Village Post February 2023

LOVE ON THE MENU WHAT’S HARDER THAN MAKING A RESTAURANT WORK? MAKING IT WORK WITH YOUR SPOUSE!

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FEBRUARY 2023 · VOLUME 32 · ISSUE 6

Panelists: Michele Romanow, Brian Gluckstein, Odeen Eccleston, Benjamin Tal, Jennifer Keesmaat , Sebastian Clovis, Barry Cohen, Michael Kalles and more!

BRANDS. BIG PRI

TORONTO THE GOOD

Now you can name a cockroach after an ex Plus

Looking for that perfect celebration of anti-Valentine’s Day? Cast your eye to the Toronto Zoo, which is facilitating a rather ideal opportunity for those looking to stick it to an ex. For a donation of $25, the Toronto Zoo will name a cockroach in their honour. The program is a fundraiser for the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. The donation includes a digital certificate personalized with your name and the name of your cockroach as well as a shareable digital graphic — in case you wanted to slide into your ex’s DMs and have some fun — as well as a full charitable tax receipt for the donation. Yes, you can slag anyone and get a tax credit in the process.

In what could be a preview of what’s to come, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is announcing plans for the first WNBA Canada Game between the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx on May 13 at Scotiabank Arena. This will be the first pre-season game in Canada and, hopefully, the first of many as the league eyes expansion with Toronto on the list of possible locations. The Chicago Sky won the league championship in 2021. The Lynx features Canadian stars Guelph’s Natalie Achonwa and Bridget Carleton from Chatham. This will be only the third WNBA pre-season game to be played outside of the United States.

Winter Stations will return to Woodbine Beach at Ashbridge’s Bay this winter for the ninth annual design festival. As usual, five designs were chosen from hundreds of entries, and the creations will be revealed on Family Day weekend in February and stay until the end of March. The theme for this year’s competition is Radiance. According to Winter Stations, the designers were asked to celebrate their growth, inner strength and freedom in defining and showing what Radiance means to them.

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An anti-Valentine from Patrick J. Adams

We talk to the former ‘Suits’ actor about starring in the new CBC-TV relationship drama ‘Plan B,’ his advice for finding true happiness and a youth spent working the concession stand at Cineplex Odeon in Toronto.

by Ron Johnson

$3,007

I thought this would be a nice romantic story for our February editions, but that’s just not true. We sort of tricked you. I really thought I'd be headed for a more romantic thing. And I was really impressed that the show resisted that and, in fact, took a darker turn. So, no, not your standard February romantic fare.

What intrigued you most about the role of Philip Grimmer?

At the time I was really drawn to this concept of a perfectionist writ large — a guy who needs everything to just be just right — and on an almost obsessive scale. I don't know, I related to that. I think at times in my life I have struggled with that same sense of if I can just get everything to be just the way that I think it needs to be, then I will be happy. But it's got to be the way that I think it needs to be.

When a guy is given the ability to go back in time to fix mistakes and still struggles, what does that say about relationshps?

The problem with what's occurring is if he had just, like, quietly stopped and listened to his wife, you know, taken her in, if they really just honestly assessed where they were at and figured out some workable solutions to get where they needed to go together. But instead, he becomes obsessed with his way of doing things. I don't think there's any problem in a relationship that can't be faced if it's just faced together — and honestly.

Did working on the show make you think about your own relationship?

Yes, I mean, all the time. It's very easy to go: “Well, this guy's crazy. You know, he's too much. And it's a show about time travel, I don't need to relate to this.” But I hope, I really hope audiences connect with it the way I connected with it, which is I just saw a ton of places where I could relate to how he was behaving, where I just moved into fix-it mode. If my wife is expressing to me the way she feels about a certain situation, I immediately just want to fix it. Let's just fix it and clear it out of the way. And I have to be reminded: “Hey, not everything is here for you to fix. I'm not presenting you with a checklist of things to do. You just be present with what's going on.” And that will make it better. And we can do a deal with it together.

What do you think people enjoy and appreciate most about the show?

I think our goal is that, first and foremost, they just do like we're talking about: identifying pieces of themselves and their own behaviour and their own relationships in these two people. You know, this is a relationship drama. I think it's set in a really interesting world with a really compelling device, essentially. But that's all it is. It's just a way to further explore these characters’ foibles and dysfunctions.

At least good old Phil never stopped trying.

I mean, it's a good thing and a bad thing. He has good intentions. He just wants everyone

to be OK. But in doing so, he makes everything so not OK. And the actual path to making everything OK would probably just be, like, “Stop, just stop.” Right? Just stop what you're doing and pay attention.

Do you have a daily ritual?

I have a few. I would say the most important thing I do every day is meditate. That's pretty recent, the last couple of years, but it's changed my life.

What was your first Toronto job?

I grew up in Toronto, and I worked at my mother's company. She owned a company called Computer Action that was up in North York. My real first job-job was working at a Cineplex Odeon movie theatre concession stand. The old York Theatre on Eglinton.

What's the worst piece of career advice you've ever received?

Give up.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Finding a place of acceptance, even in hard moments and even in the difficult moments, even at the moments that are very uncomfortable: having the capacity to just accept it for what it is and know that from it will come some lessons and I'll be grateful for it at some point. So getting away from the struggle and resisting that any moment needs to be any different than what it is right now. I'm finding that it has created a lot of space in my life for joy.

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The weight, in tonnes, of Toronto’s new subway boring machine Celtic Tiger.

Oscar nominations for Torontonians Sarah Polley (2) and Domee Shi.

Toronto’s ranking on a list of the world’s most disappointing cities for tourists.

The number of Zellers stores returning to Ontario this year.

The new cost to restaurants for a CafeTO curb lane patio this year.

Knowing T.O.’s trivia and history is power

Would knowing where your water comes from change your behaviour? Maybe.

Trivia is a blast. Everyone loves a good game night, but is there more to it? I think so.

This month our cover story is our annual Do You Know T.O.? trivia game. We make it as fun as possible, tap into local history as well as current events. We even have a live event this year. It’s scheduled for Feb. 21 in partnership with five local Gabby’s outposts so people can play close to their homes, and Black Sheep Entertainment is providing comedians who will act as hosts. Don’t miss it!

But, when it comes to learning about the city, there are added benefits. Sure, learning about what Maple Leafs player set this or that record might not change the world. But when we learn about how the city used to function and how systems work now … things change. It’s like a light comes on and you start to see things differently.

For instance, when we learn where we get our drinking water, it might be a simple answer like a lake. But we can also trace our drinking water further back to what feeds the lake, to the headwaters of those rivers that feed the lake and to how those headwaters are — or, more likely, are not — protected. We also might learn about how old the infrastructure is that transports that water and how that is impacting our health, and how the climate crisis might exacerbate those impacts.

And, once we figure that out, maybe we won’t just ignore when a provincial government decides to develop that area or build a

highway through it, because we understand that what happens in our system happens to us, even if it’s beyond our current political borders. We understand that polluting the headwaters will impact our drinking water. And we learn that urban sprawl makes the climate crisis worse, impacting our health in a myriad of ways.

That’s why I like learning about the city. I love reading about silly bits of history: like when George Clinton moved to Mississauga or when an ex-pro wrestler hosted karaoke in the east end of Toronto. It sticks with me. But, more importantly, I like to see what happened in the past and how it gets repeated or ignored.

As when the late great urbanist Jane Jacobs helped defeat the Spadina Expressway that would have destroyed many amazing local neighbourhoods like the Annex. Yet we still cling to another remnant of that era — the Gardiner. And we continue to shovel massive amounts of money into its declining concrete and steel hulk instead of appreciating what neighbourhoods and city life could bloom if it wasn’t there.

When we learn about the city — where we have been, what we have done right and wrong — we become better and more engaged citizens. That’s a powerful thing.

Toronto sees new wave of dispensaries, this time it's psychedelics

Just when it looked as though the number of now legal cannabis dispensaries in the city had plateaued, a new batch of illicit drug operations could be here. This time, the illegal substance in question is magic mushrooms. Like cannabis a halfdozen years ago, there is a lot of research ongoing about the medical benefits of psilocybin, the naturally occurring compound found in more than 200 species

of fungi. According to Toronto Police Service, it is a controlled substance and is illegal. But there is a grey area, and people can access the drug in some instances. Sound familiar? Already a couple of magic mushroom dispensaries have opened in Toronto, including Fun Guyz, in Parkdale, that says the operation is a “medical protest.” We will see where this heads.

Clockwise from left: Mushroom dispensaries Shroomyz and Fun Guyz, along with psilocybin mushrooms being grown

A legacy of care and discovery

100 years ago, a small group of Jewish women went door-to-door soliciting donations, determined to raise money to build a hospital where everyone was welcome. Their inextinguishable spirit built an institution—Mount Sinai Hospital—that continues to break barriers and defy the odds every day.

Whether it’s discoveries that have revolutionized the way that people with diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease are treated around the world, delivering babies earlier than was ever thought possible or our current unprecedented push to raise money to build a first-of-its-kind Centre for Mature Women’s Health—that determination to make the world a better place for those that come a er us, lives on.

You too can create a legacy by supporting Sinai Health, improving the world for generations to come. Learn more by visiting SupportSinai.ca/Legacy

dad the wrong way

Unlike cannabis, when the province legalized gambling on sports like hockey, it didn’t ban advertising and promotions, and that could be a big problem

Ontario dad Marc de Breyne wants to share his love of sports with his children, but what he calls “incessant” ads for gambling that often feature celebrities, including Wayne Gretzky and Gerry Dee, are making him reconsider letting them watch or listen to any games with him at all.

“It’s one thing for there to be commercials. It’s another for them to be incessant, because then it’s really driving home this notion that it’s totally cool and everyone’s doing it,” said the Toronto father of two children, aged four and six. “It’s so repetitive, it’s like brainwashing,” he added.

After the federal government last year legalized single event sport betting, provinces were free to begin creating their own rules governing the practice and how it is promoted. On April 4, 2022, Ontario launched its new regulated online gaming market, but since then, critics say, ads for sports betting have reached alarming levels — and, some argue, with troubling

consequences.

At Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, a Windsor, Ont., facility offering the province’s only residential treatment program for gambling, counsellor

Diana Gabriele says demand for help with problem betting has doubled since new rules took effect. “I’m seeing twice as many sports betters as we used to,” Gabriele said.

Hôtel-Dieu Grace’s program runs 46 weeks out of the year, treating six clients at a time. Participants learn coping strategies to help them deal with their addictions and avoid future relapses. The new wave of ads, however, means those exiting the program, which is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), face unprecedented challenges today.

“What people don’t realize is that with a behavioural addiction such as gambling just being exposed to the stimulation reactivates the neural pathways in a gambler’s brain,” Gabriele explained. “That causes a massive cascade of dopamine in their

brain … so that they’re pursuing gambling thoughts, gambling planning [and] gambling behaviour.”

In October 2018, Noah Vineberg completed Hôtel-Dieu Grace’s residential program and has abstained from gambling since August of that same year —

by Josh Sherman

institutional help after the death of his father and his third — and worst — relapse.

He doesn’t understand why broadcasters are barred from running cannabis ads, for example, but Canada and Ontario have opened the door to gambling promotions. “For

kinds of ads they’re exposed to.

Concerns about celebrities endorsing and appearing in ads for sports gambling have been raised in Ontario and elsewhere, with critics worried that these ads appeal to young viewers vulnerable to addiction. The U.K. decided to ban gambling ads featuring celebrities and influencers popular with those under 18 back in April in a new ruling designed to protect children from the betting market.

Ultimately, Gabriele would like to see gambling treated like tobacco — no ads, anywhere.

The provincial regulator, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has stated that it turned to responsible-gambling experts and considered international best practices to develop its regulatory framework.

“Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to ban the mass advertising of gambling inducements such as bonuses and free plays,” reads a background statement from AGCO. “Our goal is to make sure gaming is provided in a way that minimizes potential harm and promotes a responsible gambling environment,” it continues.

In a series of questions submitted to AGCO, the regulator did not respond to the question of whether or not it has any plans for more stringent rules.

For anyone experiencing problems related to gambling, Vineberg recommended considering a residential program like Hôtel-Dieu Grace’s, where you’re removed from your normal environment and can focus on yourself. Staying in touch with those close to you and being open about when you’re tempted to gamble is crucial, said Vineberg.

but he doubts he’d have been as successful if he were being bombarded with betting ads during his first year of recovery.

“I’m very, very grateful that I landed by abstinence and came out of that program when I did,” he said. “My heart really goes out to the people who come out of the program now. They’re getting banged over the head multiple times daily and it’s tough to avoid,” added Vineberg, who said he gambled for 41 of his 48 years of life and sought serious

whatever reason they’ve chosen this one vice,” said Vineberg. “But it could very well end up being the biggest.”

Like Vineberg, de Breyne said stricter rules are needed to curb the influx of ads.

“Maybe the gambling ads should start at, like, 9 p.m.; maybe there’s a happy medium,” said de Breyne. When it comes to online streaming, de Breyne wants broadcasters to provide more parental control options so he and others can choose what

“The advice that I give that person is to never stop talking,” he said. “If you walk by the machine, and it’s doing that bell sound where somebody wins and it caught your attention, text somebody, say, ‘Hi,’ break that moment,” he advised.

Eventually, de Bryne expects the preponderance of gambling ads to lead to legal troubles for the government and broadcasters.

“Honestly, if there was a classaction lawsuit right now, I would participate in it — that’s how I feel about it,” he said. “I think that consumers are eventually going to unite.”

Sports betting can lead to addiction and using celebs to sell it rubs this T.O.

L-R: Parent Marc de Breyne doesn't think young kids should be exposed to online sports betting promotions while watching sports; Gerry Dee is one of many celebrities endorsing gambling on sporting events

“For whatever reason they’ve chosen this one vice. It could very well end up being the biggest. ”

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Midtown could get its own rail deck park

City takes next step in feasibility of park constructed over TTC lands

by Ron Johnson

Five years ago, the City of Toronto began studying the feasibility of creating a signature park space by building a rail deck over the TTC yard at Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue. The project took its next step with a public meeting on Jan. 19 where the proposed next steps will be revealed.

The steps include Next Stop: Davisville, which is described as “a special study to assess the feasibility of decking the Davisville Yard.” The study includes an engineering review, identifying TTC facility requirements, a land use and built form review and a funding strategy to make the exciting new project a reality. Of course, Torontonians are familiar with the concept of a park created by decking over a rail line by Mayor John Tory’s failed Rail Deck Park. But, this time at least, the land in question is in the city’s hands, not a development company. So that’s helpful.

“Currently, we are in the feasibility stage of the project, determining the best option for the layout of the site,” said Svetlana Lavrentieva, a senior urban designer for the City of Toronto. “Once Stage 2 is completed, we will be better equipped to provide recommendations on the redevelopment timeline,” she said.

The rail deck park could span

approximately 2.5 acres over the site, and the yard as well as the subway facilities, including the station, substation and signal facility, would remain operational.

“Yonge and Davisville is an evolving, thriving mixed-use community. A significant asset, The Davisville Yard and adjoining TTC trench represent an unparalleled opportunity to provide a signature park and amenity space for this growing community, in addition to critical transit infrastructure,” reads information from the City of Toronto.

Prior to the public meeting, the last update was regarding a survey and a “Social Pinpoint” project page designed to garner feedback from local residents.

“In our conversations with residents, there is tremendous interest in more park space and in this project,” said Jane Auster, of the South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association.

“It's one of a very few ways that we can add a meaningful amount of park space to our immediate area.”

The park project will be part of the redevelopment of the TTC headquarters, located in the McBrien Building, as well as the adjoining Davisville Yard into a transit-oriented community hub at the prominent midtown intersection along the Yonge subway line.

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A signature park is needed in the area short on green space

Mayor John Tory says we need another 200 police officers to deal with these kinds of challenges but it is expensive — the $30 million for new officers, more for the jail time and the criminal justice system. Once all that money has been spent, how have things changed? I’m not suggesting everyone on the street faces mental challenges or turns to crime, but there’s no question that living on the street can make you very ill. Simply arresting the suspect hasn’t reduced the problem.

Better to spend the money providing affordable places to live and provide the services needed to repair these lives. It’s not a policing problem. The mayor has got it wrong.

Increased police budget solves zero

Life expectancy of an unhoused person in Canada is 39 years

Imagine you are a police officer who has been called to an incident in a convenience store. You arrive and it feels like Kim’s Convenience : the middle-aged owner of the shop has been hit in the face after he tried to stop someone who was putting items inside his coat. He describes the suspect to you: not shaven, a red ball cap, a long messy coat, maybe 30 or 35 years old and not too clean. He took off down the street, probably to the shelter a few blocks away. It’s a classic case of an incident that makes you feel unsafe in the community. You get in your police car and sure enough you find him without much trouble. You take him to the station and get all the details: he’s living in a shelter, he’s been homeless for eight months after losing his job and then his place to live. He had a half bottle of rye in his pocket, he’d stolen a package of wieners and some chips, and he admits he hit the other guy in the nose. It seems to you he’s dealing with a lot of anger issues and he’s not too realistic about his future. You charge him.

The suspect can’t be released on bail because he doesn’t have a place to live where he can be found if he doesn’t show up for trial. So he is put in jail awaiting trial at a cost of about $250 a day for at least a month, maybe more. He’ll be represented by duty council and will probably get a

Sure, the city is not able on its own to create 10,000 units of housing affordable to the homeless or to provide the expensive social supports needed to start to heal those lives. The impact of being homeless is enormous. A 2008 study found that the life expectancy of a homeless person in Canada was 39 years — half that of the rest of us. But diverting the $50 million a year from expanding the police service to affordable housing is a start. The rest of the money has to come from the provincial and federal governments that are both awash in money.

The province has been so confident in its financial position that it has changed laws and regulations to reduce its annual income by more than $8 billion annually. It can hardly claim it is short of money. The federal government is no better. It has an annual multibillion-dollar plan for housing, but almost none of it goes to those who have serious affordability problems.

sentence of some kind — maybe just time served awaiting trial — then he’ll be released, so he can again live on the street or, if he’s lucky, find a place in a shelter.

People in crisis are not criminals. People who are unhoused, some 10,000 individuals in Toronto, and do not have access to the proper social services to get back on track are being left behind by the city. Policing won’t fix that.

Tory’s budget plan to hire more police officers is a diversion so the pressure is not on those other two governments to deliver. Since the Strong Mayors Act says that the mayor creates a budget that can only be changed with the support of two thirds of council, the mayor will have his deluded way. Democracy Ontario style needs a serious challenge.

Toronto is investing too little in housing and social supports

“It’s not a policing problem. The mayor has got it wrong.”

John Sewell is a former mayor of Toronto. His most recent books are How We Changed Toronto and Crisis in Canada’s Policing.

JOHN SEWELL

© Flickr/accozzaglia dot ca

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Would police make the TTC safer?

The TTC is facing a pretty serious issue: people don’t want to take it if they have the choice. It is much more serious now than anytime in the past because now commuters have many more options, the most attractive being working from home.

The shift away from transit doesn’t have anything to do with the cost of fares. It is the feeling of being unsafe on the system. The issue of safety is a citywide issue and the subject of many debates.

A new report from the MTA in New York City, once dealing with a similar issue of transit violence, shows a 16 per cent drop in subway crime following an increase in police officers.

There are critics that believe investing in police and TTC special constables won’t help make the system any safer; it will just target vulnerable groups. I would strongly disagree.

Increasing the presence of officers being visible throughout the system is critical. There were a few things that happened before and during the pandemic that have created a downward spiral for ridership, and having a more visible presence of police and transit security will help stem the loss and could help reverse the trend.

Even before the pandemic, TTC personnel were becoming less visible throughout the system. When the TTC moved to automated payment, it replaced employees with machines. The new streetcars have an enclosed

space for drivers, which keeps them separated from passengers. The reduced employee presence and reduced accessibility to assistance created a void for riders who wanted to report an incident or suspicion.

As commuter ridership plummeted, particularly on the subway, it was replaced with riders who used transit as a substitute for the shelter system. Even today, it is not uncommon to see underhoused individuals riding transit all day or sheltering in transit stations.

This, combined with the random acts of senseless violence on subway platforms, does not create a sense of security. In fact, it has caused people to stay away, and, in some cases, it has caused parents to keep kids off the system impacting future of ridership.

According to the Board of Trade, 67 per cent of downtown office workers can work from home on a flexible schedule. This is the primary group that will decide if ridership goes up or down on the subway. This group needs to believe that the system is safe before they will venture back. Every investment to improve safety on the TTC is a good one.

L-R: Michael Kane, Michael Ruby, Corrine Spiegel, David Victor, David Chaim

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Neighbours feel like ‘prisoners’

Something has to give for residents near Eglinton by Josh

Bonnie Belfer said traffic on Westover Hill Road is so bad that she and her midtown neighbours feel like “prisoners” as congestion routinely grinds traffic to a crawl and traps residents in their driveways.

Construction on the Eglinton Crosstown has many commuters seeking alternate routes — including Westover, where Belfer’s lived since 1987, as well as other historically quiet side streets — to access Allen Road, which transports 80,000 vehicles during peak periods on weekdays.

“Our street is like the on-ramp to Allen Road,” said Belfer. “Our street has always suffered the worst.”

Lora Sloan, founder of the Cedarvale & Upper Village Community Association, agreed. “It’s really a horrible situation,” she said, adding streets, including Glenarden Road and Glen Cedar Road, as well as Winnett Avenue, are suffering too.

Belfer and Sloan are some of the residents calling on the city to take a closer look at traffic management in the trafficchoked area. Their requests have taken on greater importance recently, the residents suggest, particularly as plans for a redesign of Eglinton Avenue could bring continuous bikeways, reduce lanes and, ultimately, impact the flow of traffic near the Allen. Residents are concerned that, without careful planning, congestion from a redesigned Eglinton may persist long after contractors for Crosslinx, the consortium building the LRT under

provincial transit agency Metrolinx’s oversight, pack up their equipment.

“The City recognizes the challenges and disruption traffic congestion presents to local communities, particularly near the Eglinton Crosstown LRT,” reads a statement from the City of Toronto, adding that “staff are working very closely with Metrolinx” to manage congestion and restore lanes.

In a separate statement, Crosslinx, the consortium building the Crosstown LRT for Metrolinx, highlighted that it

Sherman

to local gridlock from different parties. However, she wants a more detailed study, specifically of traffic at the Allen intersection, before the dust settles on Crosslinx construction and Eglinton’s redesign is complete.

She said the Cedarvale & Upper Village Community Association supports bike lanes but wants to make sure that how they’re incorporated doesn’t exacerbate the traffic issues.

She said that for the stretch crossing the Allen, perhaps bikeways could be placed in adjacent laneways or maybe Eglinton could be widened to maintain four traffic lanes alongside cycling infrastructure.

“Bike lanes are an important part of the final vision, and we welcome the implementation of safe and convenient bikeways,” she added.

expedited work at the AllenEglinton intersection, opening several traffic lanes last month. It also plans to open more lanes in February by prioritizing certain construction activity.

The bumper-to-bumper traffic on Westover has attracted the attention of Mayor John Tory, who, according to his office, will be visiting the area.

“This is simply a case where everyone involved has to do better, and we think they are now committed to do so,” reads a statement from the mayor’s office.

Sloan appreciated the response

Cycling advocacy group Cycle Toronto stated that cycle tracks spanning the Allen Road onramp (in conjunction with dedicated bike signals) would make the intersection safer for everyone — without “severely impacting” the flow of motorists.

“A successful and relevant example of this type of intersection is Danforth near Broadview at the exit to the [Don Valley Parkway],” said a spokesperson for the group in an email. “We believe that Eglinton deserves to be a destination that is safe and enjoyable for people of all ages.”

According to the city, a traffic study is underway for the Eglinton Today project.

L-R: Lora Sloan, founder of the Cedarvale & Upper Village Community Association; neighbourhood traffic jam

“This is simply a case where everyone involved has to do better.”

Family shocked as man tries to bash in door

Stranger walked out of woods in Sherwood Park and attempted break-in by Ron

Johnson

A midtown Toronto family is in shock after witnessing an attempted break-in at their home.

“We had an attempted home invasion at 10:20 p.m. on Blyth Hill Road,” wrote the owner of the house, via email. “The perpetrator came in from Sherwood forest and made a brazen attempt to break the door in and tried to break the glass.”

The incident occurred later in the evening, with the entire large family with a number of kids at home. According to the homeowner, a high-security door and break-proof glass kept the perpetrator at bay.

Toronto Police Service confirmed the incident and an investigation is underway.

“We are very fortunate this person and their accomplices didn’t gain access. We have a triple-pane tempered glass with 3M anti-glass break film on the windows, 4k night vision cameras and full door integrated multipoint stainless locks on the doors,” the homeowner stated.

“It was actually surprising to see that five full minutes of trying to bash our door systems in with his shoulder, and a steel crowbar was fruitless. Even hitting the window with a two-hander with the crowbar didn’t penetrate the glass. I think this has made the kids feel safer. If entry was gained the sense of security would have been lost.”

When the perpetrator saw

people in the house, he left, but he took his time.

“When he saw my wife and my boys coming to the door, he didn’t run, he just walked back into the forest,” he wrote. “He was on his phone the whole time with others, assuming waiting in the forest [with] a driver. The police were at the house in less than four minutes with a 911 call and had a K9 that traced the person from our yard to Bayview.”

Although no entry to the home was gained by the perpetrator, it left the family shaken.

“The five- and 10-year-old were very shaken by this event, the five-year-old in particular. We love the area and would not think about living anywhere else,” the homeowner stated. “Crime happens everywhere, we are in a bit of a bubble in this community due to our relatively low crime rate; however it’s on the rise as it is everywhere. We all need to be vigilant and use whatever resources we have to protect our families and assets from crime.”

A theory presented by the homeowner suggests that the area is being targeted thanks to its access to the Sherwood Forest trails that provide an easy escape route for perpetrators.

“This is the second home on the street in the last 10 days where this occurred,” he added.

Toronto break-ins are up six per cent over the last year.

Security cameras captured the man attempting to break in to the home

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Private club ordered to pay Human Rights Code complaint against Granite Club

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has ruled in favour of Toronto artist Niam Jain, 20, in a case brought against the Granite Club — an upscale athletic and social club in north Toronto.

The application alleges, "discrimination with respect to services because of disability contrary to the Human Rights Code."

The court ruling describes the applicant as "a talented worldrenowned Canadian visual artist living with autism spectrum disorder (‘ASD’ or ‘autism’) and apraxia. He is largely non-verbal with limited functional speech and a delayed response in communication."

Jain specializes in gestural abstract art and abstract expressionism.

The complaint to the Human Rights Tribunal stems from an

incident in 2020. According to the ruling, it was then that the Granite Club "imposed a requirement that the applicant be accompanied by a caregiver (the ‘caregiver requirement’) when using the Club’s locker rooms. The applicant was 17 years of age at the time of the incident."

The tribunal ordered, amongst other things, that the Granite Club pay Jain $35,000. In addition, the club is to make special accommodations for Jain's return, including a designated locker and a digital lock for the locker used by the applicant in the men’s locker rooms. The Granite Club is reportedly moving toward complying with the steps.

Niam’s mother, Nina Jain, said the family has been members of the Granite Club since 2008,

by Ron Johnson

and her son has always participated in a wide range of activities including camps and classes, without incident.

She did say the club is committed to making the necessary changes and there has been good communication regarding the plan. Niam has also returned to the club, she said, although in a more limited way, and he feels welcomed. She added she wanted to take the opportunity presented by her son’s unfortunate experience to turn it into a positive learning opportunity.

“As a family, we hope other families may be able to use the systemic remedies to help them advocate for inclusion for their own children,” she said. “Systemic remedies coupled with education and awareness are key elements for inclusion.”

Seniors to be moved out of Forest Hill?

The human costs of a major push to create new housing are hitting home in midtown Toronto as a long-term care (LTC) facility, home to more than 145 people, who are elderly and many of whom have dementia or are disabled, could be displaced to make way for a 19-storey condominium development.

The six-storey Cedarvale Terrace at 429 Walmer Rd. will be torn down and a new residential tower will take its place with 87 residential units. A public meeting was scheduled for Jan. 11. Barbara Chernin, who lives across the street from the building, was amongst the more than 100 people who showed up for the Zoom meeting.

“With LTC buildings having their leases coming up for renewal and nothing to put in their place, your governments have managed to create a situation where the developers have an opportunity

to displace hundreds of health-care clients with condominiums in areas bursting with condo projects, which, incidentally, nobody wants but the developers and those they have apparently sold [to],” states Chernin in a letter to Mayor John Tory.

“Cedarvale Terrace has submitted a notification and closure plan to the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC), to close the Home sometime in 2024, which will only happen when all residents have been appropriately relocated,” said Cedarvale Terrace executive director Michael Shane.

Chernin said that she would like to see Tory use his newly established mayoral powers to veto the project and renew the lease of Cedarvale Terrace.

Zoning By law Amendment (ZBA) and Site Plan Approval (SPA) applications have been submitted to the City of Toronto by Bousfields Inc.

—Ron Johnson

Toronto artist Niam Jain

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CITYWIDE BREAK-INS

What’s good around the ’hood 10 cool neighbourhood happenings: openings, anniversaries and a few closings

This month, Café Diplomatico is here to help get you through your cold, post-holiday depression with the return of its Fight the Winter Blues promotion. Every day from Feb. 1 to March 9, two guests can dine for $59 from a three-course prix fixe menu at 594 College St. A half-litre choice of wine or 60 oz pitcher of beer will also be included. For some entertainment while you dine, Oui B Jamon will be performing live every Monday evening!

On January 18, the Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA) celebrated its 50th anniversary. Representing upwards of 175 businesses, the BIA has added 40 in the past two years alone. Several developments are underway, and other improvements are being done to welcome foot traffic back to the hip neighbourhood, including the replacement of all benches. The Junction will also be the first neighbourhood in Toronto to add solar power charging stations, which will be rolling out in the spring.

A new Leaside café is making remote work a lot more fun. Taking over the space Charcoal Biryani once occupied at 1595 Bayview Ave., Bad Blowfish Café is made for sticking around a while, with outlets and USB ports at every table. When it’s time for a work break, guests can order off the breakfast or lunch menu or go straight to dessert and roast their own s’mores or indulge in fondue. Bad Blowfish Cafe encourages customers to find their creative side, as chalk paint tables provide the opportunity to paint, play games or just doodle away while dining in.

Adding to the lineup of quality Leaside eateries, Mirage Mediterranean is a new upscale restaurant that fuses the traditions of

Lebanese, Turkish and Iranian cuisines. The intimate and romantic dining room match the care put into the menu, which is complete with original recipes made from scratch and meat that is 100 per cent halal, including loaded kebabs, seafood dishes, Turkish flatbreads and salads. The new restaurant is located at 1620 Bayview Ave.

Toronto Eaton Centre’s SHOO by Steve Madden, a multi-brand concept store from American footwear brand Steve Madden, has permanently closed its doors. The only one of its kind, Shoo featured a range of footwear brands owned by Steve Madden, including Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, BB Dakota and Mad Love. When Shoo first opened back in 2015, the plan was to open more locations just like it, though it remained the only location in the world before its closure.

One of Toronto’s first synagogues is hosting a retrospective exhibition for expressionist painter Romi Samuels. Curated by Elizabeth Greisman, the exhibit is titled A Work in Progress and features visual pieces that span the artist’s career. Although she is now based in Toronto, Samuels work showcases South African influences, where she grew up surrounded by a family of artists. The exhibition is running until the end of March at the Holy Blossom Temple at 1950 Bathurst St.

In early December 2022, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas held an awards night and honoured the Eglinton Way BIA Eglinton Way BIA with the Creative Solutions Award. The award celebrated the innovative way the BIA hosted drive-in movie nights during the fall of 2021

to encourage community engagement while maintaining COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The BIA showcased family-friendly movies including Grease, The Sound of Music and Jurassic Park

The Granite Club, a premier private social and athletic club, has announced the retirement of Mary Elizabeth Sullivan, chief operating officer and general manager. Sullivan has held the role since 2016, although she began her career at the club 27 years ago as a senior manager, followed by her position as assistant general manager. The Granite Club board wishes her well for her next life chapter.

A blend of deliciousness and art is coming soon to Rosedale. Mitfar Art Café Gallery exhibits and sells handmade art, from jewelry to paintings and statues, from both established and beginner artists. But the art doesn’t stop there: single origin beans from all over the world will satisfy even the pickiest coffee snob. Mitfar sells artisan pastries and expertly crafted salads to snack on while exploring the gallery. The cafe´ and gallery will be opening at 1098 Yonge St.

With Distillery District’s new Après Ski Weekend experience, Torontonians can enjoy the best part of skiing without the actual skiing. Après Ski includes all the social activities and entertainment that are essential after a day on the slopes, like cosying up in Muskoka chairs and roasting marshmallows over a firepit. If that doesn’t warm you up, stroll the cobblestone streets in search of the perfect hot chocolate or mulled wine, paired with a selection of snacks. The Après Ski experience runs every weekend until March 19 at 55 Mill St.

—Megan Gallant

6 NEW WAYS TO FIGHT INFLATION IN T.O.

MR. B’S SKECHERS SALE

Mr. B’s in Missisauga is famous for blowout warehouse sales that are worth the trip. From Feb. 3-5, winter boots and slippers from Skechers will be subjected to end of season clearout pricing. 1590 Matheson Blvd., Unit 16

MOOSE KNUCKLES SAMPLE SALE

For those with more expensive taste, The Sample Sale Guys have you covered. Get winter coats for the whole family up to 70 per cent off at Moose Knuckles first sample sale, happening from Feb. 6-9. 1680 Creditstone Rd.

BLOOR FRUIT MARKET

Grocery prices got you down?

Bloor Fruit Market is Koreatown’s best kept secret that sells fresh produce at seriously discounted prices. The staff are amazing and might sneak you a free item or two if you’re lucky. Don’t forget to bring cash or debit! 662 Bloor St. W.

ROTATE THIS

Music enthusiasts still love to collect music on vinyl, but rising demand and cost of production has increased prices to almost astronomical levels. This indie record shop stocks used vinyl in a variety of genres including punk, jazz and electronic, and will even buy your old records too. 186 Ossington Ave.

ARARAT FINE FOODS

Toronto is a city for coffee lovers, and while it’s not uncommon to drop a fiver for a simple cup of java, Ararat International Foods is a hidden gem in the city that sells mouth-watering brews on the cheap. 1800 Avenue Rd.

MIDTOWN TECH

Need a phone upgrade but can’t stomach the cost? Midtown Tech carries a broad range of used iPhones, iPads and Macs at a substantially lower price than buying new. 1391 Yonge St.

L-R: The Distillery District Après Ski events, Café Diplomatico’s winter menu

Mr. B’s Skechers sale

Michele Romanow on the tech recession & layoffs

Plus the future of Toronto’s commercial real estate by Julia

A dragon on Dragon’s Den and cofounder of e-commerce investor Clearco, where she recently stepped down as CEO, Michele Romanow gives us the scoop on Toronto’s office spaces and more in 2023.

What does Shopify subletting their new Toronto office space mean for the commercial real estate market?

I’m still bullish on us needing physical office space to collaborate with colleagues. I think it will be one of the new differentiators with high performing teams over the next few years, and I fully expect more people to return to office in the spring when the weather gets nicer. I do think we’re going to need a reset of our office footprints, with spaces designed for a few days a week versus five.

Will office buildings be turned into housing in the future?

Some companies will increase their footprint to attract the best and brightest talent. Others will cut back on traditional office space in favour of more hybrid models. This really puts a premium on mixeduse buildings, including the one we’re in. Those footprints are significantly more resilient, and by being more flexible and less reliant on one income source, they make

Mastroianni

for better investment. We need a continued smart conversation between the private sector and government to ensure all of our spaces are being used as efficiently as possible.

Many companies, including Clearco, are undergoing layoffs. Is this a sign of a recession?

At its core, yes, we are in the midst of a recession. The current macroeconomic environment looks very different today than just a year ago. We have rising interest rates, high inflation, a war in Europe, all compounded with a slowdown in e-commerce growth. We, like many companies, hired too quickly, growing our head count at an unsustainable rate for the e-commerce landscape.

What do you predict happening in the tech industry to survive the recession ahead?

Some of the best and most recognizable companies were built in 2008 — think Uber, Airbnb, WhatsApp, Instagram. I'm very confident we'll see more great companies being built and funded in 2023. We've already seen a huge wave in AI and while it can seem stormy on the outside, we're going to see some incredible founders emerge in the next year. I personally can't wait to see them.

The entrepreneur shares what might be in store for the city’s office buildings

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CURRENTS

Celebrating Black artists in Toronto

There are a number of amazing opportunities to check out some of the city’s best artists this month. KUUMBA, which runs all month at Harbourfront Centre, is a massive Black Futures Month celebration, featuring dance, music, workshops and literary events highlighting contemporary artists such as Hollywood Jade. Everbloom is a micro-music festival at the Great Hall on Feb. 25, with

music, drag queens/kings and more. There is a special Black Owned Toronto vendors market at the AGO on Feb. 25. Also at the AGO, check out the exhibit by the late, great Toronto artist Denyse Thomaso, which closes Feb. 20. And don’t miss the Toronto Black Film Festival that runs Feb 15 to 20 at a number of downtown venues.

Clockwise from left: Kerin John founder of Black Owned Toronto, Hollywood Jade at KUUMBA and Toronto Black Film Festival

THE BIG TICKETS

The world’s biggest burlesque show and the return of Hamilton

Plus, Sarah Gadon makes stage debut in new Toronto theatre and much more

1.

The Coal Mine Theatre has battled the pandemic and then a fire that consumed its plucky Danforth Avenue theatre. But the acclaimed small theatre is set for its grand return with entirely new and larger digs and a new show that features the stage debut of acclaimed Toronto film and TV star Sarah Gadon.

Yerma is a reimagining of Frederico Lorca’s tragic tale of a young woman driven to the unthinkable by the desire to have a child.

Gadon’s appearance in the production came about as a result of a number of unique connections including meeting Diana Bentley, the director of Yerma, in an acting class and sharing an agent with the playwright. But more than that, the play spoke to Gadon.

“As a woman in her thirties on her own journey in relationships and relationships that don't work and do work, when I saw the play there were so many touchstone things that I had experienced,” Gadon says, on a break from rehearsals at Coal Mine’s new theatre at Woodbine and Danforth. “But then there were also these questions that looked into the future. And I just felt really connected with it.”

Gadon is perhaps best known for her work in a number of filmmaker David Cronenberg’s films or more recently starring opposite Alison Pill in All My Puny

Sorrows, for which she won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. Making a stage debut now and with such an emotionally charged work, might be nerve-racking to some, but not Gadon.

“It hasn't really been scary. It's been a really wonderful opportunity to grow as an actor. Roles always call for learning. And that's just the nature of the profession: you're always learning and exploring and mining and growing.”

It helps that Gadon will be supported by some of the city’s best stage actors, including Martha Burns, Daren A. Herbert, Louise Lambert and Johnathan Souza.

Yerma is can’t-miss theatre in this city.

Simon Stone’s Yerma runs from Feb. 5 to 26, directed by Coal Mine co-founder Diana Bentley.

2. See Cabaret Noir Montréal artist Mélanie Demers brings Cabaret Noir to the Berkeley Street Theatre Feb. 9 to 11.

The show is described as using “movement, dialogue and music to reconstruct emblematic scenes from popular culture in a work that is both a celebration and resistance of concepts of ‘Blackness’.”

“Mélanie Demers is a rising star in the Montreal dance scene who has created a really important and urgent work,” says Canadian Stage artistic director Brendan

Healy. “Deriving inspiration from the Parisian cabaret scene of the ’20s and ’30s and pulling from literary and pop culture references, Cabaret Noir interrogates ways in which Blackness is embodied and is as much a celebration as it is a critique of the limitations of the concept.”

3. Visit the Sistine Chapel (sort of)

For fans of immersive art exhibitions, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is set to open at the Toronto Event Centre on Feb. 3 and runs until April 2. Torontonians can enjoy the unique experience of seeing the treasured jewel of Vatican City up close without having to pack a suitcase or board a plane. With 34 artfully displayed reproductions, this innovative presentation will allow guests to view spectacular ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel at their own pace, free from long lines and pressing crowds of tourists.

4. Go to Redbone Coonhound

Redbone Coonhound will have its world premiere at Tarragon Theatre in coproduction with Imago Theatre (Montreal). The play, written by real-life couple Amy Lee Lavoie and Omari Newton, runs in the Mainspace from Feb. 7 to March 5. The play features interracial couple Mike and Marissa. Travelling

through the 19th, 20th and 21st century and from Vancouver to Detroit, and many places in between, Redbone Coonhound manifests as a series of microplays, a deeply satirical examination of race, gender, systemic power, oppression and privilege.

5. See Hamilton

Yes, the musical that turned Broadway on its ear a few short years ago returns to Toronto for a long run, beginning Feb. 22 and stretching to June 11 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Hamilton is the creation of Lin-Manuel Miranda and tells the story of “America then, told by America now,” and features a blend of hip hop, jazz, R & B and Broadway styles.

6. Go to Glamonatrix

Fan of burlesque? If so, you’ll want to check out Dita Von Teese’s Glamonatrix at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Feb. 4. This show is billed as the biggest burlesque show, well, ever.

“For me, burlesque has always been about finding my own confidence, liberating the taboo of striptease with fantastical stripscapes, while encouraging others to indulge in and enjoy their own sensuality. Glamour is the art of creating mystery and allure, and the new Glamonatrix show speaks to unapologetic sensual power with a fun fetishistic twist.” says Von Teese.

Go to Yerma

Clockwise from left: Musical sensation ‘Hamilton’ returns to town, Dita Von Teese in ‘Glamonatrix’ and Sarah Gadon and Daren A. Herbert in ‘Yerma’ at the Coal Mine Theatre

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ROMANCING THE ROBE

This Valentine's Day, opt for both comfort and style. Whether you're a couple that loves to travel or you're all about fashion, Jeanne Beker has picked the best matching robes for you and your partner to enjoy.

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Matches, Robes: $872 each, matchesfashion.com

"I like the idea of matching fabrication and style in these two bright colours, green and orange. They're very distinctive, very luscious, and they have a classic feel to them — and I love the big pockets."

FOR THE SUN CHASERS

Imli, Robes: $100 each, imli.ca

Jeanne Beker | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on fashion, now watch her on TSC or tune in to her new podcast Beyond Style Matters. ©ca.silksilky.com

"I like these whimsical prints with a retro vibe to them. They're very upbeat and look like great robes, especially for the summer months. They're 100 per cent cotton as well, which is amazing."

FOR THE TRENDSETTERS

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"There's something really retro about these. There's an almost '40s glam, old Hollywood style. This is perfect boudoir dressing if you want to feel sensual and sexy."

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FOR THE TREE HUGGERS

Parachute, Robes: $149 each, parachutehome.com/en-CA

"I like this waffle detailing. There's something very comfortable, cosy and classic about these no-nonsense robes that will last you for quite a long time. The colours are quite sophisticated and complementary."

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OAS, Robes: $241 each, Shorts: $160.40 oascompany.com/ca

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Tekla, Robes: $275 each, teklafabrics.com

"These are really fun. The heavyweight cotton, hooded style, the heavy stripes are fantastic, and I really like the colour combinations here. They're ultra cosy, definitely something to curl up in."

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Electric cars with a backup plan

The future is electric. Until we get there, what if we didn’t just look at the number of electric cars, but the number of electric journeys we enable? With Volvo Recharge plug-hybrids, you can make sure most of your drive is electric, but know that you’re covered for longer journeys too. We call them electric cars with a backup plan.

T.O. TV host launches new activewear collab

Nicole Servinis and Preloved made the athleisure line with sustainability in mind by Julia

Mastroianni

Toronto TV personality and fashion and lifestyle expert Nicole Servinis loves everything fashion, everything fitness and everything local. So when the opportunity to create her own active capsule collection with sustainability focussed Toronto brand Preloved arose, it was a perfect fit.

For both Servinis and Preloved founder Julia Grieve, this collection is all about supporting local. “I’ve been a big fan of Nicole’s for a long time,” Grieve says. “And the big thing that attracted me to her is that the majority of her career has been based around Toronto and around local brands and initiatives.”

Preloved has been around for 26 years, and was one of the first companies in Toronto to focus on sustainability by using vintage, reworked and deadstock fabrics. But on top of using preloved materials, the company also manufactures in Toronto — a highly eco-conscious choice that avoids the carbon emissions of outsourcing production or shipping in tonnes of materials.

“One of the biggest elements of Preloved is keeping our manufacturing here because of what that does for sustainability,” Grieve says. “And one of the most harmful aspects of the fashion industry is overproduction — 30

per cent of clothing made is never sold — so one of the things we stand by is that we never overproduce.”

The same is true for this new capsule collection with Servinis, which is made with Preloved’s recycled cotton (the fabric is composed of recycled yarn). The eight-piece collection, which features activewear items, including sweatpants, biker shorts, sports bras and cropped hoodies, also feature the Preloved signature: a small red heart made out of recycled fabrics.

The athleisure theme for the collection is a trend that is having a bit of a moment right now — or, as Grieve would put it, a moo-oo-o-ment. “We saw such an uptick [in athleisure sales] over lockdown,” she says. “Gone are the days where we’re going to wear uncomfortable clothing.” For Servinis, who has grown up in the fitness world, activewear was the obvious theme for this collection. “I danced for about 20 years, I was a figure skater for 15 years, and even after that fitness was still important to me. I used to teach fitness classes at a gym,” Servinis says. “I love it not only for my health, but for my mental health. It’s been a big part of what has kept me happy and motivated, so I really wanted to incorporate that into the collection.”

Nicole Servinis has always loved fitness, which inspired the collection

Toronto is going goth in 2023

Wednesday Addams has inspired a revival by Julia Mastroianni Netflix released the new Wednesday Addams hit series at just the right time. The TV show, Wednesday, which follows a much more Gen Z–styled version of the O.G. goth girl as she starts high school, premiered in late 2022, and almost instantly, Wednesday’s goth style became a fashion moment.

“The goth revival is no surprise as fashion continues to pull inspiration from the ’90s,” says Maggie Adhami-Boynton, CEO of Toronto-based live shopping app ShopThing. “Seen as far back as last spring during the Fashion Week runway shows, it was even sported by celebrities like Bella Hadid and Karlie Kloss at the 2022 Met Gala.”

The goth (short for gothic) trend originated in the ’80s following the punk subculture of the ’70s. Goth style borrows some elements from punk, but made its

own through its connection to more old-fashioned style references, especially Victorian mourning attire.

Netflix’s Wednesday has made some changes to The Addams Family film–style costumes of the ‘90s to update the main characters for our current 2023 fashion sensibilities.

“Wednesday’s style has definitely evolved from the Christina Ricci days,” AdhamiBoynton says. “While many of the modern-day looks are either vintage, custom-made or fast fashion, we have spotted pieces from brands like LK Bennett, as well as a show-stopping black chiffon dress by Alaïa.”

The current goth trends opts to mix and match elements of classic goth attire with other trending modern styles — “whimsigoth,” for example, has gone viral on TikTok and combines goth with

bohemian and hippie esthetics. Inspired by Wednesday herself and hoping to add a bit of goth into your wardrobe? AdhamiBoynton has a few tips. “If you’re not looking to overhaul your wardrobe, an all-black ’fit, cropped leather jacket and heavy dose of black eyeliner will do just fine.”

If you’re willing to invest in some versatile goth-inspired pieces, there are a few styles that will do the trick. “As goth pulls from both punk and the Victorian era, think choker necklaces, corsetry and lace combined with a lot of edge,” she says. Try vintage shops to look for pieces with their own gothic history; check out a lace up corset at Chosen Vintage, an all-black lace dress perfect for layering at Ninety Six Tears Vintage, or go a bit more edgy with a Danier leather peacoat at Granny Puckett Vintage.

Will puffer jackets ever go out of style in the city?

It’s no secret that the puffer jacket is the staple winterized item in Toronto. But is it time for the trend to die to make room for other winter jacket styles, or has the puffer become a permanent fixture of Toronto fashion?

In the early 2010s, streetwear really hit its stride with brands including Yeezy, Fear of God and Bape spearheading the movement. Streetwear began as a trend and now lives on today as its own genre of fashion. And keeping that trend warm and cosy is the puffer jacket.

Emerging on the scene in the 1930s, the puffer jacket has gone through countless facelifts. Today, the puffer takes many forms, but through all its iterations it remains in the spotlight.

It perfectly melds the desire to be warm with the feeling of looking good. In most cases, puffer

jackets are rated for the low, low temperatures of Toronto. The puffer jacket also spans a variety of fashion sub-genres, making it adaptable for every style and every price point — spend $100 on one at Uniqlo or a few grand on a Canada Goose or Moose Knuckle version. It’s the ultimate, basic silhouette: look to global brands such as Nobis for thicker, puffier renditions and to Arc’Teryx for thinner, more shell-like coats.

Other jacket styles are arguably more popular (the leather jacket), more fashionable (the trench), or more timeless (the denim jacket). But none of them have what the puffer has — namely, a full monopoly on its season. All hail the puffer jacket: it may not be your favourite, but you own it, you grudgingly need it, and it’s not going anywhere.

—Marcus Mitropoulos

MARCH BREAK CAMP

For children ages 6 to 12 years

Monday –Friday, March 13 - 17, 2023

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

CECC offers a March Break Day Camp full of games, arts & crafts, music, creativity, friends & fun!

Visit from previous year: Pawsitively Pets

Plus trips to: Candyland Indoor Play Centre & AGO!

L-R: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in ‘Wednesday,’ a goth-style peacoat at Granny Puckett Vintage

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I took the T.O. plunge

Magic happens at the edge of our comfort zone. I’ve never shied away from a challenge, but as a Canadian who despises the cold, the concept of submerging my body in an icy pool of water has never appealed to me.

As a kid, I was a competitive swimmer. As an adult, I free dive. The water has always been a source of comfort to me. But when my editor suggested taking my safe place and making it my version of uncomfortable, I knew it was time to take the plunge.

Cold plunges offer a plethora of health benefits, including immune support, active recovery, pain relief, stress release and increased dopamine, which is linked to mood-boosting benefits.

Unbounded Well is an outdoor wellness playground located in the heart of downtown Toronto in stackt market. With an emphasis on hot and cold therapies and breathing techniques, the spa features Scandinavian saunas, a geodesic breathwork dome, bonfire lounges and ice-cold plunge pools.

Nick McNaught, Unbounded’s CEO, led me through the experience, explaining that the first 30 seconds would be the hardest. He informed me that the twominute mark is where the health benefits really come into play.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the water and ice. With my body tensing and my heart pounding, Nick calmly instructed me to breathe and find my heart. Through each breath, I could feel my body trying to adjust. Through shivers, my breathing began to

stabilize, my heart started to slow, and my mind found tranquility. At this moment, Nick turned the timer to me. It read two minutes fifty seconds. Exhilaration flooded through me. As I smiled, still shivering, I felt grounded in my discomfort, staying submerged until over the four-minute mark. To have a chilly adventure of your own, here are some of Ontario’s best spots for cold experiences.

Scandinave Blue Mountain

The Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain is all about the Scandinavian benefits of hot and cold circuits, and it offers everything from Nordic waterfalls to cold plunge baths to rolling around in the snow for your ice plunge experience. scandinave.com

The Spa at Q

This Niagara-on-the-Lake spa offers a unique hydrotherapy circuit. Start in the hot pool, move to the sensory showers, then enjoy the dry sauna and eucalyptus steam room before taking the plunge in the snow room. Finish off in the warm pool and pat yourself on the back! 124queen.com

Othership

Othership, at 425 Adelaide St. W., is a bathhouse experience that offers “wellness entertainment,” featuring saunas, breathwork and ice baths. Book an “evening social” experience with friends, a one-onone class or even a couples’ one to try the ice bath, ranging from 0 to 4C. othership.us

How to parent as a team

The importance of navigating conflict productively

Do you ever get sick of having the same old fight with your partner?

Good news — if you have kids it will truly diversify the things you argue about. From changing diapers and dealing with tantrums to homework and curfews, the list gets longer with every developmental stage. The bad news is that these exciting new conversations will soon become as predictable and exasperating as your old favourites, thanks to the familiarity of their underlying themes. According to relationship gurus John and Julie Gottman, at least 69 per cent of couples’ conflicts are “perpetual problems,” i.e. based on fundamental differences between partners. After 45 years happily in love, the brand of cheese my parents buy isn’t really why they continue to argue about groceries — it’s their different values about money (she wants the fancy stuff and he can’t resist a deal).

I’m creative and spontaneous. My partner is careful and tidy. So, when he found me letting our toddler explore the spice cupboard while I cooked (mustard seeds make a great rattle), he didn’t compliment me on my ingenuity or domesticity; he had visions of us going to the ER for cayenne inhalation. In an ideal world, he would have said, “Good morning honey, thanks so much for making breakfast! I love that you are getting our child involved in the kitchen, and I’m also worried about her spilling some of the spices that could hurt her. I wonder if there might be a safer way to have her engaged while you are cooking?” What I heard

that one partner feels is potentially harmful or developmentally inappropriate, such as threatening violence or putting a nanny cam in your teenager’s bedroom, a neutral third party advisor (your family doctor is a good place to start) should be consulted.

As you may have figured out by now, trying to change your own, or anyone else’s, personality is an uphill battle. Occasionally a characteristic is pathological (such as extreme anger or crippling anxiety, perhaps caused by trauma or mental illness), in which case a therapeutic intervention could be helpful. But I can’t send my husband to therapy to be less of a neat freak any more than he should expect me to stop being so adventurous. Nor would I want him to be exactly like me or for us to have a conflict-free relationship.

sounded more like, “I can’t trust you with anything, you’re a terrible mom.” It was probably somewhere in between.

If we had been alone, I might have accused him of being rigid and overprotective. But our daughter had picked up on the tension and needed an explanation: “Daddy loves and cares about you so he was worried that Mama was letting you play with something he thought could hurt you.” The act of narrating compassionately for her helped me see things from his perspective, and hearing this

What I want is for my daughter to grow up knowing that all different types of people are OK, and to learn how to navigate conflict respectfully and productively. Of course, I’d steer clear of sex and money convos in front of the kids. But when he expresses hurt about my unsolicited feedback on his cooking (I am my mother’s daughter) and I apologize and thank him for his effort, our daughter learns about assertiveness, empathy, gratitude and taking responsibility for our impact on others.

encouraged him to do the same with me. Suddenly, instead of being on opposite sides, we were playing on a team for our daughter. From that place of connection, we could come up with the compromise to keep the more potent spices on the shelves she cannot (yet) reach.

Of course not every disagreement is so easily resolved. Maybe there's just no feasible middle ground, or one parent just can’t budge in their conviction. If it’s something minor that won’t cause you resentment, I suggest letting them have their way, explicitly stating, “I can see this is really important to you so I’m choosing to let it go, and I trust that when something is really important to me you’ll do the same.” But when it’s something

This doesn’t mean I don’t value the importance of parents presenting a united front — it would be confusing for a kid to be allowed to play with the spices, get dessert or watch TV only when dad wasn’t around (that’s the grandparent’s job), and would undermine his relationship with our daughter. Especially when it comes to rewards and consequences, consistency between parents is key. What it does mean is that he can continue to interact with her in ways that feel comfortable and genuine to him (quiet, routine play), while I can conduct pot and pan concerts and take her tobogganing. Both are important, and everyone is happier when we acknowledge the benefits of each. I notice her gravitating towards me when she needs stimulation and him when she needs grounding — what a wonderful way to learn to get your needs met!

Parents should learn how to respecfully communicate

Mara Kates has an MSW in child, youth and family services and is director of Camp Arowhon.

MARA KATES

“Consistency between parents is key.”

Bringing the condom industry into the 21st century

Two T.O. founders on creating a gluten-free, vegan brand that’s all about sex education

The condom business, monopolized by a handful of major players, is quite frankly stuck in its ways, but where many see malecentric, heteronormative branding and unoriginal cliches, longtime friends Whitney Geller and Yasemin Emory saw a gap in the market. That’s where Jems was born — a vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free condom brand that has earned coverage everywhere from Forbes to Hypebae.

“We were between pregnancies, just before the pandemic, and found ourselves in the condom aisle. We were just taken aback at what we saw there,” says Geller. “It really looked like a dated aisle, like some bad iteration of toxic stereotypes from the 1950s. We instantly felt that it wasn't speaking to us and understood that it wasn't speaking to anyone that we knew.”

They found that the problem ran deeper than the antiquated messaging these legacy condom brands were putting out to

REPORT CARD

STUDENTS: Yasemin Emory and Whitney Geller

GRADUATED: Havergal College (Emory); Northern Secondary School (Geller)

BEST SUBJECT: Desktop Publishing (Emory); Woodworking (Geller)

WORST SUBJECT: Geography (Emory); Math (Geller)

CURRENT JOB: Jems Co-founders

consumers.

“Yasemin is a really conscious consumer. I'm celiac. We looked and couldn't find ingredients anywhere on the package for the condoms,” says Geller. “We thought, what a bizarre thing — this is something that's going into your body, near reproductive

organs, and you don't even know what's in them.”

It was this thinking that led Geller and Emory to found Jems in April 2021. The genderinclusive condom company is heavily focused on educating about safe sex and sexual wellness, be it through the company’s website and

social media or strategic partnerships. And the messaging resonates.

“I would say our biggest triumph has been having the idea validated by not only consumers and the audience that we're targeting, but specifically retailers,” says Emory. “It took very little explaining for people to really see what a big white space there truly is and how needed this change is.”

Although Geller and Emory came up with the idea for Jems later on in life, they agree their high school experiences at Northern Secondary School and Havergal College, respectively — and the way in which sex was talked about in the school setting — played a significant role in shaping their perspectives on sex education.

“I think accessing the emotions, the heightened emotions that you're dealing with in high school, it's something we try and think about quite often,” says Emory. “We want to be able to use that

by Zakiya Kassam

energy but find a way to channel it for a positive and informed way of learning.”

Recent posts on their website talk about everything from gender and sexuality to STIs to abortion. Their branding has a clear audience — with sans serif fonts; bright, simple packaging; and a sex education column named Uncut Jems, it’s a Gen Z dream.

Moving forward, the pair intend to remain committed to Jems as well as their Toronto-based design studio, Whitman Emorson, which has worked with brands such as H&M, the One of a Kind Show and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

“Jems is this self-initiated project, and it really allowed us to demonstrate what Whitman Emorson can do as a company,” says Emory. “We're looking at it as: how do these two companies work together to support each other? And how does that help us grow in the future? We're really excited.”

L-R: Co-founders Whitney Geller and Yasemin Emory

© Kristina Ruddick

Friends with benefits to married with kids

Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle intimacy expert

Shan Boodram on finding a love of her own

An expert on all things intimacy, sex and relationships, Torontoborn sexologist Shan Boodram has spent her career helping other people figure out how to love. Whether it’s as an intimacy expert on Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle, on her podcast Lovers and Friends, through her 2019 best-selling book The Game of Desire or through candid posts to her more than half a million followers on Instagram, Boodram has explored just about every kind of relationship out there. So it’s no surprise that her relationship with her husband, Jared Brady, embodies all the healthiest qualities of love. She shared the details of how they evolved from friends with benefits to married with two kids.

How they met

A friend of mine was kind of dating comedian Affion Crockett, and he invited her to a party on a night that I happened to be with her and … Jared happened to be the host of this party. I will say this is the night I met Jared, but since he doesn't remember meeting me that

The courtship

Every single part of my relationship with Jared has been equally as lovely and easy — maybe easy isn't the right word all the time, but truly logical, like, “Yeah, this makes sense.” Our courtship was us learning that we had so much to learn and gain from one another through slow, mutual, gradual, reciprocal acts of intimacy. It went from just sex, to sex and watering each other's plants when one person was out of town, to hanging with each other's friends, to attending events together when we couldn't find anyone else, to movies, to helping each other throw out furniture after a bed bug infestation … just little life things that showed up and gave opportunities for us to prove we were invested in being there for each other.

The proposal

I pressured the hell out of Jared for half a year, and then one day he picked me up from the airport and brought me home to a scavenger hunt that ended in our apartment that he’d filled with balloons, flowers and my favourite candles.

The marriage and honeymoon

night, I guess for him we met a year later through Instagram.

The first date

This is a hard-to-answer question because Jared and I started as friends with benefits, so we had a lot of, “Do you want to get food?” after moments that I never thought of like dates. When I asked him this question [about

Dec. 23, 2018, we rented a house in Fallbrook, California, invited 40 people we deeply enjoyed who knew us as a couple and got married on a hill in front of the most gorgeous sunset. We went to Pineapple Villas in Costa Rica for our honeymoon. It was the best. We talk about it fondly constantly.

The kids

Two daughters: Ryu and Xya!

Balancing careers and marriage

We work together, so balance isn't the right word — maybe flow. We flow by being equal partners in love, but in business it's all based on who can do something the best, and that's how we divvy up tasks. We've been working together since 2017, so we have gotten way way way better at this.

The secret to success

our first date], he said a hike, so I think we should go with that, because that would have been an intentional outing. Our first meetup was at my studio apartment. When he came over, I was playing music and running art on my projector. The night ended with us watching Ted Talks then making it to second or third base.

There is nothing more important than us liking each other as people, and we work our ass off to maintain that. I pay very, very close attention to what pisses Jared off, and I try to not do those things.

The future

Kids are growing healthy and happily, careers as well, community, exploration, expansion, resilience … I can't see it, but I can feel it and it feels like, "Yes, this is what life is about.”

This beautiful 5 + 2 bedroom home is situated on a large lot with a lush, landscaped garden. The home features marble floors and hardwood throughout, giving it a luxurious and elegant feel. The living spaces are open and airy, with plenty of natural light pouring in. The kitchen is a chef's dream. The grounds provide privacy and seclusion, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Featuring a gorgeous pool ideal for entertaining.

This home is a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and elegance. Please call us to book a private viewing.

Catherine Himelfarb-Borden, Sales Representative, Managing Partner, 416-975-5588 and Eleanor London, Sales Representative, 416-488-2875 Price upon request.

Shan Boodram and Jared Brady got married in California

“We invited 40 people and got married on a hill in front of the most gorgeous sunset.”

Are we dating the same guy?

There’s a Toronto Facebook group that’s helping local women ensure their relationships are as real as their feelings

by Alexa Margorian

I don’t date. I haven’t had a crush in years, unless you count my occasional flirtation with the cute waiter at my favourite pizza joint. To be fair, my reservations about dating at times feel warranted. I’ve spent some time on dating apps and have been on dates that range from boring to somewhat harrowing. My hesitations were magnified when I heard about a Facebook group in Toronto called “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” where women can warn other women about the terrible men they’ve been seeing or solicit advice from fellow single women. Imagine a gossip session with your friends where everyone discusses potential dating app matches, magnified by 1,000 — instead of two or three people to consult with, there are 21,800 members from across the city to tell you if they’ve had an unfavourable experience with your men of choice.

Women will post a first name, general location and one — or several — red flag emojis and, once approved by an admin, a missive in the comments explaining their concerns. Although these comments are often terrifying to read, there are some posts simply soliciting advice from the community about dating, and the responses can be heartwarming. Many conversations turn into something along the lines of “If I were her, I would want to know.” Cheating

seems to be as common an offence as not getting a text back.

The existence of the group spreads through word of mouth. One user who spoke to me anonymously says a friend mentioned it to her. “A friend suggested it to me because I went on a few dates with guys who lied about their relationship status,” she says.

That wasn’t her first post, though. That came much later when she wanted to warn other women about a catfish she ran into on the apps. She’s an active user, commenting a lot, since, as she claims, “Some [of these] girls and I have the same taste in men!”

The group’s ultimately been helpful, she says. “There are a few guys I’ve dodged. Saves me going through horrible dates and finding out the hard way!” She says she once even made a friend by unknowingly seeing the same guy.

It’s understandable that for women in Toronto’s dating scene looking for eligible men, a group like this one might seem like the only option. Members are seeking red flags across a wide spectrum — from men who are simply bad communicators to serial cheaters. And although the first offence — a couple of days without a text here or a few late night hook ups there — might seem overblown, once you’ve dealt with enough of these kinds of men, the ones who disrespect or manipulate you, it’s hard to resign yourself to doing it

all over again.

My friend Amy, for example, has had her fair share of red flags. We were out one Friday night in December when the guy she was seeing pulled her aside and told her she was, “wifey material,” (someone he can see himself marrying), only for her to be told the following week that he didn’t see a future with her.

“He told me, ‘Let’s just date casually,’” she says. But to him, dating “casually” meant going on dates, meeting his mother and hanging out without having sex.

have hope that the right person is out there.

Founder of Match Me Canada, Rebecca Cooper Traynor, says there’s a way to avoid getting burnt out by the apps.

“Get organized with a dating plan, such as setting specific days to log into dating apps and making a list of non-negotiables in a match,” she says. “Do your research before meeting up with someone, only meet with matches you're truly interested in, and if you're still feeling burnt out, take a break to focus on yourself before

setting boundaries and communicating emotional needs has become a priority for 66 per cent of Canadian respondents. Using “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” may be a strategy for Torontonians to set those boundaries in advance — women are crowdsourcing information from other women about what potential matches are looking for instead of waiting on the men to be honest. When I ask for universal advice for young women who are trying to date in this godforsaken city, Traynor cuts to the chase. “It's time to put yourself first! Be honest with yourself, bring up your concerns, and if they can't meet your needs, it's time to move on and find someone who can.”

This isn’t the first time she was misled. Amy lent her car to a man she was dating for what she assumed would only be a handful of hours. “After all, it’s impossible to get around in the city,” she says she reasoned to herself.

She didn’t hear from him for over 24 hours, essentially holding her car hostage with no word of his whereabouts. Now? She’s sleeping with his good friend. “Homie hopping is the way to go,” she advises.

At a time when it seems like every far-flung acquaintance I know is meeting the love of their life on some app while I’m slogging through scary DMs and frequent ghosting, it is difficult to

diving back into the dating scene.”

For many in the Toronto dating scene, “situationships,” or relationships that remain undefined, are a real challenge. “If you suspect your match is more interested in something casual, bring up your dating goals with them early on to ensure you're on the same page,” Traynor says. “And if you're not, don't force the issue; don't think you can change someone, you can't. You'll only waste years going through heartbreak.”

A recent Bumble report on dating in 2023 found that guardrailing, or setting more boundaries from the beginning, is a major trend among Canadians:

Spending a short amount of time in the Facebook group caused me to go rapidly from jaded to terrified. All these men to look out for? Scammers à la Tinder Swindler abound! And I’m not alone — an anonymous poster asked how to trust a man they really like on Tinder after seeing all the group’s posts and becoming fearful. It’s surely an imperfect system, maybe one that scares Toronto daters more than it prepares them. But in a world where it’s a scary time to be a woman (hasn’t it always been?), it’s pretty great that women are coming together to look out for each other (as they always have). If we don’t, who will?

Members of the ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy?’ group use it to consult other women on men they’re dating

“Dating ‘casually’ meant going on dates, meeting his mother and hanging out without having sex.”

START

THE RULES

• Split into two teams and choose team names.

• Choose a quiz host who will ask all questions of both teams and keep the answers covered.

• The game board: for every correct answer a team moves forward TWO spaces.

• If a team answers incorrectly, the other team can steal and move forward ONE space.

• First team to make it to the finish is the winner!

TEAM NAMES

Team CN Tower

1.

A. Börje Salming C. Mike Palmateer

B. Inge Hammarström D. Mats Sundin

2. What was the name of Much Music’s iconic talking sock?

A. Ed C. Earl

B. FredD. Donny

3. What former mayor called in the military to help with snow cleanup?

A. David Miller C. Barbara Hall

B. Mel LastmanD. David Crombie

4. What pizza spot did Barstool Sports’s El Presidente declare the best in T.O.?

A. North of Brooklyn C. Maker

B. Fourth Man in the Fire D. Descendant

5. Where did the Toronto Raptors play the team’s first home game?

A. Maple Leaf Gardens C. SkyDome

B. Air Canada Centre D. Rogers Centre

6. Name the T.O. family boasting three film directors spanning two generations.

A. Cronenberg C. Lantos

B. Egoyan D. Reitman

SINGLE PLAYER

One point for every correct answer. Let’s see how you rank!

7. Where is Toronto’s only large car-free area?

A. Toronto Islands C. Wychwood Park

B. Kensington Market D. High Park

8. Mitch Marner set a record by recording points in how many consecutive games?

A. 20 C. 19

B. 21 D. 91

9. Air Canada was named the best airport in North America, no not for losing luggage.

A. True B. False

10. What's the nickname of Raptors legend and broadcaster Alvin Williams?

A. The Chipmunk C. Willy

B. Point Break D. Boogie

13. People lined up all night at government offices to get what in early 2022?

A. Flu shots C. OHIP cards

B. Passports D. Driver’s Licences

14. The prom scene from Mean Girls was filmed in what T.O. high school?

A. Riverdale C.I. C. Northern Secondary

B. Malvern C.I. D. UCC

15. Where does Toronto get its drinking water?

A. Faucets C. Don River

B. Lake Ontario D. Lake Erie

16. What did Ed Mirvish used to give away at Christmas every year?

A. Theatre tickets C. Clothing

B. Coupons D. Turkeys

11. A bona fide Toronto professional sports team actually won a league championship in 2022.

A. True B. False

12. What Annex author helped shut down the Spadina Expressway?

A. Margaret Atwood C. Jane Jacobs

B. Richard Florida D. Dave Meslin

0-11: LOCAL YOKEL

You’ve got a lot to learn about what makes this city great.

17. QUESTION FROM THE JUDGES OF ‘CANADA’S GOT TALENT’:

Nelson Mandela was in the audience for this judge’s first performance at age 12.

A. Kardinal Offishal C. Lilly Singh

B. Trish Stratus D. Howie Mandel

12-23: RIGHTEOUS RESIDENT

You might not know everything about T.O. but you’re trying.

24-34: T.O. KNOW-IT-ALL! You live and breathe Toronto; go forth and share your joy!

DINNER AT BARBERIAN’S, MOVE AHEAD ONE SPACE

Team Raccoon Team TTC

Who was the first European hockey player to suit up for the Leafs?

DO yoU KNOW

INTRODUCING THE LIVE EVENT

Join us for a trivia night like no other! Post City, Gabby’s and Black Sheep Entertainment have teamed up to bring you Do You Know T.O.? live Toronto-themed trivia extravaganza! It will be held at five Gabby’s locations across the city in February. If you like the cover story, you will love the live event — book your team now! streetsoftoronto.com/do-you-know-toronto

18. Name the former record store famous for its giant spinning record sign.

A. A&A Records C. HMV

B. Tower Records D. Sam the Record Man

19. What Crocodile Rocker bought a penthouse on King West in 2022?

A. Billy Joel C. Rufus Wainwright

B. Rod Stewart D. Elton John

20. There are three Torontonians playing starring roles as superheroes in the new Marvel Universe

A. True B. False

21. What late great comedian once owned a piece of the Toronto Argos?

A. John Candy C. Lorne Green

B. Wayne ShusterD. Wayne Gretzky

24. What Toronto basketball star won an NBA championship in 2022?

A. Jamal Murray C. Kyle Lowry

B. Andrew Wiggins D. Dwight Powell

enter to win COOL PRIZES!

Enjoyed the game? Send us a pic of you playing and we’ll enter you in a draw to win a Streets of Toronto hoodie! Send photos to: doyouknowto@streetsoftoronto.com

30.

25. Toronto band The Shuffle Demons sang about what Toronto transit vehicle?

A. The Up Express C. The Spadina bus

B. The SRT D. The Queen Street car

26. How many Toronto arenas were home to the Maple Leafs in history?

A. Three C. One B. Two D. Eight

27. Toronto has a lot of weird sports teams including a professional Frisbee team.

A. True B. False

22. In his first live performance in 2006, Drake opened for what artist?

A. Ice Cube C. Maestro Fresh Wes

B. Run DMC D. Celine Dion

23. What pizza chain was founded in Toronto?

A. Pizzaville C. Little Caesar’s

B. PIzza Hut D. PIzza Pizza

28. Neil Young once played in T.O. band the Mynah Birds alongside this R & B legend.

A. Rick James C. David Clayton-Thomas

B. George Clinton D. Ronnie Hawkins

29. Where is Toronto’s only bona fide nudie beach?

A. Woodbine C. Hanlan’s

B. Ward’sD. Gibraltar

Which iconic Canadian rock band played the first ever concert at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 22, 1999?

A. Barenaked Ladies C. Nickelback

B. The Tragically Hip D. Our Lady Peace

31. Who was Canada's first female astronaut?

A. Julie Payette C. Jennier Sidney

B. Roberta Bondar D. Judy Jetson

32. What was Toronto's first subway station?

A. Union C. University

B. Davisville D. Queen's Park

33. What was one of Toronto's early nicknames?

A. Draketopia C. York Francisco

B. Muddy York D. World Class

34. Toronto is home to which one of North America's largest urban parks?

A. High Park C. Toronto Ravines

B.

Earl Bales Park D. Rouge Park

QUESTION FROM PRODUCER & ENTERTAINER DANNY MAGDER:

THE RULES

• Split into two teams and choose team names.

• Choose a quiz host who will ask all questions of both teams and keep the answers covered.

• The game board: for every correct answer a team moves forward TWO spaces.

• If a team answers incorrectly, the other team can steal and move forward ONE space.

• First team to make it to the finish is the winner!

1. What Blue Jays slugger once asked fans to "make some noise"?

A. Dave Winfield C. Paul Molitor

B. Ricky Henderson D. Joe Carter

2. Samantha Bee founded what T.O. sketch comedy troupe prior to her big break?

A. The Atomic Fireballs C. SCTV

B. Kids in the HallD. The Sketchersons

3. Where was Toronto’s first escalator, when made of wood, installed?

A. Royal York Hotel C. Eaton’s store

B. Old City HallD. Union Station

4. Name the restaurant awarded two stars in the city's new Michelin Guide.

A. Lee C. Alo

B. Masaki Saito D. Ten

5. In 2016, two bison escaped from the High Park Zoo and were never found.

A. True B. False

TEAM NAMES

Team Jay Team Leaf

Team Raptor

7. What famous rocker starred in T.O.'s epic 10-year run of Phantom of the Opera?

A. Axl Rose C. Sebastian Bach

B. Paul Stanley D. Jon Bon Jovi

8. What breed of cat was first found in Toronto?

A. Manx C. Ragdoll

B. Snowshoe D. Hairless Sphynx

9. What is Toronto's official tree?

A. White Pine C. Willow

B. Maple D. Oak

13. Drake showed up for a Raptors game with a coat featuring what child’s toy?

A. Lego C. Teddy bears

B. Slinkies D. Barbies

14. It's called The Beach, not The Beaches, what are you thinking?

A. True B. False

15. What Toronto band wrote a song about Leafs icon Wendel Clark?

A. Blue Rodeo C. Lowest of the Low

B. Rheostatics D. Pursuit of Happiness

10. What iconic rapper played semi-pro basketball in Scarborough last year?

A. J Cole C. Lil Wayne

B. Kendrick Lamar D. Eminem

11. In what Toronto neighbourhood, did the first Yuk Yuk’s comedy club open?

A. Downtown Yonge C. Yorkville

B. St. Lawrence Market D. Queen West

6. Which Toronto boxer did Muhammad Ali call “the toughest guy I ever fought”?

A. Shawn O’Sullivan C. George Chuvalo

B. Willie Dewitt D. George Foreman

for SINGLE PLAYERs

One point for every correct answer. Let’s see how you rank!

12. What is Toronto’s oldest steak house?

A. Bardi’s C. Barberian’s

B. David Duncan House D. Tom Jones

0-11: LOCAL YOKEL

You’ve got a lot to learn about what makes this city great.

16. Where is Toronto’s first public park located?

A. Queen’s Park C. Sunnybrook

B. Trinity Bellwoods D. High Park

AGES

17. QUESTION FROM CBC RADIO’S ELAMIN ABDELMAHMOUD:

In 1977, the Rolling Stones played a secret show at El Mocambo. What band was actually advertised to play?

A. Platinum Blonde C. Rush

B. Teenage Head D. April Wine

12-23: RIGHTEOUS RESIDENT

You might not know everything about T.O. but you’re trying.

24-34: T.O. KNOW-IT-ALL! You live and breathe Toronto; go forth and share your joy!

FINISH

DO yoU KNOW T

DVP CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND, GO BACK TWO SPACES

INTRODUCING THE LIVE EVENT

Join us for a trivia night like no other! Post City, Gabby’s and Black Sheep Entertainment have teamed up to bring you Do You Know T.O. live Toronto-themed trivia extravaganza! It will be held at five Gabby’s locations across the city in February. If you like the cover story, you will love the live event — book your team now! streetsoftoronto.com/do-you-know-toronto

enter to win COOL PRIZES!

Enjoyed the game? Send us a pic of you playing and we’ll enter you in a draw to win a Streets of Toronto hoodie! Send photos to: doyouknowto@streetsoftoronto.com

18. Toronto has named a street after what former Raptor?

A. Kyle Lowry C. Vince Carter

B. Kawhi Leonard D. Chris Bosh

19. What popular brand of soda was invented in Toronto?

A. Canada Dry C. Crush

B. Hires D. Pepsi

24. T.O. comedian Mike Myers's character Austin Powers was once a member of what musical group?

A. ABBA C. Ming Tea

B. Rolling Stones D. The Shags

25. What brand of cough medicine was invented by a Toronto pharmacist?

A. Robitussin C. Benylin

B. Buckley’s D. Halls

20. Before becoming a super-cool actor Keanu Reeves was a minor hockey league goalie in Toronto.

A. True B. False

21. What famous author once worked for the Toronto Star in the 1920s?

A. Margaret Atwood C. F. Scott Fitzgerald

B. Ernest Hemingway D. Robertson Davies

22. Shaquille O'Neal called Raptors star Vince Carter "half man" and half what?

A. Gazelle C. God

B. Superhero D. Amazing

23. What pizza chain was founded in Toronto?

A. Pizzaville C. Little Caesar’s

B. Pizza Hut D. Pizza Pizza

26. What neighbourhood was named one of the coolest in the world by Time Out?

A. Dundas West C. Parkdale

B. Queen West D. Annex

27. Leafs president Brendan Shanahan was alive when the team last won the Cup.

A. True B. False

28. Who was the first Canadian hip hop act to sign a major record deal?

A. Snow C. Michie Mee

B. Dream Warriors D. K’naan

29. What Toronto private club can claim not one but two Grey Cup trophies?

A. Granite Club C. Balmy Beach Club

B. Good Life D. Donalda Club

30. QUESTION FROM ABA AMUQUANDOH OF THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES:

What store did the T.O. artist the Weeknd work at before he became famous?

A. lululemon C. American Apparel

B. Club Monaco D. H&M

31. Celebrity chef Roger Mooking was a member of what Toronto R & B group?

A. Bass is Base C. Jacksoul

B. Dream Warriors D. Anvil

32. What is the name of Toronto's oldest bar?

A. The Black Bull C. The Wheatsheaf

B. The Miller Tavern D. The Monarch

33. T.O.’s last dry neighbourhood, the Junction, lifted its alcohol ban in what year?

A. 1927 C. 2000

B. 1967 D. 1933

34. Kiefer Sutherland titled his third album as an homage to which T.O. street?

A. Roncesvalle C. Bloor

B. Yonge D. Ossington

Rosedale

Lawrence Park

FOOD

This Valentine's Day say ‘I do’ to fondue

If you’re a cheese or chocolate lover (who isn’t?), here is our guide to the four best places in the city that will let you get your dunk on this Valentine’s Day by way of sublime fondue. Indulge in a pot of ooey-gooey melted goodness and get your chocolate fix at sweet house Cacao 70 (left) while at Bar Piquette (top) traditional Swiss fondue is served with sourdough and fruit. The decadent fon-

due at modern French bistro Cluny (middle) features sourdough breaded asparagus spears accompanied by luscious La Sauvagine, a rustic and creamy cow’s milk cheese produced in Quebec. At cosy Parisian diner Le Swan (bottom), the fondue features a blend of Emmenthal, mozzarella and Gruyère and includes skewers of bread and roasted broccoli.

©Bbar Piquette © Cluny © Le Swan

Cacao70

Married with restaurant

The only thing harder than running a restaurant is running one together

by Ben Kaplan

All over Toronto the grass is being watered at hot spots with couples at the helm, even though it’s been said that the only thing harder than running a restaurant is running a relationship.

One of the city’s hippest new covers is Fonda Balam, a Mexican joint on Dundas Street with the backing of Matty Matheson, owned by husband and wife Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo. They’ve been together for 18 years and say their relationship creates a symbiotic approach to restaurant management.

“We don’t always get along — we’re two separate people — and stressful situations come up, but this place is our life and everything revolves around it,” says Chomyshyn. Guajardo says he couldn’t imagine running Fonda without his romantic partner.

“Having someone you love to deal with the same situations is extraordinarily helpful, even fun,” he says. “We balance each other out: when I feel like giving up, she’s the push to keep going, and it also goes the other way. The restaurant benefits by having both of us involved, and you taste that certain something — that care, attention to detail, that love — in the food.”

The other night during the Raptors game, Danny Barna ran a roast chicken to hungry customers then stopped for a quick Jameson’s with some thirsty reporters at the bar. His hot spot, Danny’s Pizza

Tavern, which he runs with his fiancée, Anna Hopkins, is a year old and buzzing, a Toronto spin on a New York institution mixing good vibes with good food on College Street in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.

Barna and Hopkins, who complete each other’s sentences and have been together for seven years — and even look alike and dress the same — never went to chef school but have the indelible quality they bestow on their guests: they say the warmth and generosity of their relationship

Nuit Regular, the husband-andwife cooking team behind Sukhothai, Pai and Kiin. With Nuit handling the kitchen and Jeff handling everything else, the restaurants emit a caring, delicious and thoughtful vibe.

“What we’re both about is the power of love and a belief that we need to share more of it, at all times,” says Jeff, adding that his family business not only employs his brother, but several of his wife’s cousins too. “With us, things get heated fast, but resolve fast — we’ve learned to let things go as

invisible, powerful, compassionate shorthand.”

Craig Wong is the chef at Patois, which sits beside Fonda Balam and is a delicious JamaicanAsian soul food spot that he runs with his wife, Ivy Lam.

Lam says, “Our view of how we run the restaurant is the same way that we operate our home; we try to always do better and not repeat mistakes.” Of course, if the restaurant fails, that means both husband and wife are out of work, but Wong says that they’re all in for both the relationship and the restaurant anyways, and they feel confident working together, betting on themselves.

MORE CULINARY COUPLES

imbues every aspect of their ofthe-moment bistro.

“It’s like we’re inviting people into our living room. We’re hosting a dinner party every night,” says Hopkins. “If we were going to do a restaurant together, it had to be somewhere that feels good, and I think Danny’s probably does mirror our relationship — after all, the grass is only green where you water it.”

There may be nothing we want more from the places that feed us than gentleness, good food and warmth. For a huge swath of Toronto — from diners to their almost six hundred employees — those places are owned by Jeff and

we’ve grown the business and raised our family at the same time.”

As their business became more complicated since 2008 — there’s now catering, ghost kitchens and books, along with the 10 restaurants they own — they’ve relied more deeply on each other.

“We may not always agree, but there’s always respect,” says Nuit, adding that forgiveness is another cornerstone for making relationships, and restaurants, work. “Trust gives you confidence to move forward and, because we’re in a relationship, we’re moving in the same direction — we’re co-workers, but there’s this

“At the end of the day, it’s not only how we stay together as a couple, but how we make the restaurant, just like the relationship, as good as it can possibly be.”

Back at Danny’s Pizza Tavern on a cool Wednesday night in Little Italy, it’s impossible not to be charmed. Hopkins and her fiancée treat their staff like family, and you see it in the breezy way they treat guests. It’s warm, inviting and friendly — the kind of room where you could see love last.

“It’s like we’re inviting people inside to sit amidst pieces from our relationship,” says Hopkins. “How could you not feel welcomed eating pizza on a cold evening while my fiancé runs pizzas, and you’re surrounded by pieces from my childhood home?”

Carmelina Imola and Zachary Kolomeir

The Montreal expats co-own chicken joint Taverne Bernhardts, sandwich shop Vilda’s and lauded French spot Dreyfus in Harbord Village.

Jennifer Gittens and Mike Van Den Winke

While touring Europe as a budding chef, Van Den Winke met his soulmate Toronto-born Gittens. The duo now own Little Sister, a Dutch-Indo Food Bar and Bar Batavia a swanky Midtown cocktail lounge.

Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo

The husband-and-wife duo coown Michelin-starred eatery Edulis, a modern mainstay with a constantly rotating menu that ten years in is still one of the city’s top culinary gems.

L-R: Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemeth

“You taste that certain something — that care, attention to detail, that love — in the food.”

Clockwise from left: Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo, Nuit and Jeff Regular, Danny Barna and Anna Hopkins

© Ian Brown

When talking to aging parents about their health, the ‘how’ makes all the difference

As our parents or spouses age, and their health challenges increase, what used to be normal activities often become much riskier. The challenge for family members trying to help is how to discuss these issues without making our loved ones feel like we are being paternalistic or threatening their sense of control over their own lives.

Whether it’s driving when they shouldn’t; walking without their cane or walker; eating or drinking what is clearly in conflict with what they’ve been told by their doctor; their decreased interest in doing things or seeing people; or their resistance to being more physically active - it is a serious challenge to persuade them to make what we feel are needed changes.

We love them dearly, and like their love and guidance for us over the years, our love for them drives us to want to influence their behaviour to keep them safe.

The reality, however, is that many if not most family members don’t want our input or resist it. They often get annoyed and further stressed by us telling them how to act and behave.

What we must keep in mind is that as we age and our health declines, we all fight to maintain three hugely important interrelated values: our identity, our dignity and our independence - and every time others tell or ask us to stop doing something, or do it differently, it makes us feel as though these values are being attacked and that we are being treated like children.

More often than not, instead of looking for a better approach, we just repeat the same message and get more frustrated and angrier with them because they won’t listen or change.

As caring and loving family members who are key parts of their support system, we often fail to recognize that our goal is not to tell them what they need to hear. Our goal is to try to find a way for them to actually hear us and consider changing their approach. To that end, how we say what we say matters more than ever.

We also fail to recognize that what we are suggesting to them means sacrificing their identity or dignity or independence - for safety. To us it is obvious - to them not

so much. In fact, for many seniors, they are okay risking their safety to maintain their sense of self, as long as they are able to make their own decisions and not put others at risk.

Our bodies often fail us faster than our perception of what we are actually capable of. It takes time and a lot of self reflection to accept that we aren’t capable of what we once were - and we frequently come to that realization kicking and screaming.

Without exaggeration, I have two or three discussions every week with families facing these issues (parents/spouses who resist good advice). Unfortunately, the conversations tend to end with the acceptance that change is not likely until an event occurs - typically a fall - that makes the needed change obvious to everyone, but only after a serious price has been paid.

So what can be done? I would suggest that one of the only other strategies is for us to change our approach first.

We need to find different ways to talk to our parents or spouses about these risks and issues. We

need to turn down the heat, and turn up the empathy for the intangible values we are asking them to sacrifice. We need to find calmer ways to share how we feel and why we are concerned, and try much harder to avoid being perceived as paternalistic and oblivious to the inner psychological and emotional struggles that go hand-in-hand with their physical struggles. We also need to invest much more time trying to understand how they feel about what they are facing. We need to find ways to help them see that sacrificing a few elements of their sense of self (for example using mobility aids, limiting or stopping driving, or increasing social activity) will facilitate the continuation of the more important elements of who they are that allows them to continue to flourish. Our loved ones can certainly be stubborn and hard to talk to at times. But, our goal isn’t to be right - our goal is to affect change. You can’t change people with blunt force verbiage. It takes empathy, finesse and time.

Owner/Operator of Caregiver Services Ltd.

NACHO AVERAGE SUPER BOWL

Is there any food that screams Super Bowl watch party more than a heaping plate of nachos? Chef Anthony Rose samples the iconic game day snack to find out which one of these next-level dishes is a touchdown.

Explosion offlavours

CHILI LOVER’S DREAM

“This is a good looking plate of nachos. There’s a little too much cheese for my liking, but it’s got refried beans, which I adore on a plate of nachos, and I like that they took the time to layer it, which a lot of restaurants don’t take the time to do.”

The Leaside Pub, $16.99

190 Laird Dr.

CHEESY CHORIZO

“The tortilla chips taste fresh and crispy, and I feel like they might even be made in-house. They don’t really look like traditional nachos but my mouth is still salivating just looking at them. The chorizo is a cool spin on the traditional beef that’s normally used.”

Amigos Latin Flavour, $10.95

1291 Wilson Ave. North York

WINNER

A PLANT-BASED TWIST

“This is gorgeous! I really like the look of this dish. It's got everything I could want in a plate of nachos, and it’s very appetizing with a nice smoky flavour. I really dig the taste of the jackfruit. I don’t miss the meat here at all.” Planta, $17.95 Multiple locations including 1221 Bay St.

An Indianspin

ANTHONY ROSE

This Michelinrecognized chef is the creative force behind Fat Pasha, Schmaltz and Fet Zun.

RUNNER-UP

BUTTER CHICKEN GOODNESS

“I like the look of these chips. They look and taste just like Cool Ranch Doritos. When I eat butter chicken [like this], I want to be able to dip something into it, and Doritos are a really cool thing to have on hand. If I was making nachos at home, I would definitely try this.”

Foodiez Indian and Hakka Cuisine, $17.99, 1060 Eglinton Ave. W.

PULLED PORK PERFECTION

“It’s a really cool-looking dish, and I really like the barbecue flavour. There’s a good amount of pork, and I like the addition of the cabbage and carrots. It’s a fun play on the classic barbecue and coleslaw.”

Jakes on Main, $19.50 202 Main St., Unionville

Tangy sout her n-style update

THE KING’S CROWN

“This is a classic plate and it looks great. There’s something that tastes a little fake with these nachos and it’s a little off-putting — I’m not sure if it’s the salsa — but there’s a nice amount of melted cheese, and I like how crispy the tortilla chips are.”

Sneaky Dee’s, $30 431 College St.

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Kappo-style cooking debuts in midtown

The exclusive restaurant accepts only eight reservations per seating

Recently a new Japanese restaurant opened its doors in Davisville, at 575 Mount Pleasant Rd. The first of its kind in Toronto, Kappo Sato serves up traditional Japanese eats masterfully made by a chef that has over a decade of experience in Kappo-style cooking.

Kappo, which simply means “to cut and to cook,” is a cooking method by which expertly trained chefs use cutting and boiling techniques to make the food, in addition to having a deep understanding of the tea ceremony and flower arrangement culture prevalent in artful Japanese cuisine and culture.

Becoming a Master of Kappo usually involves 10 to 15 years of steady training, which is why it is uncommon to find Kappo restaurants in North America.

At the helm of Kappo Sato is Takeshi Sato, a highly skilled chef. He worked at a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Tokyo before moving to Canada in 2011 to take on the role of official chef of the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto.

The new spot echoes simplicity and quality with every decision made, from cooking equipment to utensils to decor. The food is

prepared in front of the diners at an open-facing counter in a relaxed atmosphere with Japanese-inspired design.

The restaurant only accepts eight reservations per seating — either at 5:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. — and serves just 16 people per day, which allows the team to focus on quality, delivering an intense, highly perfected experience for guests.

There are a number of unique dishes on the menu, including a 12-course omakase that ranges in price from $260 to $360 and features wagyu beef, sushi, sashimi, tempura and rice cooked in a special copper Hagama pot. Made by a master craftsman in Kyoto, it has a very high heat conductivity, allowing for a faster cook time using less water.

“Our staff share their wisdom and opinions with each other and work hard every day to make the restaurant even better,” said a restaurant representative.”We all have different experiences but the one thing we have in common is our desire to do our best to convey the charm of Japanese food to our customers.”

575 Mount Pleasant Rd. —Raquel Farrington

A seasonal sashimi dish

STAR POWER

Chef Sato worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo before moving to Canada in 2011.

Souvla by the team at Mamakas has opened in Yorkville

This new Greek outpost features possibly the city’s best spanakopita by

Jennifer Schembri

Known for its authentic yet modern take on traditional Greek fare, Ossington hot spot Mamakas Taverna — considered to be one of Toronto's best — recently opened a pop-up in Yorkville.

Located at 105 Scollard St., Souvla by Mamakas will be open for the winter and spring seasons, serving up an array of Greek BBQ dishes, delicious grab-andgo items and yummy sweets. Following the pop-up (and after renovations) a new concept from Mamakas Food Group will enter the space, which, according to owner Thanos Tripi, will follow Mamakas's "current portfolio of Aegean concepts."

When it comes to standout dishes, there are many, including mains like chicken and grilled meat souvla. There’s also the halloumi pita, which includes tzatziki, onion, tomato, fries and ladolemono sauce — a Greek dressing made up of lemon juice, oregano, garlic and olive oil ($16).

Other menu items include full meals like the kebab plate which is a grilled lamb and beef kebab served with Greek salad, rice pilaf and potatoes ($24) and feta fries ($7.50). Popular desserts, like loukoumades ($6), a sweet honey-soaked doughnut topped with cinnamon sugar, and bougatsa ($9), a handmade phyllo pie filled with a sweet custard, are also on offer.

There's also three homemade dips that can be enjoyed at home ($12.50 each), including tzatziki, kopanisti and melitzanosalata, which is made from smoked eggplant, parsley, lemon, walnuts and honey.

"The space has so much potential with a beautiful secret garden we plan to activate," says Tripi.

Mamakas Food Group are owners and operators of a successful portfolio of four restaurants across greater Toronto, including the Agro, a grab-and-go Greek market and café on Queen West, and Bar Koukla, an Athenean-style snack bar on the Ossington strip.

In 2014, Tripi opened Mamakas Taverna at 80 Ossington Ave. Nine years in, the mainstay — opened as a tribute to the matriarchs of Tripi’s family and to help him further connect with his Greek heritage — is still considered to be one of Toronto’s premiere Greek restaurants.

“Our vision is one of access; we endeavour to bring you the most authentic ingredients possible. As fresh as we can find,” states Mamkas’s website, ”as unique and interesting as possible. We celebrate the subtle differences of our Mediterranean neighbours, and bring a contemporary lens to every creation, all the while providing an unrivalled guest experience.”

This is not the restaurant's first foray into the popup market. Back in the summer of 2020, Mamaka's began a summer street food pop-up while the city was under provincial lockdowns due to the pandemic. It was such a success, it has continued in different locations ever since.

Souvla is open for pickup or delivery from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m, Monday to Saturday, for the winter and spring seasons.

Souvla’s grilled chicken pita

We are presently not holding open houses.

We welcome you to book a private tour. Kindly call the school.

Japanese fusion comes to Thornhill

Decadent sushi is wrapped in 24-karat gold by Raquel Farrington

Celebrating 43 years

A chic new spot for elevated Japanese cuisine recently debuted in the heart of Thornhill.

At Azabu, high-end sushi dishes are on offer along with a playful style of fusion cooking in an upscale, sleek space.

Menu items like the yuzu tomato caprese salad have received an update via a Japanese-inspired twist; the addition of tart yuzu adds an aromatic fragrance and a zesty flavour to the dish, and traditional ingredients like bocconcini cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes still play a central role.

And no Japanese menu would be complete without the addition of sashimi and raw options, too, and as one could expect, Azabu doesn’t disappoint.

The star of the sushi show is the 24K roll. Priced at $70, the decadent chu doro roll is composed of hamachi, scallop, salmon and uni and then topped with caviar and wrapped in 24karat gold.

And there’s a lot more to Azabu than just raw fish and sushi. The menu includes impressive dishes like steak tartare (infused with Japanese flavours), whereas truffle mac and

cheese is made creamy and rich with four kinds of cheese (Gruyère, pecorino, cheddar and mozzarella).

The drinks program is equally as bougie with Japanese-style highballs infused with housemade black tea joining the ranks of bottles of $600 Ace of Spades Brut Gold champagne.

Azabu is located at 5 Glen Cameron Rd. in Thornhill and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m., and on Wednesdays and Sundays from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m.

A beloved Toronto restaurant closes

Babel, a live-fire cooking restaurant, which launched in the York Mills neighbourhood in 2019, recently announced it has permanently closed.

Part of the Oliver & Bonacini group of restaurants, which also includes famed Toronto eateries Canoe, Auberge du Pommier and Parcheggio, the team from Babel took to social media to share the news.

As with countless restaurants around the world, Babel was hit hard by the pandemic and struggled to stay open even after moving operations to more “COVID-friendly” alternatives.

"Throughout the many twists and turns of the pandemic, our team did their very best to navigate and pivot, including offering takeout and delivery, opening a bottle shop, and popping up a patio in the parking lot," reads the caption of the Instagram post.

The restaurant even went on to receive praise from the Michelin Guide in 2022. “Lamb is always a signature, but here it's smoky, juicy and especially flavorful,” reads the recommendation in the Guide, which according to global head Michael Ellis, “means the inspectors have found the food to be above average.”

But the praise was still not enough to stop Babel from closing.

“We are incredibly grateful for the welcoming Bayview & York Mills community, and to all of the wonderful guests who came to share great food and drink with us,” the Instagram post concludes.

The reaction to the news on social media was one of surprise and sadness.

“Gutted to be honest — massive efforts from great people. Sad to see it go dark,” from Anthony Walsh, an executive chef and partner at Oliver & Bonacini.

“So sorry to hear this news! A patron from the day you opened, this was a top notch team both front and back of house — incredible food and impeccable service. Wishing all of you the very best in what comes next,” from another commenter.

Babel’s last day of service was on Dec. 31 and it went out with a bang: Serving a delicious New Year's Eve prix fixe menu of shared dishes that paid tribute to the culinary traditions of countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Turkey and Israel, that guests could enjoy while feasting by the fire.

—Jennifer Schembri

L-R: Azabu’s sleek interior, a picturesque sashimi plate

role of official chef of the C

Husband-and-wife bring a taste of northern Italy to Forest Hill

Rimini Rimini imports most of their fish from Italy and Greece

by Christine Hogg

Marsida Lazimi and her husband, Melsi, know what it takes to run a successful Italian restaurant.

For just over 20 years, their establishment, Ristorante Della Repubblica, was a known spot for crudités, seafood specialties, wood-fired pizzas and homemade desserts, in their hometown, a quaint seaside town called Rimini, which is a favourite spot for local fishers.

“It wasn’t just a restaurant, it was a whole world,” recalls Marsida.

But with the cost of living in Europe reaching an all-time high, in July 2022, the couple made the difficult decision to sell their restaurant and move to Toronto. In December 2022, they opened Rimini Rimini, a new restaurant whose name is an ode to their hometown. Ristorante Della Repubblica’s specialties included fresh seafood and pizzas.

centred around fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables.

“Melsi goes out to purchase fresh ingredients every day, because quality is very important to us,” she says. “ We never sacrifice quality. We always go above and beyond, because food is the language that connects us.”

Marsida and Melsi hope to open a large fish market one day with whole and cleaned fish.

It is Marsida’s vision to be able to replicate the same quality of seafood she and her husband once offered, which is why Rimini Rimini currently imports most of its fish from Italy and Greece with species found in the Adriatic Sea.

“Our dream one day is to have a big fish market with all different kinds of fish, including whole fish and cleaned fish that can simply be taken home to cook,” Marsida shares.

Like their old restaurant, Rimini Rimini’s menu is

The antipasti include delicious starters like the burrata cheese and Cantabrian's sea anchovies crostini, or the prawns carpaccio with fennel and orange salad. There are plenty of shareables, including a platter of raw yellowfin tuna, salmon, oysters, lobster and langoustines that is priced for two or four people. Of course, a selection of fresh pasta dishes are on the menu — all made with unbleached flour and free-run eggs. Although fresh fish is the star of the menu, Rimini Rimini also offers meat dishes, including an impressive 12-ounce Australian wagyu strip loin served with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables.

And, just like back in Italy, Lazami is in charge of making all of the desserts, so don’t forget to save room for her signature dulce de leche, the decadent marscapone with fresh strawberries or to end the evening on a lighter note, opt for the sorbetto al limone or al caffe.

Rimini Rimini is located at 453 Eglinton Ave. W. and is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Clockwise from top: banquette seating at Rimini RImni; seafood and pasta dishes

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LOOKING BACK

CELEBRATING

In the east end of the city is the site of the home of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, at 54 Eastern Ave. Thornton became a self-emancipated former slave whose case established that Canada would not return slaves to the United States.

Harry Gairey Sr. (centre back) began campaigning for civil rights in 1945 when his son was refused entry to a skating rink because of the colour of his skin, leading to Toronto’s first anti-discrimination ordinance in 1947.

Born and raised in Toronto, Rosemary Sadlier was the president of the Ontario Black History Society from 1993 to 2015. She is recognized as part of the driving force for Toronto to celebrate Black History Month and Emancipation Day.

Born in 1911, Portia White was the first Black Canadian concert singer to win international acclaim. She was considered one of the best classical singers of the 20th century. White herself taught voice in Toronto, both privately and at Branksome Hall.

The building at 21 Park Rd. in Toronto was home to where Oscar Peterson and his colleagues established the Advanced School of Contemporary Music in 1960. Peterson is known as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time.

Lincoln Alexander, born in Toronto in 1922, was Canada’s first Black member of Parliament when he was elected to the House of Commons in 1968. Alexander was named chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation in 2000.

Before you go... we wanted to highlight a few Toronto heroes who broke down barriers to pave the way for the next generations of Black Canadians

BLACK HISTORY IN TORONTO

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77 FOREST HILL ROAD

Designed by Eden Smith, traditional details blend with updated features. Dramatic staircase open to 3rd level. Wealth of windows & French doors. 5 bedrooms, 5 baths. Finished lower level. Enclosed gardens. Walk to B.S.S. & U.C.C.

Elise Kalles Ext. 291 & Jordan Buchbinder 416-795-7952

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67 CHESTNUT PARK ROAD

Prime Rosedale location sited on 64’ frontage.5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 5 fireplaces. French doors walk-out to deck and enclosed gardens under canopy of mature trees. 2-car garage. Building permits & city approvals in place to expand footprint 1800 square feet.

Elise Kalles Ext. 291 & Donna Thompson 416-294-5152

$7,360,000

11 DEWBOURNE AVENUE

Classic Forest Hill residence. Oak hardwood floors and mahoganydoors throughout. 5 bedrooms, 8 baths. Sunroom w/ heated floor, French doors to terrace and vaulted ceiling. 2nd level gym with skylight. Lower level entertainment room, studio & wine cellar.

Elise Kalles Ext. 291 & Vicky Zou 647-406-2188

$6,988,000

109 SCOLLARD STREET

Sited on one of Yorkville’s most coveted streets. Hardwood floors, coffered ceilings, gas fireplaces. 3+1 bedrooms, 5 baths. Elevator to all levels. Enclosed courtyard. Roof top terrace with hot tub & fireplace. 2-car parking.

Elise Kalles Ext. 291 & Zack Fenwick 416-567-7747

$17,900,000

2615 RIDGE ROAD WEST

Lake Simcoe -17.24 acs, 525’ waterfront. Approx 1 hour from Toronto. 2 magnificent homes each over 12,500 sf. Self-contained apt over 3-car gar. Park-like grounds, pool, gazebo, tennis court, glass-enclosed boat house & large deck affords spectacular views of Kempenfelt Bay.

Elise Kalles Ext. 291 & Stephanie Adams Ext. 392

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4 BEAUMONT ROAD

Estate-sized lot (100’ x 355’). Rosedale home sited on exclusive tree-lined street. Grand principal rooms for entertaining. Soaring ceilings, 6 fps, 4+1 BRs, 6 baths. Walk-outs to wrap-around terrace, patio, rooftop decks & balcony. Exquisite gardens, pool, hot tub, manicured lawns.

Elise Kalles Ext. 291