Matthew Blackett, like so many others in Toronto, was crushed to learn of the horrific van attack that killed 10 people and injured 15 more near Yonge and Finch on Monday afternoon.

"I grew up and came of age along that strip of Yonge," wrote Blackett, the publisher and founder of Spacing Magazine, on Twitter. "My mom still lives up there, just a block away from where the horror started."

Frozen in disbelief, he created a simple yet powerful graphic of support and solidarity. Then, after the image started picking up steam around the web, he created 10 more — all of them saying the exact same thing.

Our hearts go out to the victims of the attack on Yonge Street today. #YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/XHUvn1wEu5

— Spacing (@Spacing) April 23, 2018

Blackett has now produced 11 different "Yonge and Strong" graphics in 11 different languages, including Chinese...

Chinese#YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/lKMKmc8I41

— Matthew Blackett (@MatthewBlackett) April 25, 2018

Russian...

Russian.#YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/rtcZHReK59

— Matthew Blackett (@MatthewBlackett) April 25, 2018

Spanish...

Spanish.#YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/sTz9QrTCM0

— Matthew Blackett (@MatthewBlackett) April 25, 2018

Persian... 

Persian.#YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/8rHYGx3TAF

— Matthew Blackett (@MatthewBlackett) April 25, 2018

Hebrew...

Hebrew.#YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/uunPmcHtE7

— Matthew Blackett (@MatthewBlackett) April 25, 2018

and Ojibway. 

Ojibway.#YongeandStrongpic.twitter.com/TiVDUVoMwd

— Matthew Blackett (@MatthewBlackett) April 25, 2018

"Since I put the graphic out there, thousands have shared it or used it as a profile pic," wrote Blackett on Twitter while explaining the project. "People have been reaching out to me to use the graphic at vigils, to make their own t-shirts, and to create banners to hang in the windows of their business."

He goes on to praise the growing amount of diversity in Willowdale, crediting it for making the neighbourhood a more dynamic part of the city.

"With that in mind, I felt my English-only YONGE AND STRONG graphic was limiting," he wrote. "So I made multiple language versions. If there's an error I'm happy to correct."

It's that time of year again. We're opening the poll to 15 new best of categories including french toast, food courts, microbreweries, snack bars, sports bars, florists, event venues and more. Voting ends on Friday April 17 at noon.

Take the poll here

Events in Toronto today include the kick off of Digifest and Hot Docs, plus works from the CONTACT festival and a new kind of classical music experience. 

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

• City Betty, a new restaurant concept by chef Alex Molitz (Geraldine, Farmhouse Tavern) that's inspired by healthy farm-to-table spots in California and New York, has opened at 1352 Danforth Ave. (at Greenwood Ave.), which was previously The Borough.
• Biscotteria Forno Cultura, a small bakery specializing in biscotti (plus coffee) from the team behind Forno Cultura, opened this week at Union Station to tempt commuters.
• The Jim, a craft beer bar serving pub grub, is now open in Bloordale at 1174 Bloor West (at Pauline Ave.) in what was previously a bar called Orchard.
• This Chinese spot has gone through many name changes; what was last called House of Ann is now King’s Chef Chinese Restaurant at 1266 Bloor St. W. (at Emerson Ave.) in Bloordale.

Recently reviewed

• Babu
• Agincourt Bakery
• Arbar
• Maker Pizza (Avenue Rd.)
• Constantine
• Le Petit Dejeuner

Opening soon

• Strange Love Coffee is opening a third location, this time at 627 Queen St. W. (east of Bathurst). In addition to caffeine, there will be tattoos, plus coffee-inspired booze-less cocktails. This collaborative space with tattoo and piercing shop Abstract Arts will also be introducing Toronto's first coffee sensory lab and tasting bar.
• Jasper Dandy, a pub and music venue, will be opening at 725 Queen St. E. (east of Broadview) in Riverside this May.
• Think It Cafe, as in, "Think Italian," is taking over Chabichou's former space at 196 Borden St. (at Harbord).
• After many pop-ups, donut wholesaler Dipped Donuts will soon be opening its first permanent location at 161 Baldwin St. (at Spadina) in Kensington Market.
• Hopscotch is about to open another location, this one at 115 Fort York Blvd.
• Emmy's Ice Cream, a sibling ice cream shop to Bloordale cafe Daily Grind, should be opening soon at 426 St. Clarens Ave. (at Bloor St. W.).

Other news

• Board game cafe See-Scape is moving to a larger space in the Junction. Its last day in its original space will be May 25.

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

Finding beautifully restored lofts is a challenge in Toronto, and this one located in the Toy Factory building is a sight to behold.

This 2800-square-foot open concept condo with wood ceilings, exposed brick, and floor-to-ceiling windows is nothing short of spectacular. And for $2.95 million it freakin’ better be!

The unit is split over three floors, with an office, kitchen and living room on the main floor. I really like the decor in this place, it’s modern and just a touch eclectic. Good news if you also like the decor: the furniture, lighting and art are negotiable.  

The living room is probably one of the nicest rooms in the place. The expansive windows bathe the room in natural light and the 21-foot ceilings make it airy and spacious.

The kitchen is a bit of a let down in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly comes with all the bells and whistles, including high-end appliances and two wine cooling fridges, but the cabinets just make this kitchen look so boring. It looks like an IKEA showroom kitchen.     

On the second floor there are the bedrooms. Each have their own spa-like en suite bathroom.

The master bedroom comes with one of the most impressive walk-in closets I’ve ever seen. It’s huge, like bedroom size huge. Plus it has motion sensor drawers and hangers. All that’s missing is a computer that generates what outfit you wear, like in "Clueless".

Finally, on the third floor, is a large private rooftop patio perfect for throwing an epic party, if you’re so inclined.

Specs

• Address: #441 - 43 Hanna Ave.
• Price: $2,950,000
• Bedrooms: 2 + 1
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 95
• Transit Score: 100
• Maintenance Fees: $711.87 monthly
• Listing agent: Claude Boiron
• Listing ID: C4096033

Good For

Someone with a massive Kardashian-level wardrobe. The master bedroom walk-in closet is bigger than the actual bedroom. So if you get this loft you better have the clothes and shoes to fill it.  

Move On If

You’re not about that Liberty Village life. Liberty Village is heavily developed condo community and some say a “yuppie” haven. There’s virtually no green space and you have to deal with the 504 streetcar. For almost $3 million you might want a less built-up neighbourhood.

One of the most exciting parts about living in Toronto is the fact that the weather always keeps us on our toes, so much so that we sometimes (all the time) have no clue how to dress for it. 

If you're ever abroad and looking for another southern-Ontarian, look no further than the guy rocking board shorts in 8 C weather.

Over the weekend, temperatures are expected to take a dive to a low of -4 C on Saturday night. But don't despair, the temperature is then supposed to move by more than 20 degrees for a bright start to the week. 

Monday is expected to be a nice and sunny 19 C and Environment Canada forecasts a high of 22 C on Tuesday. Time to break out those short shorts, Toronto!

The upcoming week's forecast courtesy of Environment Canada.

The weather has been holding steady for a bit now, and slowly the city is moving toward more spring-like temperatures. If this keeps up, the April snowstorm will be nothing more than a cold, bitter memory of the past. 

Condo prices continue to rocket up the steep and unpredictable mountain that is Toronto's real estate market — and conditions are looking pretty fair for the journey to continue upwards.

New data from the GTA Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) shows that the benchmark price for new condominium apartments rose 39.4 per cent last month over March of 2017, to an average cost of $742,801 per unit across the GTA.

This means that, within just one year, the cost of buying a new condo has increased by almost 40 per cent. Meanwhile, sales of new condos have dropped off of a cliff.

Only 1,649 condominium apartments sold in low, medium and high-rise buildings, stacked townhouses and loft units this March, according to BILD, vs. 4,329 units a year earlier.

This represents a year-over-year sales decline of 67 per cent, and the hot hot housing market of early 2017 can only be blamed in part for the dramatic numerical dip.

New home market in the GTA quiet in March as buyers exercise caution, inventory shrinks. Read our new home market data release: https://t.co/tvx70uC44z#housingsupply#housingaffordabilitypic.twitter.com/IWn6oMxApJ

— BILD (@bildgta) April 24, 2018

Sure, the market has cooled off a lot in recent months thanks to measures like the Ontario foreign buyer tax and federal mortgage lending guideline changes, but condo sales were still down 21 per cent last month from the 10-year average.

And yet, somehow, the prices of condo units keep on rising higher and higher. How?

BILD, like many market analysis firms, pegs the discrepancy on a lack of supply.

"The supply of both condo apartments and single-family homes dipped again in March," reads the organization's report from this week.

"Based on the pace of sales in the past 12 months, this is about four months’ worth of inventory, while a healthy new home market would have nine to 12 months’ worth of inventory."

“Until we ... fix the supply problem, we’re going to continue to have challenges within the housing market." #housingsupply#TOpolihttps://t.co/i7wETNxQe0 via @torontostar

— BILD (@bildgta) April 25, 2018

The benchmark unit size for new condos has also gone up, according to BILD, from about 800 square feet a year ago to 900 square feet as of last month.

The price per square foot has also increased over the past year from $666 to $825, further driving up the cost of purchasing a new unit.

Despite soaring prices, the firm that provides BILD with market intelligence believes that condo sales will recover.

"Some of the demand that might have normally occurred this year was brought forward last year, helping to set a record year for condo apartment sales in 2017," says Altus Group Executive Vice-President Patricia Arsenault.

"After an adjustment period, we expect the monthly pace of condo apartment sales to improve."

Have you ever wondered what Toronto's transit system would look like if every new line that's ever been approved had actually been built?

You're not alone.

A local urban planning buff who goes by the handle JSF-1 on Reddit shared a TTC fantasy map this week that purports to include "almost al the lines that are planned, and were never built."

Toronto Subway map with unbuilt transit lines by JSF-1 on Reddit via Imgur. Click to embiggen.

So, what exactly is going on here?

JSF-1 was kind enough to answer lots of questions in the Reddit thread about his map what it represents.

Lines 1,2,3,6,7 and 11 were all planned as subway lines — and some of them do exist, at least in part, most notably the Yonge-University, Bloor-Danforth and Sheppard Lines.

The beautiful Don Mills-Queen Line and Bloor-Danforth-Queen Line seen on JSF-1's map are still but a dream for the commuters of this city. Try as they might, the city has never quite been able to make a Queen Subway Line happen.

Six other lines shown on the map — 4,5,8,9,10, and 12 — were planned as Light Rail Transit lines.

Plans for number 10, the Scarborough-Malvern Line, were famously scrapped by former Mayor Rob Ford in 2010, but later revived as the yet-to-be-built (or funded) Eglinton East.

Toronto's latest transit fantasy map includes 12 different lines, 6 of which are planned subways and 6 of which are planned LRTs.

"What in the f--k is happening at Scarborough Centre Station?" asked one Redditor, referring to the unrecognizable jumble of blue at the far right of JSF-1's map.

"The original plan for the SRT in the 70's/80's was actually an LRT and a few alignments were proposed for the line," wrote the designer. "Obviously in the end only 1 alignment would be (and was) chosen."

The entire thread, and in fact most everything that JSF-1 has posted is quite educational, and fascinating if you're into urban planning and transit. 

Apparently the idea of a running a subway under Queen Street dates back all the way to 1910. That's 108 years we've had to build what could serve as a major downtown relief line — and, as this map shows, it's still the stuff of fantasy.

Prices only ever seem to go up in this city, but Café Diplomatico has decided to provide some relief by shaking things up for their 50th anniversary.

Starting today, and every Thursday until August 9, five items from the menu have had their prices changed back to what they were in one of the five decades that the iconic Little Italy restaurant been open. 

Stop in for a 30 cent espresso, priced straight out of the 70s, paired with a 75 cent gelato at 80s prices. Top it all off with a cannoli for $1.50, priced like it's 1999 all over again.

Or, stay for a meal. Take your pick of the spaghetti pomodoro for $6.50, priced like it was at the turn of the century, or the personal margarita pizza for $10.00 (priced like it was in the early 2010s).

✨THROWBACK THURSDAYS✨ Classic patio hangouts at Dip. 😍 Every Thursday we are offering a special throwback menu as part of our 50th anniversary celebration! Enjoy 5 classic items priced as they were in the past! Swipe right for menu ⏩😁 Photo: @vgom3s

A post shared by Café Diplomatico (@cafedip) on Mar 29, 2018 at 4:08am PDT

If you're going to dine according to these prices, you're going to have to follow the rules. There are no substitutions and guests are only allowed one of each item per day (so no doubling up). 

Throwback Thursdays ✨🤩 Enjoy 5 favourite items as they were priced over the past 5 decades we have been open! Swipe right for the menu ➡️ #HappyBirthdayCafeDip #tbt

A post shared by Café Diplomatico (@cafedip) on Apr 26, 2018 at 5:26am PDT

Stop by to give your wallet a bit of a break. These prices are availably all-day, every Thursday, pretty much all summer. 

As temperatures begin to rise in Toronto we need to brace ourselves for a slew of road closures. This weekend will see two special events closing streets on Sunday.

It's not all bad, the TTC subway closure that was planned between Woodbine to Kennedy this weekend has been cancelled. 

Here's what you need to know to navigate the city by car this weekend.

The Bum Run 

On April 29 from 7 a.m, to 10:30 a.m. a series of lane restrictions will be in place. Bloor Street to the north, Spadina Avenue to the west, College Street to the south and Bay Street to the east will be closed for this annual event. 

In addition, there will be a full closure of Queen's Park from College to Bloor streets during that period on Sunday.

Khalsa Day Parade

Also on April 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the southbound and northbound curb lanes on University Avenue will be closed for the parade.

Weekend events in Toronto include the launch of the CONTACT Photography Festival and Toronto's newest public space turned into an art gallery. There's also a huge vegetarian spring market and diva party.

There's unlimited potential for what can be done with laneways: housing, community gardens, art installations, performance space...etc. But, when the sun goes down those options are limited due to lack of lighting.

To fix this, a local organization called The Laneway Project is currently working on funding a project called "Light Up the Laneways" to bring shielded and pedestrian-friendly lighting to Toronto laneways.

On the GoFundMe page for the project, the group says they need to raise "an initial $30,000 by July 15 2018  to conduct the project planning, design and engineering process in both communities." 

Based on how much money is raised, different lighting fixtures will be installed.

Hey @bizdistricts - have you head that #Bloordale and #Ossington are working with @lanewayproject to bring lighting to these neighbourhoods as part of a demonstration project? It is going to be amazing! https://t.co/wBpWLqwAwC

— discoverbloordale (@livebloordale) March 31, 2018

The Laneway Project is an organization that works with Toronto communities to help them utilize their laneways effectively. 

The group says that this lighting is necessary to not only improve the character and aesthetic of laneways, but also for safety reasons. 

They're working with Ossington BIA, Ossington Community Association, Bloordale BIA and Bloordale Community Improvement Association to install the lighting, which will supplement light coming from cars in two laneways in Ossington and Bloordale. 

This pilot project is being set up in the hopes that other neighbourhoods will implement laneway lighting by way of private partnerships. 

Effectively utilizing what was once seen as dead space is all the rage now. The area in between Simcoe and St. Patrick streets is also getting a new development, Artists’ Alley, complete with a pathway that'll connect the two.  

In Toronto: @LanterraDev's Artists' Alley development on Dundas includes "Toronto’s newest 'alley' – a winding pathway that connects Simcoe with St. Patrick, a bustling promenade lined with shops, cafes and inspiring art" https://t.co/1jig1BhcSYpic.twitter.com/ltEDhTcFJP

— The Laneway Project (@lanewayproject) March 22, 2018

The mixed-use space's pathway will feature shops, cafes and art along the pathway–things that the community can enjoy. 

Canada's Wonderland is opening its gates this weekend, welcoming back all thrill-seekers and funnel cake eaters.

On the roster there are two brand new rides, Lumberjack and Flying Canoes.

While Flying Canoes is a little bit more for the little kids, Lumberjack promises to be a doozy for the adults. Just like Flight Deck (Top Gun forever), riders' feet will dangle as they're swung through the air on two giant axes swinging like pendulums. 

This illustration shows the concept behind the new Lumberjack ride at Canada's Wonderland. Image courtesy Canada's Wonderland.

Alongside favourites like Brew & BBQ, Taste of Greece, Taste of Italy and Oktoberfest, there's going to be a new Taste of Asia festival (August 11 and 12) that promises to have good eats, music and entertainment.

HOT OFF THE PRESS! Our 2018 Park Map is now available online. Wondering what’s new this year? CLICK HERE: https://t.co/4USrEDhqNlpic.twitter.com/wUW4Dl0cny

— Canada's Wonderland (@WonderlandNews) April 9, 2018

Later in the summer, Wonderland is hosting a month-long celebration starting June 30 for Canada's birthday. Catch performers like West Coast Lumberjacks, Cirque Canadien and the Craz-E-Crew Stunt Team, as well as live music, "authentic" Canadian food (poutine?) and more.

A gorgeous new rooftop patio is coming soon to one of downtown Toronto's busiest intersections, along with a first-class restaurant and three new stories of gleaming glass office space, way up in the sky.

Cadillac Fairview announced today that it will finally be expanding and restoring a prominent part of the CF Toronto Eaton Centre complex: The 123-year-old heritage building at 2 Queen Street West.

Most-recently home to the sporting goods retailer Atmosphere, the building sits on the northwest corner of Yonge and Queen Streets.

It was built in 1895 and has since housed everything from a Woolworth's flagship store to Tower Records. City documents show that the property still bears the name of its original tenant, the Philip Jamieson Clothing Company.

The Philip Jamieson Building was added to Toronto's heritage register in 1986, but by that point it had already been altered several times — most recently when it was overclad in the 80's with what the city now calls "inappropriate materials."

Developers had been trying to maximize the use of this prime space for years, but previous plans (like the 65-storey rental tower proposed by CF in 2013) were all shot down by the city for zoning, various, safety and heritage reasons.

A City staff report from last April conceded that a major reconstruction was "the only viable option for the long-term conservation of this heritage property," and recommended that the city repeal or amend existing heritage restrictions.

It looks like a compromise has finally now been reached — one that will restore the building's beautiful 1895 façade while modernizing pretty much everything else.

The site of what is now the southeast corner of Toronto's Eaton Centre circa 1897, when it was still the Philip Jamieson Clothing Company. Photo via the Toronto Public Library.

"The project, designed to improve the quality and utility of the property while preserving its unique architectural features," reads a press release from CF Fairview released on Thursday.

"Overall, the redevelopment comprises 23,150 square feet of office space and 22,011 square feet of retail and storage space as well as significant mechanical, structural and electrical upgrades."

The release further specifies that this project will compliment an ongoing series of renovations in and around the Eaton Centre, including the beautiful new helix skybridge and forthcoming "urban campus" workspace from BMO.

"Cadillac Fairview is absolutely committed to our responsible investment in the heritage properties under our stewardship," says CF Vice President of development Rory MacLeod.

"This building's beautiful façade is currently obscured having undergone several renovations, but today, we are proud to be restoring 2 Queen Street West to its original glory."

The people of Toronto have opened their hearts and wallets en masse this week following a horrific van attack that killed 10 people and injured 15 others near Yonge and Finch on Monday.

At least four of those who were killed during the incident, which saw someone drive a white rental van directly into pedestrians, have now been identified, along with 13 of the injured (five of which remain in critical condition).

People all over the world are reeling as stories of these innocent victims come to light, and many are looking for ways to help their family members cope with the unthinkable.

Mayor John Tory announced on Tuesday night that the city had created its own fundraising campaign in partnership with local charities to support those most affected by the tragedy.

In less than two days, over $700,000 had been donated to the #TorontoStrongFund alone.

The most recent numbers available from the Toronto Strong campaign show that $702,673 had been raised for victims of the van attack by Thursday morning.

Several GoFundMe campaigns related to the attack and its victims have also been established by local well-wishers.

Just a handful of those campaigns had raised more than $470,000 together as of Thursday afternoon — and that's in addition to money raised through the City of Toronto's fundraiser.

A GoFundMe campaign called Toronto Van Attack Victims Funds, run by the Mississauga-based Muslim community empowerment organization DawaNet, has pulled in nearly $182,000 from more than 3,000 people over the past two days.

Another account was launched just yesterday in memory of Renuka Amarasinghe, a single mother who was killed during Monday's attack and leaves behind a 7-year-old son named Diyon.

That campaign, organized by Scarborough's Lotus Youth Council, has already raised over $225,000 for young Diyon's education and care.

Thousands of people have donated money for the care and education of young Diyon Amarasinghe, who lost his mother in Monday's attack. Screenshot by Lauren O'Neil.

Over $15,000 has been raised similarly to help with funeral and other final costs for Anne Marie D'Amico, who lost her life on Monday. 

Injured victims Amaresh Tesfamariam and Amir Kiumarsi have also been pledged roughly $13,000 and $17,000, respectively, through GoFundMe.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. Toronto, like the rest of Canada, is generous and kind. For the most part.

Alek Menassian, 25, of Richmond Hill, was charged Tuesday morning with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder in connection with the incident. He remains in police custody.

How much is too much information when it comes to a national tragedy? Where do we draw the line? The answer varies across the board, until it doesn't anymore.

Security camera footage from a store near Yonge and Finch is proving unwelcome to many in Toronto right now as the city recovers from a deadly van attack that killed 10 people and injured 15 others.

The video in question, published by Global News on Thursday afternoon, shows suspect Alek Menassian's white Ryder rental van speeding down the sidewalk along Yonge Street at 1:24 p.m. on Monday.

Two people walking toward the van spot it from a distance and jump to the side. Another person narrowly escapes being run over by diving toward the street.

Then, what appears to be elderly woman is seen walking slowly in the same direction as the van, unaware that the vehicle is speeding up right behind her.

After the woman is hit, a blur appears over where she was standing, presumably to cover her dead or dying body.

SHAME ON YOU GLOBAL...NONONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS OR DRAMATIZE WHAT HAPPENED. WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR MOTHER, SON, DAUGHTER OR FATHER GETTING KILLED. HAVE SOME MORAL STANDARD.

— Canadian Patriot (@ballstropical) April 26, 2018

Dozens of people weighed in immediately on Twitter to voice their concerns over the video being made public.

"We shouldn't post or encourage people to post such content," wrote one Twitter user in response to the clip. "It's not necessary. We need to stop this video culture in this manner."

"Why does this video need to been released to the public?" wrote another. "As if the mental image wasn't enough, now you can actually watch people being killed!"

Coincidentally (or maybe not,) Victim Services Toronto issued a statement on Thursday encouraging social media users to refrain from posting footage from the scene.

"An important reminder for everyone on social media," wrote the agency. "Images of the scene can be very triggering & harmful for the individuals affected."

"In order to support all individuals affected by the Yonge and Finch tragedy we kindly ask that you do not share/post any images from the event."

Toronto Police similarly asked journalists on Wednesday night to back off when it comes to seeking out victims' families.

"Yonge Street Tragedy - The family of one of the victims in the Yonge Street tragedy reports some media are harassing the family," reads the notice. "Toronto Police request that all media respect the privacy of those involved."

Toronto is getting a new casino. Earlier today, city council approved the much debated expansion of the Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke into a gambling wonderland with five new facilities featuring restaurants, bars, retail, a performance venue and office space.

The casino marks just one of two ambitious projects planned for the Toronto area. A sprawling new casino, hotel and waterpark is also expected to be built in nearby Pickering.

This rendering shows the scope of the new casino in Etobicoke. Image courtesy Woodbine Entertainment Group.

Gaming at Woodbine Racetrack currently brings in about $16 million in annual revenues for the city. It's predicted that once the casino is in operation, the amount could rise to between $26 million and $31 million per year.

And the major Woodbine casino item as amended is APPROVED by Toronto City Council, 26-15. Expanded gambling coming to North Etobicoke. pic.twitter.com/CtDZStSaiG

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) April 26, 2018

Not everyone is on board with the plans. Councillor Joe Cressy tried to put forward a motion to limit the Woodbine casino's operating hours to no more than 18 hours per day. It failed.  

In 2018, in Toronto, City Council is about to approve the expansion of gambling and casino facilities in Etobicoke in order to spur economic development. This is the absolute wrong way to build a healthy and economically strong City.

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) April 26, 2018

Another motion sought to develop a child care centre near the casino with a stipulation that the casino operators put up as much as $5 million to make it happen. It passed.

The casino is one step closer to reality, now it's up to the province of Ontario and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.  This final approval is expected to be a mere formality.

Events in Toronto today include the launch of the CONTACT Photography festival with the help of Maximum Exposure and another tailgate outside the ACC as the Raptors face the Wizards in Washington.

This house did not last long on the market. It sold in under a week, which is impressive.

The sun-filled family home is charming and has been fully renovated. On the main floor, the living room, dining room and kitchen are open concept.

The living and dining room seem a bit cramped and the view out of the dining room window sucks (it’s a brick wall) but the space really opens up in the kitchen.

The large eat-in kitchen overlooks the yard and is big enough to for the whole family to hang out in or have a nice dinner party. You’d probably want to have a dinner party in here rather than in the tiny dining room space anyway.

On the second floor there are three spacious bedrooms and one bathroom.

My favourite part of the house is the third-floor master bedroom with the en suite bathroom. I love the wood detailing that frames the windows and the peaked ceilings give the space a lofty vibe.

The exposed beams in the bathroom are gorgeous and that tub looks lavish.

The rec room is in the basement, adding a bit more living space to the home.

Outside there’s a decently sized backyard, which I’m sure will look nicer come summer.

The Essentials

• Address: 34 Alcina Ave.
• Type: House
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 4
• Size: 20 x 140 feet
• Realtor: Royal LePage
• Hit the market at: $1,899,000
• Sold for: $2,060,000

Why it sold for what it did?

The house has been fully renovated, it’s super close to downtown and in a great school district. It ticks all the boxes for a family home.

Was it worth it?

This doesn’t seem like a place where you’d get buyers remorse so I’d say it’s worth it. It’s a solid house in a great location and sometimes that’s really all you need.  

Warehouse sales in Toronto this May have discounts on all the goods needed to get ready for spring. True Religion is slashing prices and so is Haight & Ashbury. There's a also a big movie wardrobe sale on as well.