Yorkville Post June 2020 by Post City Magazines

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HAPPY CAMPERS? ONE OF THE PROVINCE’S BIGGEST OVERNIGHT CAMPS ISN’T GIVING UP ON SUMMER JUST YET

MARK MCEWAN TESTS ARTISANAL BURGERS

ROSA MARINUZZI BITES INTO JUICY STEAKS

IVANA RACA COOKS UP SPICY SAUSAGES

BBQ CHEFS PICK T.O.’S

BEST BACKYARD

NUIT REGULAR GRILLS MARINATED CHICKEN

ROGER MOOKING SAMPLES RACKS OF RIBS

DAVID LEE ON THE VERY BEST FOR VEGETARIANS

8 BUTCHER SHOPS, 6 STAR CHEFS AND 1 GOAL TO TURN YOU INTO T.O.’S TOP GRILLMASTER

JUNE 2020 · VOLUME 1 · ISSUE 5

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Stay safe and we'll see you very soon! 110 Yorkville Ave. 416 961 9589

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THE RETURN OF THE DRIVE-IN From concerts to the zoo, enjoying the view from your car is the new normal

SUNNY SKIES FOR THIS PAIR How Anthony Farnell, Global News chief meteorologist, met his wife

TURN DAD INTO A PRO Jeanne Beker on giving your dad the perfect golf or tennis esthetic

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JUNE 2020

T.O.’S BEST BACKYARD BBQ 8 butcher shops, 6 star chefs and 1 goal to turn you into T.O.’s top grillmaster

POOLS IN FOR SUMMER Four T.O. homes that make social distancing easy with poolside activities

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CITYSCAPE

THE POST INTERVIEW

The future of the Toronto Star

NEWS

BY THE NUMBERS

John Honderich spent 44 years at the Toronto Star. Its readership represents 30 per cent of the city population. Now, the company has been sold to conservative financiers and people are concerned. We asked him what comes next. by Ron Johnson

8 The Toronto Maple Leafs place in the Eastern Conference, which would see them matched up against Columbus in the new NHL playoffs.

40 The number, in kilometres, of new bike lanes the city will roll out this year as part of the ActiveTO plan. John Honderich is a former publisher of the Toronto Star, and chair of Torstar's Board of Directors

Why now for this deal?

The newspaper business had been under stress for a long time. We had a plan in place to try and transfer things around, but quite frankly, we were nearing the end of the runway. And, with COVID, that accentuated the situation. So we came to the conclusion that we needed people with determination but also more resources to carry it forward. The owners said they’d maintain the principles of the Star. But, there is no assurance of that, right?

The short answer is no. We have their commitment, but there is a reality when you sell a company and give someone else control. They can do what they want. And, you know, to be observant of principles is one of those commitments that is very difficult to put into enforceable language. So, no, there is not any provision in the agreement. It’ll be out there,

And they [Facebook, Apple, Netflix and Google] don’t pay any corporate income tax because they aren’t situated in Canada. So, it’s a great deal if you can get away with it.

Is there room for three national newspapers now or ever?

Why hasn’t the government done more?

My answer to you is, in this digital age, no, there is no room for three. I don’t think there has ever been room for three. The Post (Media) has never made money. The Globe certainly has a billionaire owner who can help keep it afloat. But in this digital era, I do not believe that three competing digital properties can succeed.

I think for a long time the Liberal government’s thinking was that Facebook and Google were the companies of the future, that this was where investment and jobs were going to come from. But the question to ask is that, if all of these companies go under and are not around, who is going to provide the news?

80 The amount, in tons, of food being distributed by the Serge Ibaka Foundation to 8,000 families in Brazzaville, Congo.

What does the future hold? But it’s not just direct competition from other newspapers, is it?

We have an unbelievably competitive market here. The biggest competitor for newspapers is CBC.ca. It is our biggest, and they of course are government-subsidized and they are free. So that makes for quite a battle. And what about the impact of what is called FANG: Facebook, Apple, Netflix and Google?

The business model for newspapers is badly broken. It used to be that newspapers got a lot of advertising, but they then hired reporters, editors, photographers, etc., and put out a paper. Now, 80 per cent of all digital advertising is owned by Facebook and Google — 80 per cent. They don’t pay any taxes here. They don’t pretend to be publishers. They don’t use the product. And they in fact allow the posting of our stories on their site for free. So that’s the new model. There’s been a lot of talk. Other countries are far ahead of Canada on this one. Australia and France have just put provisions in.

To do good journalism, and a lot of this stuff takes resources. And we are facing an issue of are people prepared to pay for journalism? And so far the evidence is not very convincing. Some are, but it’s not exactly a large percentage. So that’s worrisome. What will the Star look like a decade from now?

Boy, that’s quite a question. With new ownership, I think we wait to see.

100 The number of jobs, in the thousands, that Toronto lost in the month of April.

What will the end result of the pandemic be for news media?

News media is under more threat than ever before. This I think is a question for the Canadian public and the public policy people. How important is news? I happen to think a vigorous press, doing a lot of reporting and a lot of investigations, is an essential element of a healthy democracy. If you don’t have that reporting, how are we going to evolve? Where are we going to be getting our news to be able to make intelligent decisions?

20 The number of artists involved in the new public art project It’s All Right Now taking over Toronto digital billboards.

JUNE 2020

Yes, there has been concern. I’ve certainly been asked about it. One of the things I’ve said is that they have certainly committed themselves to the principles and done so quite a few times. What they’ve also told me that gives me some heart is that they see this as a good business strategy, that it doesn’t make sense to turn the Star into another conservative paper. It’s got a very distinct brand. It’s the progressive paper, and that’s what they should try and promote as much as possible. And they said that’s what makes sense from a business point of view. Their background has raised questions, but I believe what they are telling me.

and given the fact that news about the media always gets a lot of attention, if they change dramatically there will probably be publicity about it, which won’t help them.

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Has there been apprehension in the newsroom, given the financial background of the new owners?

NEWS

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Yorkville BIA says no to bike lanes on Bloor Despite attempt to derail temporary bike infrastructure the plan was approved

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The temporary bike lanes on Bloor will be re-evaluated in one year

The Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BIA) is opposing newly proposed bike lanes along Bloor Street West. The group that represents businesses in the neighbourhood sent a letter addressed to Mayor John Tory and a city councillor. It asked that its concerns be heard and included in the ActiveTO bike project. The BIA claims that bike lanes will be a detriment to struggling businesses and future events such as parades. “The future of all parades and events for Bloor Street and the Danforth will be in jeopardy to include: Santa Claus Parade, PRIDE Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Yorkville Exotic Car Show, which to date has raised in excess of $400,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada, TD Toronto Jazz festival and any other future events,” the letter states. The organization also said that Bloor businesses invest money into the upkeep of the street. “The Bloor Street businesses paid more than $13 million to improve the street and continue to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for trees, flowers, and street maintenance, well above the current City standard,” the letter states. Bloor currently has “sharrowed” lanes that allow both bikes and cars to share marked areas, an arrangement the BIA says has “worked well.”

by Harriette Halepis

The BIA is concerned that the temporary bike lanes would become a permanent fixture impacting the number of consumers frequenting Bloor shops. “While we recognize that this proposal is being presented as a temporary response to the COVID-19 crisis, we expect that the City will be pressured to make these bike lanes permanent,” the organization wrote.

“Bloor Street businesses paid more than $13 million to improve the street.” Freelance Toronto-based columnist Matt Elliott took to social media to express his concerns over the BIA’s letter. “The thing I don’t get is it’s not like installing bike lanes along downtown streets is a new idea. It’s been done in cities all over the world. You’d think opponents would be able to cite plenty of actual examples of the economic devastation they say will come, but they never do,” he wrote. The ActiveTO plan was approved by Toronto City Council on May 28.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

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OPEN NOW

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Music icon’s midtown condo project brings major density A revised site plan approval has been submitted to the City of Toronto for the Pharrell Williams’s co-designed project Untitled near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue, bringing even greater density to an area one city councillor says is already at capacity. The project will see three towers come to the northeast corner of Broadway Avenue and Redpath Avenue in midtown, including two condo towers of 21 and 33 storeys and a 36-storey purpose-built rental building. In November of last year, it was announced with much fanfare that the Grammy Award winner would be involved in the design of the two condo towers, dubbed Untitled. The condo towers will contain a total of 751 units with 118 studios, 418 one-bedrooms, 141 two-bedrooms and 74 three-

bedrooms as well as office space. The rental tower is planned to have 412 units. There is also 100 square metres of street-level retail space. The condo development and the rental building were first submitted as two separate zoning applications. “Initially, a rezoning application was submitted for 100 Broadway Ave. and 223–225 Redpath Ave., with a separate application for 110–120 Broadway Ave. At the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), the two applications were combined into one. I’ve never seen that done before,” said councillor Jaye Robinson. “There was no public consultation on the revised proposal.” In May 2017, the city received a settlement offer from the developer, which, despite

Robinson’s vote in opposition, was approved by Toronto City Council. She said, from the outset, she and the neighbourhood had concerns about the height and the scale of the proposal. “Once the application was appealed, we did what we could in the confines of the new LPAT system to advocate for additional green space, setbacks and community amenities,” Robinson explained. Modifications include changes to exterior landscaping and the addition of a dog relief area. Robinson said the Yonge and Eglinton area is one of the densest communities in Canada. “Yonge-Eglinton is at a breaking point,” said Robinson. “Once construction begins, this development will exacerbate these existing issues.” — David Olsen

Local student raises funds, buys PPE for hospital A 16-year-old Toronto high school student has fundraised and donated close to $8,000 worth of medical equipment to North York General Hospital after recognizing the need for health-care workers to have personal protective equipment. Alen Niu, who is in Grade 11 at Upper Canada College, volunteered at the hospital gift shop prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He took the initiative after seeing the impact that COVID-19 was having on hospitals and seeing how health-care workers were risking their lives while being away from their families in order to help others. He noticed that workers were running low on masks and gloves via his discussions with various health-care workers when they would stop by the gift shop on breaks. Niu started to send emails to hospitals and manufacturers and received a reply from a hospital

in Beijing that had an excess of masks, gowns and gloves due to a decrease of COVID-19 in the area. The hospital said it would sell the items to him, which was the impetus for his fundraising efforts. “I want the community to be aware of what doctors, nurses and health-care workers have to go through on a daily basis during this time and that there are ways to support them,” said Niu. “I was amazed to hear the amount of money and supplies donated, but I wasn’t surprised when I heard it was Alen,” said Sheri Loosemore, North York General’s manager of volunteer services. Niu has since gone a step further with his fundraising and has now started an online fundraising campaign to continue buying supplies for all hospitals in need across Canada. — DO

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Councillor not happy with Pharrell

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Music icon Pharrell Williams is involved with the 'Untitled' condo project in midtown Toronto

NEWS

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The University of Toronto is planning for smaller classes and virtual learning

University could be back in session this fall U of T reveals physical distancing plan for when classes resume in September by Samantha Peksa Students attending the University of Toronto in September can expect to see some big changes. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the university has revealed a strategic plan, which includes smaller oncampus classes. In a recent statement, U of T president, Meric Gertler, said there will also be a greater push toward virtual learning with larger online classes and lectures. Courses will be designed to be flexible and accommodating, whilst employing some of the latest technologies. “The University of Toronto is preparing for a gradual, safe return to our campuses, with as much on-campus activity as is practicable, sensible and safe,” Gertler said. “As the university develops its plans, we are committed first and foremost to the health and safety of our entire community.” According to Gertler, U of T is developing guidelines for certain areas of research, study and student life. These areas include There may be laboratories, environmental setbacks and health and safety, student surprises along experience, residences, libraries and athletics. Students have been the way. told to keep an eye out for those guidelines in the coming days. “We do not have all the answers, yet, but in the face of a tremendously complex and constantly evolving situation, we will need to be agile and responsive,” Gertler said. In a press release in late May, U of T’s vice-provost, Susan McCahan, said more than 100 staff have been tasked with creating engaging and stimulating course materials and assessments for the fall semester. “Our faculty are applying their extraordinary creativity and energy to re-conceptualize their courses in this new world, and students can expect an exceptional and supportive learning experience as a result,” McCahan said. In the meantime, faculty remain optimistic about the university’s ability to tackle the crisis and still deliver a “world-class academic experience.” “There may be setbacks and surprises along the way. But in September, as we welcome new and returning students on campus or online, we look forward to resuming the rich, vibrant and stimulating academic life for which the University of Toronto is so widely recognized,” Gertler said.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

NEWS

Margot Boyd of Friends of Toronto Public Cemeteries

Mount Pleasant ruling overturned Justice Sarah Pepall, writing on behalf of the three-judge Court of Appeal for Ontario panel, stated, “the public elections model would demand an election apparatus far removed from any in the contemplation of the legislators of 1849.” She noted the model would see only Toronto inhabitants being eligible to vote when MPGC also owns cemeteries in Durham, Halton and Peel. “The appeal court appears to have decided that, in the absence of any government activity or updating the legislation, it is just

“I would say that it’s past time for Premier Ford to update this legislation.” going to give it away to the people who call themselves the board currently,” said Margot Boyd of FTPC. She called the decision a sad day for Ontario and an insult to the people of 1849. Boyd added that FTPC could appeal the decision. Boyd said Justice Pepall delivered an ultimatum to the province in the panel’s decision by noting MPGC is a trust created by the province and could be re-legislated if the legislature saw fit. “She has thrown down the gauntlet and said, basically, if you

don’t fix this up through new legislation, I’m handing it over to the eight people who call themselves the board. So I would say that it’s past time for Premier Ford to update this legislation,” said Boyd. “He is sitting on the precipice. They [MPGC] have hundreds of millions of dollars that are sitting in a cash account. What’s he going to do with the cash? Is he going to let [MPGC board chairman] Richard Boxer and his friends take it?” As of 2014, MPGC was sitting on over $466 million in funds, including $349 million in a care and maintenance trust fund. Board members are not paid dividends but receive an honorarium in the range of $25,000 to $35,000 annually. “The Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries is pleased with the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal. Our organization is recognized as a model of good governance and cemetery management around the world, and our properties have been woven into the fabric of their communities for nearly 200 years,” said Rick Cowan, assistant vicepresident of marketing and communications with Mount Pleasant Group. “The court’s decision means we can continue to focus on what we’ve always done best — ensuring that the communities we serve have meaningful, relevant choices when it comes to honouring their loved ones’ lives.”

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On May 5, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a lower court’s decision that Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC) be considered a public trust and not a private not-for-profit organization, which would have resulted in greater public scrutiny and the public election of the group’s board members. MPGC was created by a special act of the legislature of Upper Canada in the 1800s, and now owns and controls 10 cemeteries covering 1,222 acres of land, including Mount Pleasant Cemetery in midtown. In 2013, Friends of Toronto Public Cemeteries (FTPC), a citizen’s group, launched a legal fight claiming the appointment process for the board of directors violated a statute established in 1849, which called for their public election. In December 2018, Ontario Superior Court of Justice Judge Sean Dunphy ruled that none of MPGC’s current directors had been appointed according to these rules. The most senior board members were to remain, but the public would have the right to call a meeting to have elections for these positions. Dunphy also concluded that MPGC was a charitable trust and thus subject to financial scrutiny. MPGC appealed the ruling, believing that an 1871 act that incorporated MPGC negated the election provisions in the 1849 act and that MPGC was not a charitable trust due to serving no charitable purpose.

JUNE 2020

Long-running governance dispute over midtown’s massive cemetery may not be over just yet by David Olsen

NEWS

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L-R: Ryan Feldman, Elana Kochman and Toben Kochman of Toben Food

Elana Kochman was gearing up for the busy spring season at Toben Food by Design, a highend Toronto catering company, when the pandemic hit. “In a matter of a week, everything came to almost a dead halt,” she says. With their private events and corporate food programs on indefinite hold, Kochman says she and business partners Ryan Feldman and Toben Kochman changed gears and began developing a home delivery food service. “We turned to the fact that everyone was in their homes and access to groceries was becoming much more difficult,” she says. Toben’s new line of meals runs the gamut from prepared entrees, pastas and salads to vacuumedpacked marinated meats. The delivery program has also given the Toben team the opportunity to give back. Toben is providing free meals to families in the Nanny Angel Network, an organization that provides free child care to mothers with cancer in the GTA and Kingston. “As concerned as everyone is about their bottom line — no one wants to go out of business during this time — it’s our duty to recognize what we can do with our business, our industry, our craft and support that way,” says Kochman.

No sooner had Nice Diggz Doggy Daycare and Grooming (571 St. Clair Ave. W.) opened the doors of its new Forest Hill location, then it had to close them again due to the province’s COVID-19 business restrictions. Happily, Nice Diggz has now reopened its grooming and pet care services (doggy daycare to follow). Owner Alicia Arcand looks forward to meeting her neighbours. A Junction favourite, authentic northeastern Thai restaurant Isaan Der (2013 Yonge St.) has a new location in midtown. Chef “Ko” Chatsuda’s travels through Thailand inspired her to study Thai cooking and restaurant management before landing in Toronto in 2011. Now open for takeout and delivery, Isaan Der offers signature dishes such as lamb shank massaman curry, with tamarind and peanuts, along with traditional Thai menu staples. Canada Chemists (1975 Avenue

Rd.) made the move to North York last month, after 15 years in Markham. Offering tailored pharmacy compounding services, integrated wellness care and pet prescriptions, the team can answer questions in a variety of languages to better serve the neighbourhood’s diverse demographic.

CRIME

NEWS

AREA BREAK-INS MAY 2020 - CENTRAL TORONTO

WHERE

DATE

TIME OF DAY

LAWRENCE AVENUE WEST AND CORONA STREET

MAY 1

11 P.M.

SPRING GARDEN AVENUE AND DORIS AVENUE

MAY 3

1 A.M.

REDPATH AVENUE AND ROEHAMPTON AVENUE

MAY 4

2 P.M.

YONGE STREET AND FARNHAM AVENUE

MAY 5

3 A.M.

GLEN ELM AVENUE AND ALVIN AVENUE

MAY 5

10 A.M.

TRANMER AVENUE AND ORIOLE PARKWAY

MAY 6

1 A.M.

WANLESS AVENUE AND KAPPELE AVENUE

MAY 6

6 P.M.

RUTH AVENUE AND ALGO COURT

MAY 7

6 P.M.

EMPRESS AVENUE AND KENNETH AVENUE

MAY 7

7 P.M.

DUMONT STREET AND MADAWASKA AVENUE

MAY 8

8 A.M.

ROSEDALE VALLEY ROAD AND SEVERN STREET

MAY 9

3 A.M.

LOWTHER AVENUE AND ST. GEORGE STREET

MAY 11

3 A.M.

REDPATH AVENUE AND ROEHAMPTON AVENUE

MAY 12

3 A.M.

HILLHURST BOULEVARD AND MONA DRIVE

MAY 12

4 P.M.

Spa stabbing ruled terrorism 17-year-old male suspect arrested

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of Dufferin Street and Wilson Avenue. Officers arrived to find a male victim and a female victim outside, suffering from multiple stab wounds, and a 24-year-old female victim inside the spa who was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, a male who cannot be named due to being a minor, was arrested later that day and charged with one count each of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Police have announced he has now also been charged with terrorism in relation to the attempted murder of the female victim who survived. The new terrorism charges mean the accused could be facing an automatic life sentence if convicted.

first and last month’s rent to the suspect via e-transfer. The suspect did not have the right to rent the room. Police believe there may be other victims and have information that the suspect has since fled the country. a 28-year-old male suspect from Toronto in relation to a bank robbery in the Bloor Street West and Bathurst Street area. It is alleged that on March 17 a male suspect entered a bank and approached one of the tellers. He handed the teller a threatening note and demanded cash. The suspect was given cash and then fled

Police have arrested

the scene on foot. Toronto Police Service Hold Up Squad investigators identified the suspect and arrested him on May 1. Toronto police have notified the public to be aware after two instances of lost medication. On May 8, a purse containing a container of Methadone was lost in the area of Yonge Street and Bloor Street. On May 5, a container of Methadone was lost in the Warden Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East area. Police are warning that the pills/capsules could be harmful or fatal if ingested, especially if done so by children.

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JUNE 2020

CRIME BRIEFS A 37-year-old male suspect from Toronto is wanted for multiple counts of fraud in relation to the rental of a room in the area of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue. Between April 27 and May 2, 20 separate people reported frauds to police concerning the rental of a room at 30 Greenfield Ave. It is alleged that people responded to an advertisement for a room on the Korean app Casmo. Some victims met the suspect and were given the opportunity to see the room, and the suspect mentioned to other victims that due to COVID-19 he would be unable to show them the unit. Victims sent

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A 17-year-old male suspect in a stabbing attack at a Toronto erotic massage parlour that resulted in the death of one female victim and the injury of another has had his charges updated to include “murder — terrorist activity.” The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident after police determined it was a result of incel ideology. “Incel” is short for “involuntarily celibate” and is an online movement where males often threaten violence against women as revenge for their own lack of sexual success. It is believed to be the motivation behind the April 2018 Toronto van attack that killed 10 people. Toronto Police Service officers responded to a call for a stabbing at the parlour, located in the area

by David Olsen

Come and see what’s happening at Central Eglinton Community Centre!

T.O.’S TOP PROFESSIONALS ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE AGE OF COVID -19

Cheryl Goldhart – Expert Family Law Lawyer, Mediator and Arbitrator

The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered our Courts to appeal), like a court order. to all but the most urgent cases, leaving many If the dispute relates to ongoing parenting people searching for alternative methods of issues, parties can hire a parenting coordinator to dispute resolution (ADR). help them resolve disputes either by way of Alternative Dispute Resolution or “ADR” is a mediation and/or arbitration. broad term used to describe out of court conflict Regardless of the process, ADR is almost always resolution processes, including mediation, arbitration, and parenting coordination. Mediation private (as compared to the court process, which is is a voluntary process where parties and their open to the public) and it can be a less adversarial counsel meet with a mediator (often a senior process than court, which helps to encourage family law lawyer), who facilitates settlement parties to implement creative solutions that fit the discussions and provides non-binding opinions to specific needs of their family. encourage resolution on a consent basis. A Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and associated successful mediation can result in a temporary and/or final agreement, which is binding upon the court closures, ADR is an increasingly attractive option because it can be conducted without delay parties. using video conferencing technologies. This means Arbitration is also a voluntary process where the that parties do not have to wait for courts to arbitrator acts as a private judge. The parties each re-open and instead, with the help of ADR, they can present their case and the arbitrator makes a move forward in resolving their disputes and binding decision, which is enforceable (and subject moving forward with their lives.

BIO Cheryl Goldhart is a certified specialist in Family Law with over 30 years of experience practicing exclusively in the field. She specializes in complex, high conflict and high net worth cases. She is an accomplished lawyer, OAFM accredited family law mediator and a certified family law arbitrator by the ADR Institute of Ontario.

CONTACT Goldhart & Associates 20 Eglinton Ave. W. Suite 1305

416-967-6111 www.goldhartlaw.com

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DENTAL IMPLANTS ONE VISIT PORCELAIN CROWNS

Dr. Edwin Lewandowski & Dr. Elvira (Ella) Mostyn

BIO Dr. Lewandowski is a graduate of New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry. He has worked as an instructor at the NYU Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry as well as in a hospital based dental clinic. Dr. Mostyn obtained her dental degree from The Faculty of Dentistry at James Cook University, Australia.

• Do you wear dentures? Many people over the age of 65 use some form of removable denture. While the majority of dentures fit well, some always move, lift and cause discomfort. These people may choose not to wear them. This may lead to difficulty chewing and lack of confidence in social interactions. There is also a strong link between overall good health and proper oral care. • Dental implants can help. Dental implants can restore comfort and confidence and help people love their dentures again. A dental implant has two parts: a metal root that is secured to the jaw bone and an abutment. The abutment is a specifically-made part that will securely anchor your denture in place preventing movement. Implants are so versatile that they can replace a single tooth or a bridge, eliminate the need for a removable partial denture or even secure complete full-mouth dentures. Implants are safe and have a proven track record for long-term success. When using implants to replace a single tooth, neighbouring teeth do not need to be used as anchors for the replacement making it a very conservative choice in many cases. Dental implants do not require any special care other than routine dental visits. Age is not a factor in the success of dental implants. Most people in good

health are excellent candidates. • Do you have broken or missing teeth? One Visit Porcelain Crowns may be right for you. A full or partial crown is used to replace or strengthen a broken tooth. When a tooth is filled multiple times throughout a patient’s life, the critical tooth structure necessary for the tooth to be strong and function well may be lost. Many of these teeth break and require restoring. Options usually include very large fillings or crowns. Fillings fit inside the tooth and require original tooth structure to hold it all together. If part or all of the original tooth has been lost, then a full coverage crown may be a better option. There are many different materials and methods that may be used to make full coverage crowns. With digital technology, we can make a direct 3D image of the broken tooth from the patient’s mouth, design the new tooth (crown) on the computer chairside and have the new tooth made in the office. These crowns are beautiful, strong and functional and are permanently placed in the patient’s mouth in one visit. Amazing technology!

Thornhill Dental

CONTACT Dr. Edwin Lewandowski and Associates 1200 Centre St., Suite 101 Thornhill, ON

905-762-0122 www.thornhilldental.com

REAL ESTATE

Images © Navid Aali / Tyso Realty Media

LEDBURY

MOORE PARK

Images© Simon Rowlands + Earth Inc.

NEWS

BOASTS A BACKYARD OASIS AND STUDIO

SALTWATER POOL FOR THE WIN

The modern home at 436 Heath St. E. has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an in-ground pool and lush backyard, designed by Earth Inc. The property is on offer for $3.995 mil with the Heaps Estrin Team.

The custom build at 176 Haddington Ave. has not one, but two cabanas, a luxe saltwater pool and wine cellar. It has 4,169 square feet of space, four bedrooms and is listed for $5.2498 million with iPRO Realty Ltd.

POOLS IN FOR SUMMER With many camps closed across the GTA, the demand for a backyard pool has never been higher. These multimillion-dollar properties make social distancing look easy with plenty of poolside activities to enjoy.

OLD WORLD CHARM WITH A STONE PATIO

The five-bedroom home at 199 Alexandra Blvd. has tons of character on the inside and a charming stone patio and pool on the outside. It is listed for $3.78 million with Bosley Real Estate Ltd.

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COMES WITH AN IN-GROUND POOL AND SAUNA

The 4,300-square-foot home at 121 Vaughan Blvd. has four bedrooms, a gourmet chef’s kitchen and its own sauna. It is listed for $2.549 million with Re/Max Ultimate Realty Inc.

JUNE 2020

LAWRENCE PARK

Images © Elite Properties Toronto

Images© Odyssey 3d photography

THORNHILL

T.O.’S TOP PROFESSIONALS PREPARING A WILL AND COVID-19 In the present COVID-19 times, being safe and well is primarily on our minds, as it should be. But what also comes to mind are things like making a Will. As lawyers are deemed to be essential services many lawyers are open for business, even if working remotely.

3. Prior to the telephone conference or the audiovisual conference, you would need to provide a list of your assets/liabilities, names of individuals, children and charities you wish to benefit in your Will and then flesh out the details using the mechanisms set out above.

4. Prior to COVID-19, you needed 3 people in the same room at the same time to execute your Will: you and 2 witnesses at your lawyer's office. Hot New Tip: On April 7, 2020 an emergency Order in Council was made pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act which allows for virtual signing of Wills and Powers of Attorney But during COVID-19, can you make a Will? Can with your lawyer instead of going to their office. this be done in the times of self-isolation and social Now you can be safe and be well in the comfort of your own home using visual techniques by signing distancing? It sure can and here is how: virtually with your lawyer. 1. If you and your lawyer have an established proIf all of this is too complicated, and admittedly a fessional relationship, the first meeting might be little scary, you could make a holograph (home made) handled with a telephone conference. Will which in accordance with the Succession Law 2. If you do not have a prior relationship with a Reform Act must be wholly in your own handwriting, lawyer, then the first meeting could be done by a signed and dated by you without formality and withtelephone conference or by using any number of dif- out witnesses. Best practice is still to talk to your ferent internet-based audio-visual programmes like lawyer, e-mail the holograph Will to him or her, review potential changes, rewrite and sign it. Skype, FaceTime or Zoom.

Before COVID-19, planning to make a Will often involved at least two meetings with your lawyer. The first to discuss your current assets/liabilities, estate planning and instructions for the administration and distribution of your estate. And the second, where you would sign the document in your lawyer's office.

Mary Anne Shaw, B.A., LL.B.

BIO Mary Anne Shaw is an established lawyer whose law practice focuses on Wills and Estates, Residential Real Estate and Family Law. Mary Anne Shaw is very active in the community, and has served on many boards and foundations in the not-for-profit arts and health sectors. She provides personal service and practical solutions.

CONTACT Mary Anne Shaw - Barrister and Solicitor 1366 Yonge Street, Suite 308

make sure that the home is well stocked with essential supplies. In addition to that, the “happiness list” should be full too; favourite foods, games, activities, books and notes/ letters from loved ones all go a long way to easing the strain of isolation. In-home caregivers are experts in making sure all these client needs are met. For example, professional caregivers can make sure the supplies are well stocked and case managers oversee grocery deliveries with no more than a two day wait. 2. Get Creative with Companionship

Exercise – at a safe distance these days – is just one activity to keep seniors safe at home

SAFETY, COMFORT, COMPANIONSHIP AND ENRICHMENT FOR SENIORS IN TIMES OF CRISIS Tips to support your loved ones at home during social distancing

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What can you do when you or your loved one are stuck at home during an outbreak? How will they manage their personal care or picking up groceries? And how will you help them to manage the feelings of isolation and anxiety? Many of us feel anxious and fearful about COVID-19. If you have an elderly or at-risk loved one, we can help inform you about supporting elders and making sure they are safer at home. In 14 addition to keeping elders safe at home it is

critical that we continue to ensure that they live happy, fulfilled lives and eliminate as much anxiety as possible. Here are 3 ways that caregivers can keep elders safe and comforted at home: 1. Make it Easier and Safer to Stay at Home The safest place for even relatively healthy elders is often in their own homes. It is critical to

Elders who live alone already are at risk for isolation and loneliness. Your loved one may feel anxious and disconnected from others during this uncertain time. Social distancing means family members shouldn’t visit. However a regularly scheduled in-home caregiver (either living-in or on shift basis) is a wonderful connection to the outside world and companion within the home. Someone to help with a hobby, exercises or set up ways to communicate with loved ones such as writing letters, phoning, or using video calls is vital. Did you do the crossword or Sudoku together with your relative before isolation? How about continuing to do it together virtually? Technology allows us to work together on projects like these from remote locations. If your loved one isn’t great with technology a caregiver can help with the technicalities. You can try a virtual activity like listing 2 things that are similar and have your loved one guess the common theme. For example, “Gretzky and Orr

Toronto, Ontario, M4T 3A7 Tel: 416-968-0096

were _________” or “Sparrows and Finches are _________”. 3. Protect and Reassure Your Loved One Being alone during a time of uncertainty can lead to fear and anxiety. Your loved one needs to know that support is available. As a family caregiver you are doing your best to meet the needs of those who depend on you while following safety recommendations. However you also have yourself, other family members, your job and other daily activities to think about. A professional caregiver has only one person to focus on and take care of. Consider home care as a good fit for keeping your elderly loved one safe while they stay at home.

Cheryl Cartwright

Cheryl Cartwright is the Managing Partner & Director of Case Management for our company. Cheryl is a certified gerontologist with a specialized diploma in Alzheimer’s and dementia in addition to a diploma in emergency communications/ crisis management.

Home Care Assistance 355 Eglinton Ave W. (416) 488-8777 www.torontohomecareassistance.ca

POLOS FOR POPS

FASHION

CURRENTS

RETRO VIBES

A GIFT WITH HEART

WORLD TRAVELLER

Lost & Found, 44 Ossington Ave., $235, “This knit shirt has some retro style with the stripes and this soft banana yellow.”

Gotstyle, 21 Trinity St., $129, “This chic shirt for Dad is very sharp and oozes a kind of cool. I really like this dark green colour.”

Uncle Otis, 329 Spadina Ave., $275, “I love the bright colours. It's like a little postcard that he can wear to remind him of adventures to come."

HAUTE HAWAIIAN

COUNTRY FLAIR

Frank and Oak, 15 Karl Fraser Rd., $69.50, “This resort shirt has that Hawaiian shirt vibe without all the gawdy colouration.”

Park & Province, 927 Queen St. W., $178, “I really like this folk shirt. It's got this great plaid and is especially great for the country.”

A LITTLE NOSTALGIA

OFF TO THE TROPICS

Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., $1,160, “This Gucci shirt is a salute to that bygone era of animation with these classic Mickey drawings.”

Sporting Life, 2665 Yonge St., $120, “It's got this moisture wicking detail in the fabrication and this very subtle tropical motif in this soft blue.”

PATCH PERFECT

COLOUR ME CAMO

Outclass, 343 Roncesvalles Ave., $169, “This striped rugby shirt is really classic in this soft blue and grey colouration.”

Hudson's Bay, 44 Bloor St. E., $282.50, “This DSquared shirt looks like something a race-car driver would wear with these fun patches.”

Gravitypope, 1010 Queen St. W., $169.99, “Camo is such a classic, and this seersucker cotton is very lightweight.”

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KEEP IT CLASSIC

JUNE 2020

Jeanne Beker can’t help your dad play golf like Tiger Woods or tennis like Roger Federer, but she wants to help him look just as good. Here’s a selection of fabulous shirts perfect for socially distant sports such as tennis, golf or even hula hooping.

JEANNE BEKER | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on style and fashion, Jeanne has covered the industry for more than 30 years. Now watch her in her current style editor role on TSC’s Style Matters with Jeanne Beker.

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To book a consultation please call: 416.483.4541 www.GidonAesthetics.com 1849 Yonge St., Suite 307 Toronto

CURRENTS

THE BIG READ

From left: A rendering of the Gogh by Car concept and a family enjoying the Toronto Zoo’s drive-through experience

COVID-19 has ushered in the reinvention of the drive-in

The Immersive Van Gogh exhibit was supposed to make its world premiere in Toronto in May, but of course the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans. The exhibit was meant to be a 600,000-cubicfoot digital art experience featuring a selection of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. While waiting for guidance from health officials on when it will be safe to open the original exhibit, Lighthouse Immersive, the co-producers of the event, created a drive-in concept to allow the exhibit to run while maintaining all physical distancing protocols. “We have been working around the clock to come up with innovative approaches that will make presenting Immersive Van Gogh safe for our audiences, while keeping our artists, contractors and staff employed at their preCOVID salaries,” says coproducer Svetlana Dvoretsky. The reimagined Immersive Van Gogh exhibit will be a “Gogh by Car” experience that will take place from June 18 to 28 inside the historic space of the Toronto

Star’s former printing presses at 1 Yonge St. Each time slot will allow for 14 cars to drive into the space and turn off their engines, and the viewers inside each vehicle will enjoy a 35-minute show featuring art, light, sound and movement. The immersive exhibit is meant to evoke the highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness of Van Gogh. “Presenting cultural events during this time of COVID-19 is an incredible challenge, and we are saddened to see the cultural calendar in Toronto diminished as almost all arts institutions have cancelled their events and laid off their artists and staff,” says coproducer Corey Ross, who was also part of the team who brought The Art of Banksy to Toronto. “We believe in the power of art to uplift, inspire and connect communities, and it is more important than ever to offer a creative outlet for Torontonians to escape and recharge during this unprecedented global crisis.” Tickets for the Gogh by Car experience are available at vangoghexhibit.ca. Purchasers will also receive tickets to the full scale and original walk-in experience that has been rescheduled for July

2020. The organizers are planning to use social distancing circles, similar to the ones painted in Trinity Bellwoods park, for the July event. —Nikki Gill Toronto Zoo now has a drivethrough experience

Toronto residents got their first look at the Toronto Zoo’s new Scenic Safari drive-through experience when it opened to the public last month. The zoo drive-through experience takes place on formerly staff-only roads and pedestrian walkways throughout the site and includes a tour of the lion cave in the African Savanna. “We are so excited to introduce this new experience to our guests. We have truly missed welcoming people to our Toronto Zoo, and this is a new and innovative way for our guests to enjoy the Zoo in the safety of their own vehicles,” says Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo. “I want to personally thank all the Toronto Zoo staff for creating this experience and to our key stakeholders including the Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Toronto Public Health

and Toronto Emergency Services for their ongoing support of this new program.” Upon entering the zoo drivethrough, patrons will follow the 3.4-kilometre Scenic Safari driving route and observe the zoo animals from their own vehicles. The tour will take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete. Included in the tour are the following zoo areas: IndoMalaya, African Savanna, Americas and Eurasia. There will be pre-recorded audio with educational content to help guide the experience, which can be downloaded in advance in podcast format. Admission price per car is $44 for non-members and $32 for members in a car with two or fewer occupants. For cars with three or more occupants, the price is $59 for non-members and $47 for members. —Ron Johnson Toronto is getting its first drive-in concert this summer

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of several major events across the GTA, but members of Toronto band July Talk are taking a different

approach to reach their fans. They will perform live in a pair of concerts on Aug. 12 and 13 at a drive-in movie theatre just outside of Toronto. The location is revealed upon ticket purchase, and fans will be able to listen to the live music via their car radios, similar to a drivein movie. Social media response to what’s being dubbed as a social distance–friendly event, has been overwhelmingly positive. One user wrote, “This is just more proof that you’re one of the best bands in the entire world right now.” Another user wrote, “This is so cool. I’m stoked.” Other festivals and events across Canada are similarly finding creative ways to reach people. B.C.’s Summerset Music and Arts Festival, which is usually hosted at Fort Langley, will also be a drive-in event at the end of August. Going virtual has also been another option for residents to interact in a safe way. In Toronto, Pride will go virtual this month, with online programming throughout June, featuring a lineup of DJs, performers, artists, singers and dancers. —Nisean Lorde

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The world’s first drive-in art exhibit is bringing the works of Vincent van Gogh to Toronto

JUNE 2020

Three ways Toronto events are relying on drive-ins and drive-throughs to maintain physical distancing

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The pair got married in Vermont where Anthony proposed to Samantha

This meteorologist found sunny skies with wife Sam Anthony Farnell from Global News may not be a romantic, but he has a great love story When Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell took off for a ski trip with his buddies, he didn’t know he would be one of the first COVID-19 cases in Ontario on his return. Farnell and his wife Samantha Guedes began isolating in their home and had daily phone calls with Toronto Public Health. Now Farnell is thankfully virus-free and feeling great. He’s still working at home delivering weather reports to Torontonians, and Samantha and their dog, Storm, have been helping out and directing his weekly weather lessons on YouTube. Here’s how the pair met. How they met

Samantha and I actually met at a bar. I was out with my friends, and this gorgeous woman came up to say hi to me. The moment didn’t last long, and I later found out she had been semi-stalking me from TV.

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The first date

Our first date was at a restaurant on King Street back in 2010. After the date, I told her I didn’t see things working out but asked if we could stay friends (oops)! Luckily we did, and almost a year later I regained the courage to ask her out and invited her to my family cottage in Vermont. We travelled to Vermont together to meet the fam. By the end of the weekend we were “going steady.” Memorable moments

A tricky bit with the whole “courtship” was that I’m not very

romantic! It’s something I’m still working on today, but it helps that Sam is amazing and has been incredibly understanding about it. Overall we dated for about six months before moving in together and then we were engaged six months after that. The proposal

It didn’t exactly work out as I would have liked. We were back in Vermont, and I had ordered a ring to the cottage, but it was late arriving. We therefore had to stay an extra night, and I had to make up an excuse to visit the post office to pick up the ring on our way back to Toronto the next day. I really wanted to propose in Vermont, where we already had so many great memories together, but my time was running out. I stopped the car on the side of the road right before the border. I asked Sam if she wanted to feed the cows and ended up pulling out the ring right as a cow was licking her hand. I probably should have had a better speech prepared, and maybe not kneeling in cow manure would have made it more romantic, but either way she said yes. The wedding

We got married three years after our engagement and did it back at that same cottage where it all began. We had 80 friends and family from both Montreal and Toronto along with many of Sam’s relatives from Portugal. The ceremony took place in front of our century-old barn.

How COVID-19 is changing dating and sex Apps are pivoting to embrace the virtual experience but not all daters are on board Over the past few months, everything has changed, we’ve adapted to our new normal, and dating and sex are no exception. For some, ramping up their dating efforts has come naturally as they find themselves with more time on their hands. “I’ve never had so much fun with it,” says Naduya, a 42-yearold dater from just north of Toronto. Tinder offers the passport feature, which lets me browse and swipe all over the world. I’m chatting with one guy in Italy, another in Romania, and my favourite one right now is in St. Lucia. He knows how to talk dirty like it’s nobody’s business.” Part of the allure for folks like Naduya is the thrill of the unknown. “I may never meet them. Of course, I want to right now, but when this is all over, we may go our separate ways. Who knows? But the hottest part is making plans that we may never keep. I never would have thought of dating long distance, but I think I’ll be way more open to it when things return to normal,” she says. Others are proceeding with more caution. Newly single Celine says the pressure to meet up in person turned her right off of online dating. “The number of guys downtown who still want to hook up with strangers in person is pretty frightening. At first, I

was blocking them, but now I’ve decided to take a break. It’s just too much stress, and I find myself getting defensive when they put the pressure on. It’s not a great place to be in when you’re trying to make a real connection,” she says. As a first-time online dater, she says she already feels turned off by the whole experience. Younger clients are embracing the concept of online meetings and finding them just as fulfilling as in-person dating. It follows that apps are creating more immersive experiences beyond text and video to include live online events. League Live, for example, allows you to go on three-minute speed dates with users who meet your geographical and dating preferences. In under 10 minutes, you video chat with three potential mates, and the app reports that matches are three times higher via this format versus regular app usage. Matchmakers are also getting in on the game to combine their more personalized approach with online events. Toronto-based Carmelia Ray hosts a Singles Quarantine Happy Hour every Tuesday for members of Censio.love, a matchmaking app for relationship-minded singles who are focused on dating one person at a time. And whereas apps like Zepeel have been emphasizing the value

of video in online dating for years, the big names are finally catching on. Bumble, which launched its video feature last year, has added updates, including a profile badge that indicates that you’re open to virtual video dates, a voice note function and the Question Game, which provides fun and flirty questions to help you to get to know one another online. Some apps have even emerged in response to the pandemic itself, including Quarantine Together, which is already at its matching capacity. This simple app asks you if you’ve washed your hands and practised physical distancing each day, and if you respond affirmatively, it sends you a match with whom you can text and eventually video chat. Sex has also changed since the onset of the global pandemic. Online consults for sexual issues have become the norm (in Canada via GetMaple.ca) and sex education webinars (for both kids and adults) have never been so plentiful. Whether you want to learn about how to talk to your kids about porn, decolonize sex education, boost your sexual self-esteem or master the art of dominance, Toronto-based sex educators like Nadine Thornhill and Luna Matatas have you covered. When it comes to retail, Good For Her on Harbord Street reports that its online business is fuelled by folks looking to connect sexually whether they’re living together or apart (via appenabled toys). As Torontonians explore their kinks and digital options for sex, discussion of risk is now par for the course — a change that I hope will help to de-stigmatize conversations around safer sex. If we can talk about hand washing, wearing masks and physical distancing with total strangers, hopefully we’ll continue the conversation with our lovers to discuss STIs, condom use and regular testing — a sexual silver lining that hopefully will outlast the time of the coronavirus.

DR. JESS

Jess O’Reilly is a sought-after speaker, author and sexologist (www.SexWithDrJess.com).

RECENTLY COMPLETED: • 48

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Berkindale JUNE 2020

Some people are embracing online dating and finding it fulfilling

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DR. JESS

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COVID-19 has made household chores more visible

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Congratulations to Mabin's Class of 2020!

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We are so proud of these original thinkers, adaptive leaders, & caring citizens.

Considering a Mabin education for your child? Contact admissions@mabin.com to learn more! Space is limited for September 2020.

The Mabin School mabin.com

Pandemic silver lining How this increase in family time is creating positive growth by Joanne Kates What exactly is a silver lining? First thought: It’s that thing we’re supposed to find under the cloud cover, to try to be OK with bad stuff. Second thought: Silver linings are what separate the wannabes from the people who soldier on despite their circumstances, however challenging. Like my friend Barbara who’s had four cancers. When I call her and ask about her day, she pretty much always says it’s a great day. Why? Because she made a commitment to herself to always dance in the rain, metaphorically speaking. This is the COVID opportunity. We would never have chosen it, but silver linings do have upsides: They grow grit. Every time we struggle to create or locate a silver lining, we become that person who responds to the rain by dancing. We literally create new neural pathways to positivity. This is what the yogis and the meditation folks call a practice. They say practice because the finding of silver linings is an effortful journey with no destination, but rather a labour to commit to a positive perspective — in the face of darkness. It is the commitment to find joy in every day. And in making that commitment, we become that resilient person we so admire. COVID offers us that. Some call it cultivating an attitude of gratitude. So, where to find the silver linings today? Family dinner! We are no longer the fragmented family of normal times, with everyone going in five different directions all the time, in a mad rush. We slow down. We connect.

We listen better to each other. Then there are chores, normally the province of parental nagging and offspring backtalk. COVID has made household chores both more visible and more apparently necessary to human life. I am embarrassed to admit that pre-COVID I was not on a firstname basis with the washer, the dryer or the broom. Since laying off the lady who normally does that work in our house, we have discovered that we are capable of cleaning. We do it together. My previous resistance to any act of cleaning, rather like an adolescent’s, has been demolished by necessity. This too is a silver lining. Families are cooking together, bonding over banana bread, sourdough, barbecue burgers and doing the dishes. Another silver lining. Before COVID, our kids did not see us work. Now they see us working at the dining room table — and worrying about making a living, worrying about the future. They empathize. They see us a little more as people. We too see them differently these days. Deprived of direct contact with their friends, they have no choice but to be more friendly with us. This is the silver lining called kindness. The people we love, who previously were often irritants, are now all we’ve got; necessity is making us more generous. Everyone’s vulnerability is so clear and obvious that we are inspired to be kinder to each other. Love can grow in troubled times.

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Please visit toronto-locations.tv or call 416-871-6967 for more information

The proposal includes an isolation cabin, regular screening and social distancing measures

One of Ontario’s largest overnight camps isn’t giving up just yet developed a test that can reportedly provide “accurate onsite results on the COVID-19 infection within an hour.” The company reportedly has FDA approval and is waiting on the same from Health Canada. “We have already had discussions … and are pleased to announce that we can secure testing units,” Timberlane wrote. “Under the close supervision of public health experts with deep familiarity with Timberlane, we will be proposing a pilot program for Ontario camps that would create a camp experience that has an extremely low- to no-risk of COVID transmission outbreak,” the statement continues. “We would work closely with government and public health authorities to ensure our policies and protocols are robust, prioritize children and offer a safe experience for campers.” Some of the protocols that will be put in place by the camp, should the pilot project be okayed, include a rigorous testing regime as well as a requirement to quarantine for two weeks before camp. Although the camp points out that the measures thus far are broad strokes and a detailed plan would be forthcoming, some other steps that are outlined in the email

include single and separated bunks, staggered mealtimes for social distancing, handwashing stations provided and use of enforced throughout camp, and regular screening. In addition, no campers or counsellors would leave camp, parents would not be allowed to visit, and there would be a serious uptick in cleaning procedures including the use of medical-grade reagent. There would also be an isolation cabin should anyone test positive for COVID-19 during camp. “Our measures would produce a much more protected experience than what you see at currently opened schools, day camps, or even at the local parks. “We also believe that the information gleaned from this pilot program could be precedentsetting not just for our industry, which may still face the same challenges next summer without a vaccine, but also for schools, longterm care homes, shelters, and other groups,” Timberlane wrote. Additionally, there has been a petition circulating that asks Premier Doug Ford to reconsider cancelling overnight camps. The petition was signed by 4,368 people before it was closed.

Students consistently make 1-2 years of growth in 50hrs of instruction Regardless of age, disability, challenge or label, Fit Learning provides the best learning foundation for every child “He learns more in a Fit session than he did in weeks of regular school. And he feels so good about himself. I love this. Thank you.” − Erin, Lawrence Park

JUNE 2020

Although overnight camps have been cancelled by the province of Ontario, one such organization hasn’t given up the fight just yet. Camp Timberlane has sent an email to its clients suggesting that there could be overnight camping this summer if they get the goahead for a pilot project signed by owner and director Corey Mandell. There are 450 day and overnight camps that are part of the Ontario Camps Association serving more than 400,000 children and 35,000 camp staff each summer. On May 20, the Ontario government pulled the plug on the year, leaving some room for a possible day camp experience. “While the province has decided to close overnight camps, we are still trying to make camp a reality in some form or fashion. We have been in constant contact with the premier’s office to ask for a meeting with the premier to discuss a safe, science-based pilot program experience for campers,” the email states, in part. According to the information, Timberlane has already gotten to work with an Ontario-based testing company, Precision Biomonitoring. The firm, according to Timberlane, has

by Ron Johnson

| POST |

Camp Timberlane is proposing a pilot project

CURRENTS

COMEDY

L-R: Jeremy Taggart and Jonathan Torrens launched their podcast in 2014

The Bahds are back The Taggart and Torrens experience by Ron Johnson

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(416) 921 1700

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Toronto native Jeremy Taggart and East Coaster Jonathan Torrens have made a decent career out of a weekly phone call. The Taggart and Torrens podcast, which began in 2014, has achieved four-and-ahalf million downloads and has produced a hilarious book entitled Canadianity. Now, six years into this newfangled podcasting craze, the fellas are going old school with their new comedy album, Bahds, out June 11 on Dine Alone Records. It made perfect sense for us to delve into that, and I guess with my past in music and writing songs and stuff, I figured why not try that as well,â&#x20AC;? says Taggart, who was the drummer for rock band Our Lady Peace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dine Alone Records were awesome enough to give us a deal and basically we just got into the studio and started writing music that was based on the characters in the podcast.â&#x20AC;? Torrens is well-known to CBC viewers for his stints on Street Cents and Jonovision as well as his role as J-Roc on Canadian mockumentary Trailer Park Boys. For those unfamiliar with The Taggart and Torrens podcast, it is very much in the Canadian comedy tradition of Bob and Doug McKenzie as well as Wayne and Garth from Wayneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World. They joke around with each other, create silly games, and it is all very much off-the-cuff. But theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also created a slew of hilarious recurring characters. For example, Commander Donny is the DJ at a strip club in Quebec. He has a techno song on the new album.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are so many different characters. Like, there is Andrea from Cape Breton who moved to Toronto in hopes of starting a new life,â&#x20AC;? says Taggart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So she has a song called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Weekend Bumsiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a country song. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a song called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Score,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which is basically Gordon Lightfoot dissing Bruce Cockburn and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of a hip hop track.â&#x20AC;? What brings the album together is the control room banter from fabled and fictitious music producer Donovan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from England and he intros every song to give everybody a heads up on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on, and it gives the vibe of a concept record,â&#x20AC;? says Taggart. Taggart first met Torrens following the Our Lady Peace Gravity tour, which had the Trailer Park Boys act as hosts in between acts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hit it off, and we always wanted to do something together,â&#x20AC;? says Taggart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was doing the Jay and Dan pod kind of regularly, and I hear Jonathan on it. And I thought we had similar media interests and kind of grew up around the same time. I was in music. He was on TV. Once we started doing the pod, it all made sense and we hit the ground running.â&#x20AC;? In 1998, they won the 2018 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Audio Program. With the pandemic, they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to do any live shows to celebrate the release of the album, but they are doing a Side Door Access live stream this month. For more info, check out their site: Taggartntorrens.ca.

FILM

CURRENTS

A Q & A with Toronto director Bruce McDonald on his latest film was a movie, we all had serious fun together. Real life, however, is a different tale. We hope the movie points some fingers. Juliette Lewis can do no wrong. What makes her such a powerful actor?

Toronto director Bruce McDonald brings the creep with new film ‘Dreamland’

What inspired the film?

Dreamland had a lot of inspirations some of which included Alice Cooper’s album Killer, Robert Budreau’s short movie The Death of Chet Baker, actor Stephen McHattie and writer William S. Burroughs. More than that, me, writer Tony Burgess, and actors Stephen McHattie and Lisa Houle made Pontypool together in 2007–2008, and we really wanted to get “the band” back together.

Why is there always jazz in your movies?

It’s always jazz because the kids don’t know how to dance to rock ‘n’ roll, and jazz is the lifeblood of rebels, schemers and dreamers. Tell me about working with Stephen McHattie and his character Johnny Deadeyes.

Stephen McHattie is a master, a great storyteller. He sees the big picture and prepares all of the

Get back to living your normal life

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This movie involves some disturbing subject matter in child sex slaves. How challenging was this aspect?

The kids had a fantastic time playing killers and slaves. Since it

How has it been getting a film released during a pandemic?

Well, I wish I was there to talk to you in person! That says it all! How are you and the family managing during isolation?

We are home in Toronto during this pandemic time. I am teaching my daughter to drive on quiet streets; reading about Achilles, Joan Didion, about English music

stops and starts. • A sense that you’ve not fully emptied your bladder. • Complete inability to urinate. Eventually, most men’s symptoms will progress until they (or their partners) are so bothered that they will want some kind of treatment. Medications are available to relax the muscles within the prostate and bladder neck or shrink the prostate over time, but these medications need to be taken daily for life to benefit from their effects. Many men will experience negative side effects from these medications including loss of ejaculation (dry or retrograde), erectile dysfunction, light-headedness or dizziness, and drops in blood pressure. If these side-effects cannot be tolerated or their symptoms worsen, then surgery is the next step. The most widely available surgery for BPH has been the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). TURP cuts away tissue using electrocautery with men typically staying in hospital 1-3 nights. While effective, men require 6 or more weeks of recovery with long term expected side effects also including loss of ejaculation in up to 70% of men. Unlike medications and TURP, new technologies exist that are not covered by OHIP that preserve sexual and ejaculatory function. The newest treatment, available in Canada for the first time is Rezum, a water vapor treatment where energy stored in heated water is released into the prostate tissue for 9 seconds causing cell death and tissue shrinkage. The second treatment available is the UroLift system which uses a few small implants to pull apart the obstructing lobes of the prostate. These new minimally invasive options afford men the choice of a treatment which preserves sexual function, comes with minimal downtime and has a safe and durable outcome. University Urology Associates was the first clinic in Canada to offer both the Rezum and UroLift procedures and to date has performed the most cases in the country.

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details. The man does his homework. He is very, very, very prepared. And then he surprises you. He makes it fresh, real, authentic. And he’s a great guy to hang out with.

Juliette Lewis, like Stephen McHattie, is fearless. She prepares, prepares, prepares, and then opens herself to the moment and her fellow actors. She is generous, lovely and one of the very best of actors. I love the chances she takes and how she works with the crew.

rezum.ca urolift.ca

halls in 1913, Indian zoos, Joe Eszterhas and Thelonious Monk; and watching old movies.

HOT DOCS AT HOME The Hot Docs documentary film festival is online for 2020 featuring a number of official selections from this year’s program. Hot Docs Festival Online includes more than 135 films. Audiences will also have access to pre-recorded Q & As with filmmakers and subjects. Ticket sales for Hot Docs are underway. As at the live festival, only a limited number of tickets are available for each film and will be geo-blocked to Ontario. Films include There’s No Place, Like This Place, Anyplace! a Canadian film directed by Lulu Wei that “looks at the gentrification of Toronto told through the stories of immigrants affected by the closure of iconic discount store Honest Ed’s.”

JUNE 2020

At the end of Bruce McDonad’s 2008 film Pontypool, audiences are introduced to the characters Johnny Deadeyes and Lisa the Killer. They both make a return to the screen in the Toronto director’s new crime fantasy Dreamland alongside an incredible supporting cast including the incomparable Juliette Lewis and punk icon Henry Rollins. Post City touched base with McDonald, currently riding out the pandemic in his hometown.

by Ron Johnson

| POST |

Surreal crime fantasy Dreamland features actor Stephen McHattie

BACKYARD BBQ CHEFS PICK T.O.’S BEST

8 BUTCHER SHOPS, 6 STAR CHEFS AND 1 GOAL TO TURN YOU INTO T.O.’S TOP GRILLMASTER

MARK MCEWAN WOWED BY MIDTOWN BUTCHER’S BURGER ARTISANAL BURGERS

WINNER

From top: Mark McEwan and the burgers

Little flare up on the grill

Lots of shrinkage

RUNNER-UP

THE BUTCHER’S SON

CUMBRAE’S

MAGEN MEATS

“This was the juiciest,” says chef Mark McEwan. “It had excellent texture, great flavour and the meat quality was excellent as well. Overall a delicious burger.” 2055 Yonge St., $4.40/patty

“This burger held together very well on the grill,” he says. “The meat was good quality and it was well seasoned. I could taste the smoky grill flavour.” 1591 Bayview Ave., $9.99/lb.

“This was a frozen patty. It was fatty but had a very fine grind,” says McEwan. “I could taste the seasoning more than the flavour of the meat itself.” 1118 Centre St., $15/four patties

OLLIFFE

THE FRIENDLY BUTCHER

“This one had a similar flavour to a meatball,” says McEwan. “It was a lean patty with a fine grind, but it could’ve used more fat, perhaps.” 3269 Yonge St., $9.99/lb.

“This one looked like a ground chuck patty and it had a high fat content, which is good,” says McEwan. “It held together well on the grill and had good flavour.” 1097 Yonge St., $5/patty

NUIT REGULAR LOVES THIS BUTTERFLIED BIRD MARINATED CHICKEN

Pickled mustard seeds gave it acidity

| POST | J U N E 2 0 2 0

WINNER

MAGEN MEATS

CUMBRAE’S

“I liked that the skin was on with the herbs and spices marinade,” says chef Nuit Regular. “The outcome was a nicely charred skin with a crispy texture.” 1118 Centre St., $60.99/kg

“After grilling, the chicken had a beautiful bright colour,” says Regular. “The marinade had a vibrant colour with spices that gave it a nice touch of heat.” 1591 Bayview Ave., $12.99/lb.

THE FRIENDLY BUTCHER

“The marinade was very interesting with the pickled mustard seeds, which gave it a deep, wonderful flavour,” she says, adding it was tender. 3269 Yonge St., $11.99/lb.

A touch of sweetness ROAST FINE FOODS

THE BUTCHER’S SON

“The oil and herb marinade coated the chicken well and it gave a beautiful aroma,” she says. “It helped to keep the chicken moist.” 768 St. Clair Ave. W., $7.50/lb.

“I loved that there was extra sauce I could use for basting while grilling,” Regular says. “I really enjoyed the sweetness in the marinade.” 2055 Yonge St., $9/breast

Nuit Regular grilling the marinated chicken

ROGER MOOKING IS SMITTEN BY THESE YONGE & EG RIBS RACKS OF RIBS

WINNER

Roger Mooking grilling the racks of ribs

THE BUTCHER’S SON

BESPOKE BUTCHERS

“This rack was the most meaty, had the most porky flavour and took on more smoke than the rest of the racks,” says chef Roger Mooking. 2055 Yonge St., $10.99/lb.

“This rack also had a similar amount of meat and fat but the porky flavour was not as pronounced. It was also very good,” he says. 215 Madison Ave., $33/kg

The largest rack of the bunch

The longest bones

RUNNER-UP OLLIFFE

“The flavour was respectably porky, but the cut is not meaty or substantial in size,” says Mooking. “My preference is for larger cuts, and if there are leftovers, so be it.” 1097 Yonge St., $12/lb.

CUMBRAE’S

“This rack had the longest bones and seemed to be a good baseline pork rib for balancing meat to bone ratio,” he says. “It was great for saucing and glazing.” 1591 Bayview Ave., $12.99/lb.

THE FRIENDLY BUTCHER

ROAST FINE FOODS

“A full rack with a promising balance of meat, fat and bone,” he says. “The flavour balanced the savouriness with mild sweetness.” 3269 Yonge St., $11.99/lb.

“Although the largest rack, there seemed to be a bit more fat that you have to be mindful of as it melts,” he says. 768 St. Clair Ave. W., $25– $30/rack

ROSA MARINUZZI SAYS THIS ANNEX BUTCHER’S STEAKS ARE TOPS N.Y. STRIP LOIN STEAKS

WINNER

It actually melts in your mouth

RUNNER-UP

BESPOKE BUTCHERS

COTE DE BOEUF

CUMBRAE’S

MAGEN MEATS

“This one was really excellent,” says chef Rosa Marinuzzi. “It left a delicious mouthfeel. It was very tender and even more juicy.” 215 Madison Ave., $68.50/kg

This N.Y. strip loin steak was “absolutely the most flavourful,” she says. “It was the most juicy but cut poorly,” she says, as one side was thicker. 130 Ossington Ave., $34/lb.

“This one was buttery in flavour and scored an eight out of 10 in flavour,” says Marinuzzi. “It was the least tender, had a chew to it, so it was tough but tasty.”1591 Bayview Ave., $36.99/lb.

“This one was really tender, but was thinner than all the other steaks,” she says. “It had a good flavour but was different from a traditional steak flavour.” 1118 Centre St., $36.99/kg

BEER

Just the right level of juicy THE FRIENDLY BUTCHER

“This one was very tender and had the most fat,” she says. “It had less flavour than the others and a sponginess to it,” she says of the N.Y. strip loin. 3269 Yonge St., $31.99/lb.

OLLIFFE

This N.Y. strip loin steak was “very juicy,” according to Marinuzzi. It scored a six out of 10, when it came to flavour and was medium tender. 1097 Yonge St., $29.06/10 oz.

From top: Rosa Marinuzzi and the winner

This midtown brewery is offering free delivery on orders over $50 of their English-style ales. 245 Eglinton Ave. E.

BLOOD BROTHERS BREWING

This local spot is offering free delivery in the surrounding area, or pop by their bottle shop. 165 Geary Ave.

HENDERSON BREWING

This Junction Triangle brewery is offering free next-day delivery for all orders of $50 or more. 128A Sterling Rd.

ROUGE RIVER

The Markham brewery is offering free local delivery twice a week for orders over $50. 50 Bullock Dr., Unit 8

AMSTERDAM BREWERY

This Leaside brewery is offering free next-day delivery on orders over $50 across the GTA. 45 Esander Dr. Continued on next spread

| POST |

GET THESE BREWS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

GRANITE BREWERY

JUNE 2020

T.O.’S TOP CRAFT

COVID -19 NOTICE AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE, I RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR BUYERS AND/OR SELLERS TO CONTINUE TO TRANSACT DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES. REST ASSURED, OUR INDUSTRY HAS SET UP STRICT COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS. THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE PARAMOUNT.

MY BUSINESS CONTINUES TO OPERATE REMOTELY.

107 DUNVEGAN RD.

95 OLD COLONY RD.

42 RIVERSIDE BLVD.

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$10,800,000. 100’ X 296’ LOT, 5 BEDS & 9 BATHS, APPROX. 9,125 SQ. FT. + BSMT

$6,880,000. 100’ X 235.29’ LOT, 4+1 BEDS & 5 BATHS, APPROX. 6,000 SQ. FT. + BSMT

182 GLENGROVE AVE. W.

$4,495,000. 50’ x 170’ LOT, 5+1 BEDS & 7 BATHS APPROX. 4,595 SQ. FT. + BSMT

8 FRIVICK CRT.

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$3,995,000, 41.15’ X 124.92’ LOT, 4+2 BEDS & 6 BATHS, APPROX. 4,880 SQ. FT. + BSMT

276 STRATHALLAN WOOD

$4,195,000. 50’ x 134’ LOT, 4+1 BEDS & 6 BATHS, APPROX. 4,200 SQ. FT. + BSMT

473 GLENCAIRN AVE.

$1,795,000. 50' x 104' LOT, 4 BEDS & 3 BATHS, APPROX. 1,986 SQ. FT. + BSMT

151 YONGE BLVD.

$4,195,000, 50’ X 140’ LOT, 4 + 1 BEDS & 5 BATHS, APPROX. 3,775 SQ. FT. + BSMT

200 BLOOR ST. W. #1905

$749,000. 1+1 BEDS & 2 BATHS, APPROX. 721 SQ. FT. + 223 SQ. FT. BALCONY

CHEFS PICK T.O.’S BEST BACKYARD BBQ

IVANA RACA SELECTS ROSEDALE BUTCHER FOR BEST SPICY SAUSAGES SPICY SAUSAGES

WINNER

Ivana Raca holding the Olliffe sausage

The best sausage casing

The thickest of the bunch

RUNNER-UP

OLLIFFE

BESPOKE BUTCHERS

THE BUTCHER’S SON

“Their Italian flavour was incredible. The taste, execution and spice were well balanced,” says chef Ivana Raca. “The chicken and green onion was 10 out of 10.” 1097 Yonge St., $5.52 and up

“Their casing was excellent. The only thing was it was too overpowering on the spice,” she says. The seasoning on the chicken one was good.” 215 Madison Ave., $10/lb.

“These sausages were the thickest ones and I loved the fennel but wish it was crushed,” says Raca. “The flavour was good and so was the casing.” 2055 Yonge St., $12-$14/four pack

THE FRIENDLY BUTCHER

“Their casing was a 10, very nice and very firm,” she says. “It was good flavour, the seasoning was there, but it was a bit dry.” 3269 Yonge St., $8.99-$9.99/lb.

ROAST FINE FOODS

“The seasoning and the spice were great,” says Raca. “But the flavours of the sausages weren’t distinct enough.” 768 St. Clair Ave. W., $16.50/four pack

DAVID LEE’S RECIPES FOR SENSATIONAL VEGAN BARBECUE SIDES BBQ CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI DRESSING

Serves 4 CAULIFLOWER

1 head cauliflower (cut into 4 pieces) 1 sprig thyme 1 tbsp black peppercorns 1 bay leaf 6 litres salted water 1 lemon slice 2 tbsp olive oil sea salt and pepper TAHINI DRESSING

1 cup tahini juice from 1 lemon 4 tbsp cold pressed sunflower oil 1 tbsp maple syrup salt and pepper to taste

PIES STEPS

1. Bring the water, thyme, bay

leaf and peppercorns to a boil. 2. Make sure the water solution is salty like the ocean. 3. Remove from the heat and add the lemon slice. 4. Add cauliflower pieces to the water solution. 5. Allow to cool and then put into the fridge overnight. 6. Remove the cauliflower, rub with olive oil, salt and pepper. 7. Cook on your barbecue in direct heat for 30 to 45 min. DRESSING

1. In a small bowl mix tahini, lemon juice, oil and maple syrup. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste.

SMOKED PEPPERS WITH LEMON SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

Serves 2 INGREDIENTS

4 peppers (combination of red & orange) 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped Zest of 1 lemon 2 basil leaves, finely chopped 4 tbsp olive oil 1 small shallot, finely chopped Salt to taste Sugar to taste White oak wood chips Olive tapenade of your choice

FINISHING TOUCHES

1. Remove the cauliflower from barbecue. 2. Smother with tahini dressing. 3. Enjoy!

STEPS

1. Preheat your barbecue. 2. Place the peppers on the grill and add the wood chips.

3. Cook very slowly in indirect heat for 2 hours (take your time and be patient!). 4. Once cooked, remove the peppers, cover with plastic wrap and set aside. VINAIGRETTE

1. In a small bowl mix together garlic, shallot, salt, sugar, lemon zest, basil and olive oil. FINISHING TOUCHES

1. Peel the peppers. 2. Cut into thin strips, remove the seeds and discard the skin. 3. Pour the vinaigrette on top of the peppers. 4. Top with your favourite olive tapenade. 5. Enjoy!

From top: David Lee and Planta Burger’s buffalo cauliflower

This adorable Leaside bakery has the best cherry pie. 115 Vanderhoof Ave.

ROLLING PIN

ADAMSON BAKERY

PHIPPS DESSERTS

GINGER’S DESSERTS

This Avenue Road spot has an endless list of pie flavours, including s’mores. 1970 Avenue Rd.

Get your hands on some key lime pie at this Leaside bakery. 176 Wicksteed Ave.

This North York spot churns out delicious pies like this pecan flan. 1875 Leslie St., Unit 21

This nut-free bakery in Richmond Hill makes pies, cakes and more. 10220 Yonge St.

| POST |

THE PERFECT WAY TO END A BARBECUE FEAST

CHARMAINE SWEETS

JUNE 2020

T.O.’S PERFECT

JUNE HOME DESIGN

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416.410.0320 Landcare.ca landcare@landcare.ca

DESIGN

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M A I N TA I N

RESTAURANT NEWS

Oliver & Bonacini restaurant group has had four robberies in the past two months by Samantha Peksa Although it is no secret that the restaurant industry in Toronto has been hard hit due to the coronavirus pandemic, another unforeseen consequence is making things even harder. As restaurants continue to sit unoccupied on quiet city streets, many have become easy prey to burglars. Maison Selby, a popular French bistro just south of Bloor Street, is the latest restaurant to be ransacked by intruders. According to Andrew Oliver, president of Oliver & Bonacini (O&B), it’s the group’s fourth location to be hit in the last two months. “In the last 10 years, I can think of one

other time we’ve been broken into. And in the last two months, we’ve had four breakins now,” Oliver says. “It’s definitely kicking you when you’re down, and it’s unfortunate.” The restaurant was in the midst of reopening for takeout and delivery, and the May 21 break-in nearly derailed the plans. Especially as Oliver says thieves made off with the restaurant’s laptops, iPads and supplies. Since the break-in, Oliver says his team has gained some knowledge of what transpired. “There was a group of four that had been staking out the place. They went in three or

Chef Susur Lee pivots for COVID-19 New menu includes famous 20-ingredient Singapore-style slaw One of the city’s most celebrated chefs, Susur Lee of Lee Restaurant, has begun takeout and delivery in Toronto. “While this is an unprecedented and precarious time for our industry, I am confident that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” says Lee, in a press release. “I’ve spent the past couple of weeks coming up with the best options for you, but we’re still learning, so we want to hear from you as we take this next step.” The regular takeout menu includes some Lee classics that have been with the chef for years, such as the 20-ingredient Singapore style slaw as well as the cheeseburger spring rolls and Top Chef curry chicken amongst many other options. There are also full ($180) and half-packed ($90) meals for families that include an array of dishes.

Lee emphasizes that he will be stressing health and safety with the new venture, both for guests and his own staff. A new takeout window will allow for quick and contact-free pickup during the restaurant’s opening hours running Wednesday to Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other new health and safety protocols include personal distancing markers on the ground, increased surface sanitization, staff wearing gloves and masks and close monitoring of incoming staff for suspected illness. “On behalf of the entire Susur Lee Restaurant Group, thank you for your continued support and trust,” Lee says. Lee is offering regular menu pickup through Ritual, which is a partnership with the City of Toronto, as well as Tock for larger, family-style meals and DoorDash for regular delivery.

bybRon Johnson

Chef Susur Lee

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many restaurants to turn to food delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, to survive, but reliance on these services has, ironically, been draining restaurants of money. Delivery app models, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, are based on providing a service to both restaurants and hungry consumers. Users get food delivered to their doors, restaurants benefit by receiving orders from the app’s customer base, and the app makes money via user fees and taking a percentage of each order. Nick Di Donato, president and CEO of Liberty Entertainment Group (which owns BlueBlood Steakhouse and Cibo), is quick to call out Uber Eats, however, for taking the biggest cut of a restaurant’s delivery profits. “Their rates are 30 per cent of our gross sales,” he says. “When it’s your only source of income, then it’s a huge fee and makes it impossible to make any revenue,” A recent post on Liberty Entertainment’s Instagram feed notes that DoorDash’s rate is 10 per cent, whereas SkipTheDishes is a bit higher at 20 per cent. “Please make your orders count and support local restaurants. Order takeout by calling ahead to place your order or through delivery providers that are supporting restaurants, like DoorDash and SkipTheDishes,” the post reads. Restaurants across Canada are also urging customers to order takeout directly from the restaurants on Wednesdays, dubbed Canada Takeout Day. “Restaurants are doing their part by staying open for takeout. Now it’s your turn to take an active part in the support of an industry that employs millions of people in this country,” the website states. Mayor John Tory also announced a new partnership with a Toronto-based delivery app to offer local businesses an affordable solution for accepting orders online and onsite. Ritual allows users to place orders for themselves and have it ready for pickup at local restaurants. Primarily marketed to office workers, Ritual has taken some hits of its own during the pandemic, laying off over half of its employees and pulling out of several European markets. The big selling point for restaurants, however, is that businesses that sign up before June 1 can use the service free “for life” with no commission or monthly subscription fees on Ritual ONE orders. The service will officially launch on June 8.

JUNE 2020

Several T.O. restaurants targeted in string of break-ins

Why some local eateries are boycotting Uber and delivery apps

| POST |

Inside Maison Selby on Sherbourne Street in Toronto

four times,” he says. “Luckily for us, they didn’t smash the place up, albeit obviously they broke the back door, which was already reinforced.” Oliver says the group also went after a lot of the restaurant’s alcohol — or what they might’ve mistook for alcohol. “The only saving grace is they took a lot of display bottles that are part of the decor. They’re actually dummy bottles — they don’t have alcohol. So when they try to use them or sell them, they’re going to realize they’re actually just stolen bottles of water,” he says. According to Oliver, other outposts under the O&B umbrella have also been broken into in the past two months. Bannock restaurant was hit at the Eaton Centre, as well as Liberty Commons in the Liberty Village area and R&D in Chinatown. At Liberty Commons, Oliver says thieves not only stole food, but actually stuck around to cook it. “They turned on our kitchen equipment and started making food. Oddly enough, they were seen eating it on the patio,” he says. Some restaurants have boarded up their establishments in an effort to deter robbers. But others like Maison Selby require access for their takeout and delivery programs. And although Toronto Police Service said it would increase its police presence in the area, Oliver says there is not much more the police can do. “There is a massive problem in the city right now.… With so few people around urban centres, I guess that’s where they’ve decided to conduct their business of robbing people,” he says. “I don’t know how you solve this problem, without putting police on every corner, given the damages and fees involved.” Despite the setback, Maison Selby continued with its reopening, and is now accepting orders through its website.

FOOD

—Jessica — Huras 29

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Parkdale’s PrettyUgly bar

Landlord locks up Grant van Gameren bar over rent arrears A notice of distress was posted on the popular Parkdale spot’s front window by Ron Johnson Toronto’s beloved restaurant scene is starting to crumble before our eyes, and if something isn’t done soon, it will soon be unrecognizable. The latest closure since the COVID-19 pandemic is an establishment belonging to Grant van Gameren — one of the city’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. A photo of a notice of distress on the window of the restaurant and bar PrettyUgly was found on the Toronto page of the website Reddit.com. It indicates that van Gameren has been locked out by the building landlord.

The notice was addressed to Grant van Gameren, 2484491 Ontario Ltd. O/A PrettyUgly, 1237 Queen Street West. The standard notice indicates that there is rent in arrears and costs that must be paid before access to the premises is granted. Van Gameren opened the popular establishment in 2016 alongside other industry veterans Robin Goodfellow, Michael Webster and Evelyn Chick. The dimly-lit cocktail bar, where you’re just as likely to hear WuTang as you are psychedelic EDM, quickly

became a trendy spot for Parkdale locals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants have been among the hardest hit, with numerous organizations and groups, such as SaveHospitalityCA and Restaurants Canada, lobbying the provincial government for some sort of rent relief and other funding that never materialized in any meaningful way. And since then, there has been a steady stream of closures. Restaurants, which are non-essential businesses, have been forced to shut down since mid-March. Although many have taken to offering delivery and takeout options, there are many more that cannot or have not. There are few business models that can survive without revenue for weeks on end. Restaurants, which already operate on thin margins, are especially vulnerable. Van Gameren operates many other restaurants in the city including one of Toronto’s best in Little Italy’s Bar Isabel as well as Bar Raval, Tennessee Tavern and El Rey. He is also offering food delivery with his Harry’s Charbroiled brand. According to an article in the Toronto Star, van Gameren said he has had some success negotiating deals at most of their locations, but this particular one has proven problematic. Weeks ago, van Gameren posted to his own Instagram account regarding landlords looking to evict restaurants. Although Premier Doug Ford has slowly started reopening the economy, there has been no indication that restaurants will be open for business any time soon. As restaurants continue to close, local residents are beginning to lose what has been a special part of the culture of Toronto, where creative young chefs have driven the food scene of the city to great new heights during the past decade. Let’s hope there are a few left by the time the government decides to take concrete action.

FOOD

Fancy Toronto dining moves to casual takeout and delivery Pivoting to takeout and delivery has been a particular challenge for Toronto’s upscale restaurants, many of which have menus that don’t easily translate from dine-in to take home. Although some have overcome the hurdle by introducing meal kits or special set menus, others have focused on warming our hearts with unfussy, comfort food fare. Brando’s Fried Chicken

Chef Brandon Olsen has temporarily closed his French restaurant La Banane, instead focusing his takeout efforts on Brando’s Fried Chicken. (Who can blame him. Fried chicken is certainly more delivery-friendly than sea bass en croute). Olsen had previously hosted occasional fried chicken pop-ups in the pre-COVID era, but, since early April, he’s been making it available for takeout from Tuesday to Saturday. The brief menu includes buckets of fried chicken, chicken sandwiches and sides like macaroni salad plus his signature CXBO chocolate bars for dessert. Pizzeria Du

The team behind upscale plant-based restaurant Avelo had been planning to launch a new vegan Italian restaurant on Queen West, but the pandemic combined with the sudden passing of their pizza chef prompted them to switch to a vegan pizza concept instead. Named after their late chef Dualco de Labio, Pizzeria Du features plant-based pies served on a crust that the chef had spent two years perfecting. Kang Bang Fried Chicken

City may expand restaurant patios this summer Parking lots and parks could transform into outdoor dining areas

Marbl

The rooftop patio at the Gaarden

King West’s Marbl restaurant has added a number of comforting classics to its American bistro menu since making the move to takeout and delivery. In addition to long-running menu staples like Chinois prawns and tuna niçoise, the restaurant is now serving up hearty fare like shepherd’s pie, with braised lamb, peas and a mashed potato crust, and macaroni and cheese. — JH

JUNE 2020

distancing. Expanding restaurant patios is one option that could allow restaurants to cater to more diners and boost their revenues, while still maintaining appropriate space between tables. The plan — which Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford is reportedly open to — is receiving support from the hospitality industry and municipalities across the province, including Markham’s Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who noted that his city is also working to help restaurants expand their patios. It’s a strategy that’s already being implemented by many European cities, including Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, which is operating as a “giant outdoor café,” with restaurants permitted to set up tables in plazas and streets. — with files from Nisean Lorde

| POST |

Toronto’s patio season might be back on a larger scale this summer as the city looks for creative ways to support the restaurant industry while it recovers from losses incurred during the pandemic. With the warm weather underway, Torontoarea Progressive Conservative MPP Gila Martow proposed to expand patio services when restaurants and bars are allowed to reopen. “Perhaps they could take up a bit more space. If there’s maybe even park space or parking lots that we can amend the rules,” Martow told the Ontario legislature, adding that people feel more comfortable social distancing outside. Dates and guidelines for restaurants and bars reopening have yet to be set, but most are already preparing to operate at reduced capacity so diners can continue to practise safe physical

by Jessica Huras

Canis chef/owner Jeff Kang has partnered with Omai chef/owner Edward Bang to create a new takeout pop-up dubbed Kang Bang Fried Chicken. Chicken combos are served with fries and slaw, and you can choose from varying spice levels for your seasoning. Aside from chicken combos, they’re also doing sandwiches, chicken tenders and kimchi. You can add bottles of natural wine or sake to your order if you want to make it fancy.

FOOD

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In the months and years before COVID-19 turned our world upside down, Toronto’s food scene was one for the books. Anyone with a passing interest in the culinary arts would eagerly ladle up news on the most innovative chefs, exciting restaurants and achingly cool wine bars pouring pét-nat for weekend oenophiles. The next chapter in this tale is one we’re all familiar with — cautious contactless takeouts, deliveries, a rally against Uber Eats, and so on. But now that a new normal is visible through our less-than-rosy glasses, what is to happen with some of what were to be 2020’s biggest openings? Chabrol, Yorkville’s beloved boîte of a restaurant, was on the precipice of welcoming friends and family to their new locale the week of March 16th when the coronavirus hit. For years, chef Doug Penfold’s French restaurant had occupied a teeny tiny nook at the end of an alley: cosy-as-can-be during winter, while summer months allowed the dining room to stretch into a romantic outdoor setting. The new space, found at 156 Cumberland Ave., would allow diners to stretch their gams (and arms, for that matter). As the epidemic intensified, the Chabrol team veered from thinking it would be weeks of closure, to realizing the gravity of the situation. “We quickly shifted our focus

from preparing for reopening to survival,” Penfold says. “We started talking to our landlords, insurance company and suppliers and concentrated our efforts into Mason’s — our butcher shop and fine foods store — which was already set up for retail of prepared meals and raw ingredients.” Although the goal is to reopen once the government and health officials flash the green light, a frustrating lack of information pertaining to capacity and seating arrangement restrictions has left Chabrol questioning its exact next move. As of the end of May, takeout prix fixe meals every Friday are available for $45 a person, with a minimum two-person order. In addition to exploring the pickup menu, the team has made some operational changes: a custom mobile application has replaced the need for paper menus, and their payment system is being integrated into the same app allowing customers to pay using their own phones. Additionally, different seating arrangements have been tested out in the dining room, aiming to balance ease of service with appropriate distancing, and they have explored partitioning the space with glass. Meanwhile at Av and Dav, David Minicucci and chef Rob Rossi have been working steadily at getting Osteria Giulia (134 Avenue Rd.) ready for her debut. Younger sister to Dundas West’s

FEATURE

As for Giulia, things keep progressing. “We’re pushing ahead as if it’s not COVID. There’s no point stopping,” he says. “I’d rather have the restaurant completely built, cleaned and lock the door, and when we can start, we can start. We have to keep going.” Right before normal was no more, Janet Zuccarini flung open the doors to Gusto 501. However, the Gusto of the east wasn’t her only restaurant opening planned this year. Azhar, dishing out Middle Eastern fare, had been set to open this summer on Ossington. “It is obviously not ideal to open

a restaurant — let alone a new one — amidst a global pandemic, but with Azhar we are already well down the path,” says Juanita Dickson, Gusto 54 Restaurant Group president. With cash flow at a standstill alongside construction (thanks to the Ontario government’s emergency orders), the team has had time to weigh their options. The goal is to restart construction soon, with midsummer eyed as an optimistic end goal. “Regulations pending, we will likely open offering takeout and delivery,” notes Dickson, “and

landlord has been worked out, he does need to reach a point where he can bring in money. “I realize I’m one of the lucky ones with a landlord who’s very down-toearth,” he says. “However, I don’t really have the luxury right now to wait it out until the perfect time.” For now, he’s received plenty of eager feedback and is hoping that the Parkdale community will rally behind the shop once it opens. Finally, Cucina Buca (2 St. Clair Ave. W.), which got uptowners going gaga the moment it was announced, is still acting as home base for Buca’s delivery and takeout operations. “Right now, we're taking it one day at a time and continue to monitor developments so we can map out a solid plan with regard to our opening,” says chef Rob Gentile. Although the team pulled together the new business model in little time, the response has been a positive one. Expanded offerings have included ready-to-cook kits, which Gentile notes “is definitely an area of the business we hope to continue to build on.” For now, Buca’s dine-at-home dishes will do their best to sate those yearning for the days when a night out on the town wasn’t but a dream.

JUNE 2020

The Polpette meatballs at Gusto 501 are available for takeout

evolve to a sit-down restaurant when it is legal to do so.” An understanding landlord has helped. “We believe strongly in the concept,” says Dickson, “and chef Stuart Cameron and the team feel that Azhar is a great offering for the Ossington neighbourhood.” Over in Parkdale, Stephen Schweighardt has been gearing up to open Larry’s Folly (1462 Queen St. W.), originally thought of as a cafe-slash-bar. Permit and construction delays have put things behind schedule, but for now, Schweighardt is hoping to open shop in late July. As funds are now tight, certain parts of the build may be rethought, plus he’s assessing how to approach seating arrangements. When it comes to a possible partition at the bar, Schweighardt is exploring funky alternatives. “The whole vibe of the shop is a big tribute to the past … so we’re thinking of old antique windows.” Although he was none too keen to open doing primarily takeout the last time he spoke to Post City, Schweighardt has had to reconsider. “Money’s tight for the living side and the business side,” he says. Although a fair situation with the

| POST |

Giulietta, Giulia was stepping into the space that housed L’Unità until the end of 2019. As the coronavirus descended, a major facelift was happening. “When the shutdown happened in March, it was kind of a silver living in a way because it allowed us to focus all of our energy on the build,” Minicucci says. “It’s a 100 per cent gut job,” he says. “Not one thing remains; we’ve reshaped the building. Now when you walk in, it’s entirely open from the front door to the back.” Once the renos reached a certain stage, the team was able to focus on Giulietta, which is now offering takeout and delivery. Fortunately, landlords at both locations have been sympathetic to their plight, having experience in the restaurant industry. So have social distancing measures affected seating plans and the like? “Rob and I have decided not to react until we know what the actual plan is,” Minicucci says. Mapping out Giulietta at 50 per cent capacity takes 78 diners down to 26. “Who wants to eat at a restaurant with 20 other diners?” poses Minicucci. “The energy, the conviviality, that goes away.”

FOOD

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The still-reigning NBA champion Toronto Raptors celebrated their historic June 13 win over the Golden State Warriors with an epic afternoon parade through the downtown core on June 19, 2019. The team let loose as a million fans lined the streets.

Ten years ago this month, the city was rocked by numerous riots and some questionable policing techniques that coincided with the city hosting the G20 Summit.

The venerable Massey Hall first opened on June 14, 1894. The way things are going, the newly revamped Massey might be reopened by the time we can see a concert again.

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One-half mile of barkeeps march in a parade on Yonge protesting prohibition regulations. On June 1, 1927, the first liquor stores in Toronto opened following the repeal of the Ontario Temperance Act.

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