The best slice of cake in Toronto is reason enough to celebrate whether sweetening an afternoon solo or adding a little icing to the end of a date. There are plenty of bakeries, cafes and patisseries all across the city that offer whole cakes to take home but where can you go when all you want is a single slice of cake to eat on the spot?

Here's a list of best places to get a slice of cake in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Cupcakes in Toronto
The Best Custom (and Wedding) Cakes in Toronto
The Best Cheesecake in Toronto
7 places to take cake decorating classes in Toronto

Photo by Jonathan Castellino in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto events Tuesday, May 7, 2013

ART | Making The Connections
A series of interactive pieces, Making The Connections connects gallery visitors with social issues that directly and indirectly factor into the health of Torontonians. Examining issues like food, income, housing, education, health care access and neighbourhood, the show looks at larger factors that are interconnected with health. Jo Snyder will introduce the exhibit at 7 PM tonight at Urbanspace before Aziza Mahamoud discusses systems thinking. Pieces by OCAD students based on their experience visiting Making The Connections will also be on display.
Urbanspace Gallery (401 Richmond Street West) 7 PM Fre

MUSIC | Gun Outfit with Psyche Tongues, Loi Do and The Dead Projectionists
Olympia, Washington indie rock band Gun Outfit stops in Toronto for a show at Parts & Labour tonight with Psyche Tongues, Loi Do and The Dead Projectionists. Gun Outfit recently released their third album Hard Coming Down in February and are currently touring North America to support the album. Doors open at 8:30 PM. Come early to check out emerging local acts and stay late for a band that has been deemed the next Sonic Youth.
Parts & Labour (1566 Queen Street West) 8:30 PM $6

BOOKS & LIT | TRB's Canadian History Gala Issue Six Launch Party
The Toronto Review of Books wants you to watch Heritage Minutes in a bar with Shawn Micallef talking politics. Dig it? That's what's going down at the TRB's Issue Six Launch Party, which happens tonight at The Ossington. The quarterly review, which publishes poetry and essays while covering events, arts and all of Toronto happenings, releases the issue with a party that will also feature a reading by Yaya Yao. Watch James Naismith invent basketball and see Laura Secord run to give Fitzgibbon a warning while talking more recent politics with like-minded folk. Push up your glasses and go.
The Ossington (61 Ossington Avenue) 8 PM PWYC

FILM | Italian Contemporary Film Festival Junior
The Italian Contemporary Film Festival Junior is a five-day festival of Italian cinema catering to children and teens aged 8 to 18. Launching today at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, this mini-fest plays five Italian films over the course of the festival, ranging from animation to coming-of-age. With filmmakers present at several screenings, there will be room for critical discussion and audience questions. All films are subtitled in English. Check out http://www.icff.ca/junior for the full program.
TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West) $8 child, $12 adult

ALSO OF NOTE:

• Scarborough Dishcrawl
• Gladstone TV Trivia Night: Buffy Edition
• Cookin' In The Park

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

• This week in music
• This week in fashion
• This week in film
• Toronto food events
• This week in theatre
• This week in comedy
• Toronto Concerts, May 2013

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo of Rudy Webb as Richard Pierpoint in a new Canadian Heritage Minute

City staff say it will cost up to $1 million and take about six months to fully study the impacts of allowing Porter to operate jets out of Billy Bishop airport. City council will decide to today whether or not to proceed with the analysis. A preliminary report is due before Rob Ford's executive committee on July 3, which Porter says it will finance. The airline wants to expand the runway and operate Bombardier "whisper jets" out of the downtown airport.

At the same time, Margaret Atwood and other prominent citizens are lining up against the idea. NOJetsTO wants council to reject the feasibility study and force airlines to stick with propellor planes. The group has a petition with almost 1,000 signatures. Former mayor John Sewell is also a supporter of the group. Where do you stand on this?

Toronto's chief planner says the city needs to be a leading voice in the transit tax discussion. Speaking to the Toronto Sun, Jennifer Keesmaat says there's a "pending crisis" as more transit-friendly citizens begin to pack the already overcrowded subway and streetcar network. Transit taxes are expected to come up at today's council meeting. Do you think Toronto can reclaim its world-class transit system with taxes?

City council will vote today whether or not to revive the Nathan Phillips Square bike station. Rob Ford has already said he'll try and kill off the storage area, which comes with basic showers and tools for cyclists. $650,000 of the $1.2 million pricetag has already been spent designing and planning the project.

Chris Hadfield lead the first ever space-to-Earth singalong yesterday, performing the song I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) he co-wrote with the Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson. Schools across Canada and kids at the Ontario Science Centre sang along with help from a Toronto choir and Robertson. The song was Hadfield's final broadcast before he returns home on May 13.

A Toronto Maple Leafs fan didn't exactly get a Beantown welcome (or maybe he did) during the last playoff game at the TD Garden. Kyle Hay says he was sucker punched in the back of the head by a disgruntled Bruins fan after the Leafs' 4-2 win. He suffered a concussion and needled surgical staples to seal a wound on the back of his head. A video of the aftermath is circulating online.

Also in hockey, the Leafs couldn't manage to reel in their first home ice playoff win in close to a decade last night. The boys in blue dropped Game 3 to the Bruins 5-2. Centre Tyler Bozak put the loss down to the B's expert cheating in the face-off circle.

Three firefighters were injured battling a blaze on the roof of The Centre for Health and Wellbeing, a store near Dundas West and Keele yesterday. Two were suffered heat exhaustion and the other was treated for an ankle injury. No word on the cause or extent of the damage yet.

Cops are trying to ID a man seen carrying and loading a gun on the subway. He was seen at various times Thursday and Friday wearing a grey Adidas hoodie and a Blue Jays cap at St. George station. Know this guy? Turn him in.

Finally, Corriere Canadese, Toronto's oldest Italian language newspaper, has ceased publication. The paper was founded by Dan Iannuzzi, a third-generation Canadian also responsible for founding the station now broadcasting as OMNI, and was due to celebrate its 59th anniversary next month.

IN BRIEF:

• Runner who died at Toronto Marathon remembered as ambitious, friendly teen [Toronto Star]
• Fire hero dog among animal hall of fame inductees [CP24]
• More than 23 kilograms of suspected heroin seized at Pearson airport [Toronto Star]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: K W/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Home Video previews all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand titles hitting the street this week, plus lost gems, crazed Cancon, outrageous cult titles and the best places to rent or buy movies in Toronto.

Mama (eOne)

Domestic horror from The Shining school of kiddy-generated terror. Annabel and Lucas are faced with the challenge of raising his young nieces that were left alone in the forest for 5 years... but how alone were they? Starring it girl of the moment Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones' single handed King slayer), classed up by fan favourite and visual fantasist extraordinaire Guillermo Del Toro, who produced, and featuring a tight script by Neil Cross, who penned a few decent episodes of Doctor Who this year, Mama has a strong pedigree and ticks a lot of gothic horror boxes while resisting the type of gore most of its contemporaries revel in. Think Watcher in the Woods for the Supernatural set, and you're nearly there. Finally, a frightening PG-13 movie!

Extras include the original short film Mama from 2008, short looks at the visual effects, deleted scenes, interviews with the principals and some fairly insightful behind the scenes banter.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Jack Reacher (Paramount)

The Cruiser is on a tight comeback schedule, and not even the box-office tar of this egomaniacal adaptation of the frankly well regarded "One Shot"/Jack Reacher series by Lee Child can slow him down (see: Oblivion's opening weekend gross). While the Cruiser has the chops to play varied roles (Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and Les Grossman in 2008 alone!), this was ill-advised, and probably best watched on an in-flight entertainment system.

The Great Escape (MGM/20th Century Fox)

One of the most badass casts ever assembled anchor this utter classic, World War 2 as Sunday afternoon sporting event that disappeared down a rabbit hole but is thankfully now back in full shiny HD glory. Directed by the mighty John Sturges, The Great Escape follows the great escapades of a rag-tag band of Nazi POWs who include Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, and James Coburn. Extras include vintage audio commentary and 8 featurettes about the true stories of those who escaped the Stalag Luft III maximum security prison.

Rookie Blue - Season 3 (eOne)

Toronto-shot Rookie Blue follows five rookie cops who have kicked in doors, taken down criminals, kept people safe and saved each other in the process. Now they're doing it all again, only better, in the third season of this hit ABC series. William Shatner guest stars in the Season 3 premiere episode, although sadly not reprising his beloved T.J Hooker character.

The Captains (eOne)

Canadian idol William Shatner (aka Captain Kirk) hangs out with fellow spacers Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard), Avery Brooks (Captain Sisko), Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway), Scott Bakula (Captain Archer) and Chris Pine (Captain Kirk, 2013) to discuss life, liberty, and the cultural phenomena that is Star Trek. With JJ Abram's ballyhooed but shockingly empty Star Trek Into Darkness opening in a few weeks, this is a timely reminder of when Star Trek was more about Humanism than LucasFilmism.

Fringe - Season 5 (Warner Bros)

The best of the post-LOST story arc heavy mystery SF shows, this final season of Fringe picks up where the flash-forward episode left off, with our universe in 2015 seized by the seemingly peaceful observers. Sadly never really given its proper dues as a weekly show on TV, but it's a fair guess that it will find a wider audience in the binge watching world of Netflix and complete series torrents.

STILL FRESH

• Silver Linings Playbook
• The Vampire Lovers
• Not Fade Away
• The Guilt Trip
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 3
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
• Funny Girl
• Night of the Scarecrow

TORONTO FILM OBSCURIA ON YOUTUBE

Feeling at a loss since Hot Docs' tremendous documentary festival has come to a close? Why not have an ogle at this beat up, busted and tattered old documentary from the National Film Board about the Satan's Choice bikers club in Toronto.

Directed by Donald Shebib, who also crafted our Easy Rider, the greatest Canadian road movie of all time Goin Down the Road, Satan's Choice is an acid polaroid of Sixties Toronto, and the left-leaning bike club members defy easy stereotyping.

Best of all is the soundtrack by The Sparrow, part of the groovy Yorkville folk music scene in Toronto in the mid-'60's, along with folks like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Rick James.

Lead image from Mama

This new Parkdale clothing boutique — though only opened last week — already feels like home. From their grizzly bear logo to their camping gear and Hudson's Bay blankets, everything in the space emits a distinct Canadian quality. With clothing, accessories, and apothecary for men, women, and children, everyone is warmly welcomed.

Read my profile of North Standard Trading Post in the fashion section.

Not to sensationalize, but it was one revolting week on the DineSafe database.

Ristorante Roma takes the cake for grossness this week, with a total of 10 infractions. They include improper pest management and failure to provide hand washing and washroom supplies (what does this mean, anyway? No toilet paper?), not to mention a crucial error in food safety.

Indian Spice Kitchen on Markham Rd. showed up again this week, too. It gained the ire of DineSafe a couple of weeks ago, and for the same reason: failure to maintain hazardous foods at an appropriate temperature. I know it's not a sexy subject, but it's definitely worth paying attention when restaurants are in the caution zone more than once.

And "Dollar Plus Discount Supermarket" failed to provide approved meat. Eep! Read on for further off-putting details.

Indian Spice Kitchen Restaurant 748 Markham Rd.
Inspected on: May 3
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to maintain hazardous foods at 4 C (40 F) or colder.

Draft Picks (formerly Ristorante Roma) (1090 Bloor St. W.)
Inspected on: April 30
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 10 (Minor: 2, Significant: 7, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Dollar Plus Discount Supermarket (2141 Ellesmere Rd.)
Inspected on: May 1
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 6 (Significant: 3, Crucial: 3)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to provide approved meat, failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated, failure to maintain hazardous foods at 4 C (40 F) or colder.

Not Just Noodles (570 Yonge St.)
Inspected on: May 2
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to maintain hazardous foods at 4 C (40 F) or colder.

Applause Catering (1700 Bathurst St.)
Inspected on: April 29
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Lahore Grill & Fast Food Halal Restaurant (1274 Gerrard St. E.)
Inspected on: May 2
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A

Ruyi Chinese Restaurant (1029 Gerrard St. E.)
Inspected on: April 30
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

The New Pepper Chili (368 Broadview Ave.)
Inspected on: May 2
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional Pass)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.

Toronto hockey fans are just a little bit excited to see their team in the playoffs after a painful nine year drought. And now they have a public place to cheer or collectively weep, as they case may have been last night thanks to a 5-2 loss at the hands of Boston Bruins. Framed by the condos that have popped up around the ACC in the interval between playoff games, Maple Leaf Square has been brimming with fans on game days, far exceeding conservative estimates of its 2000 person capacity. As CBC reporter Scott Oake noted last night, it seemed like there were five times that number packed in the space (okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but still).

The photos below derive from Saturday night's gathering, which ended more happily for fans who had lined up early to gain access to the square, which features a giant television screen on which the game is broadcast. And while last night saw the Leafs faithful walk home empty handed, it was one damn jubilant scene when Jake Gardiner scored the first home ice playoff goal in almost a decade. Here's to more of that — but maybe hold off on the parade plans for now?

PHOTOS

Photos by Alejandro Santiago

Working as an artist in Toronto offers a lot of benefits: there's an active scene, great art schools and galleries, and increasing attention from international collectors and press. But if you need somewhere to actually, you know, make and display your art, things can get challenging. Rent is skyrocketing, and many long-time studio spaces have been demolished to make room for luxury condos.

Thankfully, Toronto's tight-knit artistic community has found a solution to these problems: the artists collective. By working and exhibiting together, members don't just save on rent: their newfound group also provides them with constant inspiration and input on their work, in addition to greatly broadening their audience.

Toronto has an amazing variety of active artistic collectives, but for this list, we're focusing specifically on those that have their own publicly-accessible studio or gallery spaces.

The White House Studio Project
This gem in the heart of Kensington Market has been a beloved studio/exhibition space/community centre since 2008, and its counted what seems like half of Toronto among its roster of 26 frequently-shifting members. With a wood shop, screen printing facilities, zine library, 2600 square feet of studio space, and an always awesome group of people, the White House remains one of the best places to make (and see) art in the city.

Walnut Studios
In 2008, real estate developer Jason Martins purchased an old warehouse near King and Bathurst with plans to bring a few more condos to the area. But after City Hall left his application hanging, Martins allowed a few artists to rent space in the building in the interim, and thus, Walnut Studios was born. Now home to over forty artists of various media, Walnut Studios has become a major hub, with classes, life-drawing sessions, and a brand new exhibition gallery.

Akin Collective
Founded by musician/artists Mike Dellios and Oliver Pauk in their mid-twenties, and orginally operated out of Dellios' loft, this once low-key collective has now expanded to two studios off Lansdowne and Bloor and Dufferin and Queen west. With monthly art crits, open studio events, and rates starting at just $55 a month, AKIN is a great option for burgeoning artist in two of the city's major artistic hubs.

36 Chambers
What once was Ushers Grocery Store is now a 6,000 square foot studio space composed of, yep, 36 rooms. Located beneath the Goodfellas Gallery on Queen and Dufferin (with whom it shares an owner), the building that houses this Parkdale gem may be in need of a little TLC, but the art is always top-notch.

Gutterbird
Founder Billy Cudgel has turned this three year-old collective into a major creative force in the city by relentlessly promoting his collective of over 50 artists through a mix of podcasts, live performances, parties, concerts, and their bimonthly magazine called Nest, the collective. Now with a studio on Logan and Gerrard, public awareness of this dedicated group of talented people is sure to keep spreading.

9 Creatures Creating
With the goal to "support all creative creatures," this studio/gallery space recently made the move from Queen West to Dundas, and their new location seems a perfect fit. With space for the 6-member collective to work in the back, and a versatile space for exhibitions in the front, their new spot has already hosted concerts, retail pop-ups, film screenings, and interactive exhibits. Up next on their busy schedule is the head-to-head exhibition battle SHERIDAN VS OCAD. Things are sure to get heated.

Brockton Collective
Hiding in a nondescript industrial building on Dufferin just north of Queen lies the exhibition space for the Brockton Collective, a loose-knit group of creative types united by their desire to take advantage of the stellar venue. Thanks to the collective's open member policy, Brockton now counts over 100 members among its ranks.

Photo of 36 Chambers by Jesse Milns

If this were my house, I would become a bona fide hermit. One of the washrooms alone looks like it's about the size of all of my past apartments combined. There's a full-on gym, none of these treadmill-in-a-basement-room afterthought situations. There's a man cave to keep man-pets and there's a fully outfitted workshop in the basement. Each room appears to have an ensuite bath. I would turn this house castle into a glorious commune, the likes of which hasn't been seen since the '60s. (Note: it is this very impulse that ensures I will never be able to afford such a home).

SPECS:

Address: 249 Old Yonge St.
Price: $3,500,000
Size (square feet): a little over 6,100
Storeys: 3
Bedrooms: 5+1
Bathrooms: 9
Parking Spaces: 6
Property Taxes: $21,709.20

NOTABLE FEATURES

Multiple fireplaces
Elevator
Billiards room
Woodworking studio
Workout space
Wolf range
Wine cellar

GOOD FOR

Those giant families with 14+ kids and reality TV shows about it. Communes...but for wealthy people? Is that a thing? Rich DIY types (there's a workshop in the basement).

MOVE ON IF

You insist on a more advanced wine cellar — I mean, come on. More seriously, Old Yonge Street ain't the most accessible place transit-wise, but who am I kidding? If you've got this much cash, you're probably driving.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES

Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Photos courtesy of Barry Cohen homes

Joining an already restaurant-rich scene at Dundas and Bathurst, this new cocktail bar looks to keep things interesting with a regularly rotating drink menu and a healthy dose of live music. With reasonable drink prices and slick (if minimalist) interior, this could be a popular place in the weeks ahead.

Read my review of Montauk in the bars section.

Toronto's waterfront moved a step closer to hosting jet traffic this evening. City council have voted 29-15 in favour of studying the possible effects of new the new "whisper jets" Porter airlines wants to fly from downtown to destinations across the continent. The report will also look into expanding the runway at Billy Bishop to accommodate the larger planes.

Some councillors expressed concern the added noise and pollution from jet traffic wasn't worth even the cost of the report, which could be between $800,000 and $1 million. In an interesting turn of events, mayor Rob Ford, deputy mayor Doug Holyday, and coun. Doug Ford voted in favour of using sole-sourced contracts in the process of compiling the study, something they've previously criticized.

There was a heated moment when coun. Mike Del Grande appeared to get upset with waterfront residents who have expressed concern over the additional aircraft noise. "Is that any different to somebody buying a house by a school and saying 'I don't want to hear the recess bell anymore'? ... Don't buy a house by an airport," he said.

Del Grande also took aim at members of the public watching proceedings. "The bullies come into this chamber and they bully the councillors. Look at the [Porter employees] on the other side [of the room] - this is how we do it in Scarborough, we're all polite."

Porter airlines CEO Robert Deluce expects passengers at Toronto's downtown airport to significantly increase in the next few years. NOJetsTO, a group opposed to the expansion, has attracted signatures from author Margaret Atwood and former mayor John Sewell.

Do you think it's OK for Porter to fly jets out of the island airport? What restrictions should Toronto place on airport expansion, if any? Do you think Billy Bishop Airport is an asset or a threat to the Toronto Islands and waterfront?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: syncros/blogTO Flickr pool.

Photo by Adrian Balij in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto events on May 8th, 2013

FILM | Ryerson University Film Festival
Filmophiles needn't weep too much in the aftermath of Hot Docs. The Ryerson University Film Festival, aka RUFF, begins tonight, and takes place over two evenings at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. This event gives the student filmmakers at Ryerson a chance to have their work screened in a real theatre environment, and to do some networking with industry folks who attend. This also gives local film buffs a chance to investigate the next generation of Toronto film creators. Twenty films will be shown over the course of tonight and tomorrow evening, and will definitely make for some interesting viewing.
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) 7 PM $12 ($20 both nights)

MUSIC | Music City North Festival
Yes, there's a (relatively) new TO music fest in town - Music City North. This festival started in September of last year, and is doing things a little bit differently. There will be three mini fests this year in May, August, and November, respectively. This makes good sense for a fledgling operation that wants to build slowly but surely. Music City North launches tonight with a "media launch party" that is open to the public, featuring The Flow, Super Geek League, and Crued. The festival runs until Sunday, May 12th.
Cherry Cola's Rock n Rolla Cabaret & Lounge (200 Bathurst Street) 9 PM $5

BOOKS & LIT | The Fine Print Presents Stranglehold by Robert Rotenberg
Toronto criminal lawyer and bestselling author, Robert Rotenberg, launches his latest novel, Stranglehold, tonight at Dora Keogh. Rotenberg's career has been an interesting one, having enjoyed, in addition to practicing law, a stint as a producer at the CBC, and different editorial positions. This is Rotenberg's fourth novel, and like his others, the action takes place here in TO. Stranglehold involves a Toronto mayoral race, a homicide, and protagonist Detective Ari Greene being wrongly charged for murder.
Dora Keogh (141 Danforth Avenue) 6:30PM

FUNDRAISER | Ride To Conquer Cancer Fundraiser w/ DIRK QUINN BAND & BLIND MULE
Steam Whistle continues their efforts to make this year's Ride To Conquer Cancer the best yet, and has sponsored a special night of music at the Brazen Head Irish Pub tonight. Onstage you will find two great bands that will definitely appeal to fans of funk, blues, roots, rock, and "jam" oriented musical fare: The Derek Quinn band, hailing from Philadelphia, will lay down some seriously funky sounds, and Blind Mule, a favourite from Hamilton, will also make your ears happy. Ryan Bondy and Rhonda Stakich are also on the bill. All proceeds go towards sponsoring a Ride to Conquer Cancer, which will benefit the Cancer Research Center at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Brazen Head Irish Pub (165 East Liberty Street) 7PM

Also Of Note

• 40 BOOKS IN 40 MINUTES
• FBN Theatre Presents Much Ado About Nothing

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

• This week in music
• This week in fashion
• This week in film
• Toronto food events
• This week in theatre
• This week in comedy
• Toronto Concerts, May 2013

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo by John Barduhn and courtesy of the Bloor Cinema Facebook page.

Toronto city council will debate transit taxes at some point this week after a group of councillors lead by TTC Chair Karen Stintz managed to wrangle the two-thirds vote necessary to take the matter away from Rob Ford's executive committee. Ford supporters coun. Michael Thompson and coun. Gary Crawford were among those that voted in favour of the debate. Is this a step in the right direction for Toronto transit?

In case you missed it yesterday, city council also approved a feasibility study into flying jets out of the island airport and extending the runway to accommodate the larger planes. The report will asses the environmental and economic impacts and provide a recommendation to council. Does allowing Porter jets leave the door open for other airlines?

Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti says he's a changed man after recent brain surgery. Speaking to Metro, the at times polarizing and outspoken York West rep promises he'll "stop getting under everybody's skin," saying being told he might not live was "life-altering." Is this end of Mammoliti as we know him?

The Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington says a picture of Rob Ford apparently holding a beer at Monday's Maple Leafs playoff game isn't what it seems. The columnist says the mayor was drinking ginger ale, and he took a sip to prove it. Doug Ford told media during the Sarah Thomson incident that he'd never seen his brother take a drink.

Lifestyle tourists beware, viewing this $5 million Toronto mansion will set you back $50. The owners of the seven-bedroom, five-bathroom home in the Beaches don't want potential buyers touring the house if they're not interested in moving in. But don't worry, the cash is going to SickKids.

More concrete fell of the Gardiner Expressway yesterday, closing parts of Lake Shore Boulevard East at Cherry Street for several hours. And you thought Toronto's elevated highway had stopped shedding its skin.

Three Toronto Beer Stores are going to be slightly less depressing from now on. Customers can now choose some beers from front-of-house fridges and select larger orders on tablet computers attached to the wall. The stores at Bathurst and College, Danforth and Greenwood, and Parliament and Winchester are part of a pilot project to asses whether the changes could work across the province.

IN BRIEF:

• Girl, 14, in hospital after being struck by TTC bus [CBC]
• Sexually explicit material removed from Toronto school bulletin board [Toronto Star]
• Rare heart condition caused teen runner's heart to stop during Toronto marathon [Toronto Star]
• Jays' J.A. Happ leaves on stretcher after being hit in head [CBC]
• Leafs reach out to fan knocked out in Boston [CBC]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Hamid.A/blogTO Flickr pool.

This Week in Fashion rounds up the week's style news, store openings and closings, pop-up shops, sales and upcoming fashion and design events in Toronto. Find it here every Wednesday morning.

NEWS

Last week, The Drake General Store opened the doors to its new Yonge & Eglinton location (2607 Yonge St). The larger space carries odds and ends that make perfect gifts (for Mother's Day, perhaps?), including metallic piggy banks ($260) and ceramic sparrow mugs ($38). The well-known (and well adored) retailer now has three locations in distinct neighbourhoods, ready to offer quirky clothing and curiosities.

EVENTS

This Saturday (May 11), head to Maple Cottage (62 Laing St) from 10 am until 5 pm for the Absolutely Vintage Clothing Show - an event filled to the brim with vintage clothing, jewellery, textiles, and other curiosities as old as the 1890s. With vendors such as Gadabout and Eclectisaurus, this market is a vintage lover's dream.

Philip Sparks is taking their brand to a whole new level by giving everyone the chance to see where they design, cut, and sew their locally-made (not to mention perfectly tailored) collections. Their Open Factory will run this Saturday (May 11) from 1 pm until 5 pm, so be sure to visit 130 Cawthra Avenue (Unit 107) for a behind-the-scenes look at the wonder that is Philip Sparks.

Tomorrow night (May 9), Vintage Crawl Toronto is returning for another night of shopping, sweets, refreshments, and good company. From 7 pm until midnight, 28 boutiques from Kensington Market to Roncesvalles - including Magwood, 69 Vintage, and Pretty Freedom - will be open past their usual hours to offer guests a great deal and an even better time. Drop by any one of the participating stores to grab a map of the event.

Last month, the Junction Flea said goodbye to Queen Street, hosting its final indoor market of the year. This Sunday (March 12), they're moving the shopping party to Dundas Street West and Keele Street from 10 am until 5 pm. The event will still happen every second Sunday of the month, but now it's happening outdoors! As usual, the Junction Flea will feature an eclectic mix of independent vendors offering antiques, clothing, food, records, and more - including a load of newcomers like Violet Crown Vintage.

Visit Express's new location at First Canadian Place (100 King St W) from noon to 2 pm until Friday (May 10) to celebrate their grand opening. Enjoy custom monogramming on your Express shirts or a relaxing manicure with a purchase of $75 or more.

SALES

From tomorrow (May 9) until Saturday (May 11), the brands under Millenium Group are hosting a sample sale at 107 Tycos Drive. With both men's and women's size ranges, stock up on Espirit, Desigual, and more at up to 70% off.

Dagg & Stacey is celebrating their move to a new studio by hosting a spring sample sale. For two days only - Friday (May 10) and Saturday (May 11) - visit 15 Adrian Avenue (Unit 223, buzz #37) to snatch past seasons' collections at up to 70% off. Some of the current collection will also be available for 20% off.

Photo of the new Drake General Store from their Facebook page

Vintage Crawl Toronto means treasure hunters can kick up their heels and rejoice as vintage-y shops across the west end open their doors to a ton of gorgeous items on sale. Thursday marks the spring edition of the event, which is basically as cute as it gets (check out the deets on their site here). Shop owners (many of whom are friends with one another) have treats on hand, some of which including beer and wine. Is there any combination more heavenly than drinking and shopping? Here are some top shops to check out during this year's crawl.

Sub Rosa Vintage
Sub Rosa is a lovely little nook in Kensington Market, nestled in beside Courage My Love. Treasure hunters can't hep but be drawn in by their selection of retro denim displayed outside on the stairs. Entering the haven, you can expect to find racks of high-waisted '90s shorts, old man cardies, and fun baubles of all sorts.

Penny Arcade
This adorable shop at Dundas and Ossington specializes in top-notch quality vintage footwear, floral frocks, and incredible leather bags. They've usually got a wide selection of vintage Coach, fabulous eyewear, and some seriously classic denim jackets and gilets. Owner Rachel Sheehan has great taste, and she's super friendly, too.

Bridge + Bardot
The owners of this little Dundas West boutique put some serious TLC into the selection of the garments that wind up on their racks. They sell items that would have been fashionable in any decade, but they also give mini-makeovers to otherwise somewhat basic pieces: picture a plain silk Oxford shirt with hand-studded collar, or mum bum jeans that have been artfully dyed and embellished. Couple this with the clean white aesthetic and you've got an almost spiritual shopping experience going on.

Common Sort (Parkdale)
The Parkdale version of Common Sort is a sister boutique to the long-time Leslieville location. Its identity, in a sense, holds true to its name in that the shop takes newer items as well as vintage. And the prices are incredibly fair, even on a normal day. But this is no rag tag thrift shop. Everything is in like-new condition and ready to wear. They've usually got a huge and varied selection of bags and boots ready to be adopted, as well as a thoroughly decent men's section.

Philistine
Philistine is a little Parkdale shop with many personalities, all of them on trend. They've got vintage boots-a-plenty, tons of unique jewelry, Levi's cutoffs for a steal, and a number of contemporary brands as well, such as Alternative Apparel. They've got great prices on the regular, especially given the level of curation they've got going on.

Photo of Bridge + Bardot by Jesse Milns.

While many might miss distinct character of the long-time Caribbean-food institution's residence here, the new resident of this Queen and Broadview corner spot has some unique traits of its own. Namely, there's a focus on live music, craft and Irish beers and some unexpectedly good pub grub.

Read my profile of An Sibin Pub in the restaurants section.

Over 11 days from May 23 to June 2, the Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival will offer a cornucopia of 175 films from around the world that celebrate and spotlight the stories and issues of the LGBT community.

"We have a very diverse festival this year. There is something for everyone, whether you want something lighthearted and fun, art house cinema or provoking social issue documentaries," says Executive Director Scott Ferguson.

The 2013 festival launched at the Burroughes Building last week. This year's theme is See For Yourself. "It's both an invitation and a friendly challenge to not just take what your perceptions of Inside Out or film festivals in general are," says Ferguson. "Whether you're a first time attendee or have come in the past, come with an open mind. Every year is a different experience."

With the festival's 25th anniversary coming up in 2015, Ferguson says its heart and soul hasn't changed. "It's about bringing the (LGBT) community together and giving people an opportunity to socialize, to be yourself, and to see films."

What has changed is the access to queer films, which are now more readily available at other festivals, on DVD and online. So it's Ferguson and his team's job to curate programs that are unique and to offer films that audiences won't hear about or have access to outside the festival. "Also, what you experience at home in front of a computer screen is completely different from what you get out of watching it at a festival."

Information about this year's films is available on Inside Out's website. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, May 9. To help you pick your films, I asked Ferguson to share his insider's view on 10 highlights from this year's festival.

In The Name Of (W imie...), Opening Gala - Thursday, May 23, 8 pm

This Polish-language drama tells the story of charismatic Catholic priest Father Adam, who leads a small parish in rural Poland and who struggles to reconcile his faith with his sexuality. "It's my favourite film (this year)... It's really timely in its exploration of the Roman Catholic Church," says Ferguson. The film won the Teddy Award for Best Feature at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival. "You don't get a lot of queer films that come from Poland, so it's nice to have one that's also so beautifully made."

Una Noche, Saturday, May 25, 12:15 pm

This Spanish-language social issue film and thriller tells the story of young Raul, who dreams of escaping from repressive Havana to Miami. When he is accused of assaulting a tourist, he plots his escape with his best friend Elio and his twin sister - 90 miles across the ocean on a raft. "We saw this at the Berlin Film Festival (in 2012) and have been trying to get it for a year now," says Ferguson. "It provides a very interesting insight into life in Havana, especially for younger people and their perceptions of what they're going through, as the country evolves and to reconcile its political nature with the changing world around them."

Reaching For The Moon (Flores Raras), Women's Spotlight Gala - Saturday, May 25, 7:15 pm

Based on the bestselling Brazilian novel Rare and Commonplace Flowers, the film chronicles the passionate yet tempestuous love affair between Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, Elizabeth Bishop (portrayed by Australia actress Miranda Otto), and renowned Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares. "It's a gorgeous period film that takes place in 1950s Rio de Janeiro," says Ferguson. "I found it very interesting that the two women had a very open relationship, out in the public eye."

G.B.F. - Sunday, May 26, 4:30 pm

"It's a queer take on Mean Girls, although Mean Girls was already quite queer," says Ferguson. After reading about how the hot new accessory is the gay best friend, three high school divas - vying to be Northgate High's prom queen - engage in an outrageous war for the loyalty of unassuming Tanner, who is accidentally outed as the school's first openly gay student. "It's campy, it's funny and it's got Megan Mullaly from Will & Grace in it," says Ferguson.

Mr. Angel - Sunday, May 26, 9:15 pm

Over seven years, director Dan Hunt followed and filmed the life of pioneering porn star, trans activist and filmmaker Buck Angel. The resulting documentary offers a candid look into the icon's many transformations, including his transition from female to male. "It's insightful and thorough. The man hasn't had an easy life and struggled with a lot of issues and addictions and he's very upfront and honest. It gives you a much fuller picture outside of his public persona," says Ferguson.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - Monday, May 27, 9:45 pm

This whimsical romantic comedy from Taiwan tells the story of two couples. The first is optician Weichung, who is married to Feng and they have a child together. Weichung's hidden gay past comes back and stirs up old feelings. His impulsive sister, Mandy, is engaged to sad sack San-San, but dreams of becoming a soap star. "It's a lovely film and very sweet and quirky and funny," says Ferguson. "And yes, the song (of the same name) also plays an important role in the movie."

Pit Stop, Centrepiece Gala - Tuesday, May 28, 9:30 pm

Premiering at Sundance this past January, Pit Stop is an exploration of the parallel lives of two gay men in a small Texas town and the quiet hope of finding love far away from big city gay life. "It explores what life is like for queer people in a small town, where their sexuality isn't hidden. It's not necessarily at the forefront of everything they do in their daily life but it's very much a part of who they are and their identity," says Ferguson. "It's about the eternal hope that we all have to find that one person to spend the rest of our lives with. It's a lovely and great film."

Animals - Wednesday, May 29, 7:15 pm

A coming-of-age story about 17-year-old Pol and his teddy bear best friend, Deerhoof. The fragile balance of Pol's life is threatened by the arrival of an enigmatic new classmate and the dark side he harbours. "The animatronic bear is very central to the story. It's all about (Pol's) relationship with (Deerhoof) and how his reliance on the bear has impeded his ability to interact with the real world. It's got elements of Donnie Darko to it. It's very surreal and gorgeously filmed. It's one of my favourite films that I saw this year," says Ferguson.

I Am Divine - Saturday, June 1, 7:15 pm

Born Harris Glenn Milstead to a conservative, middle-class family, Divine was an actor, singer and drag queen whose outrageous performances shocked and captivated American counterculture. Jeffrey Schwarz's documentary provides an intimate look at his life and art, which includes the role of Edna Turnblad in John Waters' Hairspray. "For someone like me who grew up in the era of Divine, this film is full of such great footage and interviews with people like John Waters, Ricki Lake, Tab Hunter... Probably the most affecting interviews are the ones with Divine's mother," says Ferguson.

Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth, Closing Gala - Sunday, June 2, 7:30 pm

This documentary about Pulitzer winner Alice Walker (The Color Purple) sheds light on the author's extraordinary rise to prominence, her bisexuality and affair with singer Tracy Chapman, and her estranged relationship with her daughter. Interviews include Steven Spielberg, Danny Glover and Yoko Ono. "She's had an amazing life and she is quite an outspoken woman. She talks about how her sexuality influenced The Color Purple and the characters of Celie and Shug... This is a woman who I feel that you don't know a lot about her, so this pulls the curtain back on her life," says Ferguson.

Film still from Pit Stop

The aesthetic of Unit 1001 at 155 Cumberland is a breathtaking blend of the classic and modern. The building dates back to the 1960s, but it's been restored and expanded since then. Now, the Yorkville residences are for fancy folk only, according to the property's website, which states that it has "services befitting those distinguished few who live enviable lives." That just might be an understatement.

This $4,750,000 condo leaves little to be desired. Its 6,576 square feet are divided amongst two bedrooms, three baths, and generous living space, not to mention a fabulous outdoor oasis in terrace form.

SPECS

Address: 155 Cumberland
Price: $4,750,000
Square Footage: 6,576
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 3
Storeys:1
Parking Spaces: 2
Fireplaces:
Monthly Maintenance: $2,785
Building Amenities:

NOTABLE FEATURES

Heated floors
Imported hardwood (Just why?)
Both bedrooms have walkouts to the terrace
Gas fireplace
Semi-private elevator (only semi-private? Ugh.)

GOOD FOR

People who feel they need a two bedroom condo that costs $4,750,000 because they got made fun of in high school / that's Daddy's definition of success. That "1 per cent" we stopped talking about a little while ago.

MOVE ON IF

You'd rather do something more interesting with your money, like buying a yacht or something. Or you hate Yorkville. Or both. Don't get me started on the idea of being charitable...

ADDITIONAL IMAGES

Read other posts in this series via our Toronto Condos and Lofts Pinterest board.