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Toronto neighbourhood plans to take on climate change

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With so much development constantly going on in and around Toronto, some of the city's tightly knit communities are banning together to tackle big issues like climate change.

One in particular are the residents of a segment of Leslieville who have begun to organize themselves in an effort to reduce their collective carbon footprint.

The organizers of TransformCarlaw have outlined their mission statement to include reduction of energy usage, diversion of waste, and increased use of low-carbon transportation throughout the neighbourhood.

The plan is still in its earliest stages, as stakeholders work with a community survey to field ideas and form strategies on how to achieve these ambitious aims over the long term.

The initiative is in line with Toronto's overall strategy to challenge climate change city-wide with the TransformTO plan that aims to reduce Toronto's carbon footprint by by 80 percent by 2050.

The inaugural brainstorming session is set to take place on March 20.


Sprawling new condo development planned near the Rogers Centre

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Another day, another condo tower creeping its way into downtown Toronto. Three of them, actually, in this case!

Nearly 2,000 new condominium units have been proposed across three buildings at the corner of Front St. and Spadina Ave., right across from what will eventually become The Well.

According to Urban Toronto, the curved corner complex, designed by Kirkor Architects, consists of a trio of towers rising 26,57 and 59 stories high as it's planned right now. 

400 Front Street

All together, this development would bring 1,937 new residential units and 3,597 square metres of retail space to the corner – which, as dense as the area is, has remained largely underdeveloped thus far.

At present, 400 Front Street serves as a parking lot – but not for lack of trying.

A different plan from State Building Group and Stanford Homes had been put forward for the space back in 2015.

That plan, created by architectsAlliance, would have resulted in four towers with heights of 24, 25, 56, and 60 storeys and a total of nearly 2,300 condo units on the lot.

400 Front StreetThree years on, the project looks quite a bit different.

Most of the development's density, as Urban Toronto points out, will still be gathered toward the site's northeast corner near Wellington and Blue Jays Way.

Putting the tallest buildings near the back corner of the lot, so to speak, will make for a smoother visual, and structural, transition between existing nearby low-rise buildings and the soaring condo tower.

400 Front StreetThe shortest of the new development's buildings will be roughly equal in height to the historic Clarence Square Building (built in 1911) next door.

Speaking of Clarence Square, that shady little gem of an urban park is safe from the perils of construction, thank god.

A 1,608-square-metre parkland dedication was added to this revised version of the proposal, which will include a pedestrian link from Front street to what might be the best place in Toronto to watch the leaves fall come autumn.

Mayor calls out Toronto police for missteps in Bruce McArthur case

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Tensions have been running high between Toronto Police and members of the city's LGBT community in recent weeks, as more and more is revealed about the increasingly-grisly case of alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur.

McArthur was arrested in January, but only after years of speculation around Toronto's Gay Village that a serial killer could be responsible for the disappearances of several men from the Church and Wellesley area dating all the way back to 2010.

Today, with six first-degree murder charges laid and four sets of remains yet to be identified, Mayor John Tory has called for an independent review of how police handled the missing persons cases that have since been linked back McArthur.

This, after a series of events that did little to raise confidence in the Toronto Police Service among those hardest hit by McArthur's vicious alleged crimes.

Last week, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders– who as recently as December blew off the idea that a serial killer was responsible for the Village disappearances – was criticized widely for suggesting that the community hadn't done enough to help the investigation.

As many within the community pointed out, people had been (and are still) trying.

On Tuesday evening, The Star reported that McArthur had been brought in by police for questioning sometime between 2014 and 2017 in connection with an unrelated incident and let go.

The homicide detective in charge of the case, Det. Sgt. Hank Idsinga, confirmed Wednesday morning that police had launched an internal probe after discovering some "concerning" information about officers who may have violated the force's policies and our procedures.

Mayor John Tory, who has been largely supportive police in the matter thus far, released a statement of his own on Wednesday afternoon regarding how police have handled the case.

"I continue to be deeply disturbed by the revelations of the Bruce McArthur case, and the murders and disappearances of Toronto residents and members of our LGBTQ community," he said in the statement.

"I know that the public has many questions related to this case, and I have questions, too. That is why I support open and transparent reviews of how our police service handles missing person cases generally and how these specific investigations were conducted."

Tory goes on to say that he will be taking steps to advance an independent external review into Toronto Police Service's "practices with respect to missing person's investigations."

The remains of seven different people have now been recovered from planters at a property where the 66-year-old landscaper worked, and new pieces of evidence – like the post-mortem photo of a potential victim released by police on Monday – continue to surface regularly

To date, McArthur has been charged with murder in the deaths of Selim Esen, Soroush Mahmudi, Dean Lisowick, Andrew Kinsman, Majeed Kayhan and Skandaraj Navaratnam.

Police say they believe there are more victims, but have "no idea" how high the body count could be or how far back the killings go.

10 things to do in Toronto today

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Events in Toronto today will see Weird Al stop by for a special set, while two of the city's street photographers make it to the gallery. Toronto's own The Wooden Sky and Killy take the stage, and it's International Women's Day.

Events you might want to check out:

Weird Al Yankovic (March 8 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
Foregoing his usual high-octane, big-production show for an intimate evening of music, Weird Al is focusing on playing original non-parody songs from his 14-album catalogue.
The Sleeping Beauty (March 8-18 @ The National Ballet of Canada)
Choreographed by Marius Petipa and restaged by Artistic Director Karen Kain, the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty takes the stage for three weeks only.
Resonance (March 8-14 @ Black Cat Artspace)
Two Toronto street photographers, Lucan Coutts and Max Whitehead, display their surrealist interpretation of the landscape focusing on the manipulation of its effects.
The Wooden Sky (March 8 @ Lee's Palace)
Toronto's own indie folk trio are performing at Lee's Palace alongside Twist.
Killy (March 8 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
One of Toronto's rising hip-hop stars stages the stage at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.
Theatre Passe Muraille 50th Anniversary Gala (March 8 @ Theatre Passe Muraille)
Toronto's Canadian-only theatre mainstay is celebrating a huge milestone at 50 years strong. The anniversary gala will also include a performance of The Drawer Boy.
Doin' It For Themselves (March 8 @ Design Exchange)
These all-Canadian creatives and innovators have just 6 minutes to discuss their startups, challenges, successes, and inspirations surrounding systems that are poised to change the shape of things to come.
International Women's Day (March 8 @ Gallery 181)
Celebrate International Women's Day with art at Gallery 181, currently host to New York street artist PheobeNewYork's solo show.
Moonrise Kingdom (March 8 @ The Royal Cinema)
Wes Anderson's whimsical tale of young love is being screened at the Royal in 35mm print for a total Cinema experience.
SlowPitchSound (March 8 @ Handlebar)
Experience a night of experimental hip-hop, sci-fi turntablism, and loop-based ambient explorations featuring hip-hop artist Myst Milano and ambient pop manipulator Charise Aragoza.

Condo of the week: 1159 Dundas Street East

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The thing that's so great about true hard lofts is the ingenuity with which units that were never designed as homes can be turned into wonderfully intriguing living spaces. Such is the case with this condo at 1159 Dundas St. East.

1159 Dundas Street EastLong ago, this was the home of p|m Gallery before it moved to the west side of the the city. Given the dramatic nature of the space — and in particular the soaring ceilings — it's easy to imagine it as a gallery, but now it looks perfectly adapted as a unique residential space. 

1159 Dundas Street EastThe floor plan is anything but conventional here, but it all works so well. This is a unit that's witnessed quite a bit of TLC over the years, and the new buyer will inherit a space that's become more and more livable. Sure, there are stairs to climb, but it's worth it for the novel sight lines.

1159 Dundas Street EastBeyond the visual interest, hard lofts are often good for something else too: ample space. This one features two bedrooms, an office area, dining, and living room spread across 1,750 square feet. It's not wide open as some warehouse spaces are, but it's anything but cramped. 

1159 Dundas Street EastThanks to the garage door that separates the living and eating areas, this one would be a natural fit as a live-work space, a setup that's only improved by the direct outdoor access (perfect for hosting meetings). 

1159 Dundas Street East
Specs
  • Address: #149 - 1159 Dundas St. E
  • Price: $1,199,000
  • Bedrooms: 2
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Parking: 1
  • Walk Score: 
  • Transit Score: 
  • Maintenance Fees: $467.25
  • Listing agent: Kate Young, Keller Williams
  • Buyer's agent: Matt Casselman, Re/Max Hallmark 
  • Listing ID: W3881127
1159 Dundas Street EastGood For

Someone who hates cookie cutter condos. The bedrooms might not be huge, but you'd be hard pressed to find more interesting living space in the city.

1529 Dundas Street EastMove On If

You have young children. The positioning of the bedrooms isn't ideal for the little ones. In general, this is an adult-oriented space.

1159 Dundas Street East1159 Dundas Street East

1159 Dundas Street East1159 Dundas Street East1159 Dundas Street East

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

Toronto Restaurant Openings: Labothery, Wasted Youth, Hero Certified Pizza, Sukoshi Mart

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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
  • Brickworks Ciderhouse, the country's first urban cider house, is now open at 709 Queen St. E. (at Broadview) in Riverside.
  • Specializing in craft brews, Bar Hop has opened another location (its third, including Brewco), this time on the east side at 681 Danforth Ave. (just east of Pape).
  • More brews: The Six Brewing Co., a brewhouse, bottle shop and brewery, has made its debut at 777 Dundas St. W. (at Markham) in the space that formerly belonged to Bent.
  • Wasted Youth has taken over Less Bar at 834 Bloor St. W. in Bloorcourt. It's run by Mike Taylor, who was the bar manager at Wolf Like Me, which occupied the same space before Less Bar and Homestand.
  • Labothéry, a "lab-themed tea cafe," is now open at 717 Bay St., just north of Gerrard St. W.
  • Hero Certified Pizza, a new pizza concept from Hero Certified Burgers, has launched at 90 Weston Rd. in the Stockyards District with personal-sized mini pizzas for $3.25 (amongst other offerings). Another location is forthcoming at Bayview & York Mills.
  • Chocolats Favoris, a Quebec City-based artisanal chocolate shop and canned fondue chain, now has a new location at 1440 Major MacKenzie Dr. W. in Vaughan.
Recently reviewed
Opening soon
  • Baddies, Bloordale's favourite Aussie-style cafe and brunch spot, will be opening a coffee and doughnut shop named Cops at King & Portland downtown this spring. It will only serve drip coffee. No espresso. (Have you ever seen a cop order a latte? Me neither.)
  • Sukoshi Mart, a Japanese-style convenience store that will offer all sorts of snacks like onigiri and taiyaki, will soon be opening in a small space at 160 Baldwin St. in Kensington Market. Anyone who's ever visited a Lawson, FamilyMart or 7-Eleven in Japan knows that this is the best idea ever.
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Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com.

Toronto's skyline was just lit up for International Women's Day

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Today is International Women's Day in Toronto and in anticipation of this special day, the skyline was lit up with the female symbol across the downtown skyline.

Both the TD Centre, Bank of Nova Scotia, and BMO flashed the female symbol through their windows last night in honour of International Women's Day in Toronto and across the world.

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Today's celebrations are a continuation of last Saturday's Women's Day March meant to bring awareness to the fight for equality and women's rights.

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Women in Canada are also celebrated all month long every year in October, officially known as Women's History Month

The lights are expected to be on again this evening, and while there's still a long way to go before gender equality is reached, every little thing helps.

Everyone is totally in love with the Toronto Raptors right now

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You know an NBA player is on fire when an entire stadium starts chanting his name – at an away game. 

DeMar DeRozan is giving Drake a run for his money as 6ix God this week after leading the Raptors to a stunning 121-119 overtime win against the Pistons in Detroit.

With last night's victory, the Raptors became the first NBA team to clinch a playoff berth in 2018. This alone is worth paying attention to, even if you're not a sports fan. Even if you're not Canadian. Even if you play for a rival team.

It was Wednesday night's ferocious game itself, however, that put the world's collective head on a swivel.

Last night's faceoff between the Pistons and the Raptors is being hailed as an "instant classic" by sports analysts around the globe.

The Raps, who were trailing by 17 points in the game's second quarter, made a thrilling comeback from their "lame duck" first half thanks in large part to the efforts of Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, Jonas Valanciunas, Fed Van Fleet and DeRozan.

DeRozan, who himself scored a game-high 42 points, made two successful runs at the basket in the final seconds of both regular and overtime play.

The first, a spectacular, game-saving slam dunk that shook Twitter to its core.

The second, a game-winning assist to Fred VanVleet in overtime.

NBA fans at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena were so impressed by DeRozan – who has been praised widely in recent weeks for opening up about his struggles with depression– that they actually started chanting for him as MVP.

On their own turf.

The Raptors have won 13 of its last 14 games and, as NBA reporter Josh Lewenberg notes, are well on pace to set a franchise record and secure 60 wins

Toronto is also currently sitting first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 47-17.

Maybe "North Over Everything" is a fitting slogan, after all. 


New Toronto home prices just declined for first time since 2014

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The cost of buying a new house in Toronto just went down – but don't rush into a bank just yet.

Statistics Canada reports that new home prices fell flat across the country in January of 2018. In Toronto, however, prices actually slipped by 0.1 per cent.

It's not much, but it marks the first decline we've seen in the price of new homes across Canada's largest real estate market since July 0f 2014.

These figures apply only to newly built houses, though. Condominiums, apartments and homes purchased from a previous owner don't factor into the price decline.

The Toronto Real Estate Board's monthly numbers show that the average selling price of all homes in Toronto continues to yo-yo wildly following the rollout of Ontario's new housing regulations.

The federal government actually pegs condos – which account for one-third of new housing in Canada – as an area of concern for overheated prices.

Weekend events in Toronto March 9-11 2018

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This weekend will see Toronto become a playground for artists, partiers, and sweet-tooths alike. There's the chance of getting swept up in a sea of green with the St. Patrick's Day parade or being overcome with grief at the thought of the giant pandas leaving.

Events you might want to check out:

EGLX (March 9-11 @ The International Centre)
Life-sized Catan, anyone? The Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo will be showing off all the latest trends in gaming.
Life Through a Lens (March 11 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
Discover renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz, who is responsible for some of the most memorable images of the past several decades.
Plants and Animals (March 10 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
Montreal indie-rock band Plants and Animals is making a stop in Toronto before they embark on their international tour.
Resonance (March 8-14 @ Black Cat Artspace)
Street photography meets the gallery as Lucan Coutts and Max Whitehead reimagine Toronto as a neon surrealist landscape.
Vegan Bake Off (March 11 @ Glass Factory & Lounge)
Now ten year's strong, enjoy plant-based treats from professional and home bakers and find out who all be crowned the Vegan Master.
The World of the Fatimids (March 10 - July 2 @ Aga Khan Museum)
Explore through one of history’s most intriguing and vibrant civilizations that influenced thought and life throughout the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, and the Near East.
Animal Farm (March 9 - April 7 @ Young Centre for the Performing Arts)
This weekend marks the premiere of Animal Farm, Soulpepper's take on the classic novel by George Orwell.
Men's Fashion Week (March 9-11 @ 1 Yonge)
Toronto Men's Fashion Week kicks off this weekend, showing off some fo the most cutting edge runway presentations and showrooms in menswear.
National Home Show (March 9-18 @ Enercare Centre)
Owning a home is something we all aspire to, and the National Home Show is set to show off all the newest rends and technology in homeownership.
Multiforms, Open Fortress (March 9 @ Music Gallery)
See movement differently with an intimate, sensorial dance encounters presented in both traditional and non-traditional spaces.
Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum (March 9 @ City Hall)
The City of Toronto and SheEO come together for panel discussions, tactical workshops, and female founders helping female founders.
Fempocalypse (March 9 @ Ernest Balmer Studio in the Distillery District)
A female-led cabaret of young innovators come together to help support Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Unhistories (March 9-10 @ OCAD University)
Explore the meaning of “history” with a re-organizing of the composition of the past, by re-constructing methods of transmitting narratives, and by destabilizing the seeming linearity of events.
OCAD U Gallery Crawl (March 10 @ Multiple Venues)
It's the first annual OCAD University Gallery Crawl of nine nearby galleries.
The Glow Up (March 10 @ 90 Ontario St)
It's a glow-in-the-dark, hip-hop yoga sash, featuring neon body paint, snacks, and wine.
St Patrick's Day Parade (March 11 @ Bloor & St. George)
You don't have to be Irish to enjoy the St. Patrick's Day Parade - just grab your greenest gear and go!
Finding Home Toronto (March 11 @ Gladstone Hotel)
An evening of music, spoken word poetry, comedy and community with every dollar is going to help those who are finding home - a new home.
A Silent Voice (March 11 @ Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre)
Naoko Yamada's Silent Voices explores at a story of a school bully who, years later, seeks redemption for the unkindness he visited upon a young girl with a hearing disability.
Drag Your Heels (March 9 @ The Rec Room Toronto)
The first installment of Drag Your Heels features top drag queens out of the Village and beyond.
Turn Back Time (March 9 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Put that hair in a scrunchie and break of the leg warmers for a sweaty 80s video dance party.
The Mystic Forest (March 10 @ Opera House)
The Opera House is being transforming into The Mystic Forest; a spectacular combination of scenography, over-the-top theatrical interaction, colourful costumes.
Synthesexer (March 10 @ The Piston)
Get synthy to all the hits at this alternative electro dance party by everyone from Daft Punk to Missy Elliot.
GOAT Dance Competition (March 10 @ Mod Club)
Are you the greatest dancer of all time? Show and prove at the first ever GOAT Dance Competition.
Nightmares On Wax (March 9 @ Velvet Underground)
UK DJ Nightmares on Wax is back as part of his Shape of the Future tour.
Joe Pug (March 10 @ The Drake Hotel)
Texas native Joe Pug is stopping by Toronto as part of his North American tour.
Crywank Chastity (March 10 @ Smiling Buddha)
Performing for the first time in Canada, UK's Crywank + Chastity's is here to rock out with the Feels Fine.
Sugar Shack TO (March 10-11 @ Sugar Beach)
It's the first day of Toronto’s urban sugar shack featuring live music, food, and maple-infused treats.
Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival (March 10 - April 8 @ Kortright Centre for Conservation)
A celebration of all things maple, The Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival is on this weekend in Woodbridge.
Tom’s Dairy Freeze Opening (March 11 @ Tom's Dairy Freeze)
Some might say spring starts later this month, but we all know it really starts whenever Tom’s Dairy Freeze reopens for the season.
Yoko Ono's The Riverbed (February 22 - June 3 @ Gardiner Museum)
Yoko Ono takes patrons on an exploration of the riverbed—a temporary village and a repository of hopes and dreams for individuals and for the world.
Sketch Comedy Festival (March 1-11 @ Theatre Centre Cafe)
There's still time to catch TOsketchfest featuring a slew of Toronto sketch comics and musical acts.
The Sleeping Beauty (March 8-18 @ The National Ballet of Canada)
Marius Petipa transforms the stage in this retelling of the classic story of The Sleeping Beauty.
TIFF International Kids Film Festival (March 9-18 @ TIFF)
100 films from 40 countries plus interactive screenings are happening all weekend long.

Malaysian coffee bun chain PappaRoti opening Toronto location

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Here comes PappaRoti and its hot, sweet, tender buns with secret pockets of butter in the middle!

The addictive Malaysian bakery chain will be opening its first downtown Toronto location at 280 Spadina sometime this month, according to a recent job posting. 

Known for its uniquely round, coffee-caramel-flavoured roti buns, PappaRoti has expanded from its roots in Southeast Asia to open more than 400 locations around the world since 2003.

This won't be the chain's first Canadian, or even its first GTA-based store. PappaRoti already exists in Montreal and Vancouver. Last year, it launched a food court stall within the Bramalea City Center as well – though that location has since closed.

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An official opening date has yet to be announced for the Malaysian bun spot on Spadina, but the company has its sights set on opening as early as this month.

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When it's open, expect to find a warm and rustic ambiance with the smell of freshly baked caramel coffee buns "emerging from the oven all day long."

There's a huge book sale in Toronto next week

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The Toronto Library is taking spring cleaning to another level - and to the benefit of us all - with this year's massive book sale.

Back again for another year is the library's Clearance Sale that will see thousands of books, CD's, and DVD's marked down to a stellar 10-50 cents each all weekend long.

It's the chance to pick up some new book buddies to take with you to the park, a cafe, or save for a rainy day. Best of all, all proceeds go towards funding library programs. 

The sale is on from March 15 to 17 at the Reference Library's Beeton Hall.

Canada just got a new $10 bill

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Just in time for International Women's Day, the Canadian government is showing off a new bank note that pays homage to civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond – the first black person and (non-royal) woman ever to grace a regularly circulating bill in Canada.

Desmond, whose portrait appears on Canada's shiny new permanent $10 bill, has long been referred to as the "Rosa Parks of Canada" for refusing to move from the "whites only" section of a Nova Scotia movie theatre in 1946.

She was the first black woman known to have filed a legal challenge against racial segregation in our country, according to the Bank of Canada, and the publicity generated by her case was thought to have been a driving force behind the outlawing segregation in Nova Scotia.

Also featured on the bill is the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, a laurel leaf pattern, a map of Halifax's North End, an eagle feather, text from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, and other symbols of both Canada and justice

Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau unveiled the new bank note today during a special ceremony featuring Desmond' sister, Wanda Robson, in Halifax.

It won't be in circulation until later this year, but you can play with a cool interactive version of the bill (and learn more about it) on the Bank of Canada's website now.

Uber just threw out a Toronto chef's $3,000 knife set

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Today in ridiculously expensive Uber rides, a Toronto chef is out thousands of dollars after leaving his professional tools in a car for just seconds.

Dylan Vickers, a chef at Skippa on Harbord St., says he forgot to grab his knife set while exiting an Uber he'd taken to work last Thursday.

He realized what had happened immediately and tried to wave the driver down, but the vehicle was already in motion. So, Vickers sent a message to the driver letting him know that his tools were in the car.

A few hours later, Uber sent back a message to say that his items had been retrieved and that he could pick them up at the ride-sharing company's office in Mississauga, which he set out to do the next morning.

When the chef got there, however, he was told that his knives had been classified as "dangerous" and that they'd been discarded of.

"They were deemed unsafe to be reissued to me," he said by phone. "The woman I was talking to said she wasn't able to contact the person who would have thrown them out directly." 

"She said that my knives were likely somewhere within the municipal garbage system by that point."

Uber Toronto knives

A Toronto chef's plea advice on what to do about Uber discarding his tools has racked up dozens of comments and shares in just a few hours.

Vickers asked for some type of compensation, but says that he couldn't even get the company to acknowledge it had done anything wrong.

"Uber won’t give me anything more than 'it's our policy that we don’t release weapons back to customers, we can't give you a written statement'," he wrote on the Food and Wine Navigator Facebook page last night in a last-ditch effort to recover his losses.

"Am I sh-t out of luck or is there anything I can do?"

With little hope that he'll get his original tools back, Vickers has now reordered a new set. 

"I need my tools," he said. "They're critical to me being able to apply my trade."

Unfortunately, chef equipment doesn't come cheap. Vickers says that his estimate of $3,000 was conservative. His collection of knives and culinary tools are likely worth much more than that all together.

"I would like some form of compensation," he said by phone. "I haven't even been able to get them to admit that they made a mistake or apologize or anything."

An apology, he says, would be better than nothing – though "compensation would be ideal."

Uber has yet to respond to our request for comment.

Major Toronto tourist attractions now accept Chinese currency

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Toronto is stepping up its mobile payment game to make it even easier for Chinese tourists to spend lots and lots of money here.

Tourism Toronto announced in a press release this morning that two of the city's most prominent attractions – Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the CN Tower – will henceforth be accepting WeChat and Alipay.

Both of these apps essentially work to let people pay for Canadian goods and services in Chinese yuan. The conversion happens instantly, through the app, making the purchase experience simple and seamless.

"Chinese consumers are increasingly using mobile payments options as their preferred method of payment for goods and services," reads the Tourism Toronto release. "Together, WeChat Pay and Alipay have more than 1.3 billion active users."

And China is a very important market for tourism in Toronto.

Approximately 319,000 visitors came from the region last year alone, spending a combined $304 million – an increase of 147 per cent over just five years.

The CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium join local malls like the Toronto Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, Scarborough Town Centre, Square One and CF Sherway Gardens in accepting Chinese mobile payment options.

"2018 has been declared the Canada-China Year of Tourism," said Johanne Bélanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto in the release. "This is a time to focus on how easy it is for Chinese travellers to visit Toronto and experience the region in a way that's both exciting and convenient."

"That sense of welcome Toronto is known for extends to welcoming the payment options that many Chinese visitors are comfortable using."


High Park cherry blossoms peak bloom set for mid April

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The end of winter is in sight, my friends – and oh what a beautiful sight it is.

Sakura in High Park, a website dedicated to monitoring the development of cherry blossoms in Toronto's most-storied collection of groves, is predicting a "peak bloom" for sometime between April and May.

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If conditions remain favourable, this means we could start seeing spring's most spectacular natural event (something I like to call "reverse fall") in just over a month.

Last year, High Park hit peak bloom on April 24 with most trees showing 70 to 100 per cent blossom coverage.

While it's still too early for any sort of definitive predictions, just knowing that sakura season is around the corner should put some pep in your step – especially if you've had a chance to witness the explosion of pink and white flowers yourself.

Sakura in High Park reports that trees are already showing "well formed and healthy looking blossom buds," meaning that they're doing well and progressing normally.

"Weather extremes can push the dates out further if gets too cold or even sooner if temperatures rise above seasonal norms," reads the website. 

"As always, its the one wildcard that can easily throw predictions for a loop."

Toronto startup TunnelBear just sold itself to a tech behemoth

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The powerful, successful and impossibly fun cybersecurity firm TunnelBear just became the latest in a long line of Toronto startups to hit the big time – as in even bigger than it already was. Like a mama grizzly in the summertime.

California-based tech giant McAfee – the same one that owned the anti-virus game throughout the 90's – announced today that it had recently acquired TunnelBear for an undisclosed amount.

"McAfee shares our passion to help everyone browse a more secure and private internet," said TunnelBear co-founder Ryan Dochuk in a press release.

"The acquisition provides us with the resources to develop our service, expand into new regions, and continue leadership of privacy and security practices in the VPN industry."

TunnelBear has grown since its inception in 2011 to become one of the most popular cross-platform virtual private network companies in the world, with a reported 20 million people having used its apps across desktop and mobile.

It's office (or "Bear Cave") is currently located on Bathurst Street between Queen and Adelaide.

The company's core service, which shields a user's location and identity on the web, has become increasingly important among consumers in recent years as the importance of online privacy gets more attention.

What sets it apart from competitors, at least at the consumer level, is... well, a pretty intense focus on bears and bear puns.

TunnelBear is known for being quirky. Check out the company's "about" page to see what I mean. It's all bears and it's all glorious.

McAfee, which now describes itself as a "device-to-cloud cybersecurity company," is one of the most established brands in online security – and it looks to be ramping up for something with this most recent acquisition.

The firm had already purchased another cybersecurity service provider, Skyhigh Networks, just a few months ago.

I, for one, look forward to seeing what kind of magic TunnelBear and McAfee make together – as long as the former keeps its core creative aesthetic in place. Those cute little bear-burrowing animations are clutch. You can't put a price on fun.

Toronto is getting its first Indigenous Fashion Week

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This spring, 23 artists and designers from Nunavut to Greenland will be showcasing the most progressive Indigenous-made fashion, craft and textiles in Toronto.

The inaugural Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) is set to take place from May 31 until June 3 at the Harbourfront Centre, starting with a series of runway shows.

Founded by Dene artist Sage Paul, the four-day multi-platform festival will also feature panels, lectures and hands-on workshops for such things as Indigo Dyeing (Tuscarora Nation) and Navajo Rug Weaving.

A marketplace with more than 40 vendors will also be on site, with fashion, food, cosmetics, lifestyle products and more by Indigenous female artists from Canada, the U.S and beyond.

"Indigenous fashion can redefine mainstream fashion and art: our fashion illustrates our stories, traditions, sovereignty and resiliency," said Paul in a press release issued Thursday. "IFWTO is about carving out space for Indigenous fashion, craft and textiles."

Further programming details and a schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, according to IFWTO. In the meantime, you can follow them on Instagram.

Toronto Food Events: Pancakes and Booze, Grilled Cheese Challenge, Foodalicious

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Food events in Toronto are stacked with a buffet of goodies from Pi Co and Island Oysters, while Sugar Shack kicks off for the second year and Tom's Dairy Freeze reopens for the season.

Events you might want to check out:

When The Pig Came Home Pop-Up (March 9 @ Left Field Brewery)
When the Pig Came Home is having a pop-up at Left Field with sandwiches, jerk chicken, and ribs.
Sugar Shack TO (March 10-11 @ Sugar Beach)
It's the first day of Toronto’s urban sugar shack featuring live music, food, and maple-infused treats.
Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival (March 10 - April 8 @ Kortright Centre for Conservation)
A celebration of all things maple, The Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival is on this weekend in Woodbridge.
Vegan Bake Off (March 11 @ Glass Factory & Lounge)
Now ten year's strong, enjoy plant-based treats from professional and home bakers and find out who all be crowned the Vegan Master.
Tom’s Dairy Freeze Opening (March 11 @ Tom's Dairy Freeze)
Some might say spring starts later this month, but we all know it really starts whenever Tom’s Dairy Freeze reopens for the season.
Island Oysters at Halo Brewery (March 11 @ Halo Brewery)
The conclusion of Halo's Winter Oyster Trilogy will see Island Oysters serving up oysters from British Columbia, New Brunswick, and PEI.
Mega Miso Ramen Challenge (March 13 @ KINTON RAMEN)
The Mega Miso Ramen Challenge is on again at Kinton to see how can polish off a massive bowl of ramen with ton of pork belly, pork shoulder, and a whole lotta noodles.
Pi Day at Pi Co (March 14 @ Multiple Venues)
Margherita pizza pies are on the cheap during Pi Day happening at all three of Pi Co's Toronto locations.
Vino and Vinyasa (March 15 @ Love Child Social)
A full day of yoga, meditation, roundtable conversations, and a wine tasting. Now that's balance.
St. Patrick's Day Pancake Kegger (March 17 @ Nightowl)
Start the St. Patrick's Day celebrations off right with free pancakes, and later, live music and prizes.
Let the Spirits Move You (March 24 @ Ralph Thornton Community Centre)
The flavours of the Caribbean are on full display and jacked with rum to celebrate the spirit of the islands.
Pancakes and Booze Art Show (April 6 @ The Opera House)
Art, body painting, live audio,and visual performances and free pancakes. What could be better?
Grilled Cheese Challenge (June 9 @ Lakeshore Village)
Lakeshore Village is hosting a massive grilled cheese fest featuring dozens of vendors, food and drinks, and even a car show.
Foodalicious (June 9-10 @ Downsview Park)
Foodalicious is back this year with over 30 food trucks featuring gourmet street food and live music.
Wine and Spirit Festival (June 22-23 @ Sugar Beach)
Wine samples, craft beer, and pairing seminars are on the menu for the 10th year of the Wine & Spirit Festival.

Sold! Lawrence Park fixer upper goes for $250K over asking

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It's not often that you see Lawrence Park homes listed at under $1 million, but this aging corner property is a noteworthy exception. Located at 1 Ronan Ave. right alongside Lawrence, the house looks far smaller than it actually is. 

1 ronan avenue torontoThe listing photos reveal a surprisingly spacious interior with large bedrooms and plenty of character in the living and dining rooms. Where the list price starts to make sense is when you get to the kitchen and bathrooms, which are clearly in need of major upgrades. 

1 ronan avenue torontoDespite the need for renovations, I don't see this as a tear down project. There are good bones here and enough space to warrant investing in the current structure, which also has an under-utilized basement space that could potentially add living space to the house.

1 ronan avenue torontoAdd all this up, and it's not really surprising that the house went for considerably over asking. With fixer uppers, it often makes sense to go low on the listing and let buyer interest drive the price up to market value. I don't love the tactic with new homes, but sometimes it works.

1 ronan avenue torontoThe Essentials
  • Address: 1 Ronan Ave.
  • Type: Detached house
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Lot size: 35 x 100 feet
  • Hit the market at: $998,000
  • Sold for: $1.25 million
1 ronan avenue torontoWhy it sold for what it did

Location, location, location. Regardless of the condition of the house, this size lot in Lawrence Park is worth over a million. 

1 ronan avenue torontoWas it worth it?

Absolutely. I like most of the rooms in this house. With the right reno project, it could be turned into a very nice home with ample space in a great neighbourhood. What more could you want?

1 ronan avenue toronto1 ronan avenue toronto1 ronan avenue toronto1 ronan avenue toronto1 ronan avenue toronto1 ronan avenue toronto

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