10 things to do in Toronto today

We're back to our regularly-scheduled winter weather and events in Toronto are here for it with the opening of Ai Weiwei's new exhibtion and a performance from our very own Brooke Lynn Hytes. A huge Black History Month art party and some Harry Potter comedy are all on as well.

Events you might want to check out:

Brooke Lynn Hytes (February 28 @ Woody's)
Just in time for the premiere of the new season of RuPaul's Drag Race, Toronto's own Brooke Lynn Hytes returns for a performance and viewing party.
Pkew Pkew Pkew (February 28 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
What would this city be without some punk? Toronto punk rockers have been evolving their sound over the years to include lots of high-energy riffs and bombs.
What a Time to be Black (February 28 @ Margin of Eras)
One final celebration of Black History Month shines a light on Black women with a night of artwork, dance battles, talks, music and open mic.
East Coast Kitchen Party (February 28 @ Eastbound Brewing Company)
Yes, b'y. Get ready to celebrate east coast-style with a traditional kitchen party, including a four-course dinner, beer, giveaways, music and games.
Being Scene (February 28 @ Toronto Media Arts Centre)
Over 60 artists are set to showcase a huge variety of art with the goal of shaping ideas and narratives from the sublime to the absurd to the fearless.
The Hero (February 28 @ TIFF Bell Lightbox)
CaribbeanTales is ready to present a star-studded cast in Frances-Anne Solomon's new film about the life and times of activist Mr. Ulric Cross.
PotterProv (February 28 @ Comedy Bar)
The chamber has been opened and PotterProv has emerged from the bowels of Hogwarts for a night of Chamber of Secrets-inspired comedy.
Feast In The East (February 28 @ The Jam Factory)
Food, music and art come together for another edition of Feast in the East that features a homemade dinner and live performances.
Bears (February 28 - March 17 @ Factory Theatre)
Telling the story of Floyd, a Métis oil patch worker on the lam, this new play explores transformation and the uncovering of family secrets.
Ai Weiwei: Unbroken (February 28 - June 9 @ Gardiner Museum)
Artist Ai Weiwei is arriving with some of his ceramics, including an installation featuring thousands of handmade sunflower seeds.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

Condo of the week: 24 Noble Street

It might be considered impossible, but if you search hard enough, you may find a hard loft for under $1 million in Toronto. This space is just that.Nestled between High Park, Queen West and Parkdale, this studio loft has the potential to be stunning. It’s already quite nice now but it could be even better with a little work.It already has the bones for a great space, with exposed beams, exposed brick and oversized windows, which flood the place with natural light. Plus, the open concept layout and soaring 10-foot ceilings make this studio seem spacious and airy.

The kitchen is simple, but there’s plenty of storage space. Unfortunately, it seems the kitchen is the only place that has any kind of storage.

The bathroom is a bit dated and oddly doesn’t have a mirror. But, it has the rest of the basics.

The big downside to this place is that there isn’t a bedroom, which is obvious because it's a studio. There’s also no outdoor space, as is common with old warehouse buildings.

Specs

• Address: #111 – 24 Noble Street
• Price: $510,000
• Bedrooms: 0
• Bathrooms: 1
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 97    
• Transit Score: 96
• Maintenance Fees: $315 monthly
• Listing agent: Andrew Dybenko
• Listing ID: C4358338

Good For

Potential renovations. Hard lofts are hard to come by, and this one, while it needs some work, is affordable and could very well be a dream with a bit of creativity and some DIY know-how.

Move On If

You want a bedroom. Living in a studio definitely has some drawbacks.

by Misha Gajewski via blogTO

Toronto just got a scent room for dogs

A bunch of TTC employees have tested positive for drug use

Green and white are the preferred drugs of choice for TTC employees who choose to get high while on the job, according to a report from the transit agency's CEO Rick Leary.

Leary's February 2019 update report was discussed today at a TTC board meeting, along with several other important documents, including the Toronto Auditor General's recent report on fare evasion.

The 68-page-long CEO report holds a wealth of information for transit geeks to pore over—they always do—but one particular portion of this paper is sparking more interest than usual among members of the public.

It's called "Fitness for duty" and details the results of random employee drug and alcohol tests, which the TTC won the right to conduct back in 2017.

Cannabis was by far the most common drug TTC employees tested positive for during the period reported. Image via Toronto Transit Commission.

Leary's report states that a total of 82 employees were "non-compliant or refused to test under the random program" between May 8, 2017 and December 31, 2018.

Another 4,299 employees (98.1 per cent) took tests and passed, which is nothing to sneeze at in a workforce that size.

A total of 71 employees did test positive for drugs, however, in the time period surveyed, while another seven were found to have alcohol in their blood. Only four individuals refused the test outright.

It may look like nearly twice as many tests came back positive for drugs in 2018, but only half of 2017 was included in the report. Image via Toronto Transit Commission.

Among the substances found in TTC workers, cannabis was by far the most common, making up 62 per cent of positive readings for both drugs and alcohol. Cocaine came in second place with 20 per cent of the pie, while alcohol was found to have been present in nine per cent of tests.

Amphetamines and opiods were also found in limited quanities, though it is not publicly known if any of the positive readings were linked to medical prescriptions.

It's important to note that these random drug and alcohol tests were performed among all unionized and staff TTC employees—not just those who drive vehicles. The TTC does not provide a breakdown in its report of which positions are held by offenders of their drug and alcohol policy.

All we can say, based on these results, is that marijuana reigns supreme as the drug of choice for transit workers (at least while they're at work.)

by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO

The Best Falafel in Toronto

The best falafel in Toronto is a Middle Eastern comfort that’s beloved by both vegetarians and meat eaters alike, especially for its typically low price tag. There’s no better way to fill up on something relatively healthy for cheap than these chickpea fritters served in wraps or platters. 

Here’s the best falafel in Toronto.

11 - Laziza

This Dovercourt Village spot is reliable for late night falafel, serving chickpea fritters as plates or wraps alongside burgers and poutine.
5 - Shawarma Empire

Though this Pharmacy and Lawrence takeout joint is named for its shawarma, the falafel is stellar here as well, made fresh throughout the day from chickpeas they soak and grind themselves.
8 - Sababa

Small, perfectly-rounded falafel are served at this restaurant and grocery store at Bathurst and Steeles, best complemented by hummus and tahini.
6 - College Falafel

The falafel from this College and Ossington restaurant has been an affordable and hearty port in a storm for many waiting for the bus at this corner. You can get Mediterranean-style falafel here made with a mix of chickpeas and fava beans, or just fava beans.
3 - Parallel

The deeply-browned falafel made from scratch at this Geary cafe are flavoured with a trio of herbs so they’re bright green inside and incredibly fresh-tasting. Try them on their own or in a puffy little sandwich, always served with house tahini.
4 - Dr. Laffa

Falafel from this Bathurst and Lawrence spot is served on its own, with hummus, or wrapped up in a pita or laffa, and was once even featured on You Gotta Eat Here!
9 - Chamsine

St. Clair West and Oakwood Village both have locations of this takeout place run by Syrian refugees, where falafel is made by hand and sold as plates or sandwiches for super reasonable prices.
7 - Maha's Restaurant

The Egyptian-style falafel at this Little India brunch spot conceal soft-boiled eggs at their centre, and are served with cumin home fries and salata baladi.
10 - Aish Tanoor

This Middle Eastern Kosher restaurant on Eglinton West does falafel as an epic hummus appetizer, wrapped up in laffa or pita, or as a dinner with choice of side.

by Amy Carlberg via blogTO

Toronto's oldest and most famous boxing gym is closing

Sully's Boxing Gym—Toronto's oldest and most iconic gym for hooks, jabs, and punching bags—is closing next month, and there's a chance it may not re-open. 

After operating from the same grungy, smelly gym in Dovercourt Village for the past 12 years, the renowned club where legends from both the boxing and wrestling worlds have trained is being forced to vacate its building at 1024 Dupont Street to find a new home. 

"It's heartbreaking," says Danielle Manteiga, daughter of Sully's owner, Joe Manteiga. "It's like a home for everybody that goes there." 

Since its inception by Earl "Sully" Sullivan in 1943, North America's longest-running boxing gym has moved multiple times from its historic location at 109 Ossington (now a condo) where legends like Muhammed Ali once trained. 

Hoping a couple of my fight friends can help me save a boxing institution in Toronto. Can you help me #savesullys @GeorgeForeman @danawhite @EliasTheodorou @paigevanzant Would appreciate a retweet or any help you give. 🥊https://t.co/hPHApotiL1

— Ryan Doyle (@ryandoyleshow) February 27, 2019

This move, however, seems harder than the others. Since the gym's last move from Bloor and Lansdowne to its current location, rent prices around the city have gone up significantly, making news of Sully's recent eviction from the building a painful blow. 

In January, Joe received a notice that the building's landlord would not be renewing his lease for another year. They would have to move out within 30 days, said the notice, taking all their equipment with them. 

Even though Sully's has received two extensions since then (their initial move-out date was Feb. 15), their final day, March 15, is fast approaching. 

"That’s our struggle right now," says Danielle. "Finding a place that’s available and one that’s not astronomically priced." 

But the Manteigas aren't kissing the canvas just yet: according to Danielle they've found a potential new home for Sully's that's still relatively close to the community they serve. It will, however, need a lot of renovations to bring it up to gym-level standards. 

To help cover the costs of rent, moving, and renos, Sully's has taken to creating a GoFundMe campaign to help raise $30,000 for their move, and they've already raised more than $9,000 over the past 5 days. 

"With rising costs of rent and gentrification in its [neighbourhood], the gym is at a crossroads and needs help to get set up in a new location where it could continue to serve it's community as it has for generations," says the GoFundMe.

"Alternatively, the gym will be forced to close its doors forever." 

We'll have to wait to see if Sully's is down for the count or if they can make yet another comeback, Rocky-style. 

by Tanya Mok via blogTO

The top 10 markets and pop-ups in Toronto this March

The top markets and pop-ups in Toronto for March 2019 offer some much-needed retail therapy to get you through the rest of winter. The One of a Kind Show is back to feature hundreds of vendors under one roof and you can pick yourself up some comics, vinyl and vintage goodies as well.

Events you might want to check out:

Vintage Clothing Show (March 2-3 @ Enercare Centre)
Vintage sellers from all over the province are arriving with a whole slew of designer goods like clothing accessories, jewellery, handbags and more.
Antique & Vintage Market (March 2-3 @ Enercare Centre)
Old is in and this massive marketplace has thousands of vintage items and retro finds up for sale, from the antique-chic to the crazy kitsch.
What The Film Bazaar (March 2 @ Super Wonder Gallery)
Part of the What the Film Festival, this one-night market specializes in all kinds of rare, cult, indie and usual merch sold alongside music and drinks.
Women's Day Craft Market (March 8 @ Tranzac Club)
International Women's Day gets a celebration with a pop-up market that brings together local artists and makers for a day of shopping and activities.
Ossington Pop-Up (March 9 @ 45 Ossington Ave)
Vinyl lovers can get their fill of hot wax at this pop-up sale featuring a vintage market host by independent sellers and makers.
Trinity Bellwoods Flea (March 17 @ The Great Hall)
The Bellwoods Flea is ready for spring with a day of clothing, health and beauty goods, art, jewellery and more, all made by local artisans.
The Comic Market (March 23 @ Super Wonder Gallery)
Visual art of all kinds is on sale at this community comic market dedicated to featuring local artists, and even includes a comedy show and activities.
Wellness Market (March 24 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Spring is time of renewal and this speciality market offers handmade items to step up your self-care game through shopping and education.
One of a Kind Show (March 27-31 @ Enercare Centre)
The spring edition of this huge vendor market is set to feature over 500 local and regional artisans specializing in unique goodies of all kinds.
Old Book and Paper Show (March 31 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns)
Photographs, books, posters, prints, maps, magazines and all kinds of rare and vintage printed material is for sale at this huge show.

by Lisa Power via blogTO