By Erin Neilly
The late, great ocean conservation hero and documentary filmmaker Rob Stewart, who grew up near Bayview and York Mills, made it his life’s mission to save the sharks. And there has been no greater threat to the endangered species than the practice of commercial shark finning, which is responsible for the killing of millions of … Continued
By Erin Neilly
Canada’s oldest thoroughbred horse race is set to take over the turf at Woodbine Racetrack this month. The 161st running of the venerable Queen’s Plate will take place on June 29. The event, first run at the Carleton Track in downtown Toronto in 1860, has evolved into a two-day festival over the weekend of June … Continued
By Erin Neilly
NORAH JONES A captivating songwriter and spellbinding performer, Jones has come full circle on her new album, returning to the jazz roots of her 2002 stunning debut Come Away with Me. She plays the Sony Centre, June 26. DIANA ROSS The queen. With a career spanning well over half a century, Ross is one of … Continued
By Erin Neilly
DUNKING INDOORS AND OUT This palatial abode in south Richvale has, among many features, a salt water swimming pool with a sauna and, for cooler days, an indoor basketball court, all for $6,188,000. The property at 19 Fairview Ave. is listed with Alan Newton Real Estate Ltd. LOWER VILLAGE LAP POOL Entertaining is a breeze … Continued
By Erin Neilly
At a time when we spend much of our days staring at computer screens or cell phones, there’s something about “unplugging” that really strikes a chord. So as the warm weather arrives, it makes sense that many city dwellers opt out of the hustle and bustle of Toronto and search for pastoral views and tranquility … Continued
By Erin Neilly
A number of talented Toronto artists will perform at this month’s Luminato festival in a special concert highlighting Indigenous music, including two past Polaris Prize winners — Jeremy Dutcher (2018) and Lido Pimienta (2017). Biziindan gets its world premiere this month on June 14 at Koerner Hall. Biziindan means “listen or listen to” in Anishinaabemowin, … Continued
By Erin Neilly
Funny how chef David Lee couldn’t last at Nota Bene selling upscale normal snazzy restaurant food, and now that he’s doing vegan, there’s a lineup at the door. Go figure. Vegan? Oh sorry, they never use that word. At Planta it’s called “plant-based” food. And also, not just one Planta. I call to change my … Continued
By Erin Neilly
Chef Daniel Hadida doesn’t much care for lemons. He says relying on them is boring and that it signals a lack of creativity. Much better to ferment something acidic himself, like an emerald-green asparagus vinaigrette that somehow, magically, tastes like yuzu. “Lemons are lazy,” he says. “As a society, we’ve chosen to import this thing … Continued
By Erin Neilly
Cheating may be more common than you think. According to a review of 31 studies, approximately one-quarter to one-fifth of North Americans admit to having cheated, and though men are still more likely to cheat than women, women are closing the gap. I don’t condone cheating, but I also don’t believe that every couple ought … Continued
By Erin Neilly
Toronto’s dining scene has always been focused on diversity, but new initiatives are bringing people together to break bread at home. Mariam Shirazi first got the idea to open up her Ramadan iftar dinners after hearing a visiting speaker at her mosque give a sermon about breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions simply by sitting down … Continued
By Erin Neilly
A) ’70s STYLE “These sunglasses are very ode to John Lennon in the ’70s. This pair is very fashion forward.” Over the Rainbow, 101 Yorkville Ave., $18 B) BOAT TOTE “This is a great bag to jump on a boat with. It’s made of this heavy scuba fabric. It also comes with a cute cosmetic … Continued
By Erin Neilly
Although the phrase “eating your feelings” conjures rom-com images of jilted lovers crying into tubs of Ben & Jerry’s, for television personality John Catucci, it evokes a much more enduring concept of food’s relationship to our emotions, communities and personal identities. Catucci’s childhood home is five blocks away from us as we sit at his … Continued
