Like many of us in Toronto right now, you're probably already counting down the days until summer when you can spend long, lazy afternoons outside sipping on beer or cider. And once the warm weather returns, it'll be even easier to make that happen.

That's because the Government of Ontario will authorize an additional 80 grocery stores across the province to sell beer and cider.

Already, 130 supermarkets sell beer and cider - 70 of these sell wine. With this expansion, 210 stores will able to sell beer and cider.

It's unclear which additional stores will get to sell beer and cider because they still have to go through a formal bidding process.

There are already plenty of stores in the GTA with beer, wine and cider on their shelves. And you can always stock up at the LCBO, The Beer Store and the various craft breweries and bottle shops dotted around the city. 

Environment Canada just issued a special weather statement for the City of Toronto, warning that we might be in for a slippery commute tomorrow.

There's a chance that we'll see some freezing rain on Tuesday. The forecast is calling for snow overnight, with freezing rain expected in the morning. It's supposed to change to rain later in the day.

"Hazardous winter travelling conditions can be expected across Southern Ontario," reads Environment Canada's special weather statement. So take caution before heading out tomorrow morning.

The best old school burgers in Toronto are juicy, meaty, and bare-bones basic: you won’t find any wagyu beef, foie gras topping, truffles or gold leaf on any of these real deal burgers. Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, maybe a little pickle or bacon, if that: nothing more is needed to accentuate this king of sandwiches.

Here are the best old school burgers in Toronto.

If you live in the Dovercourt and Bloor area of Toronto, you may have noticed a recent invasion of major celebrities in your neighbourhood.

Of course, they're not live in the flesh: blown-up photographic portraits of celebrities like Mike Tyson, Sandra Bullock, Britney Spears, and Ontario's own Justin Bieber are filling in the space where ads might normally be on the sides of convenience stores and other buildings.

A photo posted by Peter Andrew Lusztyk (@peterandrewlusztyk) on Jan 29, 2017 at 10:43am PST

Upon closer inspection, it appears that the photos are in fact not portraits of the real celebs themselves, but rather of ultra-realistic wax figures. 

A photo posted by Peter Andrew Lusztyk (@peterandrewlusztyk) on Feb 4, 2017 at 8:11pm PST

The project is the work of local photographer Peter Andrew, part of his Uncanny Valley project. The uncanny valley refers to a phenomenon wherein a humanoid or computer-generated figure is close enough to being realistically human that it arouses unease in the viewer. The series even caught the eye of Applied Arts magazine.

A photo posted by Peter Andrew Lusztyk (@peterandrewlusztyk) on Jan 30, 2017 at 5:57am PST

The guerilla-style exhibition uses already empty advertising frames in the Bloorcourt neighbourhood. This method of display has one drawback: art-coveting Torontonians have already begun stealing the portraits. One of Bruce Willis lasted less than a day.

Today in Toronto we get loud. There's a new wave punk show from Priests, who are causing  a stir in the music world right now and Toronto's Bald Britney are opening. There's also Harry Potter trivia if you're looking for a quieter night out.

If you're out and about and desperately need Wi-Fi, you probably duck into a local coffee shop to get online. 

But soon, those wandering around Queen West will be able to connect for free thanks to two new internet-enabled parkettes slated to open this fall.

As Metro News reports, the parkettes will be located at Queen and Denison and Queen and Ryerson, between Spadina and Bathurst streets.

Both will be less than 1,000 square feet, and along with free Wi-Fi, they'll feature trees and seating.

This initiative, according to Metro, is just one part of a larger, BIA-led streetscape project that's aiming to transform the section of Queen Street West between Soho Avenue and Bathurst Street. 

The project is slated to cost around $2.6 million, and the Queen Street West BIA will chip in $450,000 with the city on the hook for the remainder. 

Now that winter is here to stay and rinks and ponds everywhere are frozen solid for the next little while, it only makes sense to add another huge skating surface to the downtown mix.

Set just below the giant red canoe overlooking the Gardiner, CityPlace Canoe Landing park just got a new outdoor rink. There's even lighting for night skates. 

It's a sporty initiative dreamed up by the CityPlace Fort York BIA and will be in operation until the end of March. Like many city rinks, this one will be open as long as temperatures are cold enough.

Toronto's Choir! Choir! Choir! is now world famous. And last night, the drop-in group used its power to fill The Phoenix with singers to keep the momentum going after the Women's March.

Choir! brought Los Angeles-based artist Milck (Connie Lim) to the city to lead them in her song "(I Can't Keep) Quiet", a piece that went viral after Milck performed it a capella at the Women's March on Washington. 

Tickets to last night's all-ages sing-along sold out and proceeds went to support the American Civil Liberties Union. 

A video posted by Lisa Carson (@lisagarbageface) on Feb 6, 2017 at 6:05pm PST

Many in the crowd sported signs as well as pink pussy hats as they joined together to belt out Milck's rousing anthem.

A video posted by Jessica Fan (@jessicalifan) on Feb 6, 2017 at 9:32pm PST

Toronto-area commuters who take GO Transit might want to pay attention to a new study from The Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research at the University of Toronto.

Researchers found that at certain times, GO Transit passengers are exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust - components of this pollutant can cause cancer as well as other health problems.

The study was shared with the Toronto Star before being published, and according to the Star, researchers tested trains for two components of diesel exhaust along the Richmond Hill line.

They found that there were higher levels of diesel exhaust when the trains were in pull mode (versus push mode), or when the locomotive was at the front of the train. At these times, the coaches closest to the locomotive would have the highest concentration of pollutants.

@GOtransit you guys should provide a listing of which train are and times are push vs. pull in light of the health study.

— Jeff Taylor (@jcat35) February 7, 2017

One of the study's co-authors told the Star that this shouldn't discourage people from taking GO Transit. And Metrolinx has already responded to say it's working with the researchers to implement safety measures for passengers.

The safest solution would be to electrify GO - there are plans in place to electrify 80 per cent of the GO network by 2024. 

Some Torontonians don't feel comfortable marching in public, or even choosing a side. Some folks want to help, teach, learn or even just yell out loud and don't know how to go about it.

Anna Willats, Coordinator of Women Transitioning to Trades & Employment at George Brown College, runs Rise Up!, a newsletter that draws connections between all the movements happening in Toronto and helps people get involved in them.

"I think a lot of people are feeling kind of helpless right now because so much of what's going on is in the realm of the United States, the pipeline, Trump's rise of fascism and Quebec City," she says.

"Having a place to meet and gather and yell your head off or take a sign or express yourself and be with other people and have community is a very important thing."

Protests are important, according to Willats, but it's what happens after these marches that's almost more important.

"The challenge with these things is they mobilize people, but does that turn into organizing? Does that become something sustained? are they following it up with writing to their MP or MPP or City Councillor? 

"That's pretty critical so that we're not doomed to endlessly be just responding."

Here are some ways to be more of an activist in your community. 

Amnesty International Toronto

Through volunteer initiatives, this group helps to fund human rights public awareness events like Films for Change and the annual November Reel Awareness Human Rights Film Festival. It also supports the work of Amnesty International Canada.

Black Lives Matter Toronto

One of the city's most outspoken and critical community groups works tirelessly to dismantle all forms of oppression and violence by making connections with members of the Black community,  Black-centric networks and solidarity movements.

Centre for Social Justice

The CSJ conducts research, education and advocacy on issues of equality and democracy. It helps strengthen local and national movements through courses, lessons, discussions and more.

No One is Illegal

This activism network exists in many other Canadian cities and actively posts about community events you can attend to talk politics. 

Ontario Public Interest Research Group

This is a volunteer-based group at the University of Toronto, with a mandate for action, education, and research on environmental and social justice issues. It's big on giving people the tools and opportunity to work cooperatively for social change.

Park People

This group pushes not only for green spaces and places in the city, but for a better, healthier Toronto. Subscribe to its newsletter, sign up to volunteer or follow the Facebook group to learn more.

Rise Up! News and Events

Willats creates and publishes this activist newsletter that acts as a calendar of events in the city. It's extensive and truly provides a snapshot of what is going on politically in Toronto and how to get involved. Email awillats@sympatico.ca to sign up.

Toronto Activist Calendar

This Facebook group is a great resource to find out about marches, protests, group meetings and other types of activist-based events in and around the GTA. It connects community members around social justice, environmental and human rights issues. 

Toronto Environmental Alliance

This group promotes a green city and works with community members, groups and professionals to push Toronto in a more environmentally sound direction. It also acts as an environmental watchdog at City Hall.

Why Should I Care?

This non-profit group brings back the old-school political salon format "where people could come together and have thoughtful discussions about the issues they cared about in a safe, non-partisan environment." It's trying to make it okay for anyone to talk politics in Toronto. 

In 2014, nine endangered blue whales died after becoming stranded in ice - a number that represents about 3 per cent of the blue whale population.

After two washed ashore in Rocky Harbour and Trout River, Newfoundland, the majestic mammals garnered international attention.

While some worried about the whales bursting, the ROM stepped in to study them and continues to research how to conserve these sea creatures.

Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story will open at the ROM on March 11. The exhibition will chronicle how the ROM and Research Casting International recovered the whale's skeletons and gathered further information about them.

The exhibition will feature the original blue whale skeleton recovered from Trout River, Newfoundland.

According to a ROM news release, it'll be one of biggest and most complete blue whale skeletons to be displayed in the world.

“Blue whales have captured our imagination through their sheer size and extreme adaptation to aquatic life, said Mark Engstrom, the ROM's senior curator and deputy director of collections and research in a news release.

“The chance to share the recovery story with our visitors is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Out of the Depths will mark the beginning of the museum's sesquicentennial programming - or programming to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary.

Drake is currently on tour in Europe and he's not holding back on his feelings towards Trump. 

In an epic speech from a show in London on Sunday night, Drake shared his views on the current President of the United States.

Drake speaking that real s*** and speaking on/dissing Donald Trump? #Drake #donaldtrump #more #life

A video posted by Dale (@dalee25) on Feb 4, 2017 at 6:34pm PST

"For some reason in my room, they got the TV set to CNN, everyday I wake up and I see all this bullshit going on in the world, people trying to tear us apart, people trying to make us turn against each other," he says while walking around a giant globe in between sets.

"So tonight my proudest moment isn't selling tickets or having people sing my songs...my proudest moment, if you take a look around this room, you'll see people from all races and all places and all we doing tonight is show love, celebrate life, more life and more music ...

"I just want you to understand that if you thought for a second that one man can tear this world apart, you're out of your mother f***ing mind. It's on us to keep this shit together. F*** that man. 

In other fun news, it looks like Director X's Death of the Sun globe is now fixed after Travis Scott had a run in with it last week. 

Toronto's Pearson International might become one of the world's mega airports if ambitious new expansion plans are realized over the coming years.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has released preliminary designs for a sprawling new transit centre, passenger processing area, and retail complex that would radically transform the airport and surrounding area.

The CBC touts the integrated transit hub as "a second Union Station," which is a bit outlandish given that only one rail route currently terminates at Pearson (the UP Express), but it does gesture to the scale the GTAA is thinking of here.

The forward-thinking hub could eventually connect to the Eglinton Crosstown, the Kitchener GO Line, and a variety of bus lines in Mississauga. That would help get some of the 300,000 people who work at and around the airport out of their cars and onto public transit.

Right now, statistics indicate that only seven per cent of people who work at the airport use public transit. The number climbs to 10 per cent for travellers, but that's still well below other international airports.

Activity at the airport and its surrounding area gives rise to roughly one million car trips a day. 

Still, the expansion would be about more than just creating a regional transit centre. With passenger screening on site as well as retail and hotel space, the new addition would function as a gateway to the existing terminals and offer a whole new commercial element to Pearson.

The centre is proposed to be built on Airport Road across from Terminals 1 and 3 on a site that's predominantly surface parking at the moment.

Funding for the project has yet to be secured, though the GTAA reports having had preliminary discussions with all levels of government.  

Ryerson University's Digital Media Zone, or the DMZ, is one of the leading tech incubators in the world. And its latest initiative is open to the public - not just tech forward-thinking startups.

Sandbox is the DMZ's so-called community arm. It just launched and it offers free, hands-on programs and courses to the Toronto community.

Upcoming classes include Snapchat 101, Intro to Music Production and Skills to Succeed in Consulting. All of these will be held in Ryerson's Student Learning Centre at 341 Yonge St.

A new mandate, new look and endless potential. Introducing Sandbox by DMZ: sandboxdmz.ca 😎pic.twitter.com/xTu8NmgbLC

— Sandbox (@SandboxDMZ) February 1, 2017

If you're new to Snapchat and are looking for people to follow you can find us at blogTO. We often snap about new restaurants and other businesses, as well as cover events we're attending.

An Oshawa Police officer showed he can both fight crime and dance like a pro after responding to a call about a supposed gang fight at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Durham Regional Police Constable Jarrod Singh quickly discovered that what had looked like a fight - with eight people surrounding one person - was actually a video shoot for a UOIT dance troupe.

After he realized what was going on, he showed the kids his own moves and it was caught on camera.

The video has now been viewed over 700,000 times in less than a day after it was posted on Facebook.

Dubbed the upside down house, this recently listed property at 222 Manning Avenue departs from conventional design wisdom by inverting the location of the bedrooms and the kitchen/living space, which in a townhouse-style home makes a lot of sense. 

The unconventional layout is the work of designer Cecconi Simone, and there are plenty of other features that'll appeal to those looking for a slick space, from a linear gas fireplace to high end appliances (two wine fridges!).

While the footprint of this home isn't very big, there's a surprising amount of space at 3,100 square feet. There are four bedrooms and an office, plus two distinct outdoor spaces. You won't get a huge backyard, but the exterior options make this feel rather different than a cramped condo.

You could make the argument that Toronto could use more homes like this. In an area like Dundas West where space is at a premium and housing inventory is low, the luxury townhouse is attractive for buyers and urban planners alike.

Specs

• Address: 222A Manning Ave.
• Price: $2,285,000
• Bedrooms: 4 + 1
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 89
• Transit Score: 100
• Listing Agent: Paul Johnston
• Listing ID: C3700141

Good For

Someone who wants to live in a slick downtown space but prefers the idea of a home to a condo. There's lots of square footage here spread across the various levels, but the footprint is small enough to keep the price within reach (at least by recent standards).

Move On If

Having a big backyard matters to you. This house is a lovely compromise between a traditional detached home and a condo for people dead-set on living downtown, but if that's not a priority, you can mind more space (indoors and out) by looking further from the core.

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

Toronto chef and restaurateur Grant van Gameren is back at it again. This time, he and the team behind popular spots such as Bar Isabel, will open an Eastern European-inspired restaurant bar in Parkdale.

In a post from van Gameren on The Food and Wine Industry Career Navigator Facebook group, he notes that this incoming spot will be located at 1554 Queen Street West, in the old The Tennessee, and formerly Mitzi's Sister, space. 

According to van Gameren's message it'll feature traditional cuisine (such as pierogi and fish) and a beverage program that plays homage to Eastern Europe and the Balkans with beer and sustainable wine as well as spirits like rakia. 

It looks like van Gameren's taking over Parkdale one eatery and watering hole at a time. He recently opened cocktail bar Pretty Ugly and revamped Harry's, an old-school diner. 

Slip sliding away. That was the story of many people's afternoon commutes today as Toronto witnessed significant ice accumulation over the course of the day. And it's not over just yet as the freezing rain warnings continue until early evening.

Cars have been found encased in ice, trees continue to groan under additional weight, flights have been cancelled, and unsalted sidewalks remain treacherous to navigate.

By the time 5 p.m. rolled around, reports of power outages began to circulate on social media before confirmation came from Toronto Hydro.

A photo posted by Mike Lynch (@mikelynch001) on Feb 7, 2017 at 3:24pm PST

Streetcar routes on the TTC were hit particularly hard as people headed home from work. Ice build up on electric wires crippled cars and replacement buses had to face slippery roads and traffic jams before shuttling people home.

The 501 Queen, 506 Carlton, and 509 Harbourfront routes suffered what the TTC characterized as "extreme delays," some of which lasted as much as an hour. 

A photo posted by Garrick The DJ (@garrickthedj) on Feb 7, 2017 at 2:34pm PST

So far, power outages have been concentrated in the area southwest of High Park and around Mimico, though Toronto Hydro is actively monitoring the situation. Freezing rain is expected to give way to rain sometime after 7 p.m., which will help defrost perilous streetcar and Hydro wires.

Here's a glimpse of some of the chaos on Toronto streets during the afternoon commute today.

Today in Toronto lovers can get an early starts on Valentine's Day with a night market inside the ballroom of the city's party hotel. There's also a Trump talk if you still want to discuss that stuff.

Freezing rain wreaked havoc on yesterday's commute as it encased Toronto in a thin layer of ice.

Along with slippery roads and sidewalks, the city also saw major TTC streetcar delays and the transit agency deployed extra buses on key routes to help keep things moving.

Part of the city also lost power, with Toronto Hydro reporting outages in both east and west side neighbourhoods.

Toronto Police closed Bay Street, between Gerrard and Elm, at around 6 p.m. last night after a large piece of ice fell on a vehicle. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

While Toronto looked beautiful covered in ice, it was somewhat of a relief when the freezing rain switched to plain old rain later in the evening.