The King Street Pilot Project is now live, and Toronto has its first "transit priority corridor." Signs of the street's transformation have been visible for days, but now a whole set of traffic restrictions are in place that should make life much better for streetcar riders.

If you had to summarize the changes in one sentence, it'd be most accurate to say that as of today King is no longer a through street for cars.

Making King king again. #TTC#KingStreetPilotpic.twitter.com/HWqq0Pf4gG

— Brad Ross (@bradTTC) November 12, 2017

There are a number of ways that this is accomplished:

When approaching the pilot area from the west at Bathurst or east at Jarvis, drivers are forced to turn right or left. Within the pilot zone, left hand turns are prohibited, and those who do turn right onto the street will be forced to turn right back off just a block later. 

As far as the details go, the map released by the city of Toronto and the TTC gives an excellent breakdown of the way that King St. works throughout the pilot area. It's worth a look to ensure that you're up to speed on the changes. 

In a nutshell, if you're trying to drive across downtown Toronto from east to west or vice versa, you'll want avoid King St. altogether. If you do find yourself on the street, it won't be for very long.

King Street Transit Pilot started today.

New rules in effect from Bathurst Street to Jarvis Street.

Officers are all along King Street to guide you through the changes.https://t.co/v4WIcoaodP#KingStreetPilot#DriveSafe#RideSafe#WalkSafepic.twitter.com/JoUOEbuGjy

— TPSMotorSquad (@TPSMotorSquad) November 12, 2017

For all the publicity the pilot has received, it's still going to be an adjustment for drivers. Police are out in full force today to enforce the new rules of the road, and it's a good bet that this presence will continue for the foreseeable future. 

The first real test for the King St.Pilot will come on Monday morning when thousands of people commute to work on the revamped street. If the project is ultimately a success, there's every possibility it could be made permanent.

This week's free event offerings in Toronto are noticeably festive, with things like the massive Christmas tree unveiling at the Eaton Centre. A new installation-based museum also arrives this weekend, and a Filipino filmmaker's work is being spotlighted throughout the week. 

You wouldn't know it when driving around Toronto these days, but the city and its surrounding areas used to be well populated by motels. Two areas in particular were hotbeds for these humble accommodations: Kingston Rd. in Scarborough and Lakeshore Rd. in Etobicoke. 

Along with these suburban motel strips, at various points in the past you might have encountered a collection of motels around the airport, immediately north of the city on Yonge St., and even at 415 Jarvis St., where the Four Seasons Motor Hotel gave birth to a global hotel chain.

Most people who've lived in the city for more than a decade have encountered the last remains of motel culture in Toronto, even if these remnants of the past don't occupy our attention much. 

The Hav-a-Nap Motel remains — for now. Photo by Derek Flack.

You can still spot a few that remain spread along Kingston Rd. from Brimley Rd. through to West Hill, including the iconic Hav-A-Nap Motel, which announces what's left of the strip when approaching from the west.

The last of the Lake Shore motels were finally demolished in 2012 to make way for massive condo developments along the western waterfront, drawing a conclusion to a history with origins that stretch back to the late 1910s when the first tourist camps arose in Etobicoke.

Yes, the rise of the motel dates all the way back to popularization of the automobile.

Yours to discover — the 401 in the early 1960s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

The decline of the motor court in Toronto begins shortly after most of the photos and postcards below were printed. Havens for cheap accommodation and lakeside leisure in the '50s and '60s, with the rise of the 401 and the QEW, tourists were gradually led off of Highway 2.

The car gave birth to the motel, but the interstate and superhighway eventually killed it.

There are other reasons, of course, not the least of which was the rise of major corporate chains. Mom-and-pop businesses on secondary roads just couldn't compete. Outdoor swimming pools, once such a draw, lost much of their allure when they become common in suburban homes.

From the 1980s on, Toronto's motels became progressively more seedy. Those that remain are often rented by the month, and on occasion used by the city of Toronto as makeshift homeless shelters. The handful that still dot Scarborough probably won't last beyond another decade.

The architecture of anonymity along the Lakeshore motel strip in the 1960s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Even as these structures slowly fade from the landscape, evidence of their former existence can, however, be spotted everywhere. The non-architecture of suburban box stores, strip plazas, and gas stations all trace their origins to the humble motor court, where a blazing neon sign was always more important than an ostentatious building.

In a sprawling city like Toronto, where so much happens outside of the most dense areas, the motel continues to leave its mark on our urban geography — for better or worse.

Photos

Etobicoke tourist camp ca. 1918.

Pine Court, Auto Court in West Hill (Scarborough), 1948.

Log Cabin Auto Court in West Hill, 1950s.

Arcadian Cabins on Kingston Rd., 1950s.

Coronation Cabins on Lakeshore Rd., 1950s.

Motel Alda on Highway 2.

Casa Loma Motel on Lakeshore Rd.

Trans Canada Motel on Lakeshore Rd., 1950s.

The Dutch Sisters Motel & Restaurant on Lakeshore Rd.

Scarboro Motel postcard ca. 1950s.

Plaza Motel, 4585 Kingston Rd.

Andrews Motel on Kingston Rd. (demolished 2015).

LA Plaza Motel on Highway 27.

Chancellor Motel on Lakeshore Rd.

Universal Motel (near Sunnyside) postcard ca. 1950s.

Montoro Motel on Kingston Rd., 1950s.

White Swan Motel on Lakeshore Rd., 1960s.

Four Seasons Motor Hotel on Jarvis St., 1961.

Merry Macs Motel, Kingston Rd. and Lawrence area.

Canadianna Motel on Lakeshore Rd.

Sunshine Motor Court on Lakeshore Rd. mid 1960s.

West Point Motel in Mimico ca. 1965.

Avion Motel on Airport Rd.

One of the best records of Toronto's lost motel culture is an extensive series of photographs of the Lakeshore strip taken by Roger D. Moore in 1989. The images and accompanying website document these places after their heyday but before they were under threat of demolition.

The towering lures of the Lakeshore motel strip. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

Silver Moon Motel in 1989. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

Satellite TV at the Rainbow Motel. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

The Shore Breeze was the last standing Lakeshore motel, demolished in 2012. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

Daytime view of the Beach Motel, arguably the nicest on the strip architecturally. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

The Concler Motel was one of the seediest thanks in part to its on-site restaurant/tavern. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

The sloping Hillcrest Motel, which led right down to Humber Bay. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

The North American Motel was another that led right down to the Bay. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

The Cruise Motel and its clock-themed sign. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

The Seahorse Motel in some of its remaining glory. Photo by Roger D. Moore.

For more motel nostalgia from Toronto and beyond, check out Motel Register on Instagram.

Restaurants with video games are becoming more common in Toronto, but really, they’ve always been here. What goes better with a slice of pizza and a beer than a quick arcade game? These places are bringing that retro vibe back, or making sure it’s preserved.

Here are my picks for restaurants with video games in Toronto.

Rec Room

The massive Cineplex complex may be a corporate behemoth, but the 40,000 square foot space near the Rogers Centre is decked out with dozens of arcade games from virtual racing, shooting, and VR to old school skee ball, basketball and more. The menu has big kid options like sausage pizza and bison lasagna.

Tilt

This Annex spot only opened a few years ago but already feels like a mainstay. Not only is this bar lined on both sides with pinball machines, there’s also Nintendo, Atari, Asteroids and arcade games that date back to 1969. Lots of vegan options can be found on the comfort food menu loaded with fries, dogs, sandwiches and bowls.

Roxy on King

Munch on spring rolls, nachos, poutine or a Struggles pizza with banana peppers and jalapenos at this bar on King St. while you play pinball for just two bucks a game. Pool and foosball are also on deck.

Dock Ellis

The food at this Dundas West bar is actually really good and reasonably priced, so much so that table space is hotly competed for during rushes. So why not stand for a quick round of an old school video game or challenge your drinking buddy to foosball or billiards?

Power Up Game Bar

This King West bar beckons you to celebrate your inner nerd with consoles and monitors at booths so that you can chow down on duck confit wings, sliders or truffle popcorn all while you destroy your date at Rocket League, Smash Brothers or Mario Kart. 

Nightowl

Vintage Arcade games are mixed in with Guitar Hero and live music performances at this bar in Little Italy that also serves Rudy burgers and salted caramel old fashioned cocktails.

Macho Radio Bar

This massive CityPlace hangout on Fort York Boulevard brings together Mexican food and video games with specials on wings, tacos, fajitas and quesadillas. Arcade games keep it just as classic with Pac-Man, Street Fighter and pinball.

The Contender

This bar near Dundas and Ossington sticks strongly to its sports theme with a Shaq Attaq pinball game, an NBA video game, Golden Tee, hoops and a baseball cabinet game called SlugFest. Food is all about weekly $14 sandwich specials, hot honey wings, fries and burgers.

Bitondo's

At this iconic pizza joint in Little Italy it’s as easy to crush a vintage tabletop arcade game as one of their deliciously greasy, giant slices or huge cheesy panzerotti, seeing as the game itself stands in as one of the dining surfaces.

Rivals

Pinball can be found at this east side sports bar that has regular DJ nights, a free party room and a no-frills menu of burgers, nachos, and sandwiches.

The best live theatre venues in Toronto are some of the greatest spaces to see the most innovative performances in the city. Tiny and intimate all the way up to capacious and impressive, these are the places where you’ll see the theatre that moves you using all the advantages the venue provides.

These are the best live theatre venues in Toronto.

Princess of Wales Theatre

A Mirvish theatre opened in 1993, this King Street behemoth boasts 2,000 plush red seats and intricate molding decorating the balconies. American Express cardholders get an express line in the basement lounge, and special facilities are provided for the hearing impaired.

Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres

This stacked theatre combination is the last remaining of its kind in the world, with the Winter Garden sitting some seven storeys above the Elgin. The hundred-year-old theatre got a new marquee with 1,240 light bulbs in 1995.

The space at Buddies is one of the most unique performance venues in the city. Photo courtesy of Buddies in Bad Times.

Buddies in Bad Times

Just off one of the busiest stretches of Yonge, this theatre is dedicated to representing queer voices and alternative performance. Taking its name from a Jaques Prevert song, this project founded in 1979 actually started out with an initial performance in a brewery.

The Royal Alexandra Theatre

Built in 1907 and outfitted with nearly 1,500 seats, this historical gem near King and Simcoe is the oldest continuously operating theatre in North America. Performances take place on a classic proscenium stage, and there are two levels of balconies.

Tarragon Theatre

Tucked away on Bridgman St. in the north Annex, this space specializes in contemporary theatre. The Mainspace of the building where the company has made its home since the 70s has 205 seats and the Extra Space comes in at 100. A must for hardcore Canadian theatre junkies.

The Crowsnest Theatre is one of Toronto's new live performance venues. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Streetcar Crowsnest

This relatively new space near Dundas and Carlaw not only has an innovative modular design that allows for experimental interplay between the audience and performers, but also hosts a bar and the French bistro Gare de l’Est in the building.

Factory Theatre

On Bathurst at Adelaide, this venue has hosted the Factory Theatre Company since the 80s, which has produced hundreds of solely Canadian plays since its inception. Parts of the building have been around since before 1900.

Young Centre for the Performing Arts

In the Distillery District, this muted and modern space contrasts with the historical setting it’s placed in. Soulpepper’s year-round repertory season takes place there, and it’s a great place to catch some excellent amateur theatre by George Brown students.

Housed in a historical building, the Berkeley Street Theatre is one of the finest performance venues in Toronto. Photo courtesy of CanStage.

Berkeley Street Theatre

Located on the street after which it's named near Front St., this brick venue is cozy and hushed. The downstairs theatre has 244 seats, while the upstairs boasts 167. Not only is a great place to catch Canadian Stage theatrical performances, but dance and musical acts as well.

Coal Mine

This unassuming storefront theatre on the Danforth hosts a limited number of independent plays put on for one 80-seat audience a night. It doesn’t get much further off Broadway than this.

Theatre Passe Muraille

The company at this theatre on Ryerson Avenue near Queen and Bathurst has always and continues to foster some of the brightest stars in Canadian culture. Since 1968, TPM has been responsible for the production of over 600 alternative Canadian plays.

The Theatre Centre

An incubator for the research and development of new live theatre, this is the brainchild of several companies including Buddies in Bad Times, Nightwood and Necessary Angel. The theatre space that’s hosted the project since 2014 is located in a heritage building on West Queen West.

Restaurants with video games are becoming more common in Toronto, but really, they’ve always been here. What goes better with a slice of pizza and a beer than a quick arcade game? These places are bringing that retro vibe back, or making sure it’s preserved.

Here's a round-up of restaurants with video games in Toronto.

Rec Room

The massive Cineplex complex may be a corporate behemoth, but the 40,000 square foot space near the Rogers Centre is decked out with dozens of arcade games from virtual racing, shooting, and VR to old school skee ball, basketball and more. The menu has big kid options like sausage pizza and bison lasagna.

Tilt

This Annex spot is lined on both sides with pinball machines but there’s also Nintendo, Atari, Asteroids and arcade games that date back to 1969. Lots of vegan options can be found on the comfort food menu loaded with fries, dogs, sandwiches and bowls.

Roxy on King

Munch on spring rolls, nachos, poutine or a Struggles pizza with banana peppers and jalapenos at this bar on King St. while you play pinball for just two bucks a game. Pool and foosball are also on deck.

Dock Ellis

The food at this Dundas West bar is actually really good and reasonably priced, so much so that table space is hotly competed for during rushes. So why not stand for a quick round of an old school video game or challenge your drinking buddy to foosball or billiards?

Power Up Game Bar

This King West bar beckons you to celebrate your inner nerd with consoles and monitors at booths so that you can chow down on duck confit wings, sliders or truffle popcorn all while you destroy your date at Rocket League, Smash Brothers or Mario Kart. 

Nightowl

Vintage Arcade games are mixed in with Guitar Hero and live music performances at this bar in Little Italy that also serves Rudy burgers and salted caramel old fashioned cocktails.

Macho Radio Bar

This massive CityPlace hangout on Fort York Boulevard brings together Mexican food and video games with specials on wings, tacos, fajitas and quesadillas. Arcade games keep it just as classic with Pac-Man, Street Fighter and pinball.

The Contender

This bar near Dundas and Ossington sticks strongly to its sports theme with a Shaq Attaq pinball game, an NBA video game, Golden Tee, hoops and a baseball cabinet game called SlugFest. Food is all about weekly $14 sandwich specials, hot honey wings, fries and burgers.

Bitondo's

At this iconic pizza joint in Little Italy it’s as easy to crush a vintage tabletop arcade game as one of their deliciously greasy, giant slices or huge cheesy panzerotti, seeing as the game itself stands in as one of the dining surfaces.

Rivals

Video games can also be found at this Danforth sports bar that has regular DJ nights, a free party room and a no-frills menu of burgers, nachos, and sandwiches.

Yoga teacher training is the aspirational side hustle. A yoga teacher certification program takes time and energy to complete, but the benefits extend beyond the program. Not only can you guide and lead a class into heavenly Savasana, but most classes give you the deep perspective on the fundamentals of yoga.

Here are my picks for the top yoga teacher training studios in Toronto.

Misfit

The MisfitMethod module, led by owner Amber Joliat, takes teacher training to a whole other level. With two locations on Ossington and Queen St., the MisfitMethod is based on a philosophy of movement as mediation and blends modalities of physical movement with music, spanning over a few weekends.

Afterglow

Yogavida is Afterglow’s 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certified. The program means Yoga for Life in our modern world and ties traditional yoga with the modern world. Located in the Beaches, Afterglow’s program preps you to teach a 1-hour Vinyasa class and guides you on finding your own style and voice. Most sessions are held Saturdays and Sundays.

Mula

Mula’s 200-hour training is all about diving deeper into the practice of yoga with an understanding of Vinyasa teaching. The MulaFam and Mula itself is a modern day ashram on a small street off Queen St. West. The work is done in small groups (up to 15) on every other weekend.

YYoga

With locations on Queen West and Harbourfront, YYoga’s comprehensive teacher training program focuses on nourishing students’ passion for yoga. The Yoga Alliance certified programs are crafted for personal growth and yoga fundamentals. The 200-hour program includes the YHot and Yin yoga practice. 

Moksha Downtown

At Wellington and Bathurst, Moksha has established itself as a key space for aspiring yoga students. The program includes a one month intensive with an 11-month distance learning with monthly projects. The curriculum challenges your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual understanding.

Kula Annex

Located in the Annex, Kula’s hatha yoga program is about becoming an inspirational and spiritual teacher while creating self-awareness. The program was developed eight years ago and will take you through the 27 principle asanas - yoga poses. Training groups meet in the evenings once a week for six months. Tuition is $3300.

Ahimsa

Ahimsa in the Annex is well-known for its intensive and varied YTT offering advanced training, retreats, yogayama and 200 and 300-hour programs. Ahimsa focuses on the personal evolution encompassing health, happiness and wholeness. Ahimsa’s core 200-hour YTT also involves a personal development program. Tuition starts at $3300.

Downward Dog

Downward Dog’s 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training teaches the fundamental of ashtanga and vinyasa yoga. The program is divided into two modules with 120 hours of in-class time and 48 yoga classes at Downward Dog on Queen St. over the course of four weekends. Tuition starts at $3350 with a payment plan available.

Octopus Garden

The Teacher Training and Yoga Education program at this College and Ossington studio is an intense 1000-hour curriculum divided at 200-hours, 300-hours and the 500-hour therapeutic yoga program. You can take each one separately or commit to two years. It's also an accredited educational program meaning you’re in for a tax break!

YogaSpace

This Ossington mainstay has been at the forefront of yoga guidance. Training is done over 19 weekends with courses like Advanced Yoga Philosophy and Yoga for Mental Health. You’ll also learn the foundations of meditation. Students of the 200-hour program receive complimentary classes with the goal of completing 25 classes.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Toronto, what with Illuminite, the Toronto Christmas Market, and more festive events kicking off this week. Music fans can look forward to the return of the Long Winter concert series, Big Sound, and major pop and hip hop shows across town. 

Uber is about to get some serious competition in Toronto next month with the arrival of its number one rival, Lyft.

The San Francisco-based ride-hailing company just announced that it would soon be expanding its operations outside the U.S. for the first time ever – starting in the 6ix.

"We were very deliberate when making a decision to launch in Toronto as our first international market," Lyft president John Zimmer told the Star in an interview published Monday. "We see it as a world-class city. It will likely become one of our top five markets overall."

The company is already starting to recruit local drivers, who, like Uber drivers, will use their own vehicles to transport passengers in and around the city.

Lyft is so desired in Toronto that 50,000 people in the city have downloaded the app despite the fact it has no local presence … until now. https://t.co/DI3eiiryEh

— Ernie Smith (@ShortFormErnie) November 13, 2017

While Uber was founded about four years earlier than Lyft, the companies operate in much the same way. Customers of both companies must download an app and register an account, including payment information, to hail nearby cars through the app at any time.

One of the main differences between Lyft and Uber is that the former has always allowed (and makes it easy for) riders to tip their drivers through the app.

Lyft has also proven a lot less contentious than Uber, which has run afoul of regulators in cities all over the world and had a rather tumultuous start in Toronto. 

Local taxi services may not love the addition of yet another ride-hailing app, but Torontonians seem thrilled by the news.

So so so excited @lyft is finally coming to Toronto. This is great news for riders and drivers across the city. If you haven't tried it yet, you're in for a treat #Lyft#TO

— Ginny Movat (@GinnyMovat) November 13, 2017

Lyft plans to launch this December in the GTA (plus Hamilton) with five options ranging from regular vehicles to luxury black SUVs.

"Lyft will be around to help ring in the holidays," reads a blog post on the company's website. "From brunch in Bloordale and belly laughs on Mercer St to polishing off some late-night poutine at your favourite burger joint out in Woodbridge, we know Toronto is the place to be."

"Wherever we are, we know it matters how you get there," the post continues. "So we’ve got our toques on and we’re ready to take off."

Aren't Americans just the cutest when they try to speak Canadian? 

This week on DineSafe one of Toronto's best Chinese bakeries was shut down by city health inspectors. Ding Dong Pastries & Cafe was red carded for crucial infractions like failing to prevent gross unsanitary conditions.

Find out which other Toronto restaurants got in trouble with health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Butter Chicken  Factory (556 Parliament St.)

• Inspected on: November 6, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

James Cheese Back Ribs (409 Spadina Ave.)

• Inspected on: November 6, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 8 (Minor: 3, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to maintain hazardous foods at 4C (40F) or colder.

Kensington Natural Bakery & Cafe (460 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: November 6, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Starbucks (274 Wilson Ave.)

• Inspected on: November 6, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Timothy's (595 Bay St.)

• Inspected on: November 6, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

The Boil Bar (664 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: November 7, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Congee Star (900 Don Mills Rd.)

• Inspected on: November 7, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ding Dong Pastries & Cafe (321 Spadina Ave.)

• Inspected on: November 7, 2017
• Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
• Number of infractions: 7 (Significant: 4, Crucial: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to wash hands when required, operator failed to prevent gross unsanitary conditions and operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Freshii (351 King St. East)

• Inspected on: November 8, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Wild Wing (2071 Steeles Ave. West)

• Inspected on: November 8, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Harry's (160 Springhurst Ave.)

• Inspected on: November 9, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• 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.

Anyone who attended Chris Rock's Toronto show on Saturday hoping to tweet, snap a pic, or even text had a rude awakening when they were unable to use their cell phones during the performance.

Rock was here as part of his Total Blackout Tour and is one of many performers making use of the Yondr pouch, a carrying case that disrupts cellular reception so as not to distract audience members.

Naturally, people had mixed reactions to the policy.

Ridiculous. I didn’t see anything printed on the @chrisrock tickets about Toronto show phone pouch. What are we, children? People could be enjoying enjoying themselves vs standing in line. Ultimate coat check fail. pic.twitter.com/cmcX9RSCA5

— C-A Granatstein (@cagranatstein) November 12, 2017

The choice to use the Yondr pouches varies by performer and the policy is typically made known to attendees well in advance.

I’m taking your advice @chrisrock & leaving my phone at home tonight! #totalblackouttour

A post shared by Pooja Handa (@poojahandatv) on Nov 11, 2017 at 3:05pm PST

In the case of comedians, Dave Chappelle has made use of them in the past during his performance at Danforth Music Hall. Now their use is starting to look like it's here to stay. 

The technology allows for audience members to keep possession of their phones while in the pouch, but they can be confiscated if you're caught using them outside of designated areas. 

Seen The Legend @chrisrock Tonight, They Locked Your Phones In A Pouch So I Didn’t Get Any Good Pics . . . . . #chrisrock #totalblackouttour #totalblackouttour2017 #Toronto

A post shared by Gunn (@agunnslife) on Nov 11, 2017 at 8:41pm PST

Many found the move improved the experience of the show by forcing everyone to pay attention. In the absence of ringing, lit screens, or people blocking the view while trying to take a picture, it was possible to focus on Rock's comedy.

Cellphone/Camera-Free event. Humans ACTUALLY interacting with other humans instead of being distracted by a device (YES EVEN IN 2017!). All while focused in on a COMEDIC GENIUS and literally laughing their asses off!! What an experience last night...another one off the bucket list 🙏🙏 @chrisrock @judahworldchamp @mariojoyner #totalblackouttour #chrisrock #genius

A post shared by Par (@parbrar.infinite) on Nov 12, 2017 at 3:33pm PST

Yondr is what we get for being incapable of looking away from a screen for five minutes and unless that changes, a future of cell phone-free venues may the new norm. 

The best Turkish cafes and restaurants in Toronto are truly transportative. This cuisine that brings together Mediterranean elements of Greek, Middle Eastern, and even Asian cultures among others is replete with intricate tapas breakfasts, warm flaky pastries, tender dumplings and of course, delicious kebab.

Here are the best Turkish cafes and restaurants in Toronto.

Toronto's freshly-launched King Street Pilot Project was put through its first major test Monday morning as drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians hit the pavement for the first rush hour commute since our new "transit priority zone" came into existence.

Was it messy? Sure, but its only day two of the pilot project.

Day 1 of the King St. Pilot project. Street cars are already faster. An Audi driver tried to cut off the Street car and go straight. Lots of people caught unawares for some reason.#Toronto#KingStreetPilotpic.twitter.com/y6wmE04bf4

— Softness Guaranteed - a real life Procyon Lotor (@eanbowman) November 13, 2017

Passengers on the 504 line certainly seemed happy about how fast they got to work, even if it took a minute to figure out that all the streetcar stops between Jarvis and Bathurst had moved to the far side of every intersection.

When your @transitapp is saying to take the 504 vs 501 to get to a destination on Queen. This pilot is almost working too good! @bradTTC#KingStreetPilotpic.twitter.com/FY3feDTyAl

— Justin (@producerjustin) November 13, 2017

Drivers, on the other hand... had some difficulties figuring things out. That, or they simply chose not to try.

Guess this driver missed the sign. And then another one turned left. I blame myself for having a phone in my hand :) #KingStreetPilot#topoli#ttcpic.twitter.com/Knjh8y8Ixa

— Chris Drew (@chrisjamesdrew) November 12, 2017

Plenty of people on Twitter have been calling out motorists who don't obey the posted traffic signs, which now force cars to turn off the street, prohibit parking, and designate specific loading zones.

New bike boxes, right turn arrows and left lane markings on the road itself are also going unnoticed (or unheeded, as some locals suggest.) 

That's alot of car drivers that just don't give a shit about the new road signs. Surprisingly not just #Taxi. #KingStreetPilot

— Alexey Adamsky (@alkasai) November 13, 2017

Taxis are among the worst offenders, accordingtoonlinereports.

@BeckTaxi this the third cab of yours to ignore police &new traffic signs @ Bathurst and King. Educate your drivers. #KingStreetPilotpic.twitter.com/K2upk7QH9D

— Dawn Bernstein (@guitardawn) November 12, 2017

"I realize it is the first hours of #KingStreetPilot but the arrogance and ignorance of drivers willfully ignoring signs and cops is staggering," wrote one Toronto resident on Twitter.

"Estimating about 75% don’t care. Dangerous as hell."

"Still lots of sign violators," wrote another this morning. "Beck Taxi is 9 of 10 of the violators, which is fairly disappointing after that got their nightlife exemption."

I've seen countless instances of taxis driving through intersections this morning.#KingStreetPilotpic.twitter.com/8KRP0xA9uc

— Brian Will (@BrianWill_) November 12, 2017

Fortunately, police are out in full force right now to ensure that drivers are made aware of King Street's new road rules.

I saw at least four cars pulled over near King and Spadina this morning before 8 a.m., and it stands to reason that they won't be alone.

Toronto Police will be out "educating motorists" all week, according to the city.

Everyone remembers the first time they took the ferry to the Toronto Islands. The quaint fleet is one of the last vestiges of nautical charm in this city, and now its set to be replaced.

The city has begun to look into new designs for the 70-year old ferries (which apparently only have a life-span of 20 years, making me concerned if those ancient life jackets that hang from the ceiling have become strictly ornamental) in the coming years.

Some residents have been vocal on social media about the decision to replace the ferries in service, arguing that they are part of Toronto's historical landscape and should not be scrapped. 

Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, on the other hand, say it's time to retire the ol' gals in favour of more modern vessels that can better accommodate the nearly 1.4 million annual ridership.

The fleet we've become so accustomed to launched in the 1960s and are part of a much longer history of mainland-island travel that spends back over 200 years. 

One tie to the past that won't be scrapped is the recently restored Trillium ferry, which will remain in service.

While it's always tough for residents to say goodbye to the most ubiquitous symbols of the city, the new ferries promise to be roomier and more efficient, ultimately cutting down on repair and maintenance costs in the long run.

As of now, city staff are still exploring replacement options, but along with plans for the new ferry terminal,  this will certainly be a major change to the waterfront.

For the first time in two years, Taylor Swift is going on tour – and Toronto is set to be her first (and only) Canadian stop.

Are you... Ready For It?

The singer/song writer/pop music mogul announced on Monday through her management team that she'd be kicking off her Reputation Stadium Tour in May of 2018.

The tour announcement, which coincides with Thursday's release of her sixth studio album, confirms that Swift will perform at the Rogers Centre in Toronto for one night only, on August 4.

Registration for the chance to purchase tickets is open now and closes on Nov. 28.

Since its second season premier last month, frenzy over Netflix's Stranger Things 2 has reached a fever pitch and some people have even started to imagine what Toronto would look like if it existed in the Upside Down.

Fan art on Instagram shows the skyline as part of the Upside Down, complete with its frightening monster ready to attack the CN Tower and presumably all those below.

˙˙˙ǝɯoH . . . .

A post shared by Richard Mohammed (@thenerdyathlete) on Nov 11, 2017 at 3:27pm PST

Toronto's not unfamiliar with the Upside Down, having already been treated to an up close experience during Nuit Blanche that was easily one of the most popular attractions at the event.

A post shared by Simøn Matthews (@mxtthws) on Nov 9, 2017 at 5:39pm PST

These renderings are a testament to the show's ever-growing popularity in this city, whether it be via Stranger Things-themed parties or through clever ad campaigns on the TTC.

You can bet that there's more to come as the show's slated to return for a third season. Until then, fans can tide themselves over by imagining Toronto as a big city stand-in for Hawkins, Indiana. 

While the TTC tests out new pilot projects and indulges in self-congratulatory behaviour, a more pressing matter has begun to take precedence: the accessibility of its services.

The TTC announced today that it will take action to shorten the gaps between subway cars and platforms by retrofitting 62 stations that have been cited for improvements. 

The retrofitting will include using rubber fillings along platforms and, in some cases, building new ramps. Some stations will only require minor work while others will need major construction that could cause station closures.

One fun thing about being a disabled person tweeting an accessibility fail re: a Canadian transit system is watching the unfailingly polite, passive aggressive "actually..."s roll in.

— Angelo Muredda (@amuredda) November 9, 2017

The move comes as a welcome relief to many riders, with Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit chair Debbie Gillespie calling it a "godsend" for those who have mobility issues or rely on mobility devices and aids to maneuver the transit system.

The plan falls under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act that was introduced in 2005 and mandates Ontario businesses to work to improve accessibility across the province by 2025.

The transit giant has also ordered a new batch of 60 WheelTrans buses in addition to its fully accessible incoming fleet of new buses.

Construction could begin as early as next year starting with Davisville, St. Clair, Union, and Dundas stations before moving on to the more complex retrofitting required at other stations in 2020.

The colder it gets outside, the wilder things get on Toronto's public transit system.

A woman was captured on camera Friday night blocking two TTC buses while the city was under an extreme cold weather alert.

The woman walked in front of the buses to protest TTC overcrowding, according to a witness, after waiting in the blistering cold for about 30 minutes only to be denied a seat (or a place to stand, as was more likely the case.)

About 100 riders had crammed into the buses at Lansdowne station after two other buses failed to show up, according to the caption on a YouTube clip uploaded by a TTC passenger.

"Tonight during rush hour I witnessed this woman protesting against the overcrowded TTC buses by walking in front and deliberately blocking the bus from driving around her," wrote documentary producer / director Andreas Wesley on YouTube.

"When the driver of one bus asked a handful of people at the front door to get back off because he couldn't see the door this woman had had enough."

The bus reportedly stopped at Wallace Avenue to change drivers and then continued on without a problem. Still, the TTC says it's investigating the incident.

We all knew that the King Street Pilot Project would change Toronto, but who could have predicted how much – or how quickly – it would change everyone's mind about the 504 streetcar?

People taking the #TTC. 504 King Streetcar today be like.. @TTCbrad@TTCnoticespic.twitter.com/Mv0mHSO2y3

— Kram (@kramreed416) November 13, 2017

The notoriously crammed and painfully slow TTC route is currently the belle of the public transit ball, which feels surreal if you've ever been sardine-canned into a King car during rush hour.

Or if you've waited for what feels like 500 minutes behind a row of 13 stopped streetcars on your way home from work. Or if you've watched a jam-packed streetcar sail by you without stopping in the morning, because it's too full, at least once a week for the past two years.

Saying goodbye to waiting 35 minutes in the freezing cold for the 504 to have space for me #KingStreetPilot

— Eva Filomena (@evafilomena) November 13, 2017

Streetcar riders have been abuzz all day over how shockingly fast their morning commutes were along King Street.

Roncesvalles to King/Spadina in 20 min by 504 Streetcar this morning - #KingStreetPilot is a success! @JohnTory@TTChelps@CityPlanTO

— Jeffrey Yee (@JeffreySYee) November 13, 2017

As it turns out, transit vehicles can move very quickly when they're not all mucked up by traffic and drivers trying to turn left.

Wowza. King Street from Bathurst to Peter. 11:19AM on a Monday.#ttc#topoli#kingstreetpilot@CityPlanTOpic.twitter.com/ko36H4CTxW

— Patrick Searle (@Patrick4ONT) November 13, 2017

Some commuters say the amount of time they've spent on the red rocket has been cut in half (or more) since the pilot project came into effect – which is strong praise for a city initiative that only launched yesterday. 

Well #KingStreetPilot that was REALLY FAST! My 20 min commute just took 5 minutes! ❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏pic.twitter.com/r1uZNvqrmd

— Ilene Sova Artist (@IleneSova) November 13, 2017

In fact, I haven't seen so many nice words about the 504 streetcar on Twitter in... probably ever. 

Usually don't take transit to work, but the King streetcar was crazy fast this morning #KingStreetPilot

— Peter (@PeteFromToronto) November 13, 2017

And so begins the 504 streetcar's redemption arc.

Drivers may be having a bit of trouble with The King Street Pilot Project, but it's already a hit among the estimated 65,000 people who travel King by streetcar every single day.

Toronto needs heroes, too, and Drake just isn't cutting it. Instead, a huge mural dedicated to the video game Overwatch is currently in progress on King West.

The mural recently appeared on the side of Los Colibris much to the excitement of fans who recognized the face of Zarya, one of the central female characters in the game.

FINALLY AN OVERWATCH MURAL IN TORONTO IM SO HAPPY I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT DONE AAAAAAA pic.twitter.com/aaWykkqtq7

— Kata @ love yourself (@Katamism) November 13, 2017

Overwatch murals have popped up in cities around the world, though Toronto's looks like it'll rival the others for sheer scale. This thing in downright huge. 

Toronto's eSports community boasts a dedicated Overwatch following that saw Team Canada reach the top eight in the 2017 Overwatch World Cup standings earlier this month and going head to head in a championship match with South Korea.

Korea are World Cup Champions 2017 after a great Finals! Congrats to the Canadian players on silver medals, and an inspirational tournament.

— Toronto Esports (@TOesports) November 4, 2017

The game also made headlines today after a series of short clips is now being considered for a possible full length feature.

For Toronto's gaming community, it's good news all around.