Photo by tomms in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Rob Ford didn't think much of a sit-in by members of Ontario Coalition Against Poverty at Metro Hall yesterday. Ford said there are more than 100 available shelter beds in the city each night and that he's not interested in paying for more. Protestors say the system is riven with violence, overcrowding, and a lack of funding. Seven homeless people are known to have died this year.

A terrible tragedy yesterday afternoon in Scarborough. A five-year-old girl was struck and killed by a city garbage truck near Cliffside and East Haven drives, west of Bluffer's Park. Rob Ford issued a statement saying he was "shocked and deeply saddened" to hear the news, promising full co-operation with police. Two other children, aged 6 and 13, were also hit and suffered minor injuries.

Councillors Adam Vaughan and Kristyn Wong-Tam want developments in Toronto exempt from Ontario Municipal Board hearings. The provincial tribunal hears appeals of planning decisions. Vaughan says the current system allows councillors to hide behind decisions that are out of their hands. The change was originally floated by local NDP MPP Rosario Marchese.

The CN Tower is going to put on a unique light show on Saturday. A special high-tech tie-in with a classical performance at Roy Thompson Hall will create a light show on the side of the tower in a similar fashion to the visualizer function of a music player, except better, of course. For those of you not accustomed to the symphony, there'll a webcast version too.

The TTC's enforcement team issues tickets for all kinds of offenses, including fare evasion, drinking on subway property, misconduct, and smoking. A handy Toronto Star map lets you browse 2012's shady dealings by subway stop. The Yonge line between Bloor and King is the worst offender, though riders at Finch are also pulling their weight.

Yesterday's storm over a Chicago journalist's tongue-in-cheek attack on Toronto started a nasty war of words on Twitter. Neil Steinberg was forced to fend of barbs from angry 416ers for his suggestion that we're all "anonymous ciphers grinding through joyless lives devoid of charm or significance."

Library due slips will be carrying advertising by the end of the month. The Toronto Public Library signed a trail deal worth about $20,000 for the next six months. A newspaper, educational facility, and cultural production have all bought space, according to the Star.

Don't forget the clocks go forward an hour this Sunday, meaning everyone gets an hour less sleep on Saturday night. On the plus side, it does mean it will be lighter later in the evenings. For early birds, it will mean getting up in the dark for a few more weeks.

Finally, as I'm sure you've heard, Canadian music legend Stompin' Tom Connors died Tuesday aged 77. Here's his classic track "TTC Skidaddler" about the life of a Toronto streetcar driver, featuring the classic line "she's red around the bottom and yellow upon the top and I drive her like a driver aught to do." We'll miss you, Tom.

IN BRIEF:

• Student shot at during 'random' robbery at Etobicoke school [CBC]
• Metrolinx chair accused of 'poor judgment' in lobbying for casino company [Toronto Star]
• Seguin scores twice, Bruins beat Maple Leafs 4-2 [CTV News]

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

Image: "Homelessness" by AshtonPal/blogTO Flickr pool.

The photos of the week collect each of the editor-selected photos of the day into one post for a contest to be decided by our readers. Sponsored by Posterjack, the photographer whose image receives the most votes will be awarded with a voucher code for a 24"x36" poster print of their work.

All the rules and fine-print can be found in the original announcement post on the blogTO Flickr page. One thing to add, however, is that the voting period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, after which the winner will be contacted with the good news.

For those photographers whose images are featured below, please feel free to give us a little information about your shot — i.e. where and when it was taken — in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe your description will sway voters in your favour!

Photo by Ben Roffelsen.

2.
Photo by tomms in the blogTO Flickr pool.

3.
Photo by Tony Wei-Han Chen in the blogTO Flickr pool

4.
Photo by PJ Mixer in the blogTO Flickr pool

5.
Photo by the Lazy Photographer in the blogTO Flickr pool.

6.
Photo by Paul Hillier Photography in the blogTO Flickr pool

7.
Photo by Rimma Maslak in the blogTO Flickr pool

One of Canada's most recognizable tech giants blazed the trail in mobile group chat when it first introduced BlackBerry Messenger to global consumers. Mobile chat apps have continued to be a hot commodity in the mobile market ever since. From apps like Snapchat to WhatsApp to Poke, Facebook's newest offspring, smartphone users now have an array of apps that make mobile chat easy.

Toronto startup Relay saw a gap in this busy marketplace that it has set out to fill by focusing on our love of visual, viral content. Launched in the App Store in February, Relay is a free group chat app that allows iPhone users to exchange animated GIFs and videos quickly and privately through group messages. As an article in last month's New York Times pointed out, these old school animated GIFs (punchy snippets of video on loop) have made a huge, retro resurgence in internet communication in the same way vinyl has in music culture.

Relay took notice that people love to post, share and talk about viral GIFs and videos. And investors have taken notice too: Relay recently raised $700,000 from investors to help scale its business.

Co-founder Joe Rideout (a former Software Engineer and Product Manager at Google) shared with me some insight into where Relay came from and where it's headed.

What's the inspiration behind Relay?

You know those moments when you tell your friends "Have you seen that crazy video/picture?" and then you crowd around a computer screen to watch it and share a few laughs? Relay was inspired from the desire to share those "woah" moments with our friends, even when they weren't with us right at the moment.

What we've learned since launch is that these videos, pictures and the favourite, animated GIFs, are themselves a form of communication that can express more emotion than text can convey. We think of them as "super emoticons."

What differentiates Relay from other chat apps?

While mobile chat and SMS is quite established, we are the first app that integrates a content search tool with a chat interface. This lets people find great things to share and have fun expressing themselves beyond words.

Feedback from our users has been great, with many saying that the app is very addictive and that they're getting a great kick out of chatting with friends on Relay compared to old-school texting.

What is it about viral videos and photos that people love so much?

The short answer is that they are hilarious and lots of fun.

But here's the slightly longer answer: The Internet is a consumption vehicle for people to devour entertainment, knowledge and interesting information. Viral content is generally "snackable," meaning that you only need minutes or seconds to experience it, and it concisely and effectively delivers a message in that short timeframe.

When we're consuming information on the internet, we're bombarded by so many different things. These very short but strong messages cut through the noise and provide a quick moment that we can remember. Animated GIFs are a great example of snackable content. They have greater information density than still pictures, but they can be consumed in 5 to 15 seconds.

How does Relay make money with a free app?

Relay is venture backed by some of the best funds and angel investors from Canada and the US. Right now we're focused on building the best possible experience and getting people used to the idea of communication beyond just text. Our goal is to bring smiles to people's faces when they're chatting with their friends. We have a few different business models in mind, but Relay will always remain a free app for consumers.

This new shop in Parkdale is the brainchild of two longtime partners--one is a florist, while the other crafts waxed canvas and leather bags. Curious what such a marriage of minds would yield? A stock that includes printed pillows and tea towels, bath and body products from Montreal's Dot and Lil, all manner of bags, and beautiful terrariums in an array of sizes. They also provide floral arrangements for occasions and weddings, and a letterpress in their open studio area that's available for rental, with letterpress workshops coming soon.

Read my profile of Crown Flora in the design section.

2010 mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson claims a visibly intoxicated Rob Ford made a series of inappropriate comments and unwanted advances at a fundraising event last night, telling her she should have joined him on his trip to Florida last week "because his wife wasn't there."

Writing on Facebook, Thomson claims Ford was "out of it" at the annual Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Community event and that he touched her inappropriately while posing for a photograph. In that picture, Rob Ford is seen with his arm around Thomson and a third person whose face is out of shot.

"I've never seen him so out of it. I know I shouldn't be pissed but after spending 10 months on the campaign trail together you expect a little bit of respect at the very least for my husband," she wrote.

"Anyone who talked to him tonight could see he was out of it - I'm venting because I thought on the respect for women level he was better than that."

She later wonders in the comment thread whether "grabbing someone['s] ass [is] assault."

Thomson, the publisher of national business magazine Women's Post, ran against Ford in the 2010 mayoral election and had the support of Conrad Black. She dropped out of the race on 27 September, 2010, to throw her support behind George Smitherman, finishing tenth in the polls. Thomson was also the Liberal candidate for Trinity-Spadina in 2011.

Speaking on Newstalk 1010 this morning, Thomson said she doesn't plan to take any legal action as a result of the encounter. Ford has yet to comment on the accusations, so we'll update this post when additional information is available. During the night an anonymous Ford staffer told the Star several aides were within earshot and did not hear the alleged exchange.

Later, also on Newstalk 1010, Richmond Hill councillor Carmine Perrelli who was also at the event says he overheard Thomson planning to "set up" the mayor with a compromising photo.

Speaking to the Star, Thomson recalled she was "worried that he might do it again to someone" and said to Perrelli "I wish I had another picture and my assistant said she'd go up to him and see if he would do it to her. He did not and it seemed like someone had talked to him."

"I wanted to punch him in the face," she told reporter Daniel Dale.

Rob Ford's chief of staff Mark Towhey said the mayor was consulting with his legal team and is "shocked" by the allegations. A statement is expected some time this afternoon.

UPDATE: 12:45

In a written statement issued a short time ago, Rob Ford addressed what he calls "false allegations," saying he is "shocked, dismayed and surprised" to be accused by Thomson.

"What is more surprising is that a woman who has aspired to be a civic leader would cry wolf on a day where we should be celebrating women across the globe," he continues.

"This is a day we should all take the time to reflect upon the women in our lives and in our society. It is a day when we can envision the changes we want to make in our communities to ensure that all people are equal and that violence and discrimination against women comes to an end."

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

Image: Facebook.

This Week in Food rounds up the week's food news, restaurants openings and closings, chef movements and upcoming food events in Toronto. Find us here every Friday morning.

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

• The Happy Hooker is now open at 887 Dundas Street West serving up casual seafood fare like oyster sliders and tuna tacos. Currently the 'Hooker is open weekdays from 11am-9pm and weekends from noon until 8pm but that will be extended until 2am once they receive their liquor licence.
• The Guild Restaurant at 1442 Dundas Street West has opened its doors for brunch and lunch. Dinner service will be added in the coming weeks and plans are in the works for Monday night guest chef pop-ups.
• Northwood (815 Bloor West) has quietly launched a soft opening phase. The new café and bar comes from the team behind Mr. Pong's Bar and will offer café staples and brunch while a full menu can be expected in the weeks to come.
• Mill Street Brewery plans to open The Beer Hall this April in the Distillery District. Elizabeth Rivasplata (Frank) has been appointed executive chef of this new restobar that plans highlight a rotating selection of Mill Street suds.
• Que Supper Club is set to open this spring at 364 Queen Street East with plans to serve up an internationally inspired BBQ menu. The restaurant will also offer Friday and Saturday night dancing and a twice-a-month Sunday brunch.
• Capitano Burgers and Gelato recently opened at 645 Yonge Street, and is serving up its eponymous (and unusual) combination.
• Big House Pizza and its Rob "The Jerk" Ford pie has opened on the Danforth.
• According to their Twitter stream, Cafe + Bar + Pasta (1588 Dundas West) is pushing to open March 20th.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• The Toronto Underground Market is back on Saturday, March 9th from 5 to 10pm at the Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue). If you're thinking "been there, done that" it should be noted that this month's market features a whole crop of new vendors like Liko's Hawaiian Barbecue, Prairie Sweet Bakehouse and dRoks Kitchen to name a few.
• The Rusholme Park Supper Club presents Squiggfeast - Traditional French Twisted by Robin Squiggy Dutt at The Depanneur (1033 College Street) on Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $40 as always and feature a 3-course meal inspired by traditional French cuisine.
• Nick Liu of GwaiLo presents Foreign Dumplings on Monday, March 11th at The Beer Academy (75 Victoria Street) from 6 to 10pm. Tickets are $58 and include a sample beer and 6 internationally inspired dishes like gnudi, kreplach, and potstickers.
• The GE Café Chefs Series: Masters of Food series continues this month with Maple Madness taking place from 6 to 9pm on Tuesday March 12th at the Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue). Chef Matthew Demille (PEC's Pomodoro Trattoria, Enoteca Sociale) presents a maple-inspired menu. Tickets are $75.
• Jamie Kennedy and Dillon's Small Batch Distillers join forces for a cocktail edition of the ongoing Local Food Movement Series from 6:30pm to 9pm on Thursday, March 14th at the Gilead Café (4 Gilead Place). $5 Dillion's cocktails and a small plates menu will be on offer. Reservations not required.

CHEFS

• Former sous chef Amancio dos Santos is now in heading up the kitchen at Hoof Raw Bar following the departure of chef Jonathan Pong.

OTHER NEWS

• The Yukon has begun new weekly night, Pint & Pretzel Tuesday featuring fresh baked pretzels and pints of Beau's for $7.
• Splendido (88 Harbord Street) will start serving Sunday brunch starting March 31st from 11am to 2pm.

Target's segue into Canada cheerfully soundtracked by a slightly blasphemous rinse of Mr. Roger's signature tune pays deference to the belief that TV advertising shapes consumers appreciation of retailers more than anything else. No one understood and harnessed that better than Honest Edwin "Ed" Mirvish, whose bargain basement TV spots perfectly complemented his bargain basement warehouse, located at the corner of Bathhurst and Bloor streets. "This way all you bargain hunters!"

Opened in 1948, Honest Eds can lay claim to being the very first discount superstore ("no credit, no service, no frills: the world's biggest discount department store!"). The sardine crammed store cheaply peddled items bought in bulk at fire sales atop his infamous orange crates, bringing in millions of dollars in revenue. Mirvish also claimed to have invented the concept of the loss leader, items sold below wholesale cost designed to lure patrons into the store's labyrinthine layout where they would surely splash out on much more. "There's no place like this place, anyplace!"

With its Vegas style marquee illuminated by 23,000 blinking light bulbs, the shop itself was one gigantic advertisement painted in broad kitsch strokes, and even felt retro by the time 1960 rolled around. As the decades flew by, Honest Eds remained the same, for better or worse. It was a bona fide Toronto destination, fittingly referenced in travel guides and pop culture outlets alike as a visual short hand for Hogtown West.

"London has Harrods, New York has Macys, Toronto has Honest Ed's" proclaims one of the many unique hand painted signs that make the store so memorable, along with the rows of black and white head shots and theatre posters from Mirvish's friends and associates in live entertainment. "Honest Ed's a nut, but look at the cashew save!"

Perhaps the greatest bit of cogent sales skill Mirvish deployed was his pun heavy, groan worthy, comedic self-depreciation. There was no point in trying to gussy up the low grade reality of discount shopping, so why not celebrate it? In the hundreds of TV commercials Honest Eds produced in the 1980s, Mirvish would often appear at the beginning, or end, to drop puns and make light of his no-budget approach to advertising. "Honest Ed is a nightmare, but my bargains are a dream!"

Much like their print advertising, Honest Eds TV commercials were produced in the same house style, always abiding by the if it ain't broke don't fix it rule. Commercials aired locally on CityTV and CFMT Channel 47 Cable 4, because airtime real estate was cheap, and would hit the right eyeballs - Toronto's ethnic community, low wage earners and students. Using stock footage, rag tag costumes and store customers as extras (check out the dudes modeling $10 car coats in the 1984 commercial - they are sure glad for the work), Honest Eds commercials were a triumph of good will over good budgets.

Ed Mirvish passed away in 2007, and although at the time speculation on the future of the store was grim, so far Honest Eds has kept on keeping on. The store gained more cult cred after appearing in both the comic book and flaccid film adaptation of Scott Pilgrim, and as the setting for Jenny Mayhem's awesome "Wide Open" music video. Young people may still marvel at how old fashioned it all is, but they might just be surprised that their parents did as well. And let's be honest, one day in the future that schmaltzy Target commercial will look just as quaint and dated as the 1980s Honest Eds TV commercials do in 2013.

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

Game On 2.0 brings the history, technology and culture of video games to the Science Centre. The exhibit, which opens tomorrow and runs through the summer, takes us on a chronological journey of video games as they developed through the 20th and 21st centuries, from light-up Pachinko machines, classic pinball tables and bizarre "Videotron" cabinets to the latest Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo consoles.

Privy to a sneak preview yesterday, I had feared the exhibit would be a cheesy, beige take on games, made by people who have never scored a headshot in their entire lives, but it quickly became clear that the curators take their games very seriously.

Inside the exhibit, there are more than 150 titles ready and waiting to be played, on every permutation of what video games were and have now become: the decades-old platforms like the Atari Jaguar and the Commodore 64 to the controllerless Microsoft Kinect. Hardly mired in the archaic games of the past, the collection serves as a comprehensive showcase of the medium's rapid evolution.

After a short tour around, I caught a glimpse of the Steel Battalion station. Released on the original Xbox, the "vertical tank" combat game, which retailed for $200 when it was released, was made (in)famous for the massive controller that came with it. Too rich for my young blood 11 years ago, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sit down, fire up my engines, and finally use this ostentatious hunk of molded plastic.

Apparently it takes some practice, as it wasn't long before I smashed the eject button.

And while Steel Battalion may not mean anything to most of the visitors, that's the big appeal of the exhibit - everyone with even a passing interest in gaming will find something there that sparks that rush of nostalgia or that "ah-ha" moment of seeing the games made before you were born that influenced your favourites.

"It's interesting how the show appeals to different people depending on their age range and what their associations may be. Similar to music, it sort of transports you back to a period of your life when you first encountered that track, and video games do that," said Neil McConnon, head of Barbican International which is putting on the show.

The broad appeal of the exhibit becomes clear when someone in their 50s grabs a controller, their eyes lighting up as they race Sonic the Hedgehog through Green Hill Zone while someone still too young to vote stops to watch - all to the blips, bleeps and bloops of classic game soundtracks that are pumping throughout the exhibit hall.

The Game On 2.0 exhibit is included in the entry fee for the Science Centre and runs from March 9 to Sept. 2, giving older gamers all summer to reconnect with long-lost loves, and younger gamers an opportunity to understand how that yellow duck-looking thing in the Atari 2600's Adventure could inspire such fear.

Writing by Greg Burchell. Photos by Kat Rizza.

Walk into your local LCBO these days, and you're likely to encounter a frightening array of flavoured vodkas. They're really not so bad for making a cheeky drink with friends. Absolut Peach, or Stoli Chocolate Raspberi, certainly have their place on a camping trip, and, at one point, seemed ubiquitous in the city's cocktail bars. With today's mixologists likening themselves to chefs in terms of invention and ability, however, the pre-packaged flavoured spirit has fallen out of favour to the DIY approach. After all, why buy a product that's artificially flavoured to taste like something, when you can naturally add that flavour yourself?

Spirit infusion, however, goes a step further than just adding flavour. A cocktail could just as easily add cinnamon to whisky in the recipe, rather than go through all the steps of making a cinnamon-flavoured one. Infusing allows the spirit itself to shine, preventing juices, syrups, or other ingredients from dominating (and diluting) the cocktail.

Jan Ollner, of Ossington's Reposado, hopes to demonstrate that, with two cocktails: the Hawaii XO, and an "evil twin," the Hawaii XO 2. His idea was to recreate a fruity cocktail without using any fruit juices, so effectively one starts the night, and the other is for when you want to progress onto something stronger, but want the same flavours of the original.

Hawaii XO
Jan starts with Los Arango Reposado Tequila, followed by Aperol (a bitter orange aperitif), and Patron XO (which gives the drink a hint of coffee flavour). Finally, lime and pineapple juices are added for a sweet and sour citrus note. All ingredients are dry shaken, before being shaken again over ice, and strained into a coupe glass. The end result is a beautiful drink: a fruit punch style cocktail with a hint of smokiness and coffee. Amazing!

Hawaii XO 2
This drink is made with pure spirits and pineapple infused mescal to eliminate those pesky non alcoholic ingredients. Campari, a good smoky mezcal, 2 bar spoons of Patron XO and a few drops of Bittered Sling Moondog bitters are stirred with ice before being strained in a coupe glass, garnished by a grapefruit twist. The result is a more alcoholic, rich flavour: a perfect transition from day to night, whilst staying faithful to the same flavour concept.

INGREDIENTS

Hawaii XO
3/4 Los Arango Reposado
3/4 Aperol
3/4 Patron XO
1oz lime juice
1oz pineapple juice

Hawaii XO 2
1/2 oz Campari
1 oz of pineapple infused mezcal
1oz of smoky mezcal (most are only available through specialty suppliers, but try Leyenda Tlacuache)
2 bar spoons of Patron XO
2-3 drops of Bittered Sling Moondog bitters

Spirit infusions are now commonplace amongst Toronto's bar scene, and any number of ingredients and alcohol combinations are used to make amazing concoctions for fantastic drinks. But they're not limited to the professionals - making them at home is fun and easy, there are a few simple rules to follow.

• Don't be intimidated, this is a fun process (think of it like pickling with booze!)
• Let your taste buds be your guide, use flavour combinations you know you like or want to try (the worst case scenario is you didn't achieve the flavour you set out to find)
• Any impurities will affect the final product, so make sure your jar or receptacle you use is clean and free of other scents and flavours (if it's been used before).
• 3-5 days is all you need to get the flavour, a week at the most. I've taken a bite of fruit steeped for only a few days that had already completely transferred its flavour to the alcohol, and was left just tasting like booze.
• It is important that wherever you store your spirit, that it has an air tight closure and is kept away from sunlight as well as heat. (a cool dark space is best)
• When using citrus, use the rind only. It has the most flavour. Also discard any seeds or pits in any fruit.
• Make sure to shake it everyday or every other day.
• Fine strain your ingredients when done, refrigerate and enjoy!

Photos by Jesse Milns

The former independent municipalities of Etobicoke and Scarborough get their names from two very different places. One, like Toronto, is Anglicized from a native word for an area abundant in trees. The other is a colonial title bestowed by one of the first English settlers to the region, Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of John Graves Simcoe.

The difference in their origins speaks to two common ways European settlers named their communities: twist and reshape a native descriptive word or choose a name from home, which was usually the United Kingdom, and use that instead. If you missed it, here's a link to last week's post on how Toronto got its name.

SCARBOROUGHThe original Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, England, is a Victorian seaside resort town famous for its limestone cliffs. The modern city was built around a natural spa discovered in the 17th century and its Viking name is derived from the Scandinavian word "Skarðaborg," meaning stronghold.

The town is known for its Grand Hotel, which was once one of the largest in Europe. Interestingly, York, Pickering, Whitby and Darlington, Ontario also get their names from the same coastal region.

Early Lake Ontario surveyor Augustus Jones, inspired by the sight of plunging cliffs, named the area The Highlands - giving rise to Highland Creek - and the small township in the area Glasgow after the Scottish city.

A few years later, Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of York founder John Graves Simcoe, renamed the area east of the early settlement for the English town because the white Lake Ontario cliffs reminded her of the Yorkshire coast. In her diaries, Simcoe recalls the couple considered building a summer home there and calling it by the same name.

The first resident of Scarborough - sometimes Scarboro - was also the GTA's first commuter. David Thompson, a stone mason, trekked from his log cabin at Highland Creek near Lawrence and McCowan into the town of York each day because he believed the marshland around the Don made the town unhealthy.The Rouge River mouth on the eastern edge of Scarborough was once home to the Seneca-Mohawk settlement of Ganatsekwyagon. The town was the southern terminus of a trail to Lake Simcoe, the origin of the name Toronto, according to a 1673 map by Louis Jolliet.

Castle Frank, the summer home the Simcoes eventually did build, gave its name to the street and subsequently the subway station. In her spare time, Simcoe also sketched the sandbar that would become the Toronto Islands and recorded parts of the Don Valley.

ETOBICOKEOn the other side of town, Etobicoke received its name from an entirely different source - the Mississaugan word "wadoopikaang" (say it a few times.) Though other native groups occupied the land at various times, the Mississaugans noticed an abundance of alder trees, and the named the area west of the Humber River the "place where the alders grow."

Surveyor Augustus Jones spelled the word "atobecoake" in an early assessment of the area. Like Scarborough, Etobicoke was home to a native settlement called Teiaiagon at a ford in the Humber. French explorer and interpreter Étienne Brûlé - the first outsider to visit the region - camped with the Seneca-Mohawk there in 1615.Etobicoke was part of the plot transferred to the British Crown by the Toronto Purchase of 1787. The 250,808-acre land deal with the Mississaugans bought much of the land for Toronto, Vaughan, and King Township for 2,000 gun flints, 24 brass kettles, 120 mirrors, 24 laced hats, 96 gallons of rum, and a bolt of floral flannel.

The purchase - worth just $7,200 in today's money - didn't include the Toronto Islands or new land infilled south of the old shoreline at Front Street. In fact, historical records suggest the deal wasn't legally valid for at least 18 years after it was signed at Carrying Place near Trenton.

A land claim in the 1980s would attempt to win a fair price for the land that was settled without consent.

Mimico also derives its name from a Mississaugan word. "Omiimiikaa" means "abundant with wild pigeons" after the extinct passenger pigeon once native to this region. The unbelievably abundant birds had the power to darken the sky with their collective mass and were, as a result, easy to shoot. The last known passenger pigeon died in 1914 in Cincinnati Zoo.

Etobicoke grew slowly. The first new settlers after the purchase were members of the Queen's Rangers but by 1805 just 84 people were recorded living in the area. Fifty years later the township of Etobicoke, now using its modern spelling, was incorporated. It became a founding member of Metro Toronto in 1954.

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

Image: "Scarborough Bluffs" by Tom Podolec, "Water Tower 3" by Book'em/blogTO Flickr pool.

Let's face it, commuting in and around Toronto is generally a pain in the ass. Whether it be packed subways, gridlocked roads, or a lack of bike lanes, there's plenty to get annoyed about on a daily basis. That said, given how much damn time most of us spend heading to and from work, there's ample opportunity to take a pic or two. And given the preponderance of smartphones, there's no shortage of documentation of the daily grind. Earlier this week we reached out to our Instagram followers for photos of their commute. Here are some of our favourites tagged #commuteTO.

Photo by soteehoh

soteehoh

Photo by magidaeltimani

Photo by blogTO

Photo by houns89

houns89

Photo by leyahcynamon

Photo by toddhaskins

toddhaskins

Photo by mmmbunnies

mmmbunnies

Photo by mshaleymo

Photo by dflack

Photo by gadjos

Add your pics to the pool!

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this March 8-10, 2013.

MUSIC

Tame Impala
After releasing their wickedly successful debut album Innerspeaker in 2010, Tame Impala have been everywhere, from Pitchfork to Coachella, and Spin to Glastonbury. Following the successful release and tour, the band recorded their sophomore album Lonerism, an album that's heavy on synth yet more psychedelic pop than their first record. This Saturday night, the Australian five-piece band plays Kool Haus, with opening act The Growl, an Australian garage junkyard band. Tickets are available at Rotate This and Soundscapes but will be difficult to come by last minute since everyone who isn't at the Patti Smith concert will be there.
Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay East), March 9, 2013, 8PM $25

Patti Smith
Following an incredible Thursday night set at the AGO, Patti Smith plays the Ex's Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Friday night. The intimate venue is the perfect setting to hear the punk rock songstress' classic hits as well as new tracks from her 2012 album Banga, which was released to universal acclaim. Tickets are sold out, but there are other ways to get your hands on them.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre (190 Princes' Boulevard), March 9, 2013, 7PM $29.50-$49.50

Animal Collective
Saturday night music shows have some fierce competition this weekend with experimental indie rock band Animal Collective also playing this Saturday night at Danforth Music Hall. The Baltimore band has at least a dozen studio albums and EPs to their name but are known for playing entire shows consisting only of new music. If you really want bragging right to discovering new music (we're talking years before these songs will appear on an album), this is the show to check out tonight. Tickets are available through Crowd Surge.
Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Avenue), March 9, 2013, 7PM $27.50

Foundry 2013
Foundry continues this weekend, with another great line-up of artists: Omar S, Reference, and Martin Fazekas will take over BLK BOX for another night of hard-hitting EDM. Check out our preview post here.
BLK BOX (1087 Queen St. W.) March 9, 2013, 10PM $20

For more music listings, check out our This Week in Music and March Concerts posts.

PARTIES

'90s Party: 90210 Edition
Good Kids and She Does the City pair up for a night of proper '90s nostalgia, with all your favourite '90s tunes, and decade-appropriate dress-up encouraged. They'll be serving $1 Brandon Walsh Jello shots, there'll be a photo booth, and even a costume contest and drink prizes.
Annex Wreckroom (794 Bathurst St.) March 8, 2013 10PM $5 before midnight, $10 after

Rock-A-Billy Shake-Up
Vintage pinball and hillbilly rock make up 3030's Rock-A-Billy Shake-Up, an evening of rockabilly bands from across Ontario. Toronto's The Millwinders and London, Ontario's Hey Porter! perform '50s country and rockabilly music with DJs Rockin' Dave Faris and Lincoln Bee Kool playing sets throughout the night. The now-monthly series holds its eighth Rock-A-Billy party on Friday night at 3030. Tickets available at the door.
3030 (3030 Dundas Street West), March 8, 2013, 9PM $5

PHOTOGRAPHY

Toronto Urban Photography Festival
Toronto Urban Photography Festival explores the urban landscape and the fabric of daily human interactions through the works of hundreds of artists. Launching this Saturday, TUPF will welcome Torontonians into galleries across the city with large-scale exhibits like "The Disposable Camera Project" at Lomography Gallery Store (536 Queen Street West), a city-wide camera drop that allowed people to take one photo of what they chose, and "The TO Neighbourhoods Project," an online archive that allows everyone to share a photo story of their neighbourhood. Find the full schedule of shows and events on their website.
Various locations, March 9-23, 2013

CONVENTION

Toronto Comicon
Toronto's pop culture mecca is back this weekend for two days of celebrity appearances and Q&As along with hundreds of zine, comic and graphic novel exhibitors and retailers displaying and selling scifi, comic, anime and gaming collectibles. This year's Toronto Comicon opens Saturday morning and runs until Sunday with appearances by the casts of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Orphan Black." Wear a ridiculous costume or come gawk; either way there is enough to entertain everyone. Check out our preview here.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building (255 Front Street West), March 9, 2013, 11AM $12-$149

FASHION

The Drake General Store Warehouse Sale
If you don't want to pay full price for a onesie, moose hat, or other curious odds and ends, The Drake General Store is having a warehouse sale with all items up to 70% off. Teaming up with Pendleton clothing, the three-day sale takes place at the Dufferin Street warehouse, where all of Drake's featured winter clothing will be marked down to clear out for summer items. To attend the pre-sale on Friday, RSVP to generalstore@thedrakehotel.ca. Arrive early for the best deals!
442 Dufferin Street, Unit 1, March 8-10, 2013, 11AM Free

For more fashion listings, check out our This Week in Fashion post.

FOOD

Kitchen Sisters Celebrate Women's Day
Chef Lynn Crawford hosts a dining experience to benefit Sistering, an agency serving homeless, marginalized and low-income women in Toronto. The best female chefs in the city will gather with Crawford at Mildred's Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village to create cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a four-course meal on International Women's Day this Friday. Kitchen Sisters creator Marion Kane brings on chefs Christine Bib, Suzanne, Donna Dooher, Anne Yarymowich, and Andrea Damon Gibson to participate in the event, which boasts incredible cuisine but at a high price.
Mildred's Temple Kitchen (85 Hanna Avenue), March 8, 2013, 6PM $500

For more food listings, check out our This Week in Food post.

FILM

Free Friday Film Double Bill
U of T's Cinema Studies Student Union offers a double dose of their weekly Free Friday Film with a special tribute to Motown this Friday night. The weekly series, offering a free film viewing in Innis Town Hall, presents back-to-back screenings of the 1978 film The Wiz, a contemporary twist on L. Frank Baum's classic The Wizard of Oz starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, and Standing in the Shadows of Motown, a documentary about a group of Detroit musicians who played back up for dozens of popular Motown artists. Gain some Motown musical appreciation through a cinematic lens. Keep in mind, this event is completely free!
Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Avenue), March 8, 2013, 7PM Free

For more film listings, check out our This Week in Film post.

ART

The Walls
21 Iranian artists are given free range on 21 walls, projecting video art, hanging paintings and photographs and displaying sculptures in the Nami Iranian-Canadian Centre for the Arts exhibit "The Walls." The first group project by the centre, which is comprised of 40 Iranian artists working and living in Ontario, The Walls will attempt to introduce Iranian art and culture and assimilate Iranian artists into the local art community. The opening reception takes place Friday night at Arta Galley in the Distillery District. The exhibit runs until March 15th.
Arta Gallery (14 Distillery Lane), March 8-15, 2013, 6PM Free

THEATRE

As I Lay Dying
A 40-mile funeral procession across the Mississippi countryside forces the Bundren family to examine their own humanity--vices and all--as they journey to bury their wife and mother. An original adaptation of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, this gothic chronicle presented by Theatre Smith-Gilmour premieres at Theatre Passe Muraille this Friday night, as part of the theatre company's annual fundraising gala. The show runs until March 31st. Tickets are available through Theatre Passe Muraille's box office.
Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Avenue), March 8-31, 2013, 7:30PM $15-$45

For more theatre listings, check out our This Week in Theatre post.

COMEDY

Rock
A black comedy performance about a friendship that is challenged when one person begins bludgeoning people to death with rocks, writer/director Kat Sandler's Rock is a hilarious look at the lengths people will go to help out friends who hear murderous voices in their heads. This modern morality play opens Friday night at The Storefront Theatre, and the comedy stars Claire Armstrong, Andy Trithardt and Jen Balen. Tickets are available through Secure a Seat. The show runs on weekends until March 23rd.
The Storefront Theatre (955 Bloor Street West), March 8-23, 2013, 8PM $25

For more comedy listings, check out our This Week in Comedy post.

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

First photo from our review of Tame Impala, second photo from our preview of Toronto Comicon 2013.

Photo by Martinho in the blogTO Flickr pool

In this edition, we spend some time reflecting on Mark Forward's ballsy performance at Just For Laughs. Follow me as I walk you through This Week In Comedy.

MON MAR 11 / ALTdot COMEDY LOUNGE / RIVOLI / 332 QUEEN W / 9PM / $5

When it comes to finding yourself on stage, many people will tell you about the importance of taking risks. They'll boast about moving beyond their comfort zone, but a closer examination finds them taking chances on the small stage, thereby minimizing the chance of true loss. Not Mark Forward. Case in point, take a look at his recent performance on Canadian comedy's biggest stage, Just For Laughs. First of all, I think he did a masterful job with his Chipmunk story.

Second of all, I congratulate him on having the balls to take a managed risk like that in front of a huge audience. Many comedians will only take risks like that on home turf, playing it safe when they're on away games. Finally, and most importantly, I think we saw the comedian that Mark Forward wants to be. But heck, what do I know? I guess what I'm trying to say is give the guy a standing ovation at this show.

WED MAR 13 - SUN MAR 17 / MIKE WILMOT / YUK YUK'S / 224 RICHMOND W / 8PM / $11-20

The first time that I saw Mike, I didn't even know his name. I was at Jo-Anna Downey's Standing on the Danforth show, and had just bombed my ass off on stage. We were at the back of the room, and I was trying to weave my way into the conversation. A comic on stage made a joke about having to focus on her orgasm, and I immediately saw Mike stop what he was doing and laugh.

When he got on stage, he took the idea and started a killer 15-minute set, ten of which seemed completely improvised based on the previous comic's set about the focused orgasm. That pretty much sums up why I love Mike - he's brash, confident, and isn't afraid to go off the top of his dome when he sees gold.

SAT MAR 16 / COMEDY UNCOVERED SHOWCASE / THE LOT / 100 OSSINGTON / 10PM / $12

Taylor Erwin's Comedy Uncovered presents their fourth showcase, which features Christi Olson, Emma Hunter, and Egg Zeppelin. Now, other than Christi who absolutely rocked it in her winning performances at last year's Cream of Comedy, I can't say that I've seen the other acts in living colour. However, Taylor has been a comedy journalist for a lot longer than I have. What that means is that I trust Taylor to book only the best when he himself produces a show. Long story short, in Erwin I trust.

About the Author: This is Michael Jagdeo, and I refuse to write about myself in the third-person. My blog, Diary of a Stand-up Comedian, walks you through the up's and down's (they're mostly down's, really) in my quest to become a killer comic in Toronto.

The City of Toronto's ubiquitous logo adorns almost all official civic communications from planning notices to press releases. In it, a stylized outline of Toronto's political nexus is accompanied by an imposing bold face block of text. It's also the symbol the city uses on its road signs to welcome visitors to Ontario's capital.

The logo was selected by city council on May 14, 1998, to replace the six interlocked rings of the soon-to-be-defunct Metro Toronto. Three possible choices, shown above, were presented to council for consideration by a team of graphic design professionals hired by city staff.

Naturally, not everyone liked the choices. Then-councillor Michael Prue refused to vote on any of the logos because they focused on the centre of local government rather than the city itself. "This is absolutely the wrong thing to do. We need something brand new that includes all of us."

Coun. Chris Korwin-Kuczinski suggested holding a public competition similar to the one that produced the city flag in 1974. Coun. Howard Moscoe didn't have as much faith in local talent. "When I want to put in a bathroom I hire a plumber and when I want to write a bylaw I hire a lawyer ... and I don't use amateurs to do that kind of stuff," he told the Star.The city also took the chance to make changes to the official crest, dropping Britannia, a female personification of Great Britain, and a native character in favour of a bear, beaver, and eagle. The alterations didn't pass council first time and the first draft (shown on the right above) was sent back for revisions during the same debate that approved the new logo.

The current coat of arms uses the motto "diversity our strength" and includes symbols of Etobicoke, Scarborough, and the three main rivers of the region: the Don, Humber, and Rouge. An eagle represents Toronto's native heritage above a T (for Toronto) that also matches the outline of city hall.

Which logo would you have chosen given the choice? The centre image was the City of Toronto logo prior to amalgamation. Would you have simply re-used the Metro logo and saved the cost of designing a new motif?

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

Image: City of Toronto Archives.

Dubstep darling Flux Pavilion kept the kids up late Thursday night at the Hoxton with a superb -- if short -- setlist of highlights spanning across his young career. Roksonix— labelmates on Flux's brainchild Circus Records— got the dub party started, dropping the high-energy, bass-heavy beats identified with the genre. The crowd was already wild: there was the token crowdsurfing-girl-with-her-top-off who, regardless of freely showing off a very attractive rack, was no sooner dropped by fellow fans. I'm sure she brushed it off, had a drink, and got right back out on the dance floor.

Flux took to the stage at 1am and opened with the latest track off new EP Blow the Roof Off, "The Scientist." As the lyrics for this song are both written and vocalized by Flux himself, I thought it an ideal choice get the crowd really going.

It worked: even after hours of pre-Flux dub, those Energizer-bunny EDM lovers stomped the yard that was the Hoxton and proved once again that no matter how dissonant and high-pitched dubstep may seem, it is extremely conducive to dancing.

Accustomed to performances like this one at larger venues (like last year's Veld Festival), I wasn't sure what to expect at the Hoxton. But it had an underground feel to it and seemed as close to a rave as any legitimate venue could be. At one point I found myself seated across from a couple who were loving the music just enough but loving each other a little too much. Let's just say I fled the scene just as her face found its way into his lap.

This is the power of Flux Pavilion! With his coiffed blond hair and piercing blue eyes, he could have wound up a member of a boyband like One Direction, but he decided to use his vocal and instrumental talents for good. Dubstep enthusiasts love him because he drops chest-rattling remixes and original beats. But he also engages a mainstream crowd with really catchy hooks and an ability to make dubstep accessible. I dare you to listen to his remix of Freestylers' "Cracks" or his original track "I Can't Stop" and not feel this intense need to jump around. Can you tell I'm listening to it right now? I'm fighting the urge to dance.

Flux Pavilion sat down for a Reddit AMA last month and revealed a love for Bon Iver, The Prodigy, Mozzarella cheese, and cooking ("It's one of my dreams to open a café that serves breakfast 24/7"). He talked about his collaborations with Childish Gambino, Jay-Z, and Kanye West and proved, through all of his answers, that dubstep is his passion — a feeling the entire crowd sensed at last night's show.

When asked, "Can't you stop?" Flux responded with a witty, "I've never tried." Toronto's dubstep fans hope he never does.

Additional Photos

Photos by Brian Morton

Photo by W..... in the blogTO Flickr pool

This week in theatre rounds up the most noteworthy live theatre playing right now in Toronto. It includes just-opened shows as well as productions that are about to close.

And Slowly Beauty... / Tarragon Theatre / 8:00pm / 2:30pm / $27-$53
Billed as "a love letter to art," Michel Nadeau's And Slowly Beauty... considers our very personal relationship to cultural expression. Mr. Mann rarely attends the theatre, but when he wins tickets to a production of Chekhov's The Three Sisters (a very tempting offer indeed for it's such an incredible play), the invitation awakens in him a yearning to connect through art.

Rock / Storefront Theatre / 8:00pm / 2:00pm / $10-$20
Theatre Brouhaha keeps churning out black comedies from up and coming young playwright Kat Sandler. Their newest, Rock, considers how long you'd stand by if the person you loved started killing people with the instrument alluded to in the title. After Ben starts hearing voices telling him to commit these devious acts, that's exactly the moral dilemma in which his girlfriend and best friend find themselves.

Eirlys & Eckhart / Theatre Passe Muraille / 7:30pm / 2:00pm / $20
Written by Arlin Dixon and directed by Matt White, Eirlys & Eckhart examines two friends who, in a house where the past is packed up in boxes, try to keep a lid on the demons of years gone by. Cart/Horse Theatre has presented a number of strong indie productions in the last few years: This Lime Bower Tree, Vincent River, Winners, and Rum and Vodka. Matt Gorman and Dixon feature in the title roles.

Ching Chong Chinaman / Aki Studio Theatre / 8:00pm / 2:00pm / $15-$28
In anticipation of their latest show, Ching Chong Chinaman, fu-GEN put together a cute video of Torontonians announcing the offensive title. As the video attests, while it's a hard collection of words to say out loud, the play will no doubt inspire thought-provoking discussions. It profiles a Chinese-American family who, on paper, is as conventional as they come, until they acquire a Chinese indentured servant to help them complete chores and math problems.

Dancing with Rage / Panasonic Theatre / 8:00pm / 2:00pm / $25-$79
Returning to the stage as part of the Off-Mirvish series is Mary Walsh's one woman show, Dancing With Rage. When she's not ambushing Rob Ford outside his home and running from the police, Mary Walsh can be seen presenting characters Marg Delahuntey, Dakey Dunn, Miss Eulalia Turpin, Mom Reardon, and Connie Bloor. Walsh's collection of quirky characters holds the stage until March 24.

Photo of And Slowly Beauty...by Cylla von Tiedemann

Despite what Kevin Parker, frontman and songwriter for much-hyped quintet Tame Impala, might say, he and his Australian compatriots are no strangers to Toronto.

Maybe it was discreet sarcasm, but in a rare moment of crowd interaction at the Kool Haus on Saturday night, the laconic Parker quickly apologized for it having been so long since they'd last graced a Toronto stage - despite their last show here having taken place less than five months ago at the Phoenix.

Regardless, if the band is willing to bring the supply, there's no doubt that the demand is there. You could have asked anyone in the sellout crowd, which ran the gamut from screaming teenage girls to grizzled old men in 13th Floor Elevators tees (all of which is not to mention a veritable microcosm of an economy in the scalper pool outside the venue). But the demographic universality goes a long way in explaining the appeal of the Aussies, graduating from small clubs to 2000+ capacity rooms in a mere few years, following 2010's trippy debut Innerspeaker.

The ability of Parker to operate within a resurgent psychedelic milieu while retaining a distinct sense of newness is surely what's accounted for such a diverse audience for the band, who, to all their credit, use little more than the most logical elements at their disposal to craft their maximalist sonics. Their live sound seemed to be driven by the same effects-heavy experimentation that bolsters their studio recordings, but delivered in a scaled back, widescreen format, set to accommodate the typical guitar/bass/keys/drums setup.

The performance, though, was anything but ordinary. Opening with a jam leading into the phased-out intro of "Solitude is Bliss," Parker and his backing band had the crowd eating out of their hands right off the bat. To someone that's seen plenty of great performances plagued by the inherent shoddiness of the sound at the Kool Haus (née "The Warehouse" for good reason), hearty congratulations must go out to their absurdly competent soundman, who made the proceedings sound as if they were taking place at halls more hallowed than Massey. The perfectly crisp and defined sound continued for the entire performance, Parker's Lennon-esque vocals EQ'd just the right amount over the soaring guitars and tight drum fills.

A projection screen glared visuals behind the band; for the first quarter of the set, it unfortunately tended more towards stock Windows Media Player than cutting-edge psychedelic. While the visuals appeared to be linked to the music being made onstage (specifically to Parker's guitar, but don't quote me on how), they created an unnecessary distance between band and fans, the former of which was more than able to win the latter over on its own sans visual accessories.

By the time the riff-heavy "Elephant" rolled around, though, the projections shifted to vibrant multicoloured landscapes, accentuated by the groovy sonic simulators. Aside from the fact that the screen seemed too small for the stage they were playing, the visuals were an appropriate addition from this point forward, their vagueness serving the songs surprisingly well.

And that's where the ultimate strength of Tame Impala lies: in the masterful songwriting of Parker. Regardless of how jammy the band got over the course of the 90 minute set - the closing drum solo on the aforementioned "Elephant" being the only overt example of overboard - the band were always able to reign it in just enough to retain the intuitive melodic sense that makes last year's sophomore album, Lonerism, such an engaging listen. The few other tracks aired out from Innerspeaker found the band stretching their legs substantially, bassist Nick Allbrook's bass consistently a highlight throughout thanks to his warm, organic tones on older tunes like "It is Not Meant to Be" and "Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?"

Put in perspective, it's quite staggering that Parker is a mere 26 years old and already seeing these returns on his initial music career. His band have a ridiculously formulated live sound for the relatively short amount of time they've been playing, and while there's still room to hone some of their more extensive jams, they come off as a group who've been around far longer than they actually have. If they can make the cavernous Kool Haus sound good, they can clearly do it anywhere, so who knows what lies next for the band. You best see them in a mid-sized venue while you still can.

Setlist

Solitude is Bliss
Apocalypse Dreams
Be Above It
Endors Toi
Music to Walk Home By
Elephant
Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
Keep on Lying
Mind Mischief
Alter Ego
It is Not Meant to Be
Half Full Glass of Wine

Encore

Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control

Photos by Hannah Jor