Whether you follow the Blue Jays or just wear their logo on your fitted hats and stuff, everyone in Toronto should be proud of our city's latest MLB acquisition.

Yangervis Solarte is everything a sports franchise could ask for and more, especially in the absence of retired former shortstop Munenori Kawasaki, the most charming baseball player of all time (or at least my time.)

In fact, a lot of people have been comparing the two on Twitter lately - many of them going so far as to call Solarte "the new Kawasaki," mostly on account of his dancing.

Pretty sure “Solarte” is Spanish for “Kawasaki” @BlueJays love his enthusiasm pic.twitter.com/K5xBMgoT5V

— Patrick Lahaie (@PLahaie) April 1, 2018

Toronto acquired Solarte earlier this year from the San Diego Padres in exchange for prospects Edward Olivares and Jared Carkuff.

The 30-year-old Venezuelan infielder made his debut with the New York Yankees in 2014. In 2016, he was awarded the Tony Conigliaro Award for his on-field achievements while overcoming personal tragedy after his wife died of cancer at 31.

Solarte, a single father to three young daughters, is already said to be "proving his worth to the Blue Jays" with his versatility and "ability to contribute to the level of a starter on offence."

Come for Pillar stealing home - his third base of the inning! - but stay for Solarte's happy dance of joy. https://t.co/8VoMGN03xH

— Ryan McNutt (@RyanMcNutt) March 31, 2018

Indeed, he played a key role in the Jays' first win of the season on Saturday with a jaw-dropping home run in the eighth inning that secured his team's victory over the Yankees.

It was (and is) his sideline dancing that has Twitter all riled up, though. I mean, look at him. Look at how much fun he is.

Don't worry, guys, we've got that new Solarte GIF coming.

In the meantime... it's 3-2 for the home side! pic.twitter.com/C791OAPqvz

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 3, 2018

"Watching Solarte dance after every home run is everything Blue Jays fans deserve," tweeted one fan yesterday.

"I'm already in love with Solarte's dance moves and energy out on the field," tweeted another "He's already a Blue Jays fan favourite."

Solarte was worth the signing just for the dance gifs alone! #BlueJayspic.twitter.com/zKV9MDunlm

— Andrew Hockridge (@drewhockridge) April 3, 2018

Teammate Marcus Stroman also showed that he's a fan last night by retweeting a Solarte dance GIF with the words "Secccccyyyyy." His tweet was punctuated by a dancing man emoji.

Creeping further back into Solarte's career, one can find evidence that his fellow Padres players loved the dance moves too.

How @Solarte26 likes to stretch before the game. This is why Solie is the best 🕺@MLBNetwork@Padrespic.twitter.com/4P5LHIxi6T

— Chase d'Arnaud (@chasedarnaud) June 17, 2017

The Blue Jays clearly know what they've got going here in terms of internet juice, as evidenced by all the Solarte GIFs they've been pumping out on Twitter.

RT if the world needs more @Solarte26 GIFs.
Also RT if you need more @Solarte26 GIFs. pic.twitter.com/nQyeBGio3U

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 3, 2018

Welcome to Toronto, Yangervis. You're already a local hero.

Toronto is getting a women-only co-working space courtesy of The Wing, a New York-based company that's set to open sometime next year.

The Wing has been around since 2016 and also announced expansion today to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and London. 

A post shared by The Wing (@the.wing) on Feb 26, 2018 at 6:01am PST

Now it's chosen Toronto as the first location in Canada and will join other women-only co-working spaces around the city like Make Lemonade and Shecosystems. 

The company brands itself as a networking and social club, in addition to being designed by all-women architectural and design teams and providing food prepared by all-women chefs.

A post shared by The Wing (@the.wing) on Mar 25, 2018 at 10:40am PDT

The company is currently under investigation by the New York City Commission on Human Rights for possible gender discrimination.

The new Toronto location is set to open sometime in early 2019.

A new sushi spot with a sushi-carrying monorail has opened in Toronto and its has people surprised and delighted to see their food zipping around in front of them.

Hana Sushi recently opened its doors, bringing with it another piece of Japanese culture that fares prominently in every day life: the monorail.

A post shared by @carrie_yunyun on Mar 30, 2018 at 8:36pm PDT

The restaurant uses model monorails situated above a conveyor belt to deliver the goods, and watching it pop out and zoom around is nothing short of mesmerizing. 

A post shared by s_x (@s_x) on Mar 29, 2018 at 8:48am PDT

Customers order food via iPads stationed at each table. When the food is ready, the monorail flows seamlessly out and delivers it to the table via a genuine, bona fide, electrified, one-car monorail.

A post shared by Amu Wong (@amu.wong) on Mar 11, 2018 at 11:24am PDT

Toronto is not new to unique sushi delivery methods, such as floating sushi. But Hana stands to re-introduce Toronto to the conveyor belt method that's still widely used in Japan and around the world.

A post shared by Katie Nora (@katiellenora) on Mar 28, 2018 at 4:12pm PDT

Cross your fingers that sushi vending machines finally make their way to the city.

A post shared by Foods of Toronto | Devon L. (@foodsoftoronto) on Mar 14, 2018 at 7:39am PDT

The action is going down at 21 Grenville Street near Yonge and College.

Toronto police are officially abandoning their bid to march in this year's Pride Parade after being asked to stay away by prominent members of the LGBTQ2S community.

Police Chief Mark Saunders announced the news in a press release early Tuesday afternoon, saying that he "had hoped to see our civilians and uniformed officers invited back to march in the 2018 Pride Parade."

"That being said, I am conscious of the need to avoid any setback that might undermine the principle objective of coming together and restoring confidence," he said, referring to rising tensions between police and Toronto's gay community.

"In light of the concerns expressed in yesterday’s letter to me, I will be withdrawing the application we have made to the organizing committee of the Pride Parade."

My statement on Pride Toronto's request to Toronto Police. pic.twitter.com/r6Zswy3Ouf

— John Tory (@JohnTory) April 3, 2018

The letter Saunders referenced in his release was published Monday evening on Pride Toronto's social media accounts.

It was co-signed by The 519, The Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention, Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, and Sherbourne Health Centre.

These groups expressed concern over the impact that police could have on vulnerable community members who already feel stigmatized by police.

Of particular issue is how police handled (and are still handling) the investigation into Bruce McArthur, an alleged serial killed who targeted gay men in the Church and Wellesley area.

Police have failed Toronto’s queer community in so many ways. The McArthur situation is just the latest. Withdrawing from Pride at their request is the right thing to do. #pridetohttps://t.co/bTbzWd7E49

— Amanda Roberts ✨ (@amandaglowgettr) April 3, 2018

"My hope is that this move will be received as a concrete example of the fact that I am listening closely to the community’s concerns and I am committed thoroughly to building a better, stronger relationship between us," said Saunders in response to the letter today.

"Much more work is needed, of course. But hopefully this moment moves us forward in an important way."

Let's give credit where credit is due: @BLM_TO for bringing the issue of police violence to the forefront, for risking their safety, security, and facing animosity--even from within the gay community--as they fought for justice. #BlackLivesMatter#PrideTO#NoPrideInPolicinghttps://t.co/7jCJc1myy5

— Pivot Legal Society (@pivotlegal) April 3, 2018

Saunders says that he hopes to see members of the police force, some of who are both cops and gay, accepted and welcomed into the Parade next year.

"The Toronto Police Service will work hard over the course of the next year toward that end," he said, "and, ideally, the 2019 Pride Parade will offer an opportunity to demonstrate that progression."

After what feels like decades of trudging up Strachan and Atlantic to access the outside world, Liberty Village residents are finally getting a centrally-located portal to King Street.

Unless the project gets delayed... Again.

The City of Toronto has announced that construction on the fabled King-Liberty pedestrian cycle bridge will begin early this summer, more than seven years after it was approved by city council.

If things go well, a new access point stretching above the Metrolinx rail corridor from Douro Street to the western edge of Western Battery Road will be finished by summer of 2019.

This rendering illustrates where the covered bridge will connect in both Liberty Village and King West. Image via City of Toronto.

"This new bridge will provide a convenient and more direct route from Liberty Village to King Street West between Atlantic Avenue and Strachan Avenue," reads the city's website for the project.

"Lighting and other elements will be designed with consideration of adjacent apartments."

Currently, people must go ridiculously far out of their way to get from King Street to the middle of Liberty Village– a bustling, post-industrial neighbourhood filled with tech companies and young urban professionals in condos.

There really needs to be a pedestrian bridge connecting Liberty Village to Shaw. #Toronto

— Dan Blake (@dannno) October 4, 2017

With only two ways into and out of the hood (three, if you count the tunnel to Exhibition Place), the community is often described as "isolated" – or at the very least "annoying to get to."

What's even more frustrating is how close the neighbourhood is to King. A journey that would take 20 minutes on foot could right now would be closer to three minutes if we could walk across the train tracks.

The bridge will allow us to do just that.

The city shared this bridge deck façade treatment for the project on its website. Image via City of Toronto.

"It's going to let people in Liberty Village get out to the north more easily so that they can access the King streetcar for example, and communities to the north like Queen West," said the city's manager of infrastructure planning, said Jeff Dea, in an interview with CBC Toronto.

"Vice versa, people coming into the area to work are going to be able to access King-Liberty from King West more easily."

A drawing of what the bridge might look like. Image via City of Toronto.

The project is expected to cost approximately $11.5-million, according to Dea, but the final cost could vary.

Design details, available now via the city's website, include a 5-metre wide covered deck, staircases with bicycle channels, public art, illuminated passageways and closed-circuit cameras for 24 hour access.

Raccoons are intelligent creatures, capable of adapting to and thriving in even the most unnatural of habitats while looking cute as heck the entire time.

Toronto's own "backstreet bandits" (as the BBC calls them) will pop out of ceilings and steal doughnuts like cartoon burglars. They'll ride the subway or stroll through Shopper's Drug Mart, just because they can. 

They laugh in the face of those "raccoon-proof" green bins and scale 700-foot cranes, just to poop on them.

And yet, as clever as they can be, Toronto raccoons have been known to make some risky moves in the name of securing junk food.

Meagan O'Connor snapped this photo of animal rescue workers helping the raccoon she spotted with a jar on his head while out for a walk. Photo by Meagan O'Connor/Toronto Wildlife Centre.

Toronto Wildlife Centre, a non-profit wildlife hospital, rehabilitation centre, rescue team and more, shares stories and photos and videos of adorable animal patients on Facebook almost every day – often in an attempt to educate the public.

On Monday, the centre shared some photos of a raccoon who'd gotten his head stuck in a jar of grease that some human had failed to clean before recycling.

Fortunately for the raccoon, a woman spotted him near a ravine in Scarborough and called TWC for help.

Wildlife workers were able to gently pry the jar from the frightened animal's head, but noticed that he had some snout and leg wounds so they took him back to the centre.

"They treated the wounds, and also gave him a bath to remove grease that appeared to be on his fur," reads the Facebook post. "After 5 days in care, he fully healed and was released near the ravine he was found."

All's well that ends well, right?

Wrong. Had he not been found, things could have ended tragically for this little guy.

"Make sure to clean all recyclables before putting them outside in a tightly secured bin!" cautioned TWC in its post about the raccoon.

In 2015, the centre posted footage of a similar rescue in which a raccoon had become trapped inside a mayonnaise container.

Bears, cats, dogs, deer, coyotes, skunks and many other creatures have either been rescued from, or found dead with jars on their heads in recent years.

"Animals will do that. If they smell something appetizing they'll put their heads in there to get the snack and won't have the dexterity to get themselves out," said wildlife rehabilitator Cath Horvath to a local news station in New York following an incident with a raccoon last summer.

"The best advice is when throwing out a jar, make sure to put the cover back on."

PETA similarly encourages everyone to rinse out containers, crush cans and cups, screw lids on jars, and cut open empty cardboard and plastic vessels so that small animals can't get their faces or heads trapped inside.

It might look cute, but it can be fatal.

From April 13 to May 6, the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home will be in Toronto. Want to see it? You're in luck. We've teamed up with The Musical Stage Company to give readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show along with a $100 gift card to the Drake Hotel.

Check out all the contest details here.

Events in Toronto today will see some creative minds come together to discuss fake news, a showcasing of the latest in video games, and Majid Jordan in for a two-night performance.

With a soaring wall of windows and open living spaces, this apartment is impressive.

The one-bedroom plus den is spread out over two floors. On the lower floor is an open-concept kitchen, dining area and living room.

The living room is big enough to comfortably house enough people for a righteous party and there’s also a nice little dining nook at the back of the room.

The kitchen, while modern, reminds me of the kind of kitchen you get in student dorms. Everything is crammed into the least amount of space as possible, so if you have a lot of kitchen items you’re going to have to get clever with your storage.

Making your way up the stunning wood, steel and glass staircase you are in the bedroom.

The bedroom is somewhat divided by a wall, so on the other side, you could put an extra dresser, a desk or just some really great artwork.

There are two bathrooms. One upstairs and one downstairs, meaning you’ll never have to fight over who gets to shower first.  

The townhouse also has a large outdoor terrace with a garden enclosure that’s perfect for BBQs or just a place for you to sit in the summer soaking in that vitamin D. It looks sparse and exposed in the winter but in the summer the greenery fills in giving you a decent amount of privacy.

Specs

• Address: 25 Lourdes Ln
• Type: Townhouse
• Rent: $3,000 / month
• Listing agent: Douglas Watson-Bagg
• Furnished? Yes
• Utilities: No
• Air conditioning? Yes
• Bedrooms: 1
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: 1
• Laundry? In suite
• Outdoor space? Private terrace
• Pet friendly? Yes

Good For

A couple with a dog. The place is pet-friendly and is pretty close to Rosedale Ravine Lands so there are tons of places to take the furbaby for a walk.

Move On If

You’re not a morning person. Yes, the wall of windows is stunning but unless you’re going to get blackout blinds for all of them you’re going to be waking up when the sun does.

Chicago might be known as the Windy City but today Toronto is apparently going to give the home to deep dish pizza a run for their money.

A wind warning issued by Environment Canada outlines that beginning today, an arctic cold front is set to hit Southern Ontario that may see a whole lot of umbrellas turned inside out.

WOW! What a storm. The heaviest rain is done with #Toronto now... the wind is our next challenge! Gusts to 100k likely today #OnStorm@WeatherNetworkpic.twitter.com/EacUqqRIc9

— Rachel Schoutsen TWN (@RachelSchoutsen) April 4, 2018

Winds speeds are set to reach 90/km an hour later this afternoon, potentially resulting in power outages and possible damage to buildings.

The report also warns drivers should "be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds."

High #winds in #Toronto today with #colder#temperatures... not exactly #patio#weather but #Canadians will still try... pic.twitter.com/aHR5yh1eOv

— Debra Meilleur (@DebraMeilleur) April 4, 2018

Things are set to die down by this evening, thankfully, and hopefully without any major disruptions.

Strong wind warning in effect for Toronto today. Stay put. pic.twitter.com/27Rnw5RB59

— Adri S (@AdriSK) April 4, 2018

Clearly the glory days of spring is still a ways off, so get ready to hunker down and ride this one out.

The best cheap drinks in Toronto will get you buzzed without breaking the bank. While they may not be the fanciest (let’s face it – most of these are dives) of options, they’ll do the trick for those looking to imbibe on a budget.

Here are the best cheap drinks in Toronto.

TTC subway operators - they're just like us!

Only in the case of Aaron Chapman, they're also talented LEGO enthusiasts who spend their spare time making tiny, highly-detailed versions of the vehicles they drive at work. So... better than us, I guess.

Introducing the Toronto Rocket Subway Train LEGO model– a custom build featuring 2910 bricks, 28 pieces of track, two TTC operator minifigures and hundreds of intricate details that only someone with Chapman's unique cross-knowledge could pin down.

Chapman, 42, says that originally began to design the train as a display model for himself.

Interest from excited colleagues and fellow LEGO enthusiasts, however, inspired him to create a "fully functioning playset with all the detail I could think of."

Staff and customers at Yorkdale Mall's LEGO store further encouraged Chapman to submit the idea to LEGO itself after seeing his designs on a shopping trip. 

"The response was overwhelmingly excited," he said. "The amazing staff there informed me how many local and visiting LEGO fans come in all the time looking for sets that are  'Toronto' themed and they thought the Toronto Rocket set would be a huge hit."

Chapman went to TTC management with the idea before moving forward, expecting a long and difficult approval process for use of the transit agency's logo and branding.

What happened was the exact opposite.

"The TTC was incredibly supportive," he said by phone. "Within hours, it was 100 per cent approved. I was shocked. They jumped on it right away."

So, with his employer's blessing and encouragement from staff and customers at Yorkdale Mall's LEGO store, Chapman submitted his project to LEGO Ideas– a website site for fans to submit their own designs for LEGO's consideration.

If Chapman can get 10,000 people or more to click "support" on his project within two years, LEGO will review the proposal.

If selected, the TTC Toronto Rocket Subway Train will go into production.

"Once complete, it goes to the factory, then it's shipped around the world and released for sale," reads the LEGO Ideas website.

"You're featured in set materials, receive a royalty on sales, and are recognized as the product creator. Your supporters can now own the LEGO set they helped make happen on LEGO Ideas."

Chapman, who operates trains on the busy TTC Yonge-University Line 1, is a lifelong LEGO fan who is admittedly "obsessed with" building cool stuff.

His ultimate goal with the project, though, is to put Canada on the LEGO map.

"Canada doesn't have any LEGO kits based on Canada," he said. "There are all types of world LEGO; The Taj Mahal, The Eiffel Tower... but nothing in Canada. Not even the CN Tower."

When he started the Rocket Train project, he was simply looking for a train made in Canada – like the Bombardier vehicle he operates at work. 

"None existed so I made my own," he said, noting that the TTC is perfect fodder for a LEGO set.

"Even people who hate the TTC love the TTC," he laughed. "People who are frustrated by problems out of our control can take the train home, smash it and rebuild it. It's LEGO."

Love those glitzy casino vibes but hate going all the way to Niagara Falls? 

The GTA is moving ever closer to getting its own "premier casino resort" in the form of Durham Live – a 1.1 million-square-foot dining, hotel, retail, entertainment, sports and casino complex connected directly to the Go Train.

Ontario Gaming GTA LP (OGGLP) announced yesterday in a press release that DLive, as it has been dubbed, is now proceeding toward the municipal permitting stage for a site near Highway 401 in Pickering, Ontario.

A render of the Durham Live casino complex at night.

No estimated start date for the project has been released at this time, but when the whole shebang is finished we can expect everything from an film studios and amphitheatres to an indoor waterpark and 150,000 square feet of luxury retail shopping space.

The complex will boast four different dining districts, according to its website, and a "casino district" with over 330,000 sq.ft. of gaming space and a grand fountain.

It is also promised to create more than 10,000 jobs, "particularly for young people graduating from college and university who wish to remain in the area."

This rendering shows some of the restaurants and other buildings in the development beyond the casino.

OGGLP, which is behind this and several other casino projects, is a partnership between the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and Toronto's own Brookfield Business Partners.

The group was selected in August by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to operate three gaming facilities in the Greater Toronto Area: Casino Woodbine, Casino Ajax, and Great Blue Heron Casino.

The building housing the casino is the main focal point of the area.

"As part of the significantly expanded gaming and entertainment options under development as part of Durham Live, Casino Ajax will relocate when the casino resort at Durham Live is operational in late 2019." 

Bell Media would like to offer you a free Canadian rock music concert in exchange for your attendance at a "special announcement" event on Thursday night.

The celebratory event will take place at Yonge-Dundas Square and feature both Arkells and City and Colour (aka Dallas Green), who together have won a combined seven JUNO awards.

In a press release issued last night, Bell revealed zero details pertaining to what it's actually going to announce.

Two hashtags, however, may provide somewhat of a hint to those familiar with the tele-conglomerate's affairs: #LightUpThe6ix and #BellBlueSky.

#TORONTO - see you tomorrow in Yonge-Dundas Square! https://t.co/x40v9325a1

— City and Colour (@cityandcolour) April 4, 2018

"In anticipation of Thursday's big event, the Toronto skies will be lit blue tomorrow night," reads the release, dropping yet another potential clue.

Arkells is set to release a new song on Friday but, based on how much Bell is hyping it up, I don't think that's what this event is about.

Whatever the company is about to announce, they're going to do it alongside free performances by two dope Canadian music artists – and you can't put a price on free (because it's free.)

The event kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on April 5 at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto.

Toronto's housing market continue to slide wildly, year-over-year, as we move through the first half of 2018 – and only in part because of how record-breaking hot things were last March.

The Toronto Real Estate Board said in its monthly figures report on Wednesday that home sales were down a whopping 39.5 per cent last month in the GTA with only 7,228 residential transactions reported.

A record 11,954 sales were reported in March of 2017, however, which explains much of the dip – though it is of note that sales were down 17.6 per cent last month relative to the same time period for the previous 10 years.

The overall average selling price was also down by 14.3 per cent, year over year, from $915,126 in March of 2017 to $784,558 last month.

Once again, analysts are pinning the decline on government cooling measures like Ontario's new 15 per cent tax on foreign home buyers and the federal government's mortgage stress-test.

"While the change in market conditions certainly played a role, the dip in the average selling price was also compositional in nature," reads the TREB report. "Detached home sales, which generally represent the highest price points in a given area, declined much more than other home types."

"In addition," it continues, "The share of high-end detached homes selling for over $2 million in March 2018 was half of what was reported in March 2017, further impacting the average selling price."

With both provincial and municipal elections set to take place this year, the real estate board emphasized that "housing and housing affordability need to be at the forefront" of any government policy debates.

If April showers bring May flowers, what do April hail storms bring? 

Broken windows and spinning cranes.

A wind warning remains in effect for Toronto on Wednesday afternoon, with scattered flurries and "very strong" gusts of arctic air moving through the city at up to 90 km/h.

This is the scene at Lawrence and Bond Streets in North York. Heavy wind blew this massive structure over. You see it teetering towards oncoming traffic. #highwindwarning#toronto Tune into @globalnewsto 5:30pm/6pm and @globalnews for more! pic.twitter.com/6ltGuhcD0v

— Angie Seth (@kateygoalie) April 4, 2018

If you haven't been outside in a while, you might want to consider keeping it that way.

Damaged windows, roofs, signs, vehicles, street furniture, dogs, trees and even cranes are being reported all over the city this afternoon, pieces of debris from which are flying everywhere.

A crane in #Toronto near Yonge and Eglinton has been spinning out of control all day because of the wind pic.twitter.com/gty9aaMvsF

— blogTO (@blogTO) April 4, 2018

"Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage," warns Environment Canada. "Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds."

It's windy enough in Toronto to blow street lights off their posts. Southbound Markham Road at Ellesmere @CityNewspic.twitter.com/7nlHtZLo8f

— DanielB (@focusthatcamera) April 4, 2018

Power outages are currently impacting roughly 10,000 people across many parts of the city thanks to downed wires, according to Toronto Hydro.

"Crews are responding as quickly & safely as possible, but are not able to provide ETORs at this point," wrote the utility provider on Twitter. "Stay safe!"

Electricity is out to large area of Roncessvalles after high winds toppled this tree at he roots. Tree is resting on power lines on Geoffrey Street near Roncessvalles and Dundas. pic.twitter.com/1hd2SjHYck

— Kevin Misener (@Misener680NEWS) April 4, 2018

As of 2 p.m., Toronto Fire Services said crews were responding to 26 active incidents caused by the heavy winds.

Citizens on the ground are seeing their fences trashed, their roads closed off and so many rogue recycling bins in places where they shouldn't be.

Winds now approaching 100 km/h with my anemometer measuring a gust to 92 km/h.

Lake Ontario is very rough!#onstorm#onwx#onweather#windy#storm#wx#weatherpic.twitter.com/3Vzpdnv6Ll

— Tom Stef (@vaughanweather) April 4, 2018

In Hamilton, a giant bucket of fried chicken crushed a cab in a KFC parking lot. No injuries were reported.

Massive KFC sign down at King & Dundurn. Traffic lights out at intersection; huge traffic backup in area. #HamOnt#ONStormpic.twitter.com/Sf7TihoRpr

— Barry Gray (@_barrygray_) April 4, 2018

People all over the GTA are questioning the structural integrity of the buildings they're in, as well the infrastructure supporting them.

Great video from @CityNews viewer Dave Stender of this scary wobbling pole at Bond St E and Oshawa Blvd N in Oshawa. #onstorm#windpic.twitter.com/c7nyK2rFPW

— Espe (@EspeCurrie) April 4, 2018

Environment Canada says that these winds will "gradually begin to diminish this evening," but does warn of ongoing power outages, so... juice up your phone right now, if you can, just in case.

There'll be no more bull rides for the cowboys and cowgirls in one Toronto neighbourhood, thank you kindly.

One of Toronto's only true country western theme bars, Boots & Bourbon Saloon, just hit the dusty trail after more than 5 years in business near Queen and Broadview.

"Boots & Bourbon is closing its doors!" wrote the bar on Facebook late last week, inviting its customers to come by for one last night of free line dancing lessons and cheap Fireball shots.

It’s Saturday night! We’re #gettinbooted 🍻doors at 8, live music at 10, $4 Fireball🔥 #WeCountryTO

A post shared by Boots & Bourbon Saloon (@bootsbourbon) on Mar 24, 2018 at 5:15pm PDT

"Hopefully you find another location," wrote one fan on Facebook. "We need this bar. Great atmosphere, staff and artists booked there."

"I absolutely loved it there," wrote another customer in the comments. "Where else are we going to ride the bull now?"

Rock 'n' Horse has a mechanical bull too, for those who absolutely need one to have a good time.

Those who don't should keep an eye out for what moves into the space occupied by Boots & Bourbon next. Nothing has been announced, but it would be unusual for such a popular bar to close without something else in the works for that location.

Here's something you might not know unless you live near BMO Field: Canadian soccer fans can be just as obnoxious as their European counterparts are portrayed to be in "football hooligan" movies.

It's not that they're particularly violent, mean, or even disorderly – it's just that there's a lot of them.

A lot of drunk, yelling, scarf-wearing soccer people clogging up Liberty Village before and after TFC games.

Liberty Village is going OFF right now, stay safe, TFC fans, but party hard!! U deserve it!!! #MLSCUP#tfc#Championspic.twitter.com/XcwDWrdSxV

— Stuberoo (@Big_Mikey1977) December 10, 2017

A recent City News report pointed to congestion concerns in the area, noting that gridlock takes over every street in the neighbourhood on game days due to an influx of people and lack of infrastructure. 

Getting into and out of Liberty Village can be tough on any day, but it becomes nearly impossible when TFC games are scheduled at Exhibition Place – to the point where some residents stay indoors, or leave their own neighbourhood to avoid the swarms of red people and their many cars.

yes, you can't move because of all the plastered out of their minds TFC soccer fans. I wouldn't go near Liberty Village with them around.

— bigaltoronto (@AllanBSportsFan) March 31, 2017

The problem goes beyond road congestion, though, according to some residents.

Bars and restaurants become similarly rammed on game days, meaning that locals either can't get a seat, can't get a drink, or can't get a french fry into their face before someone screams "WOOOO!" in their ear.

Boom!! @torontofc does it!!! #MLSCup champions! Here’s out it played out in Liberty Village from that penalty time rebound to the final whistle! #TFCLivepic.twitter.com/eFontvpicJ

— James Cohen (@JamesCohen82) December 9, 2017

Congestion on sidewalks and public transit can also be super annoying for people who aren't drunk and / or have to get somewhere fast.

There needs to be another pedestrian bridge that connects Liberty Village to BMO/exhibition, aside from using the GO station. TFC fans clearly don't give a shit about blocking roads and the toronto police clearly don't give a shit about preventing it.

— Derek Blasutti (@dawgbone98) November 30, 2017

It's important to note that most of the people who come to TFC games are pleasant and respectful. They come with family, they support local businesses, and they're just looking to have some fun.

Others, though, take the opportunity of being wasted after a soccer game to kick over garbage cans, spit on people and yell about their genitals.

They were chanting a rally song, in unison, which concluded with them all yelling "Suck my d*ck!" -- this wasn't their first game.

I live in Liberty Village, and I'm sorry, your family might be great fans, but there is a surplus of ugly behavior from TFC's fanbase.

— Glen Matthews (@GlenJM) March 4, 2018

All of that said, most of the beef that any Liberty Village residents have with TFC fans seems to be rooted in congestion.

Lights from BMO stadium may keep some condo units bright all night long, and the noise from crowds during games can be intense, but that's all part of urban living. The Honda Indy is way, way worse.

This is a problem of too many people, not enough space and not enough places to drink beer at night for people who actually live in the area. And it's been one for a while now.

I'm not sure what the "Liberty" in Liberty Village refers to, but apparently it's not liberty from drunken soccer fans.

— Daniel Berkal (@danielberkal) June 19, 2011

That doesn't make it any less of a real problem, though.

A quick search on Twitter, Instagram, or the very popular closed Facebook group for Liberty Village residents proves that TFC games are far from beloved.

BMO Field does set off cool fireworks before soccer games sometimes, however, and it's hard to be mad at fireworks.

Events in Toronto today offer a lot of good ways to get through the mid-week-post-holiday slump. Emerging artists show off their stuff at Meta while the Arkells and City of Colour are putting on a free concert.

Canada's foremost platform for independent fashion and design Fashion Art Toronto returns this April. Want to attend the annual event? You're in luck. We've teamed up with FAT to give readers a chance to win a pair of festival passes.

Check out all the contest details here.