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Author giving new book away in Toronto's Little Free Libraries

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Some write for money, others write because they have a message to share with the world. One author is clearly of the latter, as he's chosen to leave copies of his new book in Little Free Libraries around the city.

Elan Mastai took to Twitter today to express his appreciation for the beloved miniature libraries peppered all over Toronto on the front lawn of homeowners.

His newest novel, All Our Wrong Today's, was published earlier this month and tells the story of Tom, man from an idyllic version of 2016 who suddenly finds himself stuck in our crappy version of 2016 (aka the worst year ever) and must make sense of his new reality.

It was just recently that Little Free Libraries seemed to be under threat before Mayor John Tory had to step in and calm the near pandemonium the controversy had caused.

Now bibliophiles can look forward to finding Mastai's new book somewhere in between the books about Canadian geese and loads of erotic fiction.


Toronto is getting a sandwich festival

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Ah, the sandwich, one of the best inventions known to mankind (fall back, penicillin).

There's no shortage of incredible spots in the city to grab two buns and your fave filling, but at last, you'll be able to celebrate the glory of sammies all in one place at Toronto's first sandwich festival. 

On April 22, Toronto Sandwich Fest is throwing a one-day fiesta of sandwich vendors with beer, wine, and live music at Artscape Wychwood Barns.

With the purchase of a general ticket, you'll get a "sandwich passport" which will let you sample vendor sandwiches – from savoury to the ice cream kind – as well as the chance to win some undisclosed prizes. 

The non-profit event will be held in two sessions: one from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and another that goes from 3 p.m to 6 p.m, with a total capacity of 1,000 tickets (judging by Toronto's love of sandwiches, you better snag them quick.)

There'll also be a sandwich design competition and some celebrity chef appearances (Jeff Mauro, perhaps?), plus a silent auction. 

Proceeds of the event will go to The George Brown College Foundation and The Stop, a Toronto-based charity dedicated to food accessibility, meaning you can gorge yourself on sandwiches while fundraising for a good cause. 

Toronto tech darling 500px sold to Chinese company

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The hugely successful Toronto-based photography startup 500px was just acquired by one of the biggest visual content providers in the world for an undisclosed (but likely pretty decent) sum of money.

Launched in 2009 as a photo-sharing community and alternative to sites like Flickr, 500px has grown to become a leading photo-licensing service with more than 13 million members across the globe.

The company announced today in a press release that one of its longtime investors, Visual China Group (VCG) had purchased 500px outright – a move that it says "underscores the significance of the growing photography community space."

VCG, which has been described as the "Getty of China," is one of the top image licensing companies on Earth. Previous to the acquisition of 500px, it had purchased the stock photo division of Corbis – a U.S. licensing company owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Techcrunch reports that 500px will remain in Toronto, and that no one from VCG will join the team at its flagship office on Duncan Street.

"By joining forces with VCG, we'll be able to consistently deliver more innovative features to help you amplify your personal brand, connect with millions of like-minded creatives, and inspire you to improve your skill set as a photographer," reads a message to community members on the company's website today. 

"We're extremely proud of where we've taken 500px in recent years. We truly believe this acquisition is a great opportunity, and can't wait to see the 500px community grow and prosper even more."

Patrick Brown drops out of the race for Ontario PC leader

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Former Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader Patrick Brown has announced that he no longer aspires to run for Premier during this year's provincial election.

Again.

Brown, who resigned from his high-profile post on January 25 amidst sexual misconduct allegations, had rejoined the leadership race for his party only 10 days ago.

The PC party approved the Barrie-based MPP's application for candidacy last Wednesday, at which point Brown – who staunchly denies the allegations against him – thanked "the thousands of party members and Ontarians who have reached out, spoken out, and stood by me."

The move did not come without criticism.

Brown's last minute decision to try and get his old job back "plunged the party into chaos" last week, according to The Star. Not only was he kicked out of the PC caucus by interim leader Vic Fedeli, another MPP – Randy Hillier – filed a complaint against the 39-year-old politician with Ontario's integrity commissioner.

Brown brushed off the complaint, which saw Hillier accuse him of "not fully reporting all sources of income and gifts."

And yet, today, just before 1 p.m., Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake announced that his office is conducting an inquiry into Brown's personal finances in response to Hillier's request.

Rumours had been swirling since Monday morning that the former PC party leader was dropping out of the race again, this time for good.

Several Queen's Park journalists cited a "campaign source" in revealing the news that Brown would leave the race due to death threats, the harassment of his family, and his mother's anxiety-related hospitalization.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario will choose its new leader on March 10. With Brown out of the race, their options include Christine Elliot, Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney and Tanya Granic Allen.

Soaring new tower coming to Toronto's waterfront

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Another super-humongous-mega-tower has been proposed for Toronto's downtown core, just a stone's throw from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and directly across from the Westin Harbour Castle.

Because who needs the sun, am I right?

Called "The HUB," the 60-storey commercial tower at Bay and Harbour would add an impressive 1.4 million square feet of office space to Toronto's increasingly dense (and tall) South Core neighbourhood.

30 Bay TorontoDeveloper Oxford Properties promises that the building, designed by the UK-based architechture firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, will "be a dominant fixture on Toronto's skyline."

Most impressive is that it's going to be cantilevered over the heritage protected 6-storey Harbour Commission Building, currently home to the high-end steakhouse Harbour Sixty.

Lots of tall buildings are slated for the city in the coming years. Oxford has yet to announced how tall this puppy will be in metres, but if the latest renderings are any indication, it's going to be a lofty one.

9 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today celebrate the best of the city's tech scene giving entrepreneurs from all backgrounds a chance to connect. It's also your last chance to check out the big latte art competition taking place down at the CNE grounds.

Events you might want to check out:

Best Of TechTO (February 27 @ City Hall)
While Toronto continues to grow into a tech epicentre, Best of TechTO celebrates the accomplishments of the existing technology community. Mayor John Tory will also be on hand for the festivities.
Yndi Halda (February 27 @ The Baby G)
The English post-rock band known for their unique blend of classic and modern sounds is in Toronto as part of their North American tour.
Anticipation of the Night (February 27 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
This surrealist psychodrama by filmmaker Maya Deren explores what lurks just beyond the surface of our consciousness. If that doesn't sound like fun, it's also free!
Generation Now (February 27 @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)
Millennials looking to go into business or who are already in business have the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs and hear from guest speakers at this all-day conference.
Diversity in Sports (February 27 @ Ted Rogers School of Management)
President Masai Ujiri and VP of Basketball Operations Teresa Resch of the Toronto Raptors discuss how their organization has approached diversity and how that has spurred innovation in their workplace.
Entrepreneurial Black Queer Activism (February 27 @ Ryerson Student Centre)
Queering Black History Month is hosting an evening of celebration and reflection on the stories, struggles, and successes of Black queer and trans entrepreneurs in founding, operating and thriving on their own terms.
I Am Not Your Negro (February 27 @ Toronto Reference Library)
Raoul Peck’s adaptation of James Baldwin’s unfinished book is timely and relevant, chronicling racial issues in America from the civil rights movement to #BlackLivesMatter.
Eating with Intention (February 27 @ Lululemon Queen West)
The stereotype of a fast-paced city life seeps into how we consume our everyday meals, while Eating with Intention seeks to combat that idea and explore a more conscious way of eating.
Canadian Latte Art Competition (February 26-27 @ Enercare Centre)
Today marks your last chance to check out a major latte art competition, which will crown a "master" from a cohort of 12 competitors.

Video shows guy joyriding on the back of a Toronto subway

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Today in people who forget that cops use the internet too, a young man is under investigation after publishing video footage of himself riding on what appears to be the back of a TTC subway train.

The video in question, reportedly shot about one year ago, was first uploaded to Instagram by Liam Haslett – a York University student, bartender, and "professional train rider," according to his bio.

In it, a man is seen filming himself while clinging to the back of a train moving at full speed through an underground tunnel system.

"I'm on the back of a train, wooooo!" he shouts before the video ends. 

At one point, the rider turns his lens toward the train's rear window, showing viewers the inside of a TTC subway cab with its telltale red dividers and chairs.

"This is perhaps the most downright irresponsible and dangerous stunt we have seen on the TTC in quite some time," said TTC spokesperson Stuart Green of what can be seen in the video. "We cannot shake our heads at this enough."

"Not only was this person putting their own life at risk," he continued, "This could have resulted in a dangerous situation for other customers, our staff or worse - not to mention the possible impacts on service."

Green says that the TTC is investigating. If the individual responsible is identified, he could be charged under TTC bylaw #1 with fines ranging from $235 to $425, depending on the charge.

"It probably goes without saying that there’s just no excuse for this kind of behaviour," says Green."Ever."

14 must-see concerts in Toronto this March

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Must-see concerts in Toronto this March are especially dense with world-famous pop stars, but there are also a few indie titans we haven’t seen in a while, a pair of punk bands from New Jersey, and at least two former Polaris-Prize nominees. Here’s what’s on tap.

Events you might want to check out:

DVSN (March 1 @ REBEL)
The OVO-signees are globetrotting in honour of their sophomore effort Morning After, but will stop off here at home for two nights including the first of the month.
Lights (March 2 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
Our homegrown electropopster embraced her nerdier side last year with Skin & Earth, an album that doubled as a comic book series about a post-apocalyptic universe. With the final issue now in the can, she’s set out on a North American tour.
Häxan (March 3 @ Coalition)
For your friendly neighbourhood underground metal fix, check out this bill featuring the proto-metal screams of young locals Häxan, Mercedes Lander (of Kittie)’s The White Swan, doomy Hamiltonians Astral Witch and T.O. sludgelords Hammerhands.
Tune-Yards (March 6 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
Eclectic and inventive as ever, Merrill Garbus officially made her indie-pop project a duo with longtime collaborator Nate Brenner, and they’ll bring their politically centred new tunes to the Danforth.
Plants and Animals (March 10 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
2008 was a scary time: stock markets crashed, Twilight was popular and cell phones had flip-out keyboards. But one of the bright spots was this Montreal band’s debut LP. They’ll celebrate Parc Avenue’s 10th birthday with a full performance.
Justin Timberlake (March 13 @ Air Canada Centre)
It’s cool that Mr. “Man of the Woods” (a.k.a “sometimes I wear more flannel now?!”) kicks off his world tour with us, but let’s hope he brings more than his Superbowl game to the ACC over two nights.
Titus Andronicus (March 13 @ The Great Hall Toronto)
Jersey’s normally “Dimed Out” punks decided to turn things down to brooding-ballad level with latest release A Productive Cough, and in that light are embarking on their first acoustic tour.
Screaming Females (March 14 @ Smiling Buddha)
Conversely, these other Jersey punks are about as loud as ever and extending the fury over their first double album.
Our Lady Peace and Matthew Good (March 16 @ REBEL)
To us late-90s kids who read Chart Attack in print, this is the mild Can-Con equivalent of Axl Rose and Slash finally making peace for a reunion. The pair of alt-rock vets apparently like each other now and are touring hand-in-hand across the country.
MGMT (March 19 @ Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall)
It’s been a quiet few years (and maybe a couple weird ones before that), but the duo is back to making their trademark psychedelic-pop earworms for the masses.
P!nk (March 20 @ Air Canada Centre)
MTV’s reigning Video Vanguard winner is coming to Canada on her Beautiful Trauma world tour, and you just KNOW girl is gonna work out some dope aerial choreography for it. Bonus: Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers will open the show.
Lorde (March 29 @ Air Canada Centre)
Not only was Melodrama one of the few mega-popstar albums of the past year that actually lived up to the hype, but Lorde has assembled a pretty amazing lineup for its massive tour: Run the Jewels and Mitski open the T.O. dates.
Yamantaka // Sonic Titan (March 29 @ The Baby G)
The “noh wave” collective’s new incarnation is at last ready for a full unveiling of new tunes, five years after the Polaris-nominated Uzu, and it sounds like they’re in their most progressive form yet.
Yo La Tengo (March 31 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
The eternally beloved indie band is about to release their 15th studio LP and will bring their gentle jams to the Phoenix for one night only.

Former home of Freeman Formalwear on Yonge goes up in flames

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A portion of Yonge Street remains closed this morning after a three-alarm fire destroyed much of an unoccupied building in downtown Toronto.

No injuries have been reported.

Fire crews responded to 556 Yonge Street, near Wellesley, around midnight on Monday to find the former site of Freeman Formalwear engulfed in flames.

It took nearly 50 firefighters and three aerial ladders about four hours to contain the blaze, according to CBC News, and nearby residents were forced to evacuate their apartments.

Firefighters are still investigating the origin of the fire, which was contained before spreading to any adjacent structures (one of which is the McDonald's at 552 Yonge.) 

The busy street was closed off completely last night as crews worked to put the out the fire, but has since reopened for traffic heading northbound. One southbound lane is expected to remain closed throughout the morning. 

Fans gush over Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir at Toronto airport

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Canada's ice dancing sweethearts Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue are back in their home and native land this week following an incredibly successful run at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Being that the London, Ontario-based athletes are hot as heck right now, to put it mildly, they likely expected at least a little bit of fanfare when they landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Monday.

What they got was mob of frenzied fans akin to the Beliebers of 2011.

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Sure, Virtue and Moir just achieved the designation of most-decorated figure skaters in Olympic history, but the palpable chemistry between this so-called platonic pair became a legitimate pop culture phenomenon during the 2018 games.

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Even the most Olympic-fatigued skate haters couldn't help but turn their attentions to the sexy spectacle that was Virtue and Moir in Pyeonchang.

They are Canada. They are the 2018 Olympics. They are Tessa and Scott, and the whole world is obsessed – as evidenced by everything posted about them online over the past two weeks.

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The golden duo touched down at Pearson Airport on Monday afternoon along with many other talented members of Team Canada.

Sports fans were stoked to see our Olympic delegation's medals in the flesh, but most of signs, screams and "SIGN MY SKATES!" were for Virtue and Moir.

Like I said, they're huge right now – and far beyond the confines of our country or the world of figure skating.

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Virtue and Moir even stopped to take photos with several people who just happened to be passing through Pearson, no doubt making their days, their weeks, their months or even their years.

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The congenial couple (sorry, "best friends") weren't able to stay in Toronto for long, as they had a plane to catch back to their hometown of London.

There, the gold medalists were greeted by a crowd so big that it "shocked" them. 

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In London, Virtue and Moir were asked to sign everything from Canadian flags to Tim Hortons cups.

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They also kissed a dog, which was very cute.

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Want to see the three-time World Ice Dance Champions in person yourself?

Virtue and Moir, along with Olympians Patrick Chan, Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, Elvis Stojko and more, will be performing at the Air Canada Centre this May as part of the 2018 Stars on Ice tour.

I can't promise that they'll kiss your dogs, but they'll most definitely put on a medal-worthy show.

House of the week: 53 Palmerston Avenue

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Here's a treat for lovers of historical property makeovers in Toronto. This previously rundown row house at the south end of Palmerston Ave. is now on the market for $3 million after getting a top to bottom reno.

53 palmerston avenue torontoWhile it could easily be mistaken for a former storefront space, the large paned window at the front of the home actually gestures directly to its use when it was built in the 1860s. Can you guess what that was?

53 palmerston avenue torontoAccording to Urbaneer, "when this property was a coach house, there was a driveway straight through it, running right where the kitchen and living room are now. The two banks of windows frame what was once the drive's openings, and later were sealed off to become a garage..."

53 palmerston avenue torontoNow, I find that fascinating, but this little bit of history does come with a price: the main floor is split into two levels. This creates plenty of visual novelty, but it's not the most practical in terms of a dining and/or breakfast area.

53 palmerston avenue torontoI wouldn't, for instance, want to be sitting in one of those dining chairs that backs away toward the ledge after a few glasses of wine. So that is a design challenge, to be sure. 

53 palmerston avenue torontoUpstairs, things are more wide open — literally. The master-en suite combo feels entirely spacious thanks to the integration of the two spaces, which looks great (though might irk someone who really wants privacy when they use the loo).

53 palmerston avenue torontoThe exposed brick in the the other two bedrooms adds a nice dose of character to these spaces in keeping with the home's historical roots. While the backyard isn't huge, the detached modern garage could double as a work and parking area.

53 palmerston avenue torontoSpecs
  • Address: 53 Palmerston Ave.
  • Price: $2,999,888 
  • Lot Size: 18.17 x 135 feet
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Parking: 3
  • Walk Score: 92
  • Transit Score: 100
  • Listing agent: Dadmehr Shirazi Rad
  • Listing ID: C4041409
53 palmerston avenue torontoGood For

Someone who's captivated by the history of the property and believes he or she can work around the challenges posed by the split-level main floor.

53 palmerston avenue torontoMove On If

You want an eat-in kitchen. This one certainly looks great, but where are you going to devour your bowl of cereal in the morning? 

Bill Murray documentary getting its premiere in Toronto

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Have you ever heard a story about how Bill Murray randomly showed up somewhere and did something absolutely unbelievable for or with someone normal? Someone just like us?

It would be surprising if you hadn't. The award-winning 67-year-old actor, and his humorous, everyday antics are the stuff of legend, both on set and off.

"Bill Murray stories" have, in fact, emerged over the past few decades as a widepsread internet meme, with hundreds of different wacky tales to be found on Reddit, Facebook, Tumblr, dedicated websites and anywhere else where people talk about celebrity encounters.

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He's rumoured to have crashed bachelor parties and engagement photo shoots. Sometimes he's seen riding bikes through Walmart. One person claims that he stole french fries right out of their hand and whispered "no one will ever believe you." 

They're all great stories, but are they true?

Director Tommy Avallone decided to sleuth it out for his forthcoming documentaryBill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned From a Mythical Man, which will premiere for the first time outside the U.S. this spring at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Avallone's is one of the 15 films announced this morning by Hot Docs as part of its Special Presentations program– an elite tier of the festival that features high-profile premieres, award winners, works by masters or docs with star subjects.

Specific dates for the screenings of these films have yet to be released, but the festival itself runs from April 26 until May 6. 

Here's what you can expect to see on the Special Presentations program this year so far:

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Mr. Rogers created a neighbourhood in which he connected with children through honesty, directness and love, while delicately introducing complex social issues. His work continues to resonate today, but have we failed to become the neighbours he hoped for?

Amal

Filmed over six turbulent years following the Tahrir Square uprising in Egypt, a feisty 14-year-old activist grows before our eyes into a commanding young woman, searching for her identity in a tinderbox of political turmoil and patriarchal systems.

Anote's Ark

As rising sea levels threaten to swallow the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, its president races against the clock to secure the future of a population doomed to be among the world’s first climate change refugees.

Constructing Albert

In the high-stakes world of haute cuisine, legendary Catalonian restaurant elBulli casts a long shadow—but when it closes, the head chef’s younger brother draws on his long-unrecognized creative genius to fight for his own culinary vision.

Playing Hard

A powerhouse Montreal game studio finally greenlights its next potential blockbuster, but egos and artistry collide with the bottom line as everything rides on the epic battle game-featuring samurais, knights and Vikings—hitting the jackpot.

Believer

Imagine Dragons frontman and devout Mormon Dan Reynolds struggles to reconcile his faith with his church’s hardening stance on homosexuality, and finds himself on a mission to combat growing suicide rates among Utah’s LGBTQ youth. Produced by Live Nation Productions.

Bill Murray Stories:  Life Lessons Learned From a Mythical Man

"Bill Murray crashed my karaoke party." "Bill Murray photobombed our engagement pictures." Everyone knows someone with a "Bill Murray" story, but this inspirational and drop-dead-funny detective doc hunts down the myths and the man.

Three Identical Strangers

In 1980 in New York, three teenagers discover by chance that they’re triplets who were separated at birth. Despite disparate upbringings, they enjoy their newfound fraternity and fame until relationships unravel under the dark mystery surrounding their adoptions.

The Devil We Know

Citizen activists unravel one of the largest environmental scandals of our time when West Virginian residents discover DuPont has been dumping a toxic chemical into the water supply—one that’s now found in the blood of over 99% of the world’s population.

Inventing Tomorrow

Roused by the issues faced by their own communities, brilliant young minds from around the globe gather in Los Angeles for the world’s largest high school science fair, tackling environmental crises with ingenuity, inspiration and hope.

The Cleaners

Dive into the shadowy world of internet content moderators, where fingers hovering over the delete key judge within seconds the lines between art and pornography, journalism and propaganda, censorship and free speech—with far-reaching consequences both online and off.

Chef Flynn

When a 10-year-old prodigy launches a restaurant in his parents’ house, his culinary creations lead to collaborations with some of the world’s best chefs and a New York Times Magazine cover. But with his career set to take off, can he handle the heat?

Love, Gilda

The vulnerable and effusive spirit of beloved comedian Gilda Radner is brought to life through newly discovered audio recordings, home movies, interviews with friends and diary entries read by performers she’s inspired, including Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph.

On Her Shoulders

After surviving enslavement and genocide, a resilient young Yazidi woman is thrust onto the international stage as a spokesperson for those who’ve suffered at the hands of ISIS, where she must learn to navigate bureaucracy, fame and good intentions.

The Oslo Diaries

Once upon a time, Israel and Palestine almost made peace. Personal diaries and never-before-seen archival footage bring raw emotion and new insights to the secret, complex negotiations—and eventual failure—of the Oslo Accords peace process.
 
The complete Special Presentations program and the full selection of films to screen at Hot Docs 2018 will be announced on March 20.

York University braces for strike

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All teaching assistants, graduate assistants and contract faculty members at York  University are poised to go on strike in just six days if administrators don't meet their demands for a fair deal.

Members of the CUPE 3903 bargaining team, whose contract expired in August, are asking university executives to address the issue of job security for contract faculty, ensure funding is protected for teaching assistants, and maintain employment levels for graduate assistants.

Both parties have been at the bargaining table with a Ministry of Labour-appointed conciliator since January 8.

"The bargaining team had remained optimistic that we would see real movement on the key issues," said CUPE 3903 spokesperson Lina Nasr in a press release on Tuesday. 

"Unfortunately, we haven't seen any substantive movement from York U in a long time This week is York's last chance to work constructively with us, acknowledging that we are an important part of the university community."

Union members and their supporters rallied earlier today at York Univeristy's Vari Hall.

Meanwhile, administrators are ensuring students that classes will not be cancelled, should a strike take place.

"We have made and continue to make every reasonable effort to reach a collective agreement with CUPE 3903 and avoid a strike," reads a letter sent out to students from Interim Vice-President Academic & Provost, Lisa Philipps.

"We remain fully committed to continuing negotiations with the assistance of the provincially appointed mediator to reach a new collective agreement," she wrote.

"However, if our teaching assistants, graduate assistants and contract faculty decide to strike as of Monday, March 5, the legal strike deadline, the University will take every possible step to limit the impact of the labour disruption on York students."

York says that all the classes "that can continue will continue." TAs, GAs and contract faculty say "Ha!" to that.

A strike deadline has been set for March 5.

Infinity Mirrors has arrived at the AGO

You can rent a retro Airstream on a quiet lake north of Toronto

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With even the slightest whiff of spring in the air, my mind begins to drift toward weekend getaways and day trips on the horizon. As fun as it's been to spend the winter ice fishing, frozen waterfall hunting, and traipsing across epic snowshoe trails, warm weather adventures await. 

As popular as glamping has become over the last few years, for those of us who prefer to have something a bit more solid over our heads when we settle down to sleep, this vintage Airstream nestled beside a lake near Algonquin Park should hold plenty of allure.

Located on the grounds of the Northridge Inn & Resort near Sundridge, Ontario, the old land yacht benefits from a near perfect spot on Lake Bernard. It's private enough to feel secluded from the rest of the resort but close enough to benefit from all of its amenities. 

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Inside, it's like walking into an idealized version of 1971, the year the trailer dates back to. There's a small kitchen with propane stove, a dining table for two, and a queen pull out bed that offers a view of the lake.

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Free breakfast is included up at the dining room of the resort, but the Airstream is fully functional should you just want to prepare your own meals. That said, it'd be a shame to miss out on the amenities like the heated pool, hot tub, and sandy beach.

The vintage Airstream costs $200 a night to rent with availability between Sundays and Thursdays starting in late May. 


Fabbrica is opening a restaurant in downtown Toronto

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If you've ever walked, or should I say got lost, in the PATH, you've probably noticed all the amazing food options down there. Now one of Toronto's most famous chefs is giving the downtown core a little taste of Italy. 

Chef Mark McEwan is bringing his Italian fare to the Financial District with the opening of his second Fabbrica location at the TD Centre. It will be located at 66 Wellington St. West in The PATH.

The space will have a daily selection of cold antipasti and rotating offerings of made-to-order Roman-style pizza from its open-concept triple-decker oven, plus house-made pastas, sandwiches and salads.

The massive 4,200 square foot space will also have a retail section where you can purchase hand-made pastas, sauces, gelato, and frozen meals to eat at home.

The new Fabbrica will be open weekdays Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. starting sometime spring 2018.

Someone smashed the window at a Toronto bar after being denied beer

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Video footage is circulating today of a man smashing in the windows at a popular Queen West bar and restaurant while horrified patrons run for cover.

The incident in question took place at around 10 p.m. on Sunday night in front of The Dime, a cheap eats and party spot near Bathurst and Queen.

"Were were only there for about 10 minutes when people at the front started screaming that some guy was trying to break in," said witness Max Cresswell-Turner by phone.

"It was like a shooting," he said of the scene, in which 30 to 40 people rushed to hide near the back of the bar. "It was scary."

A roughly three-minute-long video uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday shows a man wearing a white hard hat banging on the bar's front windows with two large, heavy rods.

He quickly manages to break the glass, sending shards flying into the establishment.

Staffers sprang into action right away, according to witnesses, corralling the crowd away from the window and toward the back of the room.

"Everyone get back, get back here!" a man can be heard shouting in the video. "Guys, in the back. Please. Come to the back."

Almost everyone complied, save for one straggler who went back to save his beer.

The man who had been smashing glass left momentarily, according to Cresswell-Turner, but came back very soon with a large sign that he used to smash more glass panels.

"I wanted to come in here," the man can be heard shouting into the restaurant during the video. "That's what you get for not giving me a pint! I want a f--king pint!"

Witnesses say that two or three police officers detained the man when they arrived. He was eventually strapped into a stretcher.

Toronto Police Media Relations Officer Constable Caroline de Kloet confirms that a 57-year-old Toronto man was arrested at 538 Queen Street West on Sunday night and transported to hospital.

Upon release from the hospital, he was transported to a police station and charged with mischief.

Sean Young of The Warehouse Group, which owns The Dime, said that the incident resulted in "a couple thousand dollars" worth of damage – but that his team doesn't intend to pursue legal action.

Based on conversations with his staff and police, Young believes the gentleman in question may have been experiencing mental health issues.

"We definitely wouldn't pursue charges in that case," he said. "We just want him to get help. That's the most important thing - ensuring he's okay."

10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today shows why the city has a reputation for offering a hodgepodge of diverse and vibrant cultural happenings, with everyone from Gloria Steinem stopping by to the return of Toronto's own DVSN and a special revival of Blues Brothers hits.

Events you might want to check out:

DVSN (February 28 @ REBEL)
Toronto's own r&b duo have made their way back to their home city for the first of a two-night stint at Rebel.
The Blues Brothers (February 28 @ Phoenix Concert Theatre)
Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi Pisano are set to give a special performance of the iconic Blues Brothers classics in honour of the CAMH Gifts Of Lights program.
The Courage of a Movement (February 28 @ The Royal Conservatory, Koerner Hall)
Feminist lawyer Gloria Steinem discusses everything from the Women’s March to the #MeToo movement as we witness a sea change when it comes to gender justice and women’s rights.
6ix Rising (February 28 @ Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre (3rd floor))
Toronto's reputation as a hotbed for rising hip hop and rap artists takes centre stage in this full length documentary presented by Noisey.
Black Boys (February 28 - March 11 @ Buddies In Bad Times Theatre)
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents Black Boys, a raw, intimate, and timely exploration of queer male Blackness.
Dirkschneider (February 28 @ Mod Club Theatre)
German heavy metal singer Dirkschneider is set to make a stop in Toronto as part of his extended North America tour.
The Illustrative Wit of Barry Blitt (February 28 @ OCAD University)
You've definitely seen his work. OCAD U alumnus and New Yorker illustrator Barry Blitt is back at his alma mater to talk about his drawings.
Surrealism and Automatism in Québec Illustration (February 28 @ Art Gallery of Ontario)
Librarian Larry Pfaff presents a selection of illustrated books and periodicals from the 1940s to the 1960s featuring the works of Jean-Paul Riopelle, Paul-Émile Borduas, Alfred Pellan, and their contemporaries.
Jordan Rakei (February 28 @ Lee's Palace)
New Zealand multi-instrumentalist and producer Jordan Rakei is in town to play some of his signature jazz and hip-hop inspired songs off his new album.
Transatlantic (February 28 @ Revue Cinema)
Direct from its MoMA debut, the new digital restoration of William K. Howard’s lavish ocean liner melodrama takes bits from English audio track to picture elements from the French since no complete American release version of the film has survived.

Ambitious plan to transform Yonge Street takes major blow

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An ambitious plan to transform Yonge Street between Sheppard and Finch is in jeopardy this week following a city hall vote that didn't go at all how advocates expected it to.

"REimagining Yonge," a proposal compiled by city staffers after two solid years of study and consultation, envisions a more "vibrant urban environment" for North York Centre in the form of a plan it calls "Transform Yonge."

The plan, moved forward by Councillor John Filion, would see a 2.7 km stretch of northern Yonge Street reduced from six lanes of traffic to four lanes of traffic, allowing for the addition of new, protected, north-south bike lanes, widened sidewalk boulevards and other public realm improvements.

This vision had been in the works for some time, and has generated a considerable amount of support from city staffers, local residents and urban planning heavyweights like Richard Florida, Jennifer Keesmaat, Paul Bedford, Ken Greenberg and Richard Peddie.

It came as a surprise to many, then, when Toronto's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee voted in favour of an alternate design at Tuesday's scheduled city hall meeting.

Others weren't surprised at all, given Mayor John Tory's opposition to the removal of two lanes on Yonge Street. We all know how Tory feels about the threat of more congestion in downtown Toronto.

Whether or not the Transform Yonge plan would actually lead to more congestion is another story.

Instead of the plan that residents in Willowdale (which the corridor runs through) have been calling for, Toronto's public works committee voted to move forward with a redesign of the area that not only goes against city staff recommendations, but will cost at least $9 million more.

"Is that motion correct? Committee would take $2M from a public transit fund to ensure drivers still have 6 lanes on Yonge?" tweeted Toronto-based journalist John Lancaster following the vote.

"Oh come on," tweeted a local resident in response to the committee's decision. "Could you at least make a small effort to upgrade your thinking from the dinosaur days of the 1950s?"

There's still hope for the reimagining of Yonge Street championed by urban planners, cycling advocates, and city staff, however.

The motion to defer to the alternate plan will go to city council for a final vote on March 26, 2018 – at which point it could be overturned in favour of the plan that cuts down on car traffic and, hopefully, improves public safety.

The top 5 Drake videos of all time

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Singling out the top Drake videos of all time is a tough task given that Canada's number one cultural export just keeps outdoing himself. "God's Plan," his most recent release, is the second song in history to get more than 100 million streams in a single week, and the video keeps surging in popularity, too. 

To celebrate the success of Toronto's very own, here the the top five Drake music videos based entirely on views (get it?).

Hotline Bling

This juggernaut of a viral video is by far the most-watched of anything uploaded to Drake's official YouTube account. It's been seen more than 1.3 billion times since it was uploaded in October of 2015. Drake brings dad dancing to the mainstream: A part of our heritage.

Started From The Bottom

It's impossible not to love this 2013 music video if you've ever been to or worked at a Shoppers Drug Mart. The entire thing could be a funny tourism campaign, and was, in fact, likely one of the driving forces behind the entire world thinking Toronto is hip all of the sudden.

Take Care

This moody video features a lot of animal imagery and some steamy Drake-hugging-Rihanna action. Is it as fun as something like HYFR, which gave us the little dancing Aubrey gif? No, but the song holds up and the clicks don't lie. This is Drake's third most-viewed video of all time.

Energy

From 2015's If You're Reading This It's Too Late came this fierce banger and its corresponding video, which gave us some of Drake's most quote-worthy lyrics to date – and Droprah, the beautiful Drake-faced Oprah Winfrey of my confusing dreams. See also: Drobama.

Forever

With just over 200 million views, the video for Forever – the all-star 2009 collab between Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Drake – is Mr. Graham's fifth most-viewed (and thus best, for the purpose of people on Reddit not being able to blast my judgement) video of all time.

If "God's Plan" keeps climbing at the rate it has been over the past two weeks, it might just surpass (almost) all of these videos before long. Not Hotline Bling though. That's one untouchable, adorable, turtleneck-glamourizing beast.

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