Midtown Post - August 2009

Harland Williams

IT’S NO EASY feat to get a serious quote out of Toronto-born funnyman Harland Williams. Just try asking the Midtown native what his favourite thing is about growing up in the city.

By Jayme Poisson

Condo controversy

School issue to go to OMB

By Kate Robertson

$26 million parking ticket lawsuit headed to court

A recent Supreme Court of Canada decision will allow a local woman’s $26 million class-action lawsuit against the city to proceed.

By Paul Johnston

Sunnybrook doctor to receive the Order of Canada

One of the founders of the well-known trauma program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre will be named to the Order of Canada, according to a July 6 announcement.

By Kate Robertson

Local actor appointed to Harbourfront board

Village resident and well-known actor Sonja Smits was appointed president of the Harbourfront Centre’s board of directors on June 24.

By Paul Johnston

Imperial Oil office tower to get condo conversion?

A historic office tower built in the 1950s is on the market and could be converted to condominiums.

By Kate Robertson

Student sues TFS

A former student at Toronto French School who was expelled for allegedly beating up a visiting student has filed a lawsuit against the school, its headmaster and its principal.

By Kate Robertson

Of strikes, streetcars and plunging polls

IN 2003, I did not support David Miller’s bid for mayor. I was concerned about two things: He was a great talker but never actually accomplished objectives, and his focus and understanding would...

by Jane Pitfield

Prisoners escape to... local kitchen?

MARC THUET AND his wife, Biana Zorich, have been media darlings since the French chef hit Toronto’s restaurant scene in the 1980s.

by Maia Filar

Dream of a play our cup of tea

Canstage's Dream in High Park shows are high on the list of must-do summer outings for many Torontonians, despite the sometimes low quality of theatre.

by Allan Gould

Child’s hysterical laughter inspires new film

The roots of laughter is a topic that is hard to resist. The subject was turned inside out at a recent Hot Docs festival screening of Albert Nerenberg’s movie Laughology.

by Mark Breslin

Keeping spirits up

Witnessing a floor snap and crumble under the weight of hundreds of fans dancing up a storm to the Spirit of the West classic “Home for a Rest” could be considered a fluke, once-in-a lifetime...

by Ron Johnson

Unpaving paradise

When Franke James was told that it was illegal for her to build a green driveway at her North York home, she was flabbergasted. How could “Toronto the Green” turn down such a proposal?

by Ron Johnson

The simple tee has gone upscale; TV’s Tracy Moore finds out why

A basic crew is nice, but the new T-shirt is more haute couture than Hanes. It is time to remake the ultimate summer staple.

by Jen Selk

Narnia Chronicles Nearly Three Decades In North Toronto

For 28 years, Sharon Crawford has sold eclectic clothes to stylish women from her store Narnia.

Tupperware for the new millennium

Gold parties are recession chic

by Rebecca Eckler

Winds Of Change Blow New Spa Into North Toronto

Healthwinds health and wellness spa has moved to its new location in the Chateau Royal at 650 Mt Pleasant Rd. after 15 years in business at Yonge and Eglinton

Love in the news

Before being elected to the House of Commons in 2008, Peter Kent was a leading journalist, known for his work on The National, The Journal and Moneywise.

Best souvlaki north of the ’forth

Taste of the Danforth hits town this month, but you needn’t leave the ‘hood just to go Greek: T.O.’s most succulent shish kebabs are just around the corner.

by Malcolm Johnston

A Half Century Of Haircutting At Corallo

For 50 years, the four generations of Corallo men at Corallo Men’s Salon have been keeping the gents of Yonge and Lawrence looking sharp.

Under T.O.’s Tuscan sun

MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD has been gifted an authentic Italian ristorante, Florentia, courtesy of chef Bruno Soleri and Italian artist Marco Sassone.

by Ron Johnson

Where the kids are: on the lookout for new playmates

When my son was five, he preferred play to work. Educators suggest early childhood development is all about learning through play.

by Erica Ehm

Getting down with K-town

Etalk’s Tanya Kim gives us the exclusive scoop on Little Korea’s sights and sounds

by Jen Selk

A league of his own

Right out of the gate, Franco Agostino has his new restaurant operating at full steam

by Janice Warren

Spud-sational

Although Hazel's seems to struggle with settling into one identity on this popular strip of Yonge north of Lawrence, the kitchen offers a few gems that might very well see them through the confusion.

by Kelly Jones

Look out France & Italy, here comes affordable Croatia

KUTJEVO, A TOWN in Slavonia, is the home of Croatia’s largest wine producer, Kutjevo d.d. Their magnificent vaulted wine cellar was built by the Cistercians in 1232

by Tony Aspler

Have Feather Boa Will Travel

A look back at the colourful history of burlesque in Toronto

August’s awesome crop

There are no other vegetables more delicious in the summer than the wide variety of Ontario-grown tomatoes. They are a poster food at this time of year.

By Rose Reisman

A Tip Of The Cap To Toronto’s Rad Hatter

WHEN FRIENDS, FAMILY, even strangers began complimenting T.O.’s Dameion Royes on the cool lid (which he models below) he’d found at the bottom of a box, his biz brain began churning: Maybe...

From friend to frenemy

Teenage girls’ new word is “frenemy.” It means precisely what it sounds like: Today you are my worst enemy, I hate your guts for life. Yesterday you were my bff (best friend forever)....

by Joanne Kates

The Humane Society Great Makeover

Allegations of animal suffering, poor management and lost or misplaced donation dollars has led to the suspension of the Toronto Humane Society’s Ontario SPCA affiliate status, pending an ongoing...

Fighting for life in Africa

In stark contrast to the waiting rooms with flat-screen television sets at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, is the waiting area of the HIV clinic where Dr. Adrienne Chan also works in Malawi,...

by Ann Ruppenstein