10 things to do in Toronto today

Events in Toronto today give you the chance to spend your Saturday eating free bingsu, dancing it out to the Biebs, partying under the Gardiner or filling up at the DUKE Eats Festival. The possibilities are endless!

Events you might want to check out:

Duke Eats Food Festival (June 30 @ 1290 Finch Avenue West)
Among all the food to be had, this huge outdoor festival boasts Indigenous markets, cultural showcases and live entertainment.
Sorry: Justin Bieber Dance Party (June 30 @ Sneaky Dee's)
If you can think of a better way to ring in Canada Day than with our most iconic pop star signing what could very well be the national anthem, I'd like to hear it.
Sunnyside 20 (June 30 @ Sunnyside Pavilion & Cafe)
Sunnnyside's weekly beach party returns for another night under the stars with dancing, drinks and DJs Chus + Ceballos.
80's & 90's Video Dance Party (June 30 @ Remix Lounge)
What would a long weekend be without a retro dance party? This one shines a light on new wave legends Depeche Mode in their prime.
Beer.Diversity. (July 7 @ Black Creek Community Farm)
Ren Navarro believes that beer should be for everyone, and looks to discuss diversity in the beer industry while sipping on some brews.
Tell Em Boobs Bye (June 30 @ Comedy Bar)
Non-binary comedian Chantel Marostica joins fellow comedians to roast Marostica’s boobs during this fundraiser for surgery.
The Devil at Your Heels (June 30 @ The Royal Cinema)
Follow the journey of Canadian stunt driver Ken Carter as he raises the money needed to build a rocket-car for the stunt of a lifetime.
Finnfellas (June 30 @ Buddies in Bad Times)
It's Goodfellas meets Austin Powers in this comedy cabaret about two detective brothers, a criminal and a sassy police chief.
Free Korean Bingsu (June 30 - July 1 @ Dear Fro)
Pick yourself up some Korean bingsu on a hot summer day, courtesy of Dear Fro as they launch two new flavours for the season.
CITE Opening Weekend (June 30 - July 1 @ The Bentway)
One of the city's newest public spaces starts the season off by with a two-day party and a summer-long celebration of skateboarding arts and culture.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

Satirical Honest Ed's signs highlight how unaffordable Toronto is

They may be dead ringers for the iconic sales signs at Honest Ed's (RIP) but, as the man who created them warns: "these showcards are literally too good to be true."

Toronto artist Christopher Rouleau — the same designer behind those brilliant lettered meat signs and maps — just launched a new series of prints that are equal parts cute and cutting.

Called 'Dishonest Signs', they present a critique of modern culture in the nostalgia-inducing, Reubenesque (as in Wayne Reuben) aesthetic of showcards from Honest Ed's, which closed at the end of 2016 and has since been demolished completely.

Rouleau calls the finished product "a cheeky commentary about consumer trends and rising costs in the city of Toronto."

Several pieces from the set skewer food trends — particularly those that inspire people to wait for hours to get one snap for Instagram.

And those that have developed a reputation for being overpriced.

At least three of them point to the skyrocketing cost of tickets to see professional sports teams play at home.

Not to mention superstar musicians.

Are they unrealistic? Sure, but the outlandish dishonesty of what these signs advertise is precisely what makes them smart — and also kind of sad.

All of the work has been hand-painted with One Shot enamel paint and will be for sale at Pixel & Bristle at the Drake Underground this Saturday, if you're interested. They come in 12x16 signed originals, or in a set of postcards.

If you order them online, it'll cost you $25 for six postcards plus shipping. Sign of the times, I guess — but still less than two orders of avocado toast at a nice brunch spot.

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

Nobody is complaining about King Street anymore

King Street has got lots going for it. It's is the largest surface level transit route in North America, and it's home to a bunch of great bars, restaurants, theatres, tech companies, and now, art installations too.

We'll check in with some local businesses to see how the King Street pilot project is working out for them now that summer is here, plus the latest local news and fake news quiz on our Only in Toronto podcast.

People and places featured in this episode include:

• Kirsten McCrea
• Nate Middleton from Home of the Brave
• Ryan Maloney from Jimmy's

Articles referenced in this episode include:

• Toronto's homicide rate is now higher than New York's
• Movie theatre popcorn is now available for delivery in Toronto
• Unexpected fireworks freak out Toronto's west end
• Drake just revealed that he has a son
• Hundreds of baby seagulls rescued after jumping from hot roof in Toronto
• Police raid finds thousands of counterfeit items at Pacific Mall

More reading on the King Street Transit Pilot:

• King Street is getting a whole bunch of new public spaces
• Toronto can't seem to agree on future of King St.
• King Street restaurants launch new anti-transit pilot campaign
• New data shows dramatic effects of King St. Pilot
• King Street just got Lego-inspired milk crate benches

Ways to subscribe to the Only in Toronto podcast.

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Play Music
• Stitcher
• Tune In
• Libsyn

You can also listen to the Only in Toronto podcast on Alexa. Just ask Alexa to play the podcast Only in Toronto.

by Staff via blogTO

Mystery heroes rescue blind man from subway tracks in Toronto

Not every shocking incident involving Toronto's transit system is a bad one — though, if not for a few brave travellers, this definitely could have been.

Three men are being hailed as heroes today after rescuing a passenger who'd fallen onto the tracks at Broadview Station Thursday afternoon.

In a a now-viral Facebook post, witness Julie Caniglia explains that she heard a faint voice calling out "help, help me please" upon arriving at Broadview Station.

Upon looking out from the platform, she and another passenger saw a man lying on the tracks with a walking cane. The man was blind, according to Caniglia, and had been injured in his fall from the platform.

"Without hesitation the man you see in this picture, in the animal shirt, jumped into the tracks to pull him out," she wrote on Facebook with a photo showing the injured man surrounded by three others.

"Thankfully, two other men showed up to help as well and this story has a happy ending," she continued. "Please pass this photo around, these men need to be recognized as good Samaritans. If they hadn't reacted so quickly, the outcome would have been horrific."

The man who'd fallen was rushed to hospital with minor injuries, according to TTC officials, but those who had saved him were gone by the time the agency's chief superintendent arrived at the scene — just like actual superheroes.

The TTC says that, at the time of the incident, another customer on the platform was quick to push the blue button that cuts off power to the deadly third rail, which could electrocute anyone who touches it.

Still, the unknown man in the animal print shirt risked his life to save another by jumping onto the tracks of an active subway line.

Nearly 3,500 have now commented on Caniglia's post in less than 24 hours, many to praise the rescuers and ask that they come forward for recognition.

This has not yet happened, a huge fan base is already waiting if and when they reveal themselves publicly.

Either way, the story is cheering a lot of people up during an otherwise trying time for Toronto.

"Just when you thought the world was a bad place, hope returns," commented one person on Facebook. "Thank you."

"As a subway operator on Line One, I know from personal experience how fast a situation like this can deteriorate," wrote another. "I know too the dangers these guys were exposing themselves to by helping this man. A brave and kind act."

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

Metal detectors are coming to City Hall

Visiting Toronto City Hall will soon feel a lot more like passing through an airport, according to enhanced security measures that were passed by Council on Thursday night. 

According to a staff report on the enhanced security measures at Toronto City Hall, council approved baggage security screening, walk-through metal detectors and the installation of a "physical security measure" to replace the ropes that currently surround the Council Chamber.

"Toronto City Hall is the seat of municipal government, corporate head office for Canada's largest city, and one of the most distinctive, symbolic, and iconic buildings in the City of Toronto," reads the report. 

"Unfortunately, these attributes may also make Toronto City Hall a target for serious threats and some key measures required to mitigate these threats are not currently present."

Expense-wise, the cost will amount to $365,000 in four additional security staff and hours.

Baggage screening will cost $162,000 to implement. The installation of the walk-through metal detectors will cost $85,000. These measures are set to come into effect sometime this summer. 

by Lisa Cumming via blogTO

Doug Ford officially sworn in as premier of Ontario

The Honourable Doug Ford — controversial Etobicoke businessman and brother to late former Toronto mayor Rob Ford — is now officially Ontario's top dog.

Out with the old and in with the new #onpoli pic.twitter.com/CrmLEpJk4o

— Mike Crawley (@CBCQueensPark) June 28, 2018

Ford, who secured a majority win for his PC party during the June 7 general election, was sworn in by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell at Queen's Park shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday morning.

After taking the required oaths, the Honourable Doug Ford (@fordnation) is now Premier of Ontario. Other members of the Executive Council will now be sworn in. #onpoli

— Elizabeth Dowdeswell (@LGLizDowdeswell) June 29, 2018

"I, Doug Ford, swear that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute the powers and trust reposed to me as premier and president of the council and minister of intergovernmental affairs of the province of Ontario, so help me God," said the new Premier as he took his Oath of Office in the Ontario legislature.

The ceremony, which puts the PCs in power for the first time 2003, proceeded with the swearing in of Ford's 21 cabinet members, a full list of which is currently being widely circulated and scrutinized online.

scorpion tracklist pic.twitter.com/EGdHLnanY3

— your friend john (@johnsemley3000) June 29, 2018

Hundreds are now gathered outside Queen's Park, where Ford is expected to make a speech "for the people."

Outhouses. For the people. At today's swearing-in of the new Doug Ford PC government at Queen's Park. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/yiFSzlqfAY

— Rob Ferguson (@robferguson1) June 29, 2018

Many of those present are Ford supporters.

Premier Ford’s public celebration is about to begin. Hundreds of supporters, including members of Ford Nation are here at Queen’s Park for the festivities @CHCHNews pic.twitter.com/KHH9pvaMw7

— Nicole Martin (@nmartinCHCH) June 29, 2018

Some are not.

Lone anti-Doug Ford protestor outside of Queen's Park.

This man has been discussing his views of Ford with his supporters as well. #onpoli #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/95PPVACRnC

— Taz Dhaliwal (@taz_dhaliwal) June 29, 2018

Ford is set to reaffirm his oath of office in the presence of Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell on the steps of Queen's Park before delivering his speech.

It is not yet known what Ford will say during this speech, but we do know, based on what he said prior to being sworn in, that his first acts as Premier will be to scrap the province’s cap-and-trade system, carry out a hiring freeze and maybe try to get subways extended out to the suburbs, somehow.

You can watch the entire show right here:

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

The top 10 events in Toronto this July

Top events in Toronto for July 2018 are ones you'll probably be hearing a lot about — or in the case with the Hondy Indy, actually hearing. Ontario Place is flipping burgers and serving up beer while Lole White tours for another year, there's also lots of free stuff happening this month.

Events you might want to check out:

Electric Island (July 1 @ Hanlan's Point)
Round two of this electro concert series on the Islands kicks off with a special Canada Day celebration featuring Anna, Jackmaster, Jade and more.
Toronto Fringe Festival (July 4-15 @ Multiple Venues)
Theatres across the city play host to a variety of plays by upcoming and established playwrites on the fringe of the performing arts scene.
BurgerMania (July 6-8 @ Ontario Place)
It's the first ever BurgerMania where burger vendors from all over the city come together for a patty smackdown.
Vans Warped Tour (July 17 @ Budweiser Stage)
Vans Warped Tour comes to an end after 24 glorious years of raucous partying and music with performances by Sum 41, Bowling for Soup, and The Used.
Honda Indy (July 13-15 @ Exhibition Place)
Revving, screeching and zipping takes over Toronto for two days this month as the Honda Indy returns with beer gardens, food, activities and more.
Kevin Hart (July 21 @ Air Canada Centre)
Funnyman Kevin Hart lands in Toronto for the night to bring the laughs and real talk as part of his The Irresponsible Tour.
Bastid's BBQ (July 22 @ 525 King St W)
A full day of barbecue and tunes is returning to King Street with grub, and live performances courtesy of DJ Skratch Bastid.
Lole White Tour (July 26 @ Exhibition Place)
Wellness and community come together for this huge, all-white, travelling outdoor yoga event taking place in the glow of the summer sunset.
Toronto's Festival of Beer (July 26-29 @ Bandshell Park)
Beers, brews, brewski's, cold ones and suds are all on tap at this festival dedicated to the crispiest ciders and boldest blonds.
Hop Chow Fest (July 28 @ Propeller Coffee)
Bloor and Lansdowne is set to be block party ground zero this month as Hop Chow returns with a full day of food, music, drinks and more.

by Lisa Power via blogTO