Fall activities for kids in Toronto might be some of the best of any season. Sure the winter holidays can be fun and gift-filled, but for sheer variety and fun it's hard to beat autumn. With the really cold weather on the way, it's nice to be able to get children of all ages outdoors and active.

Here are 50 things to do with kids this fall in Toronto.

Play a round of mini putt
As the weather turns colder, there are still plenty of spots to play mini putt indoors. Dazzle your kids (and yourself) with the glow-in-the-dark courses at the Putting Edge, get serious at the Markham Golf Dome or spend a day at RINX mini golfing and tackling a slew of other activities such as laser tag and bowling.

Groove to live music at Fort York
You're never to young to start loving music festivals. Small World On Common Ground is a free fest at Fort York with a ton of family-friendly tunes, art activities, and more.

Show them the world through photography
If you've exhausted all the exhibitions at the ROM and AGO, try going to a new type of show. Brookfield Place will be home to World Press Photo 15, an exhibition of prize-winning photos, from September 30th to October 20th.

See the fall colours
You don't need to go on a hike to see fall colours in Toronto (though that would be a good idea). There are tons of parks and vantage points from which you can enjoy fall's splendour. Rosedale Valley Road is a gorgeous drive, a picnic in High Park is great on a warm day, and the Leslie Street Spit is great for a bike ride.

Go for a nature ride
The massive Tommy Thompson Park features lush biking trails perfect for bird watching and admiring the fall foliage, but the Don and Humber Valleys are also great. If you're not up for cycling, you can always take a guided nature walk held on weekend mornings.

Go apple picking
Apparently hand-picked apples make the best pies. Test this theory and take a drive outside of the city to Chudleigh's or another nearby spot such as Organics Family Farm or Applewood Farm Winery.

Admire the creativity at Night of Dread
Clay & Paper Theatre host their annual Night of Dread Parade, an evening to call on, mock, and banish our private and collective fears. The dress code is black and white and dreadful on at Dufferin Grove Park. Join musicians, puppeteers, dancers and stilt walkers in taking to the streets to eradicate our nightmares.

Stay up late at Nuit Blanche
While most adults experience Nuit Blanche as a all night art affair, the event starts at sundown, so kids can have a similar if scaled back experience. It's also worth noting that the streets are at their most manageable right when the event kicks off, so it'll be a lot easier to keep track of the little ones as you explore the various installations.

Make a zine
Broken Pencil's Annie Wong, with the help of the Integrated Studios Program at the AGO, will spend the day teaching older kids and teens how to create their very own zines. This workshop is part of Canzine 2015.

Teach your kids about democracy
By now, most kids (and adults) are inundated with political ads. Show them another side of the federal election by taking them to a polling station on October 19. They'll see how easy, and important, it is to vote.

Experience the Diwali Festival of Lights
Check out one of the many celebratory festivals going on in the GTA for Diwali. There will be plenty of lamps, fireworks and bonfires lit in celebration.

Say hi to Elmo
It's always a sunny day when Sesame Street is on the horizon. Take your kids to one of the four performances of Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend at the Sony Centre and introduce them to their favourite characters in real life.

Make your own hot chocolate tour
While you could plan a hot chocolate hop via the annual Toronto Chocolate Festival, which gets underway October 17, it's also easy to DIY this one. All you need to do is check out our roundup of the best hot chocolate makers above, put on a snug scarf, and head to streets in search of sweet warmth.

Look for clues at Murder at the ROM
Though Murder at the ROM is a recurring event year round, October is the ideal time to take advantage of it. Play a life-sized game of Clue around the museum, hunting for evidence and lining up suspects to catch the culprit. Word to the wise, if your child is on the younger side or scares easily, you may want to skip it.

Pick a pumpkin at a farm
Skip pumpkin shopping at your local Loblaws and instead opt for a day trip beyond city limits. Though not too common in the city, there are plenty of farms on Toronto's outskirts that sell gourds of all shapes and sizes. Markham, Oshawa, and Alliston are just a few options.

Look for ghosts on a haunted walk
If you kid loves all things spooky and supernatural, take then out for a haunted tour. You'll visit the creepiest places in the city and maybe even happen upon a spirit or two.

Try pumpkin bowling at the inaugural PumpkinFest
Pumpkins can be used for much more than crafting the finest Jack-o'-lantern in town. On the second weekend of October, head to Downsview Park for Pumpkinfest. You and your kids can try your hand at bowling and take in all the kid-friendly autumnal attractions on tap.

Go shopping for a Halloween costume
With many empty big box retailers transforming into massive Halloween emporiums at this time of year, finding the perfect costume shouldn't be too difficult. But, you can always get even more creative by DIY-ing your own outfit with vintage or thrift store finds.

Make a haunted gingerbread house
Christmas isn't the only season for gingerbread houses. Swap out your Santas and snowmen for a few ghosts and ghouls and you'll be halloween ready. Amp up the spook factor with a few candy floss spider webs for a little something extra.

Get spooked at a haunted house
You don't need to head to Niagara Falls for a haunted house. Along with Wonderland's annual Halloween Haunt, it hosts Camp Spooky during the day for younger kids. If fear's not a factor for those 10 and older, consider the more terrifying Screemers at Exhibition Place.

Get monster sweaty at the Monster Dash
Prepare for the zombie apocalypse at this Halloween-themed 5 or 10k timed run. It's also kid friendly thanks to a non-competitive "Spooky Mile." Costumes are encouraged for this family-oriented race, which happens on October 25 in Leaside.

Disect a cow's eyeball
This is the ultimate activity for halloween season, providing your child isn't super squeamish. They'll get a hands-on biology lesson while they learn about vision and how eyes work.

Bid goodbye to your jack-o-latern
After the excitement of Halloween has come and gone, celebrate one last time at a pumpkin parade. Sorauren Park's is one of the biggest, but there are now plenty to choose from. On November 1st pumpkin carvers decorate the park paths with their jack-o-lantern masterpieces.

See some waterfalls
If you want to take a family day trip, why not head out of the city to check out some of Mother Nature's best work? Hamilton is your best bet if you want to discover a few, as it boasts over 100 waterfalls.

Attend a book reading and bookplate making workshop
Listen to a reading by award-winning children's author Andrée Poulin and then create original bookplates. Other fall reading events include Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Decoded at the North York Central Library and an All the Libraries talk and colouring event with artist Daniel Rotsztain.

Go on a fall hike
This city is blessed with some absolutely gorgeous ravines peppered with hiking trails. The Don Valley Brick Works and Crothers Woods are two of the finest, but the possibilities stretch all the way to the Humber Valley in the west and the Scarborough Bluffs and Rouge Park in the east.

Visit the Children's Discovery Centre before it closes
The Children's Discovery Centre is open until December 31st, and with the weather getting cold indoor play space is even more precious. The centre is divided into a series of zones, all of which focus on the idea of learning through play, including the boom room where kids can go all out with musical instruments.

Get festive at the Cavalcade of Lights
The Cavalcade of Lights will have you thinking about the holidays, but it's still a fall event -- one that's been going on for 49 years at Nathan Phillips Square. There will be a fantastic fireworks display, the lighting of the city's Christmas tree, and skating at the City Hall rink. Bundle up and enjoy.

See the animals at the Royal Winter Fair
Head to Exhibition Place for a day of animal-filled fun. There will be rabbit jumping, jack russel races, horse shows, and tons more. If you and your kids want to interact with the animals, there will also be a petting farm with llamas, baby goats, and mini donkeys.

Hit the ice
Toronto's outdoor ice rinks typically open in mid to late November, with Nathan Phillips Square leading the pack. If you can't wait that long, arenas like Forest Hill and Leaside run pleasure skating hours so the little ones can get hone their skills before winter arrives in earnest.

Cheer on the Raptors
While the Jays might make the playoffs and the Leafs are always the hottest ticket in town, basketball is likely the most kid friendly spectator sports: the action is constant, the in-game entertainment is typically exciting, and it's not so hard to get tickets. Try a pre-season game if you're looking for a deal.

Visit the AGO for Family Sundays
The AGO is a fantastic place for kids of a wider age range than one might imagine. While touring the galleries with toddlers can be taxing, downstairs there's the Weston Family Learning Centre, which runs family-focused programming between 1pm and 4pm.

Play bows and arrows
If your kid is a fan of The Hunger Games or The Avengers, chances are they'll be stoked to get their hands on a bow and arrow. Let them try their hand at target practice, or if you want to make it a family trip, opt for a game of archery tag and play as a team.

Brave the crowds at the Santa Claus Parade
The 111th Santa Claus Parade goes down on November 15th this, and if you're brave enough it can be a magical experience for the kids (if draining for parents). There is a lot of waiting (and it can be cold), but when Santa comes along in his sled, the joy on kids faces is palpable.

Get creative at 4Cats
Get your creative juices flowing at 4Cats, where you can indulge in arts and crafts of all kinds. A huge plus, going to the studio will squash the chances of PVA glue and acrylic paint getting all over your living room furniture.

Look for owls
While the zoo may be fun, there are plenty of other places in the city to experience wildlife. Head to the Kortright Centre for the Owl Prowl, where you and your kids can hike the grounds in the evening, calling out to the owls - and with some luck - spotting a few.

Learn origami
Nothing builds patience like crafting a crane by carefully folding a piece of paper multiple times. So grab your kid a stack of paper and guidebook and let them go to town. A bonus, this hobby is much more affordable than gymnastics classes.

Treat them to something new at a Toy Fair
With the seasons changing, there's a chance that your child already has Christmas presents on the brain. Even though there's a few months to go, treat your little one with a gift at InToyStellar. A plus, the toy fair also has special guests, tournaments, and is free for kids.

Get them hooked on Crossfit
With the cold weather beginning to roll in, you'll need to find an indoor activity for your child to release some energy. CrossFit Kids is the answer. Plus, with halloween on the horizon it doesn't hurt to do their bodies some good before they start sneaking Snickers bars for breakfast.

Listen to live jazz while you look at sharks
Ripley's Aquarium is always a hit with kids for obvious reasons. If you want to amp up your underwater experience, head there on a Friday night. A jazz band plays takes the stage for an evening performance, making shark spotting even more entertaining.

Celebrate international archeology day at the ROM
Head to the Digging the ROM this October and get your child into archaeology. They'll have the opportunity to hear stories from ROM archaeologists, watch Roman army re-enactors do military drills, and more.

Practice their downward dog
Get your kid into yoga at an early age by signing them up for classes at Spynga. They may not be mastering complex poses like scorpion, but they'll probably ace tree and chair.

Volunteer at a food bank
With Thanksgiving approaching and the holidays around the corner, food banks are usually swamped with donations. Teach your kids the importance of volunteerism and check out organizations like the North York Harvest Food Bank, The Stop Community Food Centre and the Fort York Food Bank for opportunities to help out.

Take them to the symphony
Hear Rick Mercer narrate the orchestral fairytale Peter and The Wolf as he's backed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The program will feature other classical works, such as Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, in this concert that supports SickKids.

Learn about the human body
The Magic School Bus might have taken us all on an animated trip through the human body, but for a more realistic look, check out The Human Body, an IMAX film currently playing at the Ontario Science Centre.

Sing along with Raffi
Join your kids as they belt out classics such as "Baby Beluga" and "Bananaphone" with celebrated children's singer, and Order of Canada Winner, Raffi. Thankfully, this concert will have two matinee showings at Roy Thompson Hall.

Discover a new, favourite comic book
Little Island Comics, a kid friendly graphic novel mecca is a great place to pick out your fall reads. Get your kids hooked on classics like Batman and Captain America, or find a new series you've never heard of.

Make something awesome
With a visit to MakerKids or the soon-to-open STEAMLabs, your kids will learn to start tinkering with a variety of technologies and materials including 3D printing, robotics, woodworking, Arduino and other crafts.

See a play
Toronto is home to incredible children's theatre companies. The Young People's Theatre will open its 50th season on October 5, Solar Stage presents work for kids as young as three and Firebrand Theatre's Dora Award-winning play Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story is on tour. Also check out Theatre Direct and Roseneath Theatre.

Discover the charms of historic Unionville
While strolling down Main Street Unionville, you feel like you've stepped back in time thanks to the charming shops that line both sides of the street. Warm up with hot chocolate from Old Firehall Confectionary, check out an exhibition at the Varley Art Gallery or take a walk around Toogood Pond.

Thanks to Ritz for sponsoring this post.

What did we miss? Add your favourite fall kids activities in the comments.

Writing by Alice Prendergast, Amy Grief, and Derek Flack.

The NXT City Prize design competition will be hosting its awards ceremony tonight at the heritage-designated Water Works, which will allow for a look inside a building that's been out of the public eye for years.

This rather nondescript structure (from the outside at least), located at the corner of Richmond and Brant, actually has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century when it was the site of a public market, the second largest behind the iconic St. Lawrence.

The city also earmarked the southern part of this land parcel for recreational use; you can see vestiges of this today thanks to the St. Andrews Playground. It's is a popular neighbourhood spot, especially among dog owners.

By the early 1900s, the market shuttered and in 1932 the city tore down the original building to construct a new Water Works maintenance plant. Since 2014, Build Toronto has been in charge of the space. But the city's arms-length real estate corporation has plans to redevelop it, while keeping its original and historic features intact.

Youth shelter Eva's Phoenix is getting ready to move in and a massive new YMCA will likely pop up here as well. Take a look at the Water Works building as it stands now, before it gets an extreme makeover.

Like the Hearn Generating Station, the epic site of this year's Luminato opening party and the Unsound Festival, the Water Works building should provide an impressive back drop for tonight's proceedings. Can this part of larger trend in Toronto to repurpose abandoned, yet impressive buildings into event destinations?

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photos by Hector Vasquez

Rooftopping has become increasingly popular over the last five years, with many Toronto photographers grabbing international attention for their vertigo-inspiring images of the city below. That's why it wasn't so surprising that the arrest of three local rooftoppers last February made major headlines. At the time, news stories showed spreads of spectacular photos alongside mugshots.

Fast forward six months and all the charges have been dropped against Jaswinder Brar, Eric Do, and (former blogTO photo editor) Tom Ryaboi. The cases against each photographer and their ultimate exoneration seems to have hinged on the legal definition of "breaking and entering," which requires an intent to commit an indictable offence.

Taking photos didn't prove to meet this criteria in these cases.

Over the course of the legal proceedings the memory card from Ryaboi's camera was held as evidence. Released on Monday, he's now shared the photos with us. The three men were arrested at the top of Commerce Court, which appears swept with snow in these images.

It's become a highly desirable spot for rooftoppers to access, though one wonders if future photographers will be deterred by the increased awareness that police have of their activities.

Take a look at the rest of photos taken that day below.

All images by Tom Ryaboi

Weekend events in Toronto will help you kick off fall with parties and pints. If you've got lederhosen or a dirndl packed away, now's the time to dust them off. Oktoberfest events are happening at both Mill St. Beer Hall and The Gladstone. Not your thing? Woofstock will keep all the animal lovers busy with pet-themed activities in Woodbine Park.

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section.

ENTERTAINMENT

Just For Laughs (September 24-October 3)
Just For Laughs is kicking off its 10-day run today, and there's plenty of funny men and women to see this weekend. Miranda Sings, Grace Helbig, Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Trevor Noah and more will be performing at venues across the city.

The Power Plant Fall 2015 Opening Party (September 25)
The Power Plant is hosting an opening party this Friday and waving the cover charge. You'll be granted early access to the featured solo exhibits by Dora García, Carlos Amorales and Mark Lewis. There will also be a cash bar, if you feel like shelling out a few bucks for a drink.

Mount Pleasant Village Harvest Fair (September 26)
If Starbucks releasing their menu of fall-themed beverages wasn't enough to get you in the mood for fall, this will surely do it. Head to Mount Pleasant Road this Saturday for a street fest with all the bells and whistles. Expect to find a petting zoo, pumpkin pie eating contest, and a pumpkin carving contest, among other autumnal activities.

Woofstock (September 27)
Bring your four-legged friend to Woodbine part for a ton of dog-related festivities. Even though Poochella didn't work out this summer, Woodstock is making up for it this fall. What's on tap for the event? Obstacle courses, trick competitions, costume contests, and more.

The David Suzuki Foundation's third annual Homegrown Park Crawl (September 27)
Though not actually a festival, this "crawl" has all the makings of a good one. Trinity Bellwoods (noon-2pm) and Christie Pits (3-6pm) will be filled with live music, activities, and more - all for free. If you have a couple bucks to spare, local restaurants will be serving cheap eats in the parks. A bonus, Christie Pits is hosting their Christie Pits Arts Crawlart crawl the same day.

FOOD & DRINK

Toronto Cider Festival (September 26)
If you enjoy craft ciders, festivals and food trucks, this event will be right up your alley. New this year, the Toronto Cider Festival is bringing 14 cider breweries, local gourmet food trucks, live music, and more to Dundas Square on September 26th. Plenty of familiar vendors will be on the scene, from Brickworks Ciderhouse to The Salted Pig.

Mill St. Beer Hall Oktoberfest Party (September 26)
The ideal place to celebrate Oktoberfest - if you can't get yourself to Munich - is a Beer Hall, and Mill St. has just that. On September 26th you'll find the brewery filled with guests sipping Mill St. brews from steins and getting their fill of Bavarian fare. In true Oktoberfest fashion there will also be live music and German-themed entertainment on tap for the evening. A ticket will put you back $30.

Oktoberfest at The Gladstone (September 26)
Head to The Gladstone this Saturday for some seriously German celebrations. On the menu is traditional eats like pretzels and bratwurst, plus plenty of Mill St. beer. Grab a stein from a lederhosen-clad bartender and get to celebrating.

Food Truck Festival Ontario (September 27)
If you didn't manage to make it to a food truck this past summer, here's your chance to sample some top notch street fare. Downsview part will be taken over by 30 food trucks serving up everything from fries to funnel cakes.

MUSIC

The Constantines (September 25)
Lee's Palace is celebrating their 30th birthday by bringing in the best Toronto-by-way-of-Guelph rock band for a good ol' fashioned rock show. The two-night stand doesn't note any other supporting acts yet, but considering the occasion, you can probably expect some other local indie faves in the fold.

A$AP Rocky (September 25)
Like Alabama Shakes, A$AP Rocky just can't quit The 6 - even though he headlined the non-cancelled night of VELD a mere month ago, he'll be back for more at Echo Beach, joined by the incredibly charismatic Danny Brown and Vince Staples.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor (September 25-26)
Just days after their Polaris Prize foes host another indulgent, ice cap-melting gala, GY!BE comes to the Danforth Music Hall in honour of this year's well-received Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress. The full tour hits many places throughout the fall, but this two-night TO stay will be the only time they're in the Troubled Motherland until next year.

MOVIES

TIFF in Your Park: The Sapphires (September 25)
The good people behind TIFF have spent the summer putting on free movie screenings in parks across the GTA, and (sadly) Friday is the final event of the season. So bring some snacks and a blanket and enjoy one more outdoor film before the weather takes a turn.

Zoolander Quote-Along (September 26)
Head to the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on Saturday to catch a screening of Zoonlander. Subtitles will be running across the screen, so you can brush up on your Zooolander and Hansel imitations.

ART

Canadian Art Foundation's Gallery Hop (September 26-27)
If Nuit Blanche isn't coming quick enough, explore Toronto's art scene at the
Canadian Art Foundation's annual Gallery Hop. Travel to The Black Cat Gallery, Mayberry Fine Art, Angell Gallery and more, to see all that the city has to offer outside the AGO.

SHOPPING

Etsy: Made in Canada (September 26)
Start your Christmas shopping early at the Etsy marketplace coming to MaRS Discovery District this Saturday. 170 local vendors will be selling there wares, so you'll be sure to find a couple on-of-a-kind trinkets.

INLAND (September 26)
Shop the latest and greatest Canadian fashions at INLAND. Back for its second year, the curated a marketplace brings a ton of well-loved local brands like Peace Collective and Rachel Sin to 99 Sudbury to show off (and sell) their fall lines.

STREET FAIR

PS Kensington (September 27)
Head to Kensington Market for this month's installment of Pedestrian Sundays. After this there's only one left before they pack up until next year. You'll find a host of street performers, food on sticks, and the Kensington Art Fair.

SPACE

Lunar Eclipse (September 27)
If you're a fan of all things astronomical, it's a great weekend to be in the city. A supermoon full lunar eclipse will be visible above Toronto this Sunday fro the first time since 1982. There will be a viewing party at King's College Circle, if you're looking to be around fellow space enthusiasts.

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

With contributions from Shazia Khan

$1,395,000 buys you a three-bedroom suite at CityPlace with heart-stopping views of the CN Tower EdgeWalk. Constructed in 2003, the Optima Condos at 81 Navy Wharf Court was an early player in the condo boom, being one of the first buildings to rise in the area just north of Spadina and Front.

The mass development transformed the former industrial space near the Rogers Centre into a high density community boasting a multitude of soaring new high-rises, and defined by new retailers and tourist attractions.

This unit perched on the thirty-eighth floor is just under 2,000 square feet with a combined living and dining room and surround sound speakers for rocking out while you cook in the Scavolini Kitchen. There's three renovated bathrooms and the third room, formerly a den, was converted into a full-sized bedroom.

The wraparound terrace and condo amenities (indoor swimming pool!) is a highlight of the unit. The patio fits an outdoor couch and BBQ, and if the Dome is open, you can literally watch the Jays game---if they're winning--- from your own box seat.

SPECS

• Address: 3801 - 81 Navy Wharf Court
• Price: $1,395,000
• Square feet: 1,900
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: 2
• Taxes: $7360.30
• Maintenance fee: $1,089.21/monthly
• Walk Score: 95

NOTABLE FEATURES

• 250K in upgrades
• Scavolini Kitchen
• Outdoor terrace with south-facing views
• Surround sound speakers
• Two side-by-side parking spots
• Indoor swimming pool

GOOD FOR

Upgrades. This waterfront suite has almost $250K in upgrades including renovations to the bathrooms, an expensive kitchen and hardwood flooring. You'll never have to worry about lighting in this place with unobstructed floor-to-ceiling windows and you better love pot lights-- the unit sparkles with about 50 of them (yes, 50) added to the ceiling.

MOVE ON IF

You prefer a neighbourhood of low-rise buildings and quaint residential houses. Also, this is a bit of a red flag that might obstruct the view: residents in this condo haven't always been happy with the Navy Wharf building. In 2011, owners filed a lengthy lawsuit against the developer, alleging defects with the window wall system and other serious complaints.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
What do you think of this condo? Let us know in the comments.

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

• Food Truck Festival Ontario takes place this Sunday, September 27, from 1pm to 7pm at Downsview Park (35 Carl Hall Rd.). Purchase tickets at the gate for $15, for a rally featuring sample sized street eats for $6 or less.
• Soupalicious stirs things up on Sunday, September 27 from noon until 3pm at Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie St.). Over 30 restaurants, chefs and food/community agencies will ladle out soup samples. Tickets are $22 at the door and include 10 soup samples, but if you bring your own spoon you'll be privy to extras.
• The Carbon Bar (99 Queen St. East) is offering a taste of Cuba from now until October 3. The featured menu bills a line-up of Cuban dishes including Bollitos de Carita, (black-eyed pea fritters), Cubano sandwiches, churros, rum cocktails, and more.

UPCOMING

• Tickets are on sale now for Eatable, an immersive food-focused film fest opening on Sunday, October 4 with a screening of Sherry and the Mystery of Palo Cortado paired with sherry cocktails and pintxos by Bar Raval. On Monday, October 5, see Sergio Herman's Fucking Perfect along with 'perfect' cinema snacks and cocktails from chef Brandon Olsen. Then on Tuesday, October 6, watch Japanese cult food classic Tampopo while Leemo Han (Oddseoul, Hanmoto) serves an izakaya menu during the film.
• The annual Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown itakes place on Tuesday, November 3 at the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District. Thirteen Toronto chefs will vie for the title of Chowder Champion by creating an original ocean-friendly chowder. Tickets are on sale now.

Photo of Chowder Chowdown from Ocean Wise Facebook page.

When brassy Citytv sports reporter Kathryn Humphreys announced in May she was leaving the station after a stellar 18 year run, Toronto viewers were saddened to be losing one of the last of the old guard.

CityNews was once known as CityPulse, and in the words of visionary head honcho Moses Znaimer told "the daily soap opera of Toronto", with its own cast of offbeat and fascinating characters downloading a day in the life of the city onto people who enjoyed their news real and raw. Everywhere!

CityPulse revolutionized the way news was collected, reported and disseminated: everything from the reporter's names and faces reflecting their community to innovative hand held solo coverage in the field, to wide open space studios wrapped in slick branding. The way news is packaged today still owes a huge debt to a champion formula perfected back in the day at 99 Queen Street East.

But it was always the reporters who mattered most. In Znaimer's view, the reporter was just as important to the story as the story itself. CityPulse/CityNews has seen an amazing army of personalities come and go over the years - some more memorable than others - but all showcasing incredible talent who left indelible memories even years after their departures.

Here are my picks for the 10 most entertaining former Citytv news personalities.

John Gallagher
Like Humphreys' did later, the manic Gallagher was always able to make sports coverage fun and intense without going to "inside baseball" for more casual viewers. His breathless reporting, gruff exterior and legendary lifestyle (he partied with Roberto Alomar quite a bit) always made for essential segments, as did his brief turn as an apprentice to Mark Dailey as Citytv's movie announcer. He also did a mean "Everywhere!"

Anne Mroczkowski
Co-anchored CityPulse at 6 with Gord Martineau for most of the 1980s and 90s with steely confidence and a flair for explosive stories, always tempered by her command of quality journalism, sense of humour and a friendly smile.

Peter Gross
Ground-breaking sports reporter who constantly pushed the envelope, whether he was doing bits as his alter ego Inspector Dolumbo or going mildly Howard Beale-y while covering wide ranging issues such as traffic congestion in Toronto or homophobia in the sports world.

Jojo Chintoh
CityPulse's tough-as-nails crime reporter joined CityPulse in 1978, and was the station's first black reporter. At the time, local news was almost 100% white and male, and Jojo wasted no time in proving Znaimer's edict that in order to properly serve a community you have to reflect it.

Peter Silverman
In "Silverman Helps", crusading man-of-the-people Peter Silverman was never afraid to go after companies or individuals who were committing dodgy acts or screwing over the little guy, even famously putting his own safety on the line to do so. "Watch it buddy," indeed.

Harold Hosein
Harold Hosein always managed to make reporting the weather a soulful, pleasant experience, no matter what the forecast warned of. His asides about packing lunches and visits to the Zoo became the stuff of oft quoted legend, and his rapport with viewers was second-to-none.

David Onley
Another weather specialist, but also a space and technology boffin who infused his reportage with a wide-eyed wonder for science and the endless possibilities it provided for a better future. His segments often contained valuable lessons leaving viewers with a feeling they had actually learned something in addition to Toronto's air quality index.

Bill Cameron
The guvnor of CityPulse's late night newscasts, Cameron exuded a mastery of wit and wisdom. He was an old-school reporter with a sly sense of humour and ability to get to the heart of any given issue, while effortlessly fitting into the bold Moses Znaimer vision of what news should look like in the 20th century. Sadly, Cameron passed away in 2005.

Dini Petty
Already famous for her exploits as the pilot of a pink helicopter which did traffic reports for CKEY over the city, Dini Petty joined Gord Martineau in the early days of CityPulse, earning much praise for her fearless style and subject matter - such as allowing CityPulse to follow her pregnancy and film her giving birth.



Mark Dailey
The Voice of Toronto, always and forever, Dailey wore many hats at Citytv. While it's his depth charge delivery of "Everywhere!" and comedic observations on the quality (or lack thereof) of the feature films screened on Citytv's "Great Movies" that most people remember, it was Dailey's commitment to high quality journalism which set him apart from the rest.

Whether covering the crime beat with his trademark fedora and raincoat (earning him the moniker "The Inspector" amongst Toronto's finest), hosting the 10PM nightcast, or showing up to deliver updates on unfolding stories, Dailey's manner was deadly serious, and gave CityPulse a gritty and hard-hitting reputation which lasted at least up until his untimely passing in 2010. RIP, Mark.

I would be remiss by not mentioning the legend that is Gord Martineau. His exclusion from this list is simply due to the fact he is *still* reporting on CityNews, every night, with the same passion and determination as when he first started in 1977. A true titan of local news, if Martineau ever does become a "former" Citytv personality you can take it to the bank that he will rank near the top of this list.

Who did I miss? Please add your suggestions for the best former Citytv News Personalities in the comments section.

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

Road closures in Toronto for the weekend of September 26 and 27 rounds up the key transportation shut-downs affecting the city, including street and TTC closures.

KEY ROAD CLOSURES IN TORONTO

Don Valley Parkway: 401/404-Gardiner. The Don Valley Parkway will be closed in both directions between Highway 401/404 and the Gardiner Expressway from 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, September 27 to 5 a.m. on Monday, September 28 for the routine fall maintenance. Motorists can use Don Mills Road, Bayview Avenue, Victoria Park Avenue and Kingston Road as alternative routes during the closure.

Dundas West: Runnymede-Fisken. Two eastbound lanes of Dundas Street West from Runnymede Road to Fisken Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 27 to accommodate the Harvest Festival.

Various: Port Lands area. Due to the Toronto 10 Miler and 5K, a series of road closures in the Port Lands area will take place on Sunday, September 27 between 5 and 11:30 a.m. in the area bounded by Cherry in the west, Leslie in the east, and Lake Shore to the north.

TTC CLOSURES

Line 3: Kennedy-McCowan. No service on the Line 3 (Scarborough RT) this weekend, Sept. 26-27, as crews conduct upgrades and maintenance work on signals, cables, wiring and the power rail. Replacement buses will operate between McCowan and Kennedy stations, stopping at all Line 3 stations. Collector booths at all stations will remain open for customers to purchase TTC fares.

501 Queen: Broadview-Coxwell. Due to track replacement work at Alton and Laing, west of Greenwood on Queen, the 501 Queen streetcar will divert east and westbound via Broadview, Gerrard, and Coxwell for the next two weekends, Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4. A replacement bus service will be provided on Queen between Neville Park Loop and the intersection of Queen and River. Regular service resumes on the following Monday mornings.

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.)

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

Metrolinx officials announced yesterday that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT likely won't be ready until 2021, one year later than expected. According to the Star, the exact reason for the delay isn't exactly clear because the various players in the project assign blame in different directions.

The project encountered difficulty after Toronto city council decided not to replace the Scarborough RT. This in turn stalled the tendering process by nearly six months, according to the Toronto Sun.

A delay such as this shouldn't come as a surprise, considering that even before construction started, the TTC reported that Metrolinx's 2020 completion date was rather ambitious.

Despite all this, the boring of the 19km, 25-stop Eglinton Crosstown LRT continues on, wreaking havoc on surface streets but promising a better transit future for the Eglinton corridor when finally complete. Crews will start tunneling westward, from Brentcliffe Road to Yonge Street, on Tuesday.

Are you at all surprised that the project is officially delayed? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Christian Bobak.

OM Grilled Cheese wants to restore Kensington Market's faith in nostalgic, gooey pressed cheese sandwiches. The new shop replaces The Grilled Cheese, which shuttered earlier this year amidst allegations that staff were owed hundreds of dollars in unpaid wages and received threatening text messages when they tried to collect.

Despite sticking to the same genre of food, new owners Mark Andrade (ex-Greenwood Smokehouse) and Oscar Cabrera (not the former Blue Jays pitcher) want to distance themselves from the old place.

They've introduced a new menu featuring sandwiches like the The Lord Cheesus loaded with cheddar, brie, brick, havarti and mozzarella. Another dubbed Wine Country incorporates a mix of cheeses with guava jam, pickled onions, grapes and serrano ham.

Pickles and chips still come with each order - and you can still have your sandwich delivered to Ronnie's. Expect prices to range between $7 and $12.

The top concerts in Toronto this fall will help you forget that those great summer music festivals are gone. The weather is starting to get unpredictable, which inevitably means we will all be driven indoors to see our favorite artists.

With lots of options to compete for our dollars, you may be willing to shell out to see some big name touring acts at the ACC (Madonna, Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder) or perhaps something a little more no-frills at the Danforth Music Hall (Metric, Chvrches).

Let's not forget music made for down and dirty bars like Smiling Buddha (Odonis Odonis, ken Mode). Whichever way you choose to ingest your music, it will taste sweet. So back underground with you, to dream of the sunlight we'll see when we resurface in eight months.

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

Wavves - September 27 - The Opera House
Nathan Williams has been hard-at-work over the past months. With a new album called "V" set for release on October 2 he lands in Toronto just days before its official release. A handful of singles have been available since July so his crowd will not be going in blind. Expect a blast of sunshine to tide you over to next summer.

Wolf Alice - October 3 - The Adelaide Music Hall
The comparisons to Elastica and Hole might be a tad unwarranted, under selling this UK sensation for their own take on the music they grew up loving. Certainly these disciples of the 90s would have qualified for a Sassy magazine profile back in the day but they would have done so on their own merit. Undoubtedly you will leave the Adelaide humming.

A Place To Bury Strangers - October 5 - The Horseshoe Tavern
At a time when we're bearing witness to leaves slowly falling off trees, A Place to Bury Strangers blow through Toronto to finish the job. This three-piece wrecking crew lay down a path of destruction each and every time. Bring earplugs.

Luna - October 13 - The Danforth Music Hall
Luna is a perfect fall band. Once called "the best band you've never heard of" by Rolling Stone, that's likely still true. Their oft-mellow musings bring to mind The Velvet Underground and Nico. Get to know 'em.

Weights and Measures - October 17 - Soy Bomb
In 2000, I happened to stumble in to the elmo and caught this three-piece that I had no idea about. Never heard 'em and had no idea what to expect. Certainly not the juiced up Math Rock that poured off the stage. This show is burned in my brain and I'm thrilled they're back for a reunion of sorts. I've been told that this show is a one-off so now's your chance to see them before they return drummer Jeremy Gara to The Arcade Fire.

Paul McCartney - October 17 - Air Canada Centre
Even as a die-hard Beatles fan, it never occurred to me to go see Sir Paul. He was never my favorite even though he probably wrote most of their hits. Having seen footage from his last performance in Toronto (along with recently released footage of my fave behaving incredibly poorly) I'll definitely have to reconsider.

Peaches - October 20 - The Phoenix Concert Theatre
Peaches has always been an outspoken advocate for gender equality, at times to the point of confrontation. An innovator at a time when people seemed more reserved, she subverted stereotypes with performances which often drew criticism for being too racy. It will be great to see what she comes up with to support her new album, Rub.

Kurt Vile - October 25 - The Phoenix Concert Theatre
The perfect blend of all things singer-songwriter, Kurt Vile evokes Neil Young with a tip of the hat to the slacker anthems of the 90s. How will he back up his near-perfect album from 2014, Walkin On A Pretty Daze? We will find out when he drops his newest album b'lieve I'm Going Down on September 25 via Matador.

Jonathan Richman - November 12 - The Great Hall
Best known as the guy who played the interstitial music in Something About Mary, Jonathan Richman deserves to be widely known for much more. An influential songwriter from the early days of NYC artrock, Richman all but disappeared from the public eye. Currently working as a stone-mason (and loving every minute of it) he resurfaces every once and awhile to play for enthusiastic audiences.

Public Image Ltd. - November 15 - The Opera House
As revered (or reviled depending on who you ask) as the Sex Pistols were, John Lydon's legacy didn't stop with "Never Mind The Bullocks." More prolific with his outfit PIL, he's put out 10 studio albums to much critical acclaim. Their most recent What The World Needs Now... will definitely be the focal point when the band closes out Toronto's fall schedule.

What shows are you most excited for this fall? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of Peaches by Alejandro Santiago.

This licensed cafe in the Theatre Centre boasts a communal table that can be used for ping pong, monthly community meals, and a small rooftop green space that's the perfect spot to enjoy a freshly baked treat and a coffee. With offerings like dill & feta scones, bourbon oatmeal raisin cookies and Earl Grey tea vanilla citrus loaves, the problem is deciding what to get.

Read my profile of Theatre Centre Cafe in the cafes section.

You'll feel like talking to the moon on Sunday night thanks to the full supermoon lunar eclipse that's set to rise over Toronto, starting at 9:07 p.m. The celestial show will peak around 10:47 p.m. -- that's when the moon will look like a coppery red orb in the southeastern sky.

Unlike meteor showers, you should be able to see the lunar eclipse from smack dab in the middle of the city, weather permitting of course. Since the moon will be in the southeast, try heading to Humber Bay Park or Tommy Thompson Park because both of these green spaces jut out onto the lake, giving you relatively unobstructed views of the sky.

There are plenty of viewing parties happening Sunday night, with the most notable being the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics' and the University of Toronto's event at Kings College Circle. There will be a lot of moon-watchers out at this one.

York University will also be holding a Luna Palooza event, though it project attendance pales compared to its rival university.

If you're not up for hanging out on campus, the Ontario Science Centre is hostinga celestial celebration starting at 7 p.m.

You won't want to miss this astronomical event. While lunar eclipses are a fairly regular occurrence (the next one will be visible from Toronto in 2018), because this is a supermoon lunar eclipse, the view of the phenomenon should be a little bit better.

While the moon might appear up to 14 per cent larger than usual, most scientists agree that this difference is relatively imperceptible. Ok, Scully. Be a downer. This one is for the Mulders of the world. I want to believe.

No matter what, these occurrences are special; there have been only five supermoon lunar eclipses since the beginning of the 20th century, and we won't see another one until 2033.

Photo by Michael Muraz in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and for many that includes the promise of a big home-cooked feast. For those too far too go home, or just generally handicapped in the kitchen, you'll be thankful to know that there are plenty of Toronto restaurants that will be serving up festive meals and some that'll even prepare a feast for your enjoyment at home.

Here where to find a Thanksgiving feast in Toronto.

See also:The best places to buy Thanksgiving turkey in Toronto

THANKSGIVING FEASTS

Momofuku Daisho
Celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday, October 11 with a prix fixe dinner menu featuring three courses for $65 per person. The menu opens with selections like warm squash salad, then offers a choice of roast turkey or halibut with sides for the table including brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, and stuffing. To finish there will be apple pie a la mode or a pumpkin and maple dessert.

Smith Bros. Steakhouse
Enjoy a festive three course dinner priced at $29 at this Scarborough steakhouse. You can expect a steaming bowl of sweet corn chowder to start, followed by roast turkey with stuffing, butternut squash, and cinnamon apple cobbler for dessert.

Bannock
Served from 4pm on Monday, October 12th, look forward to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at this O&B restaurant at Queen and Bay.

Globe Bistro
This Danforth restaurant celebrates Thanksgiving on Sunday, October 11 with its annual three-course prix fixe menu priced at $35 per person. The opening course is soup or salad, followed by roast turkey (or ricotta cranberry gnocchi for meatless eaters), and a choice of pumpkin creme brûlée or apple crumble.

America
Spend Canadian Thanksgiving at America, where they're offering a festive menu from October 9 to 12. The menu opens with selections like foir gras terrine ($18) or squash soup ($14), then offers a choice of a classic roast turkey feast complete with candied yams, sourdough and sausage stuffing, and gravy ($36), or honey glazed ham with brussel sprouts and celeriac choucroute ($36).

TAKE HOME TURKEY DINNERS

Barque Smokehouse
Order by October 8 to pick up Thanksgiving dinner catered by this smokehouse on Roncesvalles. Herb smoked turkeys are available for $12 per pound, while traditional, family style fixins include options like gravy, cranberry sauce and butter rolls ($35), potato gratin provençal or brown butter sweet potato mash ($35), sage and vidalia stuffing with wild rice, leeks, mushrooms ($35), bourbon pecan pie ($25), and more.

Humble Beginnings
This take-out operation in the Junction will cater to parties of one to 20. Pre-order your own ready-to-serve roasted turkey or capon dinners complete with all the trimmings. Pies are available too.

All The Best Fine Foods
Order forms are online now to secure a thanksgiving feast from this high-end specialty food store. A prix fixe menu priced at $24.95 per person will cover all the essentials including a herb-roasted, fresh, free-range, brined Ontario turkey with apple sage stuffing and gravy, roasted brussels sprouts, squash purée, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

YamChops
Advance orders are being accepted now for plant powered Thanksgiving dinners from this vegan butcher in Little Italy. Priced at $29.95, the menu features roasted vegetable and farro soup, butternut squash "steaks," cranberry pecan pilau, roasted beets, carrot and quinoa salad and a black bean brownie. Fresh and ready-to-reheat meals will be available for pick-up on Saturday, October 10, or Sunday, October 11.

What did I miss? Add more spots for Thanksgiving dinner in the comments.

Photo from All The Best Fine Foods facebook page.

The best comic shops in Toronto show off our city's history with both comic books and graphic novels. From Superman (co-creator Joe Shuster was born here) to Scott Pilgrim, and the many other talented comic artists who call Toronto home, this city has definitely left its mark on the comic world. Perhaps that's why our related stores are both high-quality and plentiful.

Here are the best comic shops in Toronto.

See also:

The best bookstores in Toronto
The best used bookstores in Toronto

During the 10 years between 1960 and 1970, the area around Queen and Bay streets in Toronto underwent a drastic modernization. Neighbourhood cinemas, burlesque theatres, stores, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants on the south side of Queen gave way to the luxurious high-rise Sheraton Centre hotel, a cluster of bank buildings, and the Simpson Tower.

On the other side of Queen, west of Bay, the city's space age City Hall squished a cluster of working class homes and businesses at the south end of The Ward, an important early immigrant neighbourhood notorious for its impoverished conditions.

This is what Queen and Bay looked like in the 1960s.

The southeast corner of Queen and Bay in the early 1960s. Before Scott's Chicken Villa (a Canadian precursor to KFC) and the Jack Fraser shirt store (slogan: "No One Ever Regretted Buying Quality,") the corner building was home to a branch of Bowles Lunch. The Bay Theatre, previously known as the Colonial, was among the first moving picture cinemas in Toronto when it opened in 1909. The corner is now home to the Simpson Tower.

Looking west along the south side of Queen, opposite City Hall. This block was expropriated in the mid-1960s after completion of Nathan Phillips Square. The Sheraton Centre hotel, which was completed in 1972, replaced most of these buildings, including the Union Hotel, Broadway burlesque theatre, and the Festival cinema.

Cheating slightly with a photo from 1959. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth, in her first visit to Canada as the reigning monarch, ride south on Bay through the intersection with Queen. The Jack Fraser shirt store building in the photo above is in the background.

Close-up of the Broadway Theatre in the mid-1960s. Previously named the Globe and the Roxy, the Broadway specialized in vaudeville and b-movies. In March 1935, the manager, Abraham Appleby, was fatally shot inside his office, becoming one of six murder victims in Toronto that year. No-one was charged with the crime.

The Festival opened as the Casino in 1936 and, like its neighbours, specialized in a diverse range of raunchy entertainment. Gypsy Rose Lee performed there and, according to historian Doug Taylor, the short movie The Case of Mr. Conrad, which depicted a gallbladder operation, caused 14 men to faint during its brief run on Queen West.

In the 1950s and 60s, Dizzy Gillespie, Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt, and other big names performed at the Casino alongside acts like "Claudette the Torrid Temptress and the 7 Lucky Girls." It was briefly renamed the Festival theatre 1961 before closing for good in 1965.

Showbar ("Good Food,") located in the middle of this row of stores on the south side of Queen was owned by Jack Katz, a former trombone player at the Casino theatre who quit after suffering a breakdown. He opened the eatery in 1956, serving basic fare such as cabbage rolls, fish and chips, and salmon steaks to stage performers, Osgoode Hall judges and lawyers, and bureaucrats from City Hall.

The Globe and Mail described the expropriation of the block and its impact on Katz in 1965: "When a man is caught with all he has built in the world plumb in front of the steamroller, impossible to carry away, there is a poignancy. Or even a sadness. Or even a tragedy--one more notch carved in the pistol butt of what is known as the common good."

A member of the International Union of Operating Engineers poses outside an unfinished City Hall in 1964. The area now occupied by Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto's municipal offices was previously part of an area known as The Ward, a predominantly low-income, immigrant neighbourhood that was roughly bound by Dundas, University, Yonge, and Queen. Today, little physical evidence of The Ward remains.

A now impossible view across Queen to City Hall in 1967. The grassy patch on the south side of the street was created by the demolition of the Union Hotel, Broadway and Festival theatres, and Showbar. The addition of The Thomson Building in 1972 resulted in the current streetscape west of Bay.

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

Image: City of Toronto Archives (as marked.)

The most instagrammable buildings in Toronto range from universities to shopping malls. Sure the CN Tower takes all the attention, but why even mention our most iconic bit of architecture? Been there, done that. Whether you want to fill your profile with stunning facades or impeccably designed interiors, this list will let you show your Toronto pride.

Here are my picks for the top Toronto buildings to shoot on Instagram.

The Gooderham Flatiron Building
Built in 1892, this historic Toronto landmark was around eras before your iPhone 6 Plus. Much more interesting than the average skyscraper, this is perfect for those who prefer to fill their feed with nostalgia.

The ROM
Berlin-based architect Daniel Libeskind is responsible for bringing the ROM into the 21st century, and Instagram seems to agree with its makeover (if not the critics). One of the best buildings to come out of the past few years, its pretty much a beacon of modernity. If you gravitate towards uber contemporary, monochrome images, this is worth a shot.

OCAD
U of T may have its Hogwarts-esque libraries and Ryerson may have its ultramodern Student Learning Centre, but OCAD tops them both (architecturally speaking). The Sharp Centre for Design is suspended on steel legs, towering over the neighbouring buildings on McCaul.

City Hall
At City Hall it's all about the angles. Instagrammers have figured out that shooting from directly below yields the best results. As a bonus, if you snap your pic from farther away, you'll be able to get the Toronto sign in the shot. Of course, if this isn't your style you can always swing over to Old City Hall.

Brookfield Place Atrium
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the Brookfield Place Atrium is known for its spectacular cathedral-like roof. Towering at six stories high with interlaced steel arches, this is more than just your run of the mill concourse. Snap this if you're a huge fan of symmetrical images.

Aga Khan
At the Aga Khan simplicity is the name of the game. The all-white building and well-manicured grounds offer a much needed contrast to the bustling, grey downtown core. A picture of this may trick a follower or two into thinking you've left the city for somewhere more serene.

Commerce Court
When you see the ceiling, your phone will come out. It's irresistible. What makes it so cool? It features an intricately decorated, vaulted dome and a few chandeliers you'll never be able to afford.

The Eaton Centre
Though many Torontonians have developed a blasé attitude toward the Eaton Centre, one part of it is pretty photogenic. If you want to rack up a few likes, take pic of Michael Snow's geese at the Queen Street Entrance - they've been in flight since 1979 and look good from almost any angle.

Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
If you're looking to add something truly historic to your feed, look no further than the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. Built in 1808, it stands to be the city's oldest landmark. Many an Instagrammer has travelled out to the Islands for this iconic pic.

Toronto-Dominion Centre
The TD Centre, Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is the city's iconic skyscraper complex. The sleek black buildings stand out amongst the concrete giants of the Financial District, making them worth a pic or two. Stand at the base of the flag pole and look up if you want to get the money shot.

What did I miss? Add your pick to the comments below.

Photos (in order) by pjmadeleine, ryannmcfarlane, torontosaur, phontip_, sebi.raw, evologist, varshil_var, bentonli, curious2119, and visualmischief.

New townhouse projects in Toronto come in stark contrast to the many high-rise condos we're all used to seeing around the city. These burgeoning developments, often located outside of the downtown core, usually offer residents more living area as well as a slew of amenities and access to communal green space.

Here are the top 5 new townhouse projects in Toronto.

35 Wabash
Located near Sorauren and Dundas West, this Roncesvalles-area development is a four storey townhouse-style project by Zinc Developments. It'll feature 57 units between 650 and 1,500 square feet, each one priced from $600 thousand to $1.2 million. Most of the building will be dedicated to two-storey towns, 25 of which will come with a backyard. Amenities include a gym and yoga studio.

Briar Hill City Towns
For this project, Madison Homes will build six, four-storey buildings to create 124 one and two bedroom units at Dufferin and Briar Hill. Renderings for the project show plenty of green space as well as roof-top terraces for certain suites. Briar Hill City Towns start in the mid-$300s.

Danforth Square
Along with a nine-storey condo building, this Scarborough project by Time Development Group, and designed by Kohn Partnership Architects Inc., will also feature townhouse units starting in the low $200s.

169-175 Jones Ave
After a substantial delay, this project is finally moving forward. It'll see the century-old church converted into loft-style condos and Lifestyle Custom Homes will transform the adjacent parking lot into townhouses. Units, designed Open Architects, start just under $700K.

W Towns
These townhouses by First Avenue Properties seem to be built for families. Each of the 48 units run between 1,300 and 1,330 square feet and all come with three bedrooms, three baths and a balcony. Prices start just under $400K for this development right by the Weston GO station.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo of 35 Wabash

The top bars for a first date in Toronto will help you to kick off your romance right. Whether you're strapped for cash need something affordable or are looking for an intimate outpost with grade A cocktails, this city has options galore.

Here are my picks for the top bars for a first date in Toronto.

See also:

The top 10 restaurants for a first date in Toronto
The top 10 dessert spots for a first date in Toronto
The top 10 coffee shops for a first date in Toronto

Pharmacy
This low-lit Parkdale haunt is ideal for those who like to keep things simple. You won't have to dress to the nines or know how to pronounce the names of exotic beverages. The no-frills bar serves classic drinks and plaid seems to be the uniform of its patrons. The decorative knick knacks scattered around the space also make for great conversation pieces, which is helpful if things start to get awkward.

Northern Belle
The sister spot of Northwood serves coffee by day and craft beers and cocktails by night, making it ideal no matter what hour your date kicks off. Plus, the bar's proximity to Trinity Bellwoods makes it super appealing if you want to go on a post-cocktail stroll and carve your names into a tree or something.

Snakes and Lattes
If you're not a dinner and drinks guy or gal, opt for an activity based date at Snakes and Lattes sprawling College location. Disregard their name, and order a beer or glass of wine then get down to business with your gaming. As a bonus, you'll get a taste of how competitive your date is.

Archive Wine Bar
Know your merlots from your malbecs? Impress your date with that knowledge by heading to Archive Wine Bar for a bottle or two of Ontario's finest (or something French). The bar has an impressive collection of wines without but has spared the pretentiousness often associated with wine bars. Its menu flaunts a few well-crafted sharing plates, if you need something to nibble on.

Bathurst Local 322
If you and your date are not fans of the traditional bar and nightclub scene, this one's for you. Pastel walls, delicate wallpaper, wooden tables, and old-timey glasses make this place more unique than the average outpost.

Hole in the Wall
If you want to get close (like really close) to your date, opt for Hole in the Wall. This itty bitty Junction spot will have you and your date squeezed together in the best way possible. The back is equipped for musicians, so expect to see a Junction local or two take the stage while you discuss your future child's name over bar rail.

Bill Hicks Bar
If you're strapped for cash but don't want to deal with the shame of taking your date to a local McDonalds, Bill Hicks is your saving grace. All drinks are between $2.95 and $4.95, so you can buy your potential life partner more than one can of PBR (she or he will be very impressed, I promise).

Bellwoods Brewery
This city is full of craft beer lovers, so there's a good chance your date will enjoy the selection of pilsners and ales on tap at Bellwoods Brewery. If the place gets too crowded you can always head to their bottle shop and move your date to one of your apartments. Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Hitch
Hitch is an low-key east side bar that serve up appetizers and masterfully crafted cocktails. If you're not inclined to head downtown for a date, this is the ideal spot thanks to its Pinterest-esque decor. You'll score bonus points for knowing that the name is inspired by essayist Christopher Hitchens.

The Gaslight
This laid back bar features a bevy of craft beers, wines, and cocktails - none of which disappoint. It's low-lighting and candle-adorned tables will set the mood, creating ambiance for your date. This is your quintessential neighbourhood spot, so you'll come off as being low maintenance and possessing good taste. That's a nice combination.

What did I miss? Add your favourite first date bars in the comments.

Toronto is filled with easy-to-use online delivery services that make ordering pad thai and tacos a seamless experience. But with so many options for hungry diners to choose from, is it possible the Toronto market has become oversaturated?

For the past little while, we've received numerous comments and emails about TasteAway, a Toronto delivery service that launched back in 2012. It's well known for offering substantial discounts, such as 40 per cent off food orders.

Some restaurants have alleged they've never received payments from TasteAway. Or, if they have been compensated, they say these payments usually come multiple weeks late.

Simon Sushi on Spadina says it's owed more than $5,000. Despite calling and emailing TasteAway, the owners haven't heard anything, even after filing a small claims court suit against the company.

TasteAway appears to have never responded to the claim. On September 10, however, Deputy Judge Lydia Stewart Ferreira ruled in favour of Simon Sushi, writing that TasteAway Inc. would need to pay the restaurant $5,485.57.

Simon Colyer, who is a partner and manager at Let's Be Frank, also notes that he's owed money from TasteAway. He started using the service earlier this year and says that for the first few months, his restaurant wasn't doing much business through it.

"But then we did a bigger period with them," he says. "And suddenly we noticed that money never arrived in the account."

Around the same time, the restaurant received an anonymous email. "You will not be paid by TasteAway please get off their website," read the message, which an unknown sender submitted through the restaurant's online contact form.

"The gist of it" Colyer says of his experience with TasteAway, "is that they did not pay us for most of the time we were dealing with them."

The hot dog restaurant claims it's out approximately $1,700. Colyer has since removed his restaurant from the TasteAway website but despite numerous calls and emails, he still hasn't heard back from the accounts side of the company.

TasteAway did respond to my questions about these late payments. "We've been working with our restaurants," says General Manager Vi Tran.

"Due to summer seasonality, revenues are a little bit lower. And you know as a startup we're a little bit tight for cash sometimes. But we are working with all of our restaurants and communicating with them to try to get everything cleared up as soon as possible."

The restaurant delivery game in Toronto has become fiercely competitive over the last few years. Are TasteAway's troubles related to over saturation or poor management? In any case, local restaurants have taken a hit.