Toronto's CN Tower has now been closed for an unprecedented five days in the wake of an ice storm that left it dripping with frosty daggers earlier this week.

As of Friday, crews had been able to clean up much of the mess caused by last weekend's brutal shot of winter-in-spring weather, but police remain concerned about the risk of falling ice around the 553-metre-tall structure.

A decision has not yet been made about when the CN Tower will open. As soon as one has been made it will be posted to our social channels and website. Please continue to check there for updates.

— CN Tower/La Tour CN (@TourCNTower) April 20, 2018

The tower itself was shut down on Monday when ice chunks started smashing the windows of nearby office buildings and tearing holes in the SkyDome.

On Tuesday, police announced that they were closing off everything around the tower for safety reasons.

Ice falling from CN tower and smashing nearby buildings stay safe people #torontoweather#icestorm2018#toronto#icestorm#DriveSafe#StaySafepic.twitter.com/lVanWKMbGy

— WBO (@blinky_wardhana) April 16, 2018

Closures that are still in effect include Ripley's Aquarium, Gates 1 through 6 at the Rogers Centre, all of Bremner Boulevard between Lower Simcoe and Rees Streets, plus the John Street extension.

"Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has been determined that the safety of pedestrians and vehicles cannot be guaranteed," wrote TPS in a media release. "Closures and traffic restrictions have been put in place and will remain in place until further notice."

Road/Business Closures Due To Falling Ice From CN Tower Apr18/2018
1) Bremner Bv closed between Lower Simcoe St & Rees St
2) CN Tower: full closure
3) Steamwhistle Brewery & The Rec Room: full closure
4) Ripley's Aquarium: full closure
5) Rogers Centre: gates 1-6 closed
^sm pic.twitter.com/gkOI7tV0KA

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) April 17, 2018

It's incredibly rare for the tower to be shut down at all, according to a report from the Toronto Star, let alone for an entire week.

Is frozen water really more of a threat to our safety than electrical storms and 9/11?

Apparently so.

Weather Network meteorologist Scott Sutherland did the math and... it's anything but comforting.

Even a 10 cm fragment of the the 100 lb chunk of ice police have been keeping an eye on could "easily kill someone" if it hit them directly.

Ice has formed along the CN Tower as seen in this photo taken on April 17, 2018. Photo by Jeremy Gilbert.

"Even 8,000 Newtons of impact force is enough to cause serious injury, such as broken bones or a concussion," he notes after doing a lot of complicated (yet fascinating) math.

"If the ice chunk hits something notably softer though, such as a person, the ice undergoes very little compression and, as a result... the amount of impact force suddenly jumps by a factor of 10, at least, up to 80,000 Newtons!"

Updated list of enemies:

1. CN Tower
2. Rougned Odor
3. Daylight savings
4. That Justice League movie
5. Taco Bell
6. The song Sweet Caroline
7. My evil twin, Raul Frank
8. Sour Skittles (too sour)
9. Wet socks
10. Ikea furniture

— Paul Frank (@pwgfrank) April 17, 2018

Yeah. Stay away from the CN Tower. That would be a horrible death.

The Toronto chef who chopped up a deer leg in front of vegan protesters says he won't bow to the group's demand that he display a sign about animal rights in the front window of his restaurant.

So they're doing it for him, with a projector.

"Chef [Michael] Hunter has refused to put up a sign in his window," reads a press release from the group, which recently renamed itself the Grassroots Anti-Speciesism Shift (GRASS.)

"Marni's solution is to bring a powerful projector and shine the sign for all to see. There are plans to take the projected sign around major city buildings."

Vegan protesters still won't leave Antler restaurant alone https://t.co/5qBUNhTZX6pic.twitter.com/mr0piAHNcp

— blogTO (@blogTO) April 19, 2018

"Marni" is protest organizer Marni Ugar, who will be leading tonight's demonstration outside Antler starting around 7 p.m.

This will be the eighth of such protests outside Hunter's Dundas West restaurant in recent months, and the fourth since video footage of the chef "taunting" the animal rights activists went viral.

The vegans said earlier this week that they won't stop these weekly protests until Antler displays the following message in its front window:

"Animals' lives are their right. In their desire to live and capacity to suffer, a dog is a pig is a chicken is a boy. Reject Speciesism."

Do you actually believe these protests do anything? Antler is now the most famous restaurant in the area, it's fully booked for the next month maybe more, and they now have international fame? Your little protest ended up getting way more animals killed pic.twitter.com/eiAbyYkUnR

— Anxious Sociopath (@AnxiosSociopath) April 17, 2018

Hunter told Joe Rogan in an interview earlier this week that "there's no way" he'll be doing what Ugar's group asks.

He also spoke to Rogan about his own stance on animal rights, condemning factory farms and talking about how difficult it is to take the life of an amazing creature while hunting for food.

At one point, Rogan mentioned the irony of protesters targeting Antler, which focuses on game meat, when a butcher shop is right across the street.

An image of the sign vegans plan to project on Antler restaurant and other Toronto buildings.

"[Ugar] is taking Chef  Michael Hunter's recommendations on the Joe Rogan show seriously," reads today's press release, noting that she plans to "lead protestors to where he suggest they protest next - the butcher shop opposite his restaurant - Pavao Meats & Deli" after they hit up Antler.

Salsicharia Pavao is a family-owned, Little Portugal fixture best known for imported Portuguese groceries and freshly prepared meats.

The best pancakes in Toronto are stacked sky-high, fluffy, usually dripping in some kind of sauce or syrup and often served with melty butter, airy whipped cream or both. Though they tend to share these qualities, the city’s yummiest pancakes vary surprisingly in terms of style, toppings, and even regional influence.

Here are the best pancakes in Toronto.

Thousands of marijuana enthusiasts are celebrating 4/20 today under a cloud of smoke - and the watchful eye of Big Brother - at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.

It's the last major 420 event to take place in the city before cannabis becomes legal at the federal level in Canada, making it a unique enough celebration on its own - but it's also a bit more dramatic than usual, as organizers were unable to secure a permit for the space.

Police officers on bikes were stationed around the square, but also spoke to attendees when necessary. Photo by by Hector Vasquez.

420 Toronto had originally hoped to bring live music, food trucks, speakers and vendors of all kinds to the square today for the annual event, which had been running for the past 11 years at Yonge-Dundas Square.

The City of Toronto wasn't on board, however, and formally denied their request for a permit twice.

TPS spokesperson Meaghan Gray said that police were aware of the unauthorized event heading into Friday afternoon, and that officers would "be in attendance to ensure a peaceful and safe event."

✌🏼#420Torontopic.twitter.com/9IpUgu3hH0

— Lauren O'Neil (@laurenonizzle) April 20, 2018

Indeed, officers are present —large groups of them in yellow jackets on bikes — and for the most part they're just chilling back and letting people do what they want.

The mood is a bit less festive than it could be, though, with bike cops and City of Toronto security guards shutting down anyone who looks like they're trying give away or sell goods.

#Toronto police are making vendors put away their tables at the 420 event in Nathan Phillips Square because they don't have a permit to be there https://t.co/1FuEmViflupic.twitter.com/QqgYCWVgbB

— blogTO (@blogTO) April 20, 2018

"It's very disappointing and disheartening to think that the city wouldn't embrace something that they're going to be taking hundreds of thousands, if not millions of tax dollars from," said a 37-year-old attendee who goes only by the name Fletcher.

"I just think the police need to get on board or get the f--k out of here. The federal government is on board, so get the hell out of the way, because this is here to stay."

A police officer speaks to 420 Festival attendees. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Another attendee, Dave, 58, asked a security guard why he was telling vendors to pack up their tables.

"Well, you know, I can't just set up a table in your back yard," explained the guard in relation to permits.

"Yeah, but this isn't your back yard!" replied Dave. "I pay for this. This is a public space!"

Nathan Phillips Square was packed around 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

To be fair, police officers and security guards alike have been nothing but polite by most accounts.

"Excuse me guys," said one guard talking to a group of people in chairs that were giving away edibles. "I'm sorry but you can't do that or give it out here."

A security guard speaks to attendees at Toronto's annual 420 celebration. Photo by Lauren O'Neil.

The guard told attendees that they were welcome to sit and celebrate the event — that he had no interest in stopping their fun, he just needed to enforce the bylaws that prohibit sales without a permit.

The group packed up and went off into the crowd without incident.

"Happy 420!" said one of the young women as the guard turned to walk away. He nodded his head and smiled.

The famous Toronto sign was full of happy people on Friday afternoon as the sun shone down on weed fans. Photo by Lauren O'Neil.

This is Canada, after all. 

If your weekend plans involve taking the train into or out of Toronto, pray for smooth contract negotiations tonight.

Via Rail and Metrolinx both warned passengers on Friday that service could be delayed or cancelled this weekend on account of a labour dispute between Canadian Pacific Railway and two of its unions.

A potential CP Rail work stoppage could have some impact on GO train services starting as early as this Saturday. To see what lines may be impacted, click here: https://t.co/6o3xU1IdT7pic.twitter.com/Th3V3Bihle

— Metrolinx (@Metrolinx) April 20, 2018

A strike deadline has been set for April 21, meaning that 3,000 unionized conductors and engineers will walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. if an agreement can't be reached by midnight on Friday.

Negotiations between management and workers have reportedly stalled, making the prospect of a strike — the third in six years for CP Rail employees — more likely than not.

On the GO train and conductor just made an announcement about CP railworkers possibly going on strike. All smiles. Reminder to always back strikers, always back labour, always back workers. If it bothers you you're an asshole, period.

— Noman Siddiqui (@noman_sid) April 20, 2018

Via Rail said in a statement on Friday that, should a strike be called, it may have to cancel morning trains on Saturday and Sunday between Sudbury and White River, Ont.

Metrolinx said similarly that there could be delays for customers on its Milton and Barrie lines, according to the Canadian Press, "if CP Rail managers filling in for union workers are unable to address signal or switch issues on CP Rail-owned portions of the corridors."

An illustrator is making us feel nostalgic by bringing demolished Toronto buildings back to life through his drawings. 

From really old structures like the Wyld-Darling Building (which burned down in 1904) to still-fresh wounds like Honest Ed's, Montreal-based artist Raymond Biesinger's "18 Lost Buildings of Toronto" chronicles the buildings of Toronto's past with depictions of iconic ex-hotspots. 

Newsflash: "18 Lost Buildings of Toronto" is now available at raymondbiesinger.etsy.com. It's a 17x22" print showing 18 Toronto structures demolished, burned, or otherwise disappeared between 1904 and 2017, and it's $40 plus tax and shipping. You can find a writeup on all the structures in that shop, too, and please investigate my "21 Lost Buildings of Edmonton" and "18 Lost Buildings of Montreal" prints while you're there. Next up? Calgary. #torontoarchitecture #urbanplanning #lostbuildings

A post shared by Raymond Biesinger (@raymondbiesinger) on Feb 1, 2018 at 9:04am PST

The 22-inch by 17-inch black-and white-print also features places like the classic Sam The Record Man store, and includes the dates of the buildings' inception and destruction. 

"18 Lost Buildings of Toronto" is the latest instalment in Raymond's series of illustrations that pay homage to "those buildings of architectural, social, or historical importance that have been bulldozed or burned down before their time." 

Newsflash: "18 Lost Buildings of Vancouver" is now available at raymondbiesinger.etsy.com. It's a 17x22" print showing 18 Vancouver structures demolished, burned, or otherwise disappeared between 1912 and 2017, and it's $40 plus tax and shipping. You can find short writeups on all the structures in that shop, too, as well as Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal instalments of this series. Next up? Winnipeg. #yvr #vancouverisawesome #vancouverart

A post shared by Raymond Biesinger (@raymondbiesinger) on Apr 12, 2018 at 8:37am PDT

According to Raymond, he plans on "drawing his way through the 'lost buildings' of Canada." 

He's already got the majority of the country's major cities covered, with similar drawings for Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton all available on his site. 

It's a nice way to make sure Toronto's iconic buildings are never forgotten, but it's also a reminder that our city has a bad habit of tearing down beloved heritage structures. Let's hope no more buildings get added to the list. 

Events in Toronto today provide a number of ideas to get you out in the city. It's Record Store Day at local vinyl shops and a streetcar gets the fashion runway treatment.

The top cafes in Toronto always have amazing coffee on deck. Whether you’re heading over to hang with friends or just rolling solo for a simple cup of joe, these spots will do the trick.

Here are my picks for the top cafes in Toronto by neighbourhood.

Annex

The Coffee Lab is legit one of the smallest coffee shops in Toronto. At just 52 square feet, this cafe serves up some of the best drip coffee in a space that’s basically as big as an office cubicle. Find it tucked inside Willow Books.

Beaches

It’s all happy vibes at Bud’s Coffee Bar, where seasoned barista Ken Gailbrath (who also runs Porch Light) makes brews from Cut Coffee and serves baked goods from Circles and Squares.

A latte and a pop tart might cure what ails you at Bud's Coffee Bar in the Beaches. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Brockton Village

Grab a latte and drink it on the bleacher seating at Run and Gun, the subtly basketball-inspired cafe with tons of space for work sessions and catch-ups with friends.

Cabbagetown

The red drenched walls of Jet Fuel fuse cycling and coffee together by offering a bike sharing station outside the cafe. Coffee here has been a hit for years; foamy, affordable drinks being their specialty.

Canary District

This Dark Horse Espresso is definitely the prettiest one in the city. With huge ceilings and lots of seating, it’s the ideal spot to get some work done (try and a nab one of their extra comfy couch seats).

Dineens in Commerce Court West is the go-to cafe for the Bay Street Crowd. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Chinatown

Toronto coffee ingenue Sam James’ Spadina location is a minimalist go-to for great brews. Fronting the Stussy store, expect only Cut Coffee here: the single-origins beans by Sam James himself.

Corktown

Even if you’re not a coffee fan, Odin is worth visiting for its interior alone. Designed by Toronto firm Phaedrus, this iceberg-inspired cafe is all white decor and Baltic birch. They’ve also got full meals and cocktails too.

Distillery District

If you’re into pour-overs, you’ll love the Yama Silverton pour-over system at Arvo. One of the first to carry it in the city, this exposed brick Aussie bar also has a bunch of amazing espresso equipment for guaranteed amazing brews.

Latte art is on the menu at Strange Love near the corner of King and Spadina. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Entertainment District

The super adorable cafe Strange Love doesn’t look spacious from the outside, but it actually has a backroom with its own huge window. Decked out with a plethora of little plants, these guys also do dainy French bon bons.

Financial District

With two locations in the area including the corner of Yonge and Temperance and Commerce Court West, Dineen is a go-to for the Bay Street crowd.

Junction

A longtime favourite in the area, Crema Coffee is where people go to caffeinate themselves before a long work sesh at one of their many two-seater tables.

Sam James' cafe in Chinatown serves as the entrance to the Stussy Store. Photo by Jesse Milns. 

Junction Triangle

Both a roastery and a coffee shop, the folks at Hale Coffee grind their beans in the industrial space of the Clock Factory. Head here for their cool geometric design and the intoxicating aromas of freshly roasted coffee.

Kensington Market

There’s a number of notable coffee shops in the Market, but Cafe Pamenar is just one of those spots that does everything well. Perfect for hangouts and work, these guys do coffee and even transform into a bumping bar at night with a no-laptop policy after dark.

King East

Minimalist digs and Japanese treats are the wave at Neo Coffee Bar, and their stylishly moody seating in the back is pretty good for business meetings.

King West

The cafe of choice for students of adjacent building BrainStation, Quantum Coffee stymies patron overflow by having customers order on one side of the bar and picking up their pour-overs from the other end.

Quantum Coffee on King West isn't afraid to get out a blow torch to make the perfect drink. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Koreatown

This location of Good Neighbour is even more chill than its Junction location. It’s almost always quiet in here; most people come here to grab an Americano and hunker down with a book or a laptop.

Leslieville

Te Aro is one of those community hangs that’s always full of locals who head there for some food and excellent coffee, courtesy of one of Toronto’s best roasters, Pilot Coffee.

Liberty Village

With a quaint entrance embedded in a moss-covered wall, Louie Craft Coffee has the perfect ambiance of an ideal neighbourhood cafe. It has exposed brick and delicious pastries like pecan squares, with occasional options like vegan sushi too.

Little Italy

The freshly baked goods at Empire Espresso are the main draw here. This lovely space serves up Cut Coffee brews and scones in an intimate setting.

Oakwood Village

Oakwood Espresso definitely still retains elements of its hair salon-past, in fact the vibes here are distinctly old school Italian barbershop. Run by an espresso machine repair man, this cafe has great traditional, coffee-loving vibes.

Oakwood Espresso in Oakwood Village is a classic neighbourhood spot to catch up on the local gossip. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Parkdale

Taking up some prime corner lot real estate, Capital Espresso is the gathering point for the Parkdale community, with good brews and the occasional art shows to draw in dedicated locals.

Queen West

Always bustling, Hot Black Coffee doesn’t offer WiFi, making it bad for work sessions but amazing for some wholesome face-to-face convos. They also do bonfires in the back in the evenings – how great is that.

Rosedale

Boxcar Social now has several locations around the city, but its two-storey original Victorian location took the area by storm with its cafe-bar hybrid concept. Not only does it have a patio, you can also grab slices of Yeah Yeahs through a little window in the cafe.

A communal table and stunning light fixtures are a centrepiece at Hot Black Coffee on Queen West. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Riverside

Customers at Merchants of Green are ride-or-die: building a strong community of coffee lovers, this cafe specializes in fair trade brews and take their coffee knowledge to another level.

Roncesvalles

Everything at Reunion Island is visually pleasing, from its floor tiles to its Modbar espresso system. Acting as the flagship of the 20-something year-old roastery, this place is usually flush with laptops because of their abundance of seating.

Weston Mount-Dennis

The only third-wave coffee shop in the area, Supercoffee is where locals gather for some Rufino brews: a good alternative if you’re sick of McDonalds and Tim Hortons double-doubles.

The subterranean space at Goldstruck in Yorkville is a neighbourhood favourite. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

West Queen West

Fix Coffee + Bikes has it all, from coffee to housemade baked goods, bags, and whole bikes for sale. Get a caffeinated pick-me-up here and ride away on your brand new wheels.

Yonge & Dundas

Nutellaccino: enough said. Black Canary has a Nutella cappuccino that’s at least worth a one-time visit. If you’re into comic books, you’re in luck – this joint is located inside the Silver Snail store, life-size R2-D2 and Batman statues

Yonge & Eglinton

Filled with top-of-the-line brewing equipment, de Mello Palheta is not only a fantastic cafe, it’s a roastery that provides beans to some of the top cafe in the city (many listed above). They’ve been doing it for over ten years – no wonder why they’re a Toronto favourite.

Yorkville

Goldstruck is something akin to a cozy bunker for coffee lovers. Located downstairs, this cafe is a subterranean getaway filled with pastries and espresso-based drinks.

The Contact Photography Festival begins next week in Toronto and that means the city will see an influx of photographic works meant to excite, rouse, surprise and engage us. There are plenty of events going on at venues all over the city by both local and international artists.

Here are some of the must-see shows at the Contact Photography Festival in Toronto for 2018.

Total Recall, Suicide Squad, Mean Girls, Handmaid’s Tale – those are just some of the many epic movies and TV shows that have been shot in Toronto. I mean, we're called Hollywood North for a reason. 

With a number of movie studios and the ability to transform into any North American metropolitan – with the right budget, of course – Toronto is a hotspot for film and TV crews looking for extras to fill up the scene. 

Whether you're pursuing a career in background acting or just doing it for fun, all you need to do is get your foot in the industry to land a job that lets you choose your own workdays and pays relatively well.

Things you need to know:

• No specific skills, acting abilities, or previous experience? Perfect, background acting doesn't require any of that – just professionalism and some patience. 
• Union actors get paid $26.75 an hour, non-union actors are paid $14.
• A lot of background acting is just hanging out in the holding area until it's your turn to be on set, so bring something to keep yourself entertained. 
• Some days you'll have wardrobe and stylists provided. Other days, you'll be required to bring your own wardrobe, depending on what the director is looking for. (i.e: warm tones only, business attire, etc.) Make sure to bring extra options. 
• Food provided to non-union background actors suck (sometimes for union actors too). Bring your own snacks. 
• Expect long hours; average shoot times run between 8 and 18 hours.
• That being said, good news: union sets have an eight-hour minimum, which means if – on the off chance – you only have to work three hours (even if you're a non-union actor), you'll still be paid for eight hours-worth of work. 

Join an agency or extras service

Sure, you can go agent-less and try to score some gigs through Facebook posts, casting websites and Kijiji. But if you're new to the business, it's recommended your first step is to apply to an extras service or agency, since they'll have the plug for all the city's hot new gigs. 

Along with offering way more opportunities, agencies will handle all the fine details so you can concentrate on the gig.  If you fit the description of a role, your agency will send you the info on where, what time, and what to bring to your shoot. 

Average annual fees usually range between $75 to $150 a year plus a registration fee if you're a non-union member; not bad since you'll usually be making more than $100 per gig. 

Some services will require a headshot, while others will help you take the headshot for you. Either way, it's important to choose an agency that's right for you, since you'll have to sign a contract and pay an annual fee plus commission. Watch out for scams. 

Some background actor agencies/services:

• Morgan/Rickman
• Melissa Lee
• Toronto Film Extras
• BCast Agency

Finding castings yourself: 

• Cast Caller 
• Mandy
• Kijiji

ACTRA vs. Non-Union

After finding a good agency or service, the next step if figuring out if you want to be part of the actors' union. With some gigs under your belt, you can decide whether or not you want to join ACTRA, Canada's English-speaking media labour union.

There are two tiers of ACTRA memberships: apprentice and full member. Apprentices need to gain credits before becoming full members, which then require a $1600 initiation fee plus an annual membership of $195.

It sounds a little complicated at first, but the ACTRA website details the process pretty clearly. 

At the end of the day, becoming an ACTRA member is ideal for people who want to make acting their full-time job and have already have a bit of a portfolio built up. Having somebody at your agency walk you through the process will make things easier. 

ACTRA Additional Background Performer

If you're just at the starting stages of your career, ACTRA offers the option of becoming an ACTRA Additional Background Performer (AABP), which is somewhere between being union and non-union.

Best for beginners, it's one tier below apprenticeship. Although AABP members are still paid non-union rates, they still have access to many ACTRA benefits. In order to apply, head to your local ACTRA membership office and provide the following:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR.
• A current head shot.
• Proof that you've worked as a background actor at least 15 days in the past year (which constitutes as April 1 to March 31). 

Annual AABP fees are much cheaper than regular memberships, at $30 a year. Once you join, you won't be allowed to work on non-union productions – probably the biggest drawback of becoming an AABP member. 

Benefits, however, include more regulations provided to ensure safety and better working conditions (and way better food). Plus, members get access to some of ACTRA's studio facilities, free acting classes, and retail discounts via the Membership Advantage Program. 

AABP members are also allowed to showcase themselves on ACTRA's Digital Self-Promotion Registry and get access to work opportunities that non-union actors aren't allowed to take: 

• Background work in union commercials
• Work in Toronto Indie Productions 
• Work in Toronto Co-op production

After 200 days of background work, AABP members can then apply to become ACTRA Apprentices, and work towards being a full member. 

Non-union members 

With all that being said, most background actors work outside of ACTRA, and that can be beneficial at times. 

All production sets have an ACTRA count, meaning a minimum number of union actors. Once those are met, it's a free-for-all for non-union actors. Some production budgets may even specifically request non-union actors, as they're less expensive and don't have overtime fees. 

Besides eating crappier food than ACTRA members and often working longer hours, being non-union is the ideal option for those who just want to make the extra buck here in a more non-committal setting. 

Background acting do's

• Bring your SIN card and a form of government ID to every shoot, for paperwork purposes. If you forget these, getting paid will take longer and be much more complicated.
• Bring outfit alternatives if you're required to bring your own wardrobe.
• Make sure you follow hair and makeup instructions closely if you're required to do your own. 
• Be quiet on set. 
• Turn off your phone completely. 
• Make sure to tell Assistant Directors when you need to go the washroom or leave for a smoke break – going missing during a shoot looks pretty bad. 

Background acting don't's

• Don't be late – nothing will get you blacklisted from the background acting industry quicker than tardiness. 
• Don't get chatty on set, not even a whisper, because the mics on set will pick up everything.
• Don't take photos on set. 
• Don't take food from the craft table unless it's your turn. 
• Don't invite your friends, families and significant others to the set. 
• Don't fall asleep on set, even when there's nothing to do. 

A new app springing up on university campuses is basically like Bunz Trading Zone, but just for students.

Available at U of T, Ryerson, York, Guelph, and Humber's Lakeshore campus, Bgon is a trading app that allows users to buy and sell stuff using their phones. 

Experiencing some buyer's remorse from the weekend? We've got you. #bgon#sellshitpic.twitter.com/sticRvdcmW

— bgon app (@bgonapp) November 28, 2016

From used textbooks, clothes and old games to "notes from last semester's biology glass", users can upload photos of their for-sale items onto the app and wait for fellow students to bite. 

Summer's right around the corner! Now's the perfect time to list what you don't need and find what you do! 👙#GetItOnBgonpic.twitter.com/gZyDuxZJIB

— bgon app (@bgonapp) June 19, 2017

With the slogan "Sell that sh*t. Buy Beer. Something like that." the app encourages students to "save money on stuff they want and make money on shit they don't."

Can't find what you want / need on the app? Someone might just have it! Try out our new 'Looking For' feature and let your community know!

A post shared by bgon app (@bgonapp) on Jun 29, 2017 at 1:54pm PDT

The app includes a discover page that lets students browse categories like electronics, notes, and housing goods, plus items that are $10 and under. It also has a chat function, wish list feature, and the option to specify what you're looking for in your profile. 

Chilly outside? We've got you. Come by the bgon tent at the #UofT Clubs & Summer Experience Fair for FREE handwarmers and a chance to win VIP Leafs tickets! 🔥❄ #FrostWeek @utsu98

A post shared by bgon app (@bgonapp) on Jan 17, 2017 at 9:53am PST

Co-founded by recent grads Seyan Kumaresan, Mackenzie Scott and Wilson Scott – still a student a York University – the app initially launched in 2016 but has since rebranded and undergone a redesign. 

Now, students can #sellshit more seamlessly – with a tight student budget, a used textbook or two will at least get you one month's worth of food, or at the very least one night of beer. 

Playing bingo in Toronto will get your heart rate going in ways you didn't think possible. Head to any of these bingo hotspots and prepare yourself for some loud yelling and possibly some sweaty palms. 

Here's a round-up of places to play bingo in Toronto. 

Delta

The largest bingo chain in Ontario, these halls are where people go to bet some dollars and blow off some steam. It's serious here: head to two of their locations at St. Clair West and Wilson Avenue for some digital or paper bingo – oh yeah, and bring your cash, lots of it. 

Kennedy Bingo

This Scarborough bingo hall on Kennedy Road runs four sessions daily on Fridays and weekends, and three on every other day. Super jackpots here can run up to $5,000, if you get a full card in the designated number. These people aren't playing around. 

Dolphin Gaming

It's cash only at this big Scarborough bingo hall on Eglinton East. Good news is, it's not all rough-and-tough grannies here; there's people of all ages frequenting Dolphin. If you're a noob, though, good luck trying to hear the speedy callers. 

Ultimate Bingo

Located in North York on Steeles, this place isn't fancy but it has jackpots that go as high as $68,000. Get all your numbers and you'll be able to pay of your student loan or mortgage easily.

Gladstone Hotel

Way less intense than the official halls, this weekly event is held every Wednesday between 7 and 10 p.m. Instead of using numbers, the host plays music clips from the likes of Beyonce and Stevie Wonder – all while you slowly get drunk on beer from Amsterdam Brewery. 

The Drake Hotel

Partnering with LolaSue, the Drake throws bingo nights every Tuesday starting at 8 p.m. sharp. It's $10 for 8 cards and $15 for 24; bottles are usually half off on those days so expect a night of drunken fun and prizes. 

Brazen Head 

It's free to play at this Liberty Village pub's weekly Tuesday bingo parties. Hosted by Kaleb Roberston (the same who hosts the one at the Gladstone) it's music bingo, meaning singing along is pretty much mandatory. 

Nightowl

In the last Thursday of every month, this bar in Little Italy hosts its Boozy Bingo event starting at 8p.m, providing drink specials throughout the evening and prizes to be won for your hard-earned work. 

Black Eagle

If being leather-clad while playing bingo is a concept that intrigues you, head to Church Street for monthly Reagle Beagle Bingo at 4 p.m. Hosted by Randy Spearhead, it's cover-free, and a drink purchase will get you a bingo card, with all proceeds going to charities. 

We've all seen them: the TV shows on American networks about grisly murders and FBI cases gone cold. These programs – usually aired after hours – have compelled the public imagination for decades, whether we like to admit it or not. 

While the true crime genre has always been a source of entertainment for the macabre mind, for years it's felt like an enjoyment best kept on the low, lest consumers be labelled as 'dark' or 'morbid' for liking it. 

But the genre has just recently reentered some type of renaissance, slowly emerging from the shadowy depths of late night TV to highly publicized Netflix shows like Making a Murderer and the star-studded production O.J. Simpson: Made In America. 

Now with the arrival of the wildly popular podcast My Favourite Murder– a show where two female comedians discuss their favourite murder cases – and the homegrown Minds of Madness, the genre has reached a new level of accessibility, and with it, a historic peak in pop culture. 

It's no coincidence then that Toronto is getting a brand new film festival dedicated entirely to true crime this summer. Screening five movies, the festival will feature documentaries and fiction films based on real crime events – the first festival of its kind in the city.

"There's a movement to make true crime something more than just tabloids," says Lisa Gallagher, director of the Toronto True Crime Film Festival.

As a film industry professional and longtime true crime fan, Lisa says she "saw a hole" in the world of film festivals that needed to be filled.

Last September, she witnessed thousands of My Favourite Murder fans (a.k.a "murderinos") pack in to the Sony Centre for a live recording of the Los Angeles-based podcast. It was an undeniable sign that Toronto's true crime fan base was alive and hungry for more content.

"I just knew the audience was there," she says. 

So far, her festival has garnered interest from over 3,000 people on Facebook, and its IndieGogo campaign is just a few days away from achieving its goal of $3,500. 

The method of consuming true crime has evolved drastically over the years and though books are still immensely popular, the more passive, lonely approach of Capote's In Cold Blood days have recently been replaced by more interactive media like podcasts and TV shows. 

 "The people who are making true crime content now are making it for a different audience," says Lisa. 

"Tabloid-y true crime shows still exist, but now there's content being created for people who like true crime but also like victims' advocacy and social justice." 

While never victimless, true crime isn't always about murder. This category of storytelling also includes heists, kidnappings, white-collar crime – basically anything that involves lawbreaking in spectacular fashion.

And now with more time and room for discussion, this new era of true crime affords fans the space to look at criminal acts in broader social contexts, from the failures of law enforcement to institutional prejudice, instead of just dissecting them as one-off events. 

"It’s equal parts terrifying and it’s heartbreaking, but it’s also something that especially as women we appreciate because it’s bringing to light how disproportionate violence is towards women or minorities," says Lisa. 

Right now, the Facebook group for Toronto's My Favourite Murder fans numbers just below 1,000, the majority of whom are women. 

Created by group administrator Paddy Jane last year, MFM's Toronto chapter also hosts in-person meet ups, discussing not only the podcast's latest episodes but also events happening in real time.

"The group gives a safe space for people to vent too," says Paddy.

For example, as the case of Bruce McArthur began to unfold, MFM Toronto's page became a platform for both mourning and criticism, with in-depth discussions flooding the group's timeline even before police had dubbed the alleged murderer of eight men a serial killer.

According to Paddy, many members of MFM Toronto took the opportunity to express feeling "frustrated and hurt" by law enforcement's policies when it came to investigating missing and murdered people in the 2SLGBTQA+ community.

At surface level, the MFM Toronto page is just one of many fan clubs residing on Facebook. But at its core, the group is a rare outlet for people – especially those from vulnerable communities – to share their concerns in solidarity with others.  

"Learning about criminals and how they lure their victims literally feels like arming yourself with knowledge to stay safe."

Congregating to dissect the genre's tragedies – and in some cases, triumphs – is more than just an exchange of horror stories. It's cathartic, an experience that requires a certain sense of camaraderie between the people who consume it. 

Lisa says, "It's equal parts reminder to stay safe but also to live life better, because you don’t know what’s going to happen."

"It never ceases to amaze me how complex it is to like true crime."

Restaurants to eat Hong Kong-style Western food are where you'll find fusion favourites like cheese-baked spaghettis and Hong Kong-style French toast. Melding Cantonese and Western cuisine, you'll find lunch specials here, plus cups of quintessential Hong Kong-style milk tea. 

Here are my picks for the top restaurants for Hong Kong-style Western food in Toronto.

Phoenix

This popular Chinese chain has locations in Markham and Scarborough, plus a restaurant at Yonge and Dundas. Specializing in Cantonese food fused with Malaysian and the occasional Taiwanese flavour, Phoenix also does Canto-Western fare like buttery pineapple buns and milk tea. 

Marathon Cafe

The award-winning owners of Marathon Donuts and Coffee Shop also run this restaurant on East Beaver Creek. Along with their famous Hong Kong-style milk tea, they serve dishes like baked rice, bowls of macaroni soup and fish cutlets.

Ming’s Noodle

A popular Canto-Western diner, this cafe on Kennedy is just steps from PMall and offers all the usual Hong Kong favourites like set lunches and dinners of ham and toast or milk teas to accompany their thick bricks toasts.

Hong Kong Bistro Cafe

Located in Chinatown, this has been a longtime go-to for nearby residents looking for cheap meal options. Best known for their selection of baked dishes – like pork chops on rice covered with tomato sauce – their meals are affordable for the size. 

New City Restaurant

This spot on Kennedy road offers fries with a side of crispy, fried chicken wings, a staple in Canto-Western cuisine, and like most other restaurants of its kind, serves a complimentary bowl of Hong Kong-style borscht soup as a starter.

Food Kingdom

Tucked away inside Scarborough's Splendid China Tower, you can try simple meals of egg sandwiches with luncheon meat and shrimp fried toasts here for low prices.

Dickens Cafe

The best thing about this Richmond Hill restaurant is how comfy it is: it's much cleaner than some other Canto-Western diners while still serving the usual afternoon tea specials. 

Canteen

Head to the second floor of Dragon City in Chinatown and you'll find this little cafe that has everything from spaghetti to ham and egg sandwiches, accompanied by Hong Kong-style borscht and two pieces of complimentary garlic bread. 

Pine House Cafe

With better quality Hong Kong-style dishes than usual, this spot at the corner of Steeles and Middlefield has a tiny menu but its cubed French toast is super unique – worth a try if you're looking for something beyond regular brick toast. 

Tasty Delight

This Ravel Road restaurant used to be called Leslie Cafe before undergoing renovations. Though not the cheapest on the list, it's long been a reliable spot for a good cup of Hong Kong-style milk tea and servings of baked spaghetti. 

Events in Toronto today will see a celebration of this planet we call home with a big party in the park and an Earth Day-themed flea market and clothing swap.

Free events in Toronto this week include a cinnamon bun give-away, an award winning exhibition from the CONTACT Photography Festival and Mo Williams in to talk about his tats.

After a very, very long winter, it looks like food truck owners can finally dust off their four-wheeled steeds and start slinging some tasty meals from their concession windows in celebration of spring.

The question of whether or not these food trucks will be able to make sales of those meals, however, depends on more than just the weather. 

Though festivals like Food Truck'N Friday have already kicked off and rising temperatures seem promising, Toronto's food truck industry doesn't seemed poised to reach new heights of success this year, despite having plenty of businesses willing to try. 

According to the CBC, there's been a 400 percent increase of food trucks driving around during lunch hours since 2015, when the first city eased up on regulations surrounding mobile food services.

Toronto, however, hasn't been equipped to handle that growth. 

With limited places to set up shop and a cap of no more than two trucks per city block, most businesses often find themselves vying for the same public food truck hot spots during the warmer months.

Add that to the overhead costs of the truck, insurance, and employees' wages, and it's no surprise that many food trucks rely on catering more than actual vending sales. 

"I think the city needs to open up more spots," says Sumit Kohli, the co-owner of Kathi Roll, a fleet of three food trucks selling Indian street food. 

"If you expect a truck to spend that type of money, you should give them more opportunities," he says, suggesting the stretch of the King Street Pilot as ideal real estate for food truck businesses to operate. 

Formerly a brick and mortar at Yonge and Bloor, Kathi Roll just opened last year, and according to Kohli, the restaurant's move into the food truck industry has been "a smooth transition."

With both private and public permits, catering, and revenue from food festivals, Kathi Roll – unlike so many others – has been doing well, mostly because of the ex-restaurant's existing customer base.

But for the many new businesses who don't have the benefit of a legacy brand, it's much less likely they'll find success in Toronto without some adjustments to their business model. 

"The market itself didn't grow," says Matt Basile, owner of the popular food truck Fidel Gastro. "There [are] too many trucks growing too quickly."

Basile has been in the food truck industry for nearly a decade, having launched his business before "the initial novelty of food trucks wore off a bit." Now he runs Fidel Gastro and Lisa Marie, the restaurant on Queen West borne of his food truck's success.

He says Fidel Gastro was able to navigate the industry's less-than-ideal environment because it defined itself as "a street food company that had a food truck", rather than just a food truck, full stop. 

"I really don't see how you can make a full business case off of just that approach," he says. 

With the traditional concept of food trucks – that is, the act of roaming the streets looking for customers – becoming less profitable, business owners have turned to catering as their bread and butter. 

Some are also ditching the public permits completely, opting for the cheaper private permits that allow food trucks to serve customers outside of offices, breweries, and other privately owned properties, rather than trying to vend on public roads at all.

According to Basile, 70 percent of Fidel Gastro's revenue comes from catering and another 25 percent comes from food truck festivals, with only 5 percent coming from curbside services. 

This business model safeguards businesses during the off season, especially since the trucks can only really function outside for six to seven months of the year. 

And since it doesn't look like the city plans on making anymore regulatory changes anytime soon (unless they decide to follow in Mississauga's footsteps) there's a need now more than ever for food trucks to start acting more like actual restaurants than stalls on wheels.

"The conversation isn't top of mind anymore," says Basile. "And for us, we’re not waiting around for anything to change.” 

As the push to ban black plastic continues, Torontonians are slowly realizing that black takeout containers aren't the only problem: black coffee lids are just as bad. 

Soooo, I had no idea that black plastic isn't recyclable in Toronto. And now I am horrified thinking about all the black coffee lids and takeout containers I have rinsed and recycled thinking it was okay! This is awful. 😳https://t.co/GH3nGpyUrK

— Sarah Israel (@sarahisrael) March 31, 2018

It seems like people are only now picking up on the fact that – just like the rest of black plastic materials – those lids aren't recyclable, no matter how much you rinse them. 

@SecondCupCanada super upset to find out that black lids aren’t recyleable in toronto. Make this change. #earth#environment#recycling

— Alyssa Hurst (@alyssahurst) March 30, 2018

Many people are taking to Twitter to demand that coffee shops stop using black lids and switch them out for recyclable white ones instead.

@darkhorsecafe Black plastic is a problem in Toronto as it is non-recyclable. Is the company planning to change the colour of your lids? https://t.co/ATkdb3jFe0

— Jacob Armstrong (@jakeparmstrong1) April 13, 2018

Cafes like Dark Horse and Second Cup have already been called out for their use of black coffee lids, and the pressure is on for other cafes in the city. 

Green is the new black! We love our black lids, but recently we've discovered that many recycling plants can't actually process black plastic! Enter our new green coffee cup lids, 100% recyclable by the city of #Toronto. . #parisinparkdale #thetemperedroom #greenisthenewblack #recycle

A post shared by The Tempered Room (@thetemperedroom) on Jan 25, 2018 at 5:21am PST

Businesses like the Tempered Room in Parkdale and Leslieville's Tango Palace have all switched over to eco-friendly lids since the beginning of the year. 

And with more than 80 restaurants going straw-less in Toronto, it looks like the city's slowly making some moves to eventually go plastic – at least, black plastic – free. 

Cheap manicure and pedicure bars in Toronto will get fingers and toes looking right without clawing away at your wallet. Head to any of these nail salons for affordable grooming options.

Here are my picks for the top cheap manicure pedicure bars in Toronto. 

Ivy Nail Spa

Manicures are $8 and pedis are $18 at this Junction spa. For a dual treatment it's just $25 – at those prices you can expect that it'll be busy here.  

Yeti Nails

This salon by College and Bay has another location on Richmond. Here, manicures are only $15 and pedicures are $25. For a package with both, it's just $35. 

Rosy Nails

Located just steps away from Chester station, this beauty salon does $15 manicures, $25 pedicures, and a combo with both services for $35.  

Davisville Nails 

Right by Yonge and Davisville, this salon does $35 manicure and pedicures – $15 and $25 respectively if you get them separately. They also do hot stone massages on your feet and arm massages as part of the package – it doesn't get more relaxing that that. 

Unique Nails

Located in Leaside, this salon offers manicures for $15 and pedicures for $27. For $37 you can get them both – add just $3 extra for French tips.

Lucy Nails

This Junction spa does $8 manicures, and it's not a hack job either.  For that price they'll even remove old nail polish and trim your cuticles. Pedicures are just as cheap at $18. 

Urban Nails

Free tea make this Danforth salon stand out. Despite looking pretty fancy, its prices are still affordable – $15 for manicures, $25 for pedicures and $35 for both. If you want a shellac combo you can get it for $75.  

Tweetie Nails and Spa

Manis are $16 and pedis are $26 at this spa on Church by Dundas. For both its $40, with options to upgrade to a spa combo for the works at $70.

U Pretty Nails

It's $35 for the mani pedi combo at this spa just a minute walk away from Pape station. Shellac manicures are pretty inexpensive at $30 and will last you a while too. 

Nailsense 

Considering how upscale the interior of this spa at Yonge and Lawrence feels, prices are pretty cheap for what you get. $20 for manicures, for a mani plus a spa-treatment pedicure it's $45.

DJ lessons are absolutely crucial for people who want to stand out from the masses of amateur DJs, but just don't have the skills to back it up. If Youtube tutorials just aren't cutting it for you, head to any of these schools and learn the art of scratching and programming properly. 

Here are my picks for the top spots to take DJ lessons in Toronto.

Off Centre DJ School

Focusing on turn tables and production gear, this school on Coxwell offers certificate DJ programs and nine-hour intro classes to get you into the groove. 

Scratch Lab DJ Institute

One of the best-known schools in Toronto, this place in East York has private and group classes where they teach a curriculum approved by the Ontario Board of Education. It's a proper school: expect to leave here with an in-depth understanding of the art of DJing. 

Noize Faktory

The delinquent spelling means it must be good, right? This school by Queen station specializes in one-on-one classes, providing tailored courses on DJing plus a 30-hour DJ Arts Master program covering everything from vinyl and CDJ software to the business side of things. 

Play de Record Academy

This Toronto vinyl mainstay has long been supplying local DJ's with their deep cuts and scratch battle vinyls. Even though they've relocated to Chinatown from their classic Yonge and Dundas spot, they have three types of DJ courses available in one hour sessions at their store. 

Trebas

The full-time, 48-week program provided at this recording arts school by the Junction Triangle doesn't play around. Grouped in with their audio engineering and production program, the DJ arts class has four terms covering everything from recording techniques to mixing.