The personal injury process: What goes on behind the scenes?

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10:31 am

See all posts by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

The day-to-day life of a practicing lawyer largely depends on what area of law they choose to specialize in. A typical work day for a personal injury lawyer will look a lot different than that of an immigration lawyer, a trademark lawyer, or even a corporate lawyer. Diamond and Diamond’s own Joshua Himel offers a look into what goes on behind each step of the personal injury process – and why each case may vary in length.

Consultation

After an injury, the first thing that you’ll want to do is consult a law firm about your situation. This process typically goes through the following steps:

Speak with intake staff who will gather details about you, your accident, and your injuries.
After this, your information will be shared with a lawyer. If they think that you have a potential case, they’ll bring you in for an in-depth meeting and ask detailed questions about:
- Your accident
- Your injuries
- Your current and planned treatment.
After uncovering the details about your accident and associated injuries, your lawyer will also ask you about your employment history, education history, salary, hours worked, job duties, and recreational activities.

“The first thing I do before a hearing is go through all of my notes from the consultation meeting. It helps rejog the client’s memory of events that might have happened years before,” says Joshua Himel, Partner, Diamond and Diamond.

After You’ve Hired Your Lawyer

SABS:

After your lawyer has decided they want to take on your case and you have decided that you want them to be your lawyer, the formal legal process begins.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, your SABS (Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule) claim will be triggered right away. It’s important to note that those who make a SABS claim do not necessarily have to move forward with a lawsuit. In this process, your lawyer will typically help you with getting set up for therapy and applying for income replacement benefits. However, if you’re pursuing a lawsuit (whether for a motor vehicle accident or another type of incident resulting in injury), the process will move much slower.

Lawsuit:

The first step to a lawsuit is sending out a notice letter, which indicates your intention to pursue a lawsuit. This triggers a response from the insurance company. Once your claim is settled, you will also be entitled to interest on the amount of money you are awarded which retroactively accumulates from the day the notice letter was sent out.

There are some tests that an injured person must go through to prove ongoing impairment and permanency of injury, and because of that, you can’t sue immediately after an accident. You have two years to bring forward a claim, and minors have until two years from the day they turn 18. Typically, the litigation process commences in the first six months of the file. This initial six-month period is spent obtaining documentation, updating the insurance company (who will then do their own investigation on liability), speaking to involved parties, and other information-gathering actions.

During this period, it might seem like all is quiet on your lawyer’s side, but there is actually a lot going on behind the scenes. Your lawyer and their law clerks will be hard at work gathering and reviewing documentation. They will be writing to any hospitals you stayed at, speaking with the police, the CRA, and any other organizations or individuals who may have documentation to help support your case.

“At Diamond and Diamond, we know how important the details are. From the initial consultation to the delivery of a lawsuit, we do our absolute best to draw out all relevant details and information that can help support an individual’s case,” says Joshua Himel.

Leading Up to and Including the Hearing

Once the lawsuit is formally issued, the next big step is setting up the examinations for discovery. This is when both parties meet face-to-face and are able to ask any questions relevant to the case within reason. They have up to seven hours to ask questions and interview the adverse party. This is an important procedural step, and gives both parties the opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each other’s case. This is helpful if the case proceeds to a hearing because it gives both parties a better idea of whether settling is in their best interest.

After discovery, the next step is mediation. This is when both parties gather for a settlement meeting that is conducted by a neutral mediator with experience in personal injury law. Most cases settle here.

If a settlement cannot be reached, then the case will proceed to a pre-trial, which is a meeting between both parties’ legal representation and a pre-trial judge who will hear both sides. The judge and the lawyers will then discuss each party’s case, and the judge will provide an opinion. This step often leads to settlement, as the pre-trial judge’s opinion provides insight into how the hearing might go.

If a settlement still has not been reached, then the case will proceed to a trial with a different judge. Overall, the personal injury litigation process can be lengthy, and the time before a case actually arrives at a hearing can vary from a couple of years to five, or sometimes more.

The Process Takes Time

The legal process can be confusing, long, and frustrating. That’s why it’s important to select a lawyer who you trust with your case. “There might be times when a long period might go by where it seems like nothing happens, but rest assured, the wheels are turning behind the scenes,” says Joshua Himel.

If you’re looking for a personal injury law firm in Canada or Florida in the United States, don’t hesitate to call Diamond and Diamond today at 1-800-567-HURT to schedule a free consultation.

About Jeremy Diamond

Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Click here to learn more about Jeremy Diamond.

Toronto is getting a delicious new spot from ex-Momofuko heavyweights

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Jennifer Schembri

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11:32 am

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187640132_937139503774473_2979219752475605230_n(1) — Donna's on Instagram

The folks over at Donna’s, the unpretentious Junction Triangle eatery known for their deliciously simple down-to-earth menu, have announced that their latest venture, The Golden Peacock will soon be making its debut.

While the bird may have been let out of the cage, it seems the details of the new bar are being kept under wraps. Slated to open at 2102 Dundas St. W., according to a recent Instagram post, final touches are being put in place with the bar set to open “very soon.”

But if the new spot is anything like it’s often-heralded predecessor Donna’s, opened in 2019 by Momofuku alumni — Ann Kim, Peter Jensen and Jed Smith— expect reasonably priced small plates like sandwiches and salads and of course, an impressive selection of craft beer, wine and cocktails.

Golden Peacock will be open seven days a week: Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12 a..m., and Friday and Saturday from 5.p.m. to 2 a.m. Make sure you check out their Instagram page for news and updates on their official opening date!

One of the city’s best bakeries has announced they can no longer continue

By

Jennifer Schembri

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3:02 pm

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59318027_343446346356686_3380046916543387067_n — Prairie Boy Bread on Instagram

Beloved Toronto bakery Prairie Boy Bread is permanently closing. The bakery has been a staple in town since opening it’s first location at 970 College St. more than a decade ago, along with a second midtown location in 2021.

A letter posted on the bakery’s shop window announced the closure.

“Recently we have faced increasing challenges that have become insurmountable for us and we are unable to continue operating. This is not how we envisioned things going but it is our reality right now. We hope you continue to see out other local businesses to support. It’s important now more than ever.”

The news of a fire sale was also posted on the bakery’s social accounts, with Prairie Boy pantry and gift items on sale for 25-50 per cent off.

“To all her friends out there, if you can help out by sharing this post to as many people as you can. That would really help us sell all our stuff this weekend. Thank you so much,” Prairie Boy commented on the post.

Grant MacPherson started Prairie Boy in 2010, committed to making some of the best bread available in Toronto. They used only organic flour, grains, sea salt, water, and a natural sourdough culture.

Prairie Boy was best known for their amazing sourdough bread, but continued to stun customers with their delicious baked treats. Their almond croissant topped with powdered sugar was a go-to, especially when paired with coffee from local shops. Their pies were one-of-a-kind as well, with blueberry and apple flying off the shelves first.

Longtime fans of the bakery have taken to social media to express their deep sadness for the closure.

“Honestly you sell the best bread in Toronto. It’ s the only place we buy baguettes…I hope you can recreate your delicious offerings in some way, somewhere,” wrote one user.

“Beyond sad. The best bakery — the bread! the quiches! the out of this world Christmas cake, a warm and creative port in the COVID storm,” wrote another.

Customers also took to the College Street location to leave dozens of colourful sticky notes across the shop’s front window. “Please don’t leave,” “Thank you for the bread” and “Best bread place ever,” read just a few of the messages.

All proceeds from this weekend’s fire sale will be go towards staff pay.

Food Dudes’ Adrian Niman opens new Toronto restaurant Chop Hop

By

Jennifer Schembri

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11:57 am

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313473119_122049583998966_2856456614618507686_n — Chop Hop

If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting the Rasa Chopped, executive chef Adrian Niman’s addictive take on the traditional chopped salad which many Torontonians consider to be the best in the city, here’s another opportunity to do so. The Food Dudes’ founder along with partners Adam Minster, Derrek Wasser and Lindsay Klein have opened Chop Hop in Commerce Court, serving up delicious salads, a selection of artfully crafted soups and energy balls.

“Eight years ago when we opened Rasa, we didn’t have a salad on the initial menu and my business partner Adam forced me to come up with one, and the Rasa Chopped salad was born,” Niman said. “It kind of became one of Toronto’s iconic salads and one of the things that is our highest revenue generator at Rasa.”

During the pandemic, Niman and his team decided it was time to go in the direction of the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) models which are easier to scale and staff, and help to create a better work-life balance and Chop Hop was created.

The four salads on the menu include the infamous Rasa ($12.50) tossed together with kale, napa cabbage, cherry tomato, peppers, cucumbers and red grapes garnished with crispy harissa chickpeas and a jalapeño spread; the vegan Sara ($12.50) garnished with wasabi peas, roasted cashew with fennel and green grapes; the gluten-free Jefe ($12.50) with red cabbage and quinoa, jicama and garnished with corn crisps and pepper jack cheese; and the Cobb ($14.50) with a bacon and egg base, featuring a blue cheese miso spread and garnished with spicy candied pecans.

Protein like Korean short rib ($6); piri-piri chicken ($5); Cajun shrimp ($6) and chipotle jackfruit ($4) can be added to any salad.

Four soups also adorn the menu and include Cure, a lemongrass chicken soup ($9); Silk, a mushroom cream soup ($10); Gold, a vegan corn soup ($9) and Hrty, a turkey chili ($10). When the warm weather hits, Chop Hop will introduce unique gazpacho to the menu.

For a sweet component, they’ve partnered with Nosh Balls (founded by former Food Dudes alumnus, Jaimie Mintz) and created four energy balls.

Niman says there are plans to open additional Chop Hop locations over the next year including one in the PATH and one at Yonge and Lawrence which will be a Pantry and Chop Hop store.

“The plan is really to scale this concept. We’ll be looking to do five to six locations in Toronto in the next two years, and then really expand across Ontario and look to venturing down south with our other brands as well,” Niman said.

Chop Hop is currently open at Commerce Court, located at 199 Bay St.

How They Met: Sci-fi star and producer on their first date disaster and secret wedding

By

Julia Mastroianni

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11:57 am

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David Hewlett and Jane Loughman at their wedding

As a producer-actor duo, Jane Loughman and Toronto’s David Hewlett have worked together on films in the past, but this year’s The Swearing Jar marks not only Loughman’s TIFF debut but the pair’s own TIFF debut working on the same movie together. Loughman produced the film and Stargate star David Hewlett played the role of Bill. With the theatrical release of the film premiering on Friday, the couple shared the details of their disastrous first date, unexpected Forest Hill proposal and what it was like working on a movie together.

How they met

Jane: We met at a party in L.A. because we were both hiding and trying to avoid all the schmoozers.

David: And here’s the twist: we were both married to other people.

Jane: But it really was a very innocent meeting at the time. Years later, I hosted a party, an Independence Day party, but it wasn’t in July — it was in April, to celebrate both my divorce and my new U.S. citizenship. I invited David and his wife, and he sent me an email saying, “Please take my wife’s name off the list, it’s just me now, we’re no longer together.”

The first date

Jane: I told him, “I’ve got practice in that. I’m learning how to put my life back together after divorce as well. Come on out, I can take you out for drinks and you can tell me all about it.”

David: But then I cancelled like three times!

Jane: I started calling it my “non-date with the actor guy” because I thought it was never going to happen. But then it finally did, on a Sunday afternoon.

David: It was a disaster. I pulled up to her hotel, and I couldn’t figure out the buzzer to open the gates, and I couldn’t work out the door. I’m sitting there thinking, “Maybe I should just go home,” and then I look up and there’s this vision of a movie star–gorgeous, blond woman standing there with a cigarette and a glass of wine. And then the horror sets in because I’m wearing cut-off khaki pants and a torn T-shirt. So we went, and I spilled the soy sauce —

Jane: And I popped him in the face with an edamame!

David: So it was a disaster, and we agreed to do it again.

The proposal

David: It was Christmas Eve at my dad’s place, and at the bottom of Jane’s stocking, there were the usual nuts and the mandarin, but there was also a wedding ring.

Jane: David had actually asked for my dad’s blessing in the summer, but then we had a miscarriage, and I guess it didn’t feel like the right time. And I think my dad was worried that he wasn’t going to [propose]! We were actually going to go away for my birthday, but that didn’t work out, and he had this grand plan to propose to me somewhere exotic on the beach. But that’s how we ended up in his childhood bedroom in Forest Hill on Christmas Eve!

The wedding

Jane: So of course, as soon as he proposed to me, I got accidentally knocked up. And I decided I wasn’t waddling up any aisles, and I wasn’t having a big celebration where I couldn’t drink and join in, so we pushed the wedding to the following summer. We had it at Warwick Castle, which sounds so pompous and princessy, but I had visited there as a child and had this dream of growing up and getting married there.

David: And we had our secret wedding in Hawaii before all that.… We just wanted to have a wedding to ourselves.

Working on a movie together

David: With The Swearing Jar, I tried to talk her out of it the entire time. I was telling her that you shouldn’t work with family, it’ll be a disaster, and it was my sister’s script as well. And then I adored it when I saw it.

Jane: He was my mascot. He was there on the first day and he was there for one of the last days.

David: I’m always so grumpy when I’m asked to do stuff like this, but I love it when I’m there.

The secret to success

David: A sense of humour.

Jane: I think also a sense of feeling completely and utterly supported in decisions is essential too.

You can watch David Hewlett in The Swearing Jar this weekend at Cineplex Varisty cinema.

One of Yorkville’s favourite restaurants is saying goodbye

By

Jennifer Schembri

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3:48 pm

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124036826_1033834083746919_2422195255267957614_n — Wish Restaurant on Instagram

“It has been such an amazing run.” With those words, popular Yorkville eatery Wish, announced they would be closing shop after more than twenty years in business.

“We want to thank you for all these years, from the first eggs Benedict to the last, we thank you. We hope we have participated in creating good memories for all that have dined and worked here,” the Instagram post goes on to say.

First opening in a quaint white house at 3 Charles Street in 2001, the “shabby-chic” eatery was a favourite amongst locals and celebrities alike, thanks to the restaurant’s relaxed and inclusive vibe featuring tables and couches draped in white linen along with a delicious spin on Canadian classics.

But just because Wish is closing, you can still get the same sophisticated meets rustic aesthetic at the many other establishments co-owned by Renda Abdo and Nadya Mancini.

There’s Smith, a brunch spot at Church and Wellesley housed in a three-storey row house, as well as 7 West, a multi-level cafe with a rooftop patio, plus pastas, sandwiches and drinks. And then there’s The Lakeside Motel in Prince Edward County, a modern resort overflowing with amenities including cabanas, a pool, and a restaurant and bar that opened in 2019.

Wish Restaurant, located at Yonge and Bloor will permanently close their doors on November 13.

A Blackpink pop-up store is coming to Toronto this weekend

By

Julia Mastroianni

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3:05 pm

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There’s an exciting new pop-up coming to the city this weekend, and if you know anything about the band it’s for, you can already guess just how long the lineup will be! The two-day pop-up will be all about Blackpink, the South Korean girl group that is currently on tour.

Toronto fans of the K-pop band were sad to hear that the group wouldn’t be coming to the city during their tour, instead opting to play in Hamilton instead. But with the new pop-up perfectly timed to open before the band’s concert in Hamilton on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, fans will be able to grab the perfect Blackpink merch to wear to the show (or to console themselves with if they didn’t manage to snag tickets).

Toronto joins the ranks of cities including Seoul and Los Angeles that were lucky enough to host pop-up shops for the international stars. The pop-up will celebrate the release of the group’s newest studio album, BORN PINK, with themed merch just in time for their world tour that began on Oct. 15.

The pop-up with Bravado Canada and Universal Music Canada is open from Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with the caveat that the pop-up will stay open while quantities last, so don’t leave your trip to the last minute in case they sell out!).

The pop-up promises exclusive merch for Toronto fans, including hoodies, t-shirts and beanies. And there’s more – there are surprise giveaways planned for a few lucky fans while supplies last.

The organizers of the pop-up have already planned for Blackpink’s superfans: the official line-up for the shop starts at 6 a.m. on Nov. 4 in front of the pop-up location at 80 Atlantic Ave. And that might still be an underestimation of the Blackpink fandom, considering that the group’s international acclaim. The quartet had the highest-charting album by a female group in over a decade and became the first K-pop girl group ever to perform at Coachella, along with collaborating with artists including Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga.

Good luck to the Blink fandom on snagging some new merch this weekend!

Toronto’s favourite Mountie has been pegged to play King Lear

By

Ron Johnson

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2:18 pm

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Paul Gross, one of the country’s most beloved actors, will be returning to the Stratford Festival in 2023 to play the iconic lead role in King Lear. It will mark the Toronto actor’s first appearance since 2000.

Almost a quarter-century ago, I was sitting in a waiting room at the Festival Theatre set to interview Gross about his star turn in Hamlet — the last time he was at Stratford. After an extended wait, Gross, dishevelled and clearly hungover, burst into the room clutching a water bottle pronouncing to all (me), “there are only two things to do in this town: Act and drink.”

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” #TBT to Paul Gross who played a memorable Hamlet back in 2000. pic.twitter.com/e0fQzyUdQH

— Stratford Festival (@stratfest) February 18, 2016

Gross has long had a thing for Stratford, despite not being back for decades. He used to work as an usher at the Festival Theatre. He starred in the TV show Slings and Arrows, based on life in a small town overrun by artists during the summer theatre season.

Stratford is just finishing up its first full season since the beginning of the pandemic, and news of Paul Gross helming next season is a welcome for the town, which relies heavily on the Stratford Festival, and for theatregoers, who love a big name coming back to stomp the boards once more.

Gross is probably still best known for his turn as Constable Benton Fraser in the TV series Due South. But his presence has been constant on the Canadian film and TV scene both in front of the camera in movies such as Men with Brooms and behind it as a director in projects including Passchendaele and Hyena Road.

Paul Gross in uniform pic.twitter.com/cIwPpX2UOB

— ? Janine (@j_pineo) September 16, 2022

The actor is now 63 and follows a number of prominent actors to tackle the role including the incomparable Christopher Plummer in 2002.

King Lear, one of the great tragedies in theatre and certainly of the Bard’s best, will be directed by Kimberley Rampersad.

The 2023 season will run from mid-April through October, featuring four Shakespeare plays, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard II and Love’s Labour’s Lost, and two musicals, Rent and Monty Python’s Spamalot, along with Les Belles-Soeurs, A Wrinkle in Time, Frankenstein Revived, Wedding Band, Grand Magic, Casey and Diana and Women of the Fur Trade.

A thrifty guide to children’s consignment shops in Toronto

By

Jennifer Schembri

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10:00 am

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Screenshot_2022-11-03 Pre-Loved Baby and Children's Apparel — Lil Cubs

Although thrifting is usually a go-to fall activity, it’s not as fun when you’re a new parent on the search for used kids’ clothes. That’s why resale and consignment kids’ boutiques have been popping up across the city and all over the Internet, making it easier and faster to get second-hand clothes to your kids — before they outgrow them. These shops purchase used clothing, shoes, accessories and even toys from families who no longer need them and resell to a new market at a fraction of the cost. As both an economically and environmentally conscious way to shop, new parents are loving them!

“Once I knew I was becoming a parent and bringing a new being to Earth, I became more conscious of the state of our planet,” says Christine Trinh, who owns Beeja May with her partner Simon Tan.“I wanted to buy used, but it’s so much easier to go to a fast fashion retailer’s website and just add to cart.”

They founded Beeja May with the goal of making second-hand shopping just as easy, convenient and fun as buying new.

Trinh wasn’t the only consumer looking to buy used to dress her newborn. Lana Abelson co-founded Wildlings after seeing an increased interest for second-hand shopping during the pandemic.

“People are more inclined to not buy everything new,” she says.“There’s been a shift mentally that people want to move away from fast fashion a little bit more.”

Although some shops, like Twice as Nice and Little White Sneakers, have brick-and-mortar locations, most sell online and advertise on social media. Abelson and co-owner Nikki Kaiser have hosted a few pop-ups in the past, home deliveries are at the essence of Wildlings.

“The convenience of being able to find things online and have them brought to your house doesn’t go away after the pandemic,” says Kaiser. The owners also note that it has helped them reach a larger audience.

Toronto parents aren’t the only ones searching for convenient ways to shop second-hand, as Wildlings has delivered as far as Northwest Territories and even overseas to Japan.

Claudia Tse says her business Lil Cubs stands out by providing a lock box set in the Riverside area, giving customers the freedom to have contactless pickup whenever it suits their schedule. Furthering the convenience, Lil Cubs picks up the products from sellers and, unlike consignment shops, will give out the money immediately. Tse admits she is quite choosy about the brands she accepts. She looks for high quality from small shops and sustainable, locally made brands, naming Mini Mioche and Jax & Lennon as some of the most popular. Other consumers go straight to the high-end brands at Lil Cubs, like Calvin Klein.

“They’re saving a ton of money,” says Tse, commenting on those who reach out looking for the high-end pieces. “And there’s barely any wear in these clothes because babies grow so fast. They’re looking for the name brands but at a fraction of the price — while knowing that they’re doing something good for the earth.”

Abelson and Kaiser state that Wildlings has a “price point for everyone” but find consumers are mostly drawn to pieces that offer natural fibres and are well made and well designed, like French brands Jacadi and Petit Bateau. They also source out designer brands as much as they can, currently holding some Stella McCartney, Bon Point and Ralph Lauren pieces.

For those who want to be more sustainable but feel uncomfortable with previously worn pieces, Beeja May offers the Rescues Collection. Rescues are made up f rom fast fashion warehouse returns and pieces with minor imperfections; they’re brand new but cannot be sold through retailers.

Trinh says she’s eager to see people drawn toward buying second-hand and moving away from the idea that buying used means being unable to afford brand new.

“People are doing it because they want to, not because they have to.”

Where to find the perfect range hood to wow your chef at home

By

Dorothy Chudzinski

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3:15 pm

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A range hood is one of the most important features in a kitchen and a high-quality range hood will be almost unnoticeable. Its whole purpose is to help maintain the air quality and cleanliness of your kitchen — and good ones will filter out any pollutants or unwanted odours generated during the cooking process. For this reason, it’s vital to make the best choice when selecting a range hood for your kitchen. Our recommendation will help point you in the right direction, as well as offer a few tips on what you should be looking for in a quality range hood.

Without a range hood, the smoke, odours and grease produced when you cook will linger in your kitchen, resulting in unpleasant smells and poor air quality. Installing a range hood above your cooktop can help. A range hood draws in cooking grease, moisture and heat, then either filters and recirculates it or directs it outdoors. The right range hood can improve kitchen ventilation and keep the air clear.

What to consider when choosing a range hood

With the improvement of our living standards, people pay more and more attention to the appearance of their home appliances. Although most range hoods look good, they cannot achieve their function well or satisfy some of our cooking styles — even frying a steak can trigger a fire alarm.

The goal of DerChef A686 is to enhance the satisfaction of everyone’s cooking style. A686 not only has a good-looking appearance with its 30 or 36-inches Under Cabinet or Wall Mount Range Hood with touchless control panel, but also has the functionality of the most power range hoods have in Canada.

Superior suction for ventilation

A686 has the unique patented design ventilation system with dual blowers to provide powerful suction, plus a super wide coverage area that covers 270° for trapping grease, smoke, odours and other contaminants. Its unique volute design helps reduce air pollutants in the kitchen. The motor system is especially important for increased air speed and power for proper air recirculation.

A model with at least two speeds is ideal; this allows users to choose a faster speed while cooking and a slower speed for continued ventilation afterward. A686 infrared connectivity allows you to simply operate the range hood with a wave of your hand for a fully touchless control to turn the unit on or off, while three modes of speed include moderate, strong and stir fry. A manual panel is included to make installation by a single person, and its 30-inch size can effortlessly fit most homes, condos, and apartments.

Performance is a beautiful thing. Whether it’s the centerpiece of the room or letting its surroundings shine, DerChef A686 is the choice range hood for your kitchen.

A getaway guide to see your favourite T.O. sports team for a fraction of the cost

By

Julia Mastroianni

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11:50 am

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Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup — @mapleleafs/Instagram

As Torontonians, we’re lucky to have five major sports franchises in the palm of our hands. But sometimes you want to travel to watch your favourite teams play (and maybe save a few bucks on those Leafs tickets). Here are three trips you can take to watch Toronto’s home teams play away.

Catch Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews up close in Detroit

Flights to Detroit start at $540 — you might be better off taking the four-hour road trip!

Schedule the trip for either Nov. 28 or Jan. 12 to catch the Leafs. Tickets in the 200 section will run you between US$60 and US$85. But we hear that you’re better off spending less on the seats — Little Caesars Arena is one of the few in the NHL franchise where every seat is pretty amazing. Also, the ushers will let you down to ice level during warm up 30 minutes before the game if you want to get a glimpse of the action up close.

Also, if you’re free two hours before the teams face off at puck drop, you can catch Toronto’s Leafs arriving by hanging out near the parking structure off Clifford north of the I-75 service drive, according to one local Redditor.

If you can’t get tickets for the game, then don’t stress. The arena has four in-venue restaurants, including Mike’s Pizza Bar. Or check out the nearby Hockeytown Cafe for a three-level restaurant decked out with 30 flat screen TVs so you don’t miss any of the action.

In-arena brewhouse with a view in Cleveland

For all of you basketball fans, the Cleveland Cavaliers are just under five hours away by car from the ACC.

The Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse was recently renovated, and it’s home to the Budweiser Brewhouse, a standing-room-only destination for fans that will give you a full view of the court. Insider tip: buy the nosebleed tickets, then head down to the bar to experience the game close up!

The Raptors take on the Cavs on Dec. 23 and Feb. 26 this season. Tickets at the 200 level are as low as US$37, and the 100s range between US$260 to just over a grand depending on how close you want to be to centre court.

In the arena, treat yourself to smash patty burgers at Symon’s before snagging a slice at Flour Pizza and a Brewdog pint. If you can’t get in, head over to Flannery’s Pub or City Tap Cleveland. You can rub it in local fans’ faces after Scottie Barnes dunks all over Evan Mobley.

Stay toasty cheering on the home team in Buffalo

Toronto doesn’t have its own NFL team, although we claim the Buffalo Bills as they’re the closest we can get. The drive to Highmark Stadium is just under two hours, which is a light and breezy road trip for most.

You can catch Week 8 action against the Packers on Oct. 30, or watch them take on the Vikings on Nov. 13, the Browns on Nov. 20 and the Jets on Jan. 11.

Our insider tip: if you grab seats in the 200 level from sections 206 through 216 and 229 through 238, you’ll stay toasty the whole game — there are outdoor overhead heaters throughout these special sections (and they’re covered too!). If you can’t snag those seats, blankets and extra cushions and clothing are allowed (and encouraged).

Bills fans love a good tailgate outside of the arena before kickoff. However, if you don’t want to get tickets, you can always head over to Buffalo Sports Garden or Big Tree Inn to catch the action with other Bills fans!

Toronto’s pioneering transgender musician Jackie Shane gets her own Heritage Minute

By

Ron Johnson

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10:44 am

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Not enough people in this city know about Jackie Shane or have listened to her incredible music, and a new Heritage Minute celebrating the life of this prominent figure in Toronto’s music history is right on time.

The Heritage Minute comes ahead of Transgender Awareness Week and the Trans Day of Remembrance and is produced by Historica Canada.

“As a Black transgender performer, Jackie Shane faced challenges in virtually every aspect of her life,” said Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada. “In Toronto, she felt free to share her true self when she took to the stage, and her authenticity is what this Minute celebrates.”

Shane was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee where she started singing in church choirs and gospel groups. According to Historica Canada, Shane came out to her mother as transgender, although she publicly presented as a gay man throughout her career. Shane performed in a variety of places but really found her footing and her unique sound and stage presence in Toronto’s burgeoning R&B scene around 1959. Shane played at sold-out nightclubs in Toronto, including her regular venue at the Saphire Tavern.

Shane dropped out of the music scene in 1971 and passed away three years ago in her hometown of Nashville.

Shane released an anthology album in 2017 dubbed Any Other Way, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2019.

Historica Canada says Jackie Shane helped shape what came to be called the “Toronto Sound,” a brand of R&B unique to the city.

This Heritage Minute was filmed in May 2022 and was produced by Historica Canada and Harlow Creative.

The English end narration is provided by singer-songwriter Beverly Glenn-Copeland and the French end narration is provided by R&B singer Anastasia Dextrene. The Minute features two of Jackie Shane’s own songs, Any Other Way and New Way of Lovin’, and opens with an original composition by Canadian composer Murray Lightburn. Jackie Shane is portrayed on screen by African Mohawk two spirit trans activist and storyteller Ravyn Wngz.

“Jackie has been a part of my inspiration and possibility story for quite a while now,” said Ravyn, “I think we have very similar stories, both spending [our] childhood[s] in the South … It’s been such a pleasure to take on this project and to bring her story out to the world. I think it’s necessary for people to really understand how much she gave to all of us.”

On this production, Historica Canada consulted with Prof. Rob Bowman, musicologist and Jackie Shane biographer; Monica Forrester, activist and founder of Trans Pride Toronto; Dr. Funké Aladejebi, University of Toronto professor of Black Canadian history, and Dr. L.K. Bertram, University of Toronto professor of history (including gender, sexuality and material culture).

Historica Canada is a charitable organization that offers programs in both official languages that you can use to explore, learn, reflect on our history, and consider what it means to be Canadian.