The American election is all anyone can talk about right now (aside from baseball, that is), and for good reason. Although despite the fact that Toronto's super invested in it, the vast majority of us can't even vote. But one restaurant's trying to change that.

North of Brooklyn Pizzeria wants to give Canada the vote via pizza. The local mini chain has introduced two new pizzas to its menu: The Donald and The Hillary.

You can cast your vote by purchasing one of these presidential pizza. And to up the stakes, an anonymous dual American-Canadian citizen will actually vote in the election based on whichever ever pizza proves more popular.

The Donald includes American Pepperoni, sausage, orange cheese and jalapenos.

The Hillary comes topped with aged blue cheese, smoked chicken and arugula. Both cost $25 for a large (or dare I say, yuge) pie.

These pizzas should be ready right in time for the final debate, which starts at 9 p.m. tonight.

And if you're lucky you might also be able to grab a lawn sign.

Will you vote with pizza? Let us know in the comments.

Custom make your own special new fall shade that's just for you at this organic, artisanal, all-natural lipstick lab. The experts will guide you through a process to choose the perfect shade for you, then create a lipstick in that colour right before your very eyes.

Read my profile of Bite Lip Lab in the fashion section.

The best eco-friendly baby and kid stores in Toronto sell everything you need to make conscientious purchases for the wee ones in your life. From organic, locally made clothing to cloth diapers, these green retailers have you covered.

Here are the best eco-friendly baby and kid stores in Toronto.

Heavy industry has mostly retreated from Toronto in the 21st century, though there remain little pockets around the city where its impact can be witnessed most obviously. The Port Lands fits this description, as does the area around Dupont St. beside the CPR tracks, and most especially Geary Avenue.

These places are so fascinating because unlike so much of the city, they're transitional. Their ties to the past are far more evident than you'll see in a place like West Queen West, where the industrial heritage of the neighbourhood has been effectively wiped clean, and the gentrification process has run its course.

The future has yet to be written in a precious few of Toronto's former industrial zones, and the ultimate character of the streets that comprise them is a process that's playing out before our eyes. You could be forgiven for thinking that you inherit the city in its developed form, but it's always in a state of becoming.

This is perhaps most obvious on a street like Laird Drive in Leaside. There's been enormous change here in the last decade, but there's even more to come as auto garages and remaining industrial tenants slowly give way to redevelopment schemes.

A hundred years ago, Laird Drive was the central artery in Leaside's burgeoning industrial sector, punctuated by the sprawling Canada Wire and Cable plant at Wicksteed Avenue, where the street terminated. The company originally helped to supply the materials required for Canada's growing hydro-electric network, but became a munitions factory in both World Wars.

Immediately to the east was the Leaside Aerodrome (roughly were Home Depot is now), a bustling airfield that was used to train pilots during the first World War. It was closed after the war but because the Toronto Flying Club, which operated here until 1931.

The last hanger was removed until the 1970s, but to this day streets in the area like Wicksteed and Canvarco feature hangar-like buildings that coincidentally serve as reminders of the neighbourhood's past. The same holds true for the ghost railway tracks that you can spot crossing Industrial St. There are so many signs of the unburied past here.

Leaside was born of the railway when the Canadian Northern Railway bought up over 1,000 acres of land northeast of Toronto with a plan to build a community that would combine residential, commercial and industrial interests. By the mid 1920s, the industrial portion was booming, and the houses followed.

One of the landmark companies operating at the time was Durant Motors Inc. The American company opened a Canadian branch here in 1921 where it would quickly become one of the the largest domestic car manufacturers until it ran into trouble at the end of the decade. The company last until the mid-1930s in Leaside before eventually closing up shop.

Now, some 80 years later there's plans to turn the defunct car company's offices into condos and a retirement home. The front facade would be maintained as would portions of the north and south sides of the building, but the heritage component of the development is an afterthought at best.

The development has stirred up significant controversy in the neighbourhood as the Leaside Property Owners' Association has opposed its approval. There's a desire to preserve some of the area's industrial heritage, and this lovely brick building from 1928 is as obvious a place as any.

Across the street, precisely where Canada Wire once was, lies one of Toronto's architectural abominations in the form of the SmartCentre retail complex. The proposed condo development doesn't share much in common with this commercial site other than proximity, but its presence serves as a warning for local residents.

Early renderings promised a tastefully designed shopping centre, but what was built is such a mess that it's hard to know where to begin. It looks like a theme park turned into a retail centre. Everything is so profoundly fake. Residents don't want to see this repeated with a residential development that snickers at the heritage of its site.

But they haven't had much like fighting redevelopment plans in the immediate area. Very vocal opposition to planned expansion of the SmartCentre to the north in 2012 was ultimately unsuccessful in stopping what many fear will be a Walmart at 70 Wicksteed.

Along with concerns about increased traffic along Laird, the opposition to projects like this has to do with the character of the neighbourhood. Former area councillor John Parker hoped to attract light industry to the Wicksteed site, but claimed that there was no interest. The tide has shifted and development tends to follow a pattern away from the former makeup of the area.

So while the arrival of a new Local Public Eatery at Laird and McRae is an ancillary benefit of the retail landscape and growing residential density here, the stakes are high when it comes to ensuring that Laird's identity not change too quickly.

On the south end of Laird at Southvale Drive, the Upper House Condos are well underway. This midsize development makes more sense here than the proposal for the Durant building. It sits at the edge of the old industrial and residential divide of the neighbourhood, and at seven storeys and 74 units, it won't dominant the area.

Between these two bookends, Laird remains a hodgepodge street of new and old retail, holdout industrial companies, car dealerships, and auto body shops. The recently built Leaside Village complex continued the erosion of the street's industrial character for corporate retail, but the scale of the development was better suited to the neighbourhood.

It will take a couple more decades before redevelopment at the north and south ends of Laird meet at the middle. In the meantime, it remains one of those places with a future that's contested. Is it possible to retain the unique character of this street in the face of great intensification pressure?

I remember going to the Country Style Donuts at Eglinton and Laird as a kid in the 1980s. On Saturday mornings the parking lot would be full of cyclists gathering for a group ride in a tradition that persists to this day across the street, as the site of the former donut shop (most recently a Great Canadian Bagel) was razed for construction of a station on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.

Back then, Laird was still heavily industrial. Wicksteed was strewn with rusted out old cars and the mighty Canada Wire plant still stood at the southeast corner of the intersection. The thought of condos or big box retail had yet to form, and an almost frontier atmosphere brought retailers like Sandy's Cycle and Emmett's Custom Framing to the street.

Sandy's was displaced by the Leaside Village retail centre, but has stayed in the area on Research Road. It still sells a strange combination of books and bikes some 30 years after arriving in the area. These are the types of unique businesses that thrive on transitional streets like Laird, and what residents know is at stake when redevelopment pressure arises.

They're also a reminder that in a city like Toronto, sometimes it's the unfinished places that are the most interesting.

Share your thoughts about the changes on Laird Drive in the comments.

The Toronto Blue Jays are thankfully still in the playoffs after their big win last night against Cleveland. And while we might be in for a massive let down one of these days, there's one group that's been riding high throughout the entire baseball post season.

The restaurants near the Rogers Centre are pretty happy with the Blue Jays right now because they generally get slammed both before and after home games - no one wants to pay stadium prices, right?

While you'd expect places like Real Sports and Jack Astors to fill up, nearby local eateries are packed too.

Canteen, on the ground floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox, has been offering Blue Jays specials all season long, including $5 Mill Street pints and bratwurst. Manager Lauren tells me the restaurant's usually busy before and after games. Though if the Jays performed poorly, they wouldn't have as big of a post-game crowd.

But yesterday, about an hour before game 4, Canteen started filling up with fans. "We've been seeing a lot of Blue Jays jerseys, you know," says Lauren. "When I look around, half our guests right now are in Blue Jays gear."

Relative newbie Calii Love is located at King and Peter, making it a good spot for those looking for a healthy(ish) snack before heading to the Rogers Centre.

Co-owner Dan Gunam says he sees lots of people in Blue Jays jerseys coming through his space, especially when the team's playing at home.

While much of the in-store traffic comes from those passing by, Guman also thinks his restaurant's Instagram and creative latte art help get customers in the door.

And nearby Burrito Boyz is also slammed, especially after later games. The late-night eatery also screens games, so employee Sasha tells me it's busy whenever the Jays are on television.

Photos of Burrito Boyz and via @caliiloveco.

Remember CDs? They are but a distant technological memory by now, kind of like the stores that used to sell them. This is why it's sad to report the Eaton Centre HMV is closing its doors.

The store's lease is up at the end of December, and the company unsurprisingly does not plan to renew it. Staff have been informed of the closure, and signs went up in the store today proclaiming 30% off some items. After the Bloor Street location closed earlier in 2016, this leaves the Yonge street location as the lone standing downtown HMV.

Other HMV locations and major record stores have followed suit in the last few years, leaving the city's independent retailers the last ones standing for music, and music-related stuff like magazines, in-store shows and concert tickets.

Keep an eye on the sale signs in the window as prices are sure to continue drop on all those DVDs and other odd trinkets the store has been selling since the CD market dried up.

For the past 10 years, The Harbord Room has been a go-to Toronto spot for intimate dinners, well-crafted drinks and epic burgers. But now the Annex-area restaurant is getting ready to close its doors for good.

In a Facebook post, the Harbord Room team explains why they're shutting down. "It wasn't easy coming to this conclusion but we feel it's for the best. The Harbord Room was always an owner operated restaurant, you could always find Cory [Vitiello] in the kitchen or Dave [Mitton] behind the bar most nights of the week," reads the post.

"That hasn't been the case the last two years, Cory and Shiki have opened a small chain of restaurants called Flock that take up most of their time, Dave has taken on the role of Global Ambassador for Canadian whisky which keeps him constantly traveling outside of the country, and Liz has started and is focusing on her family right now," it continued.

The Harbord Room will stay open until October 29, so you still have time to say your goodbyes and eat one last hamburger.

Will you miss The Harbord Room? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jesse Milns.

If you hang out a lot at your local watering hole, you've probably gotten to know your bartender, especially if they've been working there for a while. And you'd likely be pretty bummed if they found another gig.

This month, one of Toronto's longest serving bartenders will retire. Joe Gomes, as the Toronto Star reports, has been working at the Park Hyatt's Roof Lounge for the past 57 years. He's leaving his post on October 28 and has plans to open a bed and breakfast in Madeira, Portugal where he's originally from.

When we caught up with Gomes a few years ago, he revealed one of his trade secret. "You have to know how to talk to the customer, when to talk, how to approach them. It's all about communication. This's something that comes with experience," said the city's most famous bartender.

But now that he's retiring, who's going to take his place as Toronto's most well-known, or legendary bartender? Here are a few folks who might make good candidates.

Gord Hannah
The Drake's head bartender and cocktail ambassador helps create all of the delicious and boozy beverages that this brand is famous for. Bottoms up.

Teddy Fury
Teddy Fury's been behind the bar at the Horseshoe Tavern for about 30 years now. He's had lots of famous run ins over the years and has also witnessed plenty of strange things at one of the most iconic music venues in the city.

Dave Mitton
Bartender and J.P. Wiser's whisky ambassador Dave Mitton was part of the team that put The Harbord Room on the map. Even though the restaurant's closing, Mitton's still a force in the city.

Sandy De Almeida
You can currently find Sandy De Almeida at The Drake or sling mezcal at El Rey in Kensington Market. She previously worked at the Gladstone as well as at a number of other bar's in the city's west end.

Frankie Solarik
A quick visit to BarChef will introduce you to Frankie Solarik's inventive and multi-sensory cocktails. He's received numerous accolades for his innovative creations.

Who's your favourite Toronto bartender? Let us know in the comments.

Photos by Jesse Milns and Christian Boback.

A longstanding question for observers of Toronto's urban landscape has been how long Parkdale can remain a condo-free zone. With the profound amount of development taking place on the eastern side of the Queen Street Subway and the steady increase of popular restaurants and bars, it seems inevitable that condos will infiltrate the neighbourhood.

Concerns about gentrification have been circling for over a decade, and the Parkdale has steadily become an entertainment destination despite considerable efforts by local councillor Gord Perks to maintain a balance between the rise of new businesses and the established vibe of the neighbourhood.

In some sense, new condos (rather than loft conversions) have already breached the dividing line between West Queen West and Parkdale when Q Loft was build at the northwest corner of Queen and Dufferin in 2014, but the real question is when this trend will move further west.

Tentatively speaking, the answer is now. Block Developments has proposed a seven storey development at 57 Brock Avenue on the site currently occupied by the Beer Store. Residents weren't happy with the project at the pre-application meeting in the spring, but the project is proceeding through the various stages of planning.

There's no guarantee that it'll be approved by the city, but even if the project goes to an OMB appeal, there's a good chance that it will eventually be built. It will be a big deal if it does.

In and of itself, this development wouldn't be a neighbourhood-changing moment. The scale of the project is kept in check and the townhouse element is a decent match with the surrounding buildings.

The bigger question is whether or not a mid-rise condo here would kick of development across along the street. Question marks surround the abandoned LCBO at 11 Brock Avenue right now. That's a sizeable plot of land very close to Queen St. that would be highly desirable for a developer.

Gord Perks has stated an interest with the province for affordable housing at the site, but for now it sits in limbo.

There's a delicate balance in a neighbourhood like Parkdale, and the decisions made about developments along Brock could have enormous bearing on the rest of the neighbourhood over the next decade.

Lead photo of the pre-condo Q Loft site by Kevin Steele.

The Toronto Blue Jays dreams of making the World Series have officially been crushed. This evening the Jays were eliminated in the American League Championship Series losing 3-0 to Cleveland to go down in five games.

While the loss stings, no one can deny it has been one hell of a postseason. It all kicked off with the epic Wild Card win and continued with sweeping the Rangers. Even winning yesterday's game to stay alive was a true highlight. It's been fun to watch the Jays, and I can't wait to see what next season brings.

It seems as though many Jays fans share this sentiment, while others are absolutely gutted. Here's how the faithful reacted to the loss on Twitter.

Photo via @BlueJays.

Halloween movie events and screenings in Toronto will help you get in the mood for the best and spookiest time of the year. From classic horror films to festive quote alongs, there's no need to sit on your couch watching Scream Queens alone.

Here's a round-up of Halloween movie events and screenings to check out in Toronto this year.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival (until Oct. 21, Scotiabank Theatre)
The Toronto After Dark Film Festival continues until October 21. There are still some horror movies for you to catch, including ones from South Africa, Poland and the United States as well as the closing night film from Canada.

Hxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (Oct. 23, Revue Cinema)
Watch this silent Scandinavian horror film, which apparently had a big influence on movies we all know and love, like the Exorcist.

Are You Afraid of the Dark? Marathon (Oct. 25 D-Beatstro)
Who didn't want to be a member of the midnight society? Join the gang around a campfire and watch as much AYAotD as you can. I call this story... awesome.

Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Marathon (Oct. 26, D-Beatstro)
Watch all of your favourite Treehouse of Horror episodes and munch on vegan treats all at the same time. D-Beatstro has all your Simpsons-related needs covered.

Scream Quote-a-long (Oct. 28, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wes Craven masterpiece by quoting along with it at the cinema formerly known as the Bloor Hot Docs.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Oct. 28, 29 and 31, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
You can expect to see midnight screenings of Rocky Horror on the last Friday of every month, but in honour of Halloween, the Bloor Hot Docs is adding an additional two showings. Get your fishnets ready.

Neon Dreams Cinema Club: Phantom of the Paradise (Oct. 29, The Royal)
This glam-rock musical horror movie returns to The Royal just in time for Halloween. Promo material for this cinematic event ask, "are you ready to sell your souls for rock n' rolls"

Little Shop of Horrors (Oct. 30, The Royal)
For this edition of Musicale, The Royal's showing Little Shop of Horrors, everyone's favourite musical movie about a flesh-eating plant starring Rick Moranis as the love-struck Seymour.

Beetlejuice (Oct. 30, The Royal)
Stick around Little Italy after Little Shop (little shop) of Horrors for the Screen Queens' presentation of Beetlejuice. There will trivia, a costume contest and beer from Muskoka Brewery.

The Toronto Indie Horror Fest (Nov. 9-12, D-Beatstro)
This free film festival starts after Halloween, but it'll let you keep the spooky vibes going into the beginning of holiday season (this is especially useful if you're more of a Jack Skellington, than a Santa Claus-enthusiast).

Did I miss a spooky Halloween film screening or movie event? Let us know in the comments.

Today in Toronto there are three shows of note that will improve your life. The Born Ruffians return, Sampha takes on the Drake Underground, and The Hidden Cameras play songs from their new album at the McMichael Gallery. You can catch a shuttle bus at the Gladstone to head up for for the concert.

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

• Born Ruffians (Danforth Music Hall)
• Sticky Fingers (Opera House)
• Sampha (Drake Hotel)
• Andrew Coimbra fall collection launch (EFS)
• Why The @#&! Do You Paint? (Gladstone Hotel)
• Memorex, Gabe Knox and Bodies That Matter (Baby G)
• International Festival of Authors (Harbourfront Centre)
• The Hidden Cameras live (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)
• Golden Girls: Thank you for being a friend live tribute (Lower Ossington Theatre)
• Traces: Ryerson University, OCAD University and Art Camp Residency (Gladstone Hotel)
• Secrets of a Showgirl (Lula Lounge)
• 25th Anniversary of Miss Saigon (Cineplex Yonge and Dundas)
• The Pack A.D. (Horseshoe Tavern)

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

Photo from the Born Ruffians Facebook page.

Toronto Restaurant Openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

OPEN NOW

• Dolly's opens today at 1285 Bloor St. W. where Bloordale fave Whippoorwill once stood. Chef Dave Sidhu's Playa Cabana team is behind this eatery, which may very well be Toronto's (and Canada's) first Filipino mojito bar and panciteria (pancit are Filipino noodles). Its regular menu starts at 5pm and a late-night menu is available from 11pm to close.
• Jackpot Chicken Rice is now open at 318 Spadina Ave., in the space that was previously occupied by LuckyRed. This new Chinatown spot from Patois chef Craig Wong and his team claims to be Toronto's first restaurant dedicated to Hainanese chicken rice.
• Ji, a new-concept casual Indian pub from the owners of Pukka opened yesterday at 760 St. Clair Ave. W. in what was their short-lived modern French bistro Concession Road. Let's hope this one sticks around for a little longer, as it sounds enticing.
• Food writer Amy Rosen's new bakery also opened yesterday at 825 College St. Rosen's Cinnamon Buns will offer up freshly baked treats (and maybe even some good "bun" puns) Wednesdays to Sundays, from 8am-4pm.
• Mika Fresh is open at 2889 Dufferin St. in North York, serving up grab-and-go modern Mediterranean cuisine in a bright and welcoming shop.
• FAMO Sandwiches, which bills itself as a "sea to farm" shop, will open on Sherbourne the first week of November.
• Kensington Market is getting a new brunch and lunch destination called the Pow Wow Cafe.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

• T-Swirl Crepe
• Royaltea
• Laylow
• Ebisu
• Hungry Amoo
• Bairrada Churrasqueira
• Famous Last Words
• Sabai Sabai

OPENING SOON

• Burger Factory looks to be opening soon at 265 Queen St. W. in the former Trimurti Indian Cuisine space, promising a holy trinity of Fs: "fresh burgers, fries, and funnel cakes."
• Hank Daddy's Barbecue at 7777 Keele St. and Hwy 7 should also be open any day now, with its specialty being something called "the pulled pork parfait."
• A new restaurant that will serve "local Canadian food" in a casual setting for lunch and dinner, along with weekend brunch, will be moving into 1402 Queen St. E. in Leslieville.

CLOSED

• Shio, the Japanese izakaya at 839 College St. has bit the dust.
• Persian take-out counter Chelo & Co. has also shuttered on Queen West and looks like it will be replaced by a shop called Sammich, which we can only assume will offer up...sammiches?

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com

Photo via Ji's Facebook Page.

The first ever Canadian location of this swanky steakhouse chain has opened its doors to hungry carnivores. A dozen locations elsewhere serve the same dry aged steaks, energetic cocktails, and dazzle with beautiful decor, but we're the only ones who get tater tot poutine on the menu.

Read my profile of STK Toronto in the restaurants section.

A new restaurant has opened in a former dumpling spot from chefs who used to work at Allen's and Splendido. It has a great pub atmosphere, but reveres local and seasonal ingredients with elevated dishes like beet risotto.

Read my profile of Revere in the restaurants section.

Toronto's first ever Uniqlo may have already opened last month at the Eaton Centre but that didn't stop hordes of people from lining up for the grand opening of their Yorkdale location this morning.

Hundreds of excited fans of the shop eagerly waited to stock up on multi-coloured basics, and similar to the Eaton Centre launch those who made into the lineup for 10 a.m. also had the chance to win a trip for two to Tokyo, Japan.

It was absolute chaos this morning as Uniqlo continues to leave its mark on Toronto's retail scene. Here's all the wild action from this morning's grand opening.

Photo by @engclau.

It's rare that a loft will combine uniqueness and affordability, but this 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom offers both. Listed at $589,000, this penthouse at King and Jarvis is located in a boutique building and is the only unit with a private rooftop terrace to enjoy.

Loft features are in abundance, with polished concrete floors and perfectly placed skylight windows in the master bedroom. Open ductwork and exposed brick highlight the space, but the windows may just be the selling point. The unique, oversized circular window overlooking the dining room offers a great design element that isn't seen in any other units in the building.

With the square footage sitting at just over 1,000, it's refreshing to see the space configured to seem as spacious as possible. Another small room could have been fit in here, but that would compromise the open feel of the place.

SPECS

• Address: 180 Frederick Street, #407
• Price: $589,000
• Square Feet: 1,050 Square Feet
• Bedrooms: 1
• Bathrooms: 1
• Parking: Available for rent
• Taxes: $3,102.76
• Maintenance Fee: $873
• Walk Score: 99
• Listing agent: Andrew Dunn
• Listing ID: C3633474

NOTABLE FEATURES

• 222 square foot private terrace
• Polished concrete floors
• Unique, large windows
• 100 square foot + storage locker
• 11.5 foot ceilings

GOOD FOR

A young professional looking to enter the loft market and ditch the car. The boutique sized building, located within walking distance to pretty much everything, is a great starter loft for someone to see if they can hack all the openness. And better yet, it's around the corner from the St. Lawrence Market.

MOVE ON IF

You're still holding out for that one house in Toronto that may sell under $600K. With high maintenance fees and no parking, a house may still be the more desirable route.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Is this loft worth the asking price? Let us know 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.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto's ever expanding mall, just got bigger. The new addition features 18 stores, including big-ticket retailers Nordstrom and Uniqlo as well as a standalone Canada Goose boutique and a spacious Nadege.

Yorkdale's Uniqlo opened today, and just like its sister store at the Eaton Centre, it attracted massive lineups. Clearly Torontonians are keen to get their hands on Heattech before the cold weather sets in.

Muji sits right next to Uniqlo, meaning you don't need to travel very far to check out both of these popular Japanese brands.

This location features clothing, homeware and stationary as well as an in-store embroidery station and a food department. Yum.

The 199,000 square foot Nordstrom also opens today. Its multiple departments - for women, men, kids and babies - are spread over three storeys. And just like its downtown location, it features a cafe and bar.

Sure, Samsung might have had a problem with exploding phones, but its high-tech new store is still pretty lit.

Head here to drool over and maybe even test out the latest gear - it's like the Apple store for Android enthusiasts!

For those looking for some me time, the expansion features a lush Saje store. It's filled with natural wellness and beauty products. Let your nose guide you in and relax thanks to the essential oils that are defusing through the space.

For more beauty options, there's a brand new NYX. Like its flagship outlet on Queen Street, it sells its signature cruelty-free makeup products at very affordable prices.

There's also a Face Shop with lots of skincare products - like face masks, cleansers and toners - and makeup if you're looking for an alternative to NYX's bold colour palettes.

The Canada Goose store will definitely come in handy this winter. You can shop the iconic brand's various styles to keep yourself toasty throughout the long winter months.

As for clothing, there's a Strellson boutique for men and a bright new Maje store featuring ready-to-wear styles for women. The brand's fall jackets look like the perfect item to throw on during this weird October we're having.

For homeware, there's a huge Williams Sonoma with fancy-looking kitchen gizmos and gadgets aplenty.

And to refuel after wandering around through all of the high-end stores, you can visit Nadege for a macaron and a cup of coffee.

Yorkdale had fairly humble roots, but now it's a retail powerhouse with many of the biggest and most expensive brands on offer.

Photos by Hector Vasquez.

The easy winter that Toronto experienced last year will not be repeated according the weather forecasts for 2016/2017. While there's some discrepancy in long term reports regarding whether or not southern Ontario will experience average or below average temperatures this winter, no one is calling for a mild season.

The Toronto region is expected to deal with high levels of snowfall thanks in part to the record setting heat we had this summer. While a warm summer doesn't typically have bearing on the winter temperature forecast, the above average temperatures of the Great Lakes means that lake effect snow will accompany the arrival of arctic air.

You can expect a lot of this type of snow during early winter in December and January.

As far as the general patterns go, climatologists predict a return to cold/classic winter temperatures partially because the strong El Niño event that influenced last year's weather is absent heading into this season.

"The current pattern has the look of a weak La Niña event, but it is unlikely to meet the criteria needed to be classified as such," writes Meteorologist Doug Gillham for the Weather Network. In fact, the current climatic patterns look more similar the ones that recently delivered us brutal winters rather than last year's balminess.

"Two features that stand out this fall are the large region of very warm water (relative to normal) west of British Columbia, and the warmer than normal water in the Atlantic Ocean east of Atlantic Canada and the U.S. East Coast. This bears some resemblance to the patterns during the falls of 2013 and 2014."

That's a scary thought given just how brutal those winters were in Toronto. Adding fuel to the fire is the Farmers' Almanac. Those who put faith in this mysterious forecasting system will be alarmed to hear that it predicts "exceptionally cold-if not downright frigid-winter weather will predominate over parts of the Rockies, Prairies, Great Lakes, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces."

Enjoy the remaining warmth while you can.

Photo by Hamish Grant in the blogTO Flickr pool.

The US election has been our favourite reality show of 2016. What a cast! What writing! So much drama and so many twists! To help prepare for the finale on November 8, here are some events that'll give you some insight into the past few years of activity.

Citizen Koch (Oct. 24, Hot Docs Cinema)
This doc "exposes the incredible and terrifying influence of big money from right wing sources on America's elections." There's a post-screening Q&A with Alison Smith, former CBC Washington correspondent. It starts at 6 p.m.

Populism and discontent (October 26, Hart House Music Rom)
The UofT International Relations Society and the Hart House debate committee present this US elections panel led by former New York congressman John LeFalce. It's free to attend and it starts at 7 p.m.

Curated: Brendan Canning on All The President's Men (November 3, Revue Cinema)
The inaugural edition of Curated kicks off with Brendan Canning's favourite movie selection, which is 1976's All The President's Men. With special guest Norm Wilner of NOW Magazine, this should be a really interesting night of conversation around a movie that is still as relevant as ever. It all starts at 6:45p.m.

Toronto Expat Meetup (November 3, Brookfield Place)
From 6-9:30p.m. visit some of your fellow Americans at this pre-election party. It's a night of mixing and mingling and discussion with snacks, DJs and activities like a poll to see who would win if everyone voted then and there. There'll most definitely be some debating happening as well. The event is free, you just need to register before going.

The Special Relationship (Nov. 4, Hot Docs Cinema)
Allison Smith leads a discussion with Tim Harper, former Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star. They'll discuss what's at stake for us depending on who wins the election. We are their closest neighbour after all.

Election 2016: Political Advertizement IX IX 1952 - 2016 (November 6, Hot Docs Cinema)
This fascinating anthology of American campaign ads documents the selling of the American presidency since the 1950s. Media artists Antoni Muntadas and Marshall Reese trace the development of the TV spot as political strategy and manipulative marketing technique from Eisenhower in 1956 through Clinton, Bush, Obama and up to the insanity of 2016. 4p.m.

Bonus: there's still a chance for Torontonians to vote on this election, it's just through means of buying pizza. Not a bad compromise.

Did I miss a pre-election event you plan on attending? Let us know in the comments.

Photo from the Hot Docs elections events page.