Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious 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

Supper Club: Haitian Independence Day (Jan. 6, )

Urban Acorn is starting a vegan and gluten-free supper club and its January 6 event will mark Haitian Independence Day with a five-course menu. 

Cuba: Cuisine, Cocktails & Culture (Jan. 11)

Head south without ever leaving Toronto and enjoy Cuban food, music and even dancing at this Caribbean-inspired event.

Say Cheese! (Jan. 12)

Join the Shore Leave, Nickel Brook Brewing Co., and The Pantry Cheese Company for this guided craft beer and cheese tasting. Your $50 ticket will get you five pairings.

UPCOMING

Beers & Books with Teva Harrison (Jan. 18)

On the third Wednesday of every month, Henderson Brewing Co., and House of Anansi Press team up to present a night of beers and book. Yup, you can sip on free beers and meet local authors all at the same time. On January 18, the event will feature Teva Harrison.

Kamayan: A Hand-to-Mouth Filipino Feast (Jan. 19)

Chef Karlo Cunanan (formerly at Momofuku) will cook up a Filipino-style feast at Platito and you're encouraged to eat it with your hands. Dinner and drinks will cost you $60, gratuity included.

Wild Winter Wonderland: Evergreen Brick Works (Jan. 21)

Celebrate blueberries during Wild Winter Wonderland at the Winter Village. It's all happening at the Evergreen Brick Works and you can expect blueberry themed cooking demonstration and fruity treats as well as a slew of food vendors.

An Introduction to Mezcal at El Rey (Jan. 22)

What's the difference between tequila and mescal? Learn by doing a guided tasting at Toronto's very own mescal bar, El Rey. 

Robbie Burns Dinner & Scotch Nosing (Jan. 25)

Celebrate Robbie Burns with tradition Scottish dishes drinks such as cock-a-leekie soup, haggis and of course, Scotch. Tickets are $60 each. There are similar events happening at The Pour House, the Dominion and the Brazen Head.

Robbie Burns Brewmaster's Dinner (Jan. 25)

Tickets are $69.99 to this dinner hosted by Mill Street's head brewmaster, Joel Manning. The event includes a five-course meal with beer pairing, live entertainment and Scottish poems - it is Robbie Burns Day, after all.

Hart House Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan. 26)

For the Lunar New Year, Hart House will let you fill up on a buffet dinner as well as with music, a colourful dragon dance and fireworks in the quad.

Winterlicious (starts Jan. 27)

Don't miss your chance to eat at some of Toronto's best eateries with prix fixe menus that are much more affordable than usual. There are 220 restaurants for you to choose from as well as a variety of culinary events. You can start making reservations on January 12. 

Bevy 0031 (Jan. 27)

Grab a one-off brew and party with the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies as they celebrate their third birthday with this event that'll set you back $25, plus a little more if you want to sample lots of beer. 

Bollywood Brunch @ Ji (Jan. 29)

Switch up your regular brunch routine and try Indian-inspired dishes at Ji Restaurant's a.m. event. It's $35 per person and that includes drinks.

The $10+ million house in Toronto is the domain of the super-rich. In fact, there aren't generally more than a handful of these properties on the market at any given time. These properties are generally located in the Bridle Path or Rosedale, though on occasion ravine lots in Etobicoke can creep up this high. More than just houses, many of these properties are architecturally significant or best described as estates.

This is what a $10+ million house looks like in Toronto.

A midcentury time capsule near Bayview and Lawrence

One of my favourite houses in Toronto, 28 Valleyana was listed at $18 million in September 2014, but ultimately sold for $12.8 million in October 2015. This five bedroom house sits on a whopping six acre property and features an indoor pool, movie theatre, and two kitchens. When sold, it was fully outfitted in 1960s furniture and decor. Heaven.

A sprawling Bridle Path estate with a famous tenant

The most closely covered home sale in Toronto last year was 38 Park Lane Circle, the residence of Conrad Black. Snatched up by a preemptive bidder before the house went to auction, the final price was $16.5 million, considerably less than the $21.5 million it was valued at. Black still resides in the house, and has a buy-back option on the sale. 

A Rosedale ravine home that's not quite a mansion 

We all know that location is everything when it comes to real estate, and this house underscores that point. It's not as big as many of the Bridle Path estates that make this list, but 117 Glen Rd.'s proximity to downtown and ravine lot drives its price into the big leagues at $10.6 million. That'll buy you five bedrooms, but the master is 1,600 square feet! The outdoor pool would be an amazing place to spend an afternoon in the city.

A masterpiece of early modern architecture

Designed by legendary Toronto architect John C. Parkin, this Bridle Path-area home at 35 Country Lane is a stunning example of early modern minimalism with a Japanese garden that serves as the centrepiece of the home's interior. Potential buyers know that they're not just acquiring a living space with this one, but a work of art. 

The most expensive house in Toronto 

Robert Herjavec's massive estate at 16 High Point Rd. has been on the market since June 2016 with no takers. Currently listed at $18.8 million, it's the most expensive house in Toronto. It's not hard to see why. There's 33,650 feet of living space with seven bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. The place looks a bit like the White House if you squint. The gated grounds are enormous and feature a pool and tennis court.

The top retro dance videos by Toronto bands and artists highlights the notable impact these performers made back in the day. So often, we focus on the great rock, R&B and hip hop that came out of the city in the 1980s and '90s, but we often forget the tracks that got us on the dance floor.

Here are my picks for the top 7 retro dance videos by Toronto bands. 

Rough Trade - All Touch

Canadian new wavers Rough Trade, led by the fierce Carol Pope, hit the big time with their lesbian love hit "Highschool Confidential." But it's this 1981 dance hit and its extremely serious and well-lit video that set them apart from any other band ever to come out of Canada, let alone Toronto. This was also their only charting hit in the States. 

Parachute Club - Rise Up

Let's go way back to 1983 for this mega-hit from (The) Parachute Club. They performed it for the first time at Toronto's 1983 Pride Parade, it won them a Juno and the video is an uplifting time warp through the streets and in front of City Hall. 

Kon Kan - Liberty

This synth-pop duo was formed in the late 80's by Barry Harris and they won a Juno for this track. The video is a mind boggling clip of '90s majesty, looks and special effects. Think of them as Toronto's Pet Shop Boys.

Love & Sas - Call my name

This Toronto-based R&B and dance duo splashed their flavour all over Canadian charts. One half of the group, Lovena "Love" Fox was a back up singer for Bon Jovi and The Payolas. They were knows as Canada's version of Salt 'n Peppa for a minute and this video features so much perfect 1992 choreography, lighting and crushed velvet, you'll swear it's 2016 all over again. 

Bass is Base - Funk Mobile

This 1995 hit Toronto's Bass is Base is so mid-90's it hurts. The hats, the moves, the shades, it will bring you back to warmer times with cute soul music was played on Canadian radio and friends used to drive around in cars and play shows in rooms with sheets as walls. 

Love Inc. - You're a Superstar

Remember Chris Sheppard? Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of his previous group BKS, he and vocalist Simone Denny created Love Inc., and released a string of ultra positive dance tracks like "You're a Superstar." It was their first hit in the U.S., and the 1998 video features a lot of rabbits, hair and button pushing.

Len - Steal my Sunshine

Listening to this infectious 1999 summer hit from one hit wonder Len never seems to get old. It's a dance hit in that some brave DJs will still play, but it's more of a hit at backyard parties and road trips. The video screams lazy, summer fun complete with beach scenes, arcades and scooters. 

The Toronto Design Offsite Festival officially invades Toronto from January 16 to 22. The participating installations, exhibits and parties will have you thinking differently about the physical world you exist in everyday. 

Here are my top picks for events, shows, projects and parties you can't miss at this year's (mostly free) festival.

TO DO Festival Party (Jan. 16)

Celebrate the start of Toronto design week at the opening party with designers, architects, artists, crafts people, DJs Sigourney Beaver and DJ Joe Blow. Hang out inside the Church of the Holy Trinity with drinks, installations and a sneak peek at the Resurfacing Taddle Creek project everyone is talking about.

Outside the box (Jan. 16-22)

Check out the third annual travelling exhibition that features work from over 70 designers from 12 cities across Canada and the United States. This year's theme is discovery and you'll find a collection of thoughtfully designed objects that will inspire new ideas about our continent.

Design and the Pursuit of Well-being (Jan. 21)

It was such a big hit last year, so they're bringing it back. The second annual symposium is January 21 and it brings 12 multi-disciplinary experts into one room to talk design and the pursuit of well-being. 

Compact Living (Jan. 16-22)

This event is happening in partnership with the Umbra concept store and it showcases "fresh, and original houseware prototypes for contemporary compact living." You'll find new work by 11 Canadian artists and designers and with the average condo sizes shrinking, it's a great place for ideas.

Living Well Forum (Jan. 22)

What does it mean to "live well?" This forum breaks that question down into 20 slides shown for 20 seconds each,  with artists and designers trying to answer the question. Their insight might help you come to your own conclusions, or confuse you even more. 

That is Best which Works Best

One of the best parts about TO DO is getting to explore the cool design stores in the city, who also happen to be hosting festival events. This one is happening at Mjolk and combines the work of Canadian designer Thom Fougere, Norwegian designer Hallgeir Homstvedt, and musician Jason Collett. It's all about looking to the future by diving into design's past. 

Ojibway Quillwork (Jan. 16-22)

Head to this exhibit by G’zaagin Art Gallery in the Junction, a gallery that "resourcefully uses all of its materials, and finds creative ways for people to experience natural products. The quillwork featured in this exhibition has been harvested, cleaned, dried, and stored for the following years projects."

Come Up To My Room (Jan. 19-22)

This is the festival's wildest exhibit (and party on January 21) and really messes with reality, letting you walk into worlds you didn't even know you could dream of. 

Bright (Jan. 19-22)

Check out this art show at MADE by Vancouver artists Annie Tung and Brad Turner. Carved stone, mouth-blown glass, mirror silver, spun copper, colourful cords, and acrylic are only some of the materials used to create this otherworldly exhibition. 

On the Table (Jan. 16-22)

This is a "politically engaged artist project that incites critical and constructive dialogue surrounding gender-based violence and sexual harassment in public space." The works, which are printed on coasters, will appear in bars around the city (Cold Tea, Get Well and Wenona Lodge among them) by artists Jesse Harris, Aisha Sasha John, Hazel Meyer, and Lido Pimienta. 

Toronto Community Housing, in partnership with MLSE, is bringing a massive abandoned building back to its roots as a community hub this year. 

The building at 259 Jarvis St., which was once slated to be a roller rink and sat empty for almost 20 years, is now becoming the MLSE Launchpad, a 42,000 square-foot youth-focused sports development facility. 

Construction began in early 2016, and the facility is set to open at the end of the month. Professional sports teams helped create the space that will also house multi-purpose sport courts, classrooms and a teaching kitchen.

There will also be sports and lifestyle related programming on site. The ribbon cutting is slated for the end of this month, which means the new MLSE Launchpad is just about ready for takeoff. 

From new restaurants and bars to drool-worthy design shops, there was a lot to love in 2016. And as is our tradition we start off each year with a look back to try to sort through what places stood out from the pack.

Have your say in our poll for the best of Toronto in 2016.

Voting ends at 11:45 p.m. on Monday January 9.

The TTC of the 1960s and '70s witnessed great change. While the original 12-stop subway had opened in 1954, it was the following decades that would see the system take its modern shape, first with the opening of the University line in 1963, then with Bloor-Danforth in 1966, and finally with the Spadina Line in 1978. 

The fascinating thing about photos of the subway from this era is the profound familiarity they evoke, even as the stations and vehicles look very different. In the 1960s, Vitrolite tiles ruled the system, giving it an aesthetic that's been described as "bathroom architecture."

The most iconic feature of the old TTC, however, must surely be the red G-series cars. They have stiff competition from PCC streetcars, which are likely the source of the red rocket moniker, but in the end civic pride rooted in the first subway cars give them the edge. Well, that and the fact that the lights used to always flicker out.

In some sense, these were the glory years for the TTC. The system was well equipped to deal with the population of the city, and overcrowding wasn't a constant problem. The stations themselves also had a remarkably clean appeal during this period, representative of a Toronto that was known as "the city that works."

Here's what the TTC looked like in the 1960s and '70s.

Bloor Station streetcar platform pre-Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth). Photo via Chuckman's Nostalgia.

Gloucester Car in Davisville Yards, 1960s. Photo via Chuckman's Nostalgia.

Davisville Station looking south, 1969. Photo by NE2 3PN.

St. Clair Station, 1960s.

St. Andrew Station, late 1960s. Note original Vitrolite tiles. Photo via Transit Toronto.

TTC route map, early 1970s (before Spadina Extension).

Union Station, late 1970s. Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg, Library and Archives Canada.

Queen Station, 1975.

Davisville Station, early 1970s.

Rosedale Station, late 1970s. Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg, Library and Archives Canada.

Presidents Conference Committee streetcar on King near Church, 1970s.

Interior of subway train, 1975. 

Opening Day of Spadina Line at St. Clair West Station, 1978. Photo via Robert Lubinski.

Wilson Station, late 1970s. Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg, Library and Archives Canada.

Spadina Station moving sidewalk, late 1970s. Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg, Library and Archives Canada.

Eglinton Station, late 1970s. Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg, Library and Archives Canada.

Toronto has ben re-imagined many times. We've seen what a post-apocalyptic Toronto would look like, what happens when Batman is called upon, and even a glimpse into what the future has in store. Now one Toronto man is taking our city and building it in the world of Minecraft.

Alden Cudanin is the man behind the Instagram account @minecraft.toronto, which shows off what our cityscape would look like in the popular game. He might be better known for his historical Toronto photo mash-ups, but his new project is gaining attention.

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Dec 29, 2016 at 3:05pm PST

It all started a little more than a year ago when Alden's daughter introduced him to Minecraft. She showed him the ropes, and from there he was hooked. At first he started building random homes, but then it slowly grew into him trying his hand at recreating the local landmarks he knows and loves.

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Jan 6, 2017 at 7:44am PST

Being a father of three, Alden finds the time to create his Toronto Minecraft world on his commute to and from work - he even jokes he doesn't mind the TTC delays.

The Instagram account came alive once he wanted to share his progress through screenshots. His feed is actually quite similar in content to many popular Toronto Instagram accounts. You'll find ground level shots, rooftop shots and drone type visuals.

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Dec 9, 2016 at 1:56pm PST

His little world of Minecraft includes both buildings of the past and present. There's everything from Old Union Station to the Rogers Centre. 

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:42pm PDT

He also documents his work on YouTube. This gives viewers an idea of what's on the inside.

Going forward, Alden hopes to share his world on Minecraft and make it available for players to download. He also hopes to put a version of the city up on a server for multiplayer play and build together.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Aug 16, 2016 at 11:51am PDT

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Dec 5, 2016 at 5:59am PST

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Nov 9, 2016 at 10:04am PST

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Nov 3, 2016 at 8:03am PDT

A photo posted by Alden Cudanin (@minecraft.toronto) on Oct 13, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT

"The times they are a-changin'," crooned Nobel Peace Prize winner Bob Dylan in 1964. But as Toronto continues to grow and develop, it seems like Dylan's hit would ring true in 2017 Toronto.

That's why organizations in both Parkdale and Kensington Market are trying to use the community land trust model in order to fight neighbourhood gentrification and rent increases (in both commercial and residential properties).

Like other community land trusts - located in the United States and other parts of Canada, including in Hamilton - the ones in Parkdale and Kensington Market seek to own land and then lease it like-minded organizations who can help secure affordable housing and green space.

"We want to own real parcels of land, own the deed to them and we want to determine collectively how that land is used to meet community needs," says Joshua Barndt, the development coordinator at the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust.

He grew up in the west side neighbourhood and joined the PNLT after the non-profit organization got a Trillium Grant in 2014, which allowed it to hire staff. He says anyone who lives or works in Parkdale can become a PNLT member, but the group's governed by an elected board of directors.

Barndt explains that the PNLT wants to focus on securing affordable housing as commercial spaces as well as projects to protect food security in the neighbourhood. Fittingly, the organization's in the process of getting its first piece of land: the Milky Way Garden behind the Parkdale Library. 

“The land trust’s role is to hold and secure the site and make it affordably available,” says Barndt. The PNLT hopes to use the Milky Way plot for urban agriculture initiatives operated by the non-profit Greenest City.

The Friends of Kensington Market, partly inspired by the PNLT, launched a community land trust late last month. Chair Dominique Russell, who's lived in Kensington for about 26 years, says they started it in order to respond to a changing Market.

Large-scale developments are already creeping in and many of the storefronts no longer reflect the diversity of the neighbourhood. "It’s a way of actively intervening in the destiny of Kensington Market," says Russell of the land trust model.

While this community land trust is still in its early days, she hopes it can one day own a piece of land, and hopefully a classic Kensington Market low-rise building with commercial space on the bottom and housing units on the upper floors.

And even though community land trusts can't completely protect cities against the forces of gentrification, they give residents and small business owners some agency to shape their neighbourhoods for the future. “It’s the kind of agency that communities aren’t often told they can have," says Barndt. "But we can.”

Winter day trips from Toronto will let you escape big city life for a little time in the gorgeous snowy Ontario landscape. You can get outside and do something active or cozy up indoors at a swanky spa. Whatever you choose to do, at least you won't be hibernating with Netflix in your apartment.

Here are my picks for the top winter day trips from Toronto.

Soak up the season on a skating trail

Instead of skating around in circles at a public rink in the city, you can make a short drive to the Credit Valley Conservation Area and skate a one kilometre trail there. If you're feeling more adventurous, there are plenty of other trail skating options located within a drive of Toronto as well.

Trek across a suspension bridge

Snowshoe or cross country ski across a 420 foot suspension bridge, which offers panoramic views of Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment. You can grab full or half day passes to a variety of trails from Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. The views after a fresh snowfall are sublime.

Get your fill of ice wine

The Niagara Ice Wine Festival runs for three weekends in a row starting on January 13. But throughout the rest of the winter, you can still visit most area wineries, which is ideal because the crowds are pretty thin and you can taste and learn more. Perhaps best of all, Ravine Vineyard has a skating rink and mulled wine.

Hop on the Parkbus and let someone drive for you

Join a Parkbus trip and head outside of the city on a big group adventure. There are both overnight getaways and daytrips planned in the winter, where the company will take you skating and cross-country skiing in the majestic Canadian wilderness.

Try your luck at ice fishing

Lake Simcoe is a super popular ice fishing destination, partially because it's so close to the city. You can get started at Casey's Fish Hut or check out one of these other ice fishing spots in Ontario.

Go snow tubing

Snow tubing is like souped up tobogganing and it's likely a lot safer too. There are plenty of great hills right near the city, so put on your snowsuit and feel like a kid again as you hit speeds in excess of 50kph. 

Cozy up at a spa

If you need a break and a little bit of R&R, why not spend a day at the spa? There are lots of good options near Toronto, including the winter friendly Scandinave at Blue Mountain. 

Throw on your skis

The Toronto area might not have any true mountains to ski down, but you can still race down the hills at nearby places like Hockley Valley and Dagmar if you don't want to travel too far. There are also plenty of other hills a little further away.

Head out on a winter hike

If you're looking for a winter wonderland to explore, go to Hamilton and hike. You can encounter frozen waterfalls and experience a peaceful day out in the woods.

Cross the border

Buffalo's a quick drive away and you can spend a day indoors enjoying the fabulous Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Afterwards, fill up at a local eatery and experience the city's burgeoning restaurant and bar scene.

What's cooler than being cool? It's obviously knowing about all of the secret bars and restaurants in Toronto.

Hidden watering holes likely date back to Prohibition, a time when you could only get a stiff drink in an underground speakeasy. And while the Great Gatsby-obsessed, 1920s-era trend - which peaked over the past few years - seems to be fading, there are still plenty of secret bars in Toronto. It's probably because people love feeling in the know. 

"Everyone likes being a local," say Matthew LaRochelle who co-owns Cold Tea. You can find his Kensington Market bar lurking down an unremarkable hallway in the Kensington Mall.

Even though Kensington Market used to be home to bootleggers, he and his team didn't intend to open a modern-day speakeasy until they stumbled upon the Kensington Mall space. "We just thought there are so few of those surprising places left in the city," he says, noting that it gave them an opportunity to create something new and exciting.

Cold Tea certainly garnered lots of buzz, including a thumb's up from Anthony Bourdain. But LaRochelle wasn't always so confident with his decision to go the hidden route. 

“An hour before we unlocked the door for the first time, I think I definitely had a panic attack that nobody would know we were there and I should run out and throw up a frame," he says. "But fortunately, we stuck to what we were doing."

More recently, Superpoint, the new pizza joint on Ossington, turned its empty back room into SP184, a secret venue of sorts. General Manager Lauren Whilton notes it's open until 2 a.m. as a bar on Friday and Saturday nights. The rest of the time it acts as an event space and dining room for big parties.

But since it's not visible from Ossington, most patrons don't even know it's there. Whilton explains that she and her team have big plans for it and hope to keep it open daily in the summertime.

In the meantime, it's a nice surprise for her customers. "It’s kind of fun for people too if they’re having dinner here they can scoot down to the back and they go into this room and they’re like oh my god, I didn’t even know this existed," she says.

By keeping it a secret, it's easier to do crowd control, especially when Ossington gets jam-packed with party-goers on weekends.

The Cloak, Marben's hidden bar, is also in a busy area. But while The Cloak's no longer much of a secret, visitors still need to figure out how to get in - General Manager Alex says that it's all part of the fun.

“It seems to be that people love the idea of showing somebody else the space for the first time," she says. For her, it's that moment of discovery that's important for patrons and even bar owners.

Indeed, other secret bars and restaurants - such as New York's La Esquina and Please Don't Tell - inspired the teams at both Marben and Cold Tea. There's something undeniably chic about taking friends to a space that appears completely concealed.  

And some Toronto venues want to stay that way. When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the new South American restaurant Baro said the team doesn't like to do press about their secret spot Escobar. Instead, they like to keep it all under wraps.

Looks like mums the word. 

TTC CEO Andy Byford believes that 2017 will be a huge year for Toronto's transit system. It certainly looks that way on paper. The first addition to the subway route in 15 years is slated to open late in 2017, fare payment will fully convert to a smart card system, and the WiFi rollout is expected to reach every station.

In an interview with the Toronto Star that takes stock of the work he's done to modernize the TTC over the last few years, the Commission's head honcho confidently proclaims his belief that these and other improvements in the works will help "meet the objective of being back to number one in North America by the end of the year."

When exactly did the TTC hold that mantle? Well, it's hard to say officially, but urban planners often argue that during the period between the opening of the subway in 1954 and the completion of the Spadina Line in 1978, the TTC was the model transit system to emulate.

Just think, in a roughly 25 year span, Toronto built almost all of its subway infrastructure. The only major additions since then have been North York Centre (an in-fill station in 1987) Downsview Station (1996), and the Sheppard Line (2002). The Scarborough RT, also worth a mention, came in 1987.

As the Star explains, Byford's belief that the TTC can get back to the top is primarily based on the five year plan he put in place when he joined the Commission. While Toronto is typically quick to criticize the TTC, you'd have to be in a daze not to notice the sweeping changes that have come during this period, from station cleanliness and crowd control to the addition of articulated buses and far better customer service.

Toronto has also, however, taken notice of weekend subway closures, sweltering subway cars on Line 2, and horrendous delays to streetcar shipments. Some of the issues that continue to plague the TTC are out of Byford's control, which is why 2017 might be so decisive. 

For the TTC to become the better way in a North American perspective, Bombardier will have to actually make good on its deliveries, Metrolinx will have to solve all the technical glitches with the PRESTO rollout, BAI will have to complete its installation of WiFi and cellular networks in the subway, new signal control technology will have to be completed for Line 1, and the Spadina Extension will need to open without another significant delay. 

There are a lot of moving parts, and that's just the big ticket stuff. For many riders, state of good repair maintenance is the most important thing. Byford confessed to the Star that the hot car fiasco last summer was his "biggest disappointment."  It certainly underscores that the TTC can't only have its eye on large-scale expansion and improvement.

Will the TTC be the best transit system in North America by the end of the year? You'd probably have a difficult time convincing its riders of that. But, should many of the changes on the docket come to fruition, it might achieve something its lacked for a very long time: a swell in passenger pride.

That would be a major accomplishment in and of itself.

With Honest Ed's officially closed, the days are numbered for the tiny neighbourhood that bears the name of its founder. Mirvish Village tenants have until the end of the month to vacate their businesses before redevelopment of the site into a sprawling new rental complex can begin. 

When construction begins, the area will join a host of others in Toronto that have been lost to the march of progress. Cities don't grow into modern cosmopolitan juggernauts without some collateral damage, but it's also important to remember the way things were if only to understand how Toronto became what is today and to imagine where it might be going. 

Toronto's most famous lost neighbourhood is probably The Ward, a densely packed and diverse area that bounded by Yonge, University, Queen, and College streets. At various points, it was home to numerous immigrant enclaves, including an early Little Italy and the city's first major Chinatown. 

The Ward was notorious for its poor living conditions, as many lived crammed into shacks with little ability to maintain warmth over the cold winter months. Some of its areas were, by all rights, a slum, but it was a crucial starting point for many who arrived in the city, and remains an important part of Toronto's history as a diverse city.

A huge portion of the neighbourhood was razed for the construction of the New City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square in the early 1960s. This had a ripple effect on the entire area, which the city had been gradually redeveloping since the 1920s. Chinatown and Little Italy moved west and by the 1970s, very little of the old neighbourhood remained. 

Gerrard Village is another of Toronto's lost neighbourhoods. Located within the broad borders of The Ward, it had boasted an identity quite distinct from the area to the south. This was Toronto's Greenwich Village, a hub of bohemian activity through the 1950s and early 1960s. 

Populated by intellectuals and artists, the area surrounding Gerrard and Bay streets featured coffee and books shops, live music venues, and cheap restaurants. It was just a tiny stretch of the city, much like Mirvish Village, but people like Pierre Berton considered it an "intriguing island in the heart of downtown Toronto."

Depending on who you ask, Gerrard Village made it until the early 1970s before its character completely disappeared, though most will argue that the process started in the early 1960s when the nearby hospitals started to expand. There's almost no evidence left of it, save for a short row of Victorian houses just west of Bay St. 

As Gerrard Village felt the pressure of area redevelopment in the 1960s, the bohemians migrated to Yorkville, which had its heyday as the heart of Toronto's music scene and hippie culture throughout the decade. 

Spurred by cheap rents, the area exploded with European-style coffee shops and music clubs in the 1960s. Places like the Penny Farthing and The Riverboat Coffee House have since become legendary, even as they closed down decades ago.

Yorkville's stages played host to Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young, not to mention a host of touring American bands for whom this was the place to play in Toronto.

Yorkville never disappeared as a neighbourhood, but it's bohemian culture was wiped out by the early 1970s when an increased police presence and development pressure helped to usher in its next phase as an upscale shopping destination.

Primarily a retail destination for the next 40 years, the neighbourhood is once again in the midst of transformation as condo towers rise above the once European-looking streets.

It's rare that a neighbourhood or village would be wiped out in one fell swoop like Mirvish Village, but the process by which such enclaves are redeveloped is constantly at work as both the population and land values increase.

Even old Yonge Street, the heart of seedy Toronto, is not long for this world, as its progressive sanitization reaches its apotheosis in some of the tallest condos in the city.

There is, of course, some hope in all this for those who fear what will happen to places like Mirvish Village. While something is lost in each transformation, the pattern is one of migration. Where one scene fades, another one begins. You can head to Geary Avenue for proof of that these days.

Lost neighbourhoods are inevitable in a city like Toronto, but the things that made them special to begin with are coded into our urban DNA.

The top free things to do in Toronto this week will take you around the world without leaving the city. There's a cool photography show at 401 Richmond about the United Arab Emirates coastline, a Samurai film screening, and a David Bowie tribute show to take you to another planet completely. 

Outdoor weekend getaways from Toronto in the winter are for those with a sense of adventure. Sure you could cozy up by a fire or get pampered at a spa, but if you want to experience all that Ontario winters have to offer, you have to get outside and do stuff. From dog sledding to ice climbing, there's a world of exciting journeys to be embarked upon.

Here are my picks for the top outdoor weekend getaways from Toronto this winter.

Try out ice climbing

Few winter activities rival ice climbing for the sheer exhilaration and sense of accomplishment you get from traversing a giant frozen cliff. While there are lots of modest opportunities to try your hand at ice climbing in the Hamilton area, the best climbs are further north. Take a weekend to explore northwestern Ontario's towering frozen waterfalls amidst the unforgettable winter landscape.

Embrace the call of the wild and go dog sledding

You don't have to trek to the far north to go dog sledding. A drive 90 minutes north to Moonstone, Ontario will land you at Windrift Adventures, a kennel that participates in dog sled races and offers a variety of packages for those who want to try out the experience at locations in the vicinity like Horseshoe Valley and Orillia. Stay at a nearby ski resort and double the fun.

Get a charge of adrenalin on a zip-line

The Elora Gorge is gorgeous all four seasons, but it has a particular majesty in the winter after a fresh dusting of snow. There's no better way to take in the view than from the perspective of a zip-line that sends you 200 feet across the gorge. Adventure Seeker Tours offers this unique experience from January to March. It'll take the better part of a the day to hike in and prepare for your rides, so best to stay overnight.

Go cross country skiing in the moonlight 

Skiing is surely the most popular winter weekend getaway idea, but if you want to shake it up for something more atmospheric rather than thrill-seeking, try out moonlight cross country skiing at Horseshoe Resort. A few times a year, the trails are lit with torches to guide you through the woods at night. Stay at the resort and try out other activities like snow tubing as well.

Dive into winter at Arrowhead Park

If there's a one-stop shop for winter adventures, it's Arrowhead Provincial Park. It boasts the best skating trail within a reasonable drive of Toronto, 40 kilometres of cross country ski trails, a snow tubing hill, and even cabins for those adventurous enough to stay on site. You couldn't pick a better place to experience Ontario's winter delights.

Not everyone can say Drake follows them on Instagram. But Toronto-based photographer John Tablate, or @asvpshooter on Instagram,  counts @champagnepapi among his 37,000 followers.

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Dec 7, 2016 at 2:17pm PST

Tablate, 24, got into photography just over three years ago thanks to his best friend's ex-boyfriend. He picked up an old camera he had and started looking up popular Toronto photographers, such as @bora.vs.bora - someone who still inspires him today.

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Jun 30, 2016 at 3:11am PDT

“What I thought back then was if he could do it, and all these other guys could do it, I could do it too," he says. "So I picked up my old camera from high school.”

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Nov 17, 2016 at 4:31pm PST

He began rooftopping about two years ago and more recently started shooting Toronto's streets. Like many Insta-famous Torontonians, he's drawn to King and Bay in the Financial District, thanks to the scale of the buildings. He also highlights the area's diversity on his feed.

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Nov 27, 2016 at 5:37pm PST

Since he works as a mechanic full time, he only gets out with his camera on weekends these days. And while he used to live in Toronto, he's currently based in Brampton. 

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Jun 1, 2016 at 7:42pm PDT

This past year, he started venturing to the Island, but he only goes on cloudy days. "I’m a guy who loves clouds," he says, noting how they look powerful when they hang above the city. 

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Dec 12, 2016 at 11:09pm PST

He also prefers to shoot in the wintertime. He hates carrying around his equipment in the summertime heat and appreciates the beauty of snow-dotted photos. 

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Dec 29, 2016 at 6:47pm PST

And this winter, he got the biggest gift of all - Drake re-posted one of his photos. Last week, he tagged @champagnepapi in a sweeping skyline shot with the caption "@champagnepapi this is for you big brother."

Drake added it to his feed (with the appropriate credit) soon after. It garnered more than 600,000 likes and Tablate got an influx of comments, messages and about 5,000 additional followers in just one day.

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:58am PST

“My phone kept blowing up. It died three times because my battery was so low. I couldn’t keep up," he says.

This recognition is pushing him to keep shooting and capturing his own views from the 6ix. 

A photo posted by SecurityOfToronto (@asvpshooter) on Nov 28, 2016 at 4:17pm PST

When the car went boom in North America, the landscapes of cities like Toronto were changed profoundly. Streets were widened, highways were built, streetcar routes were retired, and dealerships popped up all over the place. Yes, even downtown areas had showrooms back in the day.

In fact, Bay St. north of College was something of a dealership alley, with multiple showrooms lining the street, including the sprawling Addison dealership, which was that last one standing and ultimately replaced in the late 2000s by the Burano condo, though the bottom portion of the building as been at least partially retained. 

Other streets were also rich populated with dealerships. The Danforth, for instance, housed about a dozen dealerships, big and large, across its span in the 1970s. The space now occupied by Carrot Common was once a GM dealership.

Aside from Bay St., Toronto's car dealerships were typically concentrated in the boroughs of pre-amalgamation Toronto, rising in lockstep with the suburbs that were made possible by automobile ownership. Many of these dealerships showed off outlandish architectural designs reminiscent of the motels and gas stations of the time.

The 1950s and '60s were all about pomp in the auto industry, which trickled down to the dealerships themselves. Now, as Toronto's density continues to push outward, the sprawling car lots of the midcentury no longer make sense. Many have moved further and further from the core as land costs continue to rise. 

These spaces, as much as any others, tell the story of growing Toronto.

PHOTOS

Packard showroom, 1926.

Moore and Hughes car dealership, 1927.

Packard Dealership, 1938.

National Motors, Bay St. 1940s.

Hogan Pontiac, 1950s.

Austin Motors, corner of Yonge and Davenport, 1950s.

Ford dealership, Dufferin north of Lawrence, 1950s.

Belmont Chev-Olds, late 1960s.

Central Chevrolet, Yonge St. north of Eglinton, early 1970s. Photo via wd wilson.

Beatles galore at the Danforth Volkswagen dealership.

Brand new Pontiac Acadian, 1970s.

Parkwood Motors, Yonge north of Eglinton, 1980s.

Addison car lot, 1980s. Photo by Avard Woolaver.

Rumble Pontiac, 1970s. Photo via SwellMap.

Birchdale Ford dealership, 1970s.

Addison GM dealership lot, Bay St., 1980s.

Car lot in the Junction, 1980s. Photo by Avard Woolaver.

Used car lot Toronto, 1980s. Photo by Avard Woolaver.

Car dealership, Front St., 1980s. Photo by Avard Woolaver.

Peter Burdon Motors, site of current Carrot Common, Danforth Ave. Photo via Dee Kay / Vintage Toronto.

Just when frigid temperatures are about to lift in Toronto, the snow is set to return. Environment Canada has just issued a special weather statement for Southern Ontario detailing the arrival of a Colorado low that will make for a painful commute on Tuesday. 

"Snow is expected to develop Monday night over southwestern Ontario and move eastward to reach the Greater Toronto Area early Tuesday morning. Snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm are likely before the snow changes to rain," the statement reads. 
Before you get pumped about tobogganing, be aware that the snow is expected to turn to rain at some point on Tuesday, which will continue into Wednesday morning bringing an additional five to 10 millimetres of precipitation. If the temperatures stay below freezing, snowfall accumulations could be even higher.

In any case, it sounds like the city is going to be a snowy mess before we get some serious slush, so now would be a good time to make sure that your boots don't leak. 

Hugh's Room, the west side live music venue, closed its doors this weekend in the face of financial difficulties, the details of which have yet to be revealed. One of the last places to have the full dinner and a show experience, the venue will be particularly missed by Toronto's folk and blues communities, for which it was hub. 

"To all our supporters – performers, audience, and staff – I am sincerely sorry to have to say that Hugh’s Room has reached a point of insolvency," owner Richard Carson said in a statement released by his publicist this afternoon.

"More information will be available over the next few days as to how we can proceed from here, but at this time we are closing our doors until we can see what options are available to us."

That leaves the door at least slightly open for a return of the venue, though you couldn't be faulted for not holding out a lot of hope that Hugh's will be saved. Right now, all upcoming shows have been cancelled.

Saw so many memorable gigs @HughsRoom, including ace Malian guitarist Boubacar Traore. Thanks, @HughsRoom for all you did for our scene. pic.twitter.com/O9YCxdfoAq

— Errol Nazareth (@ErrolNazareth) January 8, 2017

Hugh's Room opened in 2001, and steadily became a go-to live music destination in the city.  Many fans and former musicians who graced the venue's stage expressed their sadness at the closure this afternoon. 

This week in Toronto a beloved lecture series turns 15, Canada's Top 10 film fest kicks off at TIFF kicks, and there's a giant party in a warehouse filled with paper.

Here are my picks for events that'll make it worth it to put on those layers and leave your apartment this week.