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Torontonians better bring their appetites this weekend. Between free milkshakes at Pop's, Vegan Oktoberfest, and a poutine eating competition, there's plenty to chow down on. Film buffs also have their work cut out for them with Toronto After Dark in town and free movies this Saturday.
Events you might want to check out:Toronto After Dark (October 12-20 @ Scotiabank Theatre Toronto)The cult horror, sci-fi, and action film festival is in town presenting world and Canadian premieres of the best in these genres to Toronto audiences.
Riverdale's Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe Pop-up (October 12-13 @ Fran's Restaurant)Both the Lakeview and Fran's on College will transform into Archie and the gang's favourite diner just in time for Riverdale's Season 2 premiere. Stop by for a free Betty (old fashioned vanilla) or Veronica (double chocolate) milkshake.
Toronto Art Crawl Night Market (October 13 @ The Great Hall)The Toronto Art Crawl's first annual Night Market will feature 60 artists and designers and a live auction. There'll also be DJs, a cash bar, and food vendors to keep you shopping and hopping.
World Poutine Eating Championship (October 14 @ Yonge-Dundas Square)Think you can eat more poutine than anyone else? Head down to Yonge-Dundas Square and put your stomach to test. Admission and poutine are free, and a KISS cover band is set to kick off the festivities.
Cineplex Free Movie Day (October 14 @ Cineplex)Cineplex, in partnership with WE Day, is hosting a free day of movies at theatres across the country. All of Toronto's Cineplex theatres are participating, so pick your closest theatre and enjoy a Saturday matinee.
Frank & Oak Women Opening Celebration (October 13-14 @ Frank And Oak Women's Store)Come celebrate the opening of Frank & Oak's first store completely dedicated to women in Toronto. DJ Jayemkayem will be spinning on site, and surprises are in store for the first few to arrive.
Diwali Mela (October 14 @ Gerrard India Bazaar)Celebrate the Hindu festival of lights with the huge Gerrard India Bazaar and lantern parade.
Henry's Toronto Pro Video Space Grand Opening (October 14 @ Henry's Camera)Celebrate the opening of Henry's Camera new Pro Video Space. There will be deals, giveaways and more. Plus, the first 50 people in line will receive a Henry's gift card up to $100.
Sneaker Con Toronto (October 14 @ Enercare Centre)Expect a full day of buying, selling, and trading with all of your favourite "shoe tubers," content creators, hype beasts, collectors, and resellers from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Filson Dog Happy Hour (October 14 @ Filson)Treat your pet to a night of fine doggy dining. Free dog treats and refreshments will be available, and a professional photographer will be on site to get you a complimentary portrait of your pup.
Toronto South African Film Festival (October 14-15 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)The not-for-profit film festival showcases a number of South African themed films, aiming to shed light on South Africa's rapidly maturing film and television industries.
Skittles Trick or Tweet! (October 13 @ 277 Queen Street West)Skittles has a sweet surprise for Torontonians. On Friday the 13th, you can knock on the door of 277 Queen Street West for free packs of Skittles all day!
Vegan Oktoberfest (October 13 @ pin Lithuanian House )Don't put away your lederhosen just yet. Veg Heads and Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank are back this year to deliver vegan dishes like gluten-free pretzels, cheese sauce, and of course, plenty of beer.
Shawarma Festival (October 15 @ Gorilla Management)Let your taste buds do the talking and decide who has the best shawarmas and falafels in town as you explore Toronto's first ever shawarma festival.
Paramore (October 13 @ Massey Hall)The Tennessee rock outfit return to Toronto in support of their album After Laughter. Joining them are indie pop darlings Best Coast.
The New Pornographers & Born Ruffians (October 14 @ Massey Hall)Two Canadian rock icons hit the stage as part of the Live at Massey Hall Film and Concert Series.
Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull (October 14 @ Air Canada Centre)The "Hero" singer is back with Mr. Worldwide himself for two nights at the Air Canada Centre.
Future Proof (October 13-15 @ Multiple Venues)10 international speakers, two days of networking with public space powerhouses, and one massive party in an old bread factory. It's a public space symposium that will have you thinking about Toronto like never before.
ROM Friday the 13th (October 13 @ Royal Ontario Museum)On a special Friday the 13th edition of Friday Night Live at the ROM, dive into the world of the superstitious with exhibitions on earth sciences and beats by Simon Jain and the Blue Stones.
Goosebumps 90s Halloween Dance Party (October 14 @ Sneaky Dee's)Break out those 90s costumes and moves for a throwback to the scares of yesteryear. The spookiest Goosebumps episodes will accompany the music all night.
Power Up's One Year Anniversary (October 14 @ Power Up Game Bar)This east end gaming bar is celebrating its one year anniversary by throwing a huge party packed with food, drinks, consoles, and DJ sets. One lucky attendee will even go home with the super rare Super Nintendo Classic.
The Pancakes and Booze Art Show (October 14 @ The Opera House Grill)Over 100 emerging artists showcase their hottest work in a Warhol-style, anything-goes, massive warehouse environment with live music, body painting, multimedia displays, and free pancakes!
Hot Docs Podcast Festival (October 12-15 @ Hot Docs Cinema)Enjoy panels on upping your podcast game plus live shows from podcasts like Canadaland, Another Round, Missing Richard Simmons, and more.
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets In Concert (October 12-14 @ Sony Centre)Witness the magic of Harry Potter live with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra playing along to the film in real time as it's projected onto a screen above them.
The delays just keep on coming in Toronto's hard-fought, ongoing streetcar delivery saga.
According to TTC CEO Andy Byford, Bombardier will once again fail to meet its target for the number of shiny new streetcars it delivers in Toronto this year.
The Montreal-based aerospace and transportation company was most-recently scheduled to bring 40 streetcars to Toronto by the end of 2017. A report that will be tabled this Monday, according to CP24, estimates that this number will be closer to 30.
Ten late streetcars might not sound like a huge deal, but keep in mind that Toronto should have more than 130 new streetcars on its streets by now. Instead, we have about 45.
The original timeline, agreed upon by Bombardier and the TTC in 2012, said that 70 new cars would be delivered this year alone.
Questions are once again being raised over whether or not Bombardier can get 204 new streetcars to Toronto before 2019 as planned.
For now, citizens can at least take comfort in the fact that the city is considering another supplier to produce 60 additional cars, after Bombardier finally finishes our order.
In the wake of the protests that have swept across major league sports teams, the Toronto Raptors have joined in the boycotting of Donald Trump's hotel chain.
Like many other teams, the Raptors will no longer stay at Trump's SoHo hotel in New York. Reports indicate that the team used to stay there prior to Trump's presidency.
It's unclear when exactly the Raptors boycott began, but it's sure to be viewed in light of the widespread animosity between Trump and professional athletes that has erupted as of late.
Members of the NFL began to protest police brutality in the U.S. with the #TakeAKnee movement in September, which has now made international headlines and promoted athletes from different sports, including the Raptors, to voice their support.
Together
A post shared by Toronto Raptors (@raptors) on Oct 1, 2017 at 7:13pm PDT
President Trump has been outspoken about national anthem protests, decrying them as an offence to American values. He's even gone so far as threatening to 'change the tax law' to punish pro athletes who refuse to stand for the anthem.
The idea of boycotting Trump's hotels goes back earlier than this, though. Impassioned Raptors fans began an online petition back in February urging the team to boycott Trump's hotels, which generated almost 17,000 signatures.
Now it looks like the Raptors will one of many sports teams looking elsewhere for luxury accommodations.
The new crop of sports bars in Toronto are bigger and better than ever. Walls are plastered with TVs, there are innumerable beer options, and popular pub eats like wings, pizza, tacos and Scotch eggs can all be found at these new go-to spots for local sports fans.
Here are my picks for the top new sports bars in Toronto.
The Pint
Being next door neighbours with the Rogers Centre makes this an ideal place to catch a game while indulging in one of the many beer options on tap and a pound or two of dozens of wing flavours.
The Rec Room
Also right by the Rogers Centre, this massive space has a projector screen that makes your HDTV look like an iPhone. It towers over billiard tables and a full-service restaurant, so you can keep tabs on the score while drinking cocktails and beer, playing some games and chowing down on wood-fired pizza, lasagna, and chicken sammies.
King Taps
With 72 taps, two patios that seat hundreds, a wood-burning oven that pumps out a variety of pizzas, and an array of TVs every which way you look, this Financial District spot is one of the most popular new places to grab a pint and watch the game.
Kellys Landing
Just steps from Union station you can watch the game on a floor-to-ceiling TV next to a crackling fireplace or pre-drink before an event. Drinks and eats here have elevated touches, with apple mojitos and dishes like lobster pasta, steak salad, and brisket mac n’ cheese.
The Anne Boleyn
The jaunty placement of televisions among historical paintings is enough to make this place stand out, but have you ever heard of a sports bar with its own library? This place at Peter and Richmond has one, plus lots of craft beer on tap, all-day English breakfasts, and eggs both Scotch and devilled.
Torontonians better bring their appetites this weekend. Between free milkshakes at Pop's, Vegan Oktoberfest, and a poutine eating competition, there's plenty to chow down on. Film buffs also have their work cut out for them with Toronto After Dark in town and free movies this Saturday.
Events you might want to check out:
There was plenty of mocking and cries of government misspending when it was announced that a giant rubber duck would float into Toronto for Canada 150 celebrations to the tune of $200K (roughly $120K of which came from an Ontario grant).
It would seem, however, that the rubber monstrosity — or at least the people behind its arrival in Toronto — will have the last laugh. We already knew that tons of people went to see the duck, but now, according to the Globe & Mail, more telling financial info has been released.
Based on a study by Enigma Research, the Redpath Waterfront Festival claims that its economic impact was a whopping $7.6 million. That's one powerful bath toy.
With attendance numbers that hovered around 750,000 people over Canada Weekend, the festival claims it was a major boost for water taxis and other businesses hurt by spring flooding in Toronto.
You can now cue up the petitions calling for the return of the giant rubber duck next year.
There's an exciting new development in the plan to create a Toronto-Montreal hyperloop route. British multinational corporation Virgin has decided to attach its name to the project.
The company announced its partnership and the slapping of 'Virgin' onto Hyperloop One today. Given this massive corporate backing, it's at least somewhat more likely that the futuristic transit system becomes a reality at some point.
But, of course, it's also a great way to gain even more exposure for the Virgin name as the project develops.
Introducing @virgin @hyperloopone - the world's most revolutionary train service http://virg.in/ohx
A post shared by Richard Branson (@richardbranson) on Oct 12, 2017 at 8:10am PDT
Virgin Group's founder Richard Brandon was pictured hanging out at the test site in Las Vegas recently and showcased some of the construction that's currently underway.
Two great brands working together to change how the world moves. https://t.co/PQhl7OKZcg
— Hyperloop One (@HyperloopOne) October 12, 2017
The Toronto-Montreal route was recently chosen as one of the finalists in Hyperloop's global challenge, as Hypercan, a group of Canadian engineers, showcased the potential of building a connection between the cities.
The Hyperloop is set to revolutionize long distance travel. In the case of a potential Montreal-Toronto route, it would make the trip in a mere 39 minutes by using electricity to propel a pressurized pod through a tunnel at rapid speeds.
While the project is still a long way from nearing completion, it's certainly gaining momentum. 
The team that brought us El Furniture Warehouse, Queen St. Warehouse and The Dime is about to open yet another "premium dive bar" in Toronto – this time, in one of the city's busiest tourist areas.
Located at 366 Yonge Street, the new restaurant – appropriately named Yonge Street Warehouse – will take over the building formerly occupied by Sunrise Records.
That's right across the street from Ryerson, of course. Get ready for some serious lineups and student shenanigans here.
Construction is already underway on the new space, but we don't yet have an opening date. According to the bar's new Instagram account, the "Yonge x Dundas" Warehouse outpost will be "opening soon."
They're also hiring servers, bartenders, support staff and kitchen staff. "DM for details" if you're looking for work.
Would you rather eat one gigantic lobster, or 40 tiny lobster-like crustaceans?
You can do both in Toronto, if you like, but if you prefer the latter choice you're going to love Mr. Roc's Crawfish.
A post shared by karen wang (@kk_zhongying) on Aug 14, 2017 at 5:40pm PDT
The recently-opened Chinatown restaurant specializes, as its name suggests, in crawfish. You can get this Southern staple deep-fried, boiled with wine, chopped up in fried rice or seasoned with 13 spices here, all of it in jaw-dropping quantities.
A post shared by @pproc on Sep 22, 2017 at 8:46am PDT
The restaurant itself is located at 416 Spadina (a pretty dope address for a Toronto business, right?).
A post shared by Mr. Roc's Crawfish (@mrrocscrawfish) on Oct 9, 2017 at 10:44am PDT
If you're not into downing decapods (or simply want a side of something else,) Mr. Roc's has a pretty big menu. It includes deep-fried pork belly, sesame paste noodles, cuttlefish balls, duck tongue and coconut chicken hot pot, among other things.
Nominations have been announced for the 45th annual American Music Awards, and many are displeased with a lack of women on the list.
They make a valid point. Female artists do seem to be underrepresented among 2017's AMA nominees, especially given how much they contributed to the field this (and every) year.
For the purposes of this article however, I'm pleased to tell you that – when it comes to the total number of award nominations – Toronto is very well represented on the list, indeed.
Drake, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara – all hailing from the GTA – are up for awards this year, but the former two artists (as usual) swept the noms.
Here is a full list of 2017 #AMAs nominees: https://t.co/zFLL0j2f8j
November 19th at 8/7c on ABC. REMEMBER THAT! 💯 pic.twitter.com/n4xfVR6OsS
— AMAs (@AMAs) October 12, 2017
The 6ix God is up for Artist of The Year, Favourite Male Artist – Pop/Rock, Favourite Artist - Rap/Hip-Hop and Favourite Album - Rap/Hip-Hop.
The Weeknd was nominated in the categories of Favourite Male Artist - Soul/R&B, Favourite Album - Soul/R&B, Favourite Song - Soul/R&B, and Collaboration of the Year.
Both Torontonian artists appear in the Favourite Album - Pop/Rock category; Drake for 'More Life' and The Weeknd for 'Starboy.'
Mendes and Cara are nominated for Favourite Artist - Adult Contemporary and Favourite Female Artist - Pop/Rock, respectively.
You can vote for who you think should win here (or boycott the entire show in the name of Taylor Swift — I can't tell you what to do).
The 2017 American Music Awards are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 19.
Halloween costume ideas for 2017 run the gamut from pop culture statements to quirky local references. It’s never too early to start planning out yours, whether you're buying from one of Toronto's costume stores or determined to dream up something more novel.
From Dart Guy to David S. Pumpkins, here are some fun, cheap and ‘grammable Halloween costume ideas for 2017.
Dart Guy
One of this year’s biggest internet memes was inspired by a Maple Leafs fan seen in the stands of a playoff game with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. 'Dart Guy' developed such a cult following in the days after his TV appearance that The Leafs invited him to watch Game 3.
Pennywise from Stephen King's It
Creepy clowns are all the rage again this year thanks to the newly crowned highest-grossing horror film of all time, It. Great news for last year's creepy clowns: you don't even need to buy new costumes – unless you want to go as "sexy" Pennywise, which, of course, is legit.
A skinny raccoon
The City of Toronto's new (semi) critter-resistant green bins have been a blessing to those plagued by garbage messes – but what about the raccoons? Are they getting enough to eat? Dress up like a trash panda, carry a green bin, and have fun discussing the subject all night long.
Wonder Woman
If 2016 was the year of Harley Quinn, 2017 belongs to Wonder Woman. Hey, every Halloween needs a generic hot girl costume. At least this one gets to wear pants (just kidding —she doesn't).
Photo via Rob Shostak, who cleverly dressed up as Honest Ed's for Halloween in 2016.
The Ghost of Honest Ed’s
Toronto-based designer Rob Shostak made headlines last year by going out for Halloween as Honest Ed’s. Now that the landmark discount store is officially gone, it can come back as a zombie. Check out Shostak’s costume for ideas. Undead accessories sold separately.
Not a regular mom, a cool mom
Amy Poehler's character from Mean Girls (which was famously filmed in Toronto) makes for great reaction GIFs – and probably a great Halloween costume, too. Channel your inner Mrs. George with a pink velvet tracksuit and many, many martinis.
Zombie Hugh Hefner
Too soon? Dressing up as the recently-deceased Playboy founder would certainly count as topical. Plus, you could easily make this one a group costume with the addition of bunnies (stuffed bunnies count.)
Avocado toast
Stick it to the man, millennial snowflakes! This costume says “I care more about brunch than buying a house” and can be constructed using various combinations of cardboard, foam, paint, and entitlement.
Onesies are a great Halloween costume option for people who like to look cool, but hate to try hard. Photo by hellokigurumi.
A unicorn
Speaking millennials (we like unicorns, have you heard?) 2017 has been the year of sparkly horse trends. From unicorn hairstyles to pink and blue frappuccinos, there's a lot to pull inspiration from for Halloween this year. Try a unicorn kigurumi for maximum mystical simplicity.
A Handmaid
Heading out for All Hallows' Eve as part of an all-girl crew? Pay homage to Margaret Atwood's dystopian book-turned-TV show The Handmaid's Tale. The long red robes and bonnet of a handmaid will surely keep you warmer than the garb of a Spice Girl, and the costume isn't too hard to DIY.
Snapchat's dancing hotdog filter
He's cute, he's popular, and there's nothing he can't enhance with his silly augmented reality moves. Dressing up as the Snapchat hotdog is a surefire way to end up in lots and lots of random photos this Halloween.
The chocolate bar-stealing squirrel
Early this year, a tiny bandit was caught on camera robbing a west-end convenience store. Like so many mischievous Toronto animals before it, the black squirrel went viral after its adorable crime spree. This one should be easy to pull off if you can carry 40 chocolate bars.
Plenty of Torontonians got in on the fun when a captioned stock photo series exploded this summer, including a Dufferin Mall tribute account. Photo by @thedirtyduff.
The distracted boyfriend meme
The possibilities are endless with this one. Simply grab two friends, print out some captions, and practice your dramatic tableau. Bonus points if you can blur the foreground in your Instagram snaps like the original stock photo.
Jon Snow and Daenarys Targaryen
We'll be seeing plenty of characters from Westeros around Toronto on Oct. 31st. Pair up with a friend or your sweetie as Game of Thrones bastard-turned-King of The North Jon Snow and his dragon-riding aunt/girlfriend. *awaits hate mail about spoilers*
Goth Ice Cream
It'll probably take you less time to build this costume than it would have taken to actually wait in line for charcoal-infused anything this summer.
Officer K
Channel your inner Ryan Gosling with a costume from Blade Runner 2049. The film is still in theatres, but any replicants who've already seen it will surely take notice of your presence at parties. All you need to pull it off is a fake pistol, some huge lapels and a sexy, brooding stare.
A head-to-toe Blue Jays uniform is difficult and pricey to procure. Get the same point across with a clever "blue J" costume instead. Photo by rukhimonster.
A Blue J
Dressing up like a professional athlete is never a bad idea. Sports jerseys are, however, expensive. Root, root, root for the home team by dressing as a blue "J" like this smart cookie instead.
Donald Trump's Twitter feed
Paint yourself orange and scream obscenities into the night. People will get it, but make you say "nukes" and "North Korea" every couple of minutes. Just to be sure.
Copyright infringement banana
The saga of the banana suit lives on this Halloween as a New Jersey company called "Rasta Imposta" moves to sue K-Mart over a trademarked banana costume that looks a bit too familiar. Get in on the action by donning your own banana suit. You won't be alone.
David S. Pumpkins
This costume is based on a delightfully weird and bizarrely popular SNL character played by Tom Hanks last year. With hundreds of stores now stocking pumpkin-print suits, it's sure to be popular – but that doesn't make it any less amazing. Any quessstioooons?
It's rare to come across a condo that could be described as a book lover's dream, but such is the case with this beautiful suite on Queens Quay. This is basically a library on the waterfront, complete with sweeping views and natural light that warms up the mostly minimal space.
According to the real estate listing, the condo was originally designed as a three bedroom but was completely remade in the mid 1990s to become an open concept space. It hardly looks dated at all except for a touch here or there.
I'm not in love with the tile everywhere, but it's easy to overlook given all the other amazing features. To be surrounded by books, sunlight, and a deep blue lake, that sounds like a little paradise. It'll cost $2 million, of course, but you won't ever worry that your home isn't unique.
Toronto's old waterfront condos often get a bad rap, but the Arthur Erickson-designed Kings Landing has stood the test of time. Those curved windows leading onto the patio are just as nice today as they were when the build went up in the early 1980s.
Specs
Address: #804E - 460 Queens Quay E.
Price: $1,995,000
Bedrooms: 1 + 3
Bathrooms: 2
Parking: 2
Walk Score: 93
Transit Score: 100
Maintenance Fees: $2,213
Listing agent: Douglas Adler
Listing ID: C3952518
Good For
Let's be honest, this one is going to appeal to an older crowd — not just because of the price tag but also the fact that the nearly 3,000 square feet of space only features one bedroom in its current configuration. That's code for empty nesters.
Move On If
You don't have a library to fill the shelves with. You could always strip the walls, but the space is kind of made by the presence of all the volumes here.
Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our condo of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.
The best ramen in Toronto contains a confluence of flavourful broth, tasty toppings and noodles with a springy bite. A zillion times better than instant noodles, this Japanese fave with Chinese origins has regional variations of all kinds, and aficionados have their own personal preferences.
Here is where to find the best ramen in Toronto.
10 - Hakata Ramen
If you remember being in elementary school, a teacher's strike meant a unexpected vacation. But for Ontario's college students, an impending strike is nothing but a headache.
Colleges across Ontario may see a huge number of staff — about 12,000 employees at 24 colleges, including Humber, Seneca, and George Brown — go on strike starting Monday unless a deal is reached before then. Naturally many students have taken to social media to voice their frustrations.
So Ontario college teachers are going on strike. I was cool with my teachers striking in grade 11 but in college this isn't so funny anymore
— Darius (@Domingues_19) October 12, 2017
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) have been bargaining with their employer, the College Employer Council, on and off for several weeks but the sides have not been able to reach an agreement.
I think it's so unfair that Ontario college's faculty are going on strike. I didn't pay over $3000 to sit on my ass.
— Eliza Wood (@_lizawood) October 11, 2017
OPSEU have outlined provisions that call for the voices of faculty and students to be included in academic decisions and "strengthening the complement of full-time faculty," as well as fairer treatment of contract employees.
soooo.... this Ontario college strike...... should I be studying still or like........
— MJ† (@maryjoyquilao) October 11, 2017
They aren't the first union to call for similar changes, specifically when it comes to contract employees. Labour negotiations at local universities like York and U of T have also highlighted the precarious status of part-time and contract based workers.
Anxiously waiting to hear about the potential Ontario college strike coming my way #humberpr pic.twitter.com/EhJxXoI8Hc
— Maryann Nasello (@MaryannNasello) October 10, 2017
For now we'll just have to wait to see what happens, but for students the clock is beginning to tick loudly on a possible strike scenario.
Riverdale has come to Toronto in the form of Pop's Chock’lit Shoppe and, as predicted, fans of the hit Netflix show are stoked – those of them who could actually get in, at least.
I think #Toronto's excited for the @netflixca #popsdiner pop-up at @fransrestaurant tonight + tomorrow. I think. #riverdale #bettyorveronica #416 #netflixcanada #milkshake #ichoseveronica
A post shared by Danielle Morgan (@danielle__morgan) on Oct 12, 2017 at 4:24pm PDT
Sprawling lineups could be seen outside of Fran's on College Thursday night as locals waited patiently for a taste of the Archie Andrews life (or the Betty Cooper life or the Veronica Lodge life of Jughead Jones life, as one may have it.)
A post shared by Nikki Sude (@nseventlife) on Oct 12, 2017 at 5:19pm PDT
Riverdale tastes just like a milkshake from Fran's, we're told, served in a promotional #PopsDiner cup.
A post shared by Grace M (@goodnessgraceiousme) on Oct 12, 2017 at 9:27pm PDT
And Riverdale looks like wearing a blue and gold letterman's jacket, which guests at Pop's last night were able to try on!
waiting for Reggie like 💁🏻 #popsdiner
A post shared by 🌸🌊🌕👑✒️💌🌸 (@affectalien) on Oct 12, 2017 at 9:34pm PDT
Last night's event on College was one of three being held in Toronto this week (and several across Canada) in celebration of Riverdale's Season 2 premier.
Randa & I come as a matching set. You want one, you take us both. #riverdale #popsdiner #netflix
A post shared by Chris Daphne (@chris.daphne) on Oct 12, 2017 at 8:34pm PDT
The show, often described as a mashup of Gossip Girl and the Archie comic book series, has been drawing huge ratings since it hit the air (er, net) this summer.
Went to a #Riverdale pop-up shop today. Worth the wait.
A post shared by Erick. (@whistlerbean) on Oct 12, 2017 at 8:33pm PDT
Fans who were aware of what this might mean for the lineup situation at Fran's were sure to arrive well before the Riverdale event's 7 p.m. start time.
A post shared by 🇹🇹 Kelly 🇨🇦 (@kelzzhh) on Oct 12, 2017 at 3:41pm PDT
If you still want to experience Pop's Chok'litt Shoppe IRL but couldn't get in last night, good news: the pop-up will be taking place again this evening – Friday, Oct. 13th – from 7-11 p.m. at both Fran's on College and The Lakeview on Dundas West.
Nathan Phillips Square will be transformed into a massive holiday market this year, bringing a jolt of festivity to downtown Toronto come December 1.
This is the second Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square, and it'll give market-goers the chance to enjoy a variety of festive food items, like sugar cookies from Carla’s Cookie Box and hot teas from Chaiwala.
If it's anything like last year's event, you can expect a fleet of food trucks offering their eats alongside the other vendors in the square.
The market doubles as a winter carnival and will features artists, shopping opportunities, and an ice bar. Best of all, it also supports a good cause with proceeds going to Epilepsy Toronto's fundraising efforts.
Due to the popularity of last year's event, the fair will run an entire week longer and daily hours will be extended to 10 p.m. each night, giving you ample opportunity to meet Santa himself, who is set to make an appearance.
The fair runs from December 1 to 23 (with a 6 p.m. closure on the final night). Don't forget to bring a pair of skates!
An Ontario Superior Court judge has granted Sears Canada permission to liquidate all of its remaining assets, resulting in the loss of about 12,000 jobs across the country according to The Canadian Press.
The iconic Canadian retailer rocked the news cycle earlier this week by announcing it would soon shut down for good after more than 65 years in business.
Today's court hearing was held simply to determine whether or not the company would be allowed to liquidate all 130 of its existing stores.
With court approval, Sears can now move forward with its liquidation, beginning Oct. 19 as planned.
The beleaguered department store had been seeking a buyer since June, when it filed for creditor protection, but argued that "no viable transaction for the company to continue as a going concern was received."
A lawyer for the company confirmed in court on Friday that, while Sears had remained optimistic, nothing had changed in terms of finding an appropriate buyer.
Is there such a thing as a deal in Toronto's real estate market? Yes, but they're few and far between, though the recent sale of 95 Springhurst Ave. might be an exception.
This is a beautifully renovated old Parkdale semi that's oozing with character and luxury upgrades. With four bedrooms (including a sizeable master) and three bathrooms, it's also got square footage to spare.
So why was it listed at just shy of a $1 million? As the Mash pointed out when the property was listed for sale, there is one noteworthy drawback to the location: the backyard sits right atop the Lakeshore GO line, which is one of the busiest in the city.
Compare this home to a host of recently listed properties with million dollar price tags, and you'll see what I'm getting at. It's no surprise that this one went for over asking. In fact, I'd still call it a deal at the final price.
Sure, the rail and highway traffic could be a legitimate nuisance, but the house is also located on a low traffic street that's just minutes from the waterfront. I'd take that bargain — especially given lovely interior.
The Essentials
Address: 95 Springhurst Ave.
Type: Semi-detached
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Lot size: 19.42 x 68 feet
Realtor: Michelle Walker Team
Hit the market at: $999,999
Time on market: 2 days
Sold for: $1.18 million
Why it sold for what it did
The selling price arises from a something a push-pull scenario here. The size and well designed interior pushed upwards, while the short lot and proximity to the Gardiner and GO tracks pulled down.
Was it worth it?
People will have divergent thoughts about the merits and drawbacks of the location, but I'd unreservedly answer yes. Having lived within earshot of train tracks for many years, after a while you just get used to the rumble of rail traffic.
Toronto's famous Gothic Revival mansion (and only remaining actual freaking castle) is inherently kind of spooky. Even when gussied up for a glamorous summer wedding – and especially in the underground tunnels reserved for escape game players – the ghost stories seem to make sense.
A post shared by rubab (@rubab_x) on Oct 11, 2017 at 6:21pm PDT
So when the people who run Casa Loma drop a reported $1.5 million on making the place look even more haunted for Halloween, well, it can get pretty dang scary.
A post shared by Casa Loma (@casalomatoronto) on Oct 11, 2017 at 1:56pm PDT
Legends of Horror is back for a second year this month at Toronto's favourite house on a hill, and the 'grams coming out of it right now are getting the city all riled up for this most spooky time of year.
A post shared by Aly Eno (@aly.eenz) on Oct 13, 2017 at 8:40am PDT
Put on by the Liberty Entertainment Group, the attraction is described as "an immersive theatrical interpretation of all of the classic horror figures."
A post shared by Tammy Whetham (@misstamjam) on Oct 11, 2017 at 4:04pm PDT
This year, that interpretation consists of vampires, skeletons, giant rat men, and other creepy, undead creatures along a 2 kilometre self-guided walking tour "commencing in the lower gardens of Casa Loma and winding its way through the castles tunnels and darkest spaces never before open to the public."
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While super fun as a pre-Halloween hangout spot, this isn't an exhibit for the faint of heart.
"I went to a $40 haunted house and all I got was a lifetime of nightmares," wrote one visitor on Instagram.
A post shared by Legends Of Horror (@legends_ofhorror) on Oct 10, 2017 at 2:15pm PDT
Legends of Horror runs every night at Casa Loma until Oct. 31st. You can get tickets here for $40 in advance or $45 at the door.
You might expect people to welcome street art on an abandoned old power plant, but things are a bit more complicated when it comes to the Hearn Generating Station, which was recently hit with two absolutely gigantic graffiti tags on its upper level.
A variety of people have noticed and commented on the new addition(s) to the hulking power station over the last few weeks, and the work has received mixed reviews.
This graffiti on the Hearn Power Station is bloody huge (that’s Pinewood Studios in front). Also pretty new; left pic is from a month ago. pic.twitter.com/5x7P3mWlDV
— 👻 Phlegm Parrot (@gembarrett) September 24, 2017
The words "FORTE" and "CAUSR" — pseudonyms for the artists — have been written across the entire length of the building, prompting one concerned citizen to declare it a "goddamn blight" on the city.
Others have noted that the graffiti diminishes the Hearn's industrial heritage, though it seems sites like these become a magnet for such activity.
Destroying industrial heritage with large-scale graffiti in the port lands. #Toronto #architecture #Hearn #waterfront #portlands pic.twitter.com/njTEdCBMX5
— VikPhoto (@VikPahwa) October 7, 2017
Graffiti is always a contentious issue, with a strand of social disdain often linked in part to the Broken windows theory of the 1980s. But, like any work of art, people tend to project their own sentiments onto it.
For the most part Toronto is pretty tolerant of graffiti. The city has designated public spaces to its proliferation, local artists are commissioned to create public art, and some of us have embraced its role in asking the important questions.
As such, some were diplomatic about the use of the Hearn as a canvas for artistic expression.
I appreciate all forms of art (especially #graffiti) and applaud the fact that #Forte managed to lay down one of his largest pieces on such a massive structure... but I also think a #Heritage building like the #HearnGeneratingStation should be left untouched. At the end of the day, Artists will be Artists!
A post shared by Chris Shepherd (@shepsappeal) on Sep 26, 2017 at 6:06pm PDT
It's hard to say whether it'll be removed given that the Hearn primarily functions as a film studio these days. The focus is mostly on the impressive interior of the building. In any case, the graffiti is kind of impressive for its sheer scale. 
It's hard to imagine Union Station without scaffolding and construction walls encasing large sections of its facade, but we're starting to see some very promising signs emerge from the epic renovation underway at Toronto's main transportation hub.
The latest development that's been spotted is the Front Street moat, which has now been fitted with slick-looking glass panels easily visible from the front of the station.
This section, which is part of a massive project to revitalize the old train station, will ultimately serve as a skylight over a predominantly retail area below the Great Hall.
What the moat areas looked like when Union Station was new. Photo via the Toronto Public Library.
For all the delays to the project, this is actually an incredible use of space when you consider what the moats used to look like.
The project is meant to bring a more modern, open-concept design to the station and to create a better user experience via the addition of increased retail and food options.
When complete, the Front Street moat covers will create over 15,000 sq. ft. of new enclosed space at Union Station. #CityofTO pic.twitter.com/7QGqlmqnjm
— unionstationTO (@unionstationTO) August 4, 2017
We've already seen evidence of the improved elements of Union when the York GO Concourse opened a couple of years ago, but much of the construction underway is taking place out of sight, so it's exciting to witness major milestones like the enclosure of the moats.
While there's years of construction left to be completed at Union, sections of the station will be opened in phases, so we might be able to enjoy some of the improvements by next year.
