Area establishment faces alleged bylaw infractions in court

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8:55 am

Mint Bar, a local establishment that has been the subject of numerous noise complaints, has a Dec. 13 court date.

Coun. Josh Matlow was approached by more than a dozen residents and a few local condo boards about the issue. Since bylaw enforcement officers have gone to Mint six or seven times already, the area councillor would like to see the bar either come into compliance or close.

“They’re completely breaking the rules.… They were told very clearly what they were doing was wrong, and they did absolutely nothing to respond to it,” he said.

Bylaw enforcement has laid three charges against Mint, two for operating a night club without a licence and one for a noise violation. The business, located at 173 Eglinton Ave. E., is licensed as an eating establishment.

Gus Michaels, manager of investigation services at municipal licensing and standards, said the city’s legal counsel does not seek closure orders unless there’s a good prospect of success, which usually requires multiple convictions. Depending on the case, the city may seek fines of anywhere from $185 to $5,000.

What complicates the matter is that Menkes Developments Ltd. recently purchased the property from the owner of the Unicorn Pub, located below Mint. The Unicorn is now leasing the space from Menkes and subletting to Mint.

Menkes has since submitted a planning application to redevelop the site. As a condition of scheduling a community consultation meeting, Matlow requested that the developer intervene in the matter.

Mark Karam, vice-president and general counsel at Menkes, said his company has notified the Unicorn that it will take action if Mint is convicted of operating a nightclub without a licence. Karam added that the owner’s position is that it is not.

Reached by phone, the owner of Mint said he had a meeting scheduled with Matlow, but he declined to comment further.

Lisa, the co-owner of the Unicorn Pub, questioned why Mint was being singled out with other establishments that generate noise and have people coming and going, such as Philthy McNasty’s and Scruffy Murphy’s, in the area.

“I don’t know why they’re making a mountain out of a molehill,” she said. “They’re trying to operate a business, they’re employing people, they’re not really bothering anybody.”

If Mint is breaking any laws, Lisa said she believes it’s up to the authorities to close the bar down.

None of the allegations against Mint have been proven in court.

Leaside arena expansion back on track after setback

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The Leaside Arena expansion project that will create some desperately-needed ice time in the neighbourhood stalled temporarily in September when bids came in above the antipated $9.5 million cost. However, a recent meeting called by Coun. John Parker has ironed out the details of an adjusted funding plan that will get the project back on track.

For the city’s part, it will take steps to “strengthen the financing and reduce projects costs,” according to a letter written by Paul Mercer, chair of the Leaside Arena Expansion Committee.

This will go on to city council for approval as part of the budget process in January.

For the province’s part, Infrastructure Ontario has agreed to serve as another lender.

But, this also means the community will have to meet its fundraising goal of $2.5 million by Jan. 15 in order to secure council’s approval.

“The good news is that we have a realistic plan to move forward with the arena expansion project and we will finally have a second rink at Leaside Gardens,” Mercer wrote.

The target completion date of September 2012 will need to be pushed back, according to Mercer, as the bids will have expired and have to be retendered, but the goal is to be open not long after that.

Council set to challenge OMB-approved towers

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8:55 am

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Richmond Hill’s mayor and local councillors are seeking to appeal the latest decision from the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) that will introduce two towers, one at 28 storeys and one at 24 storeys, which they say undermines the town’s official plan.

Originally submitted by Haulover Investments Limited, the application was for an amendment to the town’s official plan and the redesignation of the lands on the southeast corner of Yonge Street and 16th Avenue to a “key development area” to permit 494 residential units.

The OMB gave the developer the green light to build two mixed-use towers, including a 28-storey tower, which is eight storeys higher than the town’s official plan restrictions.

Further complicating the matter, according to Mayor Dave Barrow, is that the town’s official plan itself is currently up for review at the OMB.

“It did not represent anything: the old plan, the new plan, the people plan that the whole community spent two years … trying to create a document that would reflect the kind of community that we would like to see,” Barrow said.

Barrow also cited height and density concerns and said that this type of development is more suited to southern Richmond Hill, near Yonge Street and Highway 7 where there will “hopefully” be a subway line.

According to Jeffrey Streisfield, the lawyer for Haulover, the proposed height and transit-oriented development were found to be appropriate for the location by the OMB. But Coun. Godwin Chan, who put forward a motion to challenge the decision, said whether or not the official plan has been approved by the OMB, it is still a council-adopted plan, which should have been taken into consideration.

“It’s not only about the site because it undermines the whole official plan,” Chan said. “To have a body beyond our borders that is not accountable … that would presume to have a profound impact in our community, it’s certainly very frustrating.”

Big Yonge & Sheppard projects on the way

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8:55 am

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Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue residents recognize that the area is one in transition, and they’re welcoming the major developments that are under construction, according to at least one homeowners’ association. However, they’re worried about whether existing transit and infrastructure can support the increased density and how increased density is contributing to worsening congestion in the area, particularly at Highway 401.

Already approved and under construction are Emerald Park and the Hullmark Centre. Emerald Park, located one street south of Sheppard Avenue on the west side of Yonge Street, will feature two condos, at 30 and 40 storeys atop a four-level base with commercial uses on the first three levels. The Hullmark Centre will be located right across the street on Yonge. The mixed-use development will include residential and commercial uses in 35- and 45-storey towers atop a five-storey podium as well as ground-floor retail.

In the pipeline, there’s an application to build a 34-storey residential building and townhouses at 90 Sheppard Ave. E.

Cathy Cronin, president of the West Lansing Homeowners Association, said, although local residents are pleased with the changes ahead — and especially the street-level retail coming to the area — that traffic, transit and infrastructure are continuing concerns.

“I think, when you look at this particular area, the density is quite significant and will be increasing to a greater extent, without the transit to support it,” Cronin said.

Local councillor John Filion said the most critical piece in addressing congestion in the area will be to make it easier for drivers travelling southbound on Yonge Street to get onto the eastbound Highway 401 ramp, which is currently the subject of a feasibility study.

“The current system there is totally inadequate,” Filion said.

The continuation of the Sheppard subway might be part of the puzzle, but only in the absence of further development, he explained.

Yonge & Eglinton might see up to 60 storeys

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8:55 am

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A group of developers appears to have big plans to transform the northeast corner of Yonge and Eglinton, beyond a condo tower that might be as tall as 60 storeys. A press release outlining RioCan’s third-quarter results indicated that the developer has purchased a 50 per cent stake in the properties running from 2272 to 2285 Yonge St. This includes the anchoring TD Canada Trust building, as well as 10 Eglinton Ave. E. and 25 Roehampton Ave., at a total cost to RioCan of $17 million. Bazis Inc. and Metropia own the other 50 per cent.

Coun. Josh Matlow said that, although he’s happy with the designs he’s seen at grade, a 60-storey building would be too tall. Matlow is also concerned about the Roehampton site. According to the local councillor, the developer is looking at building 40 storeys there.

Tim Burkholder, a senior planner at the City of Toronto, said that the northeast corner of Yonge and Eglinton is currently zoned for approximately 21 storeys and five times lot coverage. The more up-to-date official plan policies indicate that the site is slated for greater height and density than elsewhere in the area, he noted, but not to the detriment of adjacent neighbourhoods.

Michael Gold, president and CEO of Bazis Inc., and his partners are in consultation with city planning staff, the local councillor and residents. Gold said that the details of the plans have yet to be finalized and they’re working to address the feedback they’ve received before a formal planning application is submitted.

“It is going to be a beautiful landmark development which would improve city life,” he said.

Ben Daube, president of the Sherwood Park Residents’ Association, is trying to bring together the area’s stakeholders to look at the bigger picture.

“What concerns us more than anything is the lack of coordination in planning of the whole Yonge-Eglinton intersection,” he said.

Ghost dating the next big thing online?

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4:10 pm

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Stacie Ikka has had more relationships end than most people have had dates. Ever. And she gets paid for it!

But before anyone jumps to conclusions, Ikka is a ghost dater, amongst the other matchmaking services she provides through her business Sitting In A Tree.

So, just what is ghost dating?

“ ‘Ghost dating’ is a term I coined after ghost writing,” Ikka explains. “My understanding of that is that someone else pens a book for you. So, from my perspective, I date on behalf of someone else. Basically, people are looking to outsource their online dating these days.”

Matchmaking services, online or otherwise, are becoming a popular option for those who fit into three categories: They are either too busy to find dates on their own, too well known, or they just don’t know how to navigate or have the skills to deal with the numerous online dating options.

These people come to Ikka and ask her to do it for them.

“It is overwhelming for people. Dating is so hard,” she says. “There is a sense of entitlement that ‘I deserve the best guy or girl.’ And Internet dating can be a double-edged sword. There’s a lot of people out there looking, but that means there are just so many options.”

But she doesn’t ghost date for just anyone. “If someone says to me, ‘I just don’t want to go on the Internet to date,’ with no legitimate reason or rational, even if I feel I can help them, I’ll try to encourage them at first that they can do it on their own. And it will cost them a lot less money than hiring me.”

Both females and males hire her, and for each sex the process is slightly different. For women, she’ll go on sites with her own profile and photo and, as they say in the world of online, creep around. Then she’ll e-mail men, saying that she is a matchmaker and may have a woman for them.

“Some men say, ‘No thanks. If she really wants to meet me, then she can contact me herself,’ ” she says. “Some men are really mouthy and lippy, and I’m just like, ‘I’m trying to facilitate a love connection.’ But others are game for it.”

“Jo Jo” is a client of Ikka’s. She calls Ikka her “man-chiatrist” because they talk about men and dating (and what can go wrong or right so often.)

She is not embarrassed that she uses Ikka to ghost date or work on her online profile or outsource her dating. She’ll often sit beside her while Ikka does searches for her.

“I can see how her approach was different from mine and learned that I should consider doing things differently online.”

Even though she has met men that Ikka has screened (gone on a previous date with, before Jo Jo had the chance to meet them), she is still, sigh, single.

One woman actually dumped Ikka (before meeting her client) because she didn’t like the fact that they had met at a Starbucks. (So, YOU were dumped, I ask, before your client even met the date? The answer is yes! Who said women aren’t picky?)

It’s not all easy. Along with being dumped and dumping, Ikka spends, on average, three to five hours a day on dating Internet sites. And, it’s not always easy finding someone even with all her hard work and searches. Which is why she can’t charge a flat rate for everyone.

“If you are a 65-year-old and you only want to date a Jewish person, then it’s going to take a lot longer to find a quality person than if you were a 27-year-old willing to at least try and go on dates with a lot of people.”

Ironically, Ikka is single, too (like a depressed clown or unfunny comedian). I can’t help but ask, because I’m sure it’s on your mind, too, if she doesn’t ever find someone for her or have the urge to date someone she meets while ghost dating for her clients.

“No.” She laughs. “I’m professional that way. Plus I’m usually attracted to emotionally unavailable men and that’s not what I’m looking for, for my clients.”

Part of her services also includes “dating post-mortems.” Both daters have it in their contract with her that they must have a 15-minute phone conversation with her after the date.

“That can be hard, too. One person told me she didn’t want to go out with a certain person again … thought that the person hadn’t taken their Prozac that day, they acted so depressed on the date. That was hard to break to the [other] person, but I explained it in a nicer way.”

Ikka really does have the best intentions and wants to make matches. She wants more happiness in her life and making couples makes her happy.

However, I did ask one single 35-year-old, who is cute and employed, if he would ever hire someone to ghost date for him.

“I think it’s creepy,” he said. “If I can’t manage to find someone on my own, then I probably don’t deserve to be with someone.”

Ouch.

Theatre Review: Topdog/Underdog

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2:40 pm

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As I like to say, there is theatre and then there is theatre! Out at The Theatre Centre, a cavernous space on Queen Street West, an utterly astounding example of the latter is taking place with Topdog/Underdog, playing until Dec. 4.

There are many things that make this play intriguing, economics being one of them. This Pulitzer Prize winning work by one of the United States’ most exciting dramatists, Suzan-Lori Parks, was first presented at the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake this past summer, where you would have had to shell out $60 or more for tickets; here in Toronto, the cost is as little as one-third of that.

The director, Philip Akin, is the same fine actor and artistic director of our city’s important Obsidian Theatre Company (dedicated to works of people of colour). The two stars — the utterly brilliant Kevin Hanchard and Nigel Shawn Williams — hail from there as well. I have long enjoyed the acting of the former in several of Toronto’s theatres, and the latter starred as the pastor/husband in the Shaw’s wonderful production of Bernard Shaw’s Candida last summer.

Shows limited to one or two characters often feel limited emotionally or physically, but the powerful presentation of Red at Canadian Stage right now, as well as Topdog, prove how great two-handers can be.

Topdog/Underdog had its debut off-Broadway in late 2001, exactly a decade ago, starring two of the top American performers of both stage and screen, Don Cheadle and Jeffrey Wright. It stunned critics, and later, the Pulitzer panel, when it moved to Broadway a half-year later. It is a wildly original, daring and challenging play. It is also a crude and vulgar play (and therefore, not for every taste; be warned). But what it says about racism, history and human relationships is more profound than a dozen scholarly books. When is the last time you’ve sat before a live production with your mouth open and ears flapping, watching two gifted actors create jazz poetry with their perfectly-spoken (and often shouted) words? If the great Northtrop Frye, with whom I studied for years, had lived to see this play, I think he would have been mumbling “wow” under his breath.

Two brothers, cruelly named Lincoln and Booth by their angry, neglectful parents, argue back and forth about their upbringing, abandonment, jobs, girlfriends, poverty and gambling over two acts, each about an hour in length. Sounds simple, but as a re-enactment of the Cain and Abel story from the Bible, it is devastating. And as directed by Akin and acted by Hanchard and Williams, it is a revelation.

The play takes place on a set that reflects the coming apart of society and human relationships: in a run-down boarding house. There, the parquet floor is coming apart in a thousand loose pieces, just like the characters’ lives. It opens with the younger brother Booth (Hanchard) practicing his con game of Three Card Monte, acting out his corrupt art (“Set up the game at another corner! The red card is the winner, the black card is the loser!” — there is striking symbolism for you).

Then, in comes Lincoln — his older brother — in white face, since his present job involves playing the doomed American president at an arcade, with a false black beard and stove pipe hat, as if attending the Ford Theatre at the end of his life. Two brothers, both severely damaged by their upbringing and filled with both love and rage, must somehow reenact the assassination of the man who freed the slaves, both verbally and, eventually, physically, just as Williams’ character Lincoln must be shot every night as part of an ugly exhibit, for eternity.

Along the way, Williams’ Lincoln tunes up his guitar and sings his own blues songs. The first act alone had me dizzy with excitement and awe. I could go on for pages, but just let me beg you: see this play. Be shaken by the West End of London-level acting by these two amazing artists.

Topdog/Underdog may be predictable at times, as we all know how Lincoln and Booth, and before them, Cain and Abel, end up. But I have rarely, if ever, seen finer performances and a better production. For little more than you’d pay for a 3-D movie, you will experience a rare evening of live theatre. And you don’t have to suffer that two-hour drive down to Niagara-on-the-Lake, either.

Topdog/Underdog, The Theatre Centre, runs until Dec 4.

Upcoming west-end pop-up shop showcases local talent (and lots of it)

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12:28 pm

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The Muttonhead Collective twins (we’re referring to Meg and Mel Sinclair, the twin sisters behind the label) are at it again with another pop-up shop. This time they’ve recruited a variety of their talented friends from the Toronto vicinity to participate in LOCO for LOCAL, a four-day pop-up shop at NACO Gallery and Cafe on Dundas West.

With so much talent in this city, we love the fact that the Muttonhead girls are supporting local. From coffee bundles to limited edition sweatshirts by their own label, they have pulled together an array of goods that will appear under one roof – making shopping for gifts and stocking stuffers that much easier. Here’s a breakdown of their GTA talent selection.

Muttonhead Collective

It’s not often you can find sustainable, natural and compostable garments that go from ski slopes to city streets or your boyfriend’s back to yours. Muttonhead’s locally-crafted unisex line is a versatile favourite for the fashion-loving but eco-conscious consumer.

Marlena Zuber

From Yorkville to Parkdale, people in Toronto are as proud of their neighborhoods as they are of their area codes. What better gift than a framed Marlena Zuber illustrated map of their stomping ground of choice?

Earthly Paradise

Cosmetics brands that are committed to keeping the earth as beautiful as their clientele are hard to come by. To find a local, organic skin care range equally committed to the care of the earth and all its inhabitants is a total eureka moment!

Crown Shaving Co.

Founder Dino Caracciolo created his natural range of men’s grooming products after developing adverse reactions to mainstream products. Made in small batches, bottled and hand-packaged in the city, the masculine appeal of his line keeps caring for your man-skin cool.

Rose Broadbent

Paintings speak louder than pajama sets. Give a gift that someone will be proud to keep and show off forever. Rose Broadbent’s colourful, mysteriously engaging watercolour portraits bring life to bare walls.

Fieldguided

Watching cute kittens and puppies on YouTube is, like, so 2010. Obviously we’ve all moved on from that and are now all about super cute kitten calendars! Fieldguided makes the best ones, along with great tote bags (since we’ll never get over a good tote bag).

Reunion Island Coffee

Look, we’re obsessed with coffee and will do just about anything to avoid Starbucks. Reunion Island Coffee is an independent and sustainable coffee roaster based in Oakville that has promised the pop-up a special holiday gift package. Ahem, all we want for Christmas is…

Cuchara

Take a brightly coloured gem stone, wrap it in some heavy-duty metals, add it to a chain and we’re sold. There’s something about a necklace that looks like 10 tangled together that we just love (no really). Cuchara is the master of this, with pieces that can be worn by both men and women.

ChocoSol Traders

Who needs chicken soup when you can have chocolate for the soul? This local artisan chocolatier creates chocolate foods — as opposed to candies — from horizontally-traded whole cacao beans from southern Mexico. The beans are stone-ground and blended with vanilla, chilies, coconut, hemp and maple (among other delicious ingredients) from Mexico, Ontario and Quebec.

Lauren Pirie

Nothing says I love to a long time friend, family member or lover than an image that evokes fond memories of your past together. Lauren Pirie’s playful illustrations often depict childlike characters engaging in memorable activities – bike riding, birthday parties and sharing records – on wall prints and gift cards.

LOCO for LOCAL, NACO Gallery and Cafe, Dec. 8-11

The Breakfast Hub: Skyping with Santa, Maple Leaf Gardens’ new name, ban on sports balls lifted

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It’s the 21^st century, and jolly ole’ St. Nick is no Luddite. The Eaton Centre now allows kids to Skype with Santa and his elves.
[Toronto Star]

Maple Leaf Gardens has a new name. Ryerson’s athletic facility at the Gardens will be named the Peter Gilgan Athletic Centre at the Gardens. Call us crazy, but the new name doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
[Globe and Mail]

The ban on soft sports balls has been lifted at Earl Beatty Public School in Toronto after international outrage and ridicule.
[CBC]

The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT could be built and operated without TTC involvement. Metrolinx is considering a public-private partnership on the transit project.
[Toronto Star]

Talk about a missed connection: many Canadians had trouble visiting Craigslist for the better part of Tuesday as the popular classifieds site was experiencing technical difficulties.
[Toronto Sun]

Motorcyclists and scooter users could lose their free parking privileges throughout the city as council decides to re-examine city freebies.
[Toronto Sun]

Raw milk: what’s so good about it?

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12:26 pm

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Last week, Michael Schmidt incurred a hefty slap-on-the-wrist (to the tune of $9,150) for charges related to selling raw milk. Not only that, he racked up two separate probation sentences for offences dating back to 2006. The guy clearly loves his raw milk. The government clearly does not. So what exactly is the deal with raw milk anyway? What makes it special enough to die for (or at least to abstain from eating for over a month)? Below, five reasons why raw milk has a cult following.

1. Taste the delicious taste. Of course, advocates will try to convince you that raw milk is the best tasting thing to happen to humanity since manna. But one thing is certain: raw milk certainly tastes different. Here is a pretty thorough breakdown of what to expect if taking the plunge.

2. It has more nutrients. According to some studies, milk loses vitamins, enzymes, proteins and beneficial bacteria during the pasteurization process. The Canadian government’s take, of course, is that “any possible benefits are outweighed by the serious risk of illness from drinking raw milk.”

3. Won’t somebody please think of the children? According to a large European raw milk study, kids who drank raw milk were 41 per cent less likely to suffer from asthma and about half as likely to develop hay fever.

4. Cows benefit from it too. Proponents of raw milk are generally not proponents of factory farming, growth hormones or antibiotics. You know the old term “a fit cow is a good cow?” No? Actually, we just made that one up.

5. Chefs go gaga over it. Raw milk churns out high quality dairy products like crème fraîche, butter, cheese, yogurt, clabber and whey. It’s all in the cream. The good news is that it is legal to sell raw milk cheese in Canada, provided it’s aged for at least 60 days.

The Breakfast Hub: Rob Ford’s new budget, the compassionate city, Tim Hudak trends on twitter

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8:59 am

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Critics are lining up to take a shot at Rob Ford’s 2012 budget, which calls for an increase in property taxes, pool closures, shutting down homeless shelters and extending allowable wait times for ambulances, among other things.
[Toronto Star]

The Globe and Mail explores a new label for Toronto: the compassionate city.
[Globe and Mail]

Although Tim Hudak didn’t take the recent provincial election, one of his tweets did manage to become a trending topic. Naturally, it wasn’t actually him who came up with the tweet — it was his four-year-old daughter playing around with his Blackberry.
[Toronto Life]

They may be out of St. James Park, but Occupy Toronto is far from over. The most recent “occupation” was the basement of a Queen West building, until the City served them a notice of trespassing. The “protesters” left the building peacefully.
[Toronto Star]

The $30-million dollar donation from the Thomson family to CAMH is the biggest single donation in Canadian history to fund research into mental illness.
[National Post]

While there is no official confirmation that Canada is pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol, Environment Minister Peter Kent believes that it is a thing of the past.
[Toronto Sun]

Hanging out with two amateur cooks at this year’s Chef’s Challenge in Toronto

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3:06 pm

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All is relatively calm when we arrive at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the Chef’s Challenge Saturday. Call it the lull after the crazy that comes before the next crazy.

If you haven’t heard, the Chef’s Challenge is a slightly wild fundraising adventure where top campaigners get a chance to participate in an amateur, Iron Chef-inspired competition. All money raised goes to breast and ovarian cancer research at Mount Sinai Hospital.

This year, celeb chef Bobby Flay hosted, with Nadia G, Massimo Capra, David Rocco, Lynn Crawford, Mark McEwan and Chuck Hughes leading eager beaver teams of amateur chefs.

The morning challenges — of how well those top-notch foodies can ice a cake under the clock and how fast they can debone a chicken — are done, as is the lunchtime strategizing session for how to prepare and present the secret evening meal.

And so we found contestant Amanda Gibbs, a culinary arts student, hanging out, waiting to get autographs on her school’s chef jackets from all the celebrity chefs in attendance.

“My class is like my family and I’d do anything for them,” Gibbs says. She got to the Convention Centre at 8 a.m. that morning and wandered the halls. The event didn’t start until 10 a.m., but she was too excited to stay home.

Gibbs freaked out, she said, when she got the call from one of her instructors, who told her she was going to attend the event. Turns out, she had raised the most of all the students at her school, even though she had no idea there was a possibility to actually attend the event.

“To meet some of my mentors who inspired me to be a cook,” Gibbs says, “I couldn’t even talk.”

She’s there with Ray Park, a caterer, who was on last year’s Chef’s Challenge winning team. He raised a whopping $30,000 this time around (with his mom), and also happens to be all of 13 years old.

“I’ve known Massimo for three years. We’re buds,” Park says. “I love saying that.”

Both Park and Gibbs are on Capra’s team. After Gibbs came back down to earth, she says the strategizing session was a bit of a let down.

“It felt so disorganized to me, and I’m a very organized person … I’m [used to working] in restaurant settings,” she says.

Gibbs is still waiting for more autographs, but it turns out that Hughes’ autograph is a pretty styling lobster cartoon, as charming the man himself.

Getting Chuck Hughs' autograph

And while almost all of the other contestants slowly head out for a break before the big night, Gibbs stays put. She still has to get Crawford’s signature, and she’s not leaving until she has it.

The Chef’s Challenge raised a total of $1.2 million this year, and team Mark McEwan won.