Pizza in Toronto can be a delicious example of cultural diversity and while popular Italian styles might prevail, there are plenty of regional idiosyncrasies and stylistic interpretations to discover.

Neapolitan
Overseen by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN), true Neapolitan pizza follows the rigid guidelines to ensure crispy, blistering wood-fired crusts encircling a soupy mess of premium cheese and DOP sauce in the centre. Pizza purists will find what they're looking for at Viva Napoli, Pizza e Pazzi, and Pizzeria Libretto.

Fried
Both Mr. Ciao and A3 Napoli are slinging pizza fritta and puffy golden-fried wheels of dough that amount to Montanara-style pies (the second most famous style out of Naples). Note it's just the dough here that gets a bath in the fryer, toppings and cheese are applied afterwards.

Roman
Pizza al Taglio is the predominant style found in Italy's capital and it literally translates to "by the cut" which is how you'll find it sold at pizzerias like Ciao Roma and Sud Forno. Other defining characteristics include a stretched (rather than tossed) dough that bakes to form a light, crispy crust.

New York
What distinguishes a New York style pies from the rest is a light application of sauce and a hand-tossed crust that is thin and crisp but pliable enough to fold. For a close (but still not quite perfect) approximation, try a slice from Fresca Pizza on College St..

Detroit
Descendant Pizza on Queen East has the market cornered when it comes to thick, square, deep-dish pies baked in a well-oiled pan. Expect a caramelized crust loaded with toppings and finished with marinara sauce on top.

Grilled
While a restaurant in Rhode Island claims to have invented the grilled style, Toronto's Za Pizzeria modified the methodology enough to call it its own. The custom "ovens" are built over a traditional gas grill and fed with wood chips to impart a subtle smoky flavour. The recipe for the dough includes durum wheat and carbonated water to give it a light, airy texture.

Regina
Characterized by a deep biscuit crust, dense layers of toppings, and bubbling browned cheese blanketing the top surface, this style of pizza is available exclusively at Pizza Thick in Leslieville.

Kosher
Among Kosher circles, pizza and falafel go hand in hand, and you can get it at King David Pizza or Tov-Li. Is kosher pizza a thing that treyf eaters need to run out and try? Perhaps not. But kosher pizza is indeed its own distinct thing; slightly plain, often chewy, always vegetarian.

Pide
Oblong pizzas pinched into the shape of a boat make Turkish-style pies easy to identify. Other defining features include the use of a minced beef and tomato mixture rather than just marinara, while typical toppings include an array of cured meats such as pepperoni or pastrami, soft eggs, spinach, fresh herbs and feta or mozzarella cheese. Get yours at Pizza Pide or Mr. Pide.

Manakeesh
Sometimes called Middle Eastern pizza, this classic Arab street food is more like an oven-baked flatbread dusted with za'atar, melted cheese, or a combination of both. I especially like the ones at Paramount Fine Foods slathered with labneh or topped with kishek, a mix of dried yogurt, wheat, tomatoes and onions.

Lahmajoun
Claimed by both Armenian and Turkish communities, these round pies are topped with minced meat, onions, tomatoes and fresh herbs. Mamajoun in Scarborough is one of the city's few specialists where you'll find traditional pies, plus variations dressed with extras like Akawi cheese and soujouk sausage.

Halal
The lack of pork is perhaps the most common feature of halal pizza, which otherwise doesn't really adhere to any specific style. Beef pepperoni is a common substitute, but at places like Mr. Mike's you won't experience any FOMO: these pizzas can get quite creative, sometimes even piling an entire poutine onto a crust.

Wood-fired
This catch-all category includes pizzerias like QMP or Via Mercanti that deal in Naples-style pies but lack VPN certification, plus old school joints like Dino's Wood Burning Pizza.

Vegan
Cheese-free pizza might seem like an oxymoron, but Apiecalypse Now! makes it work. Available by the slice, or whole pie are options like the Pepperphony featuring vegan pepperoni slices, and a mix of Daiya mozzarella and jack cheese.

What did I miss? Add more favourite pizza types to 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

• MoRoCo Chocolat and Stick & Brindle host a dog-friendly pop-up shop in the afternoon on Sunday, October 18 from noon onward on the patio at 99 Yorkville Avenue. Expect sampling and purchasing opportunities for both dog macarons and people macarons.
• Pearl Diver (100 Adelaide St East) celebrates Shucktoberfest starting Monday, October 19 until Sunday, November 1 with special lunch and late night promotions plus a weekly social media contest. Identify the oyster variety posted to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram on Mondays to win a half dozen oysters.
• The choucroute bun Albert Ponzo (Le Select Bistro) ends its run this weekend, and starting Monday, October 19 Rob Gentile (Buca) presents his own take on bao in part of Bun Month happening at Momofuku Daisho (190 University Ave.) during lunch and brunch.

UPCOMING

• Chef Matty Matheson (Parts & Labour) and Miami chef, Eileen Andrade (Finka Tap & Table) team up for the Bacardi Pop up Paladar at Cold Tea Bar (60 Kensington Ave)on Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29. The rum-fuelled evening aims to transport guests to old world Havana with a family style feast, live Latin music and dancing. Tickets are $75.
• Tickets are still available for the annual Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown taking place on Tuesday, November 3 from 7pm to 10pm 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.
• What's on the Table, the annual fundraiser gala in support of The Stop Community Food Centre returns on Wednesday, November 4 at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St. East). Expect over three dozen food and beverage stations to be manned by top Toronto restaurants and beverage purveyors. Tickets are $300 with charitable tax receipts issued for $205.

Photo from the Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown

October 17th is international Independent Video Store Day in Toronto. If you value the social side of movie love, movie talk and movie lore, go visit and support your local independent video store!

With Toronto's Film Buff closing its doors this December, local movie fans have lost yet another important cultural institution from a quickly dwindling reserve. During the 1980s an up until the mid-2000s, video stores had been fabulously ubiquitous, brimming hives of social activity even when they smelt of fresh carpet and popcorn.

In addition to "just" renting out movies, these stores brought film lovers together in a canny environment to talk, learn and discover amazing new things.

Dan Hanna of Toronto's Eyesore Cinema (located at 801 Queen Street West, just above Rotate This!) still feels very passionate about the importance of local independent video stores.

In addition to running the truly awesome Eyesore, where the walls bulge with an outrageous collection of everything from Alien Prey to Zulu Dawn (many of which are adorned with hilarious hand written post-it notes) he also started the Independent Video Store Day, now in its 5th year.

Hanna obviously drew inspiration from the success of Record Store Day, but is quick to point out his collective lacks the "billion tweet resources" the major and indie labels pour into Record Store Day. He prefers to keep it grassroots, locally divined and totally up to each to each store.

The point is just to have some fun, remind everyone that home entertainment started with video stores, and they deserve a place at the table even in this new homogenized digital multiverse. You can't argue that with a guy who has a poster of Yor: Hunter From the Future on his store's wall.

While first and second run cinemas remain the ultimate space in which to digest movies, video stores were always scuba to aspiring movie buffs, allowing them to dive deeper into filmmaker's elusive back catalogues, rare foreign fare, or just plain weird stuff that never came within an inch of wide release in theatres or on TV.

Curious newbies could have their eyes pried open with curated displays, eager staff, over-heard movie geek debates, or even be moved to rent by hilarious hand written post-it notes.

Sadly however, the internet has forged a new home entertainment ecosystem - one which prioritizes speed, anonymity and blandness over the more folksy and curated effort video stores like Eyesore offer.

Lightning fast downloads and Video on Demand entertainment services have almost wiped out the few remaining independent video stores who had already taken on a lot of water weathering the sanitized Blockbuster Tsunamii, which itself imploded in 2011.

Almost overnight, Netflix gobbled up the legions of movie renters and turned them into passive prisoners of non-existent curation. The service (which offers anywhere from 3,500-4,000 titles to stream) seems to have re-wired a generation into settling for mediocrity merely to avoid getting up off the couch.

It's depressing to contrast Netflix's paltry numbers with the 30,000+ titles an independent video store like Film Buff would carry, but such is a life in pictures.

Like the record store before it, the last remaining independent video stores have become a refuge for those who still favour venturing out to get your hands dirty, as opposed to letting algorithms do the work for you.

So those who value the whole video store package - the walls of lurid covers, the Velcro tabs, the sheer rush of seeing 1000s of titles which are new to you, even the forbidden fruit of titles that are already rented out - here is a chance to show some love and appreciation.

You can check out participating video stores here. Their Facebook page is here.

With the 2015 federal election now just days away, candidates across Toronto are making a final push for votes. This year, tweaked riding boundaries and the creation of two new electoral districts within the city have resulted in several seriously tight contests, according to polls. In 2011, six Toronto ridings were decided by 1,000 votes or less, and this year looks set to see just as many close calls.

Here's a look at 5 Toronto ridings that are going down to the wire.

Spadina-Fort York
Perhaps the most publicized Toronto showdown is taking place in the new federal riding that covers a large chunk of the downtown core. Current and former Trinity-Spadina MPs Adam Vaughan and Olivia Chow are polling roughly neck-and-neck, with the Conservative candidate Sabrina Zuniga a distant third.

Eglinton-Lawrence
Conservative finance minister Joe Oliver is facing Liberal lawyer Marco Mendicino and former NDP Saskatchewan finance minister Andrew Thomson. Between 1979 and 2011, the riding was a Liberal stronghold, electing Roland de Corneille three times and Joe Volpe seven. A recent poll suggests the area might be trending back to its roots: Oliver trailed Mendicino by six points a month ago.

Scarborough Southwest
Controversial former Toronto police chief Bill Blair is running for the Liberals in Scarborough Southwest against NDP incumbent Dan Harris and Conservative Roshan Nallaratnam. According to the results of a recent poll, this riding could go in any direction. Blair took an early lead, but has been steadily sliding and is currently neck-and-neck with Harris. Nallaratnam is running a close third.

Etobicoke Centre
In 2011, Conservative candidate Ted Opitz squeaked to victory in Etobicoke Centre by just 26 votes, unseating Liberal incumbent Borys Wrzesnewskyj. The result withstood a 2012 Supreme Court of Canada challenge by Wrzesnewskyj, but the recent surge for the Liberal party could turn the tide. Tanya De Mello (NDP) and Shaun Rizvi (Green) are also on the ballot.

University-Rosedale
Smooshed together out of parts of Trinity-Spadina and Toronto Centre, the new downtown University-Rosedale riding pits journalist Chrystia Freeland (Liberal) against TV personality Jennifer Hollett (NDP). Polls suggests the pair are deadlocked, so it's anyone's guess how the result will go on Oct. 19. In 2011, the eastern Rosedale portion of the new riding was Liberal and the western part was NDP.

Follow Chris Bateman on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: BruceK /blogTO Flickr pool.

St. Andrew Poultry, a Kensington Market stalwart since 1962, has suddenly shuttered. The storefront is papered up, its website deactivated, and its Facebook page has curiously been renamed St. Andrew Catering.

"Unfortunately our retail store is temporarily shut down. We'll keep you posted. Thank you so much for your support and loyalty," reads the company's latest Facebook post, though I've come to learn that "temporarily" is often industry-speak for dunzo.

Per Facebook comments, at least one loyal customer was left in the lurch when they went to pick up their pre-ordered Thanksgiving turkey only to find the doors locked with no notice.

The only extension still operational on the company directory is the catering department, and the voice who picks up is reluctant to comment on the reasons for the closure, or the unfortunate pre-Thanksgiving timing.

She does confirm that the retail store and the year-old foodie bar are closed, wholesale operations are suspended, and the space is currently being used as a production kitchen for catering operations alone.

Photo by Jesse Milns

Nuit Blanche is not quite a distant memory, but now that the extended exhibitions have ended, it's time to look back at some of the best photos that our readers submitted as part of our photography contest this year. From JR's stunning city hall exhibit to the lava show at the Harbourfront, there was some stunning stuff captured this year.

These are the 10 finalists selected as part of this year's contest.

1. Lead photo of Inside Out by boravsbora.

2. Photo of EMPREINTES by bradg_

3. Photo of The Eyes of the Bridge by alisa416

4. Photo of Beaufort 10: Frío Estudio del Desastre by jashmalik

5. Photo of Ripple by mmere_dane

6. Photo of Beaufort 4: Lava Field No. 2 by empatiqdesign

7. Photo of Slight Knight by u2thdr

8. Photo of Beaufort 3: Glaciology by ian.chang

9. Photo of Pattern Study by nsadeq

10. Photo of There Is No Away by utaripradita

VOTE

Voting ends at midnight, October 23 2015.

CONTEST AND PRIZING DETAILS

In celebration of the 10th edition of Nuit Blanche Toronto, initially inspired by Nuit Blanche Paris, the Consulate General of France in Toronto, the winner will receive two round-trip flights from Toronto to France.

The second prize is an exclusive life-size Barn Owl sculpture from artist Ekow Nimako, who is part of the Nuit Blanche exhibition 10 for 10th - Memory Lane. Learn more about Ekow on Instagram @ekonomical and www.ekownimako.com. Project details here.

For the full rules and regulations, click here.

Want to go to an exclusive, invite-only Heineken party? On October 22nd #LIVELEGENDARY with Heineken at the Heineken Cities party. Discover the best food, photography, and music Toronto has to offer at the most exclusive bash in town.

Get all the contest details here.

Kansas City Mayor Sly James has promised to send Toronto ribs and BBQ sauce if the Blue Jays beat the Royals in the upcoming ALCS. While speaking from the heart of the now expanded Birds Nest at Nathan Phillips Square, John Tory wagered up craft beer and casually concluded his talk with a Bautista-style bat flip -- apparently it's the new mic drop.

The seven-game ALCS is already a tense one, as the winner will move on to the World Series. But perhaps we could have upped the ante with an offer a little more exciting than local craft beer -- though Tory's (two) bat flips into the reflecting pool seemed to add a nice touch to his early afternoon announcement.

We asked our Twitter followers what they'd wager in the series. Unsurprisingly, many opted to offload some of Toronto's politicians and transit woes to our neighbours down south. While we can't give up people or major pieces of infrastructure, read up on some alternative options below.

The best tacos in Toronto boast big flavours on tiny tortillas. Whether you're a fan of authentic Mexican, So-Cal or fusion street foods, there's a taqueria, tequila bar or cantina that's got what you want. Once thought to be a flash-in-the-pan Toronto food trend, these taco joints have staying power.

These are the best tacos in Toronto.

See also:The Best Fish Tacos in Toronto.

In rather unsurprising news, we won't be seeing 23 new TTC streetcars in Toronto this year. Thanks to even more delays from Bombardier, we'll see 16 new ones in service, and 19 delivered, by the end of the year.

According to a press release from TTC Chair and Ward 19 Councillor Josh Colle, there should have been 67 (out of 204) new streetcars driving around Toronto by now. Currently, there are only 10; Bombardier say it'll ship the 11th by October 21.

Bombardier's earlier target for 2015 was 27 new streetcars, but it dropped that figure down to 23 at the end of July. At the time, it also promised to ship four new streetcars every month in order to reach that goal.

The TTC Board consider its next steps at its October 28 meeting. These include taking legal action against Bombardier or claiming a $50 million late delivery fee that's already allowed for in the existing contract.

"I am incredibly disappointed to learn that Bombardier, yet again, will not be meeting their commitments to deliver new streetcars to Toronto," says Colle in the release.

"We have spent a lot of time and hundreds of millions of dollars to secure desperately needed new streetcars for our riders through Bombardier. They have let down the TTC, our customers, the good workers in Thunder Bay, and all Toronto residents.

The TTC Board has lost all faith in Bombardier's public promises and ability to deliver this order. We will not let Bombardier's incompetence hold our patient and loyal customers hostage. We will consider all legal and financial actions at our disposal to address this situation."

Photo by Gary Baker in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Inspired by the tuck shops of summer camps and boarding schools, this rustically charming little spot sells candy, KD, organic milk and batteries while specializing in delicious house-made eats - sandwiches in particular. Its burger and BLTs are definite winners.

Read my profile of TuckShop Kitchen in the restaurants section.

Fall bike rides in Toronto are a great activity through mid-November until the temperature drop. Mountain bikers in particular have it made in autumn, when trails become surrounded by blazing foliage.

Here are my picks for where to take a bike ride in Toronto during the fall.

Crothers Woods / Don Valley
Hands down, the best place to ride a mountain bike (or cyclocross) during the fall in Toronto. There are trails here to appeal to pretty much every skill level, from the basic loop around Sun Valley to the ridge trails that twist and wind towards Thorncliffe Park and Don Mills Rd. Continue from there to ET Seton and Serena Gundy parks.

Twyn Rivers Dr. / Toronto Zoo / Rouge Park
Home to one of the toughest climbs in Toronto, the area around the Toronto Zoo is home to some excellent low-traffic "country" roads that hit peak beauty in autumn. While you might be within the boundaries of Toronto, there's farmland everywhere, a few great climbs, and trees bursting will colour.

The Toronto Islands
The best part of the Toronto Islands in the fall is just how quiet it is. Gone are the hordes of summer explorers and lineups for the ferry, and left in their place is a little autumn paradise snugged up against the soaring Toronto skyline. The vast array of tree species here make for particularly interesting foliage, and you can really let it out on the quiet roads.

The Beltline
It's pretty much impossible to leave the Beltline off of this list, as the retired commuter railway route is tree-lined, requires zero technical expertise to ride, and just lights up with colour during the peak of the leaves turning. If heading southeast, continue on to the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery and Moore Park ravine.

Taylor Creek Park
The central area of the Don Valley tends to get all the attention, but tributaries like Taylor Creek also make for a great ride. As a paved trail, this one works for riders of all kinds (mountain bikers can use it as a go-between for other trails or as a lead-in to the Don). The winding path here crosses the river multiple times, is surrounded by mature trees, and is generally nice and quiet.

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

Photo of Crothers Woods by Subjective Art in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Haunted houses, ghost tours and attractions in Toronto are designed to send chills down your spine. While the city has many spots that are rumoured to be permanently riddled with spirits, a few pop up in October and shut down shortly after Halloween. Whether you're into hearing scary stories or just looking to pump up your adrenaline, these places have got you covered.

Here's where to go if you're looking to hang with the paranormal this Halloween season.

Halloween Haunt (October 16-18, 23-25, 30-31)
Canada's Wonderland is hosting its annual scarefest, the Halloween Haunt, every weekend this October. Give yourself the ultimate adrenaline rush by wandering the zombie- and clown-infested grounds, then follow it up with a ride on the Behemoth.

Screemers (October 16-17, 23-25, 27-31)
Screemers is back for its 23rd year, taking over Exhibition Place with its band of terrifying freaks. With seven haunted houses and the Midway of Mayhem, there's a good chance you'll lose your voice shrieking your way through the grounds. If you need a little liquid courage to see you through, its Vampire Lounge serves up brews and cocktails as per usual.

Ghost Tour of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre (October 29)
Want to leave a haunted house with more than just fear? Take a tour of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre. You'll learn about the history and restoration of the building and be treated to a few tales about the ghosts that may or may not inhabit it for eternity.

The Art of Darkness (October 30)
If you'd rather avoid typical haunted houses, Artscape Youngplace is throwing an event that covers all the bases on the night before Halloween. Select rooms will be haunted, while others will host hypnotists, feature art installations, have dancefloors, or something equally entertaining.

Haunted SCHOOL (October 31)
One of Toronto's favourite brunch destinations is being converted into a haunted house for one night only. Instead of indulging in eggs benedict you'll be navigating your way through the spookified restaurant, bumping into ghosts and ghouls along the way. Once you conquer the interior, head to back patio for a cocktail or two to relax. The best part? Admission doesn't cost a thing.

HAUNTED TOURS

• Original Haunted Walk of Toronto with Mackenzie House Visit (October 15-17, 22-24, 29-31)
• Haunted Toronto Scavenger Hunt (October 23, 24, 30, 31)
• The Ghosts and Spirits of the Distillery (October 15-18, 20-31

What did I miss? Add more haunted attractions in Toronto to the comments.

Photo via Screemers.

Outdoor events in Toronto this fall will let you embrace the crisp air. Heat waves may be a thing of the past, but there's plenty to do outside before full blown hibernation is required. Scattered among the cozy indoor events that arise when sweater season hits are few outdoor gatherings worth layering up for.

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

Cask Days (October 23-25)
Arguably the best annual beer event held in Toronto if not all of Ontario, this year the 11th annual tribute to real ale returns to the Brickworks over five separate sessions featuring 150 participating breweries and over 300 beers. Tiered access tickets range from $35-$80 and are already selling fast.

Lightsaber Battle (October 24)
If you can't wait until the new Star Wars movie premieres later this year, you can awaken the force earlier thanks to a showdown that'll pit Jedi versus Sith for an epic-sounding lightsaber battle happening in the nearby galaxy of Toronto. Organized by homegrown company Newmindspace, the battle is scheduled to go down on October 24.

Night of Dread (October 24)
Clay & Paper Theatre is throwing its annual bash a week in advance of Halloween. The dress code is simple: black, white and dreadful. After partygoers parade around the streets in costume, there will be a bonfire, food, and live music by The Shuffle Demons.

PS Kensington (October 25)
Head to Kensington Market for the final installment of Pedestrian Sundays (until next year, that is). As per usual, you'll find a host of street performers, food on sticks, dancing in the streets and the Kensington Art Fair.

TFC Playoffs (October 28-29)
The Blue Jays may be considered our city's top team at the moment, but our soccer squad should stay on your radar. Toronto FC is headed to its first playoff game in franchise history.

Church Street Halloween Party (October 31)
The city's biggest Halloween extravaganza is back for another year, taking over Church Street for a night of ghoulish festivities. With the street closed from Alexander to Gloucester, there's plenty of partying to be done. If you don't have the funds to dip into every bar on the block, the street is just as lively (if not more so).

Day of the Dead (November 1)
Dia de Muertos festivities will be taking over the Evergreen Brick Works on the first day of November. Honour the deceased with live latin music and dance, and sample some Mexican food and drink. There will also be a few crafting activities, if you're bringing kids along

Santa Claus Parade (November 15)
Get into the Christmas spirit early by watching floats and entertainers take to the streets for the 110th Santa Claus Parade. If you're feeling athletic, you can take part in the Holly Jolly Fun Run, a 5k sprint that goes down before the parade.

Toronto Christmas Market (November 20-December 20)
The Toronto Christmas Market is returning to the Distillery District on November 20th. The illuminated streets will host street vendors, a beer market, live music and more. If you drop by, make sure you have your iPhone at the ready, the festive scene is very instagrammable.

Cavalcade of Lights (November 28)
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.

What did I miss? Add your favourite outdoor event this fall to the comments.

With contributions by Amy Grief. Photo of Cavalcade of Lights by chewie2008 in the blogTO Flickr pool.

There's a new takeout taco joint at Dundas and Church and it's repurposing a gyro spit to make some mighty fine pork tacos. Slowly cooked and dripping with pineapple juice, the al pastor tacos are little gems packed with flavour.

Read my profile of Tacos 101 in the restaurants section.

Toronto is filled with massive libraries making it easy to see how our city has one of the busiest public systems in the world. With Toronto opening up its 100th branch (Scarborough Civic Centre) and renovating historic spots such as the Wychwood Branch, our libraries - with 10.5 million books, DVDs, ebooks and other materials in circulation - will keep readers happy for years.

Here are the five biggest libraries in Toronto.

See also:The smallest libraries in Toronto

Toronto Reference Library
From hosting celebrities and writers such as Jonathan Franzen, Judy Blume, Lena Dunham and Margaret Atwood (or course) in the Bluma Appel Salon, to allowing visitors to peruse centuries-old newspapers in the basement Toronto Star Newspaper Room, this centrally located library has everything - even 3D-printers and space-age-style study pods.

North York Central Library
As second largest library in the city, you can do some serious research in this monolith near Mel Lastman Square. Though the North York Central Library officially opened in 1957, it moved into its current location -a building by Moriyama and Teshima Architects, the same firm that designed the Reference Library - in 1987.

Northern District
This library has a history dating back more than 100 years as it once was (as its name suggests) Toronto's most northern branch. While this isn't the case today, Northern District still serves the Yonge and Eglinton area with its sizeable collection and recently renovated building

Fairview
One of the most impressive features of this branch, located right beside Fairview Mall, is its theatre. With multiple dressing rooms and a baby grand piano, it seats over 250 people, making it perfect for community productions and recitals. It also costs only $409 per day for non-profit groups.

Richview
The Richview branch in Etobicoke has a dedicated art exhibition space and often features local artists. The library also has a larges collection in French, Polish and Chinese, as well as smaller collections in Italian, Korean, Russian and Ukrainian.

Photo by Loc Nguyen

Where to vote in Toronto is essential info this election day - Monday October 19, 2015. If you're unsure about whom to vote for, be sure to read up on some of the Toronto-specific issues and major civic projects that are hinging on this election.

You can also watch every single local debate for free and check out the interviews, profiles and other surveys with party leaders and Toronto MP candidates.

While this election seems like it has been dragging on forever, it'll all draw to a close on Monday night. Now that you're even more prepared to cast your ballot, here's some essential info you'll need when heading to the polls.

WHEN DO I VOTE?

In Toronto, you can vote for 12 hours, between 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Monday October 19. Worried about missing work? Don't be - because employers are required to give their employees time off in order to vote.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

If you received a voter information card in the mail, it'll tell you where your polling station is. If not, head to vote.ca and follow the prompts there. You can also head to the Elections Canada website or call your local Elections Canada office for more information.

WHAT DO I NEED TO VOTE?

If you didn't receive a voter information card, check if you're registered to vote. If you're not, you always register at the polls. Here's what you'll need when you head out on Monday:

• A piece of government-issued photo ID OR:
• Two pieces of ID that show your current address OR:
• If you don't have anything that shows your address, bring two pieces of ID as well as someone who can verify (via oath) your identity

Even if you're frustrated with the election, head to the polls anyways. A spoiled or blank ballot makes a much bigger statement than not voting at all.

Photo by Ronnie Nicholas in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Board game cafes in Toronto provide an alternative to your standard night out. They offer a chance to grab a coffee, or often something stronger, and get competitive over an assortment of games, from Settlers to Scrabble and beyond. Some spots, such as BoardAgain Games, host regular events while plenty of bars offer a small selection of titles to accompany your beer.

Here are my picks for the top new board game cafes in Toronto.

Snake and Lattes (College St.)
Snakes and Lattes bills itself as Toronto's first board game cafe. It previously expanded onto College Street with Snakes and Lagers, but it closed that spot to open a huge new location in the former Andy Poolhall space. This new outpost has more than 200 seats, what seems like every board game ever, coffee, snacks and craft beer.

A-Game Cafe
Located above Me Va Me near Queen and John, A-Game Cafe puts game-play first, while food and drinks are secondary. That dedication to gaming lets visitors choose from a growing selection of titles and the brothers who run the place will even jump in and join those show up alone. It's $3.50 an hour (per person) or $7 for unlimited play. There are also weekend and Tuesday specials.

Riddle Room
Toronto is filled with both board games cafes and escape rooms. Fittingly, this spot near Yonge and Wellesley combines both to create the ultimate gaming cafe (Riddle Room also has retro video games, coffee, snacks and milkshakes). There's no fee to play, but if you decide to tackle one of the five escape rooms, it'll set you back $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.

The Sidekick
While this Leslieville cafe is primary a coffee and comic book shop, it also boasts a small selection of board games for those who choose to enjoy their beverages and treats, sourced from Tori's Bakeshop and Moo Milk Bar, in-store.

Face to Face Games
Located at Danforth and Woodbine, Face to Face Games specializes in Magic: The Gathering with tournaments and other such events. But it also offers plenty of other board games as well as food to keep you satisfied as you challenge your friends to whichever games you fancy.

Did I miss any? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo of Snakes and Lattes by Jesse Milns

Free events in Toronto this week will have you channeling your inner Jedi at Ligthsaber Battle Toronto. If you have a couple bucks, you can purchase a weapon at the event or you can opt to BYO saber. Not into nerding out? Head to Kensington Market for the final PS Kensington event of the year.

Here's what to do if you spent all your cash on postseason tickets.

Dave Bookman's Nu Music Night (October 20)
As per usual, Tuesday night shows are cost-free at the Horseshoe Tavern. This week Kyper Kliff, Modern Space, Jungle Giants, and Tirggerfinger will be playing sets from 9pm onwards. Expect to find the crowd full of new music lovers.

Shameless Karaoke (October 23-24)
Let out your inner Mariah Carey by belting out high notes at the Gladstone Melody Bar this Friday and Saturday. You'll probably need a little bit of liquid courage, so I suggest pre-gaming for this one.

Ligthsaber Battle Toronto (October 24)
If you can't wait until the new Star Wars movie premieres later this year, you can awaken the force earlier thanks to a showdown that'll pit Jedi versus Sith for an epic-sounding lightsaber battle happening in the nearby galaxy of Toronto. Grab your glowing weapon and head to Nathan Phillips Square, or if you have the funds, you can buy one there.

PS Kensington (October 25)
Head to Kensington Market for the final installment of Pedestrian Sundays (until next year, that is). As per usual, you'll find a host of street performers, food on sticks, dancing in the streets and the Kensington Art Fair.

Toast to Autumn (October 25)
Lithuanian House is hosting their 5th Annual Toast to Autumn this Sunday. The event will feature all the regular festival shenanigans: live music, DIY workshops, and a ton of free activities. If you have a few bucks to spare, there will be $5 food as well as a beer tent and a few vendors.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our Toronto events calendar using this form.

Photo by Andrew Nguyen in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Local flea markets, or fleas as they're affectionately called, have cropped up all over the city, including in the Dundas West neighbourhood. However, as some might have noticed, there are now two similarly named markets that call the area home: Bellwoods Flea and the Trinity Bellwoods Flea. And this isn't a coincidence.

In January, Justin Roth and Felicia Laplume, both artisans, started the Bellwoods Flea. Their rather intimate market grew in popularity over the following months; nearly 6,000 people said they were going to attend the April edition. By August however, the Trinity Bellwood Flea popped up, operating from the same Facebook page.

"When we initially partnered to start the market, we held many of the same goals and intentions," says Laplume via email. "But as with any relationship, over time we grew and our goals changed. We parted ways to pursue our own visions." Laplume currently runs Trinity Bellwoods Flea. She held a market yesterday at Studio Bar with more than 35 vendors.

Roth, who's also a concert photographer, continues to hold monthly markets under the original moniker Bellwoods Flea. He didn't describe the split as amicably, but says it happened after he missed a market while he was away shooting the WayHome Festival. He claims he was locked out of the pair's social media accounts and website, assets which he says he created and now has to rebuild.

It's a schism where both parties are continuing to push forward, much like other notable Toronto feuds. Roth is keeping with his earlier vision of an intimate market with about 15 vendors. He also plays old movies and lets visitors get nostalgic with retro video games at his events. "It's a little community of local artists, just the way I intended it when I started," he says.

Laplume brings in local vendors and artisans as well as individuals with Etsy businesses. On November 1, she's partnering with Raw Finery Studio and Fashion Savage, as well as the Centre for Social Innovation and the Toronto Vintage Society to host Swap 4 Syria to support Syrian refugees.

Roth is also teaming up with likeminded groups and says he's holding a Christmas market crawl with the Annex Flea and Parkdale Flea. Until then, his next flea is on November 14 at Dundas Video.

While Roth says he and Laplume are no longer on speaking terms, both are continuing to bring eager shoppers, intent on buying local, into the Dundas West area. Now we'll just have to see if they can sustain two fleas.