Ecks and the City: can sleep divorce save my relationship?

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2:13 pm

The hot topic about relationships these days is “sleep divorce,” which is essentially making the decision to not share the same bed as your partner. It was in the news recently after a British sleep expert, Neil Stanley, declared, “We sleep better when we sleep alone.” For some, the idea makes sense. For others, it is unimaginable.

Stanley argues that a sleep divorce (the only kind of divorce that doesn’t require a lawyer) may actually save your marriage. Apparently, if you have separate bedrooms, you and your partner may be nicer to each other in the morning because you both are well rested. I get where Stanley is coming from. Numerous times in my nearly flawless partnership, I have woken up saying, “We’re getting a divorce!” Yes, my fiancé is a snorer.

Although I didn’t know it, I was already in the throes of a sleep divorce. When his snoring got so bad, I would go to my daughter’s room and sleep on her double bed while my snoring fiancé remained in the California king with the silky sheets. Ass. But even if I wanted a full-on sleep divorce — instead of the occasional sleep separation — there’s nowhere for me to go. All the bedrooms (and beds) are taken by his two children, our live-in nanny, our baby and my daughter.

My problem with sleep divorce is that I actually like the idea of sleeping with my fiancé every night. I like the cuddles, the spontaneous sex, knowing he’s beside me. (I think this is called “intimacy.”) Stanley says he and his wife slept in separate rooms and were none the worse for it. (It must be noted that they are now divorced, but he proclaims it had nothing to do with not sharing the same bed. Um, hum. Moving on…)

More couples do appear to be sleeping in separate bedrooms, some going so far as when building or renovating a home, asking specifically for separate master bedrooms. I had one friend who asked for different floors from her husband when they built their house! (They, too, ended in divorce. Just sayin’.)

Finally, I couldn’t take the snoring anymore. I had been complaining about it to a mother at one of my daughter’s after-school programs, and she said passionately, “You have to send him to a sleep clinic.” Off I sent my fiancé to get a referral to the Toronto Sleep Institute, where he filled out a sleep assessment questionnaire, had an interview with a physician and spent the night hooked up to wires that monitored his EEG brainwaves, oxygen levels, snoring and respiratory effort, EKG and periodic limb movements.

I went with him to get the results. One of the doctors looked at his chart and said, “You fell asleep in two and a half minutes and you snored loudly.” Of course, I turned to my fiancé and said, “Now I have professional medical backup that shows you snore!”

“The majority of patients who come in usually are pushed in that direction because of a spouse,” says James MacFarlane, director of education for the MedSleep network of clinics, including the Toronto Sleep Institute.

He, too, isn’t sold on sleep divorce. “I think snoring may be an excuse to not share a bedroom,” he says lightheartedly.

My guy was given two suggestions: seeing an orthodontist to get a mouthguard that forces the jaw forward and somehow stops the snoring (it may not be pretty — think back to orthodontics when you were in your teens — but it did save my friend’s marriage) or Provent therapy, which are nose patches. (The nose patches require a prescription and are $90 a month. A mouthguard costs approximately $1,500 to $3,000) Surgery, says McFarlane, does not work. So if any doctor suggests you get surgery for snoring, get a second opinion.

“It’s so uncomfortable,” my fiancé moaned after the first night of wearing the nose strip. “But it worked!” I cried gleefully.

“And don’t talk to me about being uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is not getting a good night’s sleep in years, thanks to you!”

It does become a marital issue,” agrees MacFarlane. Snorers can’t help it, but that doesn’t really matter if it’s affecting their spouse’s sleep.

Women snore too, but generally during the menopausal stage, he says. “I think women, generally, tend to be lighter sleepers and are more easily disturbed in their sleep.”

I have to ask the question. Does Dr. MacFarlane snore? “Everyone snores occasionally. But I don’t snore to the degree that the throngs of women in my life are disturbed by it,” he jokes.

As for me, the prescription nose strips seem to work and are cheaper than adding an extension to the house. What can I say? I may be a cheeseball, but I like sleeping with my man, now a non-snorer.

Too Close to Call: Café Diplomatico vs. Bar Italia

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3:00 pm

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In honour of the Taste of Little Italy, old-school eateries Café Diplomatico and Bar Italia battle for the boot. Who is flying Italia’s true colours? Whose marinara is worth chowing down? You decide.

Café Diplomatico	vs.	Bar Italia
Rocco Mastrangelo, 1968.	Owner & year opened:	Joe Bonavota, 1967 (new location, 1996).
The Dip’s a landmark, a piece of history. We’ve been in the biz for 45 years — we’re on the fourth generation now!	Claim to fame:	It’s a great place to socialize with friends and family over great food and wine.
We have a lot! But in my opinion, we have the best panzerotti in the city.	House specialty:	One dish we can never take off the menu is our fettuccine bolognese. It’s great Italian comfort food.
Frank. His music is great, and then there’s the whole gangster persona .…	Who’s got the chops: Sinatra or Dino?	Sinatra. Dean Martin’s great, don’t get me wrong, but I love Sinatra’s music.
That’s a tough one. I’d go with Firenze — it’s much more laid-back.	Roma or Firenze? Which city does it for you?	Rome. I love the Renaissance of the city, the historical recognition, the ruins. Everything.
We’ve had Queen Latifah, Nelly Furtado, Harrison Ford .…	Biggest celeb to visit:	Rihanna wanted our calamari fritti, instead of grilled. We obliged.
I’d say Armani. Versace’s too loud.	Versace or Armani?	Versace. Love the look. Love the distinction.
My uncle Paul will serve spidini (mini lamb skewers) from our street-side BBQ. We’ll probably hit about 10,000 skewers!	What’s happening for Taste of Little Italy?	We’re going to have a huge, huge patio on the street! Last year we had several thousand people over the course of three days.

Shop Talk: Sylvie and Shimmy opens in Parkdale

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11:55 am

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Earlier this month, Parkdale welcomed Sylvie and Shimmy, a new womenswear store, to the neighbourhood. For most buisiness owners, nabbing a location that attracts the right clientele is half the battle, so when Caroline Sylvester and Kyungjoo Shim found a spot in Parkdale for their shop, it was a no-brainer.

“We had been doing a lot of research on community profiles — Trinity Bellwoods, The Junction, Parkdale — but when we were here we just had a sense it was the right place to be,” says Sylvester.

“When we researched the population of the neighbourhood,” Shim adds, “we found a lot of young people shopping locally. So we thought it would be the perfect place for us.”

Though Sylvie and Shimmy is their first store, the partners are far from rookies to the fashion industry. Shim has experience as fashion designer and a buyer in Korea, while Sylvester gained entrepreneurial experience running her own jewellery line, Persylla’s. The two crossed paths at George Brown’s fashion management program, and after doing a few joint projects in school together, they found that their aesthetics matched.

Sylvie and Shimmy is a coordinated mash-up of both owners’ tastes. Much of the décor was taken from Sylvester’s grandmother’s house, though a few items were found in places like St. Lawrence Market and vintage stores.

“Our aesthetic is very cozy, comfortable and cute. A place where girls would like to hang out, but with a dream closet,” says Shim.

The name of the store is, of course, a play on the owners’ last names. The 1,100-square-foot shop carries over 10 brands, with most of the items imported from Korea, but there are some local items, too.

Sylvie and Shimmy’s choices are feminine and chic, full of floral patterns and lace. The two mannequins at the front embody the shop’s personality: on one is a white blouse by Oeuf ($75), showcasing a see-through lace floral pattern, while the second sports a polyester-cotton navy dress by My Queen ($89) with a detailed lace collar.

Of the Toronto brands, Sylvie and Shimmy also has T-shirts from Crywolf and clothing from 1%talent and JYK. Beyond clothing, there are a few shoes for sale, along with jewellery from local brand Moonrocks as well as Sylvester’s own Persylla’s. With all these choices, customers will be happy to discover the cheapest item at Sylvie & Shimmy is $30, while the upper price point is around $150.

Sylvie and Shimmy, 1640 Queen St. W., 647-348-3332

Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: a Greek white that’s made from the fruit of 80-year-old vines

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9:57 am

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Produced from the fruit of 80-year-old Assyrtiko vines, this wine is pale straw in colour. You can smell the volcanic soil in which the grapes were grown, giving it a minerally, smoky, melon nose; it’s medium-bodied with a crisply dry, crab apple flavour carried on lively acidity.

Gaia Thalassitis Assyrtiko, 2011, Santorini, Greece, $21.95. Vintages #315010

Post City Magazines’ wine columnist, Tony Aspler, has written 14 books on wine and food. Tony also created the Ontario Wine Awards and has been inducted into the New York Media Wine Writers’ Hall of Fame. He can be heard on 680News.

Weekend Warrior: Toronto Japanese Film Festival, Taste of Little Italy, Roncy Rocks, Luminato

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5:07 pm

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It’s Thursday, and the weekend is fast approaching. Need stuff to see or do? We’ve got you covered. In this edition, Italian pride on College Street, a celebration of Roncesvalles, a Japanese film festival and more.

Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival

When: June 13-15
Where: Sugar Beach
Details: Is there a better way to spend your weekend other then sampling different wines, craft beers and spirits on a nice day down at the waterfront? Probably not. Throw in live music and a lake breeze and you’re ready for some summer fun.

Toronto Japanese Film Festival

When: June 13-28
Where: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
Details: Any Japanese film buffs in the house? This festival is screening some fine movies from Japanese cinema, including Rent-a-Cat, Helter Skelter, Rurouni Kenshin, Tokyo Family, Being Born, Reunion and The Life Of Budori Gusuko.

Taste of Little Italy

When: June 14-16
Where: College St. (between Bathurst and Shaw)
Details: College Street will be jammed full of Italian pride this weekend. A celebration of Italian culture, Taste of Little Italy will include samples from neighbourhood food vendors, music from Italian DJs, expanded patios and 27 performers to keep everyone entertained. Viva L’Italia!

Luminato Festival

When: Jun 14-23
Where: Various locations
Details: When it comes to the arts, Luminato does not discriminate. This festival will see events taking place all over the city, including music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature and film. Can’t-miss events include Serena Ryder on Friday night, as well as a chance to pick the brains of the likes of Kid Koala, Buck 65 and reporters from The New York Times.

Roncy Rocks

When: June 15
Where: Roncesvalles Village
Details: Come out and show your support for Roncesvalles artists and musicians this weekend. There will an art sale, interactive workshops and stands set up along the sidewalk to peruse, along with some family activities, so there’s something for everyone at this annual festival.

Theatre Review: Cats

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2:25 pm

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Whenever I mention to fellow theatre-lovers that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats is one of my favourite musicals, I receive a chortle in response. Maybe it’s because when the musical first launched here 28 years ago, it was the only spectacle to see in town (“Whenever you went on a date, you went to Cats,” someone recently said to me, rather bitterly).

Or maybe it’s because the hatred between dog lovers and cat lovers runs pretty deep. Whatever the reason is, the response is surprising given that it’s the second-longest running show in Broadway history (although New Yorkers would probably roll their eyes and blame the tourists for that).

Admittedly, my love for the show relies heavily on romantic nostalgia. Cats was the very first musical I ever attended. I was five years old and I loved it so much that I saw it twice. I don’t know what captivated me most: the set, which is a moonlit junkyard that seemed so real to me, or the elegant movements of the cats, including the gyrating, Elvis-like Rum Tum Tugger, who pulled me onstage (I’m guessing it’s the latter).

However, after watching the new production 20-plus years later at the Panasonic Theatre, with years of theatre-going under my belt, I was still mesmerized.

The show itself is more a fanciful suite of music and eclectic dance (including ballet, modern, jazz and tap) than a traditional musical with a story. Based on T.S. Eliot’s book of poems, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and a few other choice works of his, there is scarcely a plot but rather a few dozen vignettes.

It’s a pretty simple scenario. But like a cat’s mood, Webber’s score — which easily goes from the frisky (“Mr. Mistoffelees”) to the wistful (“Memory”) — keeps the energy of the play moving with vigour, along with Gino Berti’s cat-like choreography, which has the cast slinking, preening and prowling with just the right amount of cat-titude.

Though the costumes and makeup seem dated to me (there’s something very ’80s David Bowie about them), the all-Canadian cast gives fresh and confident performances. There are a few standouts like Martin Samuel, who charmingly steals scenes with his cool cat performance as Rum Tum Tugger, and Devon Tullock is another favourite with his mischievous performance as the magician Mr. Mistoffelees. And of course Dionisio broke my heart with her powerful rendition of “Memory.”

Okay, I admit it: I am a cat lover. I loved cats before they were ubiquitous grumpy memes. Once I even participated in constructing a “cat wall” at my office comprised of kitty cutouts and photographs. But I assure those who are not so feline friendly that you will still enjoy this new production, so quit your snickering.

Cats, Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St. Runs until July 28

First Draught: Stiegl Grapefruit Radler, a beer cocktail that’s actually good

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11:28 am

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“Beer with fruit; German tradition; premixed beer cocktail; refreshing; juice beer; official drink of cyclists.” Such was the seesaw stream of thoughts that tormented me this week while preparing to write about the Stiegl Grapefruit Radler. This grapefruit version of the radler — a premixed beer cocktail — is currently available at the LCBO.

The made-for-TV version of the cocktail’s origin is that Franz Xaver Kugler, a Bavarian barkeep, found himself the victim of his own success when 13,000 cyclists showed up at his country pub outside of Munich one June Saturday in 1922. To deal with the overwhelming crowd, he cut his limited beer supply with lemon soda and claimed that it was a special cocktail, called Radlermass, that he had invented for the day (“radler” is German for cyclist, and “mass” is German for a litre of beer.) There are references to the cocktail, though, that date back at least 10 years before this.

Stiegl’s version combines Stiegl Goldbräu lager with natural grapefruit juice in a half-and-half split. This drink has a light, citrus-zest aroma, with a palate-refreshing carbonation, and the flavour is a well-balanced combination of sour-sweet grapefruit with mildly bitter lager. The pairing tastes natural, without any of the synthetic off-notes that tend to plague the current fad of citrus beers.

When summer eventually arrives, the Stiegl Radler will be one of the ideal antidotes for those 30-plus, humid, endless afternoons. It’s also only 2.5 per cent alcohol, so while I won’t recommend it as a (safe) pre-cycling beverage, it will work well as a post-excursion refreshment.

Cans are available at the LCBO, and many bars will have Stiegl Radler on tap, but I don’t know of any that are taking the traditional German approach to half-strength beer, which means serving it in a one-litre stein.

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler, $2.60 for a 500 mL can, LCBO #334052

In addition to covering beer, new restaurants and food trucks for Post City, David Ort writes about food and drink for several Toronto publications including Spotlight Toronto and his own site, Food With Legs. For more of his thoughts on food, beer and life in general, follow him on Twitter.

Just Desserts: six Toronto interpretations of panna cotta

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5:12 pm

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Summer’s almost here, and that means that heavy desserts are the last thing Torontonians crave to round off a meal. Sorbet may be the easy go-to choice, but panna cotta — the traditional Italian dessert — is perfect for sweltering summer days: it’s light, and it even has a JLo-worthy jiggle. Here are six Hogtown joints that are putting their own spin on panna cotta.

Quintessentially traditional from Queen Margherita

Made with milk, vanilla seeds and gelatin; served with a blueberry coulis. QMP proves that traditional is not synonymous with stale. The whisper of savoiardi crumble acts as culinary allusion to a deconstructed blueberry cheesecake, but one that’s just light enough for summer.
$7. Queen Margherita Pizza, 785 Annette St., 647-345-4466

Mercatto’s spicy panna cotta

Although this panna cotta might be plated like it came fresh out of nonna’s kitchen, the twists are in the details. The shard of house-made cayenne candy is a perfect complement to the cooling vanilla seed-specked cream.
$7. Mercatto, 101 College St., 416-595-5625

Ortolan’s sweet and sour

Chefs Daniel Usher and Damon Clements have looked to lavender, rather than vanilla, to flavour their panna cotta. Ortolan uses Prince Edward County lavender, which becomes an echo of a flavour when juxtaposed against the pucker-inducing rhubarb compote. The result: an addictive adult version of a sour candy.
$7. Ortolan, 1211 Bloor St. W., 647-348-4500

Take-home panna cotta from Stasis

Julian Katz simmers dried Prince Edward County lavender in honey-sweetened Harmony Organic cream with gelatin. The mixture infuses for a few hours before being strained, poured into mason jars and sent to bed in the fridge for the night. The lavender results in a heady floral taste.
$5. Stasis Local Foods, 476 Roncesvalles Ave., 647-766-5267

Keriwa Cafe’s Canadian twist

Aaron Joseph Bear Robe’s bosc pear and roasted citrus panna cotta is served on a plate painted with sea buckthorn curd. Jujubes of pear-and-sparkling-wine jelly and a sprinkling of puffed wild rice finish the dish.
$10. Keriwa Cafe, 1690 Queen St. W., 416-533-2552

Buca’s this ain’t your nonna’s panna cotta (pictured above)

Orbs of buffalo mozzarella panna cotta sit on a bed of star anise-and-cinnamon infused strawberry jelly. Chef Rob Gentile curates his plate by perfectly positioning grappa-soaked Ontario strawberries, Sicilian pistachio, micro basil and dollops of 13-year aged balsamic.
$14. Buca, 604 King St. W., 416-865-1600

Toronto’s top 20 bands of all time

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Andrew Mannsbach

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2:24 pm

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Toronto has a lot to be concerned about these days — from Mayor Rob Ford’s continued antics to the failings of almost every professional sports franchise the city has to offer. But the local music scene has always been a source of pride. So with summer right around the corner, we are celebrating the contributions of local musicians to the city.

From the Yorkville scene — which launched artists such as Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot — all the way to the legendary musical collective Broken Social Scene, Toronto has always been ahead of the curve.

This month, Alan Cross, “professional music geek” and newly minted member of the city’s latest radio station, Indie88, separates the players from the pretenders as he names Toronto’s 20 best bands of all time.

1. The Band

How awesome is it that the group that essentially invented Americana roots-rock is from Canada? Well, 80 per cent of them were, with the lone Yank being drummer Levon Helm. If you’ve never seen the Scorsese concert film The Last Waltz, then you have some homework to do.

2. Rush

After years of whining and complaining from the fan base, Rush finally made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. The band has been touring steadily for the last couple of years, making more money than they ever dreamed. Take some time to touch your inner nerd by listening to 2112 and Moving Pictures back-to-back.

3. Broken Social Scene

How many members in Broken Social Scene? No one knows. But everyone can agree that they’re revered as indie gods throughout North America (and parts of Europe). Alumni include Feist, people from Stars and the Dears and a few other bands. All their records have been excellent, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with 2005’s self-titled album.

4. Blue Rodeo

Rolling Stone magazine once started a review of a Blue Rodeo’s Outskirts album with the sentence “The best new band in America is from Canada.” Although they never enjoyed a platinum-sized breakthrough in the U.S. — what’s wrong with those people? — they’ve carved out a very good living working mostly in Canada.

5. Metric

Although Metric was founded in Toronto in 1998, the band has also based themselves out of London, New York and Los Angeles. Metric is about as indie as they get, running their entire little empire and record label themselves. If you’re new, start with Fantasies.

6. Max Webster

A lot of people came to know Max Webster through Rush, who had them open for a number of tours in the ’70s and early ’80s. My favourite record remains High Class in Borrowed Shoes (1977), but there’s a lot to be said for Universal Juveniles (1980).

7. Barenaked Ladies

How could a goofy novelty busker band end up as an internationally successful platinum-selling act? Hard work, smart management and a good attitude, really. And how much do they make every time the theme from The Big Bang Theory gets played? Probably “a lot.”

8. Viletones

It’s very possible that the 7-inch of “Screaming Fist” (1977) was the first-ever Canadian punk record. Singer Steve Leckie once told me a story of how they financed a trip to CBGB in New York by robbing gas stations along the way. I don’t know if that’s true, but I hope it is.

9. Fucked Up

I once asked lead singer Damian “Pink Eyes” Abraham why they chose such a radio-unfriendly name. He replied, “We never thought we’d amount to anything!” Two Polaris Music Prize nominations (and one win) later, and Damian is still confused by it all.

10. Triumph

This is Canada’s other power trio from the ’70s and ’80s who weren’t so shabby in the gold and platinum department (18 gold records and nine platinum in both Canada and the U.S.). The big record was Allied Forces (1981), but I’m still a fan of Rock & Roll Machine (1977).

11. Cowboy Junkies

They’ll forever be remembered as the band that recorded a multi-platinum record for less than $150. Almost all of The Trinity Session came together with a DAT machine and a single overhead microphone, using the natural acoustics of the Church of the Holy Trinity in the fall of 1987.

12. Lighthouse

All hail Canada’s version of Chicago (the band, not the city), with their big horn section, string instruments and vibraphone. Their rock/jazz/classical fusion was all over the radio in the ’70s, and records like One Fine Morning (1971) and Sunny Days (1972) helped them net a string of Juno Awards.

13. Dream Warriors

When the Dream Warriors first emerged in 1988, there was barely any kind of a rap/hip hop scene in Canada. Albums like And Now the Legacy Begins (1991) helped change that forever.

14. Rheostatics

Fiercely indie and artsy, the Rheos benefited greatly from hanging out with the Tragically Hip. And with albums featuring songs inspired by everything from Wendel Clark to the Group of Seven, it doesn’t get much more Canadian than this. Begin with Melville (1991).

15. Lowest of the Low

This is a prime example of a band that should have been huge but managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Shakespeare My Butt (1991) was a grand record — one of the best indie albums this country has ever seen, in fact.

16. Death from Above 1979

After breaking up in 2006, there was a surprise DFA reunion at SXSW in 2011, much to the delight of people who had turned this two-piece band’s legacy into a legend. You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine (2004) should be in your collection.

17. The Pursuit of Happiness

TPoH was something of a gateway drug for those who eventually got into the Queen Street West scene in the middle ’80s, thanks largely to the homemade video for the original recording of “I’m an Adult Now.” Love Junk turned them into a mainstream platinum act.

18. Change of Heart

The strength of Change of Heart is that they didn’t fit neatly into any genre. Their weakness was, well, that they didn’t fit anywhere. Still, they managed to build a formidable community around them that peaked somewhere around the Tummysuckle album in 1995.

19. Platinum Blonde

What began as a Police tribute band in 1981 evolved within a year into a new wave group and a string of hit singles. Singer Mark Holmes can be found at the Mod Club these days, and he occasionally plays reunion gigs with guitarist Sergio Galli.

20. Demics

When London, Ontario, proved to be too small for these Canadian punk pioneers, they moved to Toronto to record a 1979 EP entitled Talk’s Cheap. The single “New York City” became a cult classic and was eventually voted the greatest Canadian song ever by Chart magazine in a 1996 readers’ poll.

Drink This: Buonanotte’s Malta

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10:31 am

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In Montreal, Buonanotte has been a nightlife staple for over 20 years. A shining example of bacchanalian fun, the swanky Italian joint is the kind of place where, come a certain hour, tabletop dancing is seen as de rigueur. The Toronto chapter, which opened earlier this year, is slightly more demure, though it has been bringing in ready-to-party crowds since day one.

Behind the bar, Manny Contreras (Ame) mixes up a creative list of cocktails, keeping the ladies in mind when conjuring them up. This beverage, known as the Malta ($13), blends simple syrup with lime and Bacardi rum, which Vides has infused with fresh mint, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Sprigs of fresh fennel liven up the tall drink.

Contreras certainly knows what he’s doing — after all, he got his start bartending in Mexico at the ripe age of 12.

Buonanotte, 19 Mercer St., 416-599-7246

For more must-try Toronto cocktails, check out our Pinterest page

No tie required: Jeanne Beker’s guide to Father’s Day

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3:13 pm

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Jeanne Beker scours the city and finds eight Father’s Day gifts that even hard-to-please dads won’t return.

Haute Hawaiian
VILEBREQUIN SWIM TRUNKS FROM HARRY ROSEN, YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE, $255
“Whenever I go to France, I buy my man Vilebrequin. They’re like a status symbol — everyone is running around in them in St. Tropez. They have some fantastic prints, and this Hawaiian look is fabulous.”

Little bit of luxury
SILK POCKET SQUARE FROM LE FIRME, 3-95 EAST BEAVER CREEK RD., RICHMOND HILL, $60
“This pocket square is so versatile. You can wear it with the royal blue side popping out, with the burgundy side or with the pale blue side — or you could arrange it in a way so that all the colours show at once.”

Smooth sailing
VITO SHORTS FROM GOTSTYLE, 21 TRINITY ST., $78
“If your dad is your anchor, you may want to tell him with this pair of funky shorts. The nautical theme is just so hot these days.”

Peace, love & polos

JOHN VARVATOS POLO FROM THE COOP INK, 3435 YONGE ST., $98

“This polo is especially nice because it’s a hot coral colour, which is so flattering on all skin tones. And it’s got a little embroidered peace sign, which is a nice spin on the classic alligator.”

Cool camouflage
KLAXON HOWL HAT FROM UNCLE OTIS, 26 BELLAIR ST., $85
“This bucket hat is perfect for fishing, wearing on the dock or even riding around a golf course. Itʼs got a great camouflage print, and you can encourage your dad to walk the wild side by showing off the leopard print on the underside.”

Watch hunger stop
WATCH FROM MICHAEL KORS, 131 BLOOR ST. W., $355
“A timepiece is always a welcome gift, and Michael Kors is doing this sporty watch in conjunction with United Nations World Food Programme to supply meals to hungry people around the world.”

Mint condition
CUFFLINKS FROM STUDIO1098, 1098 YONGE ST., $248
“These are really charming, a lasting, wonderful token of your love for Dad. They can be made with any coin and your dad’s year of birth or any significant year.”

Mad for plaid
BELT FROM BROOKS BROTHERS, BAYVIEW VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE, $55
“This is an elegant belt with a sporty kind of feel. It’s practical because it doesnʼt have any belt notches, so you donʼt have to guess at Dad’s size!”

Park and open space shortage at Yonge and Eg?

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12:21 pm

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Few people know about the pressures on Toronto’s green spaces better than the residents of the Yonge-Eglinton neighbourhood. A pressure that has recently been increased as the hoarding goes up around the soon-to-be-built-over open space at Yonge Eglinton Centre — another loss for the community.

Ever since a zoning amendment was approved three years ago and plans for the crosstown LRT got the go-ahead, phrases like “transit hub,” “urban growth centre” and “density node” have begun edging out “wasteland” and “wind tunnel” as descriptions of choice for the intersection, an area already overburdened by too much glass and steel and not enough greenery.

The recent flood of applications to put up condo towers, with more on the way, has some residents nervously wondering how prominently parks and open spaces will figure in the rush towards the skies.

Robert Blake, president of the Oriole Park Association, which borders Yonge-Eglinton, says residents are already concerned about the lack of spaces.

“We do suffer in the area for public space. Yonge-Eglinton is a focal point in the north end of the city and it lacks a space for public use,” he says, adding that, if anything, the neighbourhood will need more green space as more people arrive.

Current bête noir for campaigners in the Yonge-Eglinton area is real-estate giant Rio Can, which is presently busy digging up a previously open space on the northwest corner of the intersection to build a three-storey glass extension to the shopping mall there. Supporters say the space was run down and ugly; opponents charge it could have been redeveloped as a green square or European café–style area.

David Harvey, director of pressure group Toronto Park People, also identifies Yonge and Eg as a spot in desperate need of something green.

“Neighbourhoods like Yonge-Eglinton, Yonge-Wellesley and areas south of Bloor, some areas around Queen West, they really do lack needed green spaces,” he says, pointing out that although some 13 per cent of Toronto is parkland, much of this is tied up in big chunks of space like Rouge Park and Toronto Islands.

Advocates like Toronto Park People often grumble that the city has a planning policy that is too reliant on reacting to proposals rather than setting out a vision and anticipating development. And, historically, the Yonge-Eglinton intersection has been a shining example of this type of institutional failure. Carved up between three council wards and two different planning areas, even getting all parties into the same room is challenging. That it lacks a BIA doesn’t help, either.

But recently, the first shoots have appeared in what could grow to be a sustained push to improve public spaces in the neighbourhood. Area councillors Karen Stintz and Josh Matlow have been busying themselves with efforts like a midtown planning group that straddles the ward boundaries, and the city recently asked for proposals from urban designers for a new vision for parks and the streetscape around the intersection.

Stinz says that the city’s master plan for the area doesn’t go much beyond a desire to keep the four corners open and something new is needed.

“As the development continues, we’ve recognized that we don’t have a good public realm plan,” she says. “So how do we create public realm, where would we put public art, as an example?”

One of the upsides to having construction firms circling Yonge and Eg is that the area has plenty of cash from Section 37 and other development bonuses sloshing around. New play equipment was recently installed in Oriole Park, a fair walk south of the intersection, and a review group has been set up to figure out how to spend $500,000 earmarked to revitalize Eglinton Park, just to the west. The playing fields were recently re-turfed and on the cards now are a better kids’ play area, an improved splash pad, new pathways and an upgraded community garden.

Another $400,000 will be spent to improve the streetscape on nearby Orchard View Boulevard and there are hopes the road may eventually be closed to traffic and given over as a public space.

“Two years ago, we closed for the summer Orchard View at Yonge, because it’s an offset intersection and because we had a farmers’ market that established itself there on Thursdays,” says Stintz. “We put planters up and we had tables and it was quite a benefit to the community.” The transportation department won’t countenance another road closure while so much construction is underway in the area, but Stintz says she “holds out hope” of figuring something out in the future.

A small park is also being proposed as part of a redevelopment on Duplex Street and a public square at the corner of Montgomery and Yonge, just to the north of the main intersection, is also being mooted. Further down the line, Josh Matlow is also pushing hard for a park or square to be included in plans for the unused TTC bus station on the southwest side of the main intersection. It’s slated to be used as a staging ground for LRT construction in coming years, but Matlow is calling for the city to include a green space that could be used for a famers’ market or just by lunching workers.

With a construction boom in the area, Matlow says it is important that the voices of the area’s residents are heard. “There are dozens and dozens and dozens of current development applications and we expect dozens more, so I think it’s really important to be proactive,” he says. “If one goes to Rome or Paris or even as close as New York, you will find that throughout these cities great public spaces have been created. Toronto for far too long has strived for the heights of mediocrity.”

It’s probably a stretch to say Yonge and Eg will ever be one of the city’s greener spots, but maybe there’ll be room for a few trees among the forest of condos after all.