Souls of St. Clair chronicles the life of a neighbourhood
A photo series featuring longtime customers of a Corso Italia bakery is about to take on a new life as a book.
Photographer Franco Deleo grew up at his family’s Tre Mari Bakery on St. Clair Avenue West. In his childhood, his family lived behind the bakery and he began working there at 12 years old. After finishing a creative photography program at Humber College, he set up a photography studio beside the bakery in a renovated storage area. He now lives above the bakery.
Souls of St. Clair is the title of his exhibition and of the upcoming book, featuring portraits of the bakery’s elderly Italian regulars, many of whom have been customers for decades.
“There’s all these incredible older customers that we have. They just dress like they’re straight out of Italy; a lot of them don’t speak English,” said Deleo, who began shooting them on the advice of a friend. “It’s like they’re a part of a different world.”
Deleo began to shoot the subjects in his studio and record his conversations with them about immigrating to Canada, their experiences of Toronto as new Canadians and their memories of the bakery and his grandparents.
Deleo said the bakery used to extend credit to people during difficult times and help those who didn’t speak English do a variety of tasks including translating government forms and visiting the doctor.
“Some people almost couldn’t talk about their experience because it was almost too difficult, with the language barrier,” said Deleo.
“The importance of the community that they had on St. Clair was really valuable. Feeling that there was a connection to a space, which was, a lot of times, the bakery at St Clair.”
After exhibiting the portraits in his studio in 2016 and again recently at Cucinato Studio, Deleo launched an Indiegogo campaign to pay for the design and initial print run of the Souls of St. Clair book, which Deleo said will feature the portraits and personal stories of the subjects.
Those looking to pre-order a copy can do so at francodeleo.com, and Deleo hopes to have the book ready by November and launch it at the bakery that brought him and his subjects together.
“I want to have a big party in the bakery, turn the bakery into an art gallery,” said Deleo.
“People can walk around and see all the prints and pick up their book that they’ve ordered and also meet some of the souls that are going to be there.”
City one step closer to creating continuous cycling network across midtown Toronto
On July 17, Toronto City Council adopted a motion submitted by councillor Mike Colle requesting that city staff review opportunities to connect the York Beltline Trail with the Kay Gardner Beltline Park, thus creating a continuos walking, jogging and cycling path across midtown Toronto.
The Beltline Trail is a nine-kilometre multi-use trail with three sections, the York Beltline, Kay Gardner Beltline and the Ravine Beltline that runs south of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery through Moore Park Ravine.
Colle said that, after reclaiming public land that was fenced off illegally for years, the York Beltline Trail is due to be extended east from Marlee Avenue to Allen Road.
“As a result of that, we’re so close now to finding a link between this extended York Beltline to the existing Kay Gardner Beltline, which is on the other side of the Allen,” said Colle.
Colle’s motion asks staff to consider the feasibility of a pedestrian bridge between the two trails, which would go over Allen Road, or improvements to an existing bridge 50 metres north of the trail on Elm Ridge Drive.
“Obviously the pedestrian and cycling bridge would be great, but it might be too prohibitive cost-wise at the present time,” said ‘Colle.
“So I’m willing to look at the alternatives of really enhancing the connectivity with the existing path and roadway. We have to widen it and make it safe.”
Colle said that the number of people using the Kay Gardner Beltline is much greater than those using the York Beltline, and due to the lack of a connection between the two, many Kay Gardner Beltline users may not even know the York Beltline exists.
“I want to put that on the radar of our council, our transportation commission, to get some real serious analysis of these options because it’s a golden opportunity to get people to connect east and west,” said Colle, who noted the difficulty of jogging or cycling on nearby Eglinton Avenue.
“It’s a missing cycling link that we could use to get people across that part of the city in a very safe way, but right now there’s a big barrier called the Allen Expressway. So I’m trying to modify that barrier in some way.”
The thrill of vacation sex can strengthen a relationship
Columnist Dr. Jessica O’Reilly is a sought-after speaker, author and sexologist (www.SexWithDrJess.com).
Travel season is upon us, and though holiday planning and the thrill of vacation sex can heighten feelings of connection and passion, the stress associated with travel itself can put a strain on relationships.
To attenuate the stress associated with travel, consider practising gratitude before you hop in your car or board your flight. A brief practise of gratitude can increase intimacy, likability and attraction, and couples who practice gratitude are happier in their relationships and feel closer to one another.
Even if you only have a few days, taking time to escape with your lover not only positively affects your short-term sex life, but can help to reignite feelings of connection and passion. By slipping away from your regular routine and reducing the practical restrictions that inhibit your sex life (e.g., kids, work, household responsibilities), your inhibitions naturally subside, leading to exciting and novel experiences and a boost in desire. Moreover, even mini-vacations tend to produce opportunities for trying something new (e.g., food, culture, environment), and according to self-expansion theory, this partner-supported opportunity for growth increases relationship fulfillment.
For a quick weekend escape, consider a few days in Montreal where you can lounge at Bota Bota (a spa on a boat), enjoy Burlesque and Boylesque at the Wiggle Room or get frisky at L’Orage — a club for exhibitionists and voyeurs.
Closer to home, the Drake offers a pleasure menu as well as packages that include “racy” gifts from local sex-positive shop Come As You Are. And if you have time to hop a quick flight to New York, book the Love Room at the Library Hotel, which features erotic artwork and a literary collection curated by Dr. Ruth.
For longer getaways, consider exploring a couples-only, erotically charged environment like Mexico’s Desire Resorts or Temptation, which is open to couples, groups and singles alike. Just make sure all parties are on board before you book — these experiences can be positively life changing, but they don’t make for a great surprise trip.
When planning your intimate getaway, consider some details that can help you to relax and be more playful.
Be affectionate en route to set the tone. Make a playlist with your favourite tunes. Pack snacks to avoid hunger and crankiness. Use apps like Calm or Headspace if you experience anxiety while travelling. And pack something special like a new pair of underwear, something tasty or a thoughtful note.
New condo may mean end of landmark eatery in Toronto
The fight over the redevelopment of a North York strip mall that is home to a popular Italian restaurant on Yonge Street in Willowdale is heating up as Toronto City Council voted to fight the proposal at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).
The development application proposes a 33-storey building with 265 units with retail on the ground level and 109 parking spaces. In a revised proposal, city staff secured an on-site parkland dedication of 249 square metres that will front onto Yonge, if approved.
Toronto City Planning determined that the project does not conform to city or provincial standards, but the developer appealed to the LPAT already because the city took too long to rule on the application.
“It’s a bad application that ignores all the planning rules,” said councillor John Filion. “All of the development you see on Yonge Street followed the rules. Imagine how overdeveloped the area would be if we let the developers build whatever they wanted.”
The site is currently home to a small strip mall that includes popular Italian restaurant Mezza Notte Trattoria.
Owner Gus Savonarota opened the business 20 years ago and has seen the local neighbourhood change around him with more and more condos.
“It’s time for us to move on. The neighbourhood has changed quite a bit,” he says.
Since the business opened, Savonarota has made sure his lease has included a demolition clause that gives the restaurant a year and a half notice before it has to close. So, local residents won’t have to worry about losing their favourite spot for pizzas and pastas for a while yet.
“There has been a sign in front here for a good year, if not longer. Everybody knows,” he says.
Savonarota said that he knew the time would come when the site would be redeveloped and so he opened a second location in Thornhill years ago.
“That’s the reason we have that location. We knew this day was going to come, and when that [Thornhill] space became available, we thought it was a great fit for us,” he said.
Not that he is closing any doors. There is the possibility of space on the ground floor of the condo or another location nearby or further south.
“Maybe [south],” said Savonarota. “North York has been good to us.”
Know what to do if your child is injured in daycare
See all posts by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers
An increase in the number of families with both parents working at jobs outside the home has increased the need for daycare and childcare in Ontario as it has throughout Canada. According to Statistics Canada, almost half of all parents in the country make use of some form of childcare for children 14 years of age and younger with parents of children ages 4 and younger reporting making use of some form of childcare for their children. Daycare centres are the most commonly used form of childcare for parents in Ontario.
As a parent, you trust that the staff and administers of the daycare centre will keep your child safe and free from harm. Sadly, this is not always the case, and children can suffer serious injuries or die due to accidents or negligent care. The law allows you to hold daycare facilities responsible when their negligence causes harm to your child.
Recognizing when something is wrong
It is common for children to suffer minor bumps, bruises or lacerations during the normal course of playing with other children. Parents should note the frequency of cuts and bruises and question daycare staff about them to determine if their child is the victim of inadequate supervision or intentional abuse.
Accidents at daycare centres could be caused by a failure of staff to remove hazardous items and substances that could pose a danger to a child. Falls are a frequent cause of children’s injuries, but falls from playground equipment, furniture or elevated surfaces could be the result of a failure on the part of daycare stall to properly supervise and monitor the activities of the children.
What should a parent do when a child is injured?
A child injured at daycare should receive immediate evaluation and treatment by a health care professional. Once the child’s medical condition has been stabilized, parents must contact the daycare facility to find out exactly what happened. At that point, parents should seek an evaluation of the facts and circumstances from an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine if making a claim against the facility is an option.
Daycare facilities owe a duty to provide such a reasonable level of care as necessary to prevent harm to your child. Negligence occurs when the facility breaches its duty of care by failing to provide adequate supervision to your child, allowing playground equipment to become unsafe, or engages in other conduct that places your child at risk of being injured. If the breach of the daycare centre’s duty of care result in an injury, your child could be entitled to make a claim damages related to the injury.
Protecting children from harm
Parents choosing a daycare facility should make certain it complies with the Ontario Child Care and Early Years Act. Among other things, the law establishes minimum standards for the supervision of children, including the ratio of staff to the number of children under their supervision.
[broadstreet zone=”68710″]
Three Toronto restaurants that still sing Happy Birthday
More and more, it seems as if restaurants are on their own mission to rise in the ranks of coolness. Maybe it’s a complete makeover favouring darker tones, perhaps an extensive list of colourful cocktails to do the trick. Thrown out the window, for sure, is one of the industry’s most mortifying yet exciting traditions: singing happy birthday to a guest of honour. We’ve managed to round up the three best places that still make you consider pretending it’s your birthday for (hopefully) free dessert while having to sit through the song. Oh, they’re also pretty cool.
Ferarro
Forest Hill North’s favourite Italian restaurant will bring out the sparklers and songs for someone’s special day. More often than not, parties bring in their own cake to give to a server at the top of the meal so the sweet birthday baby still gets surprised at the end.
Kinka Izakaya
Big on birthdays, Kinka Izakaya has its own dessert menu, drinks, and music brought out to celebrate someone’s special day. Singing most definitely included. Get a group picture and they’ll post it to their Instagram account specifically dedicated to birthday celebrations.
View this post on Instagram
Pantheon Restaurant
Opa! They won’t smash a plate but they will serenade you at this Greek restaurant on the Danforth. Bring in your own cake, choose from one of theirs, or see if they’ll stick a candle on a piece of baklava– it’s a celebration either way. A couple of waiters sing background to the actual singer they have on staff for this sort of thing; call ahead to make sure he’s around!
Understanding your rights to accident benefits in Ontario
See all posts by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers
The automobile insurance you carry as a driver in Ontario provides benefits in the event you are injured in a crash. The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, which is also referred to as the SABS, enables you to receive the medical care and treatment you need to recover from your injuries as well as other benefits, such as lost earnings. Changes to the Ontario Insurance Act in recent years could affect your rights to benefits, so it is important to understand how the SABS works.
What are your rights under the SABS after an accident?
The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule pays benefits to anyone injured in a car accident without regard to who might have been at fault in causing the accident. Included among the benefits payable to someone injured in a collision are the following:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation for up to five years after an accident for injuries non-catastrophic injuries
- Income replacement of up to 70% of earnings lost due to being unable to work up to a maximum of $400 a week.
- Additional coverage is available to increase the weekly payment to as much as $1,000 a week.
- Non-earner benefit for up to two years to individuals who were not working and earning an income at the time of the accident. Non-earner benefits cannot begin during the first four weeks after the accident.
- The spouse of a victim killed in a car accident may receive a death benefit of $25,000 and other dependents receive $10,000. There is also a funeral benefit of up to $6,000.
Individuals suffering a catastrophic impairment as currently defined under the SABS may receive up to $250 a week as a caregiver benefit for one dependent and an additional $50 a week for each additional dependent. Housekeeping and home maintenance benefits of up to $100 a week are also available for individuals suffering a catastrophic impairment.
What is a catastrophic impairment?
The consequences of a serious physical injury suffered in an automobile accident could be severe enough to meet the SABS definition of catastrophic impairment making the accident victim eligible for benefits beyond what would otherwise be available. For instance, medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits available to someone suffering an injury that is non-catastrophic is capped at $65,000 unless the person had optional insurance coverage that could increase the cap to $130,000. The benefit cap for individuals with catastrophic impairment is $1 million unless the person purchased additional coverage raising the cap to a maximum of $2 million.
According to the definition contained in the Insurance Act, a catastrophic impairment based upon the presence of certain conditions, including:
- Vision loss
- Tetraplegia
- Paraplegia
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputation or severe ambulatory mobility impairment
- Impairment of the whole person of at least 55%
- Impairment of the whole person of at least 55% caused by a combination of physical and mental or behavioural impairments
The definition and the tests used to determine whether a person has a catastrophic impairment are complex. Anyone suffering serious physical injuries should consult with a personal injury lawyer familiar with the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule who can provide legal advice and guidance.
[broadstreet zone=”68710″]
Margaret Atwood’s sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ already up for huge literary prize
Although it won’t hit bookstore shelves in Canada until Sept. 10, Toronto author Margaret Atwood’s new novel The Testaments is already the talk of the town thanks to a Booker Prize nomination.
The Booker Prize is the top literary award in the United Kingdom. This is Atwood’s sixth nomination. She won the prize back in 2000 for The Blind Assassin.
The Testaments is Atwood’s long-awaited sequel to her groundbreaking dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale, which has been turned into a wildly popular TV series. The sequel picks up the story 15 years after the conclusion of The Handmaid’s Tale and features “the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.”
In a social media statement earlier this year, Atwood says the inspiration for the new work has come from her legion of fans.
“Dear Readers: Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in,” she wrote.
Following the release of the book, Atwood will be giving a talk on the book in Toronto at the Bluma Appel Theatre on Sept. 16. before heading across Canada on a tour. There are still a few tickets remaining, which can be purchased here.
Secret garden party by Paris Paris team happening weekly in Toronto
Paris Paris, Toronto’s favourite wine bar, has a new pop-up sister restaurant they’d like you to meet. Garden Garden (the family resemblance begins with the double name) is hidden just across the street and is chef Jonathan Poon’s answer to the Sunday Scaries.
Open only on Sundays until the summer’s end, Garden Garden is serving up insanely good Mexican cuisine out of a kindergarten courtyard while school’s out for the summer — it’s basically a boozy garden party every Sunday from 3-10pm. But this isn’t the first time Poon has taken on a summer patio pop-up. Last year’s theme was Thai barbecue — a concept that has now become a permanent restaurant in his latest project Favourites Thai BBQ.
When it comes to Garden Garden, Poon says he personally can’t get enough of their lamb tacos; fresh corn tortillas from Maizal with braised lamb, onion, olives and a green salsa, “I could eat them all day and sometimes I do” he says.
So if you’re looking to get in on the secret, bring your bills to this cash-only setup and enjoy margarita slushies, some Modelo beers, and, of course, there are some white, rose, and red wine options, even some vinho verde and cava. Garden Garden is no frills and all fun.
