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The Beaches might be getting a huge new concert venue

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Greenwood RacewayThe Beaches isn't exactly known for its thriving nightlife. But that could all change soon. The Champions Greenwood offtrack betting outlet at 1661 Queen St. E., might be transformed into a live entertainment venue.

There's currently a development application sitting with the city and it's aiming to make some minor adjustments to the existing space in order to turn it into a venue with a 2,700-person capacity.

As Good Hood reports, music giant Live Nation might be behind this proposal, meaning the incoming venue would probably get some big ticket acts.

Toronto also needs more mid-size concert halls, so if this plan goes through, it would definitely fill a void in the city.


6 people you never hear about at Toronto's Honda Indy

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honda indy torontoThe Honda Indy took over the Exhibition grounds and Lakeshore Road again last weekend, with a full card of support races that included the return of NASCAR to Toronto after five years. Australia's Will Power was the winner at the end of the weekend, while last year's winner, Josef Newgarden, crashed on lap 58, right in front of where I was taking pictures.

It only looks like a race weekend like the Honda Indy is about the cars, but there are hundreds of people working flat out behind the wheel, in the paddocks and in the pits.

I talked to six of them including Markham-born Daniel Morad was the only driver to compete in two different series during the weekend, racing in the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup series and accepting a last minute invitation to fill a seat in the NASCAR Pinty's Series. Morad finished seventh in the NASCAR stock car and came first in the Porsche on Saturday and second on Sunday.

"I literally went from the doctor's office to my race seat and practice, my first time ever in a NASCAR. I'm really excited to race in this series - rubbin's racing they say, and you're allowed to do it, whereas in the Porsche you're supposed to keep it nice and pristine."

Jean-Francois Dumoulin Louis-PhilippeJean-Francois Dumoulin (left) and his brother Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (right) are from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and compete against each other in the NASCAR Pinty's Series. They talked about the changes to the Toronto track and what's needed to make NASCAR bigger in Canada. Louis-Philippe finished fourth and Jean-Francois finished tenth at the end of Saturday's race.

L.P. Dumoulin: "They did some changes this year. I really liked the older configuration. This one is alright - we'll so how it goes during the race. Visually there's a lot of distractions - lights and posts and fences and you really have to pick your reference points quickly."

J.F. Dumoulin: "I think the social media is a big thing now. NASCAR needs to be stronger on that and on live TV. Because we have TV but it's hard to see it because it's a week after - when it's happening people are more willing to watch it."

Sara PriceSara Price was the first woman to drive in the Stadium Super Trucks series, a big fan favorite in Toronto since it first raced here in 2013. Price, a 23-year-old motocross racer from California, led for the first three laps of Sunday's race and ended up finishing ninth when her brakes began to fail.

"Obviously it takes a strong, independent girl to stick around the guys, and a lot of guys are looking at the women and giving them a lot of respect because they're looking at them as just another racer in another colour, not just a female. I think that's awesome and a lot of women should get into it because when you're in it it's amazing."

Neil CampbellScarborough-raised Neil Campbell is a mechanic working for Andretti Motorsports, with 25 years of experience in the business. He's part of Marco Andretti's Indycar crew; Andretti finished tenth.

"Those Formula E electric cars, they're going to be the future. In ten years you're going to see everything in that formula, and you can see how amazing that racing is, and I think we're heading that way."

Kate GundlachKate Gundlach is an assistant race engineer for Chip Ganassi Racing, where she works on the timing stand in pit lane on driver Charlie Kimball's team. She grew up around her father's vintage motorcycle racing team and has a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

"Toronto is hard to manage, and when you watch these cars go around the track in videos there's at least one tire off the ground at all times. It's tough for them to be within half a second of each other across the whole field - it's pretty impressive."

Photos by Rick McGinnis

House of the week: 44 Dale Avenue

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44 dale avenue torontoWhat can $4,449,000 land you in South Rosedale? A high-end detached home on a corner lot with subtle luxuries just waiting to be moved into. There's no shortage of high-end finishes on this 4 + bedroom house. With bespoke cabinetry and oriental white thassos marble throughout the kitchen and all 5 bathrooms - the space seems perfect enough to eat sushi right off the countertops.

44 dale avenue torontoThe master bedroom is spacious and bright, with wall-to-wall custom closets and a high-end bathroom complete with a free-standing soaker tub. The maple wooden cabinetry is a nice contrast to an otherwise modern bathroom.

44 Dale Avenue  torontoThe second-floor office and den space has wall-to-wall windows and a skylight, offering a pretty great spot to get creative or hunker down with a good book. The finished basement offers more space to set up a workplace or extra living area, and with 8 foot ceilings and large windows (for a basement), it almost makes up for the missing third floor that's typical of 4 million dollar plus houses in Toronto.

44 Dale Avenue  torontoThere's no shortage of stained glass windows and paneled wall accents, instilling classic touches to a newer renovation. With four + bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, it's not the largest house in Rosedale, but the high-end touches, fireplaces, and multiple soaker tubs may just keep the house in the competition.

44 dale avenue torontoSPECS

  • Address: 44 Dale Avenue
  • Price: $4,449,000
  • Lot Size: 37.50x140.00 FT
  • Bedrooms: 4 + 1
  • Bathrooms: 5
  • Parking: 4
  • Taxes: $15,576
  • Walk Score: 56
  • Listing agent: Fran Bennett, Christian Vermast, Paul Maranger
  • Listing ID: C3518684

44 dale avenue torontoNOTABLE FEATURES

  • Bespoke cabinetry in kitchen and bathrooms
  • High end finishes in all rooms
  • Cozy fireplaces in multiple rooms
  • Oriental white and thassos marble throughout
  • Natural sunlight in all rooms
  • Finished basement with over 8 feet ceilings
  • 44 dale avenue torontoGOOD FOR

    With high end finishes and classic design, there's no need to renovate. This family home is move-in ready with gorgeous quality features.

    44 Dale Avenue  torontoMOVE ON IF

    You're looking for an ultra-modern home that's walking distance to downtown.

    ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

    44 Dale Avenue  toronto44 Dale Avenue  toronto44 Dale Avenue  toronto44 Dale Avenue  toronto44 Dale Avenue  torontoIs this Rosedale home worth the asking price? Have your say in the comments.

    Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd, Brokerage for sponsoring our House of the Week. All content and editorial selected and written by blogTO.

    A truck just spilled salad dressing all over the DVP

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    Salad dressing TorontoYou don't win friends with salad. That was clear today in Toronto when a transport truck rolled over on the Don Valley Parkway and spilled oodles of salad dressing and mayonnaise on to the road.

    As City News reported earlier, the truck driver was charged with careless driving and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

    The mayo mishap caused delays this morning and crews are continuing to clean up the mess on the northbound ramp to the westbound 401. You may want to take a romaine rendezvous on another roadway for your commute home.

    Photo via @OPP_GTATraffic.

    Thai restaurant rivalry heats up with opening of Kiin

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    kiin torontoChefs Nuit and Jeff Regular are back at it again! The family behind Pai, Sabai Sabai and Sukhothai are taking over 326 Adelaide St. West.

    It's the very same space recently vacated by Khao San Road, the Thai eatery where Nuit once gained acclaim before going on to open Sukhothai's second location and establish her own restaurant empire.

    Nuit's newest concept Kiin is already in the works while KSR is set to reopen around the corner at 11 Charlotte Street this fall. Once open, the two restaurants will compete directly for the same khao soi-loving patrons.

    Photo of Khao San Road by Hector Vasquez.

    Dave Matthew's wine in Trinity Bellwoods bench fiasco

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    dreaming tree wineDave Matthew is in serenading fans at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre this evening. But across the city, his sustainable wine company, Dreaming Tree Wines, is causing a stir at Trinity Bellwoods Park.

    After Dreaming Tree planted 29 trees at the park, it got three commemorative plaques - two on a bench and one on a rock. One of these, however, ended up replacing an existing plaque on a memorial bench for the late Toronto performer Dennis Frey.

    Apparently, the city removed some bench slats for repairs, and ended up accidentally replacing one on Frey's bench with a Dreaming Tree plaque.

    dreaming treeAfter coming under criticism, Dreaming Tree issued an apology, and Eva HD - who paid for Frey's memorial bench - posted a response on Facebook.

    Image via Facebook.

    8 upcoming Pokemon Go parties and events in Toronto

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    pokemon go torontoPokemon Go has officially taken over Toronto, and these parties and events (warning: there will probably be seven more parties and events after this post is live) are a fun way to meet, trade, battle, train and physically run into strangers, laugh or grunt, and keep hunting.

    Here's a round-up of upcoming Pokemon Go parties and events in Toronto.

    Pokemon Go Lure Party (July 20)
    A meeting for fans to gather and hang out and have fun finding the little buggers. It all goes down at St. Andrews Market and Playground, that tiny little park around Brant and Adelaide. Please also bring friends who don't play so they can film all of you looking for your next catch.

    Toronto Gaymers Pokemon Go Village Walk (July 23)
    Gay gamers unite at the Riddle Room! The group will leave around 6 p.m. to stroll the village, get some items via Pokestops, and "possibly some gym takeovers, depending what team you're on." The purpose of this meet up is to promote safe Pokemon hunting.

    I Choose You! - A Pokemon Inspired Dance Party (August 2)
    Sieze the moment, grab your Pokedex and dance the night away at Adelaide Hall. Prizes for best dressed and references to Pokemon Go!, themed drinks and decor, and playing, hunting and dancing are all encouraged. $5 gets you in.

    Make it Pop: Pokemon Dance Party (August 6)
    With music by DJ Panic Pop!, this Pika-approved Pokenight let's you boogie with fellow fans, compare collections, trade and battle with other trainers.

    Pokemon Go Crawl (August 12)
    An organized pub crawl, but trust me when I say, be as organized as they are and click "going" on the Facebook page to get all the updates as they come in. Locations, maps, ticket information, drink specials and a couple hundred mini Pokemon figures to everyone who shows up first.

    Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions (August 28)
    This will be the video game concert must-see of 2016. Featuring a full orchestra performing all new arrangements and carefully timed visuals from recent and classic Pokémon video games. Also a good opp to catch, battle and trade inside the Sony Centre!

    GO Pokemon: A Nintendo FanExpo Dance Party (September 3)
    There are door prizes for best cosplayers, 90s jams and "enough video game music to make Miyamoto-san jealous," according to organizers of the FanExpo after party at Sneaky Dee's. Tickets are available in advance for this one and doors at are 10 p.m.

    Fan Fiction The Show: Pokemon (September 6)
    What happens when Pikachu gets hired by the mob? Who wins in a final showdown between the Squirtle Squad and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Take a break from traditional meetups and trades and check out this comedy show featuring Pokecomedy from original fan-generated material by authors all over the world.

    Photo by Natta Summerky

    Today in Toronto: Pokemon Go Lure Party, Theaster Gates Dance Party, Union Pop-up Gym, Open Roof Fest

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    bandit brewery torontoToday in Toronto there's a 100% sold out talk by Theaster Gate at the AGO, so, sorry you can't go to that... but afterwards at the AGO there's a dance party celebrating her new exhibit and blackness in music. If you don't need to dance on a Wednesday in a giant art gallery, then just go to the latest Pokemon Go Lure party and try not to get trampled.

    For more events, click on over to our events section.

    Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

    Photo of Bandit Brewery by Jesse Milns.


    This Toronto neighbourhood just got free WiFi for a year

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    toronto parkdaleDon't worry about wasting your data if you're playing Pokemon Go in this Toronto neighbourhood. That's because Parkdale now has free WiFi thanks to the technology-focused non-profit reBOOT Canada.

    Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre and Parkdale Community Legal Services will be hosting the two WiFi hotspots, as Metro News writes today. And you'll be able to connect from Sorauren to Dufferin.

    This pilot project will last for one year. There's no word on whether or not this community partnership model will be rolled out to other areas of the city. And more important than Pokemon Go, this initiative will give those without data plans access to the web 24 hours a day.

    Where would you like to see free WiFi in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.

    Photo by Clint Tham via the blogTO Flickr pool.

    Bombardier might delay opening of Toronto's new LRT

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    crosstown lrt stations torontoToronto doesn't have all of its new streetcars yet, and now it looks like we might be facing more delivery delays from Bombardier, this time surrounding our city's incoming light rail transit (LRT) lines.

    Based on an anonymous source, the Toronto Star reports that Metrolinx sent a notice of default to the Quebec-based manufacturing company, alleging a breach of contract in its deal to supply light rail vehicles (LRVs) to Toronto's two LRT projects.

    Toronto is supposed to get two new LRT lines by 2021: the Eglinton Crosstown and the Finch LRT. Back in 2010, Metrolinx ordered $770-million worth of light rail vehicles (LRV) from Bombardier, which was supposed to deliver one LRV for testing purposes by 2014. This LRV has yet to make an appearance in Toronto.

    A Metrolinx spokesperson told the Star that the projects are about 21 months behind schedule, while a Bombardier rep said that his company would be sending over the pilot LRV next month.

    Toronto food trucks find home at City Hall this summer

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    toronto street food seriesYesterday, some of Toronto's tastiest food trucks rolled into Nathan Phillips Square during lunch time. This special service at City Hall is apart of Toronto's Street Food Series that has been going on over the course of the summer.

    From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. feasTO, Born2Eat, Urban Smoke, Fidel Gastro's, La Novela and Tdots Naansense gathered and served up delectable grub to City Hall visitors, TORONTO sign photo takers, office workers and food truck fans.

    On the menu was everything from sweet and sour chicken dumplings from feasTO to cuban sandwiches form La Novela and even marmite poutine from Born2Eat. Let's just say there was no shortage of truck eats to go around.

    This Street Food Series will continue throughout the summer at Nathan Phillips Square on the following dates and will feature the following food trucks:

    July 26

    August 9

    August 23

    August 30

    September 6

    Please note the food truck line-up is subject to change.

    To find out where trucks will be each day visit Toronto Food Trucks or download the Food Trucks app for iPhone or Android.

    Toronto startup invents Bluetooth speaker beer holder

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    dubgearIt's easy to find portable speakers in Toronto, but none of them will hold a beer for you. Well, local startup Dubgear's trying to change that by creating a Bluetooth speaker that also functions as a beer koozie. It's calling this hybrid device the Dubstein.

    Along with cradling your drink, Dubstein has ergonomic thumb controls on its handle, a rechargeable battery as well as a microphone to field your phone calls (and drunk dials).

    It includes a 375 mililitre insert so you can fill it with your favourite local craft brew or you can use it to hold a can or bottle instead.

    You can grab your own black and blue souped up beer stein online for $129.95. And since Dubgear's based in Etobicoke, shipping is free across Canada.

    Photo via Dubgear.

    10 signs you live in Roncesvalles

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    roncesvallesIf you manage to survive the gauntlet of families, strollers, dogs and lush little community garden plots you cannot by any means touch, then you'll make it through the Roncesvalles neighbourhood. With its heart on Roncevalles Ave, and it's growing arteries on the outskirts, this is one part of town that quickly becomes addictive and a place you fiercely defend as home.

    Here are 10 signs you live in Roncesvalles.

    1. You have your allegiances to your favourite local indie cafe but don't dare say a bad thing about Cherry Bomb.

    2. By all means necessary you avoid Cherry Blossom Festival peak season in High Park, and are often on the lookout for escapedzoo animals.

    3. You skip making dinner on Monday and head to the friendly/aggressively local Sorauren Farmer's Market to get fed.

    4. You always forget to bring cash when you buy most of your fruits and vegetables, year round from Maple Produce.

    5. You try to avoid the judgemental gazes of the Polish babcia's when walking home in last night's outfit on Sunday as they're heading to one of the dozens of intimidating churches along the street.

    6. You love that little bouncy moment in front of Saint Vincent de Paul church with that random stretch of the sidewalk made out of rubber.

    7. You walk by the Revue Cinema and wonder why the hell there's a lineup halfway down the block. What one-off film or event is happening in there?

    8. You've waited what feels like a good 12 minutes a the intersections of Queen/King/Roncesvalles and/or Dundas and Roncescalles. Those traffic lights have a lot of changes to go through!

    9. Kolbasa (and other wonderfully unhealthy Euro treats like schnitzel, latkes, and cabbage rolls) from Super Kolbasa are regularly on your grocery list.

    10. You try and order meat at Chicago's Deli without saying hello in Polish first. They're not being rude, they just don't care about you if you don't speak one single word of Polish.

    What are your personal highlights of things only Roncesvallians would understand? Tell us in the comments.

    Photo by Michael Monastyrskyj in the blogTO Flickr pool.

    Pokemon Go chauffeurs and tours take hold in Toronto

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    pokemon go toursPokemon Go? It might be Pokemon No if you're stuck in Toronto's suburbs, especially when some of the biggest Pokemon Go events, lure parties and meet ups happen downtown. But one enterprising pair is making easier for would-be trainers to get to city's best PokeStops with their Poke-a-Tours service.

    Irfan Akhtar, 28, and his friend Randy started offering tours this past Sunday. And they're not alone. Both Craigslist and and Kijiji feature numerous listings for Pokemon hunters, drivers and even egg walkers (to hatch an egg, you need to physically walk between 2 and 10 kilometres) - it's one of the side industries spawning alongside this wildly popular smartphone game.

    "We're just kind of testing the waters, really," says Akhtar, who works in digital media downtown. When he went out on Sunday, he brought along two friends and one customer, a young woman from Oshawa. They drove around to popular lure areas - like Milliken Park, Woodbine Beach and Harbourfront - for about four or five hours and stopped for lunch along the way.

    "It went from having a stranger in the car to just a whole bunch of friends driving around," notes Akhtar. Even outside of these chauffeur services, it's easy to make friends while playing, especially if you frequent popular Pokemon Go hotspots.

    That's why Akhtar thinks his service is of particular value to those who live outside of the core and might have a hard time traveling to the best local PokeStops. The city's streetcars and buses are also great places for Poke-hunting - you can jump up multiple levels just by riding routes like the 501.

    But if you want to catch 'em all in comfort on a Poke-a-Tour, it'll cost you $15 per hour and you can get picked up nearly anywhere in the GTA. So far, however, Akhtar says he hasn't had any bookings for this weekend.

    The top 21 pies in Toronto by neighbourhood

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    apple pie torontoPie in Toronto is a seasonal delight, filled with berries and stone fruit in the summer months; pumpkin and minced meat as the temperatures cool; and of course, cream pies, which are always tasty. Luckily in Toronto, bakers have got the whole gamut covered.

    Here are my picks for the top pies in Toronto by neighbourhood.

    ANNEX
    Kensington Natural Bakery is home to a variety of pies that often includes vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free versions in flavours like peach, pecan and cranberry.

    BAYVIEW & LEASIDE
    Wiseys Pies and Bakehouse is perhaps most popular for its savoury, Kiwi-inspired selections, but you'll also find an array desserts, including individual and family-sized cherry, peach, apple, blueberry and strawberry pies.

    BEACHES
    Handcrafted pies from Sweet Seduction Bakery on Queen East are usually packed with fresh fruit, but on occasion, you'll find tempting novelties like the peanut butter pie with a chocolate crust or two-bite cherry chocolate pie pops on a stick.

    BLOORCOURT
    Golden, double-crusted apple pies are a staple on the display counter at Bakerbots, but seasonal features should also be expected, especially pumpkin pies in the fall.

    phipps torontoBLOORDALE
    Home Baking offers pie by the slice for immediate consumption as well as whole pies if you order with three days notice. Apple pie is pretty regular, though you'll also find pumpkin, blueberry and strawberry-rhubarb when in season.

    BLOOR WEST VILLAGE
    Hot Oven Bakery boasts locations across the GTA. Look forward to all time favourites such as apple pie and apple crumble along with fruit flavours like raspberry, cherry, blueberry, peach and strawberry-rhubarb.

    CABBAGETOWN
    Absolute Bakery is a favourite among locals because its pie features a fantastically rich, buttery crust. Choose from pecan, apple, cherry, blueberry, mixed berry and French custard with fresh fruit on top.

    EAST CHINATOWN
    On the weekends , you'll find an abundance of nine-inch pies ready for pick up at Andrea's Gerrard Street Bakery. Or take home a frozen pie for on any weekday. The all-butter crusts come filled with seasonal fruits like apple, strawberry rhubarb or mixed berries.

    pies torontoEAST DANFORTH
    Celena's Bakery makes pies with scratch-made crust filled with barely sweetened fresh fruit. Order full, family-sized or half-sized pies to suit your appetite guest list.

    ETOBICOKE
    Sure, More than Pies does more than pies. That doesn't mean you should ignore the buttery crusts filled with fresh, seasonal fruit, coconut cream, pecans, raisins, pumpkin or rhubarb. Even gluten-free pies are available with advance notice.

    FINANCIAL DISTRICT
    The addictive crack pie from Milk Bar features a syrup-steeped crusted loaded with a sugary filling. Buy them whole or by the slice for take away at Momofuku's second floor sweet shop.

    THE JUNCTION
    Deep dish fruit-filled pies are made to order with 48 hours notice by Bunner's Bakeshop. Locations in The Junction and in Kensington Market are locally famous for vegan, gluten-free baking.

    pies torontoKENSINGTON MARKET
    Wanda's Pie in the Sky specializes in pies of all types. Find buttery crusts filled with fresh fruit, cream pies topped with peaks of meringue and cold weather favourites like pumpkin and minced meat.

    LESLIEVILLE
    The selection at Bobbette & Belle includes the rich maple pecan pie along with lemon meringue and apple crumble in butter short crust.

    MOUNT PLEASANT
    Flaky Tart is an old-school bakeshop that prides itself on using fresh ingredients and home-style techniques. Chef Madelaine's fruit pies come in flavours like apple-pear-cranberry, apple-raspberry and strawberry-rhubarb.

    PAPE VILLAGE
    Hansen's Danish Pastry Shop
    This pastry shop on Pape takes a traditional European approach to its fruit and cream pies. Made daily, these babies are baked with love and are flaky, rich and piled high with filling.

    pies torontoRONCESVALLES
    Home-style baked goods are what Mabel's does best. From sour cherry and wild blueberry, to key lime and coconut cream, the pie selection in store is always changing, but custom orders are welcome.

    YONGE & EGLINTON
    Lattice topped fruit pies filled with summer berries, double crust peach pies and key lime mousse pie heaped into a chocolate pastry crust are among the many delicious offerings at Phipp's.

    YONGE & BLOOR
    Pie Squared deals in individual-sized pies. Favourites include the Apple Krisp as well as pastry crusts filled with bananas and Nutella or cream cheese and pumpkin.

    pies torontoYONGE & LAWRENCE
    Pies at The Rolling Pin are next level. Among the many whimsical creations, find a PB&J pie, a sprinkles topped birthday cake pie and a s'mores pie featuring a rich chocolate filling, a graham cracker crust and torched marshmallows.

    YORKVILLE
    The Dessert Lady sticks to the classics and serves up apple pies and crumbles along with pumpkin, cherry and wild blueberry desserts in the heart of Yorkville.

    What did I miss? Add your favourite pies in Toronto to the comments.


    Drinking and running event coming to Ontario Place

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    Famous Canadian Beer RunThere's no better way to celebrate crushing a run than by downing some nice, cold craft beer. And that's exactly what you can do after you complete the first ever Famous Canadian Beer Run & Festival.

    This event, happening at Ontario Place on Sunday, September 18, is pairing a craft beer festival with a casual 5K run. And if this fusion festival sounds a lot like the RunTOBeer concept, you wouldn't be wrong. The popular running group is partnering with the Famous Canadian Beer Run & Festival and will be holding a tune-up session so you can beef up your running and drinking skills.

    The short, lakeside route will take you through Ontario Place and once you cross the finish line, you can make your way over to the festival, which will include craft brewers such as High Park Brewery, Great Lakes Brewery, Beau's and Sawdust City Brewing.

    And if you're looking to relax, you can check out the in/FUTURE festival, which will also be happening on race day. By participating in the run, you gain access to the multi-disciplinary arts extravaganza.

    The registration fee is currently sitting at $65, but it'll go up on August 16.

    Photo by Hector Vasquez.

    Sweet Jesus launching Speakers Corner for Snapchat generation

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    sweet jesusMany of Sweet Jesus's devotees probably don't remember when the Speaker's Corner box sat at Queen and John. And while this beloved Toronto tradition won't be returning any time soon, the ice cream empire is resurrecting it at its incoming Yonge and Eglinton location.

    Sweet Jesus's latest soft serve sanctuary will feature a Snapchat Confessional - or a booth set up with an iPad - where customers can rant and rave (undoubtedly about the long line they just waited in) live on the mini-chain's snap story.

    So when the store opens on Monday, get ready for an endless barrage of pimped out and Instagrammable ice creams cones, like the ever popular Krusty the Cone (you know, the one with cotton candy).

    Photo by Jesse Milns.

    Don't go chasing Pokemon on the TTC subway tracks

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    pokemon go ttcThe TTC is not too happy with the Noodle Boys. Why? Because the Toronto-based production company filmed a Pokemon Go-related video on the subway tracks at Union Station.

    If you haven't seen it yet, Pokemon Go Problems has nearly half a million views on Facebook and features actor Mark Correia (one half of the Noodle Boys duo) getting into shenanigans around the city on his quest to catch 'em all. Along with walking on the subway tracks, Correira falls into Lake Ontario and crashes into multiple walls.

    Correia and producer Jason D'Souza understand why they're getting a lot of flack for their project. "The TTC's angry, which makes sense because we went on the subway tracks. That's stupid and we understand that. And we're not trying to endorse that in any way when we try to make silly videos," says Correia.

    The TTC is currently investigating the incident and has repeated that there are no Pokemon at track level.

    The Noodle Boys don't think they went too far, despite the possible repercussions from the TTC. "It's our job as artists to try to push the envelope, but if we do something illegal, it's their job to act on that," notes Correia.

    Neither Correia nor D'Souza play Pokemon Go, Correira tells me. "Watching myself in the video makes me realize that I don't want to play the game and become that for real."

    Vote in 10 new best of categories

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    chickenToday we're opening up voting in our latest Best Of poll. Now you can have your say in 10 categories including vintage clothing stores, live music venues, cinnamon buns, Filipino restaurants, Indian buffets and more.

    Take the best of poll here

    Voting in the poll ends at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday July 23.

    Today in Toronto: Dancing on the pier, Winona forever, Club Cheval, summer of creativity, Museum of Love

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    Toronto sunset polson pierToday in Toronto there's a lot of dancing. With the exception of a Pokemon Go talk about whether the game is a fad or the future, you can dance at Polson Pier, Harbourfront Centre, Velvet Underground or Roy Thomson Hall. All while seeing some pretty cool bands and artists. Get out your dancing shoes or very sturdy sandals and get down on it.

    For more events, click on over to our events section.

    Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

    Photo of the city view from Polson Pier by Ruth Choi from the blogTO Flickr Pool.

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