Toronto is already complaining about the air show

It's the most terrifying time of the year for cats, dogs, young children and anyone who's actually lived in a war zone: Airshow time.

"Welcome everyone to the annual CNE Air Show!

First up is our carpet-bombing demonstration. Now we'd like you to imagine that the surface of Lake Ontario is Cambodia..."

— Ross Langager (@Sidslang) August 31, 2018

The 69th annual Canadian International Air Show is set to take place over Lake Ontario this long weekend, every day between 1 and 3 p.m., in conjunction with the end of the 2018 CNE.

Of course, the fighter pilots are already up in the sky as of Friday afternoon freaking the heck out of probably every animal and tourist in the city.

Big shout out to the Toronto air show for sending my cat into a panic attack with every ear-busting jet that flies overhead, a great way to spend my last day off of summer. pic.twitter.com/8RSORaBS6w

— Sharky (@tsunamisharks) August 31, 2018

Described as an "aviation extravaganza," this year's performance features both the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial acrobatic jet teams.

Dear lord, the horror that is the #CNE #airshow has begun. We are recklessly burning jet fuel during the hottest year on record to celebrate warmongering & inflict trauma on survivors of conflict. And to scare the eff out of my cat. This needs to stop, #Toronto.

— irina cerić (@irinaceric) August 31, 2018

It'll be the first time in 15 years that the Americans bring along their "signature F16's," according to The Ex, and their only performance outside of the U.S. this year.

Me every time a @LetsGoToTheEX air show plane flies by my apartment. This is going to be a long weekend... #Toronto pic.twitter.com/mYqy1lzICE

— Stephanie Kesler (@steph_kes) August 31, 2018

"The afternoon comes to its final crescendo with the spectacular CF Snowbirds electrifying crowds with extraordinary aerial manoeuvres performed by nine amazing pilots who come from across Canada," reads the Canadian National Exhibition's website.

"Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), the show is a shining example of a 60 year old history of USA and Canadian cooperation."

Your annual Toronto air show reminder that some of the people living in this city have lived in places attacked by the most expensive toys of the military industrial complex and probably don't appreciate the whooshes and booms. Arms races and gratuitous jet fuel use...

— Milan Ilnyckyj (@sindark) August 31, 2018

Cool, if you like military weapons, aerospace engineering or Canadiana — a lot of people do. But not the entire population of Toronto.

Just rode past a bunch of daycare kids crying bc it was scary.

— CASIE STEWART ☀️ (@casiestewart) August 31, 2018

In fact, many people who live within earshot of the annual three-day-long spectacle (plus the "practice days" the precede it) absolutely hate the annual airshow.

“did you hear? the air show is back. yay!” - said nobody

— Sasha Kalra (@sashakalra) August 31, 2018

So many people in this city hate the airshow that it could very well become a political issue leading up to this fall's municipal election.

I would probably vote for any mayoral candidate who ran on a single-issue platform: banning the fucking airshow.

— Gavin Graham (@gavingraham) August 31, 2018

I mean, it's really, really loud.

Some thoughts on the annual Labour Day weekend air show:

I hate it. My cat hates it. It is stupid. It is noisy. We don’t need to have a celebration for weapons of war.

The end. #Toronto

— Katie (@Katie_Kats1) August 31, 2018

Given the current political climate, fighter jets in the sky are a bit unnerving for some.

Is there an #airshow right now or are we under attack? Never too sure how far that orange nut job will go. #toronto #topoli

— 〽️♥️Mommy Q♥️〽️ (@tazcj) August 31, 2018

Many on Twitter have been arguing in recent years that the air show both celebrates violence and needlessly inflicts trauma upon refugees who've fled regions in conflict.

Feeling horrible for all the people in Toronto who used to live in war zones and have to put up with the air show this weekend. War planes fuck off forever.

— Kelly Robson (@kellyoyo) August 31, 2018

There's also the environmental factor. F/A-18 Hornets need a lot of energy to do what they do, and Teslas they are not.

Dear lord, the horror that is the #CNE #airshow has begun. We are recklessly burning jet fuel during the hottest year on record to celebrate warmongering & inflict trauma on survivors of conflict. And to scare the eff out of my cat. This needs to stop, #Toronto.

— irina cerić (@irinaceric) August 31, 2018

Perhaps something a little less ear-splitting could take its place.

How about a hot-air balloon show instead?

Think of it: A nice, quiet, all-colors-of-the-rainbow hot-air balloon show. The perfect amalgam of Pride & #AirShow, except without the middle-aged-man penis-posturing-in-public bullshit. https://t.co/d7WlyquGg9

— MovieJay (@MovieJay) August 31, 2018

Until then, SCHEWWWWW, KA-BOOOOOOOMMMM, PYYYOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!!

WHOOOOOOOSHHHHH!!! #airshow pic.twitter.com/hQ6JIIG5lP

— Lauren O'Neil (@laurenonizzle) August 31, 2018

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

Ontario government takes next step to takeover the TTC

It looks like the TTC subways won't be a Toronto issue for much longer. 

Minister of Transportation John Yakabuski announced today that, as per Premiere Doug Ford's campaign promise, the Conservative Party has appointed a Special Advisor to oversee the transfer of subway line management from the City of Toronto to the province. 

Our government is working to get residents and business across the GTHA moving. Michael Lindsay has been appointed as Special Advisor on the upload of the Toronto subway system https://t.co/gxeoXZLwwT

— John Yakabuski (@JYakabuskiMPP) August 31, 2018

The new advisor Michael Lindsay—formerly a vice president of commercial projects at Infrastructure Ontario—will be in charge of making recommendations on how to best upload responsibilities for the city-owned rail network to the next level of government. 

Working alongside a panel of around three experts who have yet to be appointed, Lindsay's duties will include the building of new subway lines as well as the maintenance of old ones.  According the statement he won't be paid for his role as Special Advisor. 

"Traffic congestion and a lack of transit infrastructure is costing money, jobs and time," said Yakabuski in his announcement. "Our government is stepping up and treating the subway like the vital service it is." 

The Conservative Party has previously stated that the transfer of subway line ownership from municipal to provincial will not effect the day-to-day operations of the TTC, and cites reduced costs and quicker build times for the change. 

Critics of the transition have argued that the split in subway ownership could potentially result in conflicts between the City and the province.

When this new panel of experts will start making recommendations has yet to be announced.

by Tanya Mok via blogTO

Drake takes heat for wearing Hells Angels hoodie

Video shows man clinging to car hood on Toronto highway

A 42-year-old Scarborough man is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting someone with a weapon while travelling along Highway 404 on Wednesday morning.

The weapon in question? His car — the same car pictured in a now-viral dash cam clip with a man clinging to its hood while moving at speeds of nearly 100 km/h.

Police are calling what happened on Wednesday a "road rage incident," but witnesses could be forgiven for thinking it was some good old Hollywood North movie magic (The Rock is... HOOD RIDER!).

It wasn't Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis or Jason Statham on the hood of that car, though. It was a local man named Dave Yeomans, who says he only jumped on the car to avoid being run over.

WATCH: Man clings to hood of car on Highway 404 after alleged road rage incident. pic.twitter.com/l9aiNZwQ7M

— James Wattie (@jameswattie) August 29, 2018

Yeomans, as the story goes, initiated what would be the ride of his life by refusing to let another vehicle merge in front of him on the highway.

The other driver is alleged to have started screaming profanities at Yeomans. Both vehicles eventually came to a stop — in live traffic — as the men had a war of words.

At one point, Yeomans says the other driver got out of his car and threw a tool box at him.

"Then he went back to his car, so I got out to take a picture of his licence plate and maybe him, and then he sped towards me," he said to CBC Toronto this week.

He jumped onto the car's hood so that he "wouldn't get hit" and says he thought to himself: "Just hold on to the hood and wiper blades, and hope he doesn't swerve."

Yeomans estimates that he travelled about 500 metres on the vehicle before the driver stopped abruptly, allowing him to slide off. Fellow motorist Daniel Yang managed to capture part of that journey with his dash cam.

Edward ENNIS, 42 years old from Scarborough is charged with
•Dangerous driving
•Assault with a weapon (vehicle)

After road rage incident Wednesday morning where a man was seen clinging to the hood of a vehicle driving at highway speed on #Hwy404

— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) August 30, 2018

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt announced on Thursday that Edward Ennis of Scarborough is charged with dangerous driving and assault with a weapon for his alleged role in the road rage incident.

"There's no place for that in our society. I don't know what he was thinking," said Schmidt to CTV News last night, calling the incident "extremely dangerous."

"It could have been far worse," said the officer of how Yeomans fared. "Had he fallen off or slipped out he would have been run over by that car or any other car beside him."

Schmidt encouraged all motorists to use their heads while driving, regardless of how rushed they are.

"Everyone is trying to get to work or home or wherever and all have an agenda and all want to merge or drive at their own pace," he said. "A little bit of courtesy, decency and respect goes a long way in de-escalating these kind of things."

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

Sold! Architecturally stunning Toronto home goes for $1.89 million

This house is a kind of like a mullet. It’s heritage in the front, modern in the back.

The house was built in 1921 and since then, two architects have inhabited the space and renovated it into a modern beauty. 

The home is bright and airy. The entrance of the house that flows into the living room is more in line with the original house with the wood door and window frames.

The kitchen and dining area are arguably the most stunning part of the house. The 16-foot ceilings in the kitchen are put to use by massive floor-to-ceiling windows, which are angled specifically to catch the sunrise. They're breathtaking.

I also love the floating cabinets, allowing whoever’s in the kitchen to be part of the action that’s happening in the dining room.

The house has three spacious bedrooms and two office spaces, one of which has a ladder up to a built-in loft bed.

The second-floor master bedroom has a hardwood floor, two double mirrored closets and a fireplace with a wood mantle.

There’s more living space in the basement with a big laundry room and steps down to a sunken rec room.

Also in the basement is a spa area with a jacuzzi that overlooks the ravine.

Attached is a four-piece bathroom with a clawfoot tub.

As for outdoor space, there’s a three-tiered deck and rooftop patio which overlook a beautiful ravine. This house is kinda like a very upscale treehouse.

The Essentials

• Address: 89 Kingswood Road
• Type: House
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Size: 50 x 130  feet
• Realtor: Andrew Ipekian Real Estate
• Hit the market at: $1,889,000
• Sold for: $1,889,000

Why it sold for what it did?

It’s a magnificent home in the popular Beaches neighbourhood. I’m kinda surprised it didn’t go for more.

Was it worth it?

I sure think so. Yes, some of the bathrooms look a bit dated, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a unique house on a stunning property. You can’t really go wrong.

by Misha Gajewski via blogTO

The top 10 movies to see at TIFF 2018

There are dozens of incredible films to chose from at TIFF 2018 and while there's plenty to like in the documentary category, foreign and buzziest films, I've selfishly kept a few favourites back for this list.

Here are my must-see movies at TIFF 2018.

Carmine Street Guitars

Hometown hero Ron Mann will bring his sweet and charming musical film home about Greenwich Village luthiers to TIFF after showing it in Venice. A warm, Demme-like respite in the midst of festival chaos, we can all use some of that in the midst of more dour offerings.

Green Book

A Farrelly brother directing Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen in a period drama? The ingredients are too weird to pass up. This is either going to be a masterpiece or a mess, and either way I can't wait to find out.

Halloween

I'm not a huge fan of the original, but I am extremely excited to see what David Gordon Green can do with such material, hoping for a bit of magic from this mix of high and low, art-house and schlock, that Green and his collaborators may bring to this redux.

Kursk

I love submarine movies. I love Danish cinema. I love Thomas Vinterberg's films. So, finally after years of anticipation, I get to see this tale of camaraderie and tragedy. Ready to dive, Captain. 

Mid90s

My favourite films are always those that skate a thin edge, ones that could either faceplant or stick the landing. Jonah Hill's directorial debut is about young skate punks in a period of a decade I'd rather forget and could be truly horrible. Or, as I have a tingling of hope about, it could be one of the best films of the fest. 

Monsters and Men

Fingers crossed on this one too. There have been too many simplistic films of late dealing with the highly complex issues surrounding law enforcement and marginalized communities. Reinaldo Marcus Green's film looks to shake things up, bringing nuance and subtlety without diminishing the power of its message.

Outlaw King

While some may wait for a chance to screen on VOD, I'm betting that David Mackenzie's epic about Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) will be a Royal feast best served in the cinema.

Firecrackers

It's pitched like a Canadian version of American Honey (a film that frankly I didn't love very much), but there's plenty of anticipation for Jasmin Mozaffari's film about two girls trying to escape their small town. Fingers crossed it's as explosive as its title.

Peterloo

It's a film directed by Mike Leigh. That's surely enough to warrant it being on anyone's must-see list. Make it a period drama about political reform with his usual sublime casting choices and it's even more tantalizing.

Widows

A monster cast (Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, Liam Neeson, Jacki Weaver, Colin Farrell), written by the scribe of Gone Girl and a thriller directed by the brilliantly artistic Steve McQueen. Yes, please.

by Jason Gorber via blogTO

Toronto Food Events: Mac and Cheese Fest, Brewer's Backyard, Le Burger Week

Burgers, barbecue and beer are just some of the food events happening in Toronto this week. Backyard Brewer's looks to celebrate Labour Day and there's a huge boozy brunch buffet waiting to be had. A new soup festival is on the way and it's almost time for Oktoberfest in the city.

Events you might want to check out:

Mac and Cheese Fest (August 31 - September 3 @ Woodbine Park)
Part of BuskerFest, this big festival devoted to all things Mac 'n' cheese is here with modern twists on the old favourite—and it's all for a good cause.
Toronto Rib, Bacon and BBQ Fest (August 31 - September 3 @ Downsview Park)
Save room for this big, end-of-summer cookout with all the bacon, ribs and barbecue you can imagine, plus live tunes, food trucks, activities and more.
Hispanic Fiesta (August 31 - September 3 @ Mel Lastman Square)
Celebrate all things Latin American at this big festival, featuring traditional food from twenty different Spanish speaking countries.
Le Burger Week (September 1-7 @ Multiple Venues)
Back again is this week-long burger festival happening at places all over the city, plus a competition to create the most unique burger.
Bagel Battle (September 2 @ Harbourfront Centre)
A battle is brewing to decide once and for all who has the best bagels (it's Montreal) with a history lesson and gourmet competitive sampling.
Rijsttafel (September 2 @ Borrel)
Dig into a traditional Dutch-Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table) during this big feast of flavours, meats, sides and speciality goodies.
Drag Queen Boozy Brunch (September 2 @ Constantine)
The powerful forces that are drag and brunch join together for a boozy extravaganza that includes performances, tunes and a huge brunch buffet.
Brewer’s Backyard (September 3 @ Evergreen Brick Works)
Raise a glass to the summer and celebrate another season come to pass at this big beer party featuring local brewing and a ton of food trucks on-site.
Harvest Wednesday (September 5 @ Gladstone Hotel)
This week's Harvest Wednesday looks to break the boundaries of dining with a chef's talk, three-course meal, drinks and live music into the night.
This Is Vintages (September 27 @ The Fermenting Cellar)
Wines from Ontario and beyond will be up for the tasting at this evening soirée featuring tastings from 80+ producers, food and tunes.
Toronto Oktoberfest (September 27-29 @ Ontario Place East Parking Lot)
Break out your lederhosen for this big festival in celebration of all things German culture with food, music and, of course, lots of beer.
Toronto Soup Festival (October 20-21 @ Garrison Common)
Just in time for comfort food season, this new festival is dedicated to all things soup, featuring exhibitors, non-soup food, drinks and more.

by Lisa Power via blogTO