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Rental of the week: 371 Wallace Avenue

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There are plenty of loft spaces around Toronto that get lots of attention when listings come available — be they for sale or rent — but still more tend to fly under the radar, even when they're nice buildings.

Wallace Station Lofts TorontoWallace Station Lofts fall in the latter category. A former glue factory, the building was converted into 35+ loft spaces in 2007, all of which feature highly desirable features like exposed brick and soaring ceilings.

Wallace Station Lofts TorontoThis one-bedroom rental offers a peek inside the building, which proudly flaunts its authentic/hard loft status. The floor space is impressive at 600 square feet and the almost entirely open concept actually enhances the historical character. 

Wallace Station Lofts TorontoThe price tag of $2,500 is neither over-the-top expensive nor a great deal. It's about what you'd expect to pay for a unit such as this one, particularly since its a short walk to the UP Express, which can deliver you downtown in about 15 minutes. 

Wallace Station Lofts TorontoSpecs
  • Address: 371 Wallace Ave.
  • Apartment type: Loft
  • Rent: $2,500
  • Furnished? Yes
  • Air conditioning? Yes
  • Bedrooms: 1 
  • Bathrooms: 1
  • Parking: Not specified
  • Laundry? In-suite
  • Pet friendly? No
Wallace Station Lofts TorontoGood For

Someone who's always dreamed of a loft space, but hasn't got the coin to lay down for a condo just yet. Available as furnished, this could also be a great spot for someone who doesn't want to invest in a roster of furniture. 

Wallace Station Lofts TorontoMove On If

Located, as it is, in a primarily residential area, this won't appeal to someone who wants to walk out their front door into the heart of the action. 

Wallace Station Lofts TorontoWallace Station Lofts Toronto


12 things to do in Toronto today

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There's a huge amount of can't-miss events happening in Toronto today, undoubtedly making this one of the most exciting Thursdays in some time. From stunning art pop-ups like Come Up To My Room to wild live shows like Soundtrack of the City, there's something for everyone today.

Events you might want to check out:

Come Up To My Room (January 18-21 @ Gladstone Hotel)
The Gladstone's four day alternative design festival is a vehicle for exploring experimental art, giving over 30 innovative artists rooms to fill with visuals from their wildest imaginations.
Soundtrack of the City (January 18-22 @ Multiple Venues)
Underground Toronto musicians are under the spotlight at this five day, multi venue indie music fest. Odds are you'll find your next favourite artist at one of these shows along Queen and Kensington.
Paintings from the Art Battle (January 18-21 @ Artusiasm Art Gallery)
After hundreds of Art Battles, the best pieces from the show's history have been collected for a four day exhibition and sale. In typical Art Battle fashion, there'll be live painting on site.
Bahamas (January 18 @ Massey Hall)
Toronto born musician Afie Jurvanen, AKA Bahamas, hits Massey Hall for a special hometown album release show, playing jams from his fourth full-length LP, Earthtones.
IDS (January 18-21 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
For lovers of interior design this weekend-long show is a paradise. Discover leading brands and homegrown talent, showcasing pieces way more interesting than what you'll find at IKEA.
Chefs for Change (January 18 - March 1 @ Propeller Coffee Co.)
Back for a fourth year, more than 40 of Canada's top chefs come together to collaborate on five phenomenal dinners. It's Toronto's coziest, tastiest, mid-winter dinner series.
Club House (January 18 @ The Beaver)
The Beaver hosts their inclusive, queer friendly dance party with absolutely no cover. ,This month features DJs J. Lai and Koko spinning house, reggaeton, club, and latin pop.
Much Too Young (January 18 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto partner up with Hot Docs for a pay-what-you-can film fundraiser, showing a doc about the hardships on children caring for parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Tennis (January 18 @ Mod Club Theatre)
The only thing sweeter and more heartfelt than this husband wife duo is the indie pop they create on stage together. Tennis hits the Mod Club in support of their 2017 album Yours Conditionally.
Unity Hip Hop Charity Party (January 18 @ Revival Bar)
This fundraising party raises money to empower youth through hip hop. It features serious talent from local DJs, rapper PartyNextDoor, and Adria Kain, who's performed alongside Daniel Caesar.
Canada's Top Ten (January 12-21 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
TIFF's picks of the best Canadian films of 2017 are spotlighted on screen all week.. Tonight the Lightbox is showing four unique and culturally diverse homegrown films.
Toronto Design Offsite Festival (January 15-21 @ Toronto, ON)
TO DO Festival is Canada's largest celebration of design, bringing over 100 free, not to mention stunning, exhibitions and events to Toronto during Design Week.

The top 10 wedding & bridal shows in Toronto for 2018

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Wedding and bridal shows in Toronto during 2018 make it easier to plan for the big day. Whether you need decor, flowers, caterers or something to wear, these shows have brides and grooms covered. 

Events you might want to check out:

Modern Bride Wedding Show (January 21 @ The International Centre)
Looking for inspiration? This wedding show connects you with over 100 exhibitors ranging from expert consultants to photographers and cake designers. There's an a bridal dress fashion show!
Montecito's Wedding Show (January 27 @ Montecito Restaurant)
The high tech resto-lounge that often doubles as a wedding venue itself hosts a one day bridal show, with vendors in food, beverages, music options, decor, florals and dresses.
The Wedding Show (January 28 @ Intercontinental Yorkville)
Elite wedding professionals from around the GTA unite for a crash course on all things bride-to-be. The show is broken up into rooms, with each having a theme like decor, florals, and dining options.
National Bridal Show (February 2-4 @ Enercare Centre)
This inclusive one stop shop for brides, grooms, plus their families and friends will give you an edge in planning any wedding type, be it budget or blowout. Plus, brides-to-be get in for free if they pre-register!
The Wedding Co. (February 25 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns)
17 years in, The Wedding Co. knows how to put on a bridal show. Over 70 passionate exhibitors gather at this wintery arts hub to help bring your one-of-a-kind celebration to life.
Ultimate Destination Wedding Show (February 25 @ C Banquets)
Unlike traditional wedding shows, this one is uniquely curated for couples looking to tie the knot abroad. You'll find info from destination specialists, wedding vendors, and fashion experts.
Jodi Bridal Show (March 3 @ Markham Convention Centre)
This is a wedding show focused on those planning a traditional South Asian style ceremony. There'll be a mix of vendors such as traditional Sri Lankan caterers, makeup artists, and designers.
The Ultimate Bridal Show (March 24 @ Living Arts Centre)
Unlike other shows, the Ultimate Bridal Show maxes out vendors at 60 in order to create an intimate, stress free environment for brides and grooms to connect with their potential planners.
Toronto's Bridal Show (April 6-8 @ Enercare Centre)
This show offers a fun and unique "bridal passport challenge" that encourages visitors to see as much as possible, scavenger hunt style. Hundreds of giveaways, fashion shows, and new gowns await.
The Wedding Show - Fall Edition (October 21 @ Hyatt Regency Toronto)
Back for the Fall, the bi-annual wedding show swings back around with a new set of decor, themes, ideas and options for those who missed the last one or just recently entered the wedding show circuit.

The top 10 events for Robbie Burns Day 2018 in Toronto

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Robbie Burns Day officially arrives on January 25, and pubs across Toronto are hosting a variety of events from traditional Scottish feasts to plain old drinking parties to honour the late Scottish poet's legacy. Here's a roundup of some of the festivities in town that all lads and lassies ought to check out.

Events you might want to check out:

Burns Supper (January 19 @ University Club of Toronto)
The St. Andrew's Society starts celebrating early with a time honoured toast to all things Scottish and the immortal memory of Robbie Burns. Haggis, pipes, lassies and lads, they've got it all.
League of Canadian Poets' Robbie Burns Night (January 22 @ The Caledonian)
This event changes things up by not just providing plenty of food and music, but also by honouring the man's poetic legacy with live readings and original poetry works from attendees.
Dewar's Scotch Egg Club Snack + Dram Bar (January 25 @ 2nd Floor Events)
Dewar's honours the Scotsman by opening a one day pop-up speakeasy and snack bar, featuring a mash-up of traditional Scottish and Canadian bar foods. UK comedian and cook George Egg hosts.
Robbie Burns Dinner & Scotch Nosing (January 25 @ Brazen Head)
In Liberty Village, Brazen Head's Robbie Burns festivities include a five course dinner, scotch nosing, a complimentary taste and poem book, and of course, lots of bagpipe playing.
Robbie Burns Dinner & Scotch (January 25 @ The Pour House)
On Dupont, the pioneer of the Romantic movement is being cheers'd to with a five course dinner and scotch nosing at Pour House.
Robbie Burns Supper (January 25 @ The Céilí Cottage)
This Leslieville pub best known for their oysters and long whisky list breaks out the bottles and parties hard with bagpipes plus haggis neeps and tatties
Robbie Burns Day at Murphy's Law (January 25 @ Murphy's Law)
Haul out the haggis and get down on the Beaches at this feast, scotch tasting party, and bagpipe live show.
Robbie Burns at Duke of Cornwall (January 25 @ Duke of Cornwall)
The Duke is serving up some of the province's best haggis straight from Toronto's Healthy Butcher, but on the 25th only. If you've got that hankering for haggis, this one is your best bet.
Burns Week (January 26-28 @ The Caledonian)
The Caledonian has plotted out a week's worth of Robbie Burns events. While festivities on the 24th and 25th have already sold out, the party rages on Friday and Sunday for those who want more.
Robbie Burns Night (January 27 @ Miller Lash House)
Scarborough's beautiful Miller Lash House hosts its fourth Robbie Burns Night on the Saturday, and boasts a prix fixe menu, the Toronto Police Pipe Band, dancers, plus fine wine and scotch.

Toronto makes shortlist for new Amazon headquarters

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Feel free to rekindle hopes that Toronto could be chosen as home to the new Amazon headquarters as the company released its shortlist today.

The tech giant is continuing to zero in on where it will open up a massive new facility that will employ 50,000 people and promises to pump $5 billion into local infrastructure. 

At one point it seemed like Toronto was a long shot, but now it appears to be listed among the top 20 potential cities (out of 238) and has the distinction of being the only Canadian city and outside of the U.S.

Amazon's arrival in Toronto would no doubt offer a huge economical boost and help cement the city's reputation as an up-and-coming tech centre of the North with ventures like SideWalk Labs and Hyperloop already taking an interest in our fair city.

Mayor John Tory has maintained support for the arrival of the company and now that Vancouver is out of the running, Toronto might have a decent shot at landing the facility.

Other cities that made the cut include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus Ohio, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Montgomery County, Nashville, Newark, New York City, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh and Washington.

A final decision is expected sometime this year.

Widespread protests planned against Tim Hortons over minimum wage

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If you weren't already silently protesting Tim Hortons by going indie, more opportunities to dissent are coming as widespread protests are set to take place at locations across the city.

Leadnow and Fight for $15 and Fairness have outlined plans to protest the coffee giant over its treatment of employees as a result of the increase in minimum wage across Ontario.

Dubbed the National Day of Action, organizers plan to protest ten Toronto Tim's locations and across Canada "to stand against Tim Hortons execs allowing unfair cuts to workers," after it was revealed that paid breaks, tips, and benefits were on the chopping block.

The movement has already gained traction with many calling for a boycott of Tim Hortons, while the company issued a statement on its website claiming "unauthorized statements" made by "a reckless few" do not reflect the company or its values.

The protests are set to take place tomorrow, January 19, at locations across the city as detailed here.

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Big Trouble, Blaze Pizza, Five Points Nashville Hot Chicken

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Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest food news in Toronto and gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now
  • Rose and Sonstransforms intoDelicatessen today at 176 Dupont St. in the Annex.
  • Koreatown just got a new KBBQ spot called Mapo Korean BBQ in what was formerly Ajuker Chicken at 680 Bloor St. W.
  • Nickel 9 Distillery is now making vodka in the Junction at 90 Cawthra Ave.
  • Sweet Jesus continues its expansion in the city with its new location inside the CF Toronto Eaton Centre.
  • Luscious Desserts, an Asian dessert joint featuring "Creative New World Chinese Desserts," has soft opened at 493A Dundas St. W. (at Spadina) in Chinatown.
  • CAFE, which claims to be "Canada's Premiere Amsterdam-style Cafe," has made its debut at 66 Fort York Blvd. in the CityPlace complex.
  • Five 2 Five Grillhouse and Pub has opened at 525 Mt. Pleasant Rd. in Davisville.
  • American sushi chain Kona Grill is now open at 6210 Hwy 7 in Vaughan.
Recently reviewed
Opening soon
  • American chain Blaze Pizza will be opening two more locations in Toronto: one at 150 John St. (between Queen and Richmond) and another at Yonge & Sheppard.
  • Even more pizza is on the way in the form of Big Trouble Pizza at 235 Spadina Ave.
  • A new Bloorcourt bar from one of the owners of Get Well and The Greater Good will take over the space that was formerly The Steady at 1051 Bloor St. W.  It'll be called Open House and instead of pizza, it'll feature a takeout counter for Nashville Hot Chicken called Five Points from the team behind Village Pizza.
  • Vancouver's healthy eats mini-chain Tractor Foods will be opening its first Toronto location this July at 151 Yonge St. (at Richmond).
  • Arbar, a wine bar, will soon take over the Royal Meats BBQ space in CityPlace at 88 Fort York Blvd.
  • A La Turk, a restaurant specializing in authentic Turkish cuisine, will be opening in a few months at 3443 Yonge St. north of Lawrence.
Other news

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com.

Weekend events in Toronto January 19-21 2018

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Weekend events in Toronto include some standout Design Week parties, the first ever Blue Jays fan fest, free entry at the Aga Khan Museum and the return of the Toronto Light Festival in the Distillery District.

Events you might want to check out:

Toronto Light Festival (January 19 - March 4 @ Distillery District)
Picking up where the Toronto Christmas Market left off, the Toronto Light Festival transforms the Distillery District back into a magical light show that's free to visit no matter the day.
Ice Breakers (January 19 - February 25 @ Multiple Venues)
Toronto's waterfront will become a temporary art exhibit, featuring five international artist teams creating larger than life contemporary installations at different spots along the Queens Quay.
PULP Paper Art Party (January 20 @ Super Wonder Gallery)
Ever partied in a room full of paper? PULP sets up shop in Little Italy and reclaims discarded materials to create gorgeous art installations, with live music and dancing going down on top of it all.
Beats and Bents: The Future is Female (January 19 @ The Bentway)
Visit Toronto's latest skating trail for the Future is Female alternative skating party, where DJ Lucie Tic and Jayemkayen spin an eclectic mix of hip hop, R&B, trap, and indie music.
Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival (January 20 @ Mod Club)
An assortment of sideshow acts from magicians to burlesque dancers to acrobats come from around the continent to get weird with Toronto.
Free Admission to the Aga Khan Museum (January 20-21 @ Aga Khan Museum)
The Aga Khan Museum opens the doors to its stunning gallery completely for free this Saturday and Sunday. In addition to free gallery entry there'll also be film screenings and storytelling sessions.
Japanese Winter Festival (January 20 @ William Doo Auditorium)
Experience Japanese culture here in Toronto at this annual winter festival that includes tons of free food samples in addition to other Japanese inspired activities.
Blue Jays Winter Fest (January 20 @ Rogers Centre)
The Blue Jays host the first ever Winter Fest, a one day event giving fans unprecedented access to their home team through player appearances, field access, and more.
Toronto Women's March (January 20 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
On January 20th, thousands of women and allies unite outside Nathan Phillips Square to march in the name of women everywhere. This year's theme is defining our future.
Ctrl V North York Grand Opening (January 20-21 @ Crtl V North York Downsview)
Toronto's newest destination for virtual reality is opening its doors for free this weekend. Practice your archery skills, survive a zombie apocalypse, create your own universe, train to be a space pirate and more.
Trinity Bellwoods New Year's Flea (January 21 @ The Great Hall)
The Bellwoods flea market makes its 2018 debut with new vendors, bakers, and designers that'll cure any and all winter blues.
TO DO or Die Party (January 19 @ The Garrison)
The Garrison hosts Toronto Design Offsite Festival's first ever dance party. Get hot and sweaty in the name of design with DJs Joe Blow and Fly Lady Di.
Dads and Lads (January 20 @ Striker Sports Bar)
Toronto's only queer sportsbar, Striker, hosts a brand new party for all kinds of dads and lads out there. DJ Knight Muzik spins house and DJ Maggy covers top 40 and throwbacks.
Love Design Party (January 20 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Come Up To My Room is back at the Gladstone for its 15th year, and with it comes a Saturday night art party. Explore all floors soaking in tons of art while drinking and dancing the night away.
RU K-POP Ready? (January 20 @ Meltdown eSports Bar)
Meltdown eSports Bar are celebrating Korean pop culture through games, prizes, and an intense K-pop dance party
Stranger Things Snow Ball (January 20 @ Rivoli)
Imagine the year is 1984 and you just slayed the shadow monster terrorizing your town. Pretty good reason to party, right? Relieve your middle school dances without all the preteen awkwardness.
A Tribe Called Red (January 19 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
Triumphant, educational, and catchy as heck, A Tribe Called Red's 2016 LP is just a phenomenal record. Their live show celebrates Indigenous history with moving sounds and on screen visuals.
TOKiMONSTA (January 19 @ Velvet Underground)
Jennifer Lee AKA TOKiMONSTA is an American DJ producer who's remixed or collaborated with dozens of international artists. She's in Toronto spinning music from 2017's Lune Rouge.
Exclaim's Class of 2018 (January 20 @ Smiling Buddha)
Exclaim! Magazine and promoter Dan Burke's Class of 2018 concert series presses on, introducing up and comers like WHOOP-szo, Lush Buffalo, and Tange to an unsuspecting Toronto.
Shakira (January 20 @ Air Canada Centre)
Find out if her lips do or don't lie once and for all at the single Canadian stop on Shakira's El Dorada World Tour.
Free Mochi at Meet Fresh (January 19-21 @ Meet Fresh)
A popular Taiwanese dessert spot opens in Toronto, and as part of their soft-opening, they're handing out free mochi to the first 300 customers on the 19th, 20th, and 21st.
Small Ball Mini Cask Fest (January 20 @ Left Field Brewery)
This all new mini cask festival is looking to impress, with 6 unique cask beers, exclusive collectors glass, and dumplings all on site. Plus, it's free admission.
FRUITS Magazine: The End (January 19-28 @ 156 Projects)
FRUITS was an underground Japanese street fashion magazine. Its operations are shutting down, but not before an exhibit displaying some of its all time best shots of Tokyo fashion hits Toronto.
In Place (January 19 @ Harbourfront Centre)
A group exhibition including six projects from London, UK's Aberrant Architecture arrive on the streets of Toronto to create site-based installations. Like Ice Breakers t's in association with TO DO Fest.
Belly Dance Show (January 20 @ Winchester Street Theatre)
Winchester Street Theatre hosts a night of Egyptian folklore and belly dancing in hopes that you'll discover something new to love about the culture.
DanceWeekend'18 (January 19-21 @ Fleck Dance Theatre)
A feast of globally inspired dance, 25 professional dance companies and 350 dancers take over this theatre for a weekend celebrating the best in choreography and all things dance.
Canada's Top Ten (January 12-21 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
The best Canadian films of 2017, as curated by TIFF, land at the Bell Light Box theatre all week long under the fun tagline, "See The North." Films from comedies to documentaries to shorts are being played.
Toronto Design Offsite Festival (January 15-21 @ Toronto, ON)
TO DO Festival is Canada's largest celebration of design, bringing over 100 free, not to mention stunning, exhibitions and events to Toronto during Design Week.
IDS (January 18-21 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
For lovers of interior design this weekend-long show is a paradise. Discover leading brands and homegrown talent, showcasing pieces way more interesting than what you'll find at IKEA.
Soundtrack of the City (January 18-22 @ Multiple Venues)
Underground Toronto musicians are under the spotlight at this five day, multi venue indie music fest. Odds are you'll find your next favourite artist at one of these shows along Queen and Kensington.
Come Up To My Room (January 18-21 @ Gladstone Hotel)
The Gladstone's four day alternative design festival is a vehicle for exploring experimental art, giving over 30 innovative artists rooms to fill with visuals from their wildest imaginations.

King St. restaurants remove middle finger ice sculptures after uproar

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King Street restaurant owners have started to backtrack after uproar regarding a series of middle finger ice sculptures were erected in response to the King Street Pilot project.

Kit Kat owner Al Carbone was the first to commission a big honkin' middle finger outside of his establishment in protest of the King Street Pilot, and other restaurants quickly followed suit.

Since the pilot began, King Street business owners were quick to speak out about the project, claiming that it threatens their businesses by reducing foot and vehicle traffic in the area. 

Mayor John Tory addressed concerns during a press conference by reminding everyone that "King Street is open for business," while the city tried to attract pedestrians back to the area with ice sculpting and other activities.

Many took offence to the ice sculptures and were quick to criticize the move on social media prompting some owners to reverse course in response to public pressure.

Former Mayoral candidate Doug Ford is also wading into the mess.

He was spotted meeting with a group at Kit Kat and has continued his criticism of what he has called a "reckless plan".

A middle finger erected recently next to Portland Variety is now relegated behind a fence next to a recycling bin.

middle finger ice sculpture

This middle finger ice sculpture is now behind a fence beside the recycling bin next to Portland Variety. Photo by blogTO.

Another near the Forget About it Supperclub seems to be decapitated with only the base remaining.

For their part, Portland Variety has chimed in stating they had no involvement in the ice sculpture and have tried to re-assure customers that they would never direct their frustrations at commuters and that any unrest is solely directed at city officials.

How this ultimately shakes out is anyone's guess.

10 places to experience winter near Toronto

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Winter activities are nearly endless near Toronto, and the best way to embrace the cold weather is to get out there and make the most of it. From snowshoeing to dog sledding, there are so many ways to make use of all the snow and ice that overtakes Southern Ontario's landscape.

Here are my picks for fun ways to experience winter near Toronto.

Climb up a frozen gorge in Hamilton

Few winter activities rival the thrill and beauty of ice climbing. Fortunately, you don't have to travel too far to get in on the fun. One Axe Pursuits runs classes at Tiffany Falls in Hamilton and the Elora Gorge, which cater to both beginners and experts alike. 

Go on an epic snowshoeing adventure in Collingwood

As far as epic snowshoe trails go, the one that snakes around Scenic Caves Adventures near Collingwood is top of the heap. There's 10 kilometres of trails in the area that'll take you across a soaring 420 foot suspension bridge atop the Niagara Escarpment.

Soar across a snow-covered valley in Elora

There's no better way to take in the view of the Elora Gorge than from the perspective of a zip-line. Adventure Seeker Tours offers this unique experience from January to March. It takes lots of time to hike in and prepare for your rides, so it's best to stay overnight.

Go ice fishing on Lake Simcoe

Sitting in a tiny hut on a frozen lake might not sound like a whole lot of fun, but ask anyone who's gone ice fishing, and they'll tell you that it's a blast. Lake Simcoe has lots of options for pre-outfitted hut rentals, and you can even do day trips from the Briars Resort.

Take in the northern lights in Gravenhurst

The next time there's a Northern Lights alert, head to the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve. It's a magical place during celestial events, but it's also incredible during winter on a normal night, when the sky is filled with more stars than you can imagine.

Take tubing to the next level in Kitchener

There are plenty of amazing spots to go tubing both in and around Toronto, but the experience is dialled up when you fly downhill at night. Head to Chicopee Tube Park in Kitchener on Saturday nights for tubing sessions that run until midnight. 

Skate on a frozen canal in Peterborough

Skating on a natural ice surface is one of the best ways to embrace winter, and all the better when the setting is scenic. Ice skating trails are definitely worth trying out, but my favourite spot is on the canal in Peterborough underneath the iconic lift lock.

Strap on your skis in Barrie

It might be obvious, but skiing is still one of the most fun ways to make the most of winter near Toronto. Be it cross country or downhill, there's an array of places to hit up within a short drive. For romantic types, you can even try skiing through the woods lit by lanterns in Barrie.

Release the hounds in Orillia!

If you've ever wanted to see how you'd do as a Jack London character, why not try out dog sledding? Steering the pack across a frozen landscape is both and exhilarating and beautiful experience, which you can try out at Windrift Adventures near Barrie.

Bust out the big tires in Muskoka

Just because it's winter doesn't mean cycling season is over. Fat biking is quickly gaining in popularity, and one of the best places to try the sport is at Algonquin Park's Old Railway Bike Trail, which offers 12 scenic kilometres of hard-packed snow to explore.

Toronto police finally have a break in disappearances in the Village

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A break in the Church and Wellesley missing persons cases that has kept the community on edge has finally come as police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for several of the disappearances.

Toronto Police have charged Bruce McArthur, a 66 year old landscaper with two counts of first degree murder in connection with the disappearances of Andrew Kinsman and Selim Esen who both went missing last spring.

Police also haven't ruled out that McArthur may be responsible for deaths of other yet to be identified men.

So far, no bodies have been found but police say they have evidence suggesting how they died.

They are currently searching four properties owned by McArthur in Toronto as well as one in Madoc, Ontario.

The investigation known as Project Prism was launched in July to investigate the disappearances. While initially police balked at suggestions the cases were related, they admitted today they found evidence connecting McArthur with the crimes.

A separate investigation into three disappearances dating back to 2010 is still ongoing.

Hotel tax coming to Toronto as early as this spring

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Toronto's rental landscape is changing so quickly that it's hard to keep up. Now it seems that another layer may be added within the coming months: a 4 per cent tax on hotels and short term rentals.

City officials have proposed a 4 per cent tax on hotels, motels, and short term rentals like AirBnB, in addition to the upcoming regulations being rolled out later this year.

The idea behind the tax is to level the playing field among all commercial and private accommodations around the city by subjecting short term rentals to the same standards as bigger establishments.

The city estimates that the tax would generate around $37 million in revenue, much of which would be portioned to Tourism Toronto before being funnelled back into the city's collective piggybank.

There's been a lot of debate surrounding how to effectively regulate the short term rental craze that has swept over many major cities, with Toronto standing pretty divided on how best to proceed.

While the city considers applying the 4 per cent tax, it's also set to look at a relief program for the many small business that got slammed when their property values were reassessed. 

The proposal will go before city council for debate on January 24.

Condo of the week: 155 St. Clair Avenue West

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The Avenue is one of the more exclusive condos in Toronto, as the price tag for this 1 + 1 bedroom unit will tell you. Listed at over $2 million, the idea here is that the address is worth a hefty amount itself.

avenue condo torontoThat's not to say this isn't a luxurious condo. From high ceilings to marble floors and countertops, the finishes are top of the line. I particularly like the large kitchen and breakfast bar, the latter of which look like the perfect spot to have a drink while someone else cooks.

avenue condo torontoAs it's staged here, the den is set up as a TV/entertainment room, but it would also work as an office space or even a bedroom if it was needed. The usable square footage here is bigger than you might think if you didn't take a closer look. 

avenue condo torontoPart of the reason for this is that the master bedroom is legitimately huge. For me, this is the nicest room in the suite thanks to the walkout south-facing balcony and the adjoining en suite (also huge). 

avenue condo torontoWhile the condo is on the third floor, the mature trees in the area offer a nice backdrop in place of a sprawling view. If only the outdoor space was a bit deeper, it'd be a nice spot to dine in the summer.

avenue condo torontoSpecs
  • Address: #305 155 St. Clair Ave. West
  • Price: $2,085,000
  • Bedrooms: 1 + 1
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: 1
  • Walk Score: 89
  • Transit Score: 88
  • Maintenance Fees: $1,737.20
  • Listing agent: Janice Fox
  • Listing ID: C4017171
avenue condo torontoGood For

Given its conservative but elegant design, this is the type of condo that's going to appeal to an older and well established crowd. It has empty nesters written all over it.

avenue condo torontoMove On If

You'd prefer something with historical character. This building is luxurious, but it's also a bit boring. 

avenue condo torontoavenue condo torontoavenue condo torontoavenue condo torontoavenue condo toronto

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

King Street nightclub is shutting down

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A King St. nightclub is calling it quits, although there's little evidence this  turn of events has anything to do with the recent shenanigans over the neighbourhood's streetcar pilot project.

Bloke, near the corner of King and Spadina, announced it's calling it quits after a 7 year run.

The club had become somewhat of a fixture within the Entertainment District nightclub scene but isn't going away until they host one final huge bash.

One of the club's partners, Nick Regina, recently told Toronto Nightclub that ownership is ready to "start a new chapter at 401 King Street West," and explained that the space would be renovated and rebranded into a new venue that will offer a new experience for patrons.

The building at 401 King Street West is also up for development with a 44-storey condo set for construction so chances are whatever the new venue becomes it will have to be a bit on the quieter side.

Bloke is best known for hosting weekly events that, in its heyday, showcased established and emerging Toronto talent like Tory Lanez and even got a shoutout in PartyNextDoor's song "Don't Run"

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Closing events will be happening this weekend and ending with one final blowout on January 22.

Toronto is getting a sugar shack this winter

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The Sugar Shack is back! Sugar Shack TO is returning this year with a bunch of sweet treats from local vendors. And best of all, it's free!

Redpath Sugar and Water's Edge Festival and Events are teaming up to host the Sugar Shack at Sugar Beach. The event brings together activities like Battle of the Chainsaws with the cozy comforts of a warm hot chocolate.

It's not just sweets, either. There will be plenty of hot, comfort food available to help keep warm while visitors can enjoy fresh maple taffy boiled on site and rolled in the snow for dessert.

This year's event will be hosting a specialty bar serving up spiked hot chocolate, live music, and a winter marketplace with more maple-infused treats.

It's all going down March 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Sugar Beach. Here's what the event looked like last year.


Toronto Food Events: Latte Royale, Shacklands First Anniversary, Dixonlicious

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Upcoming food events in Toronto will include plenty of free eats this week, including Taiwanese mochi and Neapolitan-style pizza. There will also be loads of haggis, as Robbie Burns day is coming up. We've rounded up a list of those events here.

Events you might want to check out:

Free mochi at Meet Fresh (January 19-21 @ Meet Fresh)
Taiwanese dessert spot Meet Fresh soft opens on Friday, January 19, and to celebrate, it will be giving away 300 sets of Q Mochi (8 pieces each) to the first 300 customers all weekend (Friday-Sunday).
Shacklands First Anniversary Party (January 20 @ Shacklands Brewing Co.)
To celebrate its one-year anniversary, the brewery will be breaking out barrel-aged rarities, old favourites and new beers. There will also be eats from Oakwood Hardware Food & Drink.
Tasting Menu with Chef Scott Pickett (January 20-21 @ Canoe)
Chef Scott Pickett, one of Melbourne's most celebrated chefs, will be collaborating with Canoe's chefs John Horne and Ron McKinlay to craft an exceptional six-course tasting menu featuring a diverse mix of local and seasonal ingredients.
Free pizza at Pi Co (January 23 @ Pi Co)
Pi Co.has opened a new location in the Financial District, and to celebrate, it'll be giving away free Margherita pizzas. Math nerd alert: free pizza (one per person) will be available for 3 hours and 14 minutes, from noon until 3:14 p.m. (Get it? Pi?)
The God of Cookery (January 25 @ Revue Cinema)
This 35mm screening of Cantonese film star Stephen Chow's comedy The God of Cookery will be accompanied by a complimentary snack by Asian-fusion pop-up Revel Food.
Winterlicious 2018 (January 26 - February 18 @ Multiple Venues)
This ever-popular, prix-fixe meal extravaganza featuring more than 200 Toronto restaurants is back, and there's never been a better excuse to explore the city's culinary scene and try something new.
Latte Royale (January 31 @ Propeller Coffee)
Propeller Coffee Co. will be hosting a Barista Competition with 32 competitors going head to head in a single-elimination style tournament. Food, beer and giveaways will accompany this fun, inclusive night in support of Food 4 Farmers.
Winter Craft Beer Festival (February 10 @ Roundhouse Park)
Sample the wares of 40 different Ontario craft breweries at this one-day outdoor winter festival that will also include a bunch of local food vendors. Get there early, because the first 500 guests will receive a free toque. How Canadian, eh.
Hungry for Comfort - Surviving a Canadian Winter (February 24 @ Fort York National Historic Site)
Join other fellow food enthusiasts and history buffs in exploring how the First Nations, Metis, French and English survived in Canada’s bitter winter with speakers, demonstrations, workshops and tastings.
Dixonlicious 2018 (March 1 @ Daniels Spectrum)
A fundraiser in support of food programs in downtown east and Regent Park run by Dixon Hall, this one-night event will raise money to help provide 25,000 meals to those in need.
Toronto Winter Brewfest (March 2-4 @ Enercare Centre)
Toronto's biggest indoor beer festival is back for a third year, with more than 150 beers, food trucks, DJs, games and more to discover, all taking place over the course of two days.

The Best New Cheap Eats in Toronto

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The best new cheap eats in Toronto are, as the Barenaked Ladies would say, like LeAnn Rimes: all about value. While Chinese chicken isn’t necessarily on this list, there are a whole lot of other great Italian, vegan, pizza, Taiwanese, Greek, Japanese and Korean eats that feel worth much more than they’re listed for on the menu.

Here are the best new cheap eats restaurants in Toronto that opened in 2017. 

4 - Planta Burger

Divine vegan eating is no longer solely the realm of this Financial District's big sister, Planta. Now herbivores can get gourmet plant-based burgers for around ten bucks, along with caesar salads and buffalo cauliflower for under $10.
5 - General Assembly Pizza

Personal-size pies at this cashless Entertainment District restaurant are designed around convenience and flavour and usually don’t top out over $15. Scrumptious salads and tap cocktails and wine are rarely over $10.
7 - Fat Lamb Kouzina

Authentic Greek food for less can be found at this warm and cozy little spot near Bloor and Yonge. While it’s not exactly the cheap takeout gyros and souvlaki we might expect here in Toronto, it’s all made from scratch, and where else can you say you got a quick lunch of roast leg of lamb?
8 - Wilson's Haus of Lechon

Pick up a whole lechon chicken for ten bucks from this hidden gem in North York and feed an entire family on the cheap. Chopped pork lechon is sold by the pound here, and pork skewer or chicken leg combos are just $6.50.
9 - Hoja Luwei

Koreatown is already the king of cheap eats, but they just got a destination for more that are unlike the others. Luwei is a type of Taiwanese broth, and the style of street food here is completely customizable, with options for different kinds of noodles, veggies, and other bowl ingredients.
6 - Randy's Roti

Doubles are 2 for $5 at this permanent physical Bloor and Yonge location of what before was only a food truck.
11 - Go Topoki

A Korean street food dish of rice cakes most commonly slathered in neon red spicy sauce called topoki are the specialty at this North York spot. A warm and comforting bowl won’t cost you more than ten bucks.
3 - Sugo

This Bloordale powerhouse is turning out quality Italian for a reasonable price like nobody’s business. Plates of gnocchi and spaghetti, saucy Italian sammies, and caprese salads with house mozzarella go for far less than their upscale counterparts, simply yet beautifully presented.
10 - Onnki Donburi

Japanese rice bowls are the signature of this casual restaurant near Yonge and Bloor, and even with ingredients like salmon, pork belly and short rib, they still start around $10 and typically don’t top out over $15.

The TTC still won't turn on $2 million art installation

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The TTC is remaining firm in its decision to leave a controversial art installation– one that's already been paid for – in the dark at Toronto's new Pioneer Village Station.

At least, until someone can figure out a way to prevent hate speech without drawing comparisons to North Korea for censorship.

This is what came out of yesterday's TTC Board meeting in relation to LightSpell, a gigantic, interactive, public message board of sorts by the German artist collective realities:united.

That, and the fact that this dormant installation was about $1.5 million more expensive than initially reported by the transit agency. Oops.

LightSpell, approved by the City of Toronto and TTC Board over five years ago as part of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, was widely believed to have cost about $500,000... until yesterday's board meeting.

A report for action from the meeting pegged the actual cost of designing and constructing the work at approximately $1.9 million – roughly $200,000 of which was paid to artists Jan and Tim Edler.

The artists have been vocal in opposing the TTC's decision not to activate their work, as have many citizens and advocates for freedom of expression.

"As a publicly commissioned work it certainly enjoys protections under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, both in its concept and in content," reads a letter to TTC officials from the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression regarding LightSpell.

"There are innumerous positive sentiments which can be expressed in 8 characters," it continues "The 'risk of hate speech' should never be cited as the sole reason to limit access to expression in public."

Still, on the advice of its lawyers, the TTC board has elected not to activate LightSpell until "mitigation features can be added to limit the potential for misuse."

"The current installation allows customers on the subway platform to type in any eight character message," reads a report from the TTC's legal counsel in regards to Thursday's board meeting.

"There is a significant risk that the system could be misused to include hate messages or messages that target and/or discriminate against a specific individual or group of people."

The lawyers set out some recommendations for further action, but those recommendations are at this point confidential thanks to client-solicitor privilege.

This is what the Toronto Light Fest looks like this year

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The Toronto Light Fest has once again taken over the Distillery District, which will be a transformed by  whimsical installations for the next 45 days. Put on by the same people who organize the fantastical Christmas Market, it's totally free to visit every night starting at sundown.

Protesters swarm Tim Hortons locations across Toronto

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Protesters are out in full force today across Toronto and much of Ontario to tell Tim Hortons what they think of its response to the province's minimum wage increase.

A total of 18 demonstrations are scheduled to take place in Toronto on Friday between 8 a.m and 6 p.m. as part of Leadnow and Fight for $15's National Day of Action.

The advocacy groups are encouraging citizens to boycott the coffee juggernaut and "stand with Tim Hortons workers," many of whose paid breaks, benefits and even tips were recently taken away.

This is the second round of widespread, organized protests to sweep the City of Toronto since workers at one Cobourg, Ontario store went public with a letter from management.

That letter, and several like it since, told employees they would be losing a number of different benefits and incentives as a result of the province's new $14 standard minimum wage, which came into effect on Jan. 1.

People across the country – including Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne – have been criticizing the company (which brought in $4.15 billion during 2016 alone) in droves ever since.

While their punny signs (you haven't seen muffin yet!) and hashtags are cute (#DonutsNotCuts!), protesters are serious about the message they've been trying to drive home.

"When Ontario’s minimum wage increased to $14, Tim Hortons immediately began to eliminate workers’ paid breaks, reduce access to basic drug and dental benefits, eliminate uniform and drink allowances, and even cut employees’ hours of work," reads a flyer being handed out to customers during today's protests.

"This is outrageous coming from a wildly profitable multinational corporation."

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