How private schools are using technology and new techniques for virtual learning

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10:24 am

By 2020, most private schools were already taking advantage of certain technologies to keep classrooms running smoothly and efficiently. But when physical-distancing measures were abruptly put in place in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and students were largely unprepared to rely solely on online tools, such as Zoom, and had little time to adapt to this new way of learning.

For many schools, the sudden switch to completely virtual learning has been a challenging adjustment. Some education professionals say online classrooms fall short in facilitating engagement when compared to in-person class environments. Virtual learning can also be isolating for students — especially those with special needs or mental health issues.

Physical-distancing measures have also become a hindrance to extracurricular activities, especially artistic endeavours such as music. This is why Sandi Chasson, a teacher at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, developed ePrograms: a new online learning platform designed to support youth through online group master classes. Hosted by seasoned professionals in each subject, the classes cover everything from clarinet playing to cartooning.

“We were already seeing the need for students to become more engaged in the arts, specifically music, but then as COVID happened and students were locked in their houses trying to learn online, we saw an even greater need for the kids to be engaged in something creative,” Chasson says. “We opened up the program to include visual arts, culinary arts, athletics, finance, photography and more, so we just expanded into all the areas we think the students will find fascinating with the premise that all the teachers are pros.”

The platform ePrograms (which is unaffiliated with St. Andrew’s College) is just one example of the ways educational professionals are getting creative to facilitate student learning. Chasson notes that in addition to the use of Zoom and Edsby, an online learning portal that the college had already implemented before the pandemic, she has been using a software called SmartMusic. It allows students to practise their instrument at different speeds and tempos and receive feedback on their performance in real time. She notes that, come September, the school will be returning to a hybrid learning program (part in class, part online), but she believes students and teachers will still have to rely heavily on technology. Although software such as SmartMusic is helpful, Chasson says there’s no true substitute for the engagement that comes with an in-person music lesson.

“I’ll be able to meet my students in class and then assign them their performance component to do at home. We’re lucky to have the SmartMusic program because it’s very interactive,” Chasson says. “The problem with not being in person is that there’s a connection, an intimacy when you’re teaching a creative art, especially music. You get feedback and kids play off each other. It’s that engagement with each other that is so necessary for these kids.”

Some schools with a focus on hands-on, kinesthetic learning and physical activity, such as Robert Land Academy, a military academy in Wellandport, are already scrapping the virtual learning programs they established at the end of the 2019–2020 school year. In March, Robert Land Academy quickly adapted to physical-distancing protocols through the use of Google Classroom.

According to the school’s headmaster, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Smid, students and staff will be returning to a traditional in-person learning environment this September with new precautions in place, including regular COVID testing, social distancing and mandatory mask wearing. “Virtual learning is just our fallback plan. Our classrooms are open. We’ve taken the steps necessary to meet the standards provided by the Ministry of Education. It will be back to normal for us,” Smid says. “Our program is really based on the students being here. There are probably other private schools that would do just fine doing online learning, but with our program, the boys’ days are filled with activities to keep them busy, so it just wouldn’t work as well.”

Technology has been an effective stopgap for schools amid the pandemic. However, many argue that without the human element provided by an in-person classroom, virtual learning may lead to negative mental health effects for children.

“There are positives to virtual learning, but it takes a lot more time to create stimulating, exciting programs,” Chasson says.

“I think ePrograms will provide the kids with a way of staying human. The arts allow us to be human. They give us so much. The kids will not be able to do any of this at school, so we’re hoping the program will be able to fill that void.”

How to set up an at-home study space for your kids

By

Erin Neilly

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10:16 am

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Whether your child is returning to traditional classes or adjusting to full- or part-time virtual education this fall, the right at- home study space for homework or remote learning can have a significant impact on your child’s school experience.

This school year will be a particularly challenging one as students, teachers and parents alike adapt to the new normal of COVID-era education. There’s never been a more important time to ensure your child’s at- home study space is a calming oasis of learning. Here are a few tips for creating an at-home study space that will help encourage your child’s productivity and engagement.

Choose the right area

Take some time to evaluate the best possible location for your child’s study space based on age, learning style and, of course, the configuration of your home. For younger kids or those who prefer to have plenty of support from parents as they work, it may be better to set up their study space somewhere central in your home. It’s a fine line between an interactive environment and a distracting one, however, so make sure you steer clear of the TV or anything else likely to sidetrack your child from school work.

A more private, out-of-the- way spot, on the other hand, is generally a better fit for older children or those who prefer to work in a quiet environment. If you don’t have a spare room in your home to use as a dedicated study space, you can try adding a privacy screen or curtains in the living room, dining room or your child’s bedroom to help carve out a designated school work area.

Whatever type of study space you choose, the most important factor is ensuring your child works in the same spot each day to help establish a consistent learning routine.

Make a plan for organization

We all work better in tidy spaces, so it’s important to make a plan for keeping your child’s study space organized. The right work surface size can make a big difference. Aim to give your child adequate space to spread out and work effectively but not so much extra space that there’s a temptation for clutter to build up.

It can also be helpful to teach your child to keep essentials, such as books, binders and a pencil case, in designated spots so your child knows every item belongs in a particular place.

Your child’s study space can serve as a place to help organize a schedule as well. If space allows, add a whiteboard or corkboard and put your child’s daily schedule on it. This can also be a good place to leave notes of encouragement or an outline of daily goals. It’s a great way to teach your child to manage homework and deadlines. It can be helpful to also have a clock nearby so your child can keep track of the schedule.

Consider the proper ergonomics

Ergonomics aren’t just a consideration for office workers — the space should also allow your child to sit in a way that’s comfortable and supportive. Ideally, your child’s study space work surface should come up to about waist height, allowing your child to rest arms and wrists on the surface. If your child’s chair is too low, consider using a seat cushion for propping up to the ideal height.

If your child isn’t able to comfortably sit up straight against a chair’s backrest, you can use a pillow or a rolled up blanket for extra support. Similarly, if your child’s feet aren’t able to reach the floor when sitting in the study chair, use a footrest or a box to help your child sit with feet flat. Make sure your child sits about 45 to 75 centimetres away from the screen to minimize eye strain.

Let your child personalize the space

The more involved your child can be in personalizing the study space, the more likely your child will feel happy and eager to work there. Let your child add artwork, plants, photos or anything else meaningful. Encourage your child to pick out different elements of the study space, such as a chair, and to choose the school supplies that will be used. Personalizing the study space will help make it feel more inviting and inspiring for your child.

Yorkville has a new spot for cold treats and coffee

By

Nikki Gill

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12:58 pm

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Summer maybe winding down, but that doesn’t mean cravings for ice cream dissipate along with the warm weather. Luckily, anyone who happens to be in or around Yorkville now as a brand new option for cold treats. S’Cream Ice Cream + Coffee is a new designer ice cream shop where all of the ice cream is made on-site and all ingredients used are 100 per cent Canadian.

The vibrant shop features an extensive flavour menu made up of 26 custom creations, with a continuous emphasis on research and development to create new flavours of ice cream every month. Some options currently on offer include salted caramel truffle, key lime pie, blueberry cheesecake, maple walnut and much more. In addition to gourmet ice cream, the menu also features a variety of espresso-based beverages, pastries, Belgian waffles, as well as a new Kosher ice cream line in production — slated to launch for the holidays.

Inspired by his lifelong love of ice cream and memories of working in his uncle’s ice cream business in Turkey, the founder (who wants to remain anonymous for now) says the goal of S’cream is to create a space where people can come together to improve relationships and happiness, in addition to providing high quality ice cream of course. And while it might seem bold to open a new business during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the founder didn’t want to give up on his dream or the happiness S’cream could offer people during these uncertain times.

If you’re in the area, there will be a small opening celebration on Sept. 5 and 6. The store has organized a Turkish ice cream show for the weekend, which will make a few appearances throughout the day for all the ice cream lovers.

S’cream Ice Cream + Coffee is located at 126 Cumberland St. and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Two local psychologists on how to emotionally prepare kids to go back to school

By

Erin Neilly

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11:30 am

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The pandemic has created anxiety and stress in all of our lives, and, unfortunately, our kids are no exception. For many young people, the normal back-to-school season nerves will be amplified by a return to a classroom situation that looks significantly different than it has in years past. We talked to two mental health experts about how to help your child cope with back-to-school amid the pandemic.

Open communication

Although it can be tempting to shield our kids from information about the pandemic, Nicole McCance, a Toronto-based clinical psychologist (and mom of young twins) stresses that it’s essential to keep your children informed, albeit in an age- appropriate way. “We all tend to be more anxious with little information, because our anxious brain fills in the gaps,” says McCance. “So the more information you give them the better.”

Mishy Elmpak, a Thornhill-based psychologist, adds that talking openly about back-to-school season amid the pandemic creates the opportunity to address your kids’ concerns and provide emotional support. “This message that we’re here for you, that we give you support, that is very important and it cannot be said often enough,” says Elmpak.

Look for signs of stress

Elmpak explains that it’s important to learn to recognize how your child expresses anxiety or fear. She says that regressing back to behaviours exhibited at earlier stages of development is a common sign of stress in younger children. “They might be clingy or starting to wet the bed again or going into baby talk,” says Elmpak. “That is a sign that they need more attention, that they need more support or they just need more care from their parents.”

She also notes that children might also become more irritable or withdrawn in response to the stress of returning to school. “The way parents can understand their children better is just to spend a little bit more time with them and do that through play, through various games, through doing things that children enjoy so that the children open up a little bit more and we can understand their concerns.”

McCance notes that emotional stress in kids often manifests physically. “Kids tend to be quite somatic, which means that they feel things in their body,” says McCance. “If they’re complaining about headaches or tummy aches, that could be anxiety.”

Monitor your own anxiety

Creating a home environment that feels safe and calm can go a long way toward helping your kids manage the stresses they might be experiencing at school.

“It’s really important to remember that kids are like sponges, so you want to monitor your own anxiety as a parent,” says McCance. “You want to make sure that you’re practising self-care and managing your own anxiety because they’re just going to pick up on that.”

Elmpak cautions that parents should be conscious of when and how they talk about the pandemic because it’s easy for kids to overhear parts of these conversations and jump to conclusions. “Children are very good at improvising and making things up in their own mind that might not necessarily be reality,” she says.

Check in regularly

Although your kids are probably used to some realities of living amid the pandemic, such as wearing masks and practising physical distancing, returning to school in the COVID era will present some new emotional learning curves. “What they haven’t experienced yet is being around large groups and friends and just the pressure of being in school [amid the pandemic],” says McCance.

“Kids don’t have the vocabulary or awareness to tell you that, for example, ‘Hey mom, I’m feeling resentful,’ ” says McCance. She notes that parents should pay particular attention to their kids’ grades, eating and sleep schedules over the coming weeks, as these can all be indicative of how well they’re adjusting.

Elmpak adds that the return to school adds a new potential opportunity for your kids to hear information about the pandemic from peers, teachers, etc., that might worry them. She recommends that as often as possible parents spend extra time with their kids when they return home from school each day to better understand what they’re feeling and experiencing. “It’s very important for parents to talk to their children and see what concerns them and what information they have and then correct that information,” she says.

Work on coping strategies

Elmpak suggests teaching your kids self-calming strategies to use when they feel overwhelmed or anxious can also be helpful. She says there are several apps that can aid with this, including Stop, Breathe & Think, as well as Smiling Mind.

McCance recommends maintaining a daily family routine, which can help alleviate any feelings of uncertainty your kids might be experiencing and help them regain a sense of control.

McCance adds that extra hugs and cuddles can make a surprisingly big difference. “If you think about it, they’re not able to give high-fives or hug their friends anymore, but at least, at your family level, you can give them extra cuddles before bed and before they walk out the door for school,” she says.

The team behind Ardo is back with a swanky Sicilian restaurant

By

Marlene Mendonca

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3:30 pm

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Perched in the heart of Cabbagetown, near Carlton and Parliament Streets, Dova [pronounced doh-va] is Toronto’s latest Sicilian offering that has been widely anticipated because of its popular Corktown sister-establishment, Ardo.

This new hot spot that draws on the flavours, textures and traditions of Sicily and the Mediterranean basin, is nothing short of a portmanteau for Don Vale — the 19th century village that grew up to become modern-day Cabbagetown. The restaurant made it a point to incorporate the history of the area on which it stands.

Dova features an intimate and exclusive cellar, a luxurious main floor dining space and a hidden patio oasis and is open to entertaining any flair of celebration, be it private dinners, cocktail receptions or even weddings. They also offer event design services for anyone looking for a one-stop solution.

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A post shared by DOVA Restaurant (@dova.restaurant) on Aug 26, 2020 at 5:01am PDT

Curated by chef Roberto Marotta and his wife Jacqueline Nicosia, the diner speaks volumes of Marotta’s childhood — seeing his mother prepare classic Sicilian dishes for family and friends and developing a deep connection to food through a thumbprint cooking style and devotion to the art of Sicilian cuisine.

The pair’s first restaurant, Ardo, was named after their son — who had an especially tough time pronouncing his full name, Leonardo. After the birth of their daughter Vivienne, the couple put in to motion Vivi Imports and brought in the finest ingredients from Sicily’s shores to Canada. And now, they have expanded their hospitality chain with Dova.

Handmade artisanal pastas, fresh-caught fish and ethically-sourced meats are the tipping point of this gastronomical delight. For patrons of Ardo, their menu also includes the all-time-classic Leonardo pizza. Whether patrons are out for brunch, dinner or just drinks, they have the perfect spread for every meet. Add to that, a pinch of Nicosia’s esthetic finesse and years of experience in fostering atmospheres and events that resonate with guests, and Dova is an absolute winner.

Edward Burtynsky’s new exhibit of photos taken in quarantine opens this month in Toronto

By

Nikki Gill

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12:57 pm

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Much like the rest of us, photographer Edward Burtynsky found himself under lockdown as the Coronavirus pandemic took hold. And he used that time to turn his camera lens toward the world around him; specifically, Grey County, Ontario.

The photos taken during that time, shot using a new camera that captures remarkable detail and density, have come together in a new exhibition titled Natural Order that will make its debut at Nicholas Metivier Gallery this month.

This is not the first time Burtynsky has turned his lens on Grey County, having photographed the area in the early 1980s. His return to this subject almost 40 years later recalls Burtynsky’s earliest works as a photographer.

For Burtynsky, the natural landscape is more than simply a setting to be captured – in the case of Natural Order, it offered a place of quiet contemplation during a time of uncertainty and unknowns.

“From the frigid sleep of winter to the fecund urgency of spring, these images are an affirmation of the complexity, wonder and resilience of the natural order in all things. I find myself gazing into an infinity of apparent chaos, but through that selective contemplation, an order emerges — an enduring order that remains intact regardless of our own human fate,” says Burtynsky in a statement about his new body of work.

In addition to the exhibition of large-scale colour photographs, Burtynsky and Nicholas Metivier Gallery have published a limited edition portfolio of 10 photographs and a new book of the same name, published by Steidl. This portfolio is being issued as a means of supporting the Canadian photography community, with proceeds from the sale donated to the Art Gallery of Ontario and Ryerson Image Centre in Toronto for the establishment of new funds dedicated to acquiring the works of emerging to mid-career Canadian photographic artists.

Natural Order will open at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery and in the gallery’s online viewing room on Thursday, Sept. 3 and run until Sept. 26.

A food night market is coming to Toronto this weekend

By

Jessica Huras

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12:06 pm

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If you find yourself spending the Labour Day weekend in the city, Street Eats Market is planning a night market food event that might just make your cottage-going friends jealous.

From Sept. 5 to 6, the event group is hosting an internationally-themed night market at Scarborough Town Centre.

Street Eats Market has already hosted a number of physically-distanced food events this summer, including a drive-through food truck festival in June and, more recently, ice cream and barbecue-centered events.

The two-day Eats Night Market event will feature more than 15 food vendors, as well as live music performances. On the savoury side, Chen Chen’s Hot Chicken will be cooking up Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, while Basil Box will be serving torched lemongrass chicken and Manila meatballs, among other Asian-influenced dishes.

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A post shared by STREET EATS MARKET™ (@streeteatsmarket) on Sep 2, 2020 at 3:14pm PDT

For those with a sweet tooth, Sweet Slice TO will be serving cheesecake on a stick. Other confirmed vendors include Fugo Desserts, Jerk Brothers, and Tinuno.

Physical distancing measures will be in effect for the outdoor event, with the vendors spaced out by 10 feet and flagged markers on the grass providing a guideline for queuing. For seating, circles will be drawn on the grass and there are also well-spaced picnic tables.

Hand sanitizer stations will be found throughout the space, and staff will be wiping down high touch point areas frequently.

Admission to Eats Night Market is free. It will take place from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Scarborough Town Centre this weekend.

What a return to school in the age of COVID will look like in Toronto’s private schools

By

Erin Neilly

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12:01 pm

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With summer coming to a close, it’s only natural that thoughts turn to fall: cooler temperatures, changing leaves, switching from short sleeves to sweaters and jackets. But for parents with school-aged children, thoughts quickly turn to getting those children ready for a return to school. But this will be a return to the classroom like no other. COVID-19 has created a “new normal” in many ways, and that will now extend to classrooms. For parents sending kids back to private school, here are some of the main things to consider as the first day of school approaches.

Will class sizes be smaller?

Private schools already have the advantage of smaller class sizes, but even so, efforts are being made to ensure enough space is provided for students in all grades. For the most part, classes will contain 15 students or less, with often smaller groups for younger grades. For example, 12 students in junior and senior kindergarten at both Crestwood and Children’s Garden School.

Will my child have to wear a mask?

The short answer is most likely. But that will depend on the school and age of the child. For example, Dalia Eisen, director of Crestwood School, explains that children in Grades 3 to 6 will have to wear masks in classrooms and in the hallways but not outdoors. In addition, every student at Crestwood will have a Plexiglas sneeze shield affixed to their desk for added protection. The scenario is similar at J. Addison School in Markham where principal Lee Venditti explains that masks will be mandatory for all students in Grades 4 through 12. Whereas at Children’s Garden School (CGS), Kelly Scott, director of admissions, says masks will be options for students who wish to wear them.

What if I choose to keep my child at home to learn?

It’s safe to assume that some parents may want to opt out of in-school learning for their children. In these cases, there are online or live streamed learning options available. Crestwood School will be broadcasting live streamed lessons via Zoom, and at J. Addison the situation is similar, with principal Venditti adding, “If students choose online, they will be part of Microsoft Teams, with live lessons being taught online from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.” In addition, students will also be assigned a Microsoft school email and can join the live classroom with their classmates and teacher.

What happens if a student or staff member shows symptoms of COVID-19?

No school wants to envision a scenario in which anyone contracts COVID-19, but should that occur (or should someone develop symptoms at school), protocols are in place to ensure the virus is contained. For starters, anyone showing symptoms in general should remain isolated at home. If someone begins showing symptoms at school, they will be isolated until they can leave the premises. “They will have to be tested. If they test negative, they come back to school. If they test positive, the whole class has to quarantine for 14 days,” says Eisen. In addition, schools will need to have contact-tracing measures in place. “For testing and contact tracing, CGS will follow the guidelines provided by Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health,” says Scott. “The school will maintain up-to- date contact lists, school attendance of staff, students and any essential workers, for the purpose of contact tracing.”

What additional cleaning and sanitization will schools be implementing?

Increased cleaning and sanitizing will be a regular occurrence at all private schools in the province, especially where high touch surfaces are concerned, such as doorknobs, light switches, handrails and washroom faucets, which will be cleaned multiple times a day. Deep cleaning will occur after school hours. “Full-time cleaning staff will now be present throughout the school day to ensure all washrooms and other high touch areas are cleaned frequently, and cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be available in every classroom for immediate use when needed,” says Scott. In terms of handwashing and sanitising for students, there will be more time for that. Eisen has placed 30 wall-mounted touchless hand sanitizers throughout the school, and J. Addison School has installed a handwashing station in the hallway for students.

What will lunchtime look like for students?

The days of cafeterias filled with boisterous kids are over for now as schools find ways to maintain adequate physical distancing among students. These plans vary from school to school, but you can expect some changes to the regular lunchtime routine. At Crestwood, Eisen explains that the cafeteria will not be used, and all students will be eating lunch in their classrooms. This is also the case for Children’s Garden School, to ensure safe physical distancing can be maintained. At J. Addison School, Venditti explains that Montessori students will eat meals and snacks in the classroom, while those in Grades 4 through 12 will have tiered lunch schedules in the cafeteria and sit at designated spots.

Will there be after-care, sports or other programs going into the new school year?

This will largely depend on the school, but, for the most part, sports and clubs will not be taking place for the time being at schools such as J. Addison School and Crestwood. However, Eisen says that the school will still be offering after-care. After-care will also be available at Children’s Garden School, but Scott says that parents are encouraged only to use it when absolutely necessary to keep the numbers down and allow for social distancing. She adds that clubs will be offered but only within each cohort so there is no mixing with other students in the school.

A popular bakery is opening its second location in Toronto

By

Jessica Huras

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3:25 pm

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Goûter Patisserie is gearing up to open its second location at Eglinton and Avenue this fall. Headed by pastry chef Rodney Alléguède, the North York pâtisserie, boulangerie, and chocolaterie is known for putting a modern riff on classic French baked goods. Alléguède cut his teeth in Michelin-starred restaurants like Fouquet’s and La Maison Lenôtre in Paris before opening Goûter’s original location in 2016.

Goûter is a much-loved fixture at the nearby Eglinton Way farmers’ market, making Eglinton and Avenue a natural choice for the bakery’s second brick-and-mortar location, according to general manager, Bianca Mazzi.

Fans of the bakery can expect to see a similar line-up of high-quality, housemade treats at its midtown location, with the North York outpost continuing to serve as its main production facility.

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A post shared by Goûter by RA (@gouterbyra) on Aug 28, 2020 at 5:44pm PDT

Everything at Goûter is made fresh daily, including bread, such as sourdough loaves and focaccia, as well as flakey, 27-layer croissants.

In addition to croissants, the bakery features a variety of other ever-changing viennoiseries — a term used to describe baked goods made using techniques similar to bread-making — ranging from classics like pain au chocolate to Kouign-Amann, a dense croissant-like pastry.

Goûter is also known for its hand-decorated chocolate bonbons, which come in rotating flavours like roasted hazelnut and matcha tea.

Mazzi hinted that the bakery’s expansion to a second location is part of a larger upcoming project, but additional details are being kept under wraps for now.

Goûter is currently targeting a fall launch for its second location, but we’ll have to stay tuned for the official opening date.

Five restaurants that have closed in Toronto in the last week

By

Nikki Gill

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12:32 pm

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restaurants that have closed — A dish at SoSo Food Club

While news of creative revamps and even several grand openings continue to flow in, there is one stream that is steadier still — the ever-growing list of beloved Toronto restaurants shuttering due to COVID-related hardships. Here are the five most recent to which we bid adieu.

SoSo Food Club

SoSo Food Club at Dundas and Ossington, a space where Torontonians could eat scrumptious Chinese dishes, dance, photograph themselves against striking neon décor, and sip inventive cocktails all in one evening, has officially closed. For now, the space will continue to be used by Juicebox Bar, a small wine bar that is running takeout and delivery of their natural wines — a defining characteristic of the drinks menu at SoSo in its heyday. The announcement of SoSo’s permanent closure came via Instagram on Aug. 30.

“We’ve come to the tough decision to not reopen the restaurant as is on the other side of this pandemic,” the post reads. However, while lamenting the loss of the community SoSo built through their uniquely eclectic mix of food and fun over the past two years, their work with Grape Crush Wine, a program dedicated to making natural wines accessible both in terms of price and place, will continue for the foreseeable future via Juicebox.

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A post shared by juicebox.bar (@juicebox.bar) on Aug 30, 2020 at 7:13pm PDT

The Ellery

The Ellery, a beloved upscale bistro serving locally-sourced eats on the Danforth, announced that the last week of August would be their last week of service. Their farewell message to Toronto, though full of heartache and reminiscence, hosts a slight silver lining: the reason for the closure, while obviously inextricably linked to COVID-related hardships, was ultimately finalized due to a desire to refocus on family during these wild times.

“While the strain this pandemic has put on us and other sit-down restaurants is extreme to say the least,” the Instagram post reads, “our decision comes as one focused more so on availability to our children, and quality of life. With mandated closures and reduced operating hours, our eyes were opened to what exactly we were missing out on at home, and how much time we were spending away from the most important aspects of our lives.”

While many in the hospitality industry can surely relate to crazed schedules as restaurants attempt to restructure for survival, this news is sure to break many hearts as the bistro had cultivated a strong reputation over its five years in business.

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A post shared by The Ellery (@theelleryto) on Aug 27, 2020 at 9:32am PDT

Tacos Rico

Tacos Rico, the West Queen West outpost for delicious plant-based tacos from the team behind Grand Electric, is now closed. Unlike its Parkdale parent, Tacos Rico had an entirely vegetarian menu that had a wide variety of flavour combos like the popular poblano and bean or the fried Japanese eggplant, each of which rang in for the price of $2.99 when featured on their taco of the day menu.

The space had been operating more as “Bottles Rico” earlier in the summer, where June and July saw the team shift gears and start a beer takeaway service to adapt to COVID-era realities. Now, the space is officially closed, and while things might seem bleak for vegetarian taco lovers who enjoy the thrill of more than one or two plant-based menu options, the venture was popular and delicious in its four-month run. Perhaps the team will bring a similar concept back to our fair city when a more stable “new normal” is available? One can dream.

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A post shared by Bottles Rico (@tacosrico) on Mar 15, 2020 at 1:55pm PDT

Kit Kat

Kit Kat Italian Bar & Grill, an infamous go-to for tourists and locals alike as they patronized the many theatres, live venues and bars of Toronto’s entertainment district, is now closed. Owner Al Carbone made headlines in 2017 when he stood in stark opposition to the King street pilot project wherein cars were booted from the stretch in order to make way for enhanced streetcar and pedestrian traffic. Carbone even went so far as to place an ice sculpture of a hand flipping off the city in order to sculpturally perform dissatisfaction with the project in early 2018, arguing that the changes to how people could navigate the popular strip harmed his business.

Kit Kat’s website and social media pages have been dormant since the COVID closures in March, and there have been no official announcements made yet. However, the storefront has been stripped of its sign and accoutrements (is it weird to miss the cow?), signalling the end of a three-decades-long era of Kit Kat on King. Formerly located across the street from such notable locales as TIFF Bell Lightbox, there is little doubt that the sudden COVID-induced evaporation of the movie and live theatre scene spelled disaster for a restaurant that depended on pre-show diners and après-show drinkers.

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A post shared by KitKat Italian Bar & Grill (@kitkattoronto) on Sep 5, 2018 at 12:14pm PDT

Frankie Tomatto’s

Markham’s 25-year mainstay, Frankie Tomatto’s, officially closed at the end of August. After opening in the mid-90s, the varied and tasty Italian buffet came with a big side of spectacle with its famously over-the-top décor, quickly establishing it as an area go-to for big groups and special events.

The website and Facebook page both announced that Frankie’s would be going out with a bang with a drive-in “Last Supper” in their parking lot on Aug. 29. Patrons were given a chance to bid one last farewell while scoring a piece of Frankie’s swag along with one free pizza per car. The restaurant also gave $1 for every car that showed up on that fateful Saturday to Easter Seals Ontario, an organization that supports youth with physical disabilities. While traditional buffet-style services are antithetical to effective pandemic control for obvious reasons, city and suburb dwellers alike came to Frankie’s Facebook page to express the grief they are feeling now that even successful decades-long mainstays are being rendered implausible in a matter of months thanks to our new reality.

After 25 years, 11 million meals served and countless memories we step closing our doors. As a thank you to all our…

Posted by Frankie Tomatto’s on Wednesday, August 26, 2020

How local fashion experts are creating space and opportunities for Black designers in Toronto and beyond

By

Erin Neilly

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11:52 am

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George sully — Footwear designer George Sully

In an effort to combat systemic and anti-Black racism, leaders and educators within the Black community have developed tools and resources to be used across all industries.

Here in Toronto, Black designers and educators have launched initiatives to highlight diversity in the fashion industry, such as footwear designer George Sully’s Black Designers of Canada (BDC) index.

“The Black community has been marginalized when it comes to fashion and our contribution to it,” says Sully. “So I created a platform to lessen the excuses often used by the industry, like ‘Black designers do not exist.’ ”

At his count, Sully says there are about 160 designers featured on BDC, spanning across fashion, furniture, accessories and interior design. For him, those designers countered the argument that he had heard for decades: that Black designers weren’t featured because there weren’t enough of them.

“We needed proof,” says Sully. “We needed to be counted to fight the ignorance of [the industry] saying we don’t exist.”

The designers in the index include Bohten Eyewear, founded by Nana Boateng Osei, a Ghanaian-Canadian designer.

There is also Daej Hamilton, a Toronto woodwork artist who creates unique and minimalist furniture and home items.

Kim Jenkins black designers — Assistant professor Kim Jenkins

Low visibility of people of colour in the fashion industry has always been an issue. Kim Jenkins, an assistant professor at Ryerson University and fashion historian, launched the Fashion and Race Database in 2017 as a reaction to the crises that she had observed in the industry — namely, lack of adequate representation in media and narrow standards of beauty.

“Students are having a hard time, depending on what their ethnic background is, in fitting in the fashion world once they graduate,” she says.

Jenkins had long been following the intersection of fashion and race but found herself at the centre of it in 2019 after Gucci released a black balaclava sweater with the hole for the mouth outlined with red lips as part of their Fall/Winter 2019 collection.

The sweater was lambasted across the media as a “Blackface sweater” and pulled out of the collection. Gucci reached out to Jenkins for educational support.

“I was really elated when the heads of Gucci, specifically Marco Bizzarri, the CEO and president, brought me on and just said ‘Okay, we’re all ears. We’re ready to listen. How can we do better?’ ” says Jenkins.

george sully black designers — Footwear designer George Sully

This new relationship between her and Gucci signalled a change for her and for other fashion historians.

“It really kind of sets the tone for what’s possible or sets a precedent, at least, of what the fashion industry can do,” she says.

While she has been in contact with other brands for this type of cultural awareness and sensitivity programming, Jenkins notes the problem goes far deeper, and the solution begins with diverse hiring and promotion — a move that global fashion houses have not undertaken.

“If you open up the door to the C-suite [a corporation’s senior executives] and the organization, and they all look the same, they’re all incredibly homogenous,” says Jenkins. “Or there’s just, like, one person of colour who is supposed to shoulder the work and the labour of giving the entire global brand a diverse perspective.”

A major way to incorporate more diversity into the fashion landscape is by targeting the larger retailers, which designer Aurora James is doing through her campaign the 15 Percent Pledge.

“Right after the tragic killing of George Floyd, I was seeing a lot of brands, retailers and influencers from across industries posting messages of solidarity but not actually changing anything about their business,” says James. “They say they stand with the Black Lives Matter movement, but I didn’t see diversity in their boardrooms, the content they create or on their shelves.”

The Toronto-born, Brooklyn-based designer behind the footwear and handbag brand Brother Vellies launched the pledge in early June to pressure major household retailers to start stocking 15 per cent of their shelves with products by Black-owned businesses.

Aurora James black designers — Brother Vellies designer Aurora James © Grace Miller

“Black people comprise about 15 per cent of the population in the U.S. and over 22 per cent of Canadians identify as minorities,” says James. “We focused on major retailers, such as Target, Whole Foods, Shopbop, MedMen, Barnes and Noble, because these businesses can have the biggest economic influence on the Black community.”

Sully, Jenkins and James are all seeing the tides of possibility shift. James has been encouraged by the support her campaign received from the public, as well as the companies who have gotten in touch with her to make the pledge.

Jenkins hopes that the Fashion and Race Database will evolve into a larger conversation that involves people in the industry as well as educators and historians who had never previously seen themselves reflected.

“The history of fashion and racism and how the construct of race has impacted the fashion industry and the way we see ourselves and interact with one another is very real. It is still an issue,” says Jenkins. “It’s such a big hairy topic that no one wants to address, and that’s why I wanted to start tackling it.”

Sully says major organizations have reached out to him to provide support for BDC. He envisions mentoring programs, workshops, even BDC Awards. But until then, he simply wants to be counted. He wants fashion editors, when compiling lists of the top 30 designers, to go on the BDC index and find 10 Black designers to include. And for stylists, when pulling designs for editorial spreads and red carpets and television appearances, he wants them to dig into the index for new pieces to showcase. He wants new designers of colour to not be discouraged by the industry’s excuses.

“I needed proof and I needed a body count. And here we are, and everything has changed because of that,” says Sully. “Everything has changed.”

Cyclists on the new Bloor bike lanes surpass 4,400 per day

By

Erin Neilly

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11:25 am

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A number of volunteer organizations have found the new bike lane extensions on Bloor Street have been getting a huge amount of use since their opening.

Bells on Bloor, Toronto Centre Cyclists and the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition released information that, over a 24-hour period, Yorkville had 4,784 cyclists passing through and further west to Dufferin Street, and Bloor had 4,408.

The groups placed volunteers at each of the intersections, where they counted cyclists passing.

Although the city has yet to release its official usage numbers, the ones reported show a quicker rate of adoption for the Yorkville stretch than the previous Bloor bike pilot between Shaw Street and Avenue Road.

That pilot saw an average of 4,501 cyclists pass through in October 2016, a couple months after its August installation, a number slightly short of the Yorkville stat recently collected. By June 2017, that number grew to 4,925 using the lane.

Thus it appears users are taking to the extension warmly, but opposition still exists to the bike lane.

The Bloor-Yorkville BIA sent a letter to Toronto City Council in late May saying that the bike lane extension in Yorkville will create “additional challenges for [the] retailers” after they have been dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BIA suggested the bike lane may interfere with organized curbside pickups and could disrupt parades.

“The pinch point conditions created by the bike lanes on Bloor Street, west of Spadina, have caused the Santa Claus Parade to reroute because the street is now too narrow to accommodate their floats,” the letter states. “If the same entanglement of bike lane infrastructure is carried further east, then the future of all parades and events for Bloor Street and the Danforth will be in jeopardy.”

Councillor Mike Layton said that he hasn’t heard from any of the BIAs since the extensions were installed, and the city did its best to accommodate their concerns.

“We are constantly looking back at the temporary design with the hopes we can refine, to address concerns from all stakeholders, but most importantly make sure it is safe,” he said. “We are, hopefully, going to be looking soon at what a permanent design will look [like] that may permanently fix problems that aren’t possible [to fix] in the current design.”

The Bloor bike lane extensions were fast-tracked in late May to address transit issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were installed in August.