Free DJ skate nights are set to return to Toronto for another season of fun on ice. There's no better way to beat the winter blues than skating to some fresh tunes under the stars. Every Saturday night for 10 weeks, Harbourfront's Natrel Rink will play host to a different DJ from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

With the arrival of December, Toronto's collective mind turns toward the coming of winter, whether that be in the form of juiced up skating opportunities or dazzling  light festivals. To experience the most epic event of the winter, however, you'll need to head out of town.

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When it comes to pure, unbridled snowy fun, nothing beats an amazing tubing hill. Put that hill on the main drag of a small town in Ontario and you have the recipe for something truly memorable and entirely Canadian. 

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Bracebridge's second annual Fire & Ice Festival has plenty of winter fun on offer, but the main highlight is surely the huge tubing hill that runs down Manitoba St. Last year, over 50 truckloads of snow were carted in to create the epic tube run. 

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After you're done flying down the hill in front of thousands of onlookers, you can warm up and one of the many campfires spread around town before checking out the incredible ice sculptures after which the festival is partially named. 

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The 2018 Fire & Ice Festival takes place on January 27, with passes available for pre-purchase on January 10. Given the popularity of last year's event, I'd secure tickets as early as possible. Passes cost $5.

Stephen LeDrew, best recognized as the guy with red glasses and bowtie from CP24, has been suspended after discussing LGBT issues with Tucker Carlson on TV.

Carlson is a well-known American conservative commentator and host of the Fox News program Tucker Carlson Tonight. LeDrew, a former Liberal Party of Canada president and one-time mayoral candidate, appeared on his show last night for an interview about LGBT inclusiveness in Canada.

The segment was set up as debate between the two journalists, largely focused on a viral poster that's currently being circulated by conservative pundits as an example of "PC culture overload."

The controversial poster was originally created to advertise an Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (EFTO) training session about inclusiveness in schools.

Parents: It's never too soon to talk to your kids about LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP issues.

(Thanks Andrew for sending.) pic.twitter.com/nu5TXqKfpE

— Mike Tully (@Tully) November 27, 2017

Tucker was arguing in support of LGBT inclusivity training, but stumbled pretty hard when Carlson asked him to explain what "Two Spirit" means.

"Two Spirit sounds like there's someone they don't know whether they're fish or a fowl, they don't know whether they're frick or frack," said LeDrew.

He also said that people who identify as Two Spirit are "clearly confused."

Buzzfeed News reports that LeDrew was suspended today by CP24 parent company Bell Media for his "his violation of the CTV News Policy and Code of Conduct."

Scott Henderson, Bell Media's vice president of communication, told Buzzfeed that the suspension will last for one week. Bell Media owns CP24 and CTV. 

LeDrew has yet to comment publicly on the matter, though he'll likely stay out of the intense debates taking place over his appearance via Twitter right now. He hasn't Tweeted since 2012. 

Events in Toronto this December will help end 2017 on an high note, with everything from dazzling light shows to  winter festivals popping up all across town. In addition to all this, there are even more free events you've got to check out. 

An Oliver & Bonacini gift card can be personalized and then instantly emailed or printed, making it a great and convenient gift choice. Want one for yourself? We've teamed up with O&B to give readers a chance to win a $500 gift card.

Check out all the contest details here.

Winter resorts near Toronto aren’t exclusively about skiing. Chalets and skiing destinations are a whole category unto themselves. Instead, the top resorts to hit up in the winter distinguish themselves with superb ambience, spa facilities, and gourmet food offerings that’ll warm your soul in the midst of the cold Ontario countryside.  

Here are my picks for the top winter resort getaways near Toronto.

Viamede

Located on Stoney Lake just north of Peterborough, Viamede has been hosting vacationers for more than a century. A major renovation a few years ago brought upgraded decor  and an indoor pool that overlooks the lake, but food is the big story here. Chef Jay Nutt serves up a farm-to-table menu that’s wildly good.

JW Marriott The Rousseau Muskoka

While tourism drops off significantly in the late fall through the winter, Muskoka is about as pretty as places come when blanketed in snow. The JW Marriot on Lake Rosseau has the look of a modern chateau with cozy but classy rooms (many with fireplaces) and amenities galore.

Oakwood Resort

Grand Bend is best known as one of Ontario’s best beach towns, but Oakwood Resort is at least one reason to visit the area after the leaves fall. The resort is made up of cozy wood-filled rooms and cottages, features top notch spa services, and there’s the requisite indoor pool and fitness centre. 

The Briars

One of the closer full service resorts to Toronto, the Briars is a well established destination in both the summer and winter. Lake Simcoe is a hotbed for ice fishing and cross country skiing. When you’re done outside, there’s both fine and casual dining options on offer.

Deerhurst

Well situated to take advantage of Arrowhead's amazing skating trail, Deerhurst is popular year-round thanks to the vast array of activities on offer. Think snowmobiling, cross country skiing, horseback riding, and fat biking. The Antler Steakhouse is a particularly cozy place to dine in the snow.

Christmas trees in Toronto are now on sale across the city as the advent calendar countdown is on. The city already feels pretty festive, what with the the largest tree in Canada now on display in the Eaton Centre, so the time is right to get your own.

Here are my picks for the top places to buy a Christmas tree in Toronto.

Ikea

Beyond producing furniture put together only by an allen key, this Swedish chain with locations in North York, Etobicoke and Vaughan has arguably the best Christmas tree deal around. Buy a tree for only $20 and receive a $20 coupon to the store. You can celebrate with meatballs!

Fiesta Farms

Everything from tiny two foot Charlie Brown-esque Christmas trees are available at this lot north of Christie Pits as well as huge 14 foot trees. The grocer offers a variety of tree types and will also deliver and install your tree for you.

St. Lawrence Market 

Christmas trees as well as mistletoe, holly and wreaths are available at the St. Lawrence Market on Saturdays from Jeff the Christmas Tree Guy. Jeff has been selling trees at the market for more than 25 years and is open for business until December 24.

Dufferin Mall Parking Lot

The best thing about this tree lot is its location. It's a central place for folks on the west side and the parking is plentiful. Christmas Trees by Lou Miceli carries about a thousand trees, so finding the perfect one won't be trouble at all. 

Sheridan Nurseries

There are six types of trees to choose from here to ensure you have the right tree for your Christmas presents to sit under. From table top cuties to 12 foot beasts, there's a fresh cut tree ready to be taken home.

Plant World

This store in Etobicoke carries all sorts of plants and holiday decorations as well as seven types of Christmas trees. Find a variety of  tree types that start at $44.99 and go up depending on the type of tree and its size. They also offer a delivery service.

Evergreen Garden Market

There are thousands of Christmas trees at the this garden market in the Brick Works. They have six species of locally grown, fresh-cut trees including Fraser Fir and Balsams, traditional White and Scotch Pines and Norway and Serbian spruces. Sizes range from 2.5 feet all the way up to 14 feet.

Lions Christmas Tree Lot at Woodbine Beach

This big ol’ Christmas tree sale used to happen at Kew Gardens Park but can now be found at Woodbine Park where there’s free parking available. It's one of the largest independent tree lots in North America and trees range vary in price depending on size. 

Davenport Garden Centre

At the corner of Davenport and Dupont, this store really gets in the holiday spirit with wreaths and other decorations along with a well-stocked back lot of Christmas trees available in a variety of types and sizes, though pricing tends to be on the luxury side of the spectrum.

East End Garden Centre

Leslieville and Beaches residents can shop for Balsam and Fraser Firs, Scotch Pine and Kris Kringle trees at this garden centre on Queen East. There's also plenty of wreaths, wooden deer, and other seasonal decor.

Board game stores in Toronto are more plentiful than you might think. Whether you're looking for old school classics like Monopoly and Battleship or some new additions to the world of gaming like Cards Against Humanity and Codenames, these are your spots.

Here are my picks for the top places to buy board games in Toronto.

401 Games

This shop near Yonge & Wellesley started as a convenience store over 20 years ago, but has grown to one of Toronto's busiest game stores. Drop by for board game nights or just marvel at the massive collection of games, action figures, sports cards, card games and more.

Snakes and Lattes

With locations in Little Italy and the Annex, Snakes and Lattes is arguably Toronto's most popular board game cafe, but they are much more than that. They're also a pretty darn good board game store. If all the tables are full the next time you visit, grab a game and head home.

Strategy Games

On Mt. Pleasant Rd., just south of Eglinton Ave., you'll find this gaming store. Although the focus is on classic games, this store is packed wall to wall with new games as well.

Meeplemart

Named after the small person-shaped figures used as a player's tokens, this place on Spadina boasts a massive collection of board games. Stock up on all your favourites like Catan, Scrabble, and Sorry!

Game Shack

Located in the Atrium on Bay, this all-purpose game shop has quite an impressive selection of board games available. No matter your age or how many players you anticipate, there's something in the shop for you.

Game and Hobby Zone

This store at Yonge & Bloor is your ultimate one stop shop for card games, board games, jigsaw puzzles, craft/science kits, brainteasers, toys and much more. 

For The Win Cafe

Here's another board game cafe that also doubles as a retail outlet for the hottest board games. Stay and play or grab your favourite game and head home to get a battle on.

Board Game Bliss

Found in Scarborough, this spot doubles as both a place to play board games and purchase them. You're welcome to bring your own games to play or select from their collection for a $5 cover fee. If you make a purchase on the same visit you will receive a $5 discount.

Face to Face Games

Located above the Pizza Pizza at Danforth and Woodbine, this games and hobby store is one of the best stocked in the city. Whether you're on the hunt of the latest board game or card game they'll probably have it.

F.G. Bradley's

This store is your destination for all things related to indoor fun. In addition to pool tables, ping pong tables, and dart boards, the shop has an extensive roster of board games available. Find games like Boggle, MindTrap and Apples to Apples in store and online. 

Sushi restaurants north of the 401 can be found in places like North York, Thornhill, Scarborough, Markham and Richmond Hill. Given the sheer number of spots, choosing one can be daunting, so where do you go when you're on the hunt for a sushi boat, AYCE or omakase?

Here are my picks for the top sushi restaurants north of the 401.

Sushi Moto

This sleek spot near Yonge and Sheppard is known for their huge list of creative maki offerings with names like Caterpillar, S.O.S. and the French Kiss.

Taro's Fish

This fish market near Sheppard and Leslie is mostly a takeout operation with some of the freshest and highest quality sashimi in the area.

KaKa All You Can Eat

This popular AYCE restaurant in Markham can be crowded and expensive but steady lines and a soon to open downtown location shows most people think it's worth it.  

Yang's Kitchen

This AYCE staple in Markham still does brisk business for its extensive menu of maki and nigiri plus all the usual Japanese faves. 

Yellowtail Sushi

Another AYCE favourite, this strip mall stalwart near the Buttonville airport offers good quality fish with a price to match. 

Sushi Wa

All the classic sushi options plus hot dishes like teriyaki and udon grace the menu at this Japanese restaurant in Thornhill. 

Aoyama Sushi

This Japanese owned and operated restaurant on Victoria Park near Sheppard is known for their quality and attention to detail. Go for the omakase or their deluxe sushi or sashimi plates.

Zen Japanese Restaurant

Formerly in Scarborough, this longtime favourite is now in Markham but still serving up some of the best sushi in the city. Omakase is worth the splurge but you can't go wrong with ordering a la carte treasures like sea urchin, tuna belly, and giant clam.

Sushi Legend

Near Finch and Leslie, this AYCE restaurant offers an extensive selection of sushi, maki, tempura and more. 

Gal's Sushi

This always bustling restaurant in Markham is cheaper than most but doesn't sacrifice too much on quality for its fresh rolls and sashimi.

Toronto businesses that closed in November were a varied bunch, ranging from the city's first cat cafe to long-time fixtures on the bar and comedy scenes.

Here are the most notable Toronto businesses that closed in November.

Ajuker Chicken

This spot for KFC (Korean fried chicken, that is) in Koreatown had a pretty long run, but quietly closed up shop last month.

G for Gelato

After six  years, this gelateria, pizza joint and espresso bar at Jarvis & Adelaide shut its doors in November, as it was unable to renegotiate a new lease after the previous one expired, much to the dismay of its fans. It will live on as a gelato wholesale operation instead.

Leslieville Farm to Table Market

What began as an outdoor summer market selling local produce and other goods lasted as a brick-and-mortar store for a little over a year before its owners decided to pack things up on November 25.

Park Hyatt Roof Lounge

Sitting atop the Park Hyatt hotel in Yorkville, this bar with a view bid its patrons adieu after 82 years, about a year after its most famous bartender retired. The hotel is undergoing extensive renovations and is expected to reopen at the end of 2019, along with a new roof lounge.

Smoke's Poutinerie (Little Italy)

Those with a hankering for poutine will have to go elsewhere for their fries, cheese curds and gravy fix (like any of the many other Smoke's locations in the city), because this outpost at College & Shaw has closed.

Spirits Bar & Grill

Following three decades of serving up food, drinks and laughter while hosting stand-up comedy and open mic nights on Church St. south of Bloor, the owners of this local pub finally decided to retire.

TOT the Cat Cafe 

The city's first cat cafe endured some controversy throughout its existence on College by Spadina and posted a notice of closure early last month, with mention of returning in the future.

New stores for holiday shopping in Toronto emphasize local support, artisanal design and serious style. Around the city, shops have popped up where you can find everything from the dreamiest succulents and planters to jewelery, designer apparel, and gifts both big and small.

Here are my picks for the top new stores for holiday shopping in Toronto.

Ease

Fun cups, leather bags, and skincare products all make for gifts that can be acquired with the ease this breezy Dundas West store is named for. A relaxed colour palette and simple design mean the products offered here are both staples and statements.

Bastone & Co.

Like a real-life Etsy, this West Queen West artisan collective was born out of the hive mind that is Bunz. Clothes, candles, soap, furniture, mugs, jewellery, pins, patches and more here are all made by people who live within walking distance of the shop.

Hart & Hive

A curated selection of haute local design is brought together at this boutique on College. You might stumble upon an analog iPhone amplifier, felt art, lamps, wallets, and other items that are designed with care in order to last.

Neighbour

If your giftee goes gaga for Gosha Rubchinskiy and takes style cues from Drake, a sweater, scarf, hat or quirky tote from this Davenport and Bay boutique will impress them. Don’t sleep on the downstairs section.

Curiosa

Searching for a gift for a Harry Potter nerd? Look no further than this magical emporium in Parkdale that retails enchanting books, games, toys, housewares and other spellbinding items like quill pens and wax seal kits.

Kotn

Most items in this West Queen West store are made from ethically produced Egyptian cotton. There's basics such as tees, PJs and undies in several styles even packaged into kits for the ultimate lifehack win. Other small gifts are available here as well, like matches, notebooks, cards, games, and blankets.

DESIGNnook

Multiple creative entrepreneurs are represented at this Danforth East shop which stocks handmade and found items like candles, jewellery, toys, housewares and ornaments.

Varsity Brown

Accessories, bags, belts and hats all make great gift options from this store in Leslieville.

Tincture & Tonic Apothecary

Salves, soaps, teas and herbs primarily furnished by wildcrafters can be found at this Roncesvalles shop for the giftee on your list who prefers things all-natural.

Hocus Pocus Witchery

This oddball shop at Queen and Bathurst offers hundreds of essential oils and herbs as well as anything suitable for the witch in your life.

Toronto has the largest streetcar network of any city in North America. The TTC's fleet of light rail cars, purchased in the late 1970s and now slowly being replaced by modern, low-floor vehicles, are the backbone of the city's transit network, moving more than 1.4 million people during a typical work week.

Though this is still a streetcar city, there used to be considerably more options when it came to riding the rails in Toronto. Starting after the second world war, the city and the TTC began closing down streetcar lines in favour of high-capacity subways, trolley buses, or, in at least one case, practically no service at all.

Often streetcar tracks were simply paved over to reappear like ghosts whenever there's road work taking place.

Here is a look back at some lost Toronto streetcar routes.

Rogers Road

• Years active: 1924-1974
• Route: The Rogers Road streetcar started at St. Clair and Oakwood, headed north on Oakwood to Rogers Rd. and traveled west to a loop at Bicknell Ave., just beyond Keele.
• Why it was lost: Rogers Road was seen as a prime candidate for conversion to trolley buses in the 1970s. The streetcar was merged with the Ossington trolley bus and, until 1992, buses ran between the Bicknell Rd. end of the Rogers Road streetcar line and King St.

Harbord

• Years active: 1911-1966
• Route: Like the College streetcar, the snaking Harbord route was also the bearer of a name that did little to describe its route. Starting at Pape and Danforth, the line went directly south to Riverdale Ave., turned west to Carlaw, then south to Gerrard, which it followed to Broadview. The cars then turned south, headed west on Dundas to Spadina, north to Harbord, west to Ossington, north to Bloor, west to Dovercourt, and north to Davenport, where the cars turned west and terminated at a loop just before Lansdowne.
• Why it was lost: When the Bloor-Danforth line opened in Feb. 1966, the already trimmed Harbord streetcar line was nixed entirely. As Transit Toronto notes, the winding route, which almost certainly had the most turns of any route on the system at the time, was difficult to manage in an increasingly traffic-heavy city.

The Belt Line tour tram

• Years active: 1973-1975 (TTC)
• Route: During its brief existence, the downtown tourist streetcar loop ran on one of two routes: Queen and Spadina to Queen and Church, south to King then back west to Spadina and north to Queen, or Queen from Bay to Church, then south to Wellington, west to York, and north to Queen. Cars then headed west to McCaul, north to Dundas, and back over to Church back to the start at Queen and Bay.
• Why it was lost: Though there had been other successful belt routes in Toronto, tourists failed to jump at the chance to ride a historic streetcar in a circle, even if transfers were available to other, more practical routes. The service was handed to a private operator in 1975 and cancelled entirely in the mid 1980s without ever serving more than 284 riders in a single day.

Dupont/Dupont

• Years active: 1923-1963
• Route: Most recently, the streetcars started from a loop at York and Queen's Quay, traveled east to Bay, north through downtown to Davenport Road, and west on Dupont to a loop at Christie.
• Why it was lost: Following the opening of the University line, the TTC decided to do away with the streetcar that served Bay and Dupont streets. The Bay corridor was converted to trolley bus operation in the 1970s and, according to Transit Toronto, remained popular until the overhead wires were taken down in 1993. Some track remains between College and Dundas for use during diversions and short turns.

Church

• Years active: 1892-1954
• Route: Like many Toronto streetcar routes, the line was heavily altered from its inception. Most recently, Church cars ran from a loop just north of Bloor and Church south to Front, then west to Scott St.
• Why was it lost: Like other downtown routes, the end for the Church streetcar was brought about by the Yonge subway, but not for the reason you might expect. In the 1950s, the large amount of power required to run the line triggered brownouts, which forced the TTC to run buses on Church in order to ease the strain on the grid. 

The most expensive homes for sale in Toronto are a collection of mansions in the city's most prestigious neighbourhoods. The Bridle Path is well represented, but these palaces can also be found in Rosedale, Forest Hill, Moore Park, and just off Bayview Avenue. 

Behold, these are the most expensive homes for sale in Toronto.

68 The Bridal Path ($35,000,000)

The real estate listing doesn't even list the address of this chateau-style mansion, perhaps because it's obvious that a home that breaks the $30 million mark in Toronto is inevitably located on the Bridle Path. There are nine bedrooms and 14 bathrooms to go with the huge grounds.

10 Highland Avenue ($22,000,000)

The Rosedale candidate on the list is a stately masterpiece located on over an acre of land just outside of downtown Toronto. That's basically unheard of and at least part of the justification for the exorbitant price. The other is the 17,000 square feet of interior space. 

16 High Point Road ($19,380,000)

Robert Herjavec's Bridle Path-area estate is still on the market (not too many people have $20 million lying around to buy a house). This one is the quintessential luxury mansion with an indoor pool and 33,650 square feet of living space.

61 The Bridle Path ($17,880,000)

Here's a throwback Bridle Path mansion designed as a sprawling bungalow. It's probably best known as Prince's former Toronto home. Some of the quirkiest design features have been tamed, but you'll still find a hair salon mixed in with the 14,280 square feet of space.

55 Old Forest Hill Road ($15,888,000) 

This Forest Hill property boasts a huge lot in close proximity to downtown Toronto. While it's an old Toronto mansion, it's recently been gutted to update the interior. There's even an architectural plan included for future expansion. But, hey, it's pretty darn nice as is.

20 High Point Road ($15,00,000)

This Bridle Path-area estate has been on the market longer than any other on the list. The Georgian-style mansion could really use a new set of listing photos to show off just how remarkable it really is, but even without them you can see glimpses of the luxury on offer.

6 The Bridle Path ($14,980,000)

Many people don't know that the Bridle Path has two parts: one that's connected to Post Rd. and one that connects to Bayview Ave. just to the north. This house is found on the latter section, where the lot sizes are less sprawling, though the interior here is a picture of opulence.

14 The Bridle Path ($14,880,000)

Just a few houses down the street, this 22,000 square foot palace is another one that features the ultimate luxury: an indoor pool. Beyond the ability to do laps in the comfort of your home, if you break your piggy bank on this one, you'll get a move theatre and multiple kitchens.

120 Inglewood Drive ($14,880,000)

We leave the Bridle Path for Moore Park where this ravine-side estate is certainly the fillet of the neighbourhood. Built in 1908, the house was originally called Glendoveer, which hints at the historical character on offer. All these years later, there's also ample modern luxury here.

95 Old Colony Road ($13,875,000)

Just north of the Bridle Path off of Bayview Ave., Colony Rd. is home to a string of palatial homes including this estate that features a massive underground garage to store your Ferraris. It also boasts an outdoor pool, tennis court, and sweet billiards room.  

Free events in Toronto this week include the return of the Long Winter Music Festival, a screening at the Aga Khan Museum, and the launch of Ontario Place's new Winter Lights Exhibition.

It might be hard to fathom today, but Toronto used to be defined by its massive Railway Lands south of Front St. What today we call South Core and CityPlace were once just a vast expanse of tracks that severed the city from the lakeshore far more than the Gardiner Expressway ever did.

To sketch in rather broad strokes, the history of the Railway Lands dates back to 1858 when Toronto's first Union Station was erected by the Grand Trunk Railway. Prior to this period, Toronto relied on its port and horse-drawn carriages to fuel the economy. 

Old Union Station, Ca. 1890. Photo via the Library of Congress.

The first Union would be replaced by a far grander structure in 1873 (now often referred to as Old Union Station), which was unfortunately demolished in the late 1920s after the completion of the station that currently bears this name.

By the 1930s when the City reclaimed some of the land around the waterfront, the Railway Lands had swelled to an enormous size, a process that would continue through the 1940s. Basically all the land south of Front Street to Queen's Quay was owned by rail companies.

Plans for Metro Centre, 1968 (that's an alternative design for the CN Tower there). Photo via the Toronto Archives.

The first significant plans to revitalize the Railway Lands came in the 1960s, when Metro Centre was proposed, of which the CN Tower was the only facet to come to fruition (though in a much different form than initially proposed).

After the CN Tower was completed there were plans to continue to develop the area, but they were ultimately put on hold until the birth of the SkyDome more than a decade later.

Post-Dome, development again slowed as the city tried to figure out the best use for the remaining lands. Another sports stadium would eventually follow in the form of the Air Canada Centre , which finally kickstarted work on what would come to be CityPlace.

Model for development of the Railway Lands (it doesn't look like this now!). Photo via the Toronto Archives.

The Toronto Archives are littered with urban design photographs of plans, models and presentations devoted to the Railway Lands in the 1980s and 1990s, but the end result of the process is still a matter of some debate.

CityPlace was widely criticized in its early years, though it's now slowly becoming more of community. Meanwhile, South Core has shifted the Financial District south and reshaped what we consider downtown.

This is doubly reclaimed land — once from water and once from a sea of rails that turned into an urban wasteland when Toronto transitioned away from an industrial economy. Where once there was wide empty space, now there are skyscrapers everywhere you turn.

This is what Toronto's Railway Lands looked like before the towers.

Tracks and rail cars around Old Union Station, 1926. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Tracks east of Union Station, 1930. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Tracks south of Union Station, alternate view 1930. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Toronto's vast Railway Lands in the 1940s. Photo via the Toronto Public Library.

Toronto in 1967, railways and parking lots. Photo via Chuckman's Nostalgia.

Railway lands, Ca. 1960s. Photo via the Wikimedia Commons.

Railway lands looking really wide, 1960s. Photo via the Wikimedia Commons.

Construction starts on the CN Tower, 1973. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

CN Tower construction, 1973. Photo via Chuckman's Nostalgia.

The Tower rises, 1974. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Looking west across the railway lands, Ca. late 1970s. Photo via the Toronto Archives. 

View from the Bathurst Bridge in the early 1980s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Railway Lands looking down (and east) from the CN Tower, 1980s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Railway Lands, looking down (and west) from the CN Tower, 1980s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Construction on the SkyDome, late 1980s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

John Street Roundhouse, early 1990s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

The Railway Lands in 1990s were something of a blank canvas. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

The Railway Lands razed for development, 1990s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Alternate angle looking towards the future site of the Air Canada Centre. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Looking north towards Union Station in the mid 1990s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

Railway Lands prepared for development, 1990s. Photo via the Toronto Archives.

CityPlace in 2009. Photo by Derek Flack. 

View from Bathurst Bridge in 2010. Photo by Derek Flack.

Looking northwest across the former Railway Lands in 2016. Photo by Dan Sedran.

With the holidays fast approaching, events this week offer plenty of ways to celebrate the season, be it a giant winter lights show, a festive concert, or the annual Krampus Ball. There's even a rare live show from two Canadian TV icons going down, and the TFC plays the MLS finals.

Toronto was hit with some of the most beautiful fog the city has witnessed in recent memory yesterday morning, though a gentle haze remained throughout much of the day that kept the cameras firing as the sun mixed with the mist.

The low flying front of fog was most amazing when viewed from above, as it engulfed pretty much everything under the 30-storey mark and then hung in place just long enough for a few people to get stunning photos.

Planes were delayed as airport visibility was severely compromised, but after a few loops, air traffic was able to land safely at Pearson. The extra time on board might have been worth the incredible view passengers were treated to. 

Here's what Toronto looked like engulfed in thick fog and sunlit mist.

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The wave of disappearances over the past few weeks has set the Church and Wellesley community on edge and residents have begun taking steps to ensure each other's safety.

The Church and Wellesley Neighbourhood Association took to Facebook yesterday in search of volunteers to assist with a new Safe Walk program in response to the numerous missing persons cases recently reported in the area.

Queer people in Toronto's gay village have been and are currently going missing (and being found dead) at an alarming rate. The mainstream news doesn't cover it properly at all. People don't know and don't talk about it.

— maris (@marisbeauvoir) December 3, 2017

The proposed Safe Walk program would be volunteer-based, and the effort to get it started seems to be contingent on enough local residents stepping forward with their time and services.

Just a reminder to anyone living or working near Church/Wellesley to stay safe. 2 young women in the last week + multiple gay men have gone missing in the last few months. With holiday parties and all that jazz coming up stick together and be extra alert if you're out late!

— Rajesh Sankat (@rajeshsankat) December 4, 2017

Two young women were reported missing as recently as yesterday, while a string of disappearances amongst men has been ongoing over the past several months, even years, according to multiple reports.

Regarding my last two RTs: people, be really careful around Church and Wellesley, travel with someone (feel free to ask me!), and keep an eye out for those missing. Earim Asghar and Drew Ballou need to be found.

— Azura Rose (@HellcatAzura) December 3, 2017

Someone has also created a map to track the last known locations of the increasing number of men and women who have gone missing in the area.

Idk why I’m just hearing about this, but 5 people have gone missing and one body had been found since November around the Village. If you live downtown Toronto please be careful and try to travel with someone 😞 especially around Church and Wellesley

— elise laurenne (@EliseLaurenne) December 3, 2017

A Toronto Police task force was put in place in July to investigate the initial disappearances, but now it seems that they have increased in frequency.

As the investigation continues, residents are urging everyone to use caution while travelling in the area and stay vigilant.

This week on DineSafe a number of restaurants landed yellow cards including a ubiquitous local coffee chain, a deep dish pizza joint and a popular spot for Sri Lankan eats.

See what other Toronto restaurants got in trouble this week on DineSafe.

Coffee Time (3622 Dufferin St.)

• Inspected on: November 27, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Kairali (1210 Kennedy Rd.)

• Inspected on: November 27, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 9 (Minor: 4, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Crafty Coyote (511 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: November 28, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 3, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Club 120 (120 Church St.)

• Inspected on: November 29, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

King Place Restaurant (236 Sherbourne St.)

• Inspected on: November 29, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 4)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Double D's (1020 Gerrard St. East)

• Inspected on: November 30, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Pizza Rustica (270 Wellington St. West)

• Inspected on: November 30, 2017
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, 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.

The best art supply Stores in Toronto set creative minds ablaze with the sheer range of options available. A rainbow of pens, pencils, markers, paints, inks, bristol board, card often greets you as soon as you walk in the door, so you know these places have everything you need for an amateur project or your next masterpiece.

Here are the best art supply stores in Toronto.