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Toronto orchestra shut down over fat-shaming controversy

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A performing arts company in Toronto was effectively shuttered this week after an email blew up online in which singers were told they needed to be "fit and slim" (or, at the very least, to hide their "dietary indulgences" with clothing.)

The management of Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra sent out the now-viral message on Monday, writing that "although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim – the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line performing artists to be – two of our singers would not."

The message goes on to say that these singers should "refrain from using tight fitting dresses and use loose (less physically-revealing, less physically—accentuating) dresses instead."

"Your image is our image," reads the email. "If you look good, we do too."

Perhaps even more troubling was their statement that "for all future shows," singers who didn't meet the appearance guidelines would no longer get to perform.

Like pretty much everyone else who's read it, volunteer vocalist Sydney Dunitz was shocked by the email's contents. 

She posted a screenshot of the message to Facebook on Tuesday night and wrote in the caption that she was"absolutely disgusted."

Within a day, the story was trending on Twitter, and has since made headlines around the world.

On Thursday, amidst growing controversy, Sheraton Cadwell's managment sent out another email to volunteer vocalists – this time, with an apology and a resignation.

"With our resignation, our financial funding for the Sheraton Cadwell community service project & training program will also be terminated forthwith with much regret, and as such, the entire organization will cease to exist in due course," reads the email.

"We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent."

It goes on to thank its musicians and vocalists for 14 years of “good work” and asks them if they could help dispose of the sheet music folders they no longer need.

Former Sheraton Cadwell vocalist Victoria Leone told the Toronto Star today that she was disappointed to learn of the organization's closure.

"Shutting down the organization was never the intent from any of the girls who’ve spoken out on the body-shaming email," she said, adding that the women had simply been looking for an apology.


15 things to do in Toronto this week

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Electric Island makes its grand return to an actual island this week in Toronto. It's been a rocky summer for the electronic music festival, but they've survived and will cap summer off with two days at Hanlan's. There's also FanExpo, RibFest and some big ticket concerts. 

Events you might want to check out:

Bonobo (August 28 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
The British electronic wonder brings his latest album and a full band to Toronto for a two-night trip. Be prepared to be transported around the globe with a show of sound and lights.
Closing Night of Opening Roof Festival (August 29 @ 99 Sudbury)
A solo set by Born Ruffians' singer and guitarist Luke Lalonde helps close the 2017 Open Roof Fest season. Then it's a screening of Sundowners, which he also acts in.
John Mayer (August 29 @ Budweiser Stage)
John Mayer brings his Search For Everything World Tour under the stars for a night of summer time pop and rock to make you swoon.
FanExpo 2017 (August 31 - September 3 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Celebrating all things fandom from comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, sci-fi and fantasy to cosplay, horror, to gaming, toys, movies, and television. So many costumes, celebrities, and geeks in one place!
Zac Brown Band (August 31 @ Budweiser Stage)
Summer winds down with the Southern rock sounds of the Zac Brown Band.
Downsview Park Ribfest (September 1-4 @ Downsview Park)
The massive Ribfest returns for the second year with an endless walkway of rib vendors. There'll also be music and entertainment stages.
Hot & Spicy Food Festival (September 1-4 @ Harbourfront Centre)
This waterside festival showcases Canadian celebrity chefs, a curated food market of food to challenge your tolerance levels, a cooking competition and lots of blues bands.
Toronto International BuskerFest (September 1-4 @ Woodbine Park)
The annual Buskerfest is a weekend of comedy, spontaneity and a dash of the unbelievable with clowns, musicians, magicians, fire jugglers, acrobats, aerial artists, daredevils and more. A donation to epilepsy gets you in the park.
Toronto Wolfpack Home Playoff Game (September 2 @ Lamport Stadium)
Catch our very own unbeaten international rugby team in their second playoff game of the season as they tackle the UK's Whitehaven RLFC.
Lechon Festival (September 2 @ Wychwood Barns Community Association)
This is a food fest that promotes Filipino cuisine and culinary heritage through food vendors, demonstrations, and sampling.
Drone Light Show (September 2 @ Ontario Place)
Head to the waterside park to cap off the Active Ontario fest at 11 p.m. with a drone light show in the sky. 30 drones, each with their own LED colours, fly and dance overhead for this unique light show.
Electric Island finale (September 3 @ Hanlan's Point Stadium)
Electric Island finally heads back to the Island for their final weekend of the summer. Major international DJs fill the stages each day with sounds and lights on the easy breezy grass of the island.
Beam Me Up Lakeside (September 3 @ The Slip)
Beam Me Up sojourns to the lakeside, for a day disco soiree. Let residents The Patchouli Bros and Cyclist take you from sunshine to moonlight, with a waterfront soundtrack of underrated and obscure disco.
Degrassi School's Out Screening (September 3 @ The Royal Cinema)
Joey Jeremiah, and Stacey Mistysyn will be in attendance at this screening of the 25th anniversary of one of the most watched Canadian TV movies of all time. Be sure to get tickets in advance.
Depeche Mode (September 3 @ Air Canada Centre)
The British new wave rockers have been pushing electronic music to its limits since the early 1980's and continue to pack stadiums with their massive sound and light show.

10 movies getting the biggest advance buzz at TIFF 2017

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Not all movies go into TIFF as equals. Some have already been ear marked by award prognosticators – either based on receptions at other festivals, or talent pedigree – as buzz-worthy frontrunners for Oscar season consideration.

Here are the movies getting the most advance buzz at TIFF 2017.

Battle of the Sexes

Emma Stone may have only just won an Oscar for La La Land, but that’s not stopping anyone from suggesting she could earn herself another nomination for playing tennis star Billie Jean King as she faced off against Bobby Riggs (played be also Oscar-contender, Steve Carell) in 1973.

Darkest Hour

Film awards love actors who undergo physical transformations – especially when playing a real-life figures. That’s why Gary Oldman’s transformation into Winston Churchill for Joe Wright’s film has many believing Oldman is the Best Actor frontrunner this year.

Downsizing

An all-star cast (including Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, and Christoph Waltz) paired with Oscar-favorite writer-director Alexander Payne, makes this a big buzz contender. There’s also the intriguing premise: a story about a scientific breakthrough that makes miniaturization of people possible.

The Disaster Artist

If you’ve seen the so-bad-it’s-good cult classic The Room, you’ll know why this project has people intrigued. But it’s especially James Franco’s perfect impression of the eccentric The Roomwriter-director Tommy Wiseau that has people wondering if an Oscar nomination may be in the cards.

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

Annette Bening may still be unjustly Oscar-less, but word is that her performance in Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool could change that. Here she plays real-life Golden Age Hollywood star Gloria Grahame, who in her later years shared a romance with English actor Pete Turner.

First They Killed My Father

As a United Nations High Commissioner, and the mother of an adopted son from Cambodia, Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial project is a very personal (and anticipated) one: an adaptation of Loung Ung’s memoir about living through the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.

mother!

After the epic Noah, Darren Aronofsky returns to a project that’s more in the vein of his 2010 film, Black Swan. Considering that film earned four Oscar nominations, mother!– especially with Award-darling Jennifer Lawrence – is set-up to garner a fair bit of attention.

The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro’s best work has always been those films that are more intimate affairs—like The Devil’s Backboneand Pan’s Labyrinth. That’s why there's a lot of anticipation for his latest. The story: during the Cold War, a secret government facility employee begins to bond with a mysterious creature being studied.

Stronger

In recent years, Jake Gyllenhaal has produced a bevy of award-worthy performances, but always comes up short of an Oscar. Strongermay get him there, as there’s a good deal of buzz around his portrait of real-life Jeff Bauman, a man who lost his legs in the Boston Marathon bombing.

Suburbicon

With George Clooney directing a script co-written by the Coen Brothers, it’s easy to see why Suburbiconis hotly anticipated: there are 14 Academy Award nominations between all of them. So needless to say this film, about a seemingly utopian 1950s community, is a must-see at TIFF.

This Week on DineSafe: Ali Baba's, Dim Sum King, Dolly's, e11even, ONOIR, Paisano's

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This week on DineSafe no Toronto restaurants were shut down but a popular spot near the ACC managed to land in hot water with city health inspectors. 

Here are the Toronto restaurants that got in trouble this week on DineSafe.

Little AAA (1276 Queen St. East)
  • Inspected on: August 21, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods.
Dim Sum King (421 Dundas St. West)
  • Inspected on: August 21, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods.
Bombay Palace (71 Jarvis St.)
  • Inspected on: August 22, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
e11even (15 York St.)
  • Inspected on: August 22, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Paisano's (116 Willowdale Ave.)
  • Inspected on: August 22, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Sid's Deli (160 McCaul St.)
  • Inspected on: August 22, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
ONOIR (620 Church St.)
  • Inspected on: August 23, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Ali Baba's (1283 Bloor St. West)
  • Inspected on: August 24, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Dolly's (1285 Bloor St. West)
  • Inspected on: August 24, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Dumpling King (3290 Midland Ave.)
  • Inspected on: August 24, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 4, Significant: 5)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

Bruce Springsteen coming to Toronto for blowout concert

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The Boss is returning to Toronto. Bruce Springsteen is set to headline the closing ceremonies of the Invictus Games, on from September 23 to 30 at venues across the city.

The concert, happening at the Air Canada Centre, will also include big names like Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Bachman & Turner and Coeur de Pirate. Tickets start at $60 each.

The Invictus Games is perhaps best known as the project headed by Prince Harry where injured and ill service men and women from 17 nations around the world compete in a variety of athletic competitions. Toronto was chosen to host this year as part of its ongoing #Canada150 celebrations. 

The games aim to promote more understanding of the individuals who serve their countries. Likewise, Springsteen's music often explores themes surrounding patriotism and nationhood through the stories of everyday people. 

15 free things to do in Toronto this September

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There's lots of ways to have fun without spending a cent in Toronto this September. There are street festivals, arts crawls and the always popular all-night party that's Nuit Blanche. 

Events you might want to check out:

Hard Twist Yarn (September 7 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Head up to the 3rd and 4th floor for the opening party of the Gladstone's cool show of textile-based art. Hard Twist 12 - Yarn challenges artists to spin a tale with thread, but without words.
Festival Street (September 7-10 @ King Street from Peter Street to University Avenue)
A weekend of free concerts, an epic rap battle, film screenings, food trucks, virtual reality and giveaways, all along the main drag surrounded by red carpets and theatres. 
Liberty Village Market (September 9 @ Toronto Art Crawl)
The 2nd annual Liberty Village Market features a day of artists, designers, artisans and a handful of other local businesses showing off their goods. There are 50 vendors altogether ranging from fashion, body care, fitness and home stuff.
Toronto Bicycle Music Festival Sunset Series (September 10 @ Trinity Bellwoods Park )
An annual series of outdoor, pedal-powered concerts in and between Toronto’s great parks. This festival harnesses the energy of its audience to pedal stationary bicycles that charge portable sound systems.
Fall Exhibitions Opening Party (September 13 @ Ryerson Image Centre)
Celebrate the opening of this exciting Photo Archives fall season including the new Farway Nearby: Photographs of Canada from The New York Times.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival (September 15-17 @ Bloor West Village )
North American's largest Ukrainian Festival happens in our very own city with three days of entertainment, music, dancing, vendors, community awareness and of course, food. So much food. 
Island Vibes (September 16 @ Artscape Gibraltar Point)
Artscape Gibraltar Point is back and they're celebrating with a special dance party, open house and community celebration with DJs and a BBQ. Hurry before summer escapes once and for all.
Roncesvallles Polish Festival (September 16 @ Roncesvalles Ave)
Take a stroll down North America’s largest celebration of Polish culture featuring music, Polka dancing under the stars, entertainment, food vendors and 18 blocks of boutique shopping.
Onsite Gallery's Grand Opening and Street Party (September 16 @ 199 Richmond Street West)
Celebrate Canada's Indigenous art, culture, and music at the grand opening of OCAD U's Onsite Gallery with two must-see exhibitions and a street party featuring DJs and performers.
Bi Arts Festival (September 22 @ D-Beatstro)
Toronto's first-ever Bi Arts Festival is hosting a pop-up market featuring bisexual-identified artisans, makers and craftspeople. The one-night only event will also include zines and an art show.
Queen West Art Crawl (September 23 @ Trinity Bellwoods Park)
A weekend long festival of all types of art lined up in Trinity Bellwoods park. Grab a coffee and stroll along the many paths of work by a juried selection of Ontario artists and artisans.
Pedestrian Sunday September (September 24 @ Kensington Market)
A full day of car-free fun, music, food vendors, performances, shopping and all kinds of street side surprises. Take the afternoon and check out a dance party, a band, a food stand and more. 
Third Annual Canadian Ginger Walk (September 24 @ Trinity Bellwoods Park)
A walk to celebrate being ginger! The main goal is to gather the most gingers in one place in Canada, ever. But also to show support and have a good time.
Word on the Street Festival (September 24 @ Harbourfront Centre)
Check out hundreds of author readings, discussions, and activities, then browse a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you’ll find anywhere. 
Nuit Blanche Toronto 2017 (September 30 - October 1 @ Multiple Venues)
The 12th edition of Toronto's free, city-wide sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art returns with installations and works transforming spaces all around us for one night only. 

Susur Lee restaurants to reimburse staff over IOUs

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Employees of at least one downtown Toronto restaurant will be reimbursed for the tips they lost to Susur Lee Restaurant Group's highly controversial – and, as it turns out, totally illegal – IOU policy.

Rumours about the policy, which forced servers to cover kitchen mistakes, spilled drinks and even dine-and-dashers with their own tip money, started circulating online earlier this month.

It wasn't until last week, however, that the story really blew up.

A CBC Toronto article published last Monday alleged that staffers at Fring's, Lee and the now-closed Bent had been subject to the policy for at least two years, some of them being docked up to $100 a week.

Hundreds of local restaurant patrons have since spoken out on Twitter to voice their disdain, many of them pledging to boycott Lee's restaurants over the policy.

As of Monday morning, over 7,100 people had also signed a Change.org petition called "Lee Restaurants: Stop the IOU system and refund confiscated worker tips."

The petition in support of 'Canadian Restaurant Industry Employees' is addressed to Lee and his two notoriously splashy sons, Kai and Levi Bent-Lee.

"Susur Lee's two sons Levi and Kai are also in the tip pool," reads the petition. "This means that even while not working or on site, the two millionaire sons are taking money from the people that are actually employed and in need of the money made at Lee and Frings."

A note sent out by Susur Lee and his sons over the weekend says that Fring's employees will be reimbursed.

susur lee iou

In a letter sent to employees, Susur Lee and his sons Kai and Levi Bent-Lee tell staff that money taken under their company's IOU policy will be returned.

“We are taking it upon ourselves to ensure every staff member is fully reimbursed for the amount owed to them.” reads the note, which was published to Reddit Sunday night. 

“This decision is not being made in order to secure defensive position or as an attempt to mitigate negative press. It cannot be overstated that we are taking these steps simply because it’s the right thing to do.”

Hour long waits for ramen burgers in Toronto right now

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The CNE food scene is all about that new-new; we see it every single year in the form of internet hype and gigantic food-court lineups.

Novelty is cool. We get it. Who doesn't want to try something they've never tried before?

"Newest" doesn't always mean "best," however – or even the most popular, as evidenced by the number of people rushing for ramen burgers in Toronto now.

A post shared by Yatai Street Food (@eatyatai) on

"Sometimes no matter how much you prep or order, it's never enough," wrote Yatai Street Food on Instagram last week after having to refuse some customers.

"We are so sorry if you came through and missed out tonight on our series of #RamenBurgers. It was a crazy day/night and we just fell short of the finish line."

Yatai Street Food is back at The Ex this year after a massively successful run with their Japanese street food stall in 2016, and, despite being a repeat option, they're still selling more than they can make or keep in stock.

Yatai, which is a sister project of Cabbagetown's Kanpai snack bar, is responsible for introducing Toronto to the ramen burger trend (which, naturally, was already a thing in New York) and remains the only CNE vendor of its kind.

The buns are made of grilled ramen noodles, and while they don't appear to have changed since last year, Yatai is offering some new variations on the burger itself.

The 'Last Samurai' burger, for instance, features fried chicken and two kinds of kewpie mayo.

Of course, customers can still buy Yatai's 2016 hit, "The OG (beef)" burger if they'd like to... when it's not sold out.

The ramen burgers will cost you about $13 and at least an hour in line, according to Instagrammers at The Ex. 


The Best Dog Parks in Toronto

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The best dog parks in Toronto will give your canine companion a much needed break from condo living and cramped backyards. If your pooch spends all day cooped up inside, then a trip to one of these parks with off leash zones will have tails wagging. 

Here are the best dog parks in Toronto.

Berczy

It may not be an off-leash zone but this park in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood shows big love for dogs with a huge fountain featuring 27 cast iron four-legged friends. Not only is it a great watering hole for your pooch, but the renovated park space acts like a public plaza with benches some grass around the edges of the space.

High Park

One of Toronto's largest inner-city parks boasts lengthy off-leash trails complete with rivers and ponds, as well as the very active Dog Hill with a dog drinking fountain, benches, and plenty of space for your four-legged friend to run wild. Stop by neighbouring Roncesvalles for a coffee before you head into the wilderness. 

Trinity Bellwoods

A popular park for people and pooches alike, this sprawling green space off of  West Queen West includes an off-leash pit with dog fountain where your canine companion can mix and mingle with the hippest foxhounds and French bulldogs in the city. 

Monarch Park

This 12-acre community park near Danforth and Coxwell Avenue features a dog off-leash area and a small dog zone within that. It's nestled in rolling hills and trees. 

Coronation Park

Just east of Ontario Place along the Martin Goodman Trail and just along the waterfront is this oak and maple tree-filled park with a substantial off-leash area for dogs. It's a popular spot for nearby condo dwellers and a great place to catch a breeze down the lake. 

Sherwood Park

This park in North Toronto is ideal if you'd rather go for a stroll than linger on a bench. The green space features a lengthy fenced-off trail area where you can let your dog run wild or get in a workout of your own by hiking alongside them.

Cedarvale Park

If you live in and around St. Clair West, this is where to take your dog on their next outing. The designated dog area is free of trees, so you'll be able to keep a close eye on your canine companion at all times. Alternatively, if you're okay with keeping your dog on-leash, opt to explore the rest of the ravine - it's one of Toronto's best.

Wychwood Barns Park

This is a well-loved spot along St. Clair West, thanks in part to the Artscape Wychwood Barns. The dog park here may not have lengthy trails or be as large as others, but its location is what earns it a spot on this list. The space is outfitted with picnic tables, so owners can kick back while their dogs play.

Sunnybrook Park

Known mainly for its scenic walking trails, which are great for dog walking (if you don't mind keeping your fur pal on a leash), this park near Leslie and Eglinton has a small off-leash section, but it features poop bags and seating for owners.

Etobicoke Valley Park

This park's off-leash area in Etobicoke is one of the largest. Its crowning jewel is the creek, where your four-legged friend can splash around and grab a drink. The area is definitely not as manicured as some of the downtown parks on this list, but that's part of its charm. A huge plus is that there's free parking nearby.

Cherry Beach

When the weather is nice, there's no better place to be than the beach. This secluded stretch of sand near the Port Lands is the place to go with your pooch if you're looking for a quiet shoreline, water for splashing and trails. There's usually plenty of parking and all sizes of dogs. 

Ramsden Park

Tucked away in this Rosedale park you'll find a dog area large enough for your four-legged friend to frolic to his/her heart's content. The space is well-loved because it doesn't feel as caged in as others in the city. It's also equipped with plenty of seating for owners, and a dog-drinking fountain.

Thomson Memorial Park

If you hail from Scarborough, this place is where to take your furry friend. The Brimley Road dog mecca is divided into two sections, one for larger dogs and another for smaller companions. There's also ample seating for owners to kick back while their dogs socialize.

South Stanley Park

This is the spot where King West condo canines congregate. The graveled off-leash area will give your four-legged friend the exercise they need after spending all day in your apartment. The space doesn't get as busy as Trinity Bellwoods and isn't quite as social, so it's a great post-work, don't-bug-me park option.

Sorauren Park

A very active community park just off of Dundas West filled with neighbourhood activities and a popular farmers' market is also a great one for you and your dog. There's a modest off-leash area, but the soccer and baseball fields make it a spacious, but not-too precious park to let your pal chase a ball of frisbee. 

Ontario getting two new GO Stations it doesn't need

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Kirby is back in the news today. And I don't mean the cute Nintendo character. This is about something far more exciting: a new GO station.

Kirby, along with Lawrence East, are two new GO stations planned for the Toronto area but according to a just released Toronto Star investigative report, we might not actually need them.

The Star alleges that impropriety and political influence may have been involved when these two stations were announced as part of Toronto Mayor John Tory's $13.5-billion "SmartTack" plan to expand the regional rail network.

Station selections were based on a number of factors and according to Metrolinx internal emails obtained by The Toronto Star under a freedom of information request, Kirby and Lawrence East tested poorly for everything. Neither were included on Metrolinx's initial list of 10 recommend stations.

But then in June 2016, the Toronto Star alleges that Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca pressured Metrolinx to add two additional stops. Kirby, which is on the Barrie Line in Vaughan, just happens to be in Del Duca's own riding.

It all reeks of improper political influence and Twitter isn't having any of it.

As far as Kirby goes, the road is apparently associated with a number of urban legends.

It's also basically in the middle of nowhere.

It's not the first time that questions have been raised about the planned Kirby station but we're finally getting a clearer picture of how it ended up getting approved.

Whole Foods just lowered prices at all Toronto stores

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Bougies rejoice! Whole Foods has dropped their prices at all Toronto locations and some of them are big.

Today the company was officially acquired by Amazon and in keeping with the e-commerce giant's promise, the organic grocery chain immediately lowered its prices by almost 50 per cent on some items.

Signs around the Toronto stores in Yorkville, Yonge and Sheppard and Bayview Avenue now list the former Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value prices and the new Amazon prices, with items like the coveted organic avocado dropping from $2.25 to $1.49 each.

Customers can expect to find bulk goods, conventional and organic bananas, tilapia, lean ground beef and wild caught salmon are cheaper, to name a few.

Toronto is getting its first French-language university

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Toronto is getting its first French-language university, the Ontario government announced today in a news release.

The move will be a welcome development for Toronto's burgeoning Francophone population which has long been advocating for increased French-language studies.

There are currently three bilingual universities in Ontario (Ottawa, Laurentian and Glendon at York U), but this would mark Ontario's first exclusively French-language university.

Historically French speakers had been the minority in Ontario but a recent census shows a 10 percent spike over the past five years. 

There's no word yet on where the university will be located, but according to a CBC report, the plan is to situate it somewhere downtown.

Hillary Clinton is coming to Toronto

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Melania Trump isn't the only First Lady visiting Toronto later this month. Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is also setting foot on Canadian soil in September but for very different reasons.

Clinton is currently on a book tour talking about her new memoir. She'll be in Toronto at the Enercare Centre September 28 talking about the 2016 election, writing the book and what she'll be up to next.

It's the second stop on her book tour which will also take her to Montreal and Vancouver. 

Melania Trump will be in town just days earlier to lead the American delegation at the 2017 Invictus Games from September 23-30, but no word on whether the current First Lady plans to stick around to get Clinton's autograph. 

Tickets for Hillary Clinton in Toronto start at $80 and top out at a whopping $3,000. If you pony up for the $229 VIP ticket they'll throw in a free copy of the book.

Toronto kicks Bill Cosby out of the Post No Bills club

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An iconic quartet from the streets of Toronto appears to be pushing out one of its members, Bill Cosby, after... well... you know.

The faces of Bill Murray, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and Cosby have been defying developers in downtown Toronto for more than a decade together, usually by popping up around construction site's signs that say "POST NO BILLS."

Get it?

post no bills toronto

This photo of the 'Post No Bills' stencil club was taken at John and King Streets in 2010. Photo by: James Hamilton.

The signs were originally put up to deter people from plastering temporary walls with advertisements or flyers.

They're still used for that purpose, in fact, but to some Torontonians, they're more of a challenge than a warning – fodder for a local meme that pre-dates the viral web. 

Photos of the four Bill faces, stenciled onto public and private property around they city, can be found on Flickr as far back as 2005.

Similar Bill collages have since been spotted on signs in Los AngelesVancouver, New York and Portland, but the vast majority of this movement is still, and always has been, rooted in Toronto.


The signature design first used to modify "POST NO BILLS" hasn't changed much since we first saw it – or at least it hadn't, prior to the start of Cosby's widely-publicized (and yet to be concluded) sexual assault trial.

Pictures from around the web show the same basic layout on signs at dozens of different Toronto locations between 2005 and now: Four faces, Murray, Clinton, Gates and Cosby, spaced evenly around the sign.

Earlier this month, when a new crop of Bill faces emerged at the site of an under-construction Liberty Village condo, something was markedly different.

It looks like the same stencils were used for these Bills, but instead of sitting at the corners of the sign, three faces were positioned to the left and one, separate face was on the right. It was also upside-down.

Bills galore. #postnobills #famousbills #toronto #rebellion #billll #billlllay

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His face is still there, but Cosby is clearly no longer part of the Bill crew. 

Fortunately, there exists a plethora of famous Bills in the world right now to replace him, if the artist chooses to make a new stencil.

We'll have to wait for the next installation to see if Cosby gets fully cut out of the crew – or to take any more pictures of him upside-down with a cool ink mohawk.

no bills liberty

Toronto's newest 'Post No Bills' sign had a short, but Instagrammable run, before someone destroyed it near the end of August. Photo by Steven Stinson.

The Liberty Village street art has been obscured by a large black line, as seen in the photo above, taken Monday morning.

Toronto detached home prices fall below the $1 million mark

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In some incredible news for us hopeful Toronto millennials, we just might be able to buy a house in the city before we die.

The latest numbers released today about the state of our real estate market show that prices of detached homes have dropped by 19 percent since March.

That means the average price of a detached home has fallen below the $1 million mark, finally rendering them something more than a mirage in the desert. 

According to data released by the Toronto Real Estate Board, the average price of a detached home in the GTA fell to $974,212 during the first two weeks of August. That's down from $1,000,336 at the end of July.

Now all that's required to own the house of your dreams is a 20 percent down payment, a whole liver (no halfsies), both kidneys and your first born. What a steal!

So treat yourself to a Victorian in Parkdale or a manor in The Annex. You deserve it.


6 things to do in Toronto today

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It's the final Open Roof concert and outdoor movie under the stars today in Toronto.  If you're looking to be a bit more active there's a sunset concert led by bicycles, John Mayer is playing by the water and the CNE keeps spinning around until midnight. 

Events you might want to check out:

Open Roof Festival (August 29 @ 99 Sudbury)
Sad but true Toronto’s Open Roof Festival is wrapping up their 2017 season with a solo set by Born Ruffians singer and guitarist Luke Lalond followed by Canadian flick Sundowners. There's also food truck snacks and beer to be had.
Twilight Tuesdays Night Market (August 29 @ Drake One Fifty)
Drake 150's Night Market features vendors like Tundra, Henderson Brewing and Momofuku Daisho so you can snack while you browse through goods from local vendors, get a tarot card reading and hear the DJ spin.
Toronto Bicycle Music Festival Sunset Series (August 29 - September 10 @ The Elms Park )
This Sunset Series Ride to The Elms Park in Etobicoke will end with a show from folk-jazz ensemble Zuze. Bring a picnic dinner and meet at 5:45 p.m. for takeoff from Home Smith Park.
John Mayer (August 29 @ Budweiser Stage)
The Search For Everything World Tour lands for a show by the lake. Expect lots of sing-a-longs and swooning.
Bonobo Live (August 29 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
The British electronic wonder brings his latest album and a full band to Toronto for the second of two shows. Be prepared to be transported around the globe with a show of sound and lights.
The CNE (August 18 - September 4 @ Canadian National Exhibition)
Whether you're there to check out the Superdogs or the Sheepdogs, twirl on some rides or eat some Instagram food, The Ex is open until midnight tonight to make all your fairground fantasies come true.

Pages Bookstore space on Queen finally gets a new tenant

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The former Pages Bookstore space at 256 Queen St. West is finally showing new signs of life.

The prime real estate next to Black Market Vintage at Queen and John has been empty for eight years. Once among the city's most popular bookstores, Pages closed back in 2009 after the landlord decided to impose a stiff rent hike.

Some say Queen West was never the same. Tears were shed and there was even talk of a documentary but ultimately history hasn't judged the landlords kindly as they had no luck leasing out the space despite a surge of chain stores to the area.

Now with the controversial property tax rebate for vacant storefronts  scheduled to be terminated next year, it's perhaps not a coincidence that the landlords have finally found a tenant.

Solutions, a store that carries all sorts of home organization products like laundry baskets, shelving and storage boxes, will soon be moving in.

The Canadian chain has numerous stores scattered around Ontario but this will be its second Toronto location joining one that's currently near Yonge and Eglinton

The top 10 events in Toronto this September

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There's no denying the biggest event in Toronto this month is TIFF. An endless frenzy of stars, a major street festival and of course all the flicks have the city under its spell for 10 days. But this month  also gives us Nuit Blanche, the highly-anticipated Edit Festival, the much-hyped Invictus Games and plenty of concerts and free events

Events you might want to check out:

TIFF (September 7-17 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
The return of the country's largest film festival has reached a fever pitch. The city feels electric with an endless list of world premieres, celebrities and parties.
Elevate Toronto (September 12-14 @ Multiple Venues)
This three-day tech festival will show off some of the country's best innovators with panels, presentations and a big street party on King West.
Toronto Beer Week (September 15-23 @ Multiple Venues)
A collective series of 100-plus events over nine days at venues across the city. Last year's festival featured over 60 different participating bars, pubs and restaurants hosting different types of beer-focused events.
Kensington Market Jazz Festival (September 15-17 @ Various locations)
Jazz concerts pop up in various Kensington Market locations, giving you a taste of some of the jazz scene's finest in Toronto right now. Molly Johnson, Ori Dagan, Genevieve Marentette are among some of the performers.
JFL42 (September 21-30 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
Toronto's comedy festival returns this year featuring headliners like Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Tim and Eric and Tom Segura. There's also ComedyCon for some daytime laughter.
Invictus Games (September 26-30 @ Toronto, ON)
Started in 2014 by Prince Harry, this athletic competition takes place at venues across the city. There's also a killer closing concert at the ACC featuring Bruce Springsteen.
Edit Festival (September 28 - October 8 @ East Harbour )
A brand new festival for fans of design, innovation and technology takes over 150,000-square feet of the abandoned Lever Ponds soap factory for 10 days of installations, talks, and workshops.
Buffer Festival (September 28 - October 1 @ Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre)
This annual festivals showcases YouTube world premieres, screenings, and talks with acclaimed digital creators, workshops, panels a big red carpet event.
Toronto Oktoberfest (September 29 @ Ontario Place)
Join 6,000 others dressed in dirndls and lederhosen at one of Toronto's largest Oktoberfest parties. This two-day event is modelled after the original Munich party and takes place inside a massive Festhalle tent.
Nuit Blanche (September 30 - October 1 @ Multiple Venues)
The 12th edition of Toronto's free, city-wide sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art returns with installations and works transforming spaces all around us for one night only. 

Dunkirk to screen for free at Ontario Place's Cinesphere

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There's even more ways to have fun for free at TIFF this year. The festival just announced that Toronto is getting a free screening of Dunkirk at the Ontario Place Cinesphere on September 10.

Acclaimed Director Christopher Nolan will be in attendance and sticking around for a Q&A following the screening.

Dunkirk will be just one of the many free screenings taking place at the Cinesphere. TIFF had previously announced it would be reopening the long shuttered venue to the public this September.

The film has generated tons of buzz since its release earlier this summer and is being hailed by many critics as this year's cinematic triumph.

It was also shot almost exlusively with IMAX cameras and has received praise for its use of cinematography and sound to help tell the story of the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940.

Free tickets for the Dunkirk screening can be claimed online, by phone or at in person at the TIFF box office starting September 4 at 10 a.m.

This is the condo that Toronto doesn't want built

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Plans for a new, eight-storey condo development that promises to "push the limits of luxury" on Davenport Road have displeased some very important Annex residents. 

Literary hero Margaret Atwood and grocery store gazillionaire Galen Weston are among the high-profile Torontonians who say that the proposed building at 321 Davenport is an invasion of privacy and an "arrogant assault" on the community, among other things.

The Toronto Star reports that Atwood shared her concerns with local Councillor Joe Cressy in a letter, warning him about "the precedent such large violations of bylaws would set, not only for the neighbourhood but for the city."

She's correct in that the proposed, 16-unit structure, at its current height and density, would violate local zoning bylaws as they stand now.

That's why city planning staff are recommending that some bylaws be amended for the purpose of building this "glazed glass gem" between the Annex and Yorkville.

Toronto and East York Community Council will vote on the issue at a meeting next week, but regardless of what the city ultimately decides, the development could still be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, which ultimately has the power to approve or deny the project.

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