren Hildebrand. That's about it!

The National Ballet of Canada's Innovation featuring Unearth as scored by Owen Pallett runs from November 22-28.

Lead photo by by Ryan Pfluger courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada. Live photos by Dylan Leeder and Staciaann Photography

Photo by Piglet788 in the blogTO Flickr pool

Today's Santa Claus Parade will once again feature an auto-riffic appearance from Blinky, the semi-retired Metropolitan Toronto Police Car who for decades has taught kids about traffic safety, inspired and terrified in equal measure.

While Pixar may reap the almighty dollar now, it was 1950s era educators and law enforcement who first pioneered the art of targeting children using cars with faces. The Talking Car was an early example, a 16mm educational film made in 1953 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and used extensively in schools and traveling road-shows.

In Ontario, the job of teaching kids about automobile safety fell to Mr. Beep, a mascot-ish ambassador for big oil magnate British Petroleum. Created in 1957, Mr. Beep appeared in BP's print and billboard advertising and enjoyed massive popularity as a miniature toy car sold for 50 cents at BP gas stations (now worth a small fortune on eBay).

After partnering with the Ontario Safety League, BP created a life size replica out of a Ford Zepher chassis to appear at parades, picnics and the CNE, interacting with children and answering their questions about road safety. In 2013 Mr. Beep found new fame in an episode of History Channel's Canadian Restorers, after the original car was discovered and restored to its former glory.

Meanwhile in Toronto, the Metropolitan Toronto Police were enjoying great success with their safety mascot Elmer the Elephant, created in 1947 by Charles Thorson ("Elephants never forget"). Schools with perfect safety records got to proudly fly the Elmer flag, however one accident or safety miss-step and it would be cruelly revoked, as this archival CBC short illustrates. Elmer was such a mindful motivator that incidents of children involved in traffic accidents dropped a whopping 44% in the years following his arrival in Toronto.

However, after nearly two decades of flying solo in his important mission Elmer badly needed a buddy. In the late 1960s, Metro Toronto Police Sergeant Roy Wilson approached radio station CHUM to sponsor his new creation Blinky, a humanized Police cruiser who through blinking could help teach the ABCs of traffic safety. Based on Wilson's sketches, a standard issue Metro Police Plymouth Fury was modified to incorporate two large eyes and a long nose. A legend was born.

After several early facelifts, Blinky was soon able to wink as well as blink, and given a voice with the addition of speakers built into the nose and connected to a microphone in the cockpit. Blinky's eyes moved back and forth and blinked through an adaptation of the regular windshield wiper system, while the car was operated by a safety officer in a booth located nearby and linked with cables laid neatly across the floor.

As the front windscreen was covered and visibility completely obscured by his "mask", Blinky could not be driven on roads (he did not have an engine either) and so was towed around or remained stationary during his many visits to schools, shopping malls, and most memorably the annual appearances in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. Elmer now had a friend to march with.

By the mid-1970s, Blinky fever swept Toronto. Irwin Toys and Tonka engaged in a bidding war to win what they viewed as the super lucrative Blinky license allowing them to mass produce toys, t-shirts, and collectables, however the offers were rejected by the Police commission.

In 1975, The Toronto Star paid $23,500 as a public service to create a short 10 minute animated film entitled "Blinky: Traffic Safety Rules" which was shown on 16mm film in schools across the GTA and aired numerous times on CFTO's police friendly Uncle Bobby Show. Seen by over 100,000 Toronto students in the late 70s/early 80s, the film was thought to be long lost until Retrontario recently unearthed a unique 16mm print at an estate sale. Len Carlson, best known as Bert Racoon in CBC's The Racoons, provided the voice of Blinky.

When visiting school's to discuss road safety, Blinky's modus operandi would change radically depending which grade he was talking to. So while kindergarteners might be treated to Blinky singing a song or reciting a poem about pedestrian safety, 8th graders were treated to a frightening demonstration of Blinky slowly backing over a doll filled with red paint, graphically illustrating the end result of what happens to children who don't properly observe their surroundings - red asphalt.

In the late '80s when the entire fleet of Toronto Police cars were repainted and rebranded, the original yellow Plymouth model was retired (donated to the Toronto Shrine, in fact), and Blinky was reborn as a white Ford. Blinky continued to attend the Santa Cluas Parade and the other events, but as the '90s gave way to the 2000s, time began to take its toll on Blinky.

By 2005, Blinky was in a sorry state: the speaker system had been removed, taking away Blinky's voice, and the blinking system had mostly broken down, resulting in one malfunctioning eye that prompted many to wonder what had happened to the former spritely and chatty automobile.

Blinky's creator Roy Wilson retired from the Toronto Police force in 1975 (having joined in 1949), after selling them the exclusive rights to Blinky for the princely sum of $1. He went on to become Wasaga Beach's popular Town Crier. Sadly, Roy passed away on January 20th of this year.

While his Parade bestie Elmer was given a radical make-over several years ago, for better or for worse Blinky remains his same old self. Its seems a criminally missed opportunity that in this age of Pixar's Cars and Disney's Planes the character has not been revised or given more to do. Perhaps the Toronto Police are content to wheel Blinky out annually like many of the other relics of yesteryear who appear in the Santa Claus Parade. But for some, his role in the parade is just as magic, nostalgic, heart-warming and memorable as the big man himself.

Special thanks to Mike Sale

Retrontario plumbs the seedy depths of Toronto flea markets, flooded basements, thrift shops and garage sales, mining old VHS and Betamax tapes that less than often contain incredible moments of history that were accidentally recorded but somehow survived the ravages of time. You can find more amazing discoveries atwww.retrontario.com.

Ask anyone on the strip of Lake Shore West between Mimico and Long Branch - the area is swiftly changing. Once primarily industrial, the area is becoming increasingly residential, and Humber's recent expansion (and addition of student residences) has added a younger element to the neighbourhood. Some of the businesses flourishing in the area capitalize on their far-flung location by catering directly to the community, while others offer products so specialized and unusual, folks will come from all corners of the city (and even the province) to shop there.

Here are 5 shops on Lake Shore West between Mimico and Long Branch that are worth seeking out.

See also:The top 10 eats in Mimico and Long Branch

Village Vinyl
This combination cafe/record store offers the best of both worlds. The locals come for coffee, pastries, and a good chat; the collectors come for the racks and racks of new and used CDs and vinyl, and stick around for the drinks. The rock-centric atmosphere is amped up by the selection of music memorabilia (check out the Ronnie Wood self-portrait and wire sculpture of John Lennon), the concert films on the store TVs, and the working jukebox from the late '50s that greets customers at the entrance. Local musicians play live on Sunday afternoons.

Community Roots Bookstore
If you've ever wanted to get lost in a massive pile of books, go for a long browse through this tiny, bursting bookstore. Novels and cookbooks are the top sellers, but owners Mike and Natalie tend to favour stocking non-fiction books about politics and the military There's not much of a filing system, and what doesn't fit on the shelves is piled up in stacks to your knees. There are also used DVDs and video games for sale (and a shelf of used video game systems). Books hover in the $1-$5 range, with newer releases going up to $9 or so - go digging and you're sure to find some treasure.

La Strada Espresso Machines
La Strada's sunny storefront is packed with espresso machines aimed at the home buyer, from brands like Saeco, Gaggia, deLonghi and Jura. They also carry an array of European espresso brands; their claim to fame is their exclusive deal to distribute Ciccho d'Oro, a low-acidity Swiss espresso ($14 for a 500g bag) in Canada. If you splurged on one of those high-end espresso makers back in the day, they'll fix your machine right up - La Strada carries replacement parts dating back years for the brands it sells.

To The Pointe
True to its name, this dancewear store specializes in pointe ballet shoes for dancers of all ages. Owner Kathleen Baillie, who herself danced for 25 years, saw that many vendors didn't have the know-how needed to give customers a perfect fit; now, dancers from all over the region flock to her store. There's also a selection of leotards, skirts and activewear from Canadian brands Ainslie and Karma (young dancers' moms, Baillie says, often end up picking up some yoga pants for themselves).

Pendragon Comics
Pendragon is about as old-school a comic book store as it gets. No T-shirts or merch here: Just shelves and shelves of new comics, vintage titles, graphic novels and trade paperbacks. What draws collectors from miles around are the drawers full of vintage DC and Marvel titles, many priced at around $10-$25 (though a few Holy Grails are locked up behind glass). If you're trying to keep up on newer titles, buy yourself a membership ($10 annually, $30 lifetime) and the staff will set aside whatever you'd like as soon as it comes in.

BONUS

Even though it's not bike season (for most of us) right now, I couldn't resist including these two shops.

Cycle Butik
This one-stop bike shop's claim to fame: It's the only bike shop located directly on the Martin Goodman trail, a long-haul cycle route that spans from Niagara Falls to the Quebec border. On summer days, when the garage doors are open, groups of cycle tourists will wheel their rides right on in. The shop focuses mostly on hybrid commuters ($400 to $1500) from brands like Fuji, Devinci, Raleigh and Felt, as well as some road bikes and kids' models; there's also all the accessories you could ever need, including cute Bikecap bike seat covers from Holland ($25).

Oxygen Bike Co.
Oxygen carries a bike for just about everyone, whether you're looking for a mountain or road bike, you're a daily commuter, or you're a kid just hitting the road for the first time. The selection ranges from $400 to $4000 for a higher-end model, and the vast majority of rides are from Canadian companies like Norco, Miele, Opus and Rocky Mountain. As a bonus, they offer a price-matching guarantee and free gear and brake adjustments for the lifetime of your bike. (There's also a spinning studio in the back, with classes five nights a week.)

The 109th annual Toronto Santa Claus parade, whether Rob Ford attends or not, will wind its way from Christie Pits to St. Lawrence Market via University Avenue later today, roughly matching the route St. Nick took in the 1920s and 30s during a series of T. Eaton Co. sponsored events.

Back then, the parade floats were of fairy tale characters and traditional Christmas scenes. The Mother Goose float - the biggest of all when it first appeared in 1917 - often took pride of place (behind Santa, of course) and was sometimes ridden by a band of musicians or clowns.

Giant toy soldiers and a group of slightly demented looking dolls were also part of the event in 1926.

The parade always ended at Eaton's, then a sprawling department store and factory where the Eaton Centre is today. Each November the company would build "Toyland," a festive paradise packed with toys, where Santa would greet city kids and hand out gifts.

In 1936, the year some of these photos are taken, kids were tantalized in the Eaton's catalogue by a Buck Rogers' rocket ship with genuine shooting sparks, a Buttercup Doll with real moving eyes, an electric train set, and a chemistry set stuffed with litmus paper, magnesium, and test tubes.

What a time to be young.

Wooden soldiers snake round a bend in a road just behind Osgoode Hall, west of current City Hall.

Giant wooden dolls are guided on a leash in 1926.

Noah, his ark, and menagerie pass in 1926.

Santa, flanked by toy soldiers, greets the crowd from a balcony at Eaton's in 1925.

Santa Claus comes down University Avenue in 1934.

The same Santa float on November 20, 1926.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: City of Toronto Archives.

Saturday Night Live got in on the Mayor Rob Ford fun last night with an opening skit that lampooned his various gaffes with the media. While the consensus seems to be the humour fell a bit short of Jon Stewart's epic clip from a few days ago, it's still worth a watch and reaffirms that there are plenty of gags to come on late night talk shows at the expense of the man who might now legitimately lay claim to being the most infamous mayor in the world.

In the event that the embed above doesn't work, take a look at the Saturday Night Live Rob Ford bit here.

Rob Ford may not grant many sit down interviews to Toronto media so it was a bit of a surprise to see him appear earlier today on Fox News. While most of what he said was more of the same, he did drop a few choice bits of info including:

• He's currently spending 2 hours a day training in the gym.
• He's already started filming his new TV show on the Sun News Network.
• He'll be launching his re-election campaign in January.

Check out highlights from the Fox News interview below.

More from Fox News here.

Photo by Michael Mitchener in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto events on November 18th, 2013

FILM | Early Monthly Segments #57 = Alfred Guzzetti
Tonight, Early Monthly Segment returns to The Gladstone Hotel with a screening of experimental cinema, shown in its original format. This evening's selection is Alfred Guzzetti's Family Portrait Sittings, a feature-length film film he made in 1975, after winning a prize for his short film, Air at the 1972 Chicago Film Festival. Family Portrait Sittings premiered at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and is a complex and often mysterious autobiographical work that will be shown in all its 16mm glory this evening. Gladstone Hotel, Art Bar (1214 Queen Street West) 8PM PWYC ($5 suggested).

MUSIC | Gary Clark Jr @ The Danforth Music Hall
Gary Clark Jr. hits TO tonight for a much anticipated show at The Danforth Music Hall. The music world has been buzzing for quite a while about this "new", fuzzy voice on the electric guitar, coming from the direction of the blues. Several notable live appearances helped spread the word about this guitar and vocal talent, most notably the Newport Folk Festival, Coachella, and the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival where he played with Eric Clapton, John Mayer and others. Should be a good one. The Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Avenue) 7PM $29.50.

FUNDRAISER | Get Out & Play
Tonight, the annual "Get Out & Play" fundraiser for Parkdale's Family Resource Centre happens at Parts & Labour. There will be a silent auction, and prizes that appear with a balloon pop that could offer you a Lindt basket, a sizeable ski voucher, Raptors tickets, and more. Saxophonist Neil Brathwaite will be providing a soundtrack for this event, and comic Melissa Story will make sure that some laughs are part of your evening. Parts and Labour (1566 Queen Street West) $10.

BOOKS & LIT | Garry Thomas Morse + Daniel Canty And Oana Avasilichioaei + Lola Lemire Tostevin
Talon Books, a prominent Canadian publisher, launches three new Fall titles tonight with a reading at Type Books on Queen Street West. Daniel Canty launches Wigrum tonight: a post modern novel that makes typography an essential part of its narrative, and translator Oana Avasilichioaei will be in tow to help make this reading happen. Garry Thomas Morse will share Rogue Cells / Carbon Harbour, a work influenced by Surrealism, containing two nodal novels which are part of a series, and Lola Lemire Tostevin latest collection of verse, Singed Wings will get a reading. Type Books (883 Queen Street West) 7PM.

Also Of Note

• UnCovered: Sting & The Police

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo via Early Monthly Segments

Rob Ford is due to face the third in a series of council motions that could remove his last remaining scraps of power today. In a nutshell, any of the remaining responsibilities council is able to take away - "all powers and duties which are not by statute assigned to the Mayor" - would be handed to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly. If the last few meetings are any guide, this one is a foregone conclusion.

The motion would also slash funding to the mayor's office. Good thing Ford gave his staff a $5,000 taxpayer-funded raise on Friday.

After days of avoiding the (Canadian) media, Ford was back in full swing Sunday, dropping by the Sun News studios to tape the first episode of his new show, "Ford Nation," and taking in part of the Argonauts vs. Tiger-Cats game, which he had been politely asked to skip. Controversy inevitably followed the mayor around: his driver parked illegally for three hours and a crowd of Argos fans mobbed him after the match.

The Argos didn't fare well with Ford in attendance - the team gave up a lead to the Ticats shortly after the mayor took his seat and eventually lost.

Ford spoke exclusively to Fox News over the weekend, too. In that interview he said he was getting help for his alcohol abuse and weight but maintained he isn't a drug addict. Amazingly, Ford said he still plans to run for prime minister "one day." Good luck with that. Anderson Cooper is expected to air a similar sit-down interview tonight.

Barry Neelin was just going about his business in Fonthill, Ont. until Rob Ford came along - now he gets mistaken for Toronto's most famous crack user all the time. The retired factory workers is taking the stares and shouts in good humour. "When I tell them I'm not Ford, they wish I was because they want to ask questions," he told the Sun.

After vanishing from newsstands earlier this year, Corriere Canadese, Toronto's oldest and most read Italian language newspaper, is returning tomorrow with former Liberal MP Joe Volpe as publisher. The paper went on hiatus after 58 years in print in May when the Italian government decided to stop making financial contributions.

Quiet Zones are going to be come a permanent feature of all GO trains. The transit agency says the upper decks of its trains will be noise free during the morning and evening rush hours after more than 80% of riders approved of the pilot scheme. GO says, however, the Quiet Zones are not strictly enforced and passengers shouldn't push the yellow emergency stop strips in the event of a cellphone talker.

And finally, there's this:

(Some explanation)

FROM THE WEEKEND:

• This Week in Theatre
• This Week In Comedy
• Rob Ford tells Fox News he's a gym rat, not drug addict
• Saturday Night Live takes on Mayor Rob Ford
• What the Toronto Santa Claus parade used to look like
• The top 5 shops in Mimico and Long Branch
• That time the Toronto Police had a talking police car
• Toronto through the eyes of Owen Pallett
• Toronto Food & Wine Expo bigger and better for 2013
• The indie coffee scene heats up in North Toronto
• The top 10 eats in Mimico and Long Branch
• How Toronto demolished the finest mansion in Canada

IN BRIEF:

• Alleged illegal dentist yanks self off streets [Toronto Star]
• Toronto man aims to row Atlantic for charity [Toronto Sun]
• Rob Ford's misadventures have Austin raising concerns about alliance with Toronto [Toronto Star]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Stephen Gardiner/blogTO Flickr pool.

This new salon on Ossington Avenue is spread over three floors, does full service styling for men and women, and features a DJ booth, PlayStation and pinball machine to ensure that customers are relaxed and entertained while paying a visit to get their hair cut or coloured.

Read my review of Hero Heroine in the fashion section.

This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.

IN THE NEWS

Arcade Fire will play ACC in March

If you haven't read it in fancy places like The Globe & Mail, the "world's biggest rock band is coming to Toronto. Quote the Globe: "Arcade Fire have announced North American tour dates in support of their new album Reflektor. The tour kicks off in March 6 in Louisville, Ky., and ends in their hometown of Montreal... a show which will surely make for an epic finale after half a year on the road." Wow! The Globe's "related to this story" section includes "Arcade Fire lose themselves to a giant, danceable thing of voodoo boogaloo" - this band have really grown up. The Toronto show is March 13 at the Air Canada Centre. Tickets go in sale November 22nd.

Austra release video for "Forgive Me"

Austra's video for "Forgive Me," directed by Toronto's Claire Edmondson (who directed that "Beat & Pulse" vid), continues their romp into sexy, moody night-time indie pop territory. If you can't watch this at work, you should quit now because this vid is pretty arty and tame. Just kidding, hold onto your job for dear life.

THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS

The Soupcans EP Release | Thurs Nov 21 | Double Double Land | 9PM | $7 or $10 with EP

Heads up, Soupcans' Parasite Brain EP is fucking great. They're calling it "6 more tunes about mental problems, dental hygiene, futuristic dystopias and altered consciousnesseses" but I'm calling it "dirty goth hardcore basement hey guys let's trash City Hall." Do the door deal with the EP because it kills. Strange Attractor will also release their new psychpunk EP Back to Cruel World, and Wrong Hole will play too. Their name is gross.

All Toronto's Parties | Fri Nov 22 | The Garrison | 9pm | $8/$10

No, not All Tomorrow's Parties - that's All Toronto's Parties. This is a great week for local shows, and on Friday the minds of promoters/blogs/labels Weird Canada, Wavelength, Silent Shout, Pleasence Records and Feast in the East are melding for one night only at The Garrison. There will be art installations to gaze at while genre crossing Toronto acts Gay, Young Guv (Fucked Up), Actual Water, Lido Pimienta, Holiday Rambler (Hooded Fang) and Still Boys provide the sound. You can enter to win tickets here.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS

• Vice presents Fucked Up & Odonis Odonis | Nov 20 | The Garrison | RSVP
• Punchclock feat. Petra Glynt/print sale | Nov 30/Dec 1 | Double Double Land/Punchclock | $5 - $10
• MUCH's "The Big Jingle" feat Fall Out Boy & Serena Ryder | Dec 7 | ACC | $30 - $87
• Shearwater | March 27 | The Horseshoe | $13.50
• Journey | June 19 | Molson | Tickets Dec 6

WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK

• Toronto through the eyes of Owen Pallett
• Breakout Toronto Bands: Tasha the Amazon
• Gwar gets bloody at The Phoenix (and hails Rob Ford)
• Why you need to know about the Hamilton music scene
• Toronto DJs to play exclusive underground broadcast
• DJ Shintaro wins $25K at World's Biggest DJ Battle

Photo by Matthew McAndrew

University Avenue has long been the home of banks, company headquarters, and other large stone buildings built for business. After hours, a walk from Queen's Park down to Union Station can feel lonely and isolated beside constant traffic such is the lack of stores and residential buildings.

A new condo planned for University and Dundas, one of two currently in the planning phase, could inject new life into Toronto's broad and imposing downtown arterial with the addition of a residential tower on top of a heritage building at the northeast corner.

The proposal for 481 University envisions a 55-storey, 174-metre tower rising from the existing cluster of heritage buildings. As a staff report from earlier this year notes, several of the existing structures - 481 University Avenue, 210 Dundas Street West, 70 Centre Avenue and 137 Edward Street - are listed heritage structures and have special legal protection.

As a result, the developer is planning to keep much of what's at ground level, albeit with some minor tweaks, and renovate the interiors, one of which is home to a TD branch. The east entrance to St. Patrick subway station will also be brought indoors and reconfigured, according to Urban Toronto.

The block, surrounded by University, Dundas, Centre, and Edward, was developed to its present state between 1909 and 1928 by The Maclean-Hunter Publishing Company. Maclean-Hunter launched Maclean's, Financial Post, and Chatelaine between in those years and grew to include cable channels, radio stations, and newspapers.

The business was bought by Rogers Communications in 1994 and some of its assets spun off. During its time on University Avenue, the company added several extensions to its original building that eventually covered the entire lot.

The images show a new walkway along Dundas made by knocking out part of the existing building. The covered area would include public artwork on the roof and several benches. The main entrance to the building would be located off Centre Avenue, one block west of University, at the expense of two three-storey brick buildings.

What do you think of the new look for 481 University? Will residential units on University Ave. improve the street? What would you change?

QUICK STATS:

Type: Condo
Height: 55-storeys (173.75 metres)
Units: 748
Residential: 49,858 square metres
Office: 22,207 sq. m.
Retail: 3,192 sq. m.
Architect: B+H Architects

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: /blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto events on November 19th, 2013

MUSIC | MusicOntario Presents: Money!! Making a Living Making Music
Local musicians will want to check out this workshop tonight, presented by Music Ontario. A sea change has occurred within the recorded music industry in the last decade or so with streaming slowly replacing digital purchases, and though there is a "vinyl niche," sales of recorded music are no longer able to sustain the majority of musicians, and many are trying to figure out how they can replace what was a relatively dependable, ongoing income stream. This workshop, which includes a panel of industry experts, will share a many useful ideas. Foundery Coworking & Events (376 Bathurst Street) 7PM $10 ($5 for non-members)

BOOKS & LIT | Oana Avasilichioaei, Mina Pam Dick & Margaret Christakos at the Art Bar!
Tonight, the Art Bar poetry series presents readings by three female Toronto poets at The Black Swan on the Danforth. Reading tonight is Oana Avasilichioaei, both a poet and translator who also works in the visual world, having created outdoor installations and other works which incorporate text. Mina Pam Dick will be sharing some poetry (her work has appeared in The Brooklyn Rail, BOMB, and other spots) and Margaret Christakos, shortlisted for the Ontario Trillium Book Award, and recipient of the Bliss Carman Award for Poetry is also reading. Black Swan Tavern (154 Danforth Avenue) 8PM.

SHOPPING | ShopAGO's Exclusive Holiday Trunk Shows
The AGO is doing its part to make your holiday shopping easy this week with a special series of "Holiday Trunk Shows" that feature the artists whose products make up the shopAGO collection. Beginning today, and running throughout the week, a different group of artists will be featured. The ball gets rolling today with Tea Forte, a gourmet tea company specializing in whole leaf teas; Helen Benninger Scarves, specializing in wearable fibre art designed and produced by a textile artist; and exciting and eclectic jewellery from Benee Rubin jewellery. ShopAGO at the Art Gallery of Ontario runs from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day this week. The Art Gallery of Ontario (517 Dundas Street West) 11:30AM.

FOOD | Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown
Thirteen of TO's top chefs battle it out tonight, in support of what is reportedly a trend that has is growing in support and popularity: the sustainable seafood movement. Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown will take place at the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District, and will find culinary talents from Luma, Catch Seafood Restaurant, Trattoria Mercatto, The Healthy Butcher, EPIC, Hapa Izakaya, The Sweet Potato, and other top drawer restos, battling it out in a competition to make the best Ocean Wise chowders. Nothing fishy going on here - should be tasty. Fermenting Cellar (28 Distillery Lane) 7PM $56.50.

Continuing

Veggielicious
Veggielicious, Toronto's vegan and vegetarian dining festival, is in the midst of its third year now with over 30 participating restaurants across the city. Founded by the Toronto Vegetarian Association in 2011 to supplement both Summer- and Winterlicious, the two week-long festival is also primarily structured around prix fixe specials, but does include a variety of other deals from bakeries, cafes and grocery stores to bolster its lineup. This, no doubt is a good thing given the smaller number of participating restaurants. Participating this year are popular vegetarian spots like Grasslands, Sadie's Diner, The Steady, One Love Vegetarian, Urban Herbivore, Kupfert and Kim, and more. November 15 to 30. More info here.

European Union Film Festival
At the European Union Film Festival Torontonians can catch features from Euro destinations from Bulgaria to the UK and from Croatia to Finland, France, Greece, Romania, and well, you get it. Ongoing until November 27 the ninth annual fest will screen 34 films from 28 countries for free (yes, for free!) at The Royal Cinema. Read our preview here. Until November 27, The Royal Cinema (608 College St), various showtimes, all screenings free (reserved seats $10).

Also Of Note

• Free Film Screening - Not Criminally Responsible with Olivia Chow
• Iceland Airwaves Toronto Showcase

Photo of The Steady by Jesse Milns

The Toronto police bomb disposal squad has detonated the contents of a suspicious vehicle at King and Peter. Cops said there was an incendiary device is inside the trunk and a bomb disposal robot was seen investigating the trunk. King is still closed from Spadina to John and Peter Street is cordoned off between Front and Adelaide.

UPDATE 9:00: TTC King streetcars are still on diversion via Queen.

Rob Ford will rise this morning and drive to a very different role at City Hall. City council voted overwhelmingly in favour of handing the last of Ford's delegated responsibilities to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly yesterday. We will find out later today how Ford deals with his new, smaller budget and reduced staff.

Ford spoke to the CBC following the council meeting and told Peter Mansbridge he has quit alcohol and had a "come to Jesus" moment.

Newly empowered Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said he wants to "wage peace" following Ford's promise of "war" before the key vote yesterday. On Canada AM a short time ago, Kelly likened Ford's behaviour at council - where he knocked over Cllr. Pam McConnell and verbally sparred with the public - as like that of a "a wounded, cornered animal."

Muhammad Khattak, an accused gang member and one of the men seen with Rob Ford in that photo, won't be getting a chance to view the crack tape, for now at least. A Superior Court judge ruled yesterday that Khattak does not have a right to see the video as part of his defence. In his ruling, Justice Ian Nordheimer confirmed the second video is separate but related to the first and was not made or brokered by Khattak.

Chris Farley's brother chimed in on Twitter yesterday, confirming what we already know - the late SNL star would have "crushed" playing Rob Ford.

The TTC will decide whether to hike the price of a token by a nickel later this week after the Commission's planned budget presentation was disrupted by events at city council. Under the proposal, the cash fare would rise by a quarter and the cost of a Metropass would jump to between $131 and $133.50. A decision is expected Wednesday.

Finally, Rob Ford is proving to be a limitless source of comedy for U.S. stand-ups. Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Jay Leno, and Stephen Colbert all touched on the mayor's weekend antics. Leno called Ford "God's gift to comedy."

IN BRIEF:

• Conservatives turning away from Ford, too [Toronto Star]
• Verdict due in case of Toronto anesthesiologist accused of molesting women [Global News]
• Sarah Thomson tells Piers Morgan she feels sorry for Rob Ford [Toronto Sun]
• Video released of six sought in fatal birthday shooting [Toronto Sun]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: John Tavares/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Home Video previews all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand titles hitting the street this week, plus lost gems, crazed Cancon, outrageous cult titles and the best places to rent, buy, talk or see movies in Toronto.

NEW RELEASES

The World's End (eOne)

A bunch of old friends re-unite to finish an unresolved pub crawl initiated 20 years prior, but things get wacky when they encounter a village full of homicidal robots.

Final part of the "Cornetto" trilogy manages to top the legendary status of its heady stable mates SHAUN OF THE DEAD and HOT FUZZ with the combined talents of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Rosamund Pike and Eddie Marsan. The freaky Sci-Fi element almost crowbars the comedy right out, but a satisfying conclusion brings the chocolate and peanut butter back together.

A wealth of extras are present and correct, including the genius "There's Only One Gary King" (Osymyso's Inibri-8 Megamix), and equally hilarious commentaries from director Edgar Wright (making up for the laugh-free mince that was SCOTT PILGRIM) and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Wright.

We're the Millers (Warner Bros.)

Jason Sudeikis plays a small time pot dealer who must assemble a fake family of squares (including stripper Jennifer Aniston and runaway goth Emma Roberts) to haul a huge drug shipment across the Mexican border. Its NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION meets THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS ethos is a dour reflection on where our culture is at, but it's riotously funny and that is all that matters.

The Bluray/DVD/Digital combo pack contains both theatrical and extended versions of the movie, and includes roughly 45 minutes of outtakes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

Planes (Disney)

Dusty the crop duster wants to race, but his fear of heights and inability to fly fast hold back his dreams until one day his courage is put to the test and Dusty soars like never before. Disney successfully transitions the action from CARS to PLANES in this tale of bravery not-unlike last week's animated release TURBO (great double bill for the young'uns, that). Featuring bonus deleted scenes, short features about the racers, and the Colin Cowherd hosted Top Ten Flyers.

TV

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification (Paramount)

Feature length version of 2 classic early 90s STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION episodes featuring the return of Spock, found working undercover in the war against the Romulans. Now that he shows up in the rebooted movies every time J. J Abrams has plot constipation, the novelty has slightly worn off, but back in 1992 Leonard Nimoy's appearance was a huge deal. Extras include a making of featurette and commentary from Star Trek designers Mike & Denise Okuda. The entire Season 5 of ST:TNG on Bluray is also available this week.

Doctor Who - The Tenth Planet (BBC)

What better way to mark the 50th Anniversary of DOCTOR WHO then this slice of utterly classic Black and White history that finds the first Doctor encountering the Cybermen for the very first time, getting tired and regenerating into another body. This kind of things was unheard of at the time and from listening to the commentary you get the impression they didn't think it was going to work.

CULT CLASSICS

Assault on Precinct 13: Collector's Edition (Scream Factory)

A run-down, mostly abandoned police station is attacked by the goulish ruffian gang Street Thunder. John Carpenter's first feature length film also remains his toughest, with a synth heavy score he composed and performed himself, and a streak of nihilism a mile wide, going much further than Its "RIO BRAVO meets NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in sun kissed '70s Los Angeles" rep suggests. Extras include commentary from Carpenter, interviews, trailers, and a stunning new 1080p transfer.

Night of the Comet (Scream Factory)

Two '80s Valley girls are amongst the last of the human race after a comet buzzes earth and turns the population into dust. Now the girls must battle zombies in between bouts of shopping and meeting hot survivor guys. Funny to see how much of the zombie craze was predicted in trashy b-movies like this one, loving rescued from obscurity by the fine folks at Scream Factory.

Eve of Destruction (Scream Factory)

Tap dancer Gregory Hines is a little out of his depth as Terrorism expert Jim McQuade, on the track of the Eve VIII android who is on a murderous rampage. Strange SF thriller from 1991 is exactly the kind of offbeat movie you used to find languishing in the corner at video rental stores, now punched up to the standards of the 21st century by Scream Factory.

Tank Girl (Shout Factory)

Bonkers cult favourite about an anarchic chick Tank Girl (Lori Petty) battling the villainous Kesslee (scenery chewing Malcolm McDowell) for control of water in the barren future of 2033. Featuring a varied guest cast, Ice-T as a half-man/half Kangaroo Ripper, and creature effects from Stan "JURASSIC PARK" Winston, this slept on '90s underground fave deserves reappraisal.

STILL FRESH

• Man of Steel
• Turbo
• Dexter: The Complete Final Season
• Power Rangers Season 8-12
• All the President's Men: 40th Anniversary Edition
• City Lights
• Nosferatu
• John Carpenter's Body Bags
• Parkland
• White House Down
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Extended Edition
• Mad Men- Season 6
• Under the Dome
• Doctor Who: Limited Edition Bluray Giftset Series 1-7
• The Right Stuff: 30th Anniversary Edition
• Three Faces of Eve

DOCTOR WHO 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL ON THE BIG SCREEN

This Saturday, November 23rd marks the 50th anniversary of BBC's globally adored science-fiction series DOCTOR WHO. It's fitting that Toronto celebrates, as the series was created by Torontonian Sydney Newman, and the CBC were one of the very first broadcasters to pick up the show and air it back in 1963:

The 50th Anniversary 3-D special "Day of the Doctor" stars current Doctor Matt Smith, alongside former Doctor David Tennant, with guest stars John Hurt and Billie Piper along for the adventure in space and time.

Cineplex Odeon will be screening "Day of the Doctor" at both Yonge-Dundas and the Scotiabank Theatre at 2:50PM, however both showings have SOLD OUT.

Word is that a few tickets may be available, so if you are a hardcore WHOser without any it may be worth your time to chance a last minute score.

Worst case you can see a matinee of HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE and hop on a torrent of DOCTOR WHO when you get home...

Opened by the folks behind the Hub Coffee House and Locavorium, this new cafe at Dovercourt and Hallam is a welcome addition to a neighbourhood sorely lacking in good coffee options (the Sovereign at Davenport and Dufferin being a notable exception). On the menu are a variety of organic treats baked in house, as well as a mean breakfast sandwich.

Read my review of the Hub Coffee House (Dovercourt) in the cafes section.

Although there were no closures this week on DineSafe, the number of infractions Toronto restaurants racked up was certainly high. While Rock Lobster on Ossington made this week's roundup, they definitely weren't the biggest offenders here. Fortune Seafood Restaurant broke into the double digits with 11 infractions, including failure to keep toxic substances in separate compartments from food products. Amaya Express in Leslieville, a repeat offender, racked up eight infractions, the most unappealing of which was failure to ensure food was not contaminated/adulterated. For the rest of this week's round-up, check out the list below:

Amaya Express (1168 Queen St E)
Inspected on: November 12
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required, operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated

Congee Queen (3850 Sheppard Ave E)
Inspected on: November 12
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated, operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter

Dairy Treats (3522 Bathurst St)
Inspected on: November 13
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder

Fortune Seafood Restaurant (3833 Midland Ave)
Inspected on: November 13
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 11 (Minor: 5, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Fail to keep toxic substance in compartment separate from food

House of Chan (876 Eglinton Ave W)
Inspected on: November 12
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 3, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated

Ho Ho BBQ (3833 Midland Ave)
Inspected on: November 14
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 5, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter

Lettieri Espresso Bar (2901 Bayview Ave)
Inspected on: November 14
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to wash hands when required, operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder

Rock Lobster (110 Ossington Ave)
Inspected On: November 12
Inspection Finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of Infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3)
Crucial Infractions Include: N/A