Yorkville Post February 2021

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29-STOREY FLATIRON BUILDING PROPOSED FOR THE EDGE OF YORKVILLE

MEET 12 LOCAL COUPLES WHO ARE KEEPING ROMANCE ALIVE DESPITE THE PANDEMIC

LOCKDOWN LOVE STORIES

FEBRUARY 2021 · VOLUME 1 · ISSUE 12

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2021

STYLE STOREYS Four dream homes in the GTA, each with a unique sense of chic

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DANCING WITH AN ET CANADA STAR Carlos Bustamante on meeting the woman of his dreams on the dance floor

27

VALENTINE’S ROBES Jeanne Beker picks the perfect swanky robes for that special someone

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LUNAR NEW YEAR TREATS Chefs Mark McEwan and Craig Wong pick the best baked bites for Feb. 12

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FEBRUARY 2021

LOCKDOWN LOVE STORIES Meet 12 local couples who are keeping romance alive despite the pandemic

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The Solutions, Flexibility and Empathy You need to Navigate Trying Times Katherine MacDonald Midtown Toronto Family, Separation & Divorce Lawyer

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THE POST INTERVIEW

Raptors Superfan just wants a hug Nav Bhatia has never missed a home game in Toronto but that all changed with COVID-19. We talk to him about his love of the Raptors, his 38-year marriage and how he is looking forward to hugging everybody as soon as he can by Ron Johnson

Who is your all-time fave Raptor?

Vince Carter is my favourite. And the reason is not because he's the best dunker and all that. One is that he brought Canada into the world, the world map of basketball. And secondly, what he did with the kids.

Do you have a routine at home on game nights?

You also had an anniversary recently. How many years has it been?

I prepare myself before the game, you know, so that I’m ready to watch. I wear a particular shirt, and then I watch the game on a nice big television. And I have a cup of tea, and that’s what I do.

Well, I’ve been stuck for 38 years.

Is the team starting to take steps in the right direction?

When players like [Serge] Ibaka and Marc [Gasol] go away, you know, it’s going to happen. They haven’t jelled yet. I think it’s still going to take them another five, six games in order to figure it out. But I think they’re moving in the right direction right now. Has the emergence of Chris Boucher been the best story so far this year?

I always knew that he’s very athletic. And I always used to tell him to gain some weight and all that. He used to be very frustrated sitting on the bench, you know, and I used to say, “Your time is going to come to shine, your time is going to come to prove yourself.” So here’s his time right now to prove he deserves to be on the floor. How did you make it to every home game since the beginning?

I came to this country in 1984. For the first 10 or 11 years, you know, that time was to settle down, get acclimatized and become comfortable. And when I was comfortable — I had a nice job and all that — I had no hobby. I’m a boring guy with nothing other than work, work, work seven days a week. So when the Raptors came, I decided to try it with two tickets. I could only afford two at the time. And I said, “I'm going to try it for a season.” And on the very first day, I fell in love.

2017 The year George Springer, the new star signing of the Toronto Blue Jays, was named World Series MVP.

53,000 The number of speeders caught by the new Toronto photo radar cameras in the first month of operation.

Is your wife a big Raptors fan, or is that your time?

It’s just me. You know, she enjoys basketball but is not as crazy as I am. You know, more than 30 years ago, I had an arranged marriage kind of a thing. And, you know, we were given 15 minutes each to sort of meet and talk to each other. And then we decided, and it has worked out really well. She’s an amazing woman. I say that I’m stuck with her. But I’m glad that she’s the one I’m stuck with. What is the secret to your success as a couple?

I stay away from her. No, we’re both understanding, we both have the same passion. We want to help out this country that has been amazing to us. What are you most looking forward to when this pandemic is behind us?

I just want to be back in that arena, talk to the fans. Talk to the players. And, you know, talk to the referees, talk to everybody and inspire the fans. You know, I always take my championship ring there. I can’t wait for that to happen again. And to be cheering and getting back to normal. I’m a hugger by nature. And I’m just waiting, waiting for when I can hug everybody at that time.

2006 The year Wattpad, an app for writers, was established. The Toronto-based company sold last month for a whopping $754 million.

2,000 The number of complaints received by the city since August regarding mask violations in condo buildings.

$123K A parking space at the Ritz Carlton Residences sold for a whopping $122,900 in 2020, the most expensive of the year.

FEBRUARY 2021

To not cheer on the players and pick on the opposing players and pick on the opposing coaches and argue with the referees, and, you know, talking to my coaches in person and talking to my players and encouraging them is difficult. But what we are going through right now in this world, you have to bear it, you have to, you know. You have to play with the cards you are dealt. I understand the situation. I was asked to go to Tampa Bay, but I don’t want to take any chances for the players or my sake. I’m going to just watch and cheer for my team on the television just like every other fan.

When did you become the Superfan?

Isaiah Thomas. Isaiah was the guy who was in charge and who is guilty of making me the Superfan in the 1999 season. When we were playing at Skydome, he one day called me in the middle of the court and said, “Look,” and he gave me a jersey saying Superfan, one with a dinosaur on it. He gave me the jersey and said, “Look Superfan, you are going to be the face of the Raptors’ fans.”

BY THE NUMBERS

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You’ve attended every home game of the team. How hard has it been?

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Midtown project would take up city block Local residents battle developer over plan for 12-storey tower by Eric Stober

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Residents of Bedford Park had their first chance to meet with the developer behind a huge new proposal in their neighbourhood, but many say they are still “miles apart� on reaching middle ground. The proposal is for 3180–3202 Yonge St., just north of Lawrence Avenue. It calls for a rezoning of the area to allow for a nine- to 12-storey mixed-use condo with up to 109 residential units.

“Finding a middle ground is going to be a challenge.� The development would take up almost the entire city block between Bedford Park and Woburn Avenue, except for a TD bank that is on the south end. Residents represented by the Bedford Park Residents Organization (BPRO) were up in arms against the development due to concerns over shadows, traffic, overlook and density in the neighbourhood. The height of the proposal also goes against the current mid-rise character of the area. To add to the tension, BPRO president Ted Butler said that

the developer, NYX Capital, had not reached out to residents. Now the two parties have formally met for the first time. “We had a healthy discussion,� Butler said. “[NYX Capital] stands by their proposal, which, of course, is unacceptable to us.� NYX Capital’s CEO Yashar Fatehi said in a statement that the meeting with residents was an “introductory� one and the “first of many.� Although Butler said NYX Capital admitted there could be some changes to the proposal, he said the developer stands by its “trump card� that is the development’s proximity to Lawrence subway station. “They feel they have a right to start converting Yonge and Lawrence to Yonge and Eglinton,� he said, describing the rapid scaled up development in the latter area. However, Butler asserts there’s a “massive difference� between Yonge and Lawrence Avenue and Yonge and Eglinton Avenue, most notably issues with traffic and pedestrian safety. Another community meeting is planned in co-ordination with the city, with no set date yet. “There’s no more secrets anymore,� Butler said. “We’re starting from polar opposites, and finding a middle ground is going to be a challenge.�

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No. 211 Coffee House on Avenue Road is set to open when lockdown is lifted

Residents against tiny coffee shop shop was minor in terms of importance and neighbourhood impact and that a coffee shop selling hot and cold beverages as well as foodstuffs not made or cooked on site is not a restaurant as defined by city zoning bylaws. Kogan said she was finally able to obtain a licence and opened the coffee shop on Dec.18, 2020. “We did get our licence to open right before Christmas. We did have a very soft opening. We just wanted to meet people in the neighbourhood. We were open for a couple of weeks, but

“There’s a big thing hanging over our head on top of COVID. It’s a lot of headaches.” coffee shop, which was approved by the Committee of Adjustment in November 2019, despite the objections of the ABC Residents Association as well as councillor Mike Layton, who wrote to the committee stating that the application is not minor in nature and should require a rezoning application. The variance was granted with several conditions such as the prohibition of cooking facilities. In December 2019, ABC Residents Association appealed the decision to the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB). On Oct. 20, 2020, TLAB rendered a decision allowing the variance, with TLAB panel chair Ian James Lord writing that the variance to permit the coffee

then the lockdowns started up again, and we just couldn’t afford to stay open and make money to pay staff,” said Kogan. “We’re waiting for things to get back to normal a little bit so we can open.” But Kogan said the legal fight is far from over, as ABC Residents Association is appealing the decision to divisional court. “They have to apply with a motion to go before a judge and say, ‘We believe that TLAB was so wrong that you should unilaterally let us overturn it and let us start a new court process,’ ” said Kogan. “And that means if it’s granted to them they would throw out everything the committee of adjustment said,

everything TLAB said and start a whole new process of a court hearing, in a regular court.” ABC Residents Association has also submitted a review request to TLAB. “They wrote to TLAB and said our expert witness made a mistake,” said Kogan. “That’s what’s happening now, the process of reviewing it.” In the review request to TLAB, ABC Residents Association noted that evidence presented by registered professional planner T. J. Cieciura, who was a witness at the hearing on behalf of ABC, had presented a definition of restaurant at the hearing that is no longer in force, as a bylaw outlining a definition based on the cooking of meals had been amended to “the preparation and sale of food and beverages,” and thus TLAB’s decision was based on faulty information. Kogan estimates she has thus far lost about a quarter of a million dollars but still hopes to reopen when the COVID-19 situation allows for it, provided she is able to do so legally. “If they overturn it, then we have to have a whole day hearing at TLAB again, and that just won’t be possible because we can’t afford to hire a lawyer to repeat everything again. So there’s a big thing hanging over our head on top of COVID,” she said. “It’s a lot of headaches.” ABC Residents Association did not respond to a request to comment.

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FEBRUARY 2021

A local coffee shop that opened after over a year of legal wrangling is still facing legal challenges from a neighbourhood residents association that opposes it. Sula Kogan had hoped to open No. 211 Coffee House, located at 211 Avenue Rd., in May 2019, when her business licence was rejected just before opening day due to a 1949 bylaw prohibiting restaurants in the area. In July of 2019 Kogan applied to the City of Toronto for a minor variance to allow the

by David Olsen

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Owner spent thousands to defend small business

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New development would sit on the site of a car dealership

New midtown condo plan under fire Developer goes against local planning guidelines years in the making by David Olsen A proposed eight-storey development in the Toronto neighbourhood of Leaside came under fire from residents and a local councillor during a virtual community meeting on Jan. 19, as the community expressed concern over the building’s height, setback, impact on local amenities and its failure to comply with the city’s current planning policy. On Aug. 27, 2020, the city received an application from

“Buffers and

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setbacks are critical to these types of developments.”

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Core Development Group for an eight-storey building at 126 and 132 Laird Dr., at the intersection of Laird Drive and Stickney Avenue, just south of Eglinton Avenue East. The development would include 143 residential units and is meant to complement another eight-storey building being proposed on the adjacent property at 134 Laird Ave., an application for which has also been submitted to the city by the same developer. At the recent community meeting, Coun. Jaye Robinson

expressed concern that the development did not align with the Laird in Focus planning study adopted by the city to support mixed-use and complete communities as development intensifies in the area as a result of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Robinson, for example, indicated that the proposed development was not set back three metres from Laird, as mandated in Laird in Focus. “Buffers and setbacks are critical to these types of developments. I would have hoped that after years of research and consultation the developer would actually follow the Laird in Focus plan,” said Robinson. “That’s the city’s plan. I think that’s important. When you develop a plan, let’s follow it.” Local resident Andrew Smyth said the development did not allow for a smooth transition into neighbouring residential neighbourhoods in addition to echoing an issue Robinson had brought up regarding the absence of retail space at ground level. “We do not believe the developer has presented a design at this stage that shows the City of Toronto’s intent of recommended good design, giving protection of the neighbourhoods and providing buildings with retail and community uses at the sidewalk level,” said Smyth.

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JANUARY 2021 - TORONTO WHERE

WHEN

TIME OFOF DAY TIME DAY

BLOOR ST. W. AND HURON ST.

JAN. 1

1 A.M.

YONGE ST. AND ROEHAMPTON AVE.

JAN. 3

3 P.M.

HARPER AVE. AND ROSEDALE HEIGHTS DR.

JAN. 3

7 P.M.

EGLINTON AVE. E. AND BROWNLOW AVE.

JAN. 3

7 P.M.

LOWTHER AVE. AND ST. GEORGE ST.

JAN. 4

7 P.M.

DELISLE AVE. AND DEER PARK CRES.

JAN. 4

11 P.M.

MAXOME AVE. AND PEMBERTON AVE.

JAN. 5

9 A.M.

LOWTHER AVE. AND HURON ST.

JAN. 5

10 A.M.

ST. GERMAIN AVE. AND JEDBURGH RD.

JAN. 5

6 P.M.

DAWLISH AVE. AND DANESWOOD RD.

JAN. 5

7 P.M.

BLOOR ST. E. AND ROSEDALE VALLEY RD.

JAN. 6

12 A.M.

GLEN EDYTH DR. AND GLEN EDYTH PL.

JAN. 6

3 P.M.

BYNG AVE. AND WILLOWDALE AVE.

JAN. 6

7 P.M.

CASTLEFIELD AVE. AND AVENUE RD.

JAN. 7

12 A.M.

ST. ANDREWS GDNS. AND DOUGLAS DR.

JAN. 7

8 P.M.

YORK DOWNS DR. AND ELDERBERRY CRT.

JAN. 10

11 A.M.

EGLINTON AVE. E. AND COWBELL LN.

JAN. 12

5 P.M.

416-425-6062

CRIME BRIEFS

Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assis-

tance in identifying three male suspects as part of a robbery investigation after an incident at St. Clair subway station. On Jan. 5, at approximately 6:45 p.m., it is reported that three male suspects got on the St.

Toronto Police Service, at

a news conference held on Jan. 9, appealed for the public’s help in identifying and locating a vehicle and a suspect wanted as part of a homicide investigation. On Oct. 7, 2020, at approximately 11:38 p.m., police responded to a call of gunshots in the area of Bathurst Street and Ranee Avenue. Officers arrived to find a 33-year-old male victim suffering from a gunshot wound in a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 27-year-old male suspect from Toronto was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder after two search warrants executed in the area of Jane Street and Wilson Avenue and one in Welland, Ont. A 17-year-old female suspect from Toronto was also charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Police describe the third suspect as a male in his mid 20s. The vehicle is described as a white 2005-2006 Nissan Infiniti G35.

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FEBRUARY 2021

suspect from Toronto has been arrested as part of an ongoing sexual assault investigation. It is alleged that on Jan. 3, the suspect, who was working as a massage therapist, sexually assaulted a female victim in her home in the area of Spadina Road and Dupont Street while she was receiving a massage. The suspect was arrested and charged with sexual assault on Jan. 7. Police believe there may be more victims.

A 61-year-old male

Clair Avenue streetcar at Spadina Road. A 79-yearold male victim got on the streetcar a few stops later. When the streetcar was at St. Clair station, the victim, who was using a walker, began to get off the streetcar when one of the three suspects pushed him onto the pavement and then robbed him of jewelry and personal items. Police have released security camera images of the three suspects.

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suspect from Toronto has been arrested after four people were assaulted with a hammer at Bloor-Yonge subway station. On Jan. 9, at 9 p.m., officers responded to a call at the station, where it is alleged the suspect attacked the four people inside of a subway car. He was located and arrested in the station. All four victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The alleged assailant faces two counts of aggravated assault, four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of failing to comply with probation.

A 49-year-old male

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NEWS

STINTZ ON MIDTOWN

From Champs-Élysées to Yonge Street, public space on the rise

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Although change is the only constant in life, so the saying goes, it doesn’t make it any easier for people to adjust. It is also the reason that change in governments generally moves slowly. Although we understand how things are, it can be very difficult to imagine how things could be. Uncertainty also brings out the naysayers. The onset of the pandemic and the restrictions that followed didn’t allow much time to contemplate the rate of change that we collectively experienced. Governments moved at lightning speed to introduce changes to people’s lives, the way that we worked and the public realm. Since more people were working from home, roadways became walkways and parks became the most important civic asset for many residents in Toronto. That phenomenon didn’t just occur in Toronto, it happened in cities around the world, and the results are that many cities are

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© Jacques Paquier/Flickr Commons

The mayors of Paris and Toronto are putting people first in planning decisions during the pandemic

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has put people first in her planning decisions

reimagining the public realm for people. The mayor of Paris announced a remake of the famous ChampsÉlysées, the Paris landmark that attracts more tourists than those who live in the city. During the pandemic, tourism plummeted, and Parisians returned to the boulevard and began to dream of a new Champs-Élysée that

included reduced lanes of traffic, trees, pedestrian walkways and open space. The City of Toronto is also seizing the moment. Over the summer, roads were closed for pedestrians and city council approved several kilometres of new bike lanes throughout the city. The bike lanes that had been fought over for years became a

reality. After years of dilly-dallying around proposed improvements to the Yonge and Sheppard area, council also approved a redesign that reduces traffic and adds bike lanes, trees and space for pedestrians. The clamour over the impact on traffic has subsided because people are starting to realize the importance of public space to local residents. The same can be said for the Rail Deck Park project. For most, the Rail Deck seemed to be a pet project of Mayor John Tory and a good news announcement that people really didn’t think would happen. In light of the new reliance on parks and open space, the project will receive new energy and momentum. It will become an infrastructure project that all will get behind, particularly because people who live downtown have the least access to green space. There is a reason that these projects moved ahead and

introduced a pace of change that was previously unthinkable. It is because people have experienced the immense benefits of reduced traffic and more parks and bike lanes in their communities. The fears of what could happen when roads are no longer just for cars didn’t materialize. Although the pandemic will end, our lives are forever changed. As we embrace the “new” normal, some things will be lost to us, while others will take on even greater importance. Once people have a chance to enjoy the new public space, there was and will continue to be a demand for more.

KAREN STINTZ

Karen Stintz is a former city councillor, elected in 2003, and was a chair of the TTC. She lives in Ward 16 with her family.

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Yonge and Eglinton development plan includes 2,700 units and 60,000 square metres of commercial space

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Progress at any price? Yonge and Eglinton mega-development raises questions

“Pull down that old cinema, that bus terminal that reminds one of a 1960s airline terminal in the USSR.” Yes, those towers could fit onto the existing land without demolishing the old buildings but not in such an attractive fashion as is possible once the site is cleared of that awful old stuff. Some might say there is enough construction at this intersection, but they would be mistaken. There is no intersection in the city where more construction is not needed if we are to become a real world-class city, where

sidewalks can be skewed by construction hoardings to ensure everyone gets a good physical and mental workout making their way around. Dear reader, I was contemplating the future city as Yonge and Eglinton writ large. Would that not be the closest to the most desirable thing you could imagine? The views from those towers would be magnificent, looking out to see other towers in the near and far distance, a literal plethora of towers all around. And the Princes’ mantra is very pleasing: location, location, not “proverification.” It captures the intensity of the moment while producing a healthy return; although, its meaning is unclear. It’s what the city needs at this time, n’est-pas? The Princess of Land Use Planning is, I agree, looking a bit tawdry nowadays as she makes her way throughout the city, somewhat like Mr. Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone woman, but it is always good to see her dressed up for the dance she’s been called to at Yonge and Eglinton. As you can hear her saying under her breath as she cavorts with the Princes, “Save the last dance for me.” And one can only hope it is indeed the last dance.

JOHN SEWELL Post City Magazines’ columnist John Sewell is a former mayor of Toronto and the author of a number of urban planning books, including The Shape of the Suburbs.

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the corner of two main subway lines, why not more office space? Because the Princes and Princess think this is enough. It produces exactly the kind of financial return modern times dictates, and what could be more important than that? And yes, there will be apartment towers, four of them with 2,700 units, since the Princes and Princess believe in more new towers with small apartments.

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Cavorting nakedly, the Princes of Big Money and the Princess of Land Use Planning dance wildly together, here at the southwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton. Prepare the marriage hymns, oh mighty mayor and beloved councillors. Prepare the wedding ceremony you beasts of the OMB, and oh foremost minister of municipal affairs prepare the excess zoning order they will desire as a wedding gift. This is no provincial wetland of 50 acres longing for a flat factory roof in far-off Pickering. This is the centre of a city where buildings should reach the very ceiling of the sky, not those squibbles of the past, built by those minor forefathers of misty time from the 1960s built things to be forgotten, tiny eight- or 10storey structures for offices and so forth. Clear them away, that 600,000 square feet of cement and wiring and carpets and windows, all that detritus no longer needed. Pull down that old cinema, that bus terminal that reminds one of a 1960s airline terminal in the USSR. Push them all away to some landfill in the distance so we can get on with the future. What is the past but a mirage when the future is at hand with its limitless opportunities? Huh?? And the future will bring some 600,000 square feet of office space, yes, the same as we have just put in landfill, but this will have the smell of the new. And you might ask, since this is

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REAL ESTATE

WYCHWOOD

NEWS

YONGE & LAWRENCE

STYLISH SEMI-DETACHED

Reno haters will love this 2,826-square-foot, move-in-ready home at 38 Alberta Ave. in the Wychwood neighbourhood. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a modern and classic feel. It is listed for $1.679 million with Zolo Realty.

CUSTOM CREATION

This four-bedroom, five-bathroom custom home at 370 Woburn Ave. is full of luxury and contemporary finishes. The three-storey property is on offer for $2.485 million with Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.

HOMES WITH STYLE STOREYS

From a modern home in Wychwood to a cool and corporate space in Yorkville, a luxury estate in Thornhill and a contemporary stunner at Yonge and Lawrence, these two- and three-storey homes are unique offerings on the market ready to be scooped up by the right buyer

ULTRA LUXURY SPRAWLING ESTATE

This 8,000-square-foot home at 51 Wigston Pl. in Thornhill screams luxury. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a three-car garage and an elevator and is listed for $4.888 million with TFN Realty Inc.

This completely renovated property at 21 New St. can be used as a residence or commercial office space. The two-bedroom, three-bathroom home has a coach house in the yard and is on offer for $3.3 million with Forest Hill Real Estate Inc.

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COOL LIVE/WORK SPACE

FEBRUARY 2021

YORKVILLE

THORNHILL

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NEWS

REAL ESTATE

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A Yorkville condo is the second to sport a modern flatiron design

Yorkville to get a new 29-storey flatiron tower Historic design making a comeback in Toronto with two planned by David Olsen

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ESTATE CLEARING

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L U X U RY M O V E M A N A GE ME N T. C O M

The area around Yonge Street and Church Street may soon be home to an architecturally unique flatiron building. Toronto is getting a new flatiron building proposed to be developed at the edge of Yorkville near the corner of Park Road and Church Street northeast of Yonge and Bloor. Capital Developments, the team behind the proposal, filed an application with the city on Nov. 27. The development, with 200,000 square feet of gross floor space, would include 300 residential units and a small amount of retail space. The site does not include any parking spaces. “The building seeks to maximize green transportation and encourage wellness,” said Carlo Timpano, senior vicepresident of development at Capital Developments. “Given the site’s exceptional walkability, bike-ability and proximity to the most prominent subway station in the city, the proposal includes the provision for zero vehicular parking and instead provides three at-grade car share spaces located within the building footprint.” Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. is behind the unique design of the 29-storey tower that is reminiscent of a flatiron building, such as Toronto’s historic Gooderham Building in the St.

Lawrence Market area, except this one is curved. It could be that Toronto is seeing something of a flatiron revival in the city, as another condo tower with a nod to this historic style is slated for the Galleria mall redevelopment project. The development’s planning rationale submitted alongside the application notes that it capitalizes on the unique shape of the almost triangular lot and the layout and massing of the building allow for a transition in height from the super tall buildings to the west and south to the mid-rise and low-rise buildings to the east. “All four facades of the building respond in different ways to the surrounding streets and adjacent buildings,” notes the planning rationale. “The development and provision of a wide range of units will lead to greater density in an area that is walkable and wellserved by existing office and retail spaces as well as public amenities.” The application is currently circulating to various city divisions for feedback, after which a preliminary report will come before Toronto and East York Community Council prior to eventually making its way to city council for a decision.

REAL ESTATE

NEWS

Odeen Eccleston makes a point at the Post City Real Estate Roundtable with Brad Lamb (left) and Brian Gluckstein

The flight to the suburbs A Q&A with realtor and HGTV star Odeen Eccleston by Ron Johnson

So you see more people looking over yonder in other areas outside the city?

I think that a lot of these suburbs were undervalued for a long time, just because of the lack of attention that was on them. But I think with people just sort of considering other options. They realize, wait a minute, these are great cities, a lot of these suburbs, these are great places to raise families, great places to reside. And really, they’re OK with taking the commute to Toronto when they need to, but they no longer need to on a daily basis for work, right. Will that impact affordability in those areas that were once at a lower price point?

In terms of affordability, it is a little concerning, just because a lot of

a long-term implication when things do get back to normal and people are re-evaluating again. They’re like, “Darn it, I’m paying this much extra in property tax? I’m paying this much extra in gas to commute?” They'll have to weigh the pros and cons and ask if it is worth it. For some, I imagine that it will be. But maybe for others, that’s what will then drive them back.

What about property taxes?

Do you think there will be a correction?

Usually a lot of the suburbs, they typically already do have higher property taxes than Toronto. So that was one of a laundry list of reasons why people were staying put where they were. But I guess now, when they’re weighing the pros and cons, they’re just, like, OK with the lower price point just to get in. But I think what could happen is that in the coming years as they re-evaluate their situations again, after COVID is over and they realize, my goodness, I'm paying this much? Do you think there will be some questioning their decision in the near future?

When people have to go back to driving into work on a more regular basis, maybe they’re realizing now, “I've got to pay this much for gas. Now I have to pay this much for property taxes,” because, as I said, typically, I know in Durham Region, taxes, property taxes are, you know, fairly substantially higher than the City of Toronto. That could be more of

I think it'll be a mix. And you know what, looking ahead, I think that this could actually have healthy implications on the overall real estate market. Because, in terms of affordability, if a certain amount of people are now open to the suburbs that otherwise weren’t, well, then that leaves a little bit more inventory for people downtown. And then with more inventory comes, you know, increased affordability. So last year, we were talking about this as an affordability crisis. And listen, I think it’s still that the numbers are almost at crisis level, right. But there was a cooling, which, to a certain extent, maybe that was a part of the solution to the crisis. There’s increased inventory, and, you know, prices will inevitably come down a bit. To reserve your tickets for the 14th Annual Post City Real Estate Roundtable, in partnership with The Rotman School of Management, go to trnto.link/rert2021

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Yes, yes, it has. The trend seems to be continuing. The good news for Toronto condos is that, whereas there was a lull for the past, I'd say, you know, 10 months, I do notice things picking up in the past two months, where things are selling and not just like sitting on the market for too long. So I think that speaks to optimism, and I think speculators and investors are jumping back into the market. But a lot of end users, they're still deciding that they want more space. They want more land and are deciding to test out other markets.

these suburbs used to be a safe haven for first-time homebuyers. That was sort of where people went if they couldn't afford Toronto. But now, I'm honestly getting a little concerned: people who can only afford a certain amount, they're getting priced out of the market, priced out of the GTA market altogether. So that is definitely like a negative consequence.

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Has the flight to the suburbs continued in recent months now that we have a vaccine?

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VALENTINE’S SHOPPING GUIDE SPECIALTY

William Ashley

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JEWELLERY

Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery & Antiques

When there is an engagement ring in your future Cynthia Findlay offers the unique, the unusual and the very special, such as this pink tourmaline Toi et Moi double gem which was made popular when Napoleon gifted Josephine their birthstones in one ring. Call for details or shop online. 284 King Street West 416 260 9057 Shop online at www.cynthiafindlay.com

FOOD & DRINK

Balzac's Coffee Roasters Start your Valentine’s Day with breakfast in bed thanks to the Balzac’s Breakfast Bundle. The bundle offers elevated examples of breakfast staples including your choice of Balzac’s coffee, protein-packed pancake mix from Flourish Pancakes and pure and flavourful Canadian maple syrup. Price: $29.99 Balzacs.com

HEALTH

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FASHION

CURRENTS

JEANNE BEKER ON ROBES FIT FOR A VALENTINE Our resident fashion columnist picks the cosiest yet romantic gift for couples during lockdown — a swanky robe. Whether it's a gift for you or your partner, these high-fashion housecoats offer everything from artsy elegance to sporty warmth. SILKY SMOOTH

QUILTED COMFORT

HoltRenfrew.com, $835, “This one is dramatic, fun and spirited. It's a luxurious 100 per cent silk robe. I love the mix of the prints, animal meets floral.”

StoleMyHeart.ca, $329, “Talk about a great housecoat. The next best thing to being under a duvet is to be wearing a duvet robe. I've never seen a quilted housecoat of this nature.”

SPORTY STYLE GET IN THE RING

LLBean.ca, $135, “This rugby robe has a sporty motif with the banded cuffs. It looks cosy and warm and perfect for a young guy or one that's young at heart.”

SULTRY SATIN

Nordstrom.ca, $155, “UGG really knows how to produce great comfort wear. I like that this cuddly robe is shorter, and I love the stars on this soft dove grey.”

ChristineLingerie.com, $159, “Christine is such a great Canadian label. This satin robe has a very delicate, hand-painted feel with the black and white design.”

CHECK IT OUT

TheBay.com, $62.99, “I like this plush check one. It's the kind of robe I could see my guy hanging out in. It's a great no-nonsense robe.”

JEANNE BEKER | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on fashion, Jeanne has covered the industry for more than 30 years. Now watch her on TSC’s Style Matters with Jeanne Beker or tune into her new podcast Beyond Style Matters.

FEBRUARY 2021

LLBean.ca, $115, “This Scotch plaid flannel robe is a real classic, with an almost retro feel to it. I always love this plaid. It speaks to the Scottish girl in me.”

SEEING STARS

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PERFECTLY PLAID

Gravitypope.com, $255, “This Muhammad Ali-inspired robe with his Truth poem embroidered will make you feel empowered.”

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FASHION NEWS

CURRENTS

Designer launches world’s first antiviral scrubs on Physicians Day

Sandy Gill (left) and her dad wearing pieces from the Tuff Bandit collection

From a suit for the Oscars to a new streetwear line Designer Sandy Gill is donating all proceeds to the farmers’ protests in India Sandy Gill, who you might know as TheSandyLion, burst onto Toronto’s fashion scene through a robust online following. She then built a career as a stylist before dabbling in the design world. First she created the Sandy Suit, which was worn on the Oscar stage last year by actor Utkarsh Ambudkar, and now she has launched her first streetwear line, Tuff Bandit. Gill has a keen eye for fashion — from putting together outfits that pop to sharing tips for using clothing and accessories to boost confidence. Her foray into fashion started early, using style as a form of self-expression as well as a way to feel better about herself. “I have always been interested in fashion. It helped me feel confident and comfortable in school. It was my comfort blanket and how I expressed myself,” she says. Prior to focusing on fashion, she pursued teaching and continues to do so, currently teaching grades 2 and 3 online. Eventually,

she started exploring fashion as a side hustle. “I used Instagram to share fashion ideas, and the following grew over the years. I found new ways to share my work and my story and began to dress notable people,” she explains. “Nothing was preplanned I just wanted to help people.” Gill adds that fashion is a great way to express who you are. “It works like a business card — people get a vibe about who you are based on how you dress.” In addition to her work as a stylist and educator, Gill has created Tuff Bandit, a fashion line inspired by growing up as a child of immigrants. “I’m a first generation Canadian, and that’s the story that so many people can relate to. Knowing that my parents literally gave up everything to come to Canada and seeing their daily hustle to give us that opportunity, I wanted to honour that with this collection,” says Gill.

The streetwear collection is very fitting for the times as well. “Athleisure is the wave right now, especially because of the pandemic, and I wanted to fill that space in a way to give back to the community,” she explains. In terms of the giving back part, Gill adds that all of the proceeds from the collection are being donated to the farmers’ protests that have been ongoing in India. “My parents were farmers in India, and at the end of the day the situation there affects everyone because without farmers we don’t have food. Basically, with this line I wanted to be able to physically give back,” says Gill. She says reception to Tuff Bandit has been positive so far. “I had no exceptions but it’s going great. As a designer, once you put something out, it’s out there. Getting it out there was the emotional part, but now it’s out, and I’m happy that people are believing in it.” — Jessica Padykula

Designer Nina Kharey, of fashion brand Nonie, has launched a line of medical scrubs called Folds. The fashion-forward scrubs are made from sustainable materials while also being antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial. Kharey has an engineering background and worked with a lab in Europe to create the nanotechnology material for the scrubs. After crowdsourcing from several health-care professionals, Kharey made three tops for women, two for men and various bottoms, including joggers. Kharey decided to launch this line of scrubs as part of a passion project and to do her part in the fight against COVID-19. “It is my belief we should be supporting medical practitioners who save lives and put their health at risk every single day with the same care and attention we have for our superior athletes. These scrubs have forward-thinking design and are also the world’s first fully recyclable, sustainable scrubs,” Kharey says. Folds scrubs are more durable (the company claims that the scrubs last twice as long as regular scrubs) and can be returned to the company for recycling. Folds will turn old scrubs into new scrubs through its recycling program, resulting in a highly sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing model. “We are making a distinct effort to help protect people while saving the planet,” says Kharey. Folds officially launches on Feb. 3, which is National Women Physicians Day, but items are currently available for pre-order through the brand’s website. Shortly after the launch, the women's items sold out, demonstrating the need for comfortable scrubs that are also protective. — Harriette Halepis

Ellie Mae is opening a boutique in Rosedale "We source most of our fabrics from Europe — about 50 per cent come from the U.K. and the rest from Italy, France and Spain. To not go to the fabric shows is a huge loss. It’s all done through Zoom now,” he explains. Ellie Mae had built relationships with mills in Europe before the current pandemic, which has helped. Still, things get a lot trickier when purchasing certain items for the collection. Despite being forced to cut its collection to a third of what it was supposed to be, due to production slowdown, the brand is pushing forward with the new space. The new 650-square-foot space will have a vintage feel, including rustic walls and vintage carpets. The new boutique will open this spring. — HH

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© Lindsay Rosset

Local designer Ellie Mae is expanding her retail presence with a second location — this one focusing on what the brand is calling “luxury hippie.” The new Ellie Mae boutique will be located at 1096 Yonge St., whereas the company’s corporate office and fashion house will remain at 100 Niagara St. The Niagara Street location will include a workspace that’s open to the public and a VW bus café. According to Ashton Ramcharan, head of sales operations, the company along with the rest of the fashion industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. He says sourcing material from overseas vendors now relies heavily on technology to be the eyes, ears and hands of a fashion buyer.

FEBRUARY 2021

Yonge Street shop will focus on what they are calling luxury hippie wear

The Folds top and joggers

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MEET 12 LOCAL COUPLES WHO ARE KEEPING ROMANCE ALIVE DESPITE THE PANDEMIC

SANGITA PATEL AND SAM PATEL Sangita Patel has been gracing television screens across the city as an entertainment reporter for Entertainment Tonight Canada for more than seven years. Known for her envious BFF relationship with Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. the Rock), she is also crazy about CrossFit — a fitness obsession she shares with her husband Samir (Sam) Patel who is chief of radiology at Guelph General Hospital. But can those who CrossFit together stay together even during a pandemic? What has been the hardest on your relationship during the pandemic? Sangita: Where to start (laughs)! It’s been hard to find one-on-one time, with the kids always at home. It’s important to make time for date nights. Sometimes it’s just the little things, like when Sam takes my spot on the sofa! What did you learn about your partner that you didn't know before the pandemic? Samir: That she is a very slow walker (laughs)! We have been going for frequent walks and we definitely have a different pace.

HAL JOHNSON AND JOANNE MCLEOD Not surprisingly, Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod, of BodyBreak fame, met at the gym when Johnson walked up to McLeod, who was on the pec deck, and asked, “Can I work out with you?” We asked Hal to talk about their love-in-lockdown experience.

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What would you suggest in terms of advice for other people who are going through this for the first time during a pandemic? I guess a simple statement is ‘know your lane?’ Know what you do, like I do plumbing and electrical, and Joanne does the finishing and the woodwork. So let them have their space in their lane and their expertise and trust them. That's one of the things, we don't offer our opinion until we're asked for advice on things.

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What has been your favourite kind of pandemic date night idea? Hal: Skating on the lake. I built a lake two weeks ago, a very large lake, very large rink. And so she said, “Oh, yeah, we'll have date night on the lake.” And so we did that. We skated around the lake the other night. It was so nice. What's the first thing you plan on doing as a couple once the pandemic is behind us? Travel. I think that’s what most people will do. And we want to go to New Zealand, Iceland. And the first thing we're going to do is go to the East Coast Trail in St. John's and hike it.

How have you kept the romance alive during this time? Samir: Taking time to talk and eat meals together, even with a full house. Sangita: Romance? What is that (laughs)? There isn’t really the normal romantic gesture during a pandemic, but it’s about rediscovering our relationship on a different level. Seeing him more often and realizing I still check him out!

MARILYN DENIS AND JIM HELMAN Local star Marilyn Denis, host of The Marilyn Denis Show and 104.5 FM morning show co-host, first met Jim Helman in the Grade 8 homeroom at Ingomar Junior High School. Their first date was at their high school junior prom. She eloped in the summer of 2018 with her high school prom date. Here, they talk about navigating the pandemic together. What is your favourite activity to do at home together? We love to hang out in our basement and watch college and NFL football and catch up on our favourite Crave and HBO Canada series. GO STEELERS — well, maybe next year. What has been hardest on your relationship during the pandemic? Not being able to travel. We can’t wait to get on a plane and go somewhere, anywhere! And what have you learned about your relationship? Jim: How much I love and appreciate the joy and passion Marilyn brings to our relationship. She is a voice of reason moderating my occasional naive optimism. Marilyn: I agree with Jim. I am the voice of reason! What has been your favourite pandemic date night idea? Ordering burritos and watching a movie together. We like to keep it simple. How have you kept the romance alive during this time? None of your business. ;)

NAOMI SNIECKUS AND MATT BARAM Comedians Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus met at Second City in Toronto. “Love at first laugh,” as Snieckus says. The epic proposal involved Chinese food takeout, pyjamas and a surprise trip to the Soho Hotel. Now, how is this comedic power couple handling life in a pandemic? Let’s find out. Are you both at home, and if so, how has that impacted your relationship both positively and negatively? Naomi: We are both at home, positively, we talk more openly about what’s really going on in our relationship. Matt: Negatively, we talk more openly about what’s really going on in our relationship. How have you managed to keep the romance alive? I think it has to be through staying present with each other. Communicating in long sentences, rather than just like blurting out short phrases to each other. And we actually started meditating as well.

SAMARA SHUTER AND EMILY KROUSE Samara Shuter is best known for her larger-than-life paintings of headless men wearing everything from tailored suits to motorcycle jackets. She met and had the first date with her partner Emily Krouse, a lawyer, on the same day when Sam flew to Washington, D.C., to meet in person. The rest is history. They married in 2015. Sam talked to us about the creative ways they are dealing with the impact of the pandemic on their relationship. What has been your favourite pandemic date night idea? Emily and I LOVE a project. We feel great when we've tackled something we've been meaning to do or experience together. Unless it's a show we truly love, we don't typically binge television or enjoy sitting in front of the TV nightly. I'd say it's a toss up between a great bottle of wine and sifting through memory boxes or old photos (having been together for 13.5 years), or the same — always have to have a great bottle of wine — and a dedicated movie night to watch something we've been looking forward to. And what have you learned about your relationship? Emily and I work on our relationship quite a bit, so we were already hyper-aware of each other's habits, but what this has done is really bring our traits to the surface. I am a very social/extroverted person, and so I recognized that I had been compensating for that by reaching out and connecting with family and friends often to maintain a sense of normalcy (to the point of it getting in the way of other priorities), whereas Emily has actually thrived: not having to formally dress and commute to work and has been able to make time for many projects she's never been able to schedule, etc. To put it lightly … it helped us discover a lack of balance in our universe, and going forward we'd like to try and map out more time for just each other. What's your advice to others during this time? Keep in mind that your spouse is your teammate. You know, there's a lot of bad situations in the world, many of which aren't in our control. So, I remind myself a lot that Ivy is not against me.

Andrew Chang met his wife Caro at a chemistry party in Montreal — she was studying for her master’s degree. He proposed alongside a lake in Mont Tremblant. The couple and their two kids moved to Toronto when Chang became the co-host of CBC’s The National, and they eventually settled in the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood. Chang, now at home with his family in a condo, talked to us about navigating the cramped quarters amidst a global pandemic. What has been hardest on your relationship during the pandemic? I wouldn't say this has been hard per se, but I think we have really tried focusing on being respectful of each other's workloads. Having both our young kids at home all day (one in virtual school) has really amplified how busy we both are. So we’ve each been keeping in mind that we both feel like we're the busiest people in the world, and that's OK. We just have to remember the other person feels the same way! And what have you learned? That we've truly got each other's backs, that we're both susceptible to all those pesky human things like getting frustrated or exhausted but that we're both ready, willing and able to cover for each other. And you'd better believe we count on that every day! What has been your favourite pandemic date night idea? Ironically, despite being big board game fans, we haven't yet sat down to an actual game of Pandemic. Maybe it's too soon! Haha. But we're huge gamers, and for us, date night isn't a glass of wine and a movie. It's teaming up and fighting virtual zombies or flying giant pterodactyls over a swampy wasteland. How have you kept the romance alive during this time? Well, we've actually spent far more time together this past year than we would otherwise — thank you, coronavirus — so this pandemic has actually helped remove one of the big work-life-balance hurdles that my job has a tendency to repeatedly lay in front of us. But that being said, I think "romance" and pandemic "romance" are two slightly different things … and a family of four packed into a small condo doesn't give any of us all that much alone time! Haha. CONTINUED ON NEXT SPREAD

FEBRUARY 2021

What has been hardest on your relationship during the pandemic? Naomi: Well, when you’re isolated, you have to be everything for each other. Matt: I have discovered I am not the strongest dentist.

ANDREW AND CARO CHANG

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What is your advice to others in terms of navigating the ups and downs of relationships during the pandemic? Naomi: Sometimes you have to find your own space in the same room. Matt: If after two years of living in a pandemic bubble with your partner, you can still find something to talk about, you’re in good shape. Naomi: It’s only been 10 months Matt: ....Really?

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LOCKDOWN LOVE STORIES CRAIG WONG AND IVY LAM Craig Wong and Ivy Lam grew up together in Scarborough, fell in love and got married back in 2011. Now, the couple helm Patois, one of the city’s popular Dundas West bistros. It hasn’t been easy for restaurants during the past year, but has that added more stress than the couple can handle? We asked Craig to talk about how he’s kept love alive during the pandemic. What has been most challenging for you guys as a couple during this past year? The hardest thing must be just the whole uncertainty of COVID and the situation that we're in, I guess, because we work together. It's also like a double whammy. We see each other at work. And we're constantly thinking about work even at home. And restaurants are definitely on the higher end of being impacted by COVID. So constantly working while trying to spend time at home together has probably been the biggest impact on our relationship.

LISA BERRY AND DION JOHNSTONE Actors Lisa Berry and Dion Johnstone met on the first day of rehearsals for a Stratford Festival production of To Kill A Mockingbird, but the timing wasn’t right for the two of them. Fast-forward a year when Berry walked into that rehearsal hall determined to meet the man standing across the room only to find out it was Johnstone. Full circle. The two share a love of Shakespeare, acting and comic books. But what did they learn from each other during the pandemic? How have you kept the romance alive during this time? Lisa: Well, we have a six-month-old, so we’re in the “reinventing our romance” phase. Dion: Yes, our son pretty much dominates that part of our brains right now. However, we still recognize the things each of us continue to do to take care of ourselves, and a supportive comment here and there helps us feel recognized and loved. We’ve started having family group hugs, and there’s a kind of romance in discovering each other in our new roles of mom and dad.

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What is your advice to others in terms of navigating the ups and downs of relationships during the pandemic? Lisa: Take care of yourself and what you need first. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Dion: Also, really listen to your partner. Listen not only to what they’re expressing through words, but also what they’re expressing through feeling.

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What is your favourite guilty pleasure TV show you've discovered together and why? Lisa: Lovecraft Country. This show spoke right to my spirit and let me see myself and the social justice situations clearer all while elevating my opinion of what is possible. Really empowering show! Dion: Yeah. Lovecraft Country really rocked our world. Shout out to Karen LeBlanc, (a brilliant Toronto-based actor) who plays a pivotal role in probably the most groundbreaking episode of the entire season. You have to see it to believe it!

What's your advice to others in terms of navigating the ups and downs of relationships during this time? I guess I have to say keep in mind that your spouse is your teammate. You know, there's a lot of bad situations in the world, many of which aren't in our control. So I remind myself a lot that Ivy is not against me. And if we do end up arguing, then it's because of external factors. You know, it's never because it's her versus me.

© Ian Brown

How have you managed to keep the romance alive? I think it has to be through staying present with each other. Communicating in long sentences, rather than just like blurting out short phrases to each other. And we actually started meditating as well. And we connect first thing in the morning before our sons wake up and before we get started with the day.

GILL DEACON AND GRANT GORDON CBC Radio One’s Gill Deacon first met her spouse, Liberal politician Grant Gordon, when they were kids at her family cottage on the Ottawa River. They met again as adults at a cousin’s wedding and hit it off. Years later, they returned to that Ottawa River cottage to get married. Now, we talk to Deacon about relationship stress during a pandemic. Here’s what she said. What has been hardest on your relationship during the pandemic? Just the general stress of these uncertain times. And what have you learned about your relationship? My husband and I have gone through some pretty tough stuff together. I’ve had breast cancer twice, and as much as I’d never wish that on anyone, I will say that it prepared us for living with scary and uncomfortable realities. We had to learn how to stay in the moment, to stay focused on the good stuff and to be gentle and kind with one another. All of which has been key to getting through this pandemic. What is your favourite activity to do at home together? We’ve been playing a lot of the board game Splendor. I almost never win. Lost Cities is my A-game. What is your advice to others in terms of navigating the ups and downs of relationships during the pandemic? I don’t know if I have any advice except to say hold hands ’cause it’s a wild and scary ride. What is the first thing you plan on doing as a couple once the pandemic is behind us? A weekend of theatre in New York City sure would be nice!

LOCKDOWN LOVE STORIES POOJA HANDA AND PAUL PATHAK CP24 Breakfast co-host Pooja Handa met her now spouse, Paul Pathak, at Toronto’s Spoke Club while attending a mutual friend’s birthday party. They had their first date at Terroni a few days later. The Lytton Park couple is squirrelled away at home like the rest of us. So how is the relationship doing now? Pooja tells their story. How have you kept the romance alive during this time? Romance? What is that? Kidding. Romance looks different for everyone. For us, we’ve tried to create rituals so we have something to look forward to. During the pandemic we started doing a wine and cheese night on Fridays to celebrate the end of the week and to kick off the weekend. We also take turns making breakfast for one another on weekends, so it’s always exciting to see what the other comes up with. Plus our air fryer and Instant Pot are finally getting used instead of taking up counter space. That’s romance! What has been your favourite pandemic date night idea? We have tried games night, but it got too competitive and doing puzzles caused a lot of back and neck pain! Wow we sound so old. But our favourite date night so far has been taking turns playing DJ on our streaming service. We give one another a theme like “one hit wonder” or “best movie soundtrack” and go back and forth listening to music and sharing stories related to that song, in some cases even uncovering some obscure titles. I still don’t know how “Boris the Spider,” by the Who, is a real song!

ROZ WESTON AND KATHERINE HOLLAND

Erica Ehm met future partner Terry Moshenberg while she was still at MuchMusic, and he worked in computers. They met thanks to a Jewish matchmaker who neither of them hired. But it worked out just fine. Now, Ehm has a thriving media business that includes her new podcast Reinvention of the VJ, and Moshenberg has moved on to real estate. They are always adapting and trying new things, but how are they dealing with the biggest change of all — COVID-19? Let’s find out. What has been hardest on your relationship during the pandemic? Both of us being cut off by our social networks has put a lot of pressure on each other to fill that gap. And as we all know, no one person can be your everything. So it’s been tough on us. What have you learned about your relationship? We know to give each other space without taking it personally. Are you both at home, and if so, how has that impacted your relationship both positively and negatively? We’ve always both worked from home. Sometimes we step on each other’s toes, but we make it work. The harder part is having the kids home all the time. What did you learn about your partner that you didn't know before the pandemic? His fortitude to pivot. He became a licensed realtor in less than a year while in lockdown. What is the first thing you plan on doing as a couple once the pandemic is behind us? Throwing a party for our friends at my cottage.

What have you learned about your relationship during the pandemic? Katherine: That we’ve got each other’s backs no matter what. I was pretty down all of the time during the first lockdown. I wasn’t working. I was crying all of the time while trying to do online schooling and felt like I was living Groundhog Day. Roz was working like crazy — even more than usual. But somehow we still found time for each other. We always loved hanging out together. Just having him nearby is so levelling for me. We listened to each other talk about the parts of our lives that were different and hard and did what we could to make things easier for the other. What did you learn about your partner? Roz: Katherine is very loud when she types, like hammer fingers. It’s incredible. I’ve never heard such a noise coming from someone’s keyboard before. Katherine: His drive is unlike anything I’ve seen before. He can really take the worst situation and make gold from it. It’s so inspiring and so motivating and more than a little intimidating. He’s absolutely one in a million. What is your favourite guilty pleasure TV show you’ve discovered together and why? Roz: We watched it all. Everything. But just when we thought we had got to the end, we discovered Ted Lasso on AppleTV+ and it was the perfect show for quarantine. It was just so nice to watch a show based around optimism and positivity. Ted Lasso is by far the best show I’ve seen all year. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR LOVE STORY COUPLES FOR CARING SO MUCH AND SHARING SO MUCH

FEBRUARY 2021

ERICA EHM AND TERRY MOSHENBERG

Roz Weston, co-host of The Roz & Mocha Show on KiSS 92.5 and senior reporter on Entertainment Tonight Canada, and photographer Katherine Holland met in a crowded nightclub in Toronto at an event hosted by Paris Hilton 15 years ago, and they’ve been together ever since. If they can make it through a night of Paris Hilton, they can make it through anything. Or can they? We check in with the couple to see how they are navigating the pandemic.

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What is your favourite activity to do at home together? Our favourite activity is getting out of the house and going for walks in our neighbourhood. It’s been fun discovering new trails, parks and taking in nature, something we only started doing during the pandemic.

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Six spots to celebrate Black History

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February 2021 marks the 25th year since Black History Month was first celebrated nationally; however, Toronto’s celebrations go back further than that. Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to proclaim Black History Month in 1979. As with everything else in the age of COVID-19, celebrations will look and feel different this year, but there are still many ways to learn about Toronto’s Black community and the history that is right on our streets. As you head out for your daily walks this month, we encourage you to visit these six sites to learn more about the history and remarkable achievements of the Black community in Toronto. Start in Yorkville at 21 Park Rd., home to the building where Oscar Peterson and his colleagues established the Advanced School of Contemporary Music in 1960. Peterson, known as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, mentored emerging jazz musicians here. In Riverdale, there is a plaque dedicated to Toronto’s first Black elected official, William Peyton Hubbard near his former home at 660 Broadview Ave. From 1894 to 1913, Hubbard served as alderman, controller and as acting mayor periodically. In the King and Spadina neighbourhood is Draper Street where Lincoln Alexander was born in 1922. Alexander, who has a day named after him in the city ( Jan. 21) was Canada’s first Black

member of Parliament. Alexander also became Canada’s first Black cabinet minister in 1968 and served as the first Black lieutenant governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991, among many other roles he held in his political career. In the east end of the city is the site of the home of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn at 54 Eastern Ave. The Blackburns were slaves from Kentucky who fled using the Underground Railroad. Thornton became a self-emancipated former slave whose case established that Canada would not return slaves to the United States, making it a safe terminus for the Underground Railroad. In Toronto, he went on to found the first taxicab company. Over at 143 King St. E. is a plaque about Mary Ann Shadd Cary, an anti-slavery activist and the first Black woman in North America to publish a newspaper called the Provincial Freeman. From 1854 to 1855, Shadd published the paper from a former building on this site. Finally, make your last stop in Kensington Market at 355 College St. From 1925 to 1982, this building was home to the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Hall, an organization based on the principles of Marcus Garvey. He founded UNIA in Jamaica in 1914 and then opened divisions across North America. He visited the Toronto hall several times in the 1920s and 1930s, and the building became a hub for the city’s Black community. — Nikki Gill

I believe the reasons to be hopeful are many Jane Fonda & Neil Young join my podcast Throughout Canada and around the world, the second wave of COVID-19 is hitting hard. Over the next few months, governments will remain focused on addressing the largest public health emergency in recent memory. But to avoid past mistakes and seize this unique opportunity to build a more resilient, sustainable world, it’s also time to lay the groundwork for a green and just post-pandemic recovery. I’m almost 85 years old. I cofounded the David Suzuki Foundation 30 years ago, after a CBC Radio series I hosted, It’s a Matter of Survival, generated 17,000 letters (in pre-email times!) from people concerned about the state of the planet and the future their children would inherit. Decades later, as we grapple with many of the same environmental crises — the climate emergency, mass species extinction and an economic model that fuels it all — and now a global pandemic, we have many reasons to despair. But after spending most of lockdown with three of my grandkids and seeing the world through their curious, caring eyes, I’m reinvigorated and newly committed to doing all I can to help humankind find a better path. I spent the first seven months of lockdown at a family cabin in B.C. There I rediscovered some

fundamental truths. Without the basic elements — fire, air, water, earth — there is no life. We also need to renew our understanding of the interconnections between all life and existence, something I refer to as “spirit.” When our relationship with these elements is out of whack, and when we lose our “spiritual” connection, we risk our very being. The privilege of spending lockdown safe and healthy with family wasn’t lost on me. I wanted to make the most of the time. One way I did this was by producing my first podcast, The David Suzuki Podcast. I reached out to old friends like Jane Fonda and Neil Young. I got to speak with celebrated thinkers like Kwame McKenzie, CEO of the Wellesley Institute in Toronto and Jennifer Keesmaat, former chief city planner, Indigenous leaders like Winona LaDuke and Jeannette Armstrong, youth activists and more. We recorded five episodes that explore how the pandemic can help us refocus on what’s most important and how a green and just recovery from COVID-19 could look. It will be a challenge. The fossil fuel industry is working harder than ever to convince people to let it continue its destructive ways. Important climate lawsuits are getting thrown out of court. More than a million species worldwide

are at risk of extinction. The list goes on. But I believe the reasons to be hopeful are many. Recently, the federal government revealed details of a climate accountability plan to help us achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It’s a real strategy, with real legislative power. For an environmentalist of nearly 40 years, it’s good news. On Nov. 30, 2020, the government also gave its first full economic statement since the pandemic hit. It was an opportunity to take stock of the massive, necessary recent public spending to address the pandemic. Perhaps more importantly, it was also an opportunity to begin charting our path to recovery, including commitment to a “green recovery.” It all needs to be paired with a strong climate plan and accountability law, but overall, it’s good news. This next decade will be critical if we’re to rediscover balance with the natural world. By 2030, we’ll have a good sense of whether we’re on track. In my podcast, I ask, “If this really is the transformation decade as we emerge from COVID-19, how will it look?” We’re already seeing unprecedented public spending to re-energize economies and rebuild communities. We must make sure these efforts aren’t designed to take us back to “normal,” because that wasn’t working. From nature-based climate solutions, like tree planting and wetland restoration, to more localized and resilient city design to community-led renewable energy generation, we can resolve our problems. All that’s needed is the political will. For the courageous young people whose Friday strikes have brought unparalleled attention to the climate crisis, for the Indigenous leaders who generously share wisdom on how to live in harmony with Earth, for nature, upon which so many of us have relied to get through lockdown, let’s shift gears and change direction. Let’s rediscover our place on this beautiful living planet.

DAVID SUZUKI

David Suzuki is the host of the CBC’s The Nature of Things and author of more than 30 books on ecology (with files from Brendan Glauser).

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Suzuki reached out to old friend Jane Fonda for his first podcast

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Celebrating pandemic art Taelor Lewis-Joseph on creating a great web series during COVID by Julia Mastroianni

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Lewis-Joseph attended Cardinal Carter Academy for drama

Back in August 2019, before the pandemic was a reality for Canada, Taelor Lewis-Joseph was putting together a team for a series she wanted to direct and produce called Greater. “I’m an actress. I’ve been acting for years and went to Cardinal Carter for drama, and I was like, let me just write something that I can act in,” Lewis-Joseph says. She had put together a great team and was preparing to apply for funding to start filming Greater the following June. However COVID-19 shut everything down in March 2020.

“We wanted to

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focus on women and non-binary folks of colour.”

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While the project was on hold during quarantine, a fellow creator, Amanda Ann-Min Wong, reached out to her to check in during this difficult time. During their chat, LewisJoseph brought up a docu-series idea she was thinking about that would feature local artists. “I told her that there’s this idea I have way in the back of my head, and it was just a bunch of words floating around,” Lewis-Joseph says. “It was STEM and women and queer and people of colour, women of colour, art, Toronto creativity, just these random hashtag-y type words.” Wong loved the idea and with her previous documentary work with local artists, she joined

Lewis-Joseph in developing it into what eventually became How T.O. Art, a docu-web series following different Toronto artists during the pandemic. “We wanted to focus on women and non-binary folks of colour being creative and hardworking and persevering, and we also wanted to show that everyone’s path looks different,” she says. The webseries shows how many artists don’t have the privilege to pursue their art full-time. LewisJoseph felt a personal connection to this. “I come from a first generation household, and I don't have the privilege to be able to say, ‘Oh yeah, my parents can definitely support me if I drop out or things will be fine for me or I could make it if I just don't get a degree.’ Getting a degree was important for me as an actress,” she says. Lewis-Joseph says the experience of creating How T.O. Art has opened her up to different possibilities in the future. “By the time I got to the end of high school, I realized that I love acting, but I also need to eat, I want health care at the end of the day. When I dug into, well, why do I love acting? I think I just love storytelling and helping people emphasize and feel something,” she says. “So I don't think it would ever just be acting for me going forward. I love acting but a very close second or even maybe tied for first would be production.” The team kicked off the release of How T.O. Art with a prerelease event on Jan. 22, and the entire series was made available to stream on YouTube and Vimeo on Jan. 29.

HOW THEY MET

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ET Canada reporter met his future wife when he was only 10 Carlos Bustamante and partner Rachel grew up dancing together and began dating as teens Entertainment reporter Carlos Bustamante graces our television screens as part of the ET Canada team, but his life in showbiz started on the dance floor. Bustamante grew up dancing in a competitive group along with his wife Rachel. Though they were just kids when they first met, their love story blossomed into one for the books. Now with a decade of marriage under their belts, the pair has two children together. This is the story of how it all came to be.

but once I had the ring for a few weeks, I just couldn’t wait anymore. One morning a few days out from the trip I just decided to propose to her right there in our apartment, in our pajamas, with our chocolate Lab as our witness. I think Rachel was half awake for the “Will you marry me?” Clearly, I still owe her a seaside proposal in Spain. The wedding

How they met

Rachel and I have known each other since we were kids, as far back as eight and 10 years old. We grew up dancing at the same dance studio, as teammates in the same competitive group. One season we were paired together as duet partners and just grew closer as we spent more time with each other. She was always such an amazing dancer. I could barely keep up with her. She made us

Rachel and Carlos with their kids Elijah and Naomi

both look good, which continues to this day.

coffee and seeing a movie.

The first date

We had been living together for a while by the time I worked up the courage to propose. We loved travelling together, and I had planned to propose on a backpacking trip through Spain,

The proposal

We still celebrate the anniversary of our very first date back in 1998. Two nervous teenagers excited to be together, strolling through a bookstore, grabbing a

We were married at LaSalle Park in Burlington on Aug. 15, 2010, in front of our closest friends and family. It felt amazing to share the day with people that had known us our entire journey together. Rachel was absolutely stunning, and I cried like a baby when she walked down the aisle. Our reception is still my favourite party of all time. Our honeymoon was in Maui and we’re eager to get back there sometime soon. The kids

We have two kids who make us

laugh every day. Elijah is nine and Naomi is seven. Balancing careers and marriage

Lots of experience. I can’t say we’ve perfected that balance, but we’ve both learned over the years that we have to create opportunities for us to just be together and that time we have with one another shouldn’t be taken for granted. Above all, we have one another’s back. Secret of success

We laugh together a lot. That’s a big part of it. We value honesty, we respect one another as individuals, and we don’t miss an opportunity to tell the other person how much we love them. Life after retirement

Rachel will tell you that we’re going to retire in Hawaii where we’ll spend our days by the ocean. Honestly though, I don’t know if I’ll ever retire.

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Welcome home! The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp, now available at two close-tohome campsites, has been creating memories that last a lifetime for over 30 years. Offering programs for campers ages 3 to 15 years, there is something for everyone. As the largest Jewish community day camp in Toronto and Vaughan, we provide adventure and fun for our campers every day. Through our caring and inspiring staff, creative and exciting programming and our state-of-the-art facilities, we provide your children with life-changing experiences and a strong connection to the Jewish community. Through our exceptional programs and opportunities, campers celebrate and explore their Judaism and develop a love for Israel. We offer a variety of different programs for campers with all interests including our specialty camps: Basketball, General Sports, Hebrew Immersion, Leadership Development (LIT/CIT) and much more. For more information visit centrecamp.ca, email us at info@centrecamp.ca, or give us a call at 416-636-2267.

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CAMP TYPE: Day Camp AGE RANGE: 4-14 TOTAL ENROLMENT: 500 campers CAMPER/STAFF RATIO: 3:1 SESSION LENGTH: 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks SESSION COST: Varies

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Welcome to The Ivy - a new co-ed day camp for children ages 4 - 14, located in Central Toronto, at Havergal College. The Ivy reimagines the traditional day camp while setting a new standard in health and safety, camper care, staff development, daily programs and facilities. With more than 50 activities, including daily instructional swimming lessons, campers of all ages will explore their passions, discover new interests and develop valuable skills. Our programs are designed to ignite imagination and creativity, foster teamwork, friendships and inspire confidence. Situated on a beautiful 22-acre property, our program makes use of 6 outdoor tennis courts, 3 grassy playing fields, nature/discovery trails, gazebos, and outdoor amphitheatre. Campers also make use of newly renovated spacious indoor spaces including a 25-metre swimming pool, air-conditioned gymnasiums, art and stem studios and a brand new dining hall - with daily lunches and snacks included!

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DIRECTORS: Benji Roy & Dara Kahane ASST DIRECTOR: Ali Nagthall CONTACT: 416-923-7200 theivy.ca

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ARTS

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February culture fix 21 Black Futures and four more fantastic shows this month by Clare Shrybman and Ron Johnson

Clockwise from left: Amanda Parris will be participating in 21 BLACK FUTURES, legendary Indigenous singer-songwriter and social activist Buffy Sainte-Marie and musician Hannah Georgas

many had lost work as a result of the pandemic. The majority of Toronto theatres have been shuttered since the beginning of the pandemic last March. 21 BLACK FUTURES will premiere Feb. 12 on CBC Gem. — Clare Shrybman Get on the right Wavelength

The Wavelength Winter Festival returns for 2021 and will take the form of four weekly digital shows held on Saturday nights — all free and all ages. Audience members are encouraged to take part in the live chat alongside the live streamed shows on Wavelength’s YouTube channel. The 100 per cent Canadian lineup features 10 artists, including renowned indie-pop artist Hannah Georgas, and 2020 Polaris Music Prize winner Backxwash and others. For full concert information go to Wavelengthmusic.ca. Daring digital theatre

Tarragon Theatre will be hosting the digital world premiere of Orestes on Feb. 3 and running until Feb. 14. The work, originally slated as the opening production for the theatre’s 2020-2021 season, has been fully reworked as a live online mythic adventure complete with interactive and multi-level storytelling. “This is uncharted territory for

Tarragon,” says Richard Rose, artistic director at the Tarragon. “The scale of the production mirrors what has become the epic scale of the online event. With green screens, multiple cameras, arm’s-length sound and lighting design, each of the 10 cast members will inhabit what is essentially a mini studio, performing Orestes from the safety of their own spaces and homes.” Tarragon describes the play: “Orestes, played by Cliff Cardinal, has been deplatformed! His unimaginable crime of matricide is stuck on autoplay and his banishment has driven ‘the poet laureate of the internet’ offline. Disconnected and stranded in the silence of the real world, can Orestes survive? What happens when the media is turned against us? And in a world defined by online identity who are we when that’s ripped away?” Orestes runs live online from Feb. 2 to 14, 202. For more info, go to Tarragontheatre.com. Winterfolk lives on

The Winterfolk festival tradition will continue on with a live virtual edition scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20. Winterfolk’s renowned lineup of musicians includes Julian Taylor, Jack deKeyzer, Ken Whiteley, and more. Register online for free access

at Winterfolk.com. Buffy’s book club

Canadian Stage has announced a new edition of The Elements of Story virtual community reading series. First introduced this past fall, the production delves into the work and ideas of internationally celebrated authors and cultural thinkers. The Elements of Story program is curated by the legendary Indigenous singersongwriter, musician and social activist Buffy Sainte-Marie. “Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the great artists and activists of the last century — she has a profound and wide-reaching insight into the foundations of our country, and she has been a multi-disciplinary storyteller her entire life,” says Brendan Healey, Canadian Stage artistic director. “I can’t think of a better person to guide us through some reading and discussion about how stories shape our lives and provide guidance in times of questioning.” According to Canadian Stage, Sainte-Marie has chosen three dynamic and distinct texts that speak to the current moment, which will be discussed with Sainte-Marie on Feb. 18 at a virtual In Conversation event. For more information go to canadianstage.com.

FEBRUARY 2021

gives viewers “a chance to connect to the rich humanity of blackness that exists” and, further, “to think about how Black people move in this world and see themselves in the future.” She adds that, to her, “The future of Blackness is full of possibilities, there’s not one future. This is about embracing how diverse the Black community is. It is shaped by so many different visions and points of view.” She says the project brought together people from different disciplines to engage the question through short theatrical films. In creating the project, Tindyebwa Otu says she was interested in “futures that were putting Black voices at the centre” and says in response, the project was created with a Black gaze at the centre and the effort was “hugely communal.” But the project wasn’t without the usual pandemic hurdles and considerations. Tindyebwa Otu says it was conceived with the pandemic in mind, one of the reasons that the pieces are monodramas. All of the pieces had one actor, one director who only met on the day of filming, and all rehearsals took place online. She says the initiative was also an opportunity to give work to so many Black artists at a time when

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Toronto’s Obsidian Theatre in partnership with the CBC recently unveiled the full lineup of directors and performers for the theatre’s newest project 21 BLACK FUTURES. The project will be streamed as part of the Black History Month programming on the free online streaming service CBC Gem. According to the press release, the endeavour is “an anthology of 21 filmed monodramas, commissioned from 21 multigenerational Black playwrights across the country, directed by 21 Black directors and performed by 21 Black actors.” CBC is releasing the project in three 70-minute parts on the last three Fridays of February. The release states the project is also to celebrate Obsidian's 21st birthday. Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, who took over the position as artistic director at the Obsidian in July of 2020, came up with the project and has been working with the numerous directors, actors and playwrights to bring the 10minute monodramas to life. The project is especially important this year Tindyebwa Otu says. “We’re at a moment when stories are needed more than ever before. We’ve been in isolation and we’re craving connection,” she says, adding she hopes the project

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EGG-CELLENT Chinese or Hong Kong egg tarts were influenced by British custard tarts and Portuguese pastel de nata.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR Just in time for Lunar New Year on February 12, chefs Mark McEwan and Craig Wong pick the best sweet treats from Toronto’s top Chinese, Hongkongese and Taiwanese bakeries.

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PATISSERIE GATEAU

MASHION

McEwan praised the “fresh and soft” texture of the coconut roll and subtle flavour of the red bean snow ball. Wong said the egg tart had a “perfect puff pastry crust” that was “nice and flaky” as well as “perfectly set custard.” 5459 Yonge St., $1.50–$5.99

Wong noted that the croissant was pleasantly moist, and although the pastry was untraditional, he appreciated the creativity. McEwan also praised the croissant as “sweet and fresh” and said the sesame ball had a nice, crispy exterior. 248 Spadina Ave., $0.80–$1.00

Wong enjoyed the rich black sesame flavour of the roll, adding that the ground black sesame topping was a nice touch. He also said the raisin twist had a nice texture. Both judges loved the pineapple bun’s salted egg yolk centre. 4910 Yonge St., $3.20–$3.90

Both judges appreciated the texture of the sesame ball’s red bean paste, and Wong liked the egg tart’s golden brown colour. McEwan said the coconut roll had “really good flavour,” and he enjoyed the “sweet, buttery coconut” found throughout. 6464 Yonge St., $1.50–$2.00

Wong loved the “traditional and nostalgic” feel of the treats from this bakery, noting the sweet and savoury taste of the pineapple bun and the flaky egg tart crust. McEwan enjoyed the “perfect crumbly, buttery topping” of the pineapple bun. 345 Spadina Ave., $0.70–$2.00

FEBRUARY 2021

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Mike Stroh

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Prairie Boy Bread to open a new midtown location this spring

A rendering of Orangeville's soon-to-open Greystones restaurant

Scaramouche chef to open new resto Greystones is located in a historic 19th-century building Keith Froggett, the chef-owner behind long-running Toronto restaurant Scaramouche, is set to open a beautiful new restaurant and event space in Orangeville next month. Greystones is located in a historic building dating back to 1852. It was one of the first permanent structures constructed in what would later become Orangeville. Benn Froggett (Keith Froggett’s son and co-owner of Halton Hills’ restaurant the Glen Tavern) and Jennifer Dattels, who first purchased the property several years ago, join Keith as co-owners of the new restaurant. Dattels oversaw a redesign of the space by Toronto-based agency Solid Design. “This was a special building to her [Dattels] that she just wanted to bring back to life,” says Benn. “It’s always been a hospitality building over the years, ever since it was built in the 1850s. It was originally called Graham’s Tavern,” he adds.

The space has been given a contemporary makeover that also maintains some of its original details, such as exposed stone walls. It now includes a lounge, main dining room, an event space for up to 50 guests and a private 10-seat dining room, as well as a separate neighbouring café. Greystones’ website says that diners can expect “seasonal, contemporary cuisine,” teasing a sample menu featuring small plates, pizza, house-made pasta and meat and fish mains, such as hand-cut Ontario black Angus beef burgers and herb-andmustard crusted halibut. “We have a pasta extruder for making all our own pasta in-house, and we’re using the same suppliers as the Glen Tavern and Scaramouche, so really high-quality ingredients,” says Benn. Keith will act as a culinary consultant for the restaurant and work on menu development, and Scaramouche sous chef Shigetaka Wakai will take the helm as

by Jessica Huras

Greystones’ head chef. Scaramouche temporarily closed when dine-in was first shut down last March. Keith says the success of Benn’s takeout rollout at the Glen Tavern inspired the Scaramouche team to attempt something similar. Scaramouche’s takeout menu combines the menus of its main restaurant and its more casual pasta bar and grill. “We’re very careful with how we craft the menu and how well things will travel,” says Keith. “The challenge is trying to stay true to the quality of cooking that we’ve always offered.” Greystones is slated to open sometime in February if the lockdown restrictions that currently prohibit indoor dining are lifted. “We need to be back in the red zone to at least have a few people inside,” says Benn. “Even if we can only open to 10 people, it’s a great way to get to know the community and for them to get to know us.”

Beloved bakery Prairie Boy Bread, known for its organic sourdough and delicious homemade baked goods made from scratch, is set to open a second location. Construction on a new storefront is currently in the works, and owner Grant MacPherson hopes to bring the Prairie Boy brand to the eclectic Yonge and St. Clair neighbourhood by April 2021. “We have been looking for a chance to grow our business for some time,” MacPherson says. “We had a seasonal location in Muskoka for the summers of 2018 and 2019, and we really enjoyed the challenge but decided we wanted something closer to home. We’re really excited about the changes going on in the Yonge and St. Clair neighbourhood and hope we can contribute something unique to the neighbourhood.” The new Prairie Boy Bread will offer a similar selection of products that are currently available at the College Street location. MacPherson says that the bakery will also stock an assortment of carefully curated products made by local makers who share the company’s ethos about food and community of procuring locally. As an essential service, Prairie Boy’s College Street location is currently open for in-store shopping, but strict health and safety protocols remain in place. Curbside pickup is also available. “The support from the neighbourhood has been really great over the last 10 months. This has allowed us to keep our doors open and the staff employed,” MacPherson says. “While we will be opening into a different reality than we had previously envisioned, we feel reasonably confident that there will be sufficient business to make the new space a success.” - Christine Hogg

Legendary Leaside bar goes on hiatus

FEBRUARY 2021

McSorley’s statement indicates the inability to sell alcohol on a regular basis for its dine-in customers or sell it at wholesale prices similar to the LCBO means it does not have the “right business model to operate during these times.” “We pay our employees properly, we pay our taxes and bills, we put our 2019 profits right back into the business in 2020 with a full exterior and interior renovation. We feel we have done everything right to the best of our abilities during these times, but it just wasn’t working well enough,” the statement continues. The McSorley’s team took the opportunity to ask its own customers to support local businesses in the Leaside area, especially the tiny shops on Bayview Avenue that have “fought really hard over the past 10 months to stay afloat.”

© Lindsay Rosset

Popular Leaside bar and restaurant McSorley’s is going on a hiatus after 10 months of trying to cope with running a food and beverage operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a note sent to the restaurant’s mailing list via email and then posted on social media, the longtime Bayview Avenue bar notes that it deserved a “little vacation from all this mess,” before thanking the community for their support. “We appreciate all the support you have shown during this time, and rest assured we will open again soon when the time is right,” the post reads, in part. The hospitality industry, in particular restaurants and bars, has been amongst the hardest hit during the pandemic with some suggesting one in 10 have already closed across the country.

by Ron Johnson

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McSorley’s plans on reopening in the near future

Owner Grant MacPherson

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A secret pizza topped with vodka sauce, pepperoni, sesame, chilli flakes and caramelized onion

Mel’s launches Canadian-style pizza

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Ghost kitchen offers secret password ordering by Jessica Huras

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Mel’s Pizza is bringing a mushrooms and chopped distinctive new style of pizza to pepperoni. Toronto. Pre-pandemic, Toronto “A lot of Windsor expats are chef Matt Sullivan went on a getting it and love it,” says pizza research journey that took Sullivan. him from Windsor to Chicago, Mel’s also regularly offers Brooklyn, Detroit and beyond. special secret pizzas by sharing a When COVID-19 hit, Sullivan password via Instagram stories. focused on using his newfound Diners who order a standard pizza knowledge to create “a cheese pizza and enter the Canadian-style, nostalgic pizza” password in the comments that would be well-suited to section of their form will receive takeout and delivery. the secret pizza instead. Recent “A lot of different styles secret pies have included a of pizza don’t really taco pizza topped with work for delivery. You beef short rib braised ON THE MENU have to have it when in chipotle peppers, The No Big Dill it comes fresh out of peperoncini, red features vodka the oven,” explains pepper and shaved sauce, pepperoni Sullivan. cotija cheese; and a and dill pickles. The pies at Mel’s clam pizza topped Pizza feature a thin with clams in garlic crust that’s crispy yet butter and clam liquor, fluffy, made from dough that’s spicy vodka sauce, mozzarella fermented for four days. The and bacon. pizzas, all of which come in 16Mel’s Pizza is currently inch sizes, are topped with available for delivery via Uber organic mozzarella and sauce Eats, DoorDash and made from Bianco DiNapoli SkipTheDishes. organic tomatoes. Sullivan says he hopes to “We use really quality eventually transition from a ghost ingredients,” says Sullivan. “It’s kitchen to a brick and mortar crafted, thoughtful pizza.” restaurant when lockdown Some toppings pay homage to restrictions are lifted. Canadian-made pizzas. For “We have a pretty good example, the Windsor pizza, following with a lot of repeat which is inspired by the city’s customers, and we’re getting iconic hometown pizza, is topped busier every day,” he says. with tomato, mozzarella,

NEWS

FOOD

Specialized treatment for Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Separation/Divorce Counseling, Eating Disorders, Addictions and Sleep Disorders The Food Dudes' Adrian Niman partnered with cannabis brand Olli

Rosedale chef cooks up cannabis cannabis as a treatment for anxiety, physical pain and more. Niman, Aird and Gillin hired a team of industry professionals to help them develop their line — the soft chews in both strawberry and dragon fruit flavours are available now (priced at $7.90 per pack). The two gummies are available for sale through the Ontario Cannabis Store and other licensed retailers. Cannabis-infused teas, which have been hand selected by an in-house tea sommelier, are poised to drop soon as well.

“Our products are much more nutritious and more beneficial for you than anything else on the market.” A food scientist ensured that the goodies have a shelf life of up to six months but without sacrificing flavour profile. “I’ve been able to work with them on a bunch of ideas,” Niman says. “Now we have such a great team. They come to us with ideas, and it makes my job really fun. I just get to come in and see what they’ve been working on and try their amazing products.” The partnership with Olli wasn’t the only new venture for Niman in 2020. This recent launch comes on

the heels of Niman’s experience with Hotel X, catering for the hotel’s NHL playoff bubble. He was given the task a mere 10 days after signing a deal to cater for Hotel X. As a former competitive hockey player and an equally avid fan, it was an experience that Niman says brought endless positivity to 2020. “We took over our first hotel deal, and then 10 days later we’re told they won the bid to be able to be one of the hotels to cater to the players and teams. I ended up having to live in the hotel for 40 days and 40 nights,” he says. “We had to launch three different restaurants and run a breakfast, lunch and dinner banquet for all the teams every single day.” The players recognized his efforts, and Sidney Crosby even signed a stick for him. “It was definitely the highlight of 2020 for me, in a year that was full of so much despair,” he says. For 2021, Niman and the Food Dudes are working to open more locations of their pizza restaurant, Blondie’s. They’re also continuing to make their mark on the Toronto food scene with Fare by the Food Dudes, a grocery and gift experience that provides curated boxes and experiences for six different themes. “Really, it’s just trying to stay patient and wait for everyone to get vaccinated so that we can get back to doing what we love,” he says. “And that’s cooking for people.”

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FEBRUARY 2021

Adrian Niman knows his way around the food industry. Prior to founding the Food Dudes 14 years ago, a catering and restaurant company, from the kitchen of his condo, Niman trained in Michelin-starred restaurants. He has spent the last decade and a half looking for new ways to explore his culinary passion while injecting youthful energy into the Toronto food industry. Although the last year presented many challenges, it also provided Niman with a rare opportunity to make forays into uncharted culinary territory. The Food Dudes already helm five Toronto restaurants, including Rasa in Harbord village and Pantry at Yonge and Roxborough in Rosedale. Three years ago, the opportunity came for Niman to partner with John B. Aird and Sarah Gillin of Olli on a line of cannabis-infused food products. Niman took the chance to venture into yet another facet of the food industry. The trio struck a deal and Niman joined the venture as executive chef. Working out of Olli’s 11,200-square-foot facility in Etobicoke, he set to work. The result is a range of cannabis chews, teas and brownies created with high-quality ingredients. “We can guarantee that our products are much more nutritious and more beneficial for you than anything else on the market,” Niman says. He notes the natural benefits of

by Erica Commisso

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The Food Dudes’ Adrian Niman launches edibles

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FOOD

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The Matt's Smokehouse team

Forest Hill rookie chef opens BBQ joint Matt’s Smokehouse offers ribs and brisket

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by Jessica Huras

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Matt’s Smokehouse is the The simple menu at Matt’s Junction’s latest source for Smokehouse includes brisket and Southern-style barbecue. pulled chicken sandwiches, ribs, Originally a home-based wings and rotating weekly business, Matt’s Smokehouse specials like jerk chicken started when owner Matthew sandwiches and sausages. Horowitz bought a backyard Meats are smoked over a blend smoker a few years ago. of apple, pecan and hickory Gradually, his personal barbecue woods. experiments led to him serving “I do a mix of the three, so it’s his smoked creations to friends light but you still get that outer and neighbours. Soon, he was smoke,” Horowitz says. taking orders almost daily via For sides, there’s homemade Instagram. candy jalapeno cornbread “I did a trial run from and a Memphis-style about February to slaw. ON THE MENU June [2020], and Horowitz says that The pulled chicken during that time I his wings have sandwich features was selling five to already become a fan fried onions and seven days a week, favourite because, secret sauce. and I would unlike most barbecue essentially sell out joints, he smokes the every day to my friends wings rather than frying and family and whoever knew them. me,” says Horowitz. They’re seasoned with a dry After purchasing a second rub and then coated lightly with a smoker, bringing on a restaurant signature sauce on the smoker, industry friend to help him keep which Horowitz says gives them a up with the orders and crunching slightly caramelized exterior. the numbers, Horowitz decided Pickup orders can be placed via to turn his hobby into a full-time the Matt’s Smokehouse website. career, quitting his day job and Currently, the restaurant offers signing a lease to a commercial same-day ordering for kitchen. sandwiches and sides. Other He plans to operate Matt’s orders need to be placed 24 hours Smokehouse mainly as a takeout in advance, although Horowitz restaurant but adds that the space says he hopes to soon roll out has a few patio tables for outdoor same-day ordering for the whole dining in the warmer months. menu.

NEWS

FOOD

A platter of chicken paired with sides

California hot chicken comes to T.O. Dave's Hot Chicken debuts soon at Yonge & Eg Dave’s Hot Chicken has officially arrived in Toronto to warm up our winter with its spicy Nashville chicken. The new Parkdale outpost, which takes over the former home of Pete’s Corner Grill, is the L.A. fast-casual concept’s first location outside of California. Blair Bitove, director of business development, first discovered Dave’s Hot Chicken while studying in Los Angeles. She worked with her father, John Bitove, founder of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, to bring the popular franchise to Canada. Founded by four childhood friends, Dave's Hot Chicken was started in 2017 as a pop-up concept operating out of a parking lot in East Hollywood. The foursome opened their first brick and mortar store in 2018,

and Dave's Hot Chicken has since expanded to seven locations across L.A. “I think what sets us apart is we use the tender meat from the chicken, which is the best part of the chicken,” says Blair. “Our flavouring is very different from what people are used to. It’s a mix between a dry rub and a sauce.” Dave’s Hot Chicken’s simple menu features just three combos of chicken tenders or sliders. The chicken is prepared in a signature brine, deep-fried and seasoned with a choice of seven spice blends that come in heat levels ranging from “no spice” to “reaper.” Combos are served with crinkle fries, pickles and spicy Dave’s sauce. Other sides include cheese fries, kale slaw and mac ’n’ cheese, which can be ordered separately or added to a combo. Blair says the restaurant will

by Jessica Huras

soon also launch a secret menu with only-in-Canada items, such as chicken poutine. A craft beer lineup focused on neighbourhood brewers is also in the works. The Bitoves have plans to open more than 30 Canadian Dave’s Hot Chicken outposts over the next year. Blair says the next two locations, found just south of Yonge and Eglinton and in the Leslieville area, will hopefully open their doors before the summer. Each location will also feature a mural by a Toronto artist that pays homage to its unique surrounding neighbourhood. Dave’s Hot Chicken’s Parkdale location is currently open for takeout and delivery. A dine-in area will launch when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

weeks and the Summerhill Market team is currently aiming for a March opening. However as with almost everything amidst the pandemic, McMullen says the lockdown could delay the projected timeline. The first Summerhill Market was founded by Frank McMullen in Rosedale in 1954. The market now has additional locations in the Sherwood Park area and the Annex, as well as a floral boutique on Mount Pleasant Road. The three market locations are currently open for in-store shopping and online ordering. Delivery is offered for online orders, with curbside pickup also available at the Rosedale location. Keep an eye on Summerhill Market’s website and Instagram for further updates on the opening date for the Forest Hill location. - JH

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Beloved Toronto grocer Summerhill Market is set to soon open its fourth location at 484 Eglinton Ave. W., in the Forest Hill neighbourhood. Company president Brad McMullen says the new outpost, which takes over the former home of Edo restaurant, has been in the works for over a year and the building has been given a top-to-bottom makeover. Once completed, the new grocery store will span two storeys. Full details about the new location are still under wraps, but like Summerhill Market’s other locations across Toronto, McMullen says the Forest Hill store will feature a full selection of house-made prepared foods and grocery essentials, as well as a meat counter for prime cuts. McMullen adds that construction on the new store should be wrapping up within the next two

FEBRUARY 2021

Midtown gets a new glam grocer

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LOOKING BACK BEFORE YOU GO, TAKE A GANDER AT THESE FIVE HISTORIC EVENTS FROM FEBRUARYS OF YEARS PAST FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION

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On Feb. 14, 1890, much of University College was destroyed by a fire caused by a tray of lit kerosene lamps being dropped in a stairwell. Fortunately, there were no casualties but 33,000 books were destroyed.

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The Feb. 1916 issue of Photoplay described Toronto Oscar winner Mary Pickford’s acting as ‘luminous tenderness in a steel band of gutter ferocity.’

The very first Groundhog Day took place on Feb. 2, 1956 but Wiarton Willie and his predictive powers didn’t appear on the scene until the 1980s.

In Feb. 1979, Toronto became the first municipality to declare Black History Month. Pictured: Canada’s first Black senator, Anne Cools, with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who nominated her.

The Toronto Meteorological Office launched Canada’s first weather balloon to measure upper-air atmospheric conditions on Feb. 3, 1911.

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