Photo by Vik Pahwa in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Paying to use Highway 407 might seem like a drag, less so if you have one of those electronic windshield devices, but imagine having to cough up on every journey on every major road in or out of the city.

Prior to 1895, York County, the dissolved subregion of which Toronto was once the principal town, charged road users a fee for each passage through a series of gates set up at key positions around the city. The money was gathered by the county and used to maintain and expand the road network, which was often surfaced with planks and in need of constant upkeep.

Later, private companies were invited to bid on road building contracts and recoup construction costs through tolls, but this scheme also fell by the wayside as Toronto moved away from directly charging travellers.

This month marks the 113th anniversary of the original abolition of toll gates in Toronto.

In the 1800s, toll booths were positioned on every major route out of town. At various times, little wooden cottages with a large gate blocking the road could be found at King and Yonge, Queen and Bathurst (then part of Dundas,) Dundas and Bloor, and Broadview and Danforth, to name a few.

Then as now, paying for passage was an unpopular proposition, especially for the drivers of delivery wagons visiting Fort York and the St. Lawrence Market, two major institutions in early Toronto. The cost varied by route, the type of load, the amount on the wagons, and the reason for passing.

At Dundas and Jane, it cost a penny to pass in a vehicle drawn by a single horse. Two horses pulling a carriage attracted a fee of a penny and a half. There were half penny tolls for herds of 20 or more animals or for a horse and rider. In other locations, weigh scales were used to measure the amount of material traveling in or out of the city.

Funeral processions, Sunday church goers, and military vehicles were exempt.

As Adam Bunch writes in Spacing, disgruntled drivers would occasionally speed up and blow through (or over) the closed toll gate. Others, however, took the practice of avoiding fees much more seriously.

In 1895, while York County was still deciding whether to nix tolls entirely, a group of men burned down a set of wooden toll gates on Yonge Street. The city's response was to propose a set of fire-proof iron gates. "One councillor observed that corrugated iron would be the best because when toll-gates were abolished the place could be used as a public lavatory," the Toronto Star recorded.

Decades earlier, a lumber dealer reportedly found a more creative solution. The story goes that after a series of altercations with the operators of a toll gate at Queen and Ossington, some of them physical, an unnamed supplier to Fort York bought the land on the northeast corner of the intersection, directly opposite the gate.

On the property he laid out Rebecca Street, historian John Ross Robertson recalls in his book Landmarks, a short road that bypassed the pay point. The name came from the Rebeccaites, a group of 19th century Welsh rebels who, dressed as women, burned and demolished toll gates in Britain as symbols of unfair taxation.

Unfortunately, the story is a little dubious. There's evidence the road was only given its current name (it was called Dever's Lane first) after the toll booth had disappeared.

As it turned out, York County didn't have to rebuild the torched Yonge Street gates - the decision to permanently eliminate tolls came on December 30, 1895. Market fees were removed at the same time, allowing traders from outside the city to sell at the St. Lawrence Market with fewer levies.

One of the city's few remaining toll booths - Tollgate #3 - still stands away from its original location close to Bathurst and Davenport. The house is of exceedingly rare plank construction - only one other is known to exist in Ontario - and has been picked up and moved several times, once spending time in storage at the TTC yard.

Amazingly, knowledge of the building's history was virtually unknown until 1993, when it was saved from destruction by developers and moved a final time to its present location.

It's now open as a museum at Bathurst and Davenport in Tollkeeper's Park.

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

Images: Toronto Public Library, City of Toronto Archives

The top stores to buy local comics in Toronto recall a Yann Martel line I once read: "If we citizens do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams." While on the dramatic side, this sentiment should be taken seriously, as artists of all types influence our culture and make cities the interesting places they are. Comics in particular are a lucrative and popular art form, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that Toronto has its own thriving community for independent comics, and that many stores make it their mandate to endorse such works however they can.

Where to start, though? Well, here's a list of some spots I recommend!

The Comic Lounge and Gallery
Born from the ashes of Dragon Lady Comics, The Comic Lounge and Gallery has worked to promote local talents since its creation almost two years ago. Right beside the major releases is a special shelf for underground comics. This is unsurprising for many locations, but the Lounge and Gallery stands out in particular for sharing its space with Guerilla Printing, which provides the store with a good one third of its stock. Plus, thanks to the amount of space the Lounge and Gallery has to offer, the venue can hold launch parties on a regular basis for local books like Ninja Reform School and Low Society, and twelve-to-twenty-four hour comic challenges.

The Beguiling
Since 1987, The Beguiling has been the go-to place for independent comics. Rows of shelves and forests of racks fill both floors of the old store. Here, one can find a menagerie of titles, whether professionally made or assembled in a basement using duct tape and a prayer. Comics of the latter can be found on a corner shelf by the steps, while the rest are distributed throughout the store. Probably The Beguiling's biggest contribution to Toronto's indie comics scene, however, is TCAF. Held annually at the Toronto Reference Library, the Toronto Comics Arts Festival is a massive weekend-long event were local and international talents get a chance to shine. This gives creators the opportunity to rub elbows with one another and be introduced to the public in a venue that is free to enter.

Dr. Comics
Originally known as Kensington Comics before undergoing a change in management, Dr. Comics remains a quaint but major staple in Kensington Market. Though the stock of local books is currently small, it is spread out among the rest. Some more family-friendly titles share the Children's Section of books located near the front, while others are located in rows normally occupied by Spider-Man and Rocketeer back-issues. Creators shouldn't go rushing to drop off stacks of books, though. Presently, local comics are being brought in at a slow but steady pace, with restocks only being requested for more popular titles. Still, shelves are constantly reorganized to accommodate new titles as the shop accepts walk-ins and occasionally seeks out talents to represent.

Paradise Comics
Paradise Comics stands out because of its effort to get up-close and personal with Toronto's talent. Originally involved with the Paradise Comic Convention, the shop currently focuses on attending smaller events with larger artist alleys, meeting and building a rapport with new artists in order to bring in fresh stock. Such opportunities allow for Paradise Comics to connect with a wide range of artists in both the mainstream and the underground. Paradise has recently hosted launch parties, signings, and meet-and-greets for big-name creators like Leonard Kirk, but also for the creators of True Patriot and the anthology Monstrosity.

The Silver Snail
The Silver Snail is a major landmark for Toronto's comic enthusiasts. Like Paradise and Dr. Comics, the Snail does not segregate its books. Rows are set aside for local titles, for certain, but they do share the same shelf space as Detective Comics single-issues and Rocketeer collections. Sadly, the massive section the Silver Snail had at its former location had to be pared down to a select few titles due to a lack of space. That said, one can still find works here like D.A. Bishop's Of Stone, though the space issues unfortunately mean that the Silver Snail will not be able to accommodate as many local titles as they would like. Plans to install a spinner-rack are in the works.

MAP

Photo from our review of the Comic Book Lounge and Gallery

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

Fast & Furious 6 (Universal)

Hobbs (The Rock) has Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) re-assemble their OG crew in order to take down a mastermind who commands an organization of mercenary drivers across 12 countries.

Now the subject of intense ghoulish interest since the fiery death-by-automobile of star Paul Walker, this sixth installment in the high octane gearhead series is thankfully a decent movie, with enough asphalt fury to clot the blood, and coincidentally a fitting epitaph for Walker.

Bountiful extras include "Gearhead's Delight", a look at the latest hot cars showcased in Fast Six, a look at franchise's newest "mind-blowing" vehicle the pivoting FLIP car, and "Hand to Hand Fury" which chronicles the film's intense fight sequences.

Adore (Remstar)

Two childhood friends are each seduced by the other's mother. Usual ick factor in such a boundary crossing tale is significantly softened by the fact the moms are played by Naomi Watts and Robin Wright (realistic, right?), but still this is sub-xHamster click bait fantasy fodder for voyeurs disguised as art. What else is new?

Jayne Mansfield's Car (Anchor Bay)

Billy Bob Thornton, still smarting from when Jian Ghomeshi pwned his ass, brings together an impressive collection of actors (John Hurt, Robert Duvall, Kevin Bacon, Frances O'Conner) in this Southern fried drama set in 1969 at a funeral in which he also stars and directs.

Touchy Feely (VSC)

Massage therapist Abby (Rosemarie DeWitt) suddenly becomes unable to deal with body contact, which puts a strain on her career and love life. Half-baked attempt at quirky indie vibe sink this faster than the average first world problems based sitcom, but fans of Ellen Page might want to check out her mature performance as Abby's niece Jenny. Extras include lots of behind the scenes with director Lynn Shelton (who also directs episodes of NEW GIRL).

Despicable Me 2 (Universal)

Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. Monied sequel that has beat Pixar at its own game makes for a perfect all-ages time waster now that the forced co-viewing Holiday season is upon us. Also the perfect itunes download for that 9 year-old who demands looped viewings on tablet/tv/phone.

TV

Futurama: Volume 8 (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

The final batch of 13 FUTURAMA episodes, including classic episodes "2D Blacktop", "Game of Tones" and the pensive series finale "Meanwhile" and full length audio commentaries on all episodes, a collection of deleted scenes, and a look at the Writer's room. This series has been a 2000s era mainstay and it is sad to see it go away (again).

Doctor Who - The Day of the Doctor (BBC)

Rush release of the top heavy DOCTOR WHO 50th Anniversary special which sadly amounted to Matt Smith and David Tennant have a pissing contest while John Hurt dropped one-liners. Two great cameos elevate this to watchable, but the series is coming off a bruising few years of mediocrity and hopefully the casting of Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor will give it a much needed gut check.

CULT CLASSICS

Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition (Walt Disney)

Long before Harry Potter became the de facto cheerleader for magical London it was all up to Mary Poppins. Fifty years later and it still goes down a treat, for the first time on Bluray to boot. Featuring new sing-a-longs, a deleted song, a reunion of the cast, and a thorough Making-Of this is pretty much the definitive version, and perfect Holiday time viewing.

Scream Factory Presents TV Terrors Double Feature: The Initiation of Sarah/Are You In The House Alone? (Scream Factory)

Killer double feature of spooky made for TV movies THE INITIATION OF SARAH and ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE ALONE?, the type of which used to be a regular feature in the beige 1970s landscape. The pacing may feel glacial for today's ADD audience, but these slow burn thrillers still pack a wallop.

STILL FRESH

• The Wolverine
• Anchorman: The Rich Mahogany Edition
• Nashville (The Criterion Collection)
• The Simpsons - The Complete 16th Season
• Saturn 3
• The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
• Call of the Wild
• The World's End
• We re the Millers
• Planes
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5
• Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet
• Assault on Precinct 13: Collectors Edition
• Night of the Comet
• Eve of Destruction
• Tank Girl

FREE SCREENINGS OF CHRISTMAS CLASSICS!

Celebrate the holidays as The Bloor Cinema commemorates their 100th anniversary as a cinema with screenings of some Bloor Christmas classics on December 23rd - White Christmas, at 1 p.m., A Christmas Story, at 4 p.m, Home Alone, at 6:30 p.m., and the alternative Christmas classic, Die Hard, at 9 p.m.

December 23, 1PM-Late at The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

Holy mother of dumplings were there a lot of yellow-carded eateries to sort through in order to find the top offenders this week on DineSafe. Speaking of which, Mother's Dumplings, everyone's favourite Chinatown lunch go-to graces this week's list with eight infractions. None of them are crucial, so that's what you can tell your co-workers when you try to convince them to still have your Friday office lunch there. Ottoman on Bloor got yellow-carded not once but twice, two days in a row!

The first day they had three crucial infractions, and the next they managed to shave that down to two - both of which were difficulties maintaining proper food temperatures. We've also got Bryan's BBQ racking up nine demerit points, which is a little freaky if you ask me, especially at a place where you cook your own meat. And there's more, like Golden Griddle, Korea House, and Oliver & Bonacini -- all drawn and quartered below.

Bryan's BBQ (606 Bloor St W)
Inspected on: December 6
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 3, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Da Fu Seafood Cuisine (5631 Steeles Ave E)
Inspected on: December 3
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 5, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Fail to protect food from contamination or adulteration.

Dumpling King (442 Dundas St W)
Inspected on: December 2
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 10 (Minor: 2, Significant: 8)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Golden Griddle Family Restaurant (1110 Finch Ave W)
Inspected on: December 3
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 food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Korea House (666 Bloor St W)
Inspected on: December 4
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required, operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Mother's Dumplings (421 Spadina Ave)
Inspected on: December 6
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 4, Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Oliver & Bonacini (2901 Bayview Ave)
Inspected on: December 3
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 2)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated, operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.

Ottoman (664 Bloor St W)
Inspected on: December 2
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 3)
Crucial infractions include: Employee fail to wash hands when required, operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder, operator fail to maintain hazardous foods at 60C (140F) or hotter.

Rob Ford might not have surpassed cult favourites like The Simpsons, Grumpy Cat, and Human Centipede for bootleg merch, but he's well on his way. The question of who buys this stuff - and who makes this stuff - could be pondered for decades (and likely will be) but I'm not here to ask probing, soul crushing questions, like why there are currently 75 Rob Ford items on Etsy, 49 on Cafepress, 135 on Zazzle, and approximately 600 items on Ebay. I'm just here to guide you through the (wasted?) wonders of human creativity.

While timely novelty items can be fun (and potentially lucrative) I wouldn't advise buying any of these unless your personal brand really necessitates it - especially if you're going to give them out as office gag gifts, in which case they'll likely meet their end as dog toys before 2013 closes. Your money is your own, but I for one am holding onto my mine until someone molds a working solid gold crack pipe shaped like City Hall. Should be anytime now. With that as a warning, here are the five best of the bunch, plus five items that absolutely merit a week-long journey into your own drunken stupor.

TOP PICKS

Rob Crack Commandments
Pictured above, this hyperrealistic, regal portrait of Rob Ford, crowned, blinged, and surrounded by crack rocks, is probably the boldest Ford fashion statement you can find as of this posting. It comes in a red t-shirt ($34.99) or sweater ($59.99) that looks more like a Tumblr art creation than something that should actually exist. But here it is, ready to order. Shelfies is a Toronto company whose online shop actually stocks a little something for everyone - though I'm not sure who this design is for.

Rob Ford catnip toy
This pink, silkscreened, bowling-pin-shaped cat toy with Rob Ford's likeness on it appeared in PoliticalCircus's Ottawa based Etsy shop (she also sells finger puppets of Rob Fords as well as the Trudeau family, Stephen Harper, John A MacDonald, and more. What is even going on in Ottawa?) earlier this fall, but they're currently sold out. It was only $10! Maybe she'll make more if you ask nice. Or if your cat asks nice. Your cat doesn't know who Rob Ford is.

Rob Ford Party Hard - Parody Shirt
It's convenient of self-proclaimed brutal partier Andrew W.K. to cash in on Toronto's misfortune - it's also handy for us that he specifies that this is a parody shirt. At least these bloody, limited edition conversation starters are only $19.99 a pop (though American Apparel is still undercutting him at $14). Hey Andrew, maybe you can guest on the next Rob Ford noise tape. If you can keep up.

Rob Ford Prayer Candle
You know what's important? Dedication. Not to sound like a Nike commercial - but you're not truly committed to the cause of enjoying Rob Ford's humiliation of Toronto until you have a prayer candle bearing his image, complete with angels scattering crack cocaine above a quote - the quote - about eating pussy on an aged scroll. This thing might take years to burn down - just like Ford's career. $16.

Rob Ford King of Toronto Crack Scandal
Sarah Friend aka bllkbox on Etsy might have the most wearable Rob Ford apparel with this "Gangsta Meme" t-shirt. For $24, you can wear Thomas Van Ryzewyk (Vice)'s iconic (am I being ironic here? I'm not even sure. Iconic.) black and white image of Rofo wearing a decadent crown and smoking a crack pipe. 100 points if you wear this to Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa dinner with the fam. 100 meaningless points.

THE WORST

Rob Ford Ugly Christmas Sweater
We as a culture have taken the ugly sweater thing too far. When we were just buying them, cigarette burns and all, used for $4.99 at VV to wear at a couple parties, that was recycling. Now we're making them from scratch. Etsy store TaborsTreasures took a break from making $75.51 Miley Cyrus ugly Santa sweaters out of cheap sweat shirts and Christmas decos to immortalize Rob Ford's face, because - I'm not sure why. The earrings light up, so on the bright side it's a possible fire hazard.

Rob Ford Mosaic Made from Lego Bricks
Brickworks is selling this lego portrait of Rob Ford, which is only "50 studs high by 50 studs wide" (that's 15 3/4" x 15 3/4"), $350 US on Ebay. The thing is about the size of a vinyl record, and basically says to any guest who enters your home "do not have intimate relations with this person, they are not capable of emotional maturity." The only good thing I can say about this awkward piece of Rob Ford pop art is the company is local.

RoFo The Rob Ford Gnome
Everything about this vampiric RoFo lawn ornament from RevenantFX's Etsy shop is wrong. The matter of it being listed way after Halloween. The price, marked at $65.66 instead of $66.66 (cowardly!) The absence of white glitter snowflakes on the tie (wasted opportunities!) The evidence of dark roots when we all know Rob is a natural blonde. The fact it barely looks like Ford. The only way I'd buy this is if it were also a working smoke machine.

The T-shirts phone-ins
Browsing the metric tons of mediocre Rob Ford merch (10 minutes in photoshop + the internet, you know the deal) is like being locked in a room with three people acting out No Exit over and over and over again, forever. It is a nightmare from which we cannot awake. It is beyond the blighted face of capitalism - it is the evidence of our flaws as living beings. American Apparel, don't think I don't see you there.

The Bobbleheads
Rob Ford's officially mandated line of wonky, way-too-handsome toys made in his likeness (which are now going on Ebay for hundreds of dollars) will forever remain here as the Worst Rob Ford Merch Ever, though his illegal "Ford" logo bootleg shirts come in at close second. Did Rob Ford order these when the crack scandal first broke, and keep them in a box in his office until the shit got really, really bad? We have to guess no, because there's been no other evidence of foresight coming from the Mayor so far. If you bought one of these, shame on you. Let's learn from this and do better next year.

Rob Ford photo by Frank Gunn

Looking for a one-of-a-kind pair of specs? This Junction shop boasts what may be the largest collection of Canadian-made vintage frames around -- and with retro all the rage in the eyewear scene right now, those tortoiseshell grandpa specs will look downright cutting-edge. If that's not your thing, check out the selection of specially imported frames from Japan, France and Belgium. You'll go home looking sharp (and seeing sharper).

Read my review of Opticianado in the Fashion Stores section.

Mayor Rob Ford's much anticipated head-to-head with disgraced media baron and convicted felon Conrad Black turned out to be (perhaps not surprisingly) devoid of any truly hard questions. During the show, titled "Conversation with Conrad," Black wasn't particularly interested in picking apart Ford's arsenal of stock responses and was instead content to answer many of his own questions and share a mutual dislike of the Toronto Star (Black used to control Hollinger International, the former owner of the National Post, among many other newspapers).

The funny thing is, despite the friendly atmosphere, Rob Ford always manages to say something controversial, provocative or just downright stupid. As such, the interview did produce several choice moments, especially near the end when Rob Ford accused police of using Sandro Lisi as a "prop" and Daniel Dale of "taking pictures of little kids." Here's a quick breakdown of the key moments.

DRUG TESTS

Ford opened saying he would take a pop blood or urine test to prove he's free of drink and drugs. Moments later, he claimed he has never been drunk at work, though his former staffer Chris Fickel told police he'd seen Ford "intoxicated numerous times including at the office, football practices and events."

THE GRAVY TRAIN

Council's decision to strip away many of Rob Ford's powers and hand them to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly was "completely illegal" in the mayor's opinion, though he has so far declined to take legal action. Ford rounded off by accusing council of excess spending: "Basically, in two weeks, they've gotten back on the gravy train."

PROJECT BRAZEN 2

While being lobbed softball questions by a sympathetic Black, Ford accused Police Chief Bill Blair of being politically motivated in the ongoing police investigation against him. "If I've done something illegal, I've told the police to arrest me," he said. "I definitely think this is political." Ford then accused police of using Sandro Lisi as a "prop" in their supposed vendetta against him.

FAMILY LIFE

Moments later, Ford offered some insight into how the ongoing scandal is impacting his home life. "It's ripping our family apart," he said of the constant media attention. Ford told Black that his kids look out the window and worry that their father is going to get killed. "Keep my family out of it."

DANIEL DALE

Near the end of the interview, Ford accused Toronto Star reporter Daniel Dale of "taking pictures of little kids" during a notorious incident back in May 2012. Dale has denied looking over the mayor's fence (as was claimed at the time) while photographing a parcel of land Ford was planning to buy. "I don't want to say that word, but you start thinking 'What's this guy all about.'"

BONUS

WEIGHT LOSS

Pop quiz: Name the number one issue surrounding Rob Ford right now. Yep, it's his weight, of course. The mayor told Conrad Black that he thinks voters will support him more if he loses 60 or 70 pounds in time for the next election.

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

As the development chugs along near the nexus of King and Queen St. East, the amenities are also starting to arrive. Case in point: this large, well-stocked health food store on King that's a one stop destination for vitamins, protein power, kitchen essentials (think rice and olive oil), and packaged food. I'd love to see more produce stocked eventually, but the store is off to a good start.

Read my review of The Healthy Road in the grocery section.

Consider this one "Fixer Upper of the Week". 171 Indian Road is a stately house that looms over the corner of Westminster Ave, parked between High Park to the west and Roncesvalles Ave. to the east. The location is convenient, and the neighbourhood is high on spirit (and seasonal decorations) and low on noise. This would be a top spot to raise a family -- provided, of course, that you're willing to take on this big of a project.

Let's clear that fact out of the way: this house needs work. The kitchen is strongly reminiscent of "All in the Family'' (those were the days) and beyond salvaging. Be prepared to redo the cabinets, floor, lighting, and wood panelled walls, and swap in some functional appliances. If you really like antique kitchens, take note: despite being set up for a single family, this house has four of them! The original wood floors could all benefit from refinishing, the windows need help, and make sure to address the remaining knob and tube wiring.

Necessary renovations aside, this house does have many character features from stained glass windows and wood trim to wainscoting and arched doorways. There's no want for space, either, with three storeys plus basement, 9' ceilings and six bedrooms. Watch out for the low ceiling in the second floor back bedroom, though -- it's a head-bumper.

SPECS

Address: 171 Indian Road
Price: $1,149,000.00
Sq. Ft.: 3450
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 4
Storeys: 3, plus basement
Parking Spaces: 2, including garage
Taxes: $6,226.33 (2013)
Walk Score: 95

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Breezeway connecting kitchen to garage
• Original hardwood floors, trim, stained glass windows and wainscoting
• Four kitchens!
• Ornate wood banisters
• Fireplace in the front foyer

GOOD FOR

This place is wood-heavy, character-filled, and looking for new life with a family willing to take on a big, expensive project. This neighbourhood has a surfeit of good schools and nearby playgrounds. Remember to break out the inflatable snowmen and hang some skeletons from the porch if you want to impress your new neighbours.

MOVE ON IF

Location and space are driving the price here. Someone looking for turn-key convenience will probably be turned off by the volume of work at hand. So, either get busy renovating or get busy searching for other properties.

MORE PHOTOS

Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Leasing office space in Toronto can pose a serious challenge for those ready to make the jump from working in cafes or for the small company that needs bigger digs to support a growing business. Availability isn't really the issue. There's plenty of office space in the city, but looking for space usually means weeding through options that don't fit the basic criteria you're looking for like the desire for a post and beam space, an office neighbour that does (or doesn't) have an outdoor putting green, or easy access to indie cafes and lunch spots.

From major corporate landlords to smaller, shared workplace operations, there are many options available to those looking for an office in Toronto. We've already rounded up some of the top shared office spaces, but given the importance of neighbourhoods when deciding where to locate a company, we've broken down the options (both shared and otherwise) available in six key areas in Toronto so as to highlight what each has to offer the prospective renter.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT / SOUTH CORE

Naturally, this is the most densely populated area of the city for office space, and is home to the head offices of most of Canada's major banks. The benefits of the area are obvious: excellent transit options, tons of nearby retail and restaurants, and the handiness of the PATH in the winter. All of these amenities will, however, cost you. The Financial District is the most most expensive area to lease office space in the city.

Types of Office Stock: Primarily mid and high rise buildings, mostly newer construction (post 1960s), class AAA, AA, A, B and C product.

Types of Companies: Dominated by banking, financial services, insurance, accounting and law firms. Home to the third largest stock exchange in North America. Examples: Big five banks, GWL, Sun Life, KPMG, PWC, etc.

Cost per sqft / Range of Gross Rent: $35 PSF to $85 PSF

Transportation options: Close connections to subway and streetcar lines as well as Union Station / GO Train services.

Indie coffee shops: The Dineen Coffee Company, Sam James PATH

Favourite lunch spots: The Chase Fish & Oyster, Drake 150, The Gabardine, Mercatto (Bay St), Bannock, Bymark, Canoe.

Shared Office Options: Home to the highest concentration of shared/serviced office options in the GTA, including iQ Office Suites (photo above), Regus, Intelligent Office and others.

Full Lease Office Options/Dominant Landlords: Oxford, Brookfield, Cadillac Fairview, GWL, Bentall & Dundee.

LIBERTY VILLAGE

Once a major manufacturing hub, Liberty Village was transformed in the 1980s when dot com startups set up shop in vacated warehouses and factories. The last decade has seen profound residential growth in the area in the form of a condo boom, but the west end of the neighbourhood is still home to many technology and design firms. Retail and food options have increased in lockstep with the population growth.

Types of Office Stock: Mostly large and small historic/character buildings converted to office space.

Types of Companies: Primarily technology, advertising, design and creative companies. Examples: Softchoice, Cossette Advertising, Tucows, etc.

Cost per sqft / Range of Gross Rent: $26 PSF to $45 PSF

Transportation: Located on the King streetcar line with access to Exhibition GO Station.

Indie coffee shops:Balzac's, The Abbott

Favourite lunch spots:Origin Liberty Village, Mildred's Temple Kitchen, 25 Liberty, Caffino.

Shared Office Options:The Fueling Station

Full Lease Office Options/Dominant Landlords: York Heritage, Allied REIT and Lifetime Group.

FASHION / ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

Once home to textile factories and other clothing-related manufacturing, the area along Spadina from King St. to Chinatown and along King West is home to plenty of big players in the technology and web game, as well as a host of shared office space options. Much of the office space can be found in re-purposed heritage buildings.

Types of Office Stock: Primarily large and small historic/character buildings converted to office space.

Types of Companies: Technology, advertising, and professional services. Examples: Ebay, Rogers Media, Desire2Learn, and AOL.

Cost per sqft / Range of Gross Rent: $30 PSF to $50 PSF

Transportation: Accessible by multiple streetcar lines (King, Queen, Spadina).

Indie coffee shops:Dark Horse, Jimmy's Coffee, Sense Appeal, Thor Espresso

Favourite lunch spots:Buca, Gusto 101, O&B Canteen, The One That Got Away, Fresh, Tutti Matti

Shared Office Options:Regus, CSI, Workplace One

Full Lease Office Options/Dominant Landlords: Allied REIT, WTF Properties and Capitol Properties.

CORKTOWN / DISTILLERY DISTRICT

This area is set to witness a major spike in office space with the construction of the King East Centre (500,000 square feet of office space), which will be home to The Globe & Mail. It's also experiencing a residential building boom, as work continues on the West Don Lands development. Although the overall demand for office space in Toronto is expected to soften over the next two years, that won't be the case here.

Types of Office Stock: Small and medium sized historic buildings with some new construction buildings.

Types of Companies: Film, technology, professional services companies. Examples: Technicolor, Autodesk, SAS, Toronto Sun, and soon The Globe & Mail.

Cost per sqft / Range of Gross Rent: $25 PSF to $50 PSF

Transportation: King and Queen streetcar lines.

Indie coffee shops:Rooster Coffee House, Black Canary Espresso, Academy Cafe, Balzac's

Favourite lunch spots:Petit Dejeuner, George Street Diner, Fusaro's, Gilead Cafe

Shared Office Options:Workplace One, 7 Labatt Place

Full Lease Office Options/Dominant Landlords: Allied REIT, Dundee, Manulife and First Gulf.

YONGE & EGLINTON

Already a well-serviced neighbourhood as far as transit and retail goes, the arrival of the Crosstown LRT in the next half decade will likely make office space in the Yonge & Eglinton area even more lucrative than it is currently. Home to a concentration of mid-sized office buildings, the area houses a diverse array of companies, most of which are well established.

Types of Office Stock: Primarily medium sized office buildings built between 1950s & 1970s.

Types of Companies: Professional services, insurance & technology companies. Examples: CGA, Facebook, Maritime Life, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Ontario Energy Board.

Cost per sqft / Range of Gross Rent: $30 PSF to $45 PSF

Transportation: Accessible by subway and bust (with LRT on the way).

Indie coffee shops:De Mello Palheta

Favourite lunch spots:Grazie, La Vecchia, Grano.

Shared Office Options:Intelligent Office, 120 Eglinton Business Centre.

Full Lease Office Options/Dominant Landlords: RioCan, Davpart, Adgar Investments and Madison Properties.

BLOOR / YORKVILLE

Although not as densely populated as the Financial District, Yonge & Bloor remains one of the prime destinations for large companies to take space based on transit accessibility, the sheer amount of office stock, and the plentiful amenities in the area. It's also cheaper than the Financial District, but doesn't give much away in terms of conveniences.

Types of Office Stock: Mixture of large and medium office buildings.

Types of Companies: Professional services, advertising and technology companies. Examples: Canon, JWT Canada, Shaw Communication, Alliance Atlantis, Citco, and Unilever.

Cost per sqft / Range of Gross Rent: $30 PSF to $50 PSF

Transportation: Ideal transit accessibility at the junction of two subway lines.

Indie coffee shops: Seven Grams, Yorkville Espresso Bar, Balzac's

Favourite lunch spots:Asuka, Mela Italian, Sushi Inn, Xtreme Taste

Shared Office Options:Regus, Intelligent Office

Full Lease Office Options/Dominant Landlords: Morguard, Brookfield, Oxford and CREIT

Lead photo of IQ Office Suites

Rob Ford isn't about to apologize for accusing Toronto Star reporter Daniel Dale of "taking pictures of little kids" outside his Etobicoke home.

"I stand by my words, what I said with Conrad Black," Ford said at a press conference this afternoon. "I stand by every word I said with Mr. Black in my interview."

In an interview with the disgraced media baron that was aired last night, Ford accused Dale of standing on bricks to see into his backyard in May 2012. Toronto police viewed CCTV tape of the incident and found "no evidence" to back up the mayor's claim.

"I have little kids. When a guy is taking pictures with little kids, I don't want to say that word but you start thinking, you know, what is this guy all about," Ford told Black, moments after calling on police to arrest him if they have found he has "done something illegal.".

The video of the interview has since been removed from the ZoomerMedia website though it's currently available on YouTube.

Dale and Toronto Star lawyers are discussing options over the "categorically false" comments.

Earlier today, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said Rob Ford should apologize for the "beyond the pale" remarks. "It fits into a pattern that changes the focus from him to someone else ... and I think there should be an apology for that," he told reporters.

Ford clearly doesn't agree.

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

Photo by twurdemann in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto events on December 11th, 2013

MUSIC | Andy Kim Christmas Show
There are a few things that signal the arrival of the Holiday season here in TO: the first snowfall, muzak jingles in the supermarket, and yes... news of Andy Kim's annual Xmas Show. Kim is a veteran singer/songwriter who penned hits for The Archies, The Monkees, and earned a few of his own Gold records in the '70s, as well. Kim's annual shindig happens tonight at The Mod Club on College, and will be a great night for a great cause, benefiting  the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation's Gift of Light, and will feature Brendan Canning & Kevin Drew, Amy Millan, Kardinal Offishal, Ron Sexsmith, Kardinal Offishal, Dan Hill, Glass Tiger, The Trews and others. For more holiday-themed Toronto concerts, check out our roundup post.
Virgin Mobile Mod Club (722 College Street) 7 pm. $30

ART | Fictions and Legends: Heather Goodchild and Jerome Havre
Tonight, the Textile Museum of Canada hosts the opening reception for Fictions and Legends, an exhibition curated by Sarah Quinton featuring work by Heather Goodchild and Jérôme Havre. Both artists are presenting work that uses various media including rug hooking, sewn materials, photography, sculpture, and more. Thematically, Goodchild and Havre are focusing on visual storytelling to examine the concepts of myth and history in culture. Fictions and Legends runs until April of 2014.
Textile Museum of Canada  (55 Centre Avenue) 6:30PM

BOOKS & LIT | Michael Ignatieff at the Toronto Reference Library
Regardless of your "partisan proclivities" or lack thereof, a glimpse behind the scenes into the world of politics can be quite interesting, and it certainly stands to reason that former Liberal party leader Micael Ignatieff's perspective would be no exception to this. Brian Stewart will engage Ignatieff in discussion about his book, Fire and Ashes, which has as its subtitle Success and Failure in Politics, and details his experiences during the 2011 election campaign.
Reference Library (789 Yonge Street) 7PM

MUSIC | The Kills & US Girls
The Kills hit the Danforth Music Hall tonight for a much-anticipated show. This duo, made up of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince comes together from both Florida and London, respectively, and have a lo-fi, minimalist approach to modern songwriting that gives their work a distinct edge. Although White Stripes comparisons have been plentiful since the band's inception, other, more historic influences seem to dominate, from The Velvet Underground, to PJ Harvey and Patti Smith. US Girls open the show.
The Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Avenue) 7 pm, $24.50-$29.50

Also Of Note

• Lips and Lashes: A Chorus Queen
• CSI Holiday Pop Up Market

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

Photo of US Girls

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti is under investigation by the city's integrity commissioner over a $5,000-a-table fundraiser held for his benefit. Council rules prohibit members receiving benefits related to "the performance of his or her duties of office." The investigation was triggered by a complaint Toronto attorney Brian Iler. According to the CBC, several hundred people, including lobbyists, attended the event at the Royalton Banquet Hall in Woodbridge.

Some councillors think Rob Ford should bow out of police budget discussions since he's the target of one of their investigations and he keeps accusing Chief Bill Blair of playing politics. Ford suggested his suggested 10 per cent cut to the police budget two years ago is the reason cops initiated Project Brazen 2, the investigation that turned up new allegations of drug and alcohol abuse, in an interview with Conrad Black that aired Monday night.

When he wasn't defending controversial remarks he made about a Toronto Star reporter, Ford said he and budget chief Frank Di Giorgio would be aiming to cut the land transfer tax by 5 per cent in the next budget. "It's tax, tax, tax, spend, spend, spend," Ford said about the current atmosphere at City Hall.

Before making the land transfer tax announcement, Ford toured City Hall inviting councillors to a Christmas party as his mother's house tonight. The mayor's office emailed the invitation to all members of council but Ford also went door-to-door to confirm. It's not clear how many people will attend.

Metrolinx could use GO Trains to relieve the Yonge line instead of building a $7.4 billion subway line, a new report suggests. Michael Schabas, the author, found "[the relief subway] will not provide enough benefits to offset even half of its $7.4 billion cost," according to The Star. Should Metrolinx consider converting part of the Lakeshore line?

Finally, Rob Ford is the star of a brand new stop-frame clay animation by the award-winning Cuppa Coffee Studios. In Fordtacular Spectacular, the mayor flies around his City Hall office, dodging all manner of obstacles and controversies. There is no dialogue, only sight gags. President and Executive Producer Adam Shaheen told Global News said he wanted to explore the circus around Ford while avoiding anything "mean-spirited." Check it out here.

IN BRIEF:

• TDSB senior staff salaries went up $1.29M during wage freeze [CBC News]
• Another suspect arrested, charged in fatal Nuit Blanche stabbing [Global News]
• Police need help identifying 12 GTA bank robbery suspects [CBC News]
• Dion Phaneuf to sit 2 games for Miller hit [CBC News]

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

Image: John Carvalho/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.

NEWS

A couple of weeks ago, the Internet was set ablaze with news of Kanye West severing ties with Nike over their refusal to give him royalties for his shoe designs. But, things took another turn last week when Toronto's very own Drake announced that he's designing Air Jordans with the multi-billion-dollar brand. He's even posted a few sneak peeks on his Instagram. Could Drake be paving the way for a career in fashion?

EVENTS/PARTIES

Tonight (December 11) from 6:30 pm until 10:30 pm, Pop Up 120 (120 Ossington Ave) is celebrating the launch of their latest and greatest pop-up shop: a sleek and modern atmosphere that highlights the timeless designs of Danish womenswear brand Ganni. Revel in the full fall/winter collection - including their minimalistic lingerie and luxe knitwear - over complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Plus, get 25% off your entire purchase!

Tommy Hilfiger at Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St) wants to ring in the holidays with style. Tomorrow (December 12) from 7 pm until 9 pm, shop with a cocktail and/or hors d'oeuvre in hand, and chat up fashion blogger Marta Tryshak from With Love Gabrielle while you're at it. The fun continues all weekend with an in-store photo booth and iPad contest. And if you're social media savvy enough to use the hashtag #THCanadianHoliday during the event, Tommy Hilfiger will donate $1 per post to Autism Society Canada.

The Toronto Etsy Street Team is throwing their 1st annual Christmas Marketplace at the Church of Saint Stephens-in-the-Fields (103 Bellevue Ave) this Saturday (December 14) from 11 am until 5:30 pm. Enjoy live music, try your hand at a new craft during a free workshop, hang out with good ol' Saint Nick, and participate in a charity raffle... all while perusing one-of-a-kind creations by 16+ local makers.

Victoria Sorkin, a new, Toronto-based jewellery designer, is showcasing her truly unique designs this Saturday (December 14) at Pomp & Pageantry (112 Scollard St). Gawk at her handmade holiday, resort, and spring 2014 collections - no doubt colourful, loud, and art deco-esque - from 11 am until 6 pm. I know I'm already eyeing a certain pair of seafoam statement earrings to take home with me!

For one day only this Sunday (December 15), LemonTree Creations (196 Spadina Ave) will be home to a bazaar featuring one-of-a-kind goods made with love by local artists and designers. From 11 am until 6 pm, the pop-up market can be your one-stop shop for everything from housewares to hand-knitted treasures this holiday season... whether you're shopping for your loved ones or yourself!

Every second Sunday of the month, find unique treasures at the Junction Flea - an eclectic market filled to the brim with independent vendors. This time around (December 15), you'll get more bang for your buck (read: $2 admission fee) because the event doubles as the launch of a new skating rink at Evergreen Brickworks (550 Bayview Ave). Head down from 10 am until 5 pm to sip hot chocolate or mulled wine, and - of course - get your vintage/handmade anything-and-everything fix!

Photo of Drake by Brian Morton

A former manager at trailblazing Toronto izakaya Guu has opened a teppanyaki bar near Yonge and Wellesley. Here you'll find one of the city's most authentic takes on Hiroshima style okonomiyaki, and an atmosphere that's a jovial and friendly as any izakaya you care to imagine.

Read my review of Teppan Kenta in the restaurants section.

On June 1, 1970, drivers pulled off The Queensway in Etobicoke and did something no-one else in Toronto had (officially) done before - order a Tim Hortons coffee.

According to the official version of events, six years after it was founded in Hamilton, Ont. by former Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Horton, the wildly popular coffee and donuts franchise had opened its first Toronto store at 853 The Queensway, and in doing so created a foothold for an empire in Canada's largest city.

But the Queensway store was not technically the first Tim Hortons in Toronto - an earlier incarnation of the company fled the city amid falling sales and rabid competition in the 1960s before almost dying out entirely.

Born in Cochrane, Ont. in 1930, Miles Gilbert Horton - "Tim" professionally - was the archetypal hockey strongman and a bona fide star for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over 20 seasons with the team, Horton lifted the Stanley Cup four times (the last time the Leafs won the cup Horton was on the roster) and appeared in the NHL All-Star team three times.

Horton's first attempt to parlay his hockey fame into a successful off-ice business came in the early 1960s. Unlike today, hockey players couldn't count on a regular massive paycheck and short careers led many to seek backup business opportunities for their twilight years.

Tim Horton thought his post-hockey career lay as a BBQ or steakhouse franchisor. His first investment, however, was Tim Horton Motors, a used car dealership in Willowdale that opened in the early 1960s and was run by Horton's brother, Gerry.

At the time, Tim Horton lived with his wife, Lori, in a Warden Ave. bungalow. The hockey star regularly had his hair cut in nearby Colony Plaza, a Lawrence Ave. shopping mall where Jim Charade, a Quebec-born businessman and jazz drummer, was running his doughnut store "Your Do-Nut" - later (briefly) "Royal Do-Nut."

Charade was in the market for a used Pontiac, and mutual friend Jim Griggs connected the pair. What the doughnut store owner needed more than a car, however, was a celebrity endorsement to boost his struggling sales. Sensing a common goal, Horton agreed to form a partnership with Charade with plans to franchise restaurants similar to Swiss Chalet and Harvey's.

Charade renamed Your Do-Nut "Tim Horton Do-Nut" - making it technically the first cafe to use the Horton name - and the pair opened "Tim Horton Drive-In Restaurant" locations at Kingston and McCowan roads, Lawrence Ave., Lake Shore Blvd. in Port Credit, and downtown at Yonge and Dundas in a building that also housed the company offices.

The Yonge Street store excepted, the restaurants were in the mould of 1960s drive-ins: a walk-up counter, few indoor seats, all anchored by a large parking lot. Unlike A&W, there were no carhops - customers ordered and bought food to their vehicles themselves.

Reading the description of the restaurants in Double Double, author Douglas Hunter's insightful history of Tim Hortons, the mix of offerings sounds confused at best. The Lake Shore location specialized in chicken (there was even a "Tim Horton Chicken"-branded VW van that doubled as the Charade family car) while the store Yonge Street flipped steaks and sold doughnuts.

The business quickly failed and the last store, on Lawrence Ave., closed in 1964. Horton didn't like to talk about the disastrous venture in subsequent interviews. "Let's just leave it at that. They flopped," he told Canadian magazine shortly before his death.

At the suggestion of Charade, the pair moved the company out of Toronto. The competition in Scarborough was fierce: There were already more than 30 drive-ins on Lawrence and Eglinton avenues in 1967 and rivals Country Time and Mister Donut were gobbling up the doughnut market.

Jim Charade selected a former Esso station at Ottawa St. and Dunsmuir Rd. in Hamilton for the retooled company's first location. It was close to one of the town's major employers and sold coffee and pastries - a coffee and doughnut for a quarter and 12 doughnuts for 69 cents.

The original interior, as recalled by Hunter, was bleached white and purple with a lava rock wall texture. Unlike current stores, the first Tim Hortons had counter seating and a window through which customers could watch the some 40 varieties of doughnut being prepared.

There was peanut crunch, coconut crumble, apple and spice, macaroons, apple fritters and the Dutchie. "It just went gangbusters," recalled the first franchisee and store owner Spencer Brown.

The store was successful but internal strife would force several ownership shuffles: Brown sold the franchise back to Jim Charade and a heavy-drinking Englishman was installed in his place. At the same time, the company was restructured into an equal partnership between Jim Charade and Tim Horton. Charade had previously owned most of the business and Horton had licensed the use of his name to the company.

Accusations of stealing at the English owner forced the partnership to place a call for a new franchise owner, which was eventually answered by local beat cop Ron Joyce.

Joyce, a father of seven, bought the franchise rights with a borrowed $10,000 and opened a second store on Hamilton's Concession St..

Jim Charade, however, was almost broke. He quit the company and was closely followed out the door by Joyce, who sold his franchise locations back to Tim Horton, leaving the company a partnership between the NHL star and his wife.

Joyce returned to the fold following the opening of a third store in Kitchener. He bought Lori's share of the company for $12,000 and the business was restructured again, making it an equal partnership between Joyce and Horton. An arrangement stipulated the controlling share be held in trust and given to either Horton or Joyce in the event of the other's death.

On 1st June, 1970, Tim Hortons, now opening between one and four new locations a year, returned to Toronto with a location on The Queensway in Etobicoke, on the south side of the street between Royal York and Islington. The store is still there, though it's been extensively renovated since it opened to resemble match the universal Tim Hortons bunker style.

Ron Joyce became the driving force behind the company in the early hours of February 21, 1974 when Horton - twice over the legal limit after an evening spent drinking vodka and soda - flipped his speeding Pantera sports car on the QEW in St. Catherines.

He was ejected through the passenger door and killed instantly.

Horton became "a ghost in the machine of the chain he founded" in the apt words of Douglas Hunter. A stylized version of his signature is still the company logo but almost no reference is ever made to the hockey star in promotional material.

According to Hunter's research, his image was only ever used briefly in the early Hamilton stores. Joyce survived an acrimonious lawsuit by Lori Horton and guided the company to phenomenal growth and a merger with Wendy's in 1995. He is now largely retired from Tim Hortons and has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.

Today, Tim Hortons has 275 restaurants in Toronto, more than 4,000 worldwide.

Images: Tim Hortons. Lead image is a typical Tim Hortons exterior in 1970.

The Toronto electronic music scene is thriving. Our city exports some of the biggest and brightest global players, including artists like Crystal Castles, Art Department, Austra, MSTRKRFT, and on and on. When I speak to people in Europe, they seem to view Toronto as some kind of Mecca for electronic music. When it comes to house, techno and electro, we have people in the top of all those categories. And that's not to mention, Toronto's legendary status for its 90's jungle, drum and bass scene.

What's funny, however, is that you might not know all of this if you live here, considering the media and government's seemingly systematic lack of support for our many talented synth gurus. Apparently the powers that be are still stuck in the 1980's and think the machines just make the music and that therefore there's no talent involved.

To combat their apathy towards our electronic musicians, I've put together a list of 5 acts I was into this year that didn't get the attention I felt they deserved. Now I apologize in advance to the bands I missed out on in 2013; I do try to dig deep into Toronto's underbelly and find all the best artists, but the sheer amount and diversity of electronic musicians in Toronto makes listening to them all an insurmountable task.

Tre Mission
Just to make everyone wig out, I'm putting Tre Mission on the top of my list. Technically he doesn't deserve to be on a list of people who I think are great but don't get any attention because he does get some media attention (Fact Magazine, for instance, premiered one of his videos). But even as he plays all over the world, every time I bring this talented young man up in conversation, no one has ever heard of him. So here he is. Again.

≠ CULTURE
Made up of SΛRIN&ghettocyb.org, their song "CɌƎƎP" was recorded at 01System, samples Robocop (arguably one of the greatest movies of all time), and lays it down over some New Beat inspired madness. I also think the song title fits in nicely with the articles in the past few days about those creeps at the Eaton centre. The Robocops at YouTube have been taking the video down for copyright infringement, so in case the embed below doesn't work, you can watch it here.

Terror Tone
Might as well keep it creepy and highlight Terror Tone's song "The Creeps." This song has a really, early 90s, on-too-many-pills-in-a-warehouse kinda vibe, which I love. He's been a fundamental part of the scene in Toronto, as a promoter, DJ and owner of Stacked Records. He deserves way more attention than he gets.

Sean Roman&Dick Diamonds
Sean Roman gets his fair share of attention in the Drum and Bass scene under the name MUTT, but in recent years he's switched it up and started making House. Sean and his partner in crime Dick Diamonds have a new EP called Late and Deep out on Beef Records. Dick Diamonds is best known in Toronto as being one of the hottest young event promoters, with his Late and Deep crew, as well as being 1/2 of the Hermans. I'm diggin this whole EP and crew.

Rene Lavice
Drum and Bass, electronic music's thugged out brother, has always been way too rough and rugged for Canadian media and mainstream radio. In the 90s, Toronto was the Drum and Bass capital of North America, but if you weren't the type to hang out in warehouses 'till 8am, you never would have known. Still to this day you rarely hear about these bass loving rude boys. Rene LaVice is on top right now, with a slew of releases on the biggest labels in the scene. Rewind!

Who are some of your favourite electronic acts from Toronto that could use some more attention?

Writing by Aaron Cunningham / Lead photo of SARIN from ≠ CULTURE

Home mail delivery in Toronto looks like it's about to go the way of the milkman. Canada Post says it will be phasing out many of its urban mail routes in the next five years amid falling revenue and increasing losses.

Instead of door-to-door delivery, cities will be switched to a system of community mailboxes where letters and parcels will be available for pick-up, much like in rural areas and subdivisions.

It's not yet clear how the plan will affect Toronto specifically, though 6,000 to 8,000 jobs will likely be lost nationwide as the cost saving measures are rolled out.

The mail carrier also plans to bump the price of a first class stamp to 85 cents, up from 63 cents today. Buying an individual first class stamp will cost $1 as of March.

According to the CBC, Canada Post lost $73 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to last year.

Canada Post says a little over 5 million Canadians currently receive door-to-door delivery at an average cost to the Crown corporation of $269 per address. 3.8 million people currently use community mailboxes, which cost $117 per location.

"Door-to-door delivery is, by far, the most expensive delivery method, with an annual cost more than twice as high as for the community mailboxes," a report by the Conference Board of Canada said in April.

Communal mailboxes in the lobbies of apartment and condo buildings will be unaffected by the change.

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

Image: Nuno Salgado/blogTO Flickr pool.