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Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Drake asks Mayor of Pickering for better WiFi

A security guard in Toronto just told someone he couldn't take a photo of a building

A man was standing on a sidewalk outside of the Toronto-Dominion Centre in downtown Toronto taking photos when a security guard told him he was on private property and had to stop.

Robin Mazumder, a doctoral candidate in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Waterloo, was taking pictures of buildings for his dissertation. He uses virtual reality to study how architecture makes people feel, which is why he was studying the building.

“We really need to address the issue of privately owned public space. Public space where we can freely exist is diminishing,” he wrote on Twitter.

Mazumder asked the security person who approached him for his name and the guard responded by covering his name badge.

The guard attempted to explain where the public sidewalk ends and private property begins. He pointed to an arbitrary part of the cement and drew a line with his finger, but then said, “There is no defined limits.”

Photography laws can be murky and up to interpretation, but in most cases, Canada’s commercial photography by-laws dictate that you can take photos of private property from any public space, often even when security says not to.


by Hannah Alberga via blogTO

Toronto Blue Jays swing huge trade at deadline to dismay of fans

The Toronto Blue Jays have just made another big trade, sending starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez, reliever Joe Biagini and minor leaguer Cal Stevenson to the Houston Astros.

It's the second big trade of the week following the move of Marcus Stroman to the Mets on Sunday. 

Second baseman Eric Sogard and relievers Daniel Hudson and David Phelps have also been traded away this week.

While Biagini has been something of a fan favourite for his bizarre interviews and quirky personality, it's the trade of former All Star Aaron Sanchez that has fans especially upset.

In return for the trio of players, the Blue Jays are reportedly receiving outfielder Derek Fisher from Houston.

Fisher was a first round draft pick (37th overall) back in 2014 and has played parts of the past three seasons with the Astros, slugging 10 home runs, along with 33 RBIs.

The move so far is proving to be mind-boggling for Jays fans who expected a much larger return for two of the team's best young pitchers.

Sanchez was just returning to form, having set a Blue Jays record with six straight strikeouts to start a game earlier this week.

How the move fits into the rebuilding plan is also uncertain, as all three players traded were young, relatively cheap with long careers ahead of them.


by Staff via blogTO

The top 5 warehouse sales in Toronto this August

Warehouse sales in Toronto for August 2019 are ready to help you hit the town in some stylish ALDO shoes or get you comfy in Crocs. Brides-to-be can save big at a one-day sale and you can stock up on all kinds of kitchen gadgets as Kitchen Stuff Plus gives their prices a slash.

Events you might want to check out:

Wedding Clearance Dress Sale (August 10 @ Holiday Inn)
Big savings are yours on new designer wedding dresses, plus veils, belts, tiaras and lots more, all on sale at this one-day sale for up to 90 per cent off.
ALDO Warehouse Sale (August 15-18 @ Markham Fairgrounds)
Over 10,000 pairs of ALDO shoes are up for grabs with heels, sneakers, slides and boots all having their prices slashed to between $19.99 and $39.99.
Mr. B's Back to School Shoe Warehouse Sale (August 20-25 @ Mr. B's)
Skechers, Missimo, Calvin Klein, FILA and Vans are all on sale at this big back-to-school sale with styles and sizes for the whole family.
Crocs Warehouse Sale (August 22-25 @ Markham Fairgrounds)
Save big on all kinds of footwear and clothing at this big warehouse sale with lots of styles and brands like Crocs, Callaway Golf and Saucony Running Shoes.
Kitchen Stuff Plus Warehouse Sale (August 23-26 @ Kitchen Stuff Plus Warehouse)
Stock up on a huge selection of brand name appliances, furniture, dinnerware, cookware, gadgets, liens and stemware for up to 90 per cent off.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

The Best Patios in Toronto

The best patios in Toronto are where you can take it all in and bask in the sunshine as you sip your beverage of choice. Known for having fantastic food and scenic surroundings, make sure you check these spots off your summer bucket list.

Here are the best patios in Toronto.

Broadview Hotel

Get a bird’s eye view of Riverside on this patio on top of a historic hotel. Small plates and cocktails have a local emphasis, design is chic, and there’s an indoor area on the rooftop too in case it gets rainy.

best patios toronto

Head to Amsterdam Brewhouse for beers by the water. Photo by blogTO.

Amsterdam Brewhouse

Feel like you’re kicking back at the cottage sipping a craft beer in a Muskoka chair as you gaze out at the Harbourfront on this patio. With a capacity of hundreds, even the largest parties won’t get turned away.

best patios toronto

Feast in style on a cobblestoned patio at El Catrin. Photo by Jesse Milns.

El Catrin

The Distillery District has this patio at a Latin American restaurant, complete with eccentric light fixtures and fire pits. It’s even open in winter sometimes.

best patios toronto

Craft beer just tastes better out on Bandit Brewery's patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Bandit Brewery

Get to this Roncesvalles patio early to snag a seat at one of the picnic benches on a gravel lot with trees and twinkly lights. Bar food and craft beer brewed on site won’t disappoint.

best patios toronto

Serene whisky sipping sessions await on at Allen's near Danforth Music Hall. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Allen’s

Massive willows give character to this Danforth patio, where you can sip whisky and dine on some bistro burgers and capon wings.

best patios toronto

Some of the best flavours in Toronto are all in one place at Assembly Chef's Hall. Photo by blogTO.

Assembly Chef’s Hall

This patio, where you can enjoy food options from tacos to BBQ to fried chicken, is hidden in the heart of the Financial District.

best patios toronto

Double the patios, double the fun at Gusto 101. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Gusto 101

The King West neighbourhood has this Italian restaurant with a patio, distinguished by a giant Goodyear sign and a retractable roof.

best patios toronto

Food, drinks and art all come together on the Drake Sky Yard patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Drake Sky Yard

This artsy West Queen West classic is one of the original rooftop bars, open all season long, though summer is when it really comes alive.

best patios toronto

Lush greenery and an old fireplace give the patio at 3 Speed its charm. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

3 Speed

This always-packed Bloordale patio behind a quaint bar is the place to be for Sunday brunch with caesars or beers on hot nights.


by Amy Carlberg via blogTO

Someone in Toronto just created an optical illusion out of a traffic signal box

Toronto is complaining about locked windows on TTC buses

Riding public transit in the sweltering heat is no picnic for anyone — not in Toronto, not in New York, not anywhere where it gets humid and dirty for a solid few months (if not more) every year.

But here's the thing: The TTC doesn't want to make you feel any more uncomfortable than you already are. In fact, the transit agency takes steps to try and ensure the opposite.

Please keep this in mind the next time you see a bolted window on your local Nova-model bus. 

Complaints have been mounting in recent months on Twitter and Reddit about windows that can't open on TTC vehicles. 

"The TTC has taken to screwing bus windows closed," reads the title of a popular thread published yesterday on r/toronto.

"Oh man, exactly. I'm a daily commuter on the 935 express," replied someone else. "The windows have either been locked or screwed shut."

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green confirmed that locked windows are in place on the TTC's newer buses, but explained that they are meant to make the vehicles cooler inside for passengers.

"This isn't new to the TTC — it's really no different than what is in place on the new streetcars," said Green of the locked windows. "We have now expanded that to new buses only, and on a trial basis to test whether keeping them closed improves the efficiency and efficacy of the [air conditioning]."

"The theory is, if we keep windows closed, the AC system should work more effectively," Green continued. "The temperature on the vehicles is set at, and system optimized for, 22C."

The TTC's customer service account has similarly told people complaining about the windows on Twitter that the windows are locked to maximize the benefit of air conditioning.

"As soon as any windows are opened, the efficiency of the air conditioning system is lost," wrote the account in reply to one irate passenger last month. "Sorry about the warm ride!"

Fair enough, but what about when the AC isn't turned on?

Customers say it happens, and some worry that it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured from overheating.

"On the hottest days at the busiest times of day, it's especially challenging to keep the vehicles uniformly cool as the vehicles get crowded and the doors are frequently opening and closing," says Green.

"If customers suspect the system is malfunctioning, they can report the vehicle number, route and time of day to customer service and mechanics can check it out when the bus ends its shift."

Given that the TTC is only locking its bus windows on a trial basis, your reports could carry some weight. 


by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO