Daniel Norris, the Jays prospect that made waves during the winter for his free-spirited lifestyle (he sleeps out of a van and enjoys surfing), has just been traded to the Detroit Tigers for former Cy Young award winner David Price.

Norris was quick to turn to Twitter with an odd comment about the Tiger's manager Brad Ausmus.

Brad Ausmus is my 2nd cousin.

— Daniel Norris (@DanielNorris18) July 30, 2015

Price, for his part, tweeted just before the trade was announced.

I don't care what happens today...I'm taking BP at 2 in Camden no matter what...don't care what anyone says

— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) July 30, 2015

On Twitter, fans were quick to react with their shock and endorsement of the move.

What do you think of the trade? Let us know in the comments.

Movie lovers, prop makers and collectors will unite at the fifth annual Toronto Prop Party, happening on August 8 at the Montecassino Hotel near Downsview Park.

What began as an intimate event for hobbyists has grown into a public party where anyone can come out to admire original movie and television props as well as stunning replicas. This year, it promises to feature a radio-controlled R2-D2, a Delorean time machine and an Ecto Containment Unit from the movie Ghostbusters.

Prop collectors were also in luck earlier this year thanks to the Hollywood North: The FXSMITH Studio Collection Auction, which had heaps of iconic material up for sale. Lots included items from movies such as X-Men, Platoon and Total Recall.

Prop Party Toronto is on August 8 and tickets will be on sale at the door for $10.

What movie prop would you most like to own? Let us know in the comments.

Photo via Toronto Prop Party on Facebook.

No, the moon won't actually turn blue tonight. Despite its a name, a blue moon actually refers to the second full moon in a calendar month. The last one appeared in August 2012 and the next one is predicted for 2018.

Unlike other celestial occurrences - such as the annual Perseid meteor shower- that are difficult to spot in Toronto, catching this lunar phenomenon is easy. If the sky is clear, as Paul Mortfield from the David Dunlap Observatory told the Toronto Star, simply look up and you should be able to see it.

If you were wowed by the blood moon, or total lunar eclipse in April, keep your eyes peeled on September 28 for the next one.

For now though, enjoy the blue moon on what's looking to be a hot summer night. Maybe one of these rooftop patios will be a good spot to catch it.

Photo by Sandra Herber in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Outdoor swimming pools in Toronto will have you beating the heat without even turning on the AC. When the weather is too nice to stay indoors, but too hot to handle, these refreshing, chlorinated meccas are where to go for a cool down. If the waters of Lake Ontario are looking less than trustworthy, try one of these.

Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the top outdoor pools in Toronto.

See also:

The best swimming pools in Toronto
The top 15 indoor swimming pools in Toronto

Gus Ryder Sunnyside
Gus Ryder offers a 25 metre pool where you can float your worries away. It boasts a picturesque view of both the Toronto skyline and waterfront.Though you'll be in close proximity to Lake Ontario, you won't be at risk of any ecoli-related illnesses from the pool water.

Alex Duff Christie Pits
The thing that sets this park a part from the rest is its two-storey water slide. Though it doesn't rival any of the sky-high slides at Canada's Wonderland or Wild Water Kingdom, it is fun, especially for the younger crowd. If you're not into that, there's also a diving board, warm conversation pool, and shallow splash area.

Monarch Park
Monarch Park is the jack of all trades as far as public pool are concerned. It offers a two-storey water slide, a diving board, a separate wading area for children, and a raised area with seating for those who are not aquatically-inclined.

Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is ideal you want to do more than just swim. This outdoor pool offers the perfect cool-down opportunity after indulging in a game of baseball or volleyball in the park. Expect to find it packed during leisure hours on warm days.

Rotary Peace Park (11th Street)
Rotary Peace Park is a great option if you live in the far west. This Etobicoke swimming hole hosts classes for every age and offers both lane and leisure swims. When you're finished you can always find a sunny spot in the park to dry off.

Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools
The Olympic Pool draws crowds to the Beaches come summertime due to its nearness to the water. If you aren't brave enough to test the waters of Lake Ontario, this pool makes for a great alternative (and you can always sun bathe on the sands post-swim). For thrill seekers, it features both 5 and 10 metre diving boards.

High Park
The public pool at High Park offers both lane and leisure swims, so you can opt to work out or veg out, depending on your interests. Once you've gotten your fill of swimming, you can indulge in a nature walk or visit the animals at the high park zoo free of charge.

North Toronto Memorial Community Centre
In the more northern area of the GTA? No problem.The outdoor pool at the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre has plenty of space for you to cool down. If you're looking to strengthen your swimming skills, they also offer a number of classes for every age group.

Riverdale Park
Riverdale Park pool is the perfect place to cool down after a jog around the track or a picnic in the park. Take a dip in the water or, if you feel like making the most of the sunshine, lay out in the elevated seating area.

Greenwood Park
Once you're done taking advantage of one of the two baseball diamonds in Greenwood Park, head to the pool for a swim. This expansive outdoor swimming hole will do the trick to cool you down.

What did I miss? Add your favourite outdoor swimming pool to the comments

Photo of the Sunnyside pool by bentitotambara in the blogTO Flickr pool.

A fare increase may be hitting Toronto commuters in 2016. The current cash fare of $3 hasn't moved since 2010. However, according to a Toronto Star report, the TTC has made a very early projection on its 2016 operating budget and its currently forecasting a $99 million shortfall.

The TTC and the city haven't made any decisions yet. Rather, they're looking at a number of options - one of which could be a cash fare increase. When they raised the price of tokens by a dime on March 1, for instance, it added $29 million to the TTC's operating budget. At the same time, they also upped the price of adult metropasses by $7.75.

Starting next year, the TTC will begin to phase out tokens and tickets in favour of Presto cards. These antiquated payment methods will fade away by 2017. TTC board chair Josh Colle said, as noted in the Star, that the transit company will likely have to increase cash fares in order to get more riders on board with Presto.

What do you think of these possible fare hikes? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Tanja Tiziana in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Photo by Boulevard P. in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious events, festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

• The third annual Pan American Food Festival starts July 30 and runs through to August 3. The festivities take place at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St. East) and will include competitive cook-offs, demos by international chefs, Latin dance workshops, and a vendors market.
• The Toronto Food Truck Festival is on this weekend at Woodbine Park. The food truck rally runs Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 from noon to 9pm and admission is free for the full day of street food, beer and live music.
• Twilight Tuesdays return for the month of August in the parkette adjacent to the Drake One Fifty (150 York St.). The weekly event kicks off on August 4, with vendors including Momofuku, Thoroughbred, and Libretto all present and hawking street foods. Tickets are $5 at the gate and can be redeemed for any one dish or drink.

UPCOMING

• Tickets are on sale now for the Toronto Vegan Food & Drink Festival happening at Garrison Commons at Fort York from 11am to 7pm on Saturday, August 8. The entirely meat-free festival promises comfort foods, craft brews, wine, and spirits. Admission is $10 in advance, or $15 at the door.
• The line-ip for the second annual Spanish food festival, Pintxos Toronto presented by Estrella Damm has been announced. The event takes place on August 23 from noon until 6pm at Royal Bank Plaza (200 Bay St.) and will spotlight local vendors including Carmen, Cava
, Mamakas
, and Splendido plus many more. International special guests include NYC's Donostia, and Simply Fosh from Mallorca, Spain. Tickets are $10.

Which food event are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.

Photo from Pintxos 2014 by Jesse Milns.

While the stratosopheric success of Drake casts a large shadow over Toronto's hip hop scene, the number of talented non-OVO voices is as long as the lineups at Uncle Tetsu. I've left out those who have gained notoriety through mass radio airplay, skyrocketing buzz (Jazz Cartier), or Juno or Polar Prize recognition (sorry, Tona, Rich Kidd and Adam Bomb).

Here are my picks for five of the most underrated hip hop artists from Toronto.

Spek Won
Taking giant strides from his days as a member of the 88 Days of Fortune collective, Spek Won released his proper debut LP this spring. Sofa King Amazing (say it aloud but not in front of Grandma) comes damn close to its lofty title. The MC, blooming from south Rexdale's Ghanaian community, fires sharp wisdom over jazzy, head-nod gems and collaborates lovely with R&B singer Shi Wisdom.



Tasha the Amazon
An emcee, a producer, and a tornado of a live performer, Tasha mustered critical acclaim with her freebie mixtape FiDiYootDem and walked a Bengal tiger through Kensington Market for her "Thru the Fire" video. If "Jamaican Funk"-era Michee Mee time-warped forward and Voltron'd together with M.I.A. and Azealia Banks, she might sound like Tasha.

Keita Juma
Born in Bristol, England, Keita Juma's attention has yet to match his talent. First turning a few heads with the addictive loop of "Repeat" in 2009, the bassy-voiced KJ rhymes over a mix of East Coast boom-bap beats, dancehall, dub and rock. Creative, versatile, and fresher than most, the Mississauga artist takes interesting chances.



King Reign
A thoughtful storyteller wise beyond his years, Reign has a gift for painting pictures through carefully crafted rhymes, as soulful and refreshing in lyrical content as they are in sound. He made noise years ago with Brassmunk and has collaborated with hip-hop royalty (Drake, Pharoahe Monch), but brought his own vision to life with 2014's under appreciated Sincere.



Sean Leon
Representing Scarborough, the 24-year-old Sean Leon's sound aligns closest to the hip-hop zeitgeist -- the type of thumping, trapped-out haze an American like Future would kill to get on. Though he's been honing his craft for a couple years now, Leon's on-record character is darker, more unpredictable and stronger than ever.

Who did I miss? Add your underrated Toronto hip hop artists to the comments.

Writing by Luke Fox.

Photo of Spek Won.

Better than the Beer Store, Toronto's craft breweries are retailing their signature suds direct from the source. Keep this list handy on stat holidays when the LCBO and Beer Store are shuttered, though it's good for any other day of the year too.

Amsterdam Brewery
Two locations sell 355ml sized bottles of their staple beers, plus, expect to find unusual offerings and seasonal beers in 500ml.
45 Esandar Drive, Toronto, 416.504.1040; Open Monday - Saturday: 11am-11pm; Sunday: 11am-6pm; Holidays: 11am-9pm
245 Queens Quay, Toronto, 416.504.1020; Open daily (including holidays) 11am-11pm

Bellwoods Brewery
The retail space next to the brewpub sells the entire line-up of signature products.
124 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, 647.378.0894; Open daily (including holidays) 11am to 11pm

Black Creek Historic Brewery
Tell the gate staff at Pioneer Village that you're just going to the brewery so you can skip the $15 admission fee to get growlers of Black Creek's historically brewed offerings.
1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, 416.736.1733; Open daily from 12pm-3:30pm

Black Oak Brewery
This Etobicoke brewery sells six packs of their Nut Brown and Pale Ales as well as excellent seasonal beers, kegs, and assorted swag.
75 Horner Avenue, Etobicoke, 416.252.2739; Open Monday: 11am-5 pm; Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 5pm; Saturday: 10am to 3pm

Cool Beer Brewing Company
Find flagship brands Cool Beer and Buzz beer, as well as some that are contract brewed on site.
164 Evans Avenue, Toronto, 416.255.7100; Open Monday to Friday: 10am-7pm; Saturday: 10am-5pm

Duggan's Brewery
An assortment of cans, select six packs, growlers and all sorts of merch are available for purchase at this brewpub in the west end.
1346 Queen St. West, Toronto, 416.588.1086 Open Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm- 11pm

Granite Brewery & Restaurant
Find in-house beers sold in growlers plus reasonably-priced kegs (and pumps) in 20L, 30L, and 50L sizes (available with a couple days notice).
245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, 416.322.0723; Open Sunday: 11am-6pm; Monday-Saturday: 11:30am-11pm

Great Lakes Brewery
Look forward to the regular lineup of GLB beers, seasonal brews, and specialty offerings when available.
30 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard, Etobicoke, 416.255.4510; Open Monday to Saturday: 10am-6pm

Indie Alehouse
Take home in 2L growlers and 500 mL bottles of staple beers including Street Wheat, Instigator IPA, Barnyard Belgian RYE-PA, and their Belgian Wit Bier.
2876 Dundas Street West, Toronto; Open Monday to Friday: 5pm-9pm; Saturday to Sunday: 2pm-6pm.

Junction Craft Brewing
The tap room and retail store carries a long list of 500ml bottles and select 1L growlers.
\90 Cawthra Ave., Unit 101, Toronto, 416.766.1616; Open Thursday and Friday: 4pm-9pm; Saturday: 11am to 9pm; Sunday: 12pm-5pm.

Lansdowne Brewery
Retail sales TBA.
303 Lansdowne Ave., Toronto, 416.588.1641

Left Field Brewery
The bottle shop and tap room thoughtfully displays its line-up for purchase in the fridge so it's always cold.
36 Wagstaff Dr., Toronto; Open daily from 12pm to 9pm, including most holidays

Mill Street Brewery
These commercially available beers are available direct from the source. Buy single bottles, six packs, 12 packs, cases, and even kegs, plus the occasional seasonal offerings in growlers.
21 Tankhouse Lane, Toronto, 416.681.0338; Open Sunday: 11am-6pm; Monday to Thursday: 11am-9 pm; Friday to Saturday: 11am-10 pm

Muddy York Brewing Co.
Retail sales TBA.
22 Cranfield Rd., Toronto, 416.619.7819

Rainhard Brewing Co.
The bottle shop carries year-round staples and seasonal favourites in 650ml bombers and 2L growlers.
100 Symes Rd., Toronto, Open Friday: 4pm-9pm; Saturday: 12pm-8pm; Sunday: 12pm-4pm

Steam Whistle Brewing
Stock up on brewery-fresh beers by the case, and kegs (though you should not that they do deliver)
255 Bremner Blvd., Toronto, 416.362.2337; Open Monday to Saturday: 11am-6pm; Sunday: 11am-5pm. Open all statutory holidays except Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Hours are subject to change so we always advise calling ahead.

The top hotel swimming pools in Toronto will have you cooling down in the lap of luxury. Forget city owned spaces and crowded beaches, these swimming sanctuaries will have you beating the heat in style. Grab an expertly made-martini from a poolside bar and prepare for some high-class R&R.

Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the top hotel swimming pools in Toronto.

PASSES AVAILABLE

InterContinental Toronto Centre (Front St.)
Bringing serious ocean vibes to the city, the InterContinental flaunts an expansive 48-foot saltwater swimming pool. Once you've floated all your cares away, take advantage of the steam room and saltwater hot tub for total relaxation. Non-guests can purchase a fitness day pass for only $25 that will give access to the pool, hot tub, steam rooms, towel services, and fitness centre.

Hyatt Regency
The rooftop pool at the Hyatt Regency is the ideal place to beat the heat while taking advantage of the sunshine. The seasonal sun deck offers a spectacular view of downtown Toronto and gives swimmers and sunbathers access to the room service menu. If you aren't staying at the hotel, you can snag a day pass Thursday-Sunday for $39.

Radisson on Queens Quay
The Radisson's outdoor pool area offers a stellar view, rivalling the likes of The Thompson. Dive into its sparkling depths or look out over the Toronto Harbour as you kick back on a lounge chair. Luckily, this spot offers day passes, so Toronto residents can get in on the fun. It will set you back $40, but you'll get towel service and access to the showers and lockers.

Sheraton Centre
The Sheraton is loved for its expansive indoor/outdoor heated pool (the largest in the downtown core). It also flaunts ample space for laying out, with deck chairs and outdoor sofas galore, if you'd rather soak up the sun and stay out of the water. Not staying at the hotel? You can purchase a monthly pass ($95 on a yearly contract).

Fairmont Royal York
The Fairmont Royal York has everything you could ask for in its pool area: a 50-foot pool, wading pool, whirlpool, steam rooms, and saunas. So, if you're looking to turn your pool day into a spa day, this is a good option. Unfortunately, the space is reserved for hotel guests, but you can splurge on year ($1500) or half year ($800) health club membership.

HOTEL GUESTS ONLY

The Hazelton
Want to avoid the public altogether? The Hazelton Health Club and Spa gives access to hotel guests exclusively. Known for being the epitome of luxury, the hotel has pulled out all the stops for their pool room. Look forward to a serene, mosaic-tiled pool filled with heated saltwater, If you're willing to pay the price for a room.

The Thompson Hotel
The rooftop pool at The Thompson is renown for being one of the best in the city due to its amazing view and exclusivity. Whether you're looking to beat the heat in its crystal waters or kick back on the nearby patio with a martini in hand, you're sure to have an a-list experience. Unfortunately, the space is reserved for hotel guests and condo residents, but you can always try to smooth talk your way in.

The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is another hotel that only gives access to guests and residents. It offers a relaxation pool and whirlpool, perfect for soaking your worries away. The floor to ceiling windows and spa-like atmosphere make the price tag of a room more than worthwhile.

Shangri-La
The Shangri-La pool is a contender for most luxurious in the city. Outfitted with a chandelier, glass roof, cascading waterfall, cabanas, and whirlpool nearby with a panoramic view of the city, you're more than likely to have a hard time leaving.

Ritz Carlton
The pool at the Ritz Carlton is, for lack of a better term, ritzy. The all-white room features plenty of lounge chairs and an expansive pool filled with saltwater. Once you're done in the water, take advantage of one of the many spa treatments offered by the hotel.

Trump Toronto
In true Trump fashion, the hotel has spared no expensive for its swimming area. Way up on the 32nd floor, you'll find a 65-foot, zero-edge pool filled with saltwater and a whirlpool. As expected, the decor is equally splashy, with marble walls, arm chairs, and greenery dotted around the room.

Delta Toronto
The Delta Toronto offers a swim with a view. Sporting floor to ceiling windows that look out toward the train tracks and the Financial District, you'll be able to see everything Toronto has to offer from the comfort of a deck chair. It also has a whirlpool, if you want to kickback and relax post-swim.

Delta Chelsea
The Delta Chelsea offers a heated indoor pool with a panoramic view of downtown Toronto. To dry off post-swim, skip the towel and lay out on the seasonal outdoor sun deck. If you're not in the mood to take a dip, there's plenty of deck chairs to relax in.

The Westin Prince
The outdoor pool at The Westin Prince offers hotel guests the ideal place to cool down in the summer. With both lounge and Muskoka chairs dotting the perimeter, and prime views of the lawn and surrounding trees, you'll feel more like you're in cottage country than the city.

Hilton
The Hilton boasts guests-only a pool with an enviable view. With high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows that look toward the surrounding buildings, you definitely get bang for your buck when you stay here. If you don't feel like taking a swim, there are plenty of cushioned lounge chairs.

What did I miss? Add your favourite hotel swimming pools to the comments.

Photo of the Thompson Toronto.

Adding to the already eclectic offerings in Kensington Market, this new German doner shop is dishing out sandwiches, boxed meals, and a totally stellar currywurst until the wee hours of the morning on weekends.

Read my profile of Otto's Berlin Doner in the restaurant section

The top concerts in Toronto this August span many genres, but seem geared towards artists with an overwhelming fear of being alone. From one-night parties to weekend-long festivals, much of the musical talent coming to town plan on doing so with heaping handfuls of fellow bands sharing the stage.

Of course, you all know that impeccably lint-free Toronto mascot Drake is bringing OVO Festival back for a sixth year with J. Cole, Big Sean and Kevin Hart. Will Meek Mill's lyrical "J'accuse!" inform Drizzy's stage banter? Will Norm Kelly be the secret guest and throw down in an epic 6 God vs. Tweet God freestyle? Will this beautiful nightmare never end?

Other fests keep summer alive with Caribana, Camp Wavelength and VELD scattered throughout the month. Oh, what's that? You thought Pan-Am was behind you? That's too bad, because Panamania continues unabated (at least until the Parapan Am Games are through), with The Roots, Tanya Tagaq, A Tribe Called Red and more playing for free.

Nevertheless, some brave souls are headlining their own nights, from hair metal (Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Lita Ford) to non-embarrassing metal (High on Fire, Thantifaxath), pop powerhouses (One Direction, George Ezra) to hip hop buzz-getters (Earl Sweatshirt, Troy Ave).

Here are my picks for the top concerts in Toronto this month.

Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson (August 4, Molson Amphitheatre)
I know - this seems like a prank, not only due to the names involved but the oddly amateur Photoshop poster job, but I promise it's (probably) not. The two princes of 90s disillusionment (with Jimmy Chamberlin back in the SP fold) plan to fit both their egos and thousands of adoring fans into the Amphitheatre.

Fat Wrecked for 25 Years (August 6, Echo Beach)
Fat Wreck Chords turns 25 this year, and to celebrate, the label's going on a North American tour that's everything Gen X-ers wish Warped Tour still was. NOFX will be joined by Lagwagon, Swingin' Utters, The Flatliners and more.

We Are Busy Bodies 10th Anniversary Party (August 6, The Garrison)
It's a battle of the indie record label parties on the 6th. If aging pop punk doesn't appeal to you, consider celebrating a milestone with Toronto's We Are Busy Bodies. The show's headlined by Limblifter and The Meligrove Band, the latter of which are calling it quits not long after this set.

Sheezer (August 6 and 7, Lee's Palace)
The members of beloved all-female cover band Sheezer are ready to hang up their lightning bolt guitar straps for good, playing a final pair of shows at Lee's Palace. Undoubtedly a sad day for those who appreciate punnily-named womyn-reoriented rock of yesteryear, but at least we still have Hervana and Vag Halen to subsist on.

Faith No More and Refused (August 7, Ricoh Coliseum)
Faith No More already made a long-awaited return to Toronto a few months ago, but what's extra exciting this time around is having them back with boundary-pushing rock reunion buddies Refused.

Caribou (August 7, Danforth Music Hall)
Fresh off a Polaris Prize shortlisting, the prolific Dan Snaith (a.k.a. Caribou) brings his dreamy synth-soaked melodies to Danforth Music Hall.

Ariana Grande (August 9, ACC)
Sentient Bratz doll and donut renegade Ariana Grande is ready to swing by Toronto for the second time on her massive international tour, which I'm sure is giving her much-needed time away from the country she apparently loathes so much.

TIME Festival (August 15, Fort York)
It had a rough go of things last year, but without Death Grips around to stress everyone out, the electronic focused TIME Festival should hopefully stay relatively on track this time around. Catch Die Antwoord, Mac DeMarco, total ladykiller Ariel Pink and others at Fort York.

Failure (August 18, Lee's Palace)
It's heartening to see this criminally underrated band of the 90s finally get their due, even if it had to come almost two decades after they broke up. New album The Heart is a Monster is getting surprisingly good reviews, so their Lee's Palace set should be a treat for fans both old and new.

Grand Analog (August 21, Yonge-Dundas Square)
Yonge-Dundas Square's free summer concert series continues to truck along, this time with inventive local hip hop crew Grand Analog. Their infectious, highly danceable (and yes, family friendly, put your petitions away) tunes are an ideal way to spend a Friday evening outside.

Mad Decent Block Party (August 29, Fort York)
Diplo's travelling EDM carnival is set to return for a third year, though it appears it'll do so without the founder on the bill himself. Instead, catch vowel-hating acts like CL, HRMXNY, TJR, XXYYXX and many more.

What did I miss? Add more concerts to the comments. Photo via the Smashing Pumpkins on Facebook.

College Street mainstay Rancho Relaxo will serve its last margarita on August 15. The multi-storey space near Kensington Market has been dishing out Tex-Mex food and live music for nearly 20 years.

Along with its varied menu, featuring vegan and gluten-free options, Rancho Relaxo catered to hungry Torontonians and provided a venue for numerous up-and-coming musicians to showcase their work.

Earlier this year, the restaurant relaunched as the much chicer sounding Rancho Relaxo Cantina. Along with the name change, this makeover included renovations and an elevated menu. However, a few months later, the eatery reverted back to its original menu.

Though the sit-down restaurant and music venue will soon disappear, Rancho Relaxo will remain in Toronto as a food truck. Keep your eyes peeled for a black truck with lime green writing because you won't want to miss out on treats such as deep fried ice cream, fish tacos and quesadillas.

Will you miss Rancho Relaxo on College Street? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Cess Ginger in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Road closures in Toronto for the Civic Holiday weekend of August 1, 2, and 3 2015 rounds up the key transportation shut-downs affecting the city, including street and TTC closures.

KEY ROAD CLOSURES IN TORONTO

Lake Shore: Colborne Lodge--Strachan. To accommodate the annual Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival, a section of Lake Shore will be closed to auto traffic from Friday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sunday, August 2.

TTC CLOSURES

There are no subway or streetcar closures planned for this long weekend. The routes listed here will have more frequent service in order to serve the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade, VELD Music Festival at Downsview Park, and the Scarborough Ribfest in Thomson Park.

Over and above the special closures this weekend, construction projects across Toronto result in numerous other road restrictions across the city. For a comprehensive list of such closures, you can consult the official map maintained by the City of Toronto (also available as a PDF.)

Photo by Ian Muttoo in the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's open and closed on Simcoe Day, Monday August 3, 2015 in Toronto

GENERAL

Closed

• Government offices and banks
• Libraries
• Public post offices are closed, and regular mail collection and delivery takes the day off.

Open

• Outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads will all be open. Swimming pool schedules are available online.
• All five City golf courses will be open. See hours and locations posted online.

TRANSIT

• The TTC will operate on holiday service schedule with a start time of 6am.

FOOD & DRINK

Open

• Grocery stores are open citywide though many will operate on holiday hours. Check online for individual store hours.
• Select Beer Stores and some of the LCBO's 378 stores will be open, check individual store hours online before heading out.
• For a complete list of indie bottle shops in Toronto, see this directory. Holiday hours are provided where applicable but we advise calling ahead to confirm.

MALLS

Malls are open, operating holiday hours.

• Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street) - 10am to 6pm
• Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) - 10am to 6pm
• Square One Shopping Centre (100 City Centre Drive) - 11am to 7pm
• Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan) - 10am to 7pm
• Pacific Mall (4300 Steeles Avenue East) - 11am to 8pm
• Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave E) - 10am to 6pm
• Dufferin Mall (900 Dufferin St) - 10am to 6pm
• Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Drive) - 10am to 6pm

ATTRACTIONS

Most major attractions are open, with the exception of the Art Gallery of Ontario which is normally shut Mondays anyway.

• The Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Road) - 10am to 5pm
• The Royal Ontario Museum(100 Queen's Park) -10am to 5:30pm.
• Canada's Wonderland (9580 Jane Street) - 10am to 10pm
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada - 9am to 11pm
• Movie theatres are open citywide.
• The Toronto Zoo - 9am to 7pm

Did I miss anything? Add it to the comments below. Photo by Kat NLM in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The Blue Jays have dominated headlines this week with two blockbustertrades and wins against both the Phillies and Royals.

Toronto's hometown hero Drake has also been in the spotlight thanks to his ongoing feud with Meek Mill. And now, on the eve OVO Fest, he appears in The Games' latest video for 100, a new track off of the LA rapper's upcoming album The Documentary 2.

Although the video's set in Compton, The Game wears a red Toronto Blue Jays jersey as he spits verse after verse about life in LA. Clearly the Jays are making plays both on and off the diamond.

6th Annual OVO Fest this weekend. @welcomeovo

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jul 30, 2015 at 9:54pm PDT

Also in Drake news, the former Degrassi star gave a nod to his staunch defender Norm Kelly in an Instagram post welcoming us all to the OVO Fest weekend. Here's to hoping the Ward 40 councillor is one of Drizzy's surprise guests.

Do you want Norm Kelly to be one the OVO Fest guests? Let us know in the comments.

When you're feeling frustrated, upset or just plain angry, you probably get a primal urge to break something. However, most of us don't indulge our inner devils because destructive behaviour is not acceptable in polite society. But now, Battle Sports is changing that with its Rage Room.

"Society prevents us from expressing that anger outward most of the time, so this Rage Room is a cathartic relief for participants," says Battle Sports co-founder Tim Cheung via email. Battle Sports also runs archery tag survival games. According to Cheung, losing players are known to visit the Rage Room.

Like the Ye Olde Dandy's table flipping service, the Rage Room provides a safe space for you to take out your emotions on inanimate objects.

The Battle Sports team also arms you with a baseball bat (and protective gear) to maximize your destructiveness. And, for $20, you get half an hour in the Room plus five plates to break. If you run out of items to destroy, you can order more off the a la carte "Smash Menu."

The Rage Room, located in North York, has been open for one week and so far eight people have tried it.

Would you want access to the Rage Room next time you're feeling angry? Let us know in the comments.

The best cookies in Toronto show off the city's dedication to this classic dessert best enjoyed with a glass of milk. Just thinking about these soft, but slightly crunchy, baked goods will transport you right back to your childhood - soon you'll want to devour all of them. All across the city, these handcrafted goodies come in timeless flavours such as chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, as well as vegan and Italian-inspired varieties.

Here are the best cookies in Toronto.

See also:

The top 10 cookie companies in Toronto
The top 5 cookie delivery services in Toronto
The top 10 custom cookies in Toronto

Photo by Dave Mignon in the blogTO Flickr pool.

In 1793, the little frontier town of York consisted of just 10 blocks: two rows of five stacked on top of each other between present day George, Front, Adelaide, and Berkeley streets. The entire city of Toronto grew from this tiny waterfront nucleus.

The original city is now firmly within the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. King St. east of Jarvis cuts right through the centre of the more than 200-year-old community.

In 1797, plans were made to extend the city to the north and west. Peter Russell, an administrator who succeeded town founder John Graves Simcoe, mapped out new roads west to Peter St. and north to Queen St. The extension included space for a market, court house, church and jail.

As historian Wendy Smith notes, the westward push was limited by an "ordnance boundary" located 1,000 feet east of Fort York. The canons that were meant to protect York from invasion needed a clear line of sight and so, at the time, nothing could be built closer to the military base.

Smith's website, the Toronto Park Lot Project, maps the early boundaries of Toronto.

The allowance for a market spawned today's St. Lawrence Market (the original allocation is currently occupied by St. Lawrence Hall) and the church block is now home to St. James Cathedral. The city's first coffee shop was also located in the area, as was the first Upper Canada parliament buildings at Front and Berkeley.

The jail was built, too. It opened in 1798 with a small outdoor area for public executions. According to a plaque fixed to the outside of the King Edward Hotel, which now occupies the site, the first person hanged there was John Sullivan. He was convicted of stealing a forged bank note worth a dollar.

As the city grew, the original town blocks became part of the St. Lawrence Ward. The earliest community divisions were mostly named for the patron saints of the countries of the British Isles: St. George, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, and St. David.

St. Lawrence of Rome became associated with Canada when French explorer Jaques Cartier named the continent's great eastern waterway after him in 1535.

The oldest buildings in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood date back to the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s. On Front St., many of the historic former warehouses and factories turned storefronts were built in the 1870s and later, more than eight decades after the neighbourhood was established.

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

Images: Toronto Archives, Peter Russell map, Toronto Public Library, Ms1889.1.3.; Elizabeth Frances Hale watercolour, Library and Archives Canada, 1970-188-2092